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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 8, 2019

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM F-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

GSX Techedu Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Not Applicable

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 

 

 

Cayman Islands   8200   Not Applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

Tower C, Beyondsoft Building, 7 East Zone,

10 Xibeiwang East Road

Haidian District, Beijing 100193

People’s Republic of China

+86 10 8282-6826

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Puglisi & Associates

850 Library Avenue, Suite 204

Newark, Delaware 19711

+1 302-738-6680

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Z. Julie Gao, Esq.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

c/o 42/F, Edinburgh Tower, The Landmark

15 Queen’s Road Central

Hong Kong

+852 3740-4700

 

Dan Ouyang, Esq.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Professional Corporation

Unit 2901, 29F, Tower C, Beijing Yintai Center

No. 2 Jianguomenwai Avenue

Chaoyang District, Beijing 100022

The People’s Republic of China

+86 10-6529-8300

 

Weiheng Chen, Esq.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Suite 1509, 15F, Jardine House

1 Connaught Place, Central

Hong Kong

+852 3972-4955

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:

as soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.  ☐

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 an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.

Emerging growth company  ☒

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☒

†    The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of

securities to be registered

 

Proposed maximum

aggregate
offering price (2)(3)

 

Amount of

registration fee

Class A Ordinary Shares, par value US$0.0001 per share (1)

  US$220,000,000   US$26,664

 

 

(1)

American depositary shares issuable upon deposit of ordinary shares registered hereby will be registered under a separate registration statement on Form F-6 (Registration No. 333-            ). Each American depositary share represents              Class A ordinary shares.

(2)

Includes Class A ordinary shares that are issuable upon the exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional ADSs. Also includes Class A ordinary shares initially offered and sold outside the United States that may be resold from time to time in the United States either as part of their distribution or within 40 days after the later of the effective date of this registration statement and the date the shares are first bona fide offered to the public. These Class A ordinary shares are not being registered for the purpose of sales outside the United States.

(3)

Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion) Issued                , 2019.

American Depositary Shares

LOGO

GSX Techedu Inc.

Representing                  Class A Ordinary Shares

 

 

This is an initial public offering of American depositary shares, or ADSs, of GSX Techedu Inc.

We are offering            American depositary shares, or ADSs. Each ADS represents            of our Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share. We anticipate the initial public offering price per ADS will be between US$            and US$            .

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs or our ordinary shares. We intend to apply for the listing of the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GSX.”

Following the completion of this offering, our outstanding share capital will consist of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen, our founder, chairman of board of directors and chief executive officer, will beneficially own all of our issued Class B ordinary shares and will be able to exercise         % of the total voting power of our issued and outstanding share capital immediately following the completion of this offering. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote, and each Class B ordinary share is entitled to ten votes and is convertible into one Class A ordinary share. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances.

We are an “emerging growth company” under applicable U.S. federal securities laws and are eligible for reduced public company reporting requirements.

See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 13 for factors you should consider before buying the ADSs.

Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

     Price to Public      Underwriting Discounts
and Commissions (1)
     Proceeds to
us
 

Per ADS

   US$                    US$                    US$                

Total

   US$                    US$                    US$                

 

(1)

See “Underwriting” for additional information regarding compensation payable by us to the underwriters.

We have granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to                additional ADSs within 30 days after the date of this prospectus at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs to purchasers on                , 2019.

 

 

 

                Credit Suisse    Deutsche Bank Securities
                       Barclays    CLSA                    

Prospectus dated                , 2019.


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Prospectus Summary

     1  

Summary Consolidated Financial and Operating Data

     10  

Risk Factors

     13  

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     49  

Use of Proceeds

     50  

Dividend Policy

     51  

Capitalization

     52  

Dilution

     54  

Enforceability of Civil Liabilities

     56  

Corporate History and Structure

     58  

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

     63  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     66  

Industry

     91  

Business

     96  

Regulation

     114  

Management

     134  

Principal Shareholders

     141  

Related Party Transactions

     143  

Description of Share Capital

     144  

Description of American Depositary Shares

     154  

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

     164  

Taxation

     166  

Underwriting

     173  

Expenses Related to this Offering

     185  

Legal Matters

     186  

Experts

     187  

Where You Can Find Additional Information

     188  

Index to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-1  

 

 

We have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we may have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We and the underwriters have not authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy the ADSs, 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 any sale of the ADSs.

We have not taken any action to permit a public offering of the ADSs outside the United States or to permit the possession or distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about and observe any restrictions relating to the offering of the ADSs and the distribution of the prospectus outside the United States.

Until                , 2019 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade ADSs, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

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P ROSPECTUS S UMMARY

The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information and financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to this summary, we urge you to read the entire prospectus carefully, especially the risks of investing in the ADSs discussed under “Risk Factors,” before deciding whether to invest in the ADSs. This prospectus contains information from an industry report commissioned by us and prepared by Frost & Sullivan, an independent research firm, to provide information regarding our industry and our market position in China. We refer to this report as the “Frost & Sullivan Report.”

Our Mission

Make education better through technology.

Who We Are

We are a technology-driven education company. Our core expertise is in online K-12 courses, and we are the third largest online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring service provider in China in terms of gross billings in 2018, according to Frost & Sullivan. Our K-12 courses cover all primary and secondary grades, and contributed over 73% and 75% of our total revenues in 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019, respectively. We also offer foreign language, professional and interest courses. Our total enrollments increased from 79,632 in 2017 to 767,102 in 2018 and from 70,845 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to 211,002 for the three months ended March 31, 2019. We adopted the online live large-class format to deliver our courses, which we believe is the most effective and scalable model to disseminate scarce high quality teaching resources to aspiring students in China. With a focus on operational efficiency, we achieved profitability in 2018.

We relentlessly pursue the highest quality in our course offerings. Our education excellence is backed by our high quality teachers and in-house curriculum development expertise. To create a disciplined, effective and engaging learning environment under the large-class format, we have adopted a dual-teacher system, staffing each class with an instructor and multiple tutors well trained in the relevant subjects or curriculum. We pride ourselves of our rigorous and systematic teacher selection and coaching process. From the pool of prospective instructors we identified in 2018 and during the three months ended March 31, 2019, we meticulously evaluated and employed less than 2% of the candidates. As of March 31, 2019, we had 169 instructors and 522 tutors.

We develop and tailor our proprietary curriculum specifically to our online live large-class format with the goal of driving students’ engagement and academic performance. We design our courses in ways to inspire students’ genuine interest and in-depth interactions, which in turn foster students’ holistic development and thus better learning results. With our superior education quality, our online K-12 large-class courses were priced at a significant premium compared to average online K-12 large-class courses in China in 2018, according to Frost & Sullivan.

We strive to apply the latest technology to improve the mode of teaching delivery, student learning experience and operational efficiency. Big data analytics permeates each aspect of our teaching staff training, course development and evaluation, and sales conversion process, which significantly improves our education quality and student engagement and optimizes our sales and marketing spending on prospective students. We leverage advancements in artificial intelligence technology and our proprietary business & operations support system, or BOSS , to improve the productivity and effectiveness of our instructors and tutors.

Capitalizing on our proprietary technology infrastructure, we have built a highly scalable business that we can expand and replicate rapidly with consistent quality. The average enrollments of our online K-12 courses



 

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increased from approximately 400 per course in 2017 to approximately 600 per course in 2018, and from approximately 440 per course for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to approximately 980 per course for the same period in 2019. Our net revenues increased by 307.1% to RMB397.3 million (US$59.2 million) in 2018 from RMB97.6 million in 2017 and by 474.0% to RMB269.2 million (US$40.1 million) in the three months ended March 31, 2019 from RMB46.9 million in the same period in 2018. Our gross billings increased by 437.8% to RMB655.1 million (US$97.6 million) in 2018 from RMB121.8 million in 2017 and by 392.0% to RMB300.1 million (US$44.7 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from RMB61.0 million for the same period in 2018. We generated a net income of RMB19.7 million (US$2.9 million) in 2018, compared with a net loss of RMB87.0 million in 2017, and generated a net income of RMB33.9 million (US$5.1 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared with a net loss of RMB3.6 million for the same period in 2018. For discussions of gross billings and reconciliation of gross billings to net revenues, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measure.”

Market Opportunities

According to Frost & Sullivan, China’s online education market in terms of gross billings grew from RMB36.6 billion in 2013 to RMB143.2 billion (US$20.8 billion) in 2018, representing a CAGR of 31.4%, and is expected to grow at a higher CAGR of 37.2% to reach RMB696.3 billion (US$101.3 billion) in 2023.

China’s online K-12 after-school tutoring market has experienced significant growth over the past few years. Admission to quality schools and universities has created tremendous demand for K-12 after-school tutoring in China. Online K-12 after-school tutoring courses are generally divided into large-class, small-class and one-on-one class formats. As online courses provide students with access to otherwise scarce top teaching talents nationwide, online K-12 after-school tutoring has gained increasing popularity among K-12 students and their parents across China. According to Frost & Sullivan, China’s online K-12 after-school tutoring market in terms of gross billings grew from RMB1.4 billion in 2013 to RMB30.2 billion (US$4.4 billion) in 2018, representing a CAGR of 85.2%, and is expected to further increase to RMB367.2 billion (US$53.4 billion) in 2023, representing a CAGR of 64.8% from 2018.

There is significant imbalance of education resources between urban and more remote areas in China. The strong demand for high-quality education resources nationwide drives the growth of online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring market in China. According to Frost & Sullivan, China’s online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring market in terms of gross billings grew from RMB0.7 billion in 2013 to RMB15.1 billion (US$2.2 billion) in 2018, representing a CAGR of 86.5%, and is expected to further increase to RMB202.0 billion (US$29.4 billion) in 2023, representing a CAGR of 68.0% from 2018.

The online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring market in China is still at an early development stage. Despite its short history, online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring market is already more consolidated than the offline market. According to Frost & Sullivan, the top market players for online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring as a whole is expected to grow faster than the overall online K-12 after-school tutoring industry.

Our Strengths

We believe the following competitive strengths are essential for our success and differentiate us from our competitors:

 

   

leadership in China’s online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring market;

 

   

superior education quality;

 

   

robust proprietary technology infrastructure and application;



 

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highly scalable business model with exceptional operating efficiency; and

 

   

renowned founder and seasoned management team with a corporate DNA of student service.

Our Strategies

We intend to enhance student engagement and increase our paid course enrollment by pursuing the following strategies:

 

   

continue to enhance the quality of our education services and students’ learning experience;

 

   

attract and develop our teaching talent;

 

   

strengthen our technologies and data analytics capabilities;

 

   

expand our course offerings; and

 

   

enhance our brand recognition.

Our Challenges

We face risks and uncertainties in realizing our business objectives and executing our strategies, including those relating to:

 

   

our limited operating history with our current business model, which makes it difficult to predict our prospects and our business and financial performance;

 

   

our ability to attract students to purchase our course packages and to increase the spending of our students;

 

   

our ability to manage our growth and execute our growth strategies effectively;

 

   

our ability to engage, train and retain high quality teaching staff;

 

   

our reliance on certain top quality instructors;

 

   

our past net loss and uncertainty over whether we can remain profitable or increase profitability in the future;

 

   

the intense competition that we face, which could divert students to our competitors, leading to pricing pressure and loss of market share, and significantly reduced net revenues;

 

   

new legislation or proposed changes in the PRC regulatory requirements regarding online private education;

 

   

the development of regulatory requirements on operating licenses and permits for our online education services in China; and

 

   

our ability to improve or maintain our sales and marketing efficiency.

See “Risk Factors” and other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that we face.

Corporate History and Structure

We commenced operations through Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing BaiJiaHuLian, in June 2014. Our holding company, BaiJiaHuLian Group Holdings Limited, was incorporated in August 2014 in the Cayman Islands to facilitate financing and offshore listing. In January 2019, we renamed our company as GSX Techedu Inc.



 

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In August 2014, we established a wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, BaiJiaHuLian HK Holdings Limited. In January 2015, BaiJiaHuLian HK Holdings Limited established a wholly-owned subsidiary in China, Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing Lexuebang.

In April 2015, we gained control over Beijing BaiJiaHuLian through Beijing Lexuebang by entering into a series of contractual arrangements with Beijing BaiJiaHuLian and its shareholders. The contractual arrangements with Beijing BaiJiaHuLian were subsequently amended and restated in March 2019.



 

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The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries, as of the date of this prospectus:

 

 

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Note:

(1)

Represents 67,213,280 ordinary shares and 6,092,008 preferred shares held by Ebetter International Group Limited, a British Virgin Islands company ultimately owned by The Better Learner Trust, as of the date of this prospectus. Please refer to the beneficial ownership table in the section captioned “Principal Shareholders” for more information on beneficial ownership of Ebetter International Group Limited in our company prior to and immediately after this offering.



 

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(2)

Shareholders of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian and their respective shareholdings in Beijing BaiJiaHuLian and relationship with our company are Larry Xiangdong Chen (98.28%), chairman of our board of directors and our chief executive officer, and Bin Luo (1.72%), our employee.

The following diagram sets forth the shareholding structure of our company immediately after this offering, without giving effect to voting power changes.

 

LOGO

 

Notes:

*

The computation of beneficial ownership percentages assumes that the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option. See “Principal Shareholders.” The shareholding percentages do not take into account the different votes that Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares are entitled to.

(1)

We expect the shareholding structure of our subsidiaries and variable interest entities will remain the same immediately after the completion of this offering.

Implication of Being an Emerging Growth Company

As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenue for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements compared to those that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. However, we have elected to “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted for public companies. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (a) the last day of the fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of at least US$1.07 billion; (b) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering; (c) the date on which we have, during the preceding three-year period, issued more than US$1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; or (d) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of the ADSs that are held by non-affiliates exceeds US$700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Once we cease to be an emerging growth company, we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act discussed above.

Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at Tower C, Beyondsoft Building, 7 East Zone, 10 Xibeiwang East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address



 

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is +86 10 8282-6826. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.

Investors should submit any inquiries to the address and telephone number of our principal executive offices. Our main website is www.baijiahulian.com . The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Puglisi & Associates, located at 850 Library Avenue, Suite 204, Newark, Delaware 19711.

Conventions that Apply to this Prospectus

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to:

 

   

“ADRs” are to the American depositary receipts that may evidence the ADSs;

 

   

“ADSs” are to the American depositary shares, each of which represents                    Class A ordinary shares;

 

   

“BVI” are to the British Virgin Islands;

 

   

“China” or the “PRC” are to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purposes of this prospectus only, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan;

 

   

“Class A ordinary shares” are to our Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share;

 

   

“Class B ordinary shares” are to our Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share;

 

   

“courses” refer to our courses that are charged not less than RMB9.90 per course in fees;

 

   

“gross billings” for a specific period refer to the total amount of cash received for the sale of course offerings and membership fees from teachers on our online platform in such period, net of the total amount of refunds in such period;

 

   

“GSX,” “we,” “us,” “our company” and “our” are to GSX Techedu Inc., our Cayman Islands holding company and its subsidiaries, its consolidated variable interest entity and the subsidiaries of the consolidated variable interest entity;

 

   

“our VIE” or “Beijing BaiJiaHuLian” are to Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd.;

 

   

“our WFOE” or “Beijing Lexuebang” are to Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd.;

 

   

“paid courses” refer to our courses that are charged not less than RMB99.00 per course in fees;

 

   

“paid course enrollments” for a certain period refer to the cumulative number of paid courses enrolled in and paid for by our students, including multiple paid courses enrolled in and paid for by the same student;

 

   

“RMB” and “Renminbi” are to the legal currency of China;

 

   

“total enrollments” for a certain period refer to the cumulative total number of courses enrolled in and paid for by our students, including multiple courses enrolled in and paid for by the same student; and

 

   

“US$,” “U.S. dollars,” “$,” and “dollars” are to the legal currency of the United States.

Unless the context indicates otherwise, all information in this prospectus assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional ADSs. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi in this prospectus are made at a rate of RMB6.7112 to US$1.00, the exchange rate in effect as of March 29, 2019 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. We make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate, or at all.



 

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The Offering

 

Offering price

We currently estimate that the initial public offering price will be between US$             and US$             per ADS.

 

ADSs offered by us

            ADSs (or             ADSs if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full).

 

ADSs outstanding immediately after this offering

            ADSs (or             ADSs if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full).

 

Ordinary shares outstanding immediately after this offering

            Class A ordinary shares (or             Class A ordinary shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full) and             Class B ordinary shares.

 

The ADSs

Each ADS represents             Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share.

 

  The depositary will hold Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. You will have rights as provided in the deposit agreement among us, the depositary and holders and beneficial owners of ADSs from time to time.

 

  We do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. If, however, we declare dividends on our ordinary shares, the depositary will pay you the cash dividends and other distributions it receives on our ordinary shares after deducting its fees and expenses in accordance with the terms set forth in the deposit agreement.

 

  You may surrender your ADSs to the depositary in exchange for Class A ordinary shares. The depositary will charge you fees for any exchange.

 

  We may amend or terminate the deposit agreement without your consent. If you continue to hold your ADSs after an amendment to the deposit agreement, you agree to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended.

 

  To better understand the terms of the ADSs, you should carefully read the “Description of American Depositary Shares” section of this prospectus. You should also read the deposit agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.

 

Option to purchase additional ADSs

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable within 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of             additional ADSs.


 

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Use of proceeds

We expect that we will receive net proceeds of approximately US$             million from this offering, assuming an initial public offering price of US$             per ADS, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

  We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for improving students’ learning experience and educational content development, recruiting high quality teaching staff, improving our technology infrastructure, marketing and brand promotions, as well as working capital and other general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” for more information.

 

Lock-up

[We, our directors, executive officers, our existing shareholders and holders of our share-based awards] have agreed with the underwriters not to sell, transfer or dispose of any ADSs, ordinary shares or similar securities for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” and “Underwriting.”

 

Listing

We intend to apply to have the ADSs listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GSX.” The ADSs and our ordinary shares will not be listed on any other stock exchange or traded on any automated quotation system.

 

Payment and settlement

The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment therefor through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on                     , 2019.

Depositary

The number of ordinary shares that will be outstanding immediately after this offering:

 

   

is based on 143,450,000 ordinary shares outstanding on an as-converted basis as of the date of this prospectus, assuming (i) the automatic conversion or re-designation, as the case may be, of 73,305,288 shares held by Ebetter International Group Limited and beneficially owned by Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen, our founder, chairman of board of directors and chief executive officer, into Class B ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis immediately prior to the completion of this offering and (ii) the automatic conversion or re-designation, as the case may be, of all of our remaining 70,144,712 shares into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis immediately prior to the completion of this offering;

 

   

includes             Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs that we will issue and sell in this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs;

 

   

excludes 10,850,475 Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of our outstanding options; and

 

   

excludes 17,549,525 Class A ordinary shares reserved for future issuances under our Share Incentive Plan.



 

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S UMMARY C ONSOLIDATED F INANCIAL AND O PERATING D ATA

The following summary consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, summary consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, and summary consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary consolidated statements of operation for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, summary consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2019, and summary consolidated cash flow data for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019 have been derived from our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for future periods. You should read this Summary Consolidated Financial Data section together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    

For the Year Ended December 31,

   

For the Three Months Ended
March 31,

 
    

2017

   

2018

   

2018

   

2019

 
    

RMB

   

RMB

   

US$

   

RMB

   

RMB

   

US$

 
     (in thousands, except for share amounts and per share data)  

Summary Consolidated Statements of Operations:

            

Net revenues

     97,580       397,306       59,200       46,911       269,155       40,105  

Cost of revenues (1)

     (25,023     (142,753     (21,271     (20,688     (82,045     (12,225
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     72,557       254,553       37,929       26,223       187,110       27,880  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

            

Selling expenses (1)

     (75,325     (121,518     (18,107     (13,882     (99,519     (14,829

Research and development expenses (1)

     (52,451     (74,050     (11,034     (11,924     (30,442     (4,536

General and administrative expenses (1)

     (37,208     (39,831     (5,935     (4,577     (14,422     (2,149

Total operating expenses

     (164,984     (235,399     (35,076  

 

 

 

(30,383

 

 

 

 

 

(144,383

 

 

 

 

 

(21,514

 

(Loss) income from operations

     (92,427     19,154       2,853    

 

 

 

(4,160

 

 

 

 

 

42,727

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,366

 

 

Interest income

     189       2,193       327       88       1,116       166  

Other income

     2,004       495       74       87       533       79  

Other expenses

     (50     (445     (66     (17            

Impairment loss on equity method investment

     (1,070     —         —      

 

 

 

—  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income before provision for income tax and (loss) income from equity method investments

     (91,354     21,397       3,188    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44,376

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,611

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax benefits (expenses)

     4,620       (2,616     (390     489       (10,018     (1,493

(Loss) income from equity method investments

     (221     869       129    

 

 

 

(90

 

 

 

 

 

(467

 

 

 

 

 

(70

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

     (86,955     19,650       2,927    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,603

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,891

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,048

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares redemption value accretion

     (38,930     (38,930     (5,801  

 

(9,733

 

 

 

 

(9,733

 

 

 

 

 

(1,450

 

Undistributed earnings allocated to the participating preferred shares

     —         —         —         —         (6,444     (961
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income attributable to GSX Techedu Inc.’s ordinary shareholders

     (125,885     (19,280     (2,874     (13,336     17,714       2,637  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income per ordinary share

            

Basic

     (1.36     (0.21     (0.03     (0.14     0.18       0.03  

Diluted

     (1.36     (0.21     (0.03     (0.14     0.17       0.02  

Weighted average shares used in net (loss) income per share

            

Basic

     92,224,998       92,224,998       92,224,998       92,224,998       97,944,998       97,944,998  

Diluted

     92,224,998       92,224,998       92,224,998       92,224,998       106,013,755      
106,013,755
 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures (2)

            

Gross billings

     121,843       655,128       97,617       60,999       300,095       44,716  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


 

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Notes:

(1)

Share-based compensation expenses are in cost of revenues and operating expenses as follows:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,      For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2017      2018      2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB      US$      RMB      RMB      US$  
     (in thousands)  

Share-based compensation expenses:

           

Cost of revenues

     3        283        42        12        423        63  

Selling expenses

     373        429        64        32        590        88  

Research and development expenses

     276        782        117        80        1,208        180  

General and administrative expenses

     5,136        4,423        659        89        1,601        239  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     5,788        5,917        882        213        3,822        570  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2)

For discussions of gross billings and reconciliation of gross billings to net revenues, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measure.”

The following table presents our summary consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and March 31, 2019:

 

     As of December 31,     As of March 31,  
     2017     2018     2019  
     RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     US$  
     (in thousands)  

Summary Consolidated Balance Sheets Data:

          

Cash and cash equivalents

     19,294       33,259       4,956       40,033       5,965  

Short-term investments

     7,974       197,991       29,501       254,139       37,868  

Total current assets

     52,345       280,801       41,841       363,628       54,182  

Total assets

     103,213       338,203       50,394       474,169       70,653  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current liabilities

     155,013       355,912       53,033       420,702       62,687  

Total liabilities

     155,500       364,682       54,340       462,517       68,917  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mezzanine equity

     427,130       466,060       69,445       475,793       70,895  

Total shareholders’ deficit

     (479,417     (492,539     (73,391     (464,141     (69,159
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


 

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The following table presents our summary consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2017     2018     2018     2019  
     RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  
     (in thousands)  

Summary Consolidated Cash Flow Data:

            

Net cash (used in) generated from operating activities

     (49,643     241,869       36,040       5,420       64,609       9,627  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (10,140     (198,720     (29,610     (3,046     (57,320     (8,541

Net cash generated from (used in) financing activities

     56,531       (29,193     (4,350     460       (500     (75
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes

     (40     9       1       2       (15     (2

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (3,292     13,965       2,081       2,836       6,774       1,009  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     22,586       19,294       2,875       19,294       33,259       4,956  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

     19,294       33,259       4,956       22,130       40,033       5,965  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table presents summary operating data for the periods indicated:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,      For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2017      2018      2018      2019  

Summary Operating Data:

           

Total enrollments

     79,632        767,102        70,845        211,002  

Paid course enrollments

     65,092        552,294        58,308        190,197  


 

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R ISK F ACTORS

An investment in the ADSs involves significant risks. You should consider carefully all of the information in this prospectus, including the risks and uncertainties described below, before making an investment in the ADSs. Any of the following risks could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay dividends, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

We have a limited operating history with our current business model, which makes it difficult to predict our prospects and our business and financial performance.

We have a short operating history with our current business model focusing on providing online live large-classes. We transitioned from a membership-based service platform connecting teaching staff and students to our current business model in March 2017. Our limited history of operating under the current business model may not serve as an adequate basis for evaluating our prospect and operating results, including gross billings, net revenues, cash flows and operating margins. We have encountered, and may continue to encounter in the future, risks, challenges and uncertainties associated with operating an internet-based education business, such as building and managing reliable and secure IT systems and infrastructure, addressing regulatory compliance and uncertainty, engaging, training and retaining high quality employees such as our teaching staff and IT support staff, and improving and expanding our education content offering. If we do not manage these risks successfully, our operating and financial results may differ materially from our expectations and our business and financial performance may suffer.

If we are not able to continue to attract students to purchase our course packages and to increase the spending of our students, our business and prospects will be materially and adversely affected.

Our ability to continue to attract students to purchase our course packages and to increase their spending are critical to the continued success and growth of our business. This in turn will depend on several factors, including our ability to engage, train and retain high quality teaching staff, continue to develop, adapt or enhance quality of our course offerings to meet the evolving demands of our existing or prospective students, and effectively market our course offerings and enhance our brand awareness to a broader base of prospective students. We may not always be able to meet our students’ expectations in terms of academic performance due to a variety of reasons, many of which are outside of our control. We may face student dissatisfaction due to our students’ perceptions of our failure to help them achieve their anticipated academic goals, our students’ overall dissatisfaction with the quality of our education content offerings and our teaching staff, as well as changing views of the value of the diplomas, degrees and qualifications they are pursuing through taking our courses. We must also manage our growth while maintaining consistent and high teaching quality, and respond effectively to competitive pressures. If we are unable to continue to attract students to purchase our course packages and to increase the spending of our students, our gross billings and net revenues may decline, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have grown rapidly and expect to continue to invest in our growth for the foreseeable future. If we fail to manage this growth effectively, the success of our business model will be compromised.

We have experienced rapid growth in recent years. Our rapid growth has placed, and will continue to place, a significant strain on our demand for more teaching staff and IT support staff, administrative and operating infrastructure, educational content development, sales and marketing capacities, facilities and other resources. To maintain our growth, we need to continue to attract more students, scale up our education content offerings, increase our educational content development professionals and employees of other functions, as well as

 

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strengthen our technology and infrastructure, such as our live broadcasting technology and BOSS system. We will also be required to refine our operational, financial and management controls and reporting systems and procedures. If we fail to efficiently manage this expansion of our business, our costs and expenses may increase more than we plan and we may not successfully attract a sufficient number of students and teaching staff in a cost-effective manner, respond to competitive challenges, or otherwise execute our business strategies.

Our ability to effectively implement our strategies and manage any significant growth of our business will depend on a number of factors, including our ability to: (i) effectively recruit, train, retain and motivate a large number of new employees, particularly our teaching staff, IT support staff and educational content development professionals; (ii) continue to improve our operational, financial and management controls and efficiencies; (iii) successfully implement enhancements and improvements to the systems and infrastructures; (iv) improve education contents to make them appealing to existing and prospective students, particularly K-12 students; (v) maintain and increase our paid course enrollments; (vi) improve our sales and marketing efficiency; (vii) protect and further develop our intellectual property rights; and (viii) make sound business decisions in light of the scrutiny associated with operating as a public company. These activities require significant capital expenditures and investment of valuable management and financial resources, and our growth will continue to place significant demands on our management. There are no guarantees that we will be able to effectively manage any future growth in an efficient, cost-effective and timely manner, or at all. Our growth in a relatively short period of time is not necessarily indicative of results that we may achieve in the future. If we do not effectively manage the growth of our business and operations, our reputation, results of operations and overall business and prospects could be negatively impacted.

If we are not able to continue to engage, train and retain high quality teaching staff, we may not be able to maintain consistent teaching quality, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

We have adopted a dual-teacher system, comprised of high quality instructors and professional tutors. Our teaching staff is critical to the learning experience of our students and our reputation. We seek to engage high quality teaching staff with strong education background and teaching skills. We must provide competitive pay and offer attractive career development opportunities to attract and retain them. We must also provide ongoing training to our teaching staff to ensure that they stay abreast of changes in course materials, student demands and other changes and trends necessary to teach effectively. Furthermore, as we continue to develop new education content, we may need to engage additional high quality teaching staff with appropriate skill sets or backgrounds to deliver instructions effectively. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to effectively engage and train such teaching staff quickly, or at all. Furthermore, given other potential more attractive opportunities for our quality teaching staff, over time some of them may choose to leave us. Departure of quality teaching staff may reduce the attractiveness of our course offerings and negatively impact our paid course enrollments. Furthermore, in the event such quality teaching staff join our competitors, students may decide to follow such quality teaching staff and enroll in their courses offered through other online education companies, which may further weaken our competitive position in the industry. Although we have not experienced major difficulties in engaging, training or retaining high quality teaching staff in the past, we may not always be able to engage, train and retain enough high quality teaching staff to keep pace with our growth while maintaining consistent education quality. We may also face significant competition in engaging high quality teaching staff from our competitors or from other opportunities that are perceived as more desirable. A shortage of high quality teaching staff, a decrease in the quality of our teaching staff’s performance, whether actual or perceived, or a significant increase in the cost to engage or retain high quality teaching staff would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We face risks associated with our reliance on certain top quality instructors.

We rely on certain top quality instructors to deliver our course offerings. We generated 46.6% and 46.4% of our total net revenues from courses delivered by our top 10 instructors in 2018 and for the three months ended

 

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March 31, 2019, respectively. Our reliance on certain top quality instructors may expose us to concentration risks. If we lose our top quality instructors to competitors, the attractiveness of our course offerings may be adversely affected, which could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

We have incurred net losses in the past, and we may not remain profitable or increase profitability in the future.

We generated a net income of RMB33.9 million (US$5.1 million) in the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to net loss of RMB3.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. We incurred a net loss of RMB87.0 million in 2017 and generated a net income of RMB19.7 million (US$2.9 million) in 2018. We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue generate net profits or positive cash flow from operating activities in the future. Our ability to maintain profitability will depend in large part on our ability to maintain or increase our operating margin, either by growing our revenues at a rate faster than our costs and operating expenses increase, or by reducing our costs and operating expenses as a percentage of our net revenues. Accordingly, we intend to continue to invest to attract new students, hire high quality teaching staff, and strengthen our technologies and data analytics capabilities to enhance student experience. As a result of the foregoing, we may not remain profitable or increase our profitability in the future.

We face intense competition, which could divert students to our competitors, lead to pricing pressure and loss of market shares, and significantly reduce our net revenues.

The online education industry in China is intensely competitive, and we expect competition in this sector to persist and intensify. We face competition in each part of our service offerings from other online educational service providers. Some of our current or future competitors may have longer operating histories, greater brand recognition, or greater financial, technical or marketing resources than we do. We compete with these online education service providers across a range of factors, including, among others, high quality instructors in the education industry, technology infrastructure and data analytics capabilities, quality of our education services and students’ learning experience, brand recognition and scope of our course offerings. Our competitors may adopt similar curricula and marketing approaches, with different pricing and service packages that may have greater appeal than our offerings. In addition, some of our competitors may have more resources than we do and may be able to devote greater resources than we can to the development and promotion of their services and respond more quickly than we can to the changes in student preferences, testing materials, admission standards, market needs or new technologies. If we reduce course fees or increase spending in response to competition in order to retain or attract students and high quality teaching staff, or pursue new market opportunities, our net revenues may decrease and our costs and expenses may increase as a result of such actions which may adversely affect our operating margins. If we are unable to successfully compete for students, maintain or increase our level of course fees, attract and retain competent teaching staff or other key personnel, maintain our competitiveness in terms of the quality of our education services in a cost-effective manner, our net revenues may be materially and adversely affected.

Uncertainties exist in relation to new legislation or proposed changes in the PRC regulatory requirements regarding online private education, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The private education industry in the PRC is subject to regulations in various aspects. Relevant rules and regulations are relatively new and evolving and could be changed to accommodate the development of the education, in particular, the online private education markets from time to time.

Pursuant to the amended Law for Promoting Private Education, or the amended Private Education Law, a private school shall obtain a private school operating permit. See “Regulation—The Law for Promoting Private Education and its Implementing Rules.” However, we, as an online tutoring service provider, are different from

 

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traditional offline education service providers, and it remains unclear in practice as to whether and how an online tutoring service provider like us needs to comply with the operating permit requirement under the amended Private Education Law. In August 2018, the Ministry of Justice, or MOJ, published the draft amendment to the Regulations on the Implementation of the Law for Promoting Private Education of the PRC, or MOJ Draft, for public comment. According to the MOJ Draft, we, as an online non-diploma-awarding education service provider, shall file with the department of education at the provincial level. The MOJ Draft further stipulates that the internet technology service platform that provides the training and educational activities shall review and register the identity information of institutions or individuals applying for access to the platform. See “Regulations—The Law for Promoting Private Education and its Implementing Rules”. As of the date of this prospectus, the MOJ Draft is still pending for final approval and has not come into effect. It remains uncertain when and how the MOJ Draft would come into effect, and whether and how local government would promulgate rules related to the filing or licensing requirement applicable to online education service providers like us. If we are not able to comply with the filing or licensing requirement in a timely manner or at all, we may be subject to fines, confiscation of the gains derived from our non-compliant operations, suspension of our non-compliant operations or claims for compensation of any economic loss suffered by our students or other relevant parties.

In addition, the PRC governmental authorities have recently issued a series of circulars aiming to strength its regulation of after-school training institutions, which could bring about uncertainties to online after-school training institutions like us. These circulars require, among other things, that (i) training services beyond the scope or higher than the level of the school textbooks should be banned; (ii) an after-school training institution shall not provide tutoring to students after 8:30 p.m. each day; (iii) fees shall not be collected at one time for courses longer than three months; (iv) teachers providing after-school tutoring services related to academic curriculum are required to have the corresponding teaching qualification licenses; (v) provincial education departments shall be responsible for the filing of training institutions that provide online training facing primary and middle school students and shall regulate the online after-school training institutions based on the management policies governing offline after-school training institutions; (vi) online after-school training institutions shall file the information of their courses with the provincial education departments, and (vii) online after-school training institutions shall publish the name, photo, class schedule and certificate number of the teacher qualification of each teacher on their websites. See “Regulation—Regulation Related to After-school Tutoring”.

Since the overall regulatory framework over the online tutoring business remains uncertain and in flux and currently there are no clear and specific guidance, interpretation or implementing rules on how an online education institution should comply with these circulars, our current practice may be deemed to be not in full compliance with these circulars. For example, as of the date of this prospectus, approximately 49% of our instructors teaching K-12 classes lack the relevant teaching qualification licenses, some of our K-12 classes end after 8:30 p.m. and some fees are collected at one time for courses longer than three months. Based on our anonymous consultation with Beijing Municipal Education Commission and its Haidian Branch, additional implementation rules and interpretation may be promulgated to indicate clearly on whether, when and how these circulars apply to online education service providers like us. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any written notice of warning or been subject to penalties from the relevant government authorities regarding our possible failure to comply with these circulars. We are preparing the information filing materials as required under the relevant circular, and have formally notified our K-12 teachers of the requirement to obtain relevant teaching qualification licenses. We will also take necessary measures, such as measures to adjust the time schedule and fee collection method of our K-12 classes, to comply with the requirements of local competent authorities once the requirements on measures to be taken are made clear by the local competent authorities. Nevertheless, it is uncertain whether and how PRC government would promulgate new laws and regulations applying the requirements under these new circulars to online tutoring institutions like us, and there is no assurance that we can comply with any newly promulgated laws and regulations in a timely manner. Failure to regain compliance may materially and adversely affect our business, financial conditions and results of operations.

 

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Given the foregoing, the interpretation and application of the existing laws and regulations and the newly promulgated implementation rules and interpretations, if any, that governs the online private education industry would create substantial uncertainties regarding the legality of our business operation, which create risks that we may be found to violate the existing laws and regulations and any newly promulgated implementation rules and interpretations.

We face uncertainties with respect to the development of regulatory requirements on operating licenses and permits for our online education services in China. Failure to renew requested licenses or permits in a timely manner or obtain newly required ones due to adverse changes in regulations or policies could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The internet industry and education industry in China are highly regulated by the PRC government. As an internet-based education service provider, we are required to obtain and maintain all necessary approvals, licenses or permits applicable to our business operations and make all necessary registration and filings for our education services in China, and we may be required to apply for and obtain additional licenses or permits for our operations as the interpretation and implementation of current PRC laws and regulations are still evolving, and new laws and regulations may also be promulgated.

We currently hold a Value-added Telecommunications Business Operating License for internet information service. We may be required to apply for and obtain additional licenses, permits or recordation, given the significant uncertainties of the interpretation and implementation of certain regulatory requirements applicable to online education business. As of the date of this prospectus, online education institutions are not explicitly required to obtain the License for Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs or the Permit for Production and Operation of Radio and TV Programs primarily because there are no implementation rules, explicit interpretation from government authorities or prevailing enforcement practice deeming internet education services as “internet audio-visual program” and “radio and television program” as defined in relevant rules and regulations promulgated by relevant government authorities. In addition, as of the date of this prospectus, there are no implementation rules, explicit interpretation from government authorities or prevailing enforcement practice deeming the provision of our educational content to our students through our online platform as “internet cultural activities” which requires an Internet Cultural Business Operating License or “online publishing” which requires an Online Publishing Service Permit. See “Regulation.” However, there is no assurance that local PRC authorities will not adopt different enforcement practice, or any PRC government will not issue more explicit interpretation and rules or promulgate new laws and regulations from time to time to further regulate the online education industry, which may subject us to additional licensing requirements to continue to operate our business. We also print and provide physical education materials to our students. If the government authorities deem such activities as “publication distribution” under Administrative Provisions on the Publications Market, we may be required to obtain the Publication Operation License and failure to obtain such license may subject us to fines and we may be ordered by the competent government authorities to suspend printing and providing such offline educational materials to our students, which will materially and adversely affect our business operation. See “Regulation—Regulation Related to Publication Distribution.” As of the date of this prospectus, no material fines or other penalties have been imposed on us for failure to obtain such additional licenses, permits or recordation, including, among other things, the Internet Culture Business Operating License, License for Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs, Permit for Production and Operation of Radio and TV Programs, Online Publishing Services Permit and Publication Operation License.

There can be no assurance that once required, we will be able to obtain all the required approvals, licenses, permits and complete all necessary filings, recordations renewals and registrations on a timely basis for our online education services, given the significant amount of discretion the PRC authorities may have in interpreting, implementing and enforcing relevant rules and regulations, as well as other factors beyond our control and anticipation. If we fail to obtain required permits in a timely manner or obtain or renew any permits and certificates, or fail to complete the necessary filings, recordations renewals or registrations on a timely basis, we may be subject to fines, confiscation of the gains derived from our non-compliant operations, suspension of

 

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our non-compliant operations or claims for compensation of any economic loss suffered by our students or other relevant parties.

If we are not able to improve or maintain our sales and marketing efficiency, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Selling expenses represent a significant portion of our operating expenses. We incurred approximately RMB75.3 million and RMB121.5 million (US$18.1 million) selling expenses in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and approximately RMB13.9 million and RMB99.5 million (US$14.8 million) selling expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Our sales and marketing activities may not be well received by students and may not result in the levels of sales that we anticipate and our trial courses may not be attractive to our prospective students. For example, if our students attending trial courses do not purchase our standard courses, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, we may not be able to maintain or further improve our operational efficiency. We also may not be able to retain or recruit experienced sales staff, or to efficiently train junior sales staff. In addition, marketing and branding approaches and tools in the online education market in China are evolving. This further requires us to enhance our marketing and branding approaches and experiment with new methods to keep pace with industry developments and student preferences. Failure to refine our existing marketing and branding approaches or to introduce new marketing and branding approaches in a cost-effective manner may reduce our market share, cause our revenues to decline and negatively impact our operating margins.

We may not be able to maintain or increase our course fee level.

Our results of operations are affected by the pricing of our education services. We determine our course fees primarily based on the demand for our educational programs, the cost of our operations, the course fees charged by our competitors, our pricing strategy to gain market share and general economic conditions in the PRC. We believe our high quality course offerings have enabled us to charge above-market course fees. Although we charge premium course fees for our courses compared with our competitors, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain or increase our course fee in the future without adversely affecting the demand for our education services.

Refunds or potential refund disputes of our course fees may negatively affect our cash flows, financial condition, and reputation.

For our online courses, we offer refunds for any remaining classes in a course to students who withdraw from the course. The refund is equal to the amount related to the undelivered classes. The number of refund requests and the amount of refunds could be affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include, without limitation to, student dissatisfaction with our teaching quality and our education content offerings, privacy concerns relating to our online platforms, negative publicity regarding us or online education in general, and any change or development in PRC laws and regulations with respect to fees and tuitions charged by online education service providers like us. Any refund payments that we may be required to make to our students, as well as the expenses we could incur for processing refunds and resolving refund disputes, could be substantial and could adversely affect our business operations and financial condition. A high volume of refunds and refund disputes may also generate negative publicity that could harm our reputation.

Any significant disruption to or failures of our information technology systems, including events beyond our control, could reduce student satisfaction and could harm our reputation and cause our education services to be less attractive to our students.

The performance and reliability of our information technology system is critical to our operations and reputation. Our network infrastructure is currently deployed and our data is currently mainly maintained through a third-party cloud computing service provider in China. Our operations depend on the service provider’s ability

 

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to protect its and our system in its facilities against events such as damage or interruption from natural disasters, power or telecommunications failures, air quality issues, environmental conditions, computer viruses or attempts to harm our systems, criminal acts and similar events, which events are beyond our control. If our arrangement with such service provider is terminated or if there is a lapse of service or damage to their facilities, we could experience interruptions in our service. Any interruptions in the accessibility of or deterioration it the quality of access to our system could reduce students’ satisfaction and result in reduction in the number of students using our services, which would reduce the attractiveness of our education content offering services. We have experienced a system outage in 2017 caused by the IT issue encountered by our third-party cloud computing service provider, resulting in the deterioration in the quality of access to, and interruption of access to our system for about half an hour. No students have claimed damages for such system outage. Although we have reported the issue to the service provider in a timely basis, and the service provider and us each has optimized its system, we cannot assure you that similar issues will not happen in the future.

If we fail to adopt new technologies that are important to our business, in particular the technology upgrade related to live broadcasting, our competitive position and ability to generate revenues may be materially and adversely affected.

The technology used in internet and value-added telecommunications services in general, and in online education services in particular, may evolve and change over time. As a technology-driven education company, we must anticipate and adapt to such technological changes, in particular the technology upgrade related to live broadcasting, and adopt new technologies in a timely fashion. If we fail to do so, our market share and our business development could suffer, which in turn would have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. If we are unsuccessful in addressing any of the risks relating to failure to adopt new technologies, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

Our failure to protect our intellectual property rights may undermine our competitive position, and litigation to protect our intellectual property rights or defend against third-party allegations of infringement may be costly and ineffective.

We believe that our copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property are essential to our success. We have devoted considerable time and energy to the development and improvement of our websites, mobile apps, our system infrastructure and our course materials.

We rely primarily on copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and other contractual restrictions for the protection of the intellectual property used in our business. Nevertheless, these provide only limited protection and the actions we take to protect our intellectual property rights may not be adequate. Our trade secrets may become known or be independently discovered by our competitors. Third parties may in the future pirate our course materials and may infringe upon or misappropriate our other intellectual property. Infringement upon or the misappropriation of, our proprietary technologies or other intellectual property could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Although we have taken measures to monitoring and policing the unauthorized use of our copyrighted course materials, policing the unauthorized use of intellectual property rights can be difficult and expensive. In addition, we and our instructors whom we have signed exclusive contracts with and engage in content development may be deemed to have joint ownership over intellectual properties relating to our course content. Our instructors may continue to use these course content if they resign with us and join our competitors, which may negatively impact the attractiveness of our courses to prospective students and parents. Although we have entered into agreements with certain instructors to prohibit them from using our course content without our prior consent, we cannot ensure compliance of instructors with such agreement.

Also, litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, protect our trade secrets or determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Such litigation may be costly and divert management’s attention away from our business. An adverse determination in any such litigation would impair

 

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our intellectual property rights and may harm our business, prospects and reputation. Enforcement of judgments in China is uncertain, and even if we are successful in litigation, it may not provide us with an effective remedy. In addition, we have no insurance coverage against litigation costs and would have to bear all costs arising from such litigation to the extent we are unable to recover them from other parties. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be involved in legal and other disputes from time to time arising out of our operations, in particular for allegations relating to our infringement of intellectual property rights of third parties.

We have and may continue to be involved in legal and other disputes in the ordinary courses of our business, including allegations against us for potential infringement of third-party’s copyrights or other intellectual property rights. For example, we have been, and are now subject to allegations on the grounds of intellectual property rights infringement and other legal theories based on the content of the materials that we or our teaching staff distribute or use in our business operation. We may encounter disputes from time to time over rights and obligations concerning intellectual property rights and other legal rights, in particular third-party’s copyrights that may be infringed by us or our teaching staff in our business operation, and we may not prevail in those disputes.

Any claims against us, with or without merit, could be time consuming and costly to defend or litigate, divert our management’s attention and resources or result in the loss of goodwill associated with our brand. If a lawsuit against us is successful, we may be required to pay substantial damages and/or enter into royalty or license agreements that may not be based upon commercially reasonable terms, or we may be unable to enter into such agreements at all. We may also lose, or be limited in, the rights to offer some of our programs, parts of our platform and products or be required to make changes to our course materials or websites. As a result, the scope of our course materials could be reduced, which could adversely affect the effectiveness of our curriculum, limit our ability to attract new students, harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

If our security measures are breached or failed and result in unauthorized disclosure or unintended leakage of data, we could lose existing students, fail to attract new students and be exposed to protracted and costly litigation.

Maintaining platform security is of critical importance to us because we store and transmits proprietary and confidential information, which includes proprietary and confidential student, parent and teaching staff information, such as names, addresses, ID card number, bank account number and other personal information, which is primarily stored in our digital database. To ensure the confidentiality and integrity of our data, we maintain a comprehensive and rigorous data security program. For example, we anonymize and encrypt confidential personal information and take other technological measures to ensure the secure processing, transmission and usage of data. See “Business—Data Privacy and Security. ” These measures, however, may not be as effective as we anticipate. If our security measures are breached or fail and result in unauthorized disclosure or unintended leakage of data, third parties may receive or be able to access student, parent, teaching staff and other records, which could subject us to liabilities, interrupt our business and adversely impact our reputation. Furthermore, we currently face certain legal obligations regarding the manner in which we treat such information. Increased regulation of data utilization practices, including self-regulation or findings under existing laws that limit our ability to collect, transfer and use data, could have an adverse effect on our business. If we were to disclose data about our students, parents and teaching staff in a manner that was objectionable to them, our business reputation could be adversely affected, and we could face potential legal claims that could impact our operating results. Failure to comply with these obligations could subject us to liability, and to the extent that we need to alter our business model or practices to adapt to these obligations, we could incur additional expenses.

Any of these issues could harm our reputation, adversely affect our ability to attract and enroll prospective students, cause prospective students not to enroll or stay enrolled, or subject us to third-party lawsuits, regulatory

 

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fines or other action or liability. Further, any reputational damage resulting from breach of our security measures could create distrust of our company by prospective students or investors. We may be required to expend significant additional resources to protect us against the threat of security measures breaches or to alleviate problems caused by such disruptions or breaches.

Our advertising content may subject us to penalties and other administrative actions.

Under PRC advertising laws and regulations, we are obligated to monitor our advertising content to ensure that such content is true and accurate and in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Violation of these laws and regulations may subject us to penalties, including fines, confiscation of our advertising income, orders to cease dissemination of the advertisements and orders to publish an announcement correcting the misleading information. In circumstances involving serious violations by us, PRC governmental authorities may force us to terminate our advertising operations or revoke our licenses. See “Regulation—Regulation Related to Advertising.”

While we have made significant efforts to ensure that our advertisements are in full compliance with applicable PRC laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that all the content contained in such advertisements is true and accurate as required by the advertising laws and regulations, especially given the uncertainty in the interpretation of these PRC laws and regulations. If we are found to be in violation of applicable PRC advertising laws and regulations, we may be subject to penalties and our reputation may be harmed, which may negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Failure to adequately and promptly respond to changes in examination systems, admission standards, test materials, teaching methods and regulation changes in the PRC could render our courses and services less attractive to students.

In China, school admissions rely heavily on examination results, and students’ performance in these exams is critical to their education and future employment prospects. It is therefore common for students to take after-school tutoring classes to improve their test performance, and the success of our business to a large extent depends on the continued use of entrance exams or tests by schools in their admissions. However, such heavy emphasis on examination scores may decline or fall out of favor with educational institutions or government authorities in China.

Admission and assessment processes undergo continuous changes, in terms of subject and skill focus, question type, examination format and the manner in which the processes are administered. We are therefore required to continually update and enhance our curricula, course materials and teaching methods. Any failure to respond to the changes in a timely and cost-effective manner will adversely impact the marketability of our services and products, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Regulations and policies that decrease the weight of scholastic competition achievements in the admissions process mandated by government authorities or adopted by schools may have an impact on our enrollments. For example, the MOE issued certain implementation guidelines in January 2014 to clarify that local educational administrative departments at all levels, public schools and private schools are not allowed to use examinations to select their students for admission to middle schools from primary schools. Public schools may not use various competitions or examination certificates as the criteria or basis for enrollment. Failure to track and respond to these changes in a timely and cost-effective manner would render our courses, services and products less attractive to students, which may materially and adversely affect our reputation and ability to continue to attract students.

 

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We may not be able to timely develop our education content offerings in a cost-effective manner to make them appealing to existing and prospective students, or at all.

Our educational content development team work closely with our instructors on developing, updating and improving our course materials to stay abreast of the latest educational trends in their respective subject areas. The adjustments, updates and expansions of our existing education content offerings and the development of new course materials may not be accepted by existing or prospective students. Even if we are able to develop acceptable new course materials, we may not be able to introduce them as quickly as students require or as quickly as our competitors introduce competing offerings. Furthermore, offering new courses materials or upgrading existing ones may require us to commit significant resources and make significant investments in educational content development. If we are unsuccessful in pursuing educational content development and upgrading opportunities due to the financial constraints, failure to attract educational content development professionals or qualified instructors, or other factors, our ability to attract and retain students could be impaired and our financial results could suffer.

We cannot assure you that we will not be subject to liability claims for any inappropriate or illegal content in our education content offerings, which could cause us to incur legal costs and damages our reputation.

We implement strict monitoring procedures to remove inappropriate or illegal content. However, we cannot assure you that there will be no inappropriate or illegal materials included in our education contents. In addition, our quiz questions designed internally based on our understanding of the relevant examination requirements may be investigated by the regulatory authorities. Therefore, we may face civil, administrative or criminal liability if an individual or corporate, governmental or other entity believes that our education content offering violates any laws, regulations or governmental policies or infringes upon its legal rights. Even if such a claim were not successful, defending such a claim may cause us to incur substantial costs. Moreover, any accusation of inappropriate or illegal content in our education content offerings could lead to significant negative publicity, which could harm our reputation and future business prospects.

The recognition of our brand may be adversely affected by any negative publicity concerning us and our business, shareholders, affiliates, directors, officers, teaching staff and other employees, as well as the industry in which we operate, regardless of its accuracy, that could harm our reputation and business.

We believe that the market recognition of our brand has significantly contributed to the success of our business and that maintaining and enhancing our brand recognition is critical to sustaining our competitive advantages. Negative publicity about us and our business, shareholders, affiliates, directors, officers, teaching staff and other employees, as well as the industry in which we operate, can harm the recognition of our brand. Negative publicity, regardless of merits, concerning the foregoing, could be related to a wide variety of matters, including but not limited to:

 

   

alleged misconduct or other improper activities committed by our students or our directors, officers, teaching staff and other employees, including misrepresentation made by our employees to potential students during sales and marketing activities, and other fraudulent activities to artificially inflate the popularity of our services or course offerings;

 

   

false or malicious allegations or rumors about us or our directors, shareholders, affiliates, officers, and teaching staff and other employees;

 

   

complaints by our students about our education services and sales and marketing activities;

 

   

refund disputes of course fees between us and our students or administrative penalties;

 

   

security breaches of confidential student or employee information;

 

   

employment-related claims relating to alleged employment discrimination, wage and hour violations; and

 

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governmental and regulatory investigations or penalties resulting from our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

In addition to traditional media, there has been an increasing use of social media platforms and similar devices in China, including instant messaging applications, social media websites and other forms of internet-based communications that provide individuals with access to a broad audience of consumers and other interested persons. The availability of information on instant messaging applications and social media platforms is virtually immediate as is its impact without affording us an opportunity for redress or correction. The opportunity for dissemination of information, including inaccurate information, is seemingly limitless and readily available. Information concerning our company, shareholders, affiliates, directors, officers, teaching staff and other employees, may be posted on such platforms at any time. The risks associated with any such negative publicity or incorrect information cannot be completely eliminated or mitigated and may materially harm the recognition of our brand, our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.

If our senior management and other key personnel is unable to work together effectively or efficiently or if we lose their services, our business may be severely affected.

The continued services of our senior management and other key personnel is important to our continued success. In particular, we rely on the expertise and experience of Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen, our founder, chairman and CEO. We also rely on the experience and services from other senior management. If they cannot work together effectively or efficiently, our business may be severely disrupted. If one or more of our senior management were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we might not be able to replace them easily or at all, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. If any of our senior management joins a competitor or forms a competing business, we may lose students, teaching staff, and other key professionals and staff members. Our senior management has entered into employment agreements with us which contain confidentiality clauses, as well as standalone confidentiality and non-compete agreements. However, if any dispute arises between our senior management and us, we may have to incur substantial costs and expenses in order to enforce such agreements in China or we may be unable to enforce them at all.

We are subject to third-party payment processing-related risks.

We accept payments through major third-party online payment channels in China, as well as bank transfers for our customers. We may also be susceptible to fraud, user data leakage and other illegal activities in connection with the various payment methods we offer. In addition, our business depends on the billing, payment and escrow systems of the third-party payment service providers to maintain accurate records of payments by customers and collect such payments. If the quality, utility, convenience or attractiveness of these payment processing and escrow services declines, or if we have to change the pattern of using these payment services for any reason, the attractiveness of our company could be materially and adversely affected. We are also subject to various rules, regulations and requirements, regulatory or otherwise, governing electronic funds transfers which could change or be reinterpreted to make it difficult or impossible for us to comply. If we fail to comply with these rules or requirements, we may be subject to fines and higher transaction fees and become unable to accept the current online payments solutions from our customers, and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Business involving online payment services is subject to a number of risks that could materially and adversely affect third-party online payment service providers’ ability to provide payment processing and escrow services to us, including:

 

   

dissatisfaction with these online payment services or decreased use of their services;

 

   

increasing competition, including from other established Chinese internet companies, payment service providers and companies engaged in other financial technology services;

 

   

changes to rules or practices applicable to payment systems that link to third-party online payment service providers;

 

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breach of customers’ personal information and concerns over the use and security of information collected from buyers;

 

   

service outages, system failures or failures to effectively scale the system to handle large and growing transaction volumes;

 

   

increasing costs to third-party online payment service providers, including fees charged by banks to process transactions through online payment channels, which would also increase our costs of revenues; and

 

   

failure to manage funds accurately or loss of funds, whether due to employee fraud, security breaches, technical errors or otherwise.

Our brand image, business and results of operations may be adversely impacted by students and employees’ misconduct, improper activities and misuse of our platform, many of which are beyond our control.

We allow teaching staff to engage in real-time communication with our students. Our courses undergo multiple rounds of internal review and pilot testing before being broadly released. Our tutors and quality assurance team monitor our live courses, chat messages and other content on our platform to ensure that we are able to identify content that may be deemed inappropriate or violation of laws, regulations and government policies. When any inappropriate or illegal content is identified, we promptly remove the content. However, since we have limited control over the real-time and offline behavior of our students, teaching staff, to the extent any improper behavior is associated with our platforms, our ability to protect our brand image and reputation may be limited. In addition, if any of our students, teaching staff suffer or allege to have suffered physical, financial or emotional harm following contact initiated on our platform, we may face civil lawsuits or other liabilities initiated by the affected student, teaching staff, or governmental or regulatory actions against us. In response to allegations of illegal or inappropriate activities conducted on our platform or any negative media coverage about us, PRC governmental authorities may intervene and hold us liable for non-compliance with PRC laws and regulations concerning the dissemination of information on the internet and subject us to administrative penalties or other sanctions, such as requiring us to restrict or discontinue some of the features and services provided on our platform. As a result, our business may suffer and our brand image, student base, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

We are exposed to the risk of other types of employee fraud or other misconduct. Other types of employee misconduct include intentionally failing to comply government regulations, engaging in unauthorized activities and misrepresentation to our prospective students during marketing activities, which could harm our reputation. It is not always possible to deter employee misconduct, and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to achieve the benefits we expect from recent and future investments and acquisitions.

We have made and may continue to make equity investments or acquisition in additional businesses that complement our existing business. We may not be able to successfully integrate acquired businesses and we may not have control over the businesses or operations of our minority equity investments, the value of which may decline over time. As a result, our business and results of operations could be harmed. In addition, if the businesses we acquire or invest in do not subsequently generate the anticipated financial performance or if any goodwill impairment test triggering event occurs, we may need to revalue or write down the value of goodwill and other intangible assets in connection with such acquisitions or investments, which would harm our results of operations. In addition, we may be unable to identify appropriate acquisition or strategic investment targets when it is necessary or desirable to make such acquisition or investment to remain competitive or to expand our

 

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business. Even if we identify an appropriate acquisition or investment target, we may not be able to negotiate the terms of the acquisition or investment successfully, finance the proposed transaction or integrate the relevant businesses into our existing business and operations. Furthermore, as we often do not have control over the companies in which we only have minority stake, we cannot ensure that these companies will always comply with applicable laws and regulations in their business operations. Material non-compliance by our investees may cause substantial harms to our reputations and the value of our investment.

Our results of operations are subject to seasonal fluctuations.

Seasonal fluctuations have affected, and are likely to affect our business in the future. Historically, we typically generate the highest growth in net revenues in the second and third quarters because of the increased paid course enrollments during summer vacation and beginning of the fall semester. Overall, the historical seasonality of our business has been relatively mild due to our rapid growth but seasonality may increase in the future. Due to our limited operating history, the seasonal trends that we have experienced in the past may not be indicative of our future operating results. Our financial condition and results of operations for future periods may continue to fluctuate. As a result, the trading price of our ADSs may fluctuate from time to time due to seasonality.

We have granted options, and expect to continue to grant share-based awards under our share incentive plan, which may result in increased share-based compensation expenses.

We have granted options, and recorded RMB1.0 million and RMB2.3 million (US$0.3 million) in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and RMB0.2 million and RMB3.8 million (US$0.6 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, in share-based compensation expenses in relation to such share option grants. We expect to continue to grant awards under our share incentive plan, which we believe is of significant importance to our ability to attract and retain key personnel and employees. As a result, our expenses associated with share-based compensation may increase, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

If we cannot maintain our corporate culture as we grow, we could lose the innovation, collaboration and focus that contribute to our business.

We believe that a critical component of our success is our corporate culture, which fosters innovations and has roots in a deep understanding of our students and the evolving education industry in China. As we continue to expand and grow our business, we may find it difficult to maintain these valuable aspects of our corporate culture. Any failure to preserve our culture could undermine our reputation in the marketplace and negatively impact our ability to attract and retain employees and students, which would in turn jeopardize our future success.

We face risks related to natural and other disasters, including severe weather conditions or outbreaks of health epidemics, and other extraordinary events, which could significantly disrupt our operations.

China has in the past experienced significant natural disasters, including earthquakes, extreme weather conditions, as well as health scares related to epidemic diseases, and any similar event could materially impact our business in the future. If a disaster or other disruption were to occur in the future that affects the regions where we operate our business, our operations could be materially and adversely affected due to loss of personnel and damages to property.

In addition, our business could be affected by public health epidemics, such as the outbreak of avian influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, Zika virus, Ebola virus or other disease. If any of our employees is suspected of having contracted a contagious disease, we may be required to apply quarantines or suspend our operations. Furthermore, any future outbreak may restrict economic activities in affected regions, resulting in reduced business volume, temporary closure of our offices or otherwise disrupt our business operations and adversely affect our results of operations.

 

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We currently do not have any business insurance coverage.

Insurance companies in China currently do not offer as extensive an array of insurance products as insurance companies in more developed economies. We do not maintain any liability insurance or property insurance policies covering students, equipment and facilities for injuries, death or losses due to fire, earthquake, flood or any other disaster. Consistent with customary industry practice in China, we do not maintain business interruption insurance, nor do we maintain key-man life insurance. We have determined that the costs of insuring for these risks and the difficulties associated with acquiring such insurance on commercially reasonable terms make it impractical for us to have such insurance. Any uninsured business disruptions may result in our incurring substantial costs and the diversion of resources, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

In connection with the audits of our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified one material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to develop and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud.

Prior to this offering, we have been a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which we address our internal control over financial reporting. In connection with the auditing of our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified one material weakness as well as other control deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. As defined in the standards established by the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, a “material weakness” is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

One material weakness that has been identified related to our lack of comprehensive accounting policies and procedures manual in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We have implemented and are continuing to implement a number of measures to remedy this material weakness and the other control deficiencies.

Neither we nor our independent registered public accounting firm undertook a comprehensive assessment of our internal control for purposes of identifying and reporting material weaknesses and other control deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. Had we performed a formal assessment of our internal control over financial reporting or had our independent registered public accounting firm performed an audit of our internal control over financial reporting, additional deficiencies may have been identified. Following the identification of the material weakness and other control deficiencies, we have taken measures and plan to continue to take remedial measures. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Internal Control over Financial Reporting.” However, the implementation of these measures may not fully address these weakness and deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting, and we cannot conclude that they have been fully remedied. Our failure to correct these weakness and deficiencies or our failure to discover and address any other weakness and deficiencies could result in inaccuracies in our financial statements and impair our ability to comply with applicable financial reporting requirements and related regulatory filings on a timely basis. Moreover, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could significantly hinder our ability to prevent fraud.

The audit report included in this prospectus is prepared by auditor who is not inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and, as such, you are deprived of the benefits of such inspection.

Our independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included in our prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as auditors of companies that are traded publicly in the

 

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United States and a firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or the PCAOB, is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards.

Because we have substantial operations within the PRC and the PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm as it relates to those operations without the approval of the Chinese authorities, our independent registered public accounting firm is not currently inspected fully by the PCAOB. This lack of PCAOB inspections in the PRC prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our independent registered public accounting firm’s audits and its quality control procedures. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections.

On May 24, 2013, PCAOB announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Enforcement Cooperation with the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, and the Ministry of Finance which establishes a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to investigations in the United States and China. On inspection, it appears that the PCAOB continues to be in discussions with the Mainland China regulators to permit inspections of audit firms that are registered with PCAOB in relation to the audit of Chinese companies that trade on U.S. exchanges. On December 7, 2018, the SEC and the PCAOB issued a joint statement highlighting continued challenges faced by the U.S. regulators in their oversight of financial statement audits of U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. The joint statement reflects a heightened interest in this issue. However, it remains unclear what further actions the SEC and PCAOB will take and its impact on Chinese companies listed in the U.S.

Inspections of other firms that the PCAOB has conducted outside the PRC have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct full inspections of auditors in the PRC makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our independent registered public accounting firm’s audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of the PRC that are subject to PCAOB inspections. Investors may lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures and the quality of our financial statements.

Proceedings instituted by the SEC against Chinese affiliates of the “big four” accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, could result in financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.

In late 2012, the SEC commenced administrative proceedings under Rule 102(e) of its Rules of Practice and also under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 against the mainland Chinese affiliates of the “big four” accounting firms (including our independent registered public accounting firm). A first instance trial of the proceedings in July 2013 in the SEC’s internal administrative court resulted in an adverse judgment against the firms. The administrative law judge proposed penalties on the Chinese accounting firms including a temporary suspension of their right to practice before the SEC, although that proposed penalty did not take effect pending review by the Commissioners of the SEC. On February 6, 2015, before a review by the Commissioner had taken place, the Chinese accounting firms reached a settlement with the SEC whereby the proceedings were stayed. Under the settlement, the SEC accepted that future requests by the SEC for the production of documents would normally be made to the CSRC. The Chinese accounting firms would receive requests matching those under Section 106 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and would be required to abide by a detailed set of procedures with respect to such requests, which in substance require them to facilitate production via the CSRC. The CSRC for its part initiated a procedure whereby, under its supervision and subject to its approval, requested classes of documents held by the accounting firms could be sanitized of problematic and sensitive content so as to render them capable of being made available by the CSRC to US regulators.

Under the terms of the settlement, the underlying proceeding against the four PRC-based accounting firms was deemed dismissed with prejudice at the end of four years starting from the settlement date, which was on February 6, 2019. Despite the final ending of the proceedings, the presumption is that all parties will continue to

 

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apply the same procedures, where the SEC will continue to make its requests for the production of documents to the CSRC, and the CSRC will normally process those requests applying the sanitization procedure. We cannot predict whether, in cases where the CSRC does not authorize production of requested documents to the SEC, the SEC will further challenge the four PRC-based accounting firms’ compliance with U.S. law. If additional challenges are imposed on the Chinese affiliates of the “big four” accounting firms, we could be unable to timely file future financial statements in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.

In the event that the SEC restarts the administrative proceedings, depending upon the final outcome listed companies in the United States with major PRC operations may find it difficult or impossible to retain auditors in respect of their operations in the PRC, which could result in financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, including possible delisting. Moreover, any negative news about any such future proceedings against these accounting firms may cause investor uncertainty regarding China-based, United States-listed companies and the market price of our ADSs may be adversely affected.

If the Chinese affiliate of our independent registered public accounting firm were denied, even temporarily, the ability to practice before the SEC and we were unable to timely find another registered public accounting firm to audit and issue an opinion on our financial statements, our financial statements could be determined not to be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act. Such a determination could ultimately lead to the delisting of the ADSs from the New York Stock Exchange or deregistration from the SEC, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of our ADSs in the United States.

Increases in labor costs in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

The currently effective PRC Labor Contract Law was taking effect from January 1, 2008 and later amended on December 28, 2012. The PRC Labor Contract Law has reinforced the protection of employees who, under the PRC Labor Contract Law, have the right, among others, to have written labor contracts, to enter into labor contracts with no fixed term under certain circumstances, to receive overtime wages and to terminate or alter terms in labor contracts. Furthermore, the PRC Labor Contract Law sets forth additional restrictions and increases the costs involved with dismissing employees. To the extent that we need to significantly reduce our workforce, the PRC Labor Contract Law could adversely affect our ability to do so in a timely and cost-effective manner, and our results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our operations depend on the performance of the internet infrastructure and telecommunications networks in China.

The successful operation of our business depends on the performance of the internet infrastructure and telecommunications networks in China. Almost all access to the internet is maintained through state-owned telecommunications operators under the administrative control and regulatory supervision of the MIIT. Moreover, we have entered into contracts with various subsidiaries of a limited number of telecommunications service providers at provincial level and rely on them to provide us with data communications capacity through local telecommunications lines. We have limited access to alternative networks or services in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with China’s internet infrastructure or the telecommunications networks provided by telecommunications service providers. We regularly serve a large number of students. With the expansion of our business, we may be required to upgrade our technology and infrastructure to keep up with the increasing traffic on our online platform. However, we have no control over the costs of the services provided by telecommunications service providers. If the prices we pay for telecommunications and internet services rise significantly, our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. If internet access fees or other charges to internet users increase, our user traffic may decline and our business may be harmed.

 

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Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating certain of our operations in China do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.

Foreign ownership in entities that provide value-added telecommunication services (except for e-commerce), such as provision of internet video, is subject to restrictions under current PRC laws and regulations. Specifically, foreign ownership of an internet information service provider may not exceed 50%, and the major foreign investor is required to have a record of good performance and operating experience in managing value-added telecommunications business. We are a company registered in the Cayman Islands. Beijing Lexuebang is our PRC subsidiary and a foreign-invested enterprise under PRC laws. To comply with PRC laws and regulations, we conduct our business in China primarily through Beijing BaiJiaHuLian, our consolidated variable interest entity, or our VIE, and its subsidiaries, based on a series of contractual arrangements by and among Beijing Lexuebang, our VIE and its shareholders. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see “Corporate History and Structure.” As a result of these contractual arrangements, we exert control over our VIE and consolidate financial results of our VIE and its subsidiaries in our financial statements under U.S. GAAP. Our VIE holds the licenses, approvals and key assets that are essential for our operations.

In the opinion of our PRC counsel, Tian Yuan Law Firm, (i) the ownership structure of our VIE and Beijing Lexuebang in China does not result in any violation of PRC laws and regulations currently in effect; and (ii) the contractual arrangements between Beijing Lexuebang, our VIE and its shareholders governed by PRC law will not result in any violation of PRC laws or regulations currently in effect. However, we have been further advised by our PRC counsel that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws and regulations. Thus, the PRC government may ultimately take a view contrary to the opinion of our PRC counsel. If the PRC government otherwise find that we are in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations or lack the necessary permits or licenses to operate our business, the relevant governmental authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violation, including, without limitation:

 

   

revoking the business licenses and/or operating licenses of such entities;

 

   

imposing fines on us;

 

   

confiscating any of our income that they deem to be obtained through illegal operations;

 

   

discontinuing or placing restrictions or onerous conditions on our operations;

 

   

placing restrictions on our right to collect revenues; and

 

   

shutting down our servers or blocking our app/websites.

Any of these events could cause significant disruption to our business operations and severely damage our reputation, which would in turn materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If occurrences of any of these events results in our inability to direct the activities of our VIE in China that most significantly impact its economic performance, and/or our failure to receive the economic benefits from our consolidated variable interest entity, we may not be able to consolidate its financial results in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

We rely on contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders for our business operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control.

We have relied and expect to continue to rely on contractual arrangements with our VIE, and its shareholders to operate our business in China. These contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct

 

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ownership in providing us with control over our VIE. For example, our VIE and its shareholders could breach their contractual arrangements with us by, among other things, failing to conduct the operations of our VIE in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests.

If we had direct ownership of our VIE in China, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of our VIE, which in turn could implement changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. However, under the current contractual arrangements, we rely on the performance by our VIE and its shareholders of their obligations under the contracts to exercise control over our VIE. The shareholders of our VIE may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations under these contracts. Such risks exist throughout the period in which we intend to operate certain portion of our business through the contractual arrangements with our VIE. If any dispute relating to these contracts remains unresolved, we will have to enforce our rights under these contracts through the operations of PRC law and arbitration, litigation and other legal proceedings and therefore will be subject to uncertainties in the PRC legal system. See “—Any failure by our VIE or its shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material and adverse effect on our business.” Therefore, our contractual arrangements with our VIE may not be as effective in ensuring our control over the relevant portion of our business operations as direct ownership would be.

Any failure by our VIE or its shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material and adverse effect on our business.

If our VIE or its shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. We may also have to rely on legal remedies under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and contractual remedies, which we cannot assure you will be sufficient or effective under PRC law. For example, if the shareholders of our VIE were to refuse to transfer their equity interests in our VIE to us or our designee if we exercise the purchase option pursuant to these contractual arrangements, or if they were otherwise to act in bad faith toward us, then we may have to take legal actions to compel them to perform their contractual obligations.

All the agreements under our contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in China. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal system in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. Meanwhile, there are very few precedents and little formal guidance as to how contractual arrangements in the context of a consolidated variable interest entity should be interpreted or enforced under PRC law. There remain significant uncertainties regarding the ultimate outcome of such arbitration should legal action become necessary. In addition, under PRC law, rulings by arbitrators are final, parties cannot appeal the arbitration results in courts, and if the losing parties fail to carry out the arbitration awards within a prescribed time limit, the prevailing parties may only enforce the arbitration awards in PRC courts through arbitration award recognition proceedings, which would require additional expenses and delay. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our VIE, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected. See “—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.”

The shareholders of our VIE may have actual or potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

The shareholders of our VIE may have actual or potential conflicts of interest with us. These shareholders may breach, or cause our VIE to breach, or refuse to renew, the existing contractual arrangements we have with

 

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them and our VIE, which would have a material and adverse effect on our ability to effectively control our VIE and receive economic benefits from it. For example, the shareholders may be able to cause our agreements with our VIE to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things, failing to remit payments due under the contractual arrangements to us on a timely basis. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise any or all of these shareholders will act in the best interests of our company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor. Currently, we do not have any arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest between these shareholders and our company. If we cannot resolve any conflict of interest or dispute between us and these shareholders, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of our business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.

Contractual arrangements in relation to our VIE may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or our PRC consolidated variable interest entity owes additional taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and the value of your investment.

Under applicable PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities. We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements in relation to our VIE, our consolidated variable interest entity, were not entered into on an arm’s length basis in such a way as to result in an impermissible reduction in taxes under applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, and adjust income of our VIE in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in a reduction of expense deductions recorded by our VIE for PRC tax purposes, which could in turn increase its tax liabilities without reducing our PRC subsidiary’s tax expenses. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties on our VIE for the adjusted but unpaid taxes according to the applicable regulations. Our financial position could be materially and adversely affected if our VIE’s tax liabilities increase or if it is required to pay late payment fees and other penalties.

We may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by our VIE that are material to the operation of certain portion of our business if the entity goes bankrupt or becomes subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding.

As part of our contractual arrangements with our VIE, our VIE holds certain assets that are material to the operation of certain portion of our business, including permits, domain names and most of our IP rights. If our VIE goes bankrupt and all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, we may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Under the contractual arrangements, our VIE may not, in any manner, sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose of its assets or legal or beneficial interests in the business without our prior consent. If our VIE undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, the independent third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance, business, financial condition and results of operations.

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress promulgated the Foreign Investment Law, which will come into effect on January 1, 2020 and replace the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Foreign Investment Law embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. However, since it is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation, and failure to take timely and

 

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appropriate measures to cope with the regulatory-compliance challenges could result in material and adverse effect on us. For instance, though the Foreign Investment Law does not explicitly classify contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment, it contains a catch-all provision under the definition of “foreign investment”, which includes investments made by foreign investors in China through means stipulated in laws or administrative regulations or other methods prescribed by the State Council. Therefore, it still leaves leeway for future laws, administrative regulations or provisions promulgated by the Stale Council to provide for contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment, at which time it will be uncertain whether our contractual arrangements will be deemed to be in violation of the market access requirements for foreign investment in the PRC and if yes, how our contractual arrangements should be dealt with. In addition, if future laws, administrative regulations or provisions prescribed by the State Council mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual arrangements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. In the worst-case scenario, we may be required to unwind our existing contractual arrangements and/or dispose of the relevant business operations, which could have a material and adverse effect on our current corporate structure, corporate governance, business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may rely on dividends paid by our PRC subsidiary to fund cash and financing requirements. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business and to pay dividends to holders of the ADSs and our ordinary shares.

We are a holding company, and we may rely on dividends to be paid by our PRC subsidiary for our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to the holders of the ADSs and our ordinary shares and service any debt we may incur. If our PRC subsidiary incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.

Under PRC laws and regulations, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in the PRC, such as Beijing Lexuebang, may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a wholly foreign-owned enterprise is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, after making up previous years’ accumulated losses, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds, until the aggregate amount of such a fund reaches 50% of its registered capital. At the discretion of the board of directors of the wholly foreign-owned enterprise, it may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to staff welfare and bonus funds. These reserve funds and staff welfare and bonus funds are not distributable as cash dividends. Any limitation on the ability of our wholly-owned PRC subsidiary to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

Changes in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

Our revenues are all sourced from China. Accordingly, our results of operations, financial condition and prospects are influenced by economic, political and legal developments in China. Economic reforms begun in the late 1970s have resulted in significant economic growth. However, any economic reform policies or measures in China may from time to time be modified or revised. China’s economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including with respect to the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. While the PRC economy has experienced significant growth in the past 30 years, growth has been uneven across different regions and among different economic sectors.

The PRC government exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through strategically allocating resources, controlling the payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary

 

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policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. Although the PRC economy has grown significantly in the past decade, that growth may not continue, as evidenced by the slowing of the growth of the PRC economy since 2012. Any adverse changes in economic conditions in China, in the policies of the PRC government or in the laws and regulations in China could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China. Such developments could adversely affect our business and results of operations, lead to reduction in demand for our services and adversely affect our competitive position.

Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.

The PRC legal system is based on written statutes and court decisions have limited precedential value. The PRC legal system is evolving rapidly, and the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules may contain inconsistencies and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties.

From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. However, since PRC judicial and administrative authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to predict the outcome of a judicial or administrative proceeding than in more developed legal systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based, in part, on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published in a timely manner, or at all, but which may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may not always be aware of any potential violation of these policies and rules. Such unpredictability towards our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and procedural rights could adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.

Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by changes in China’s political and economic conditions and China’s foreign exchange policies, among other things. In 2005, the PRC government changed its decades-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar, and the Renminbi appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following three years. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation halted and the exchange rate between Renminbi and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Since June 2010, Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. With the development of the foreign exchange market and progress towards interest rate liberalization and Renminbi internationalization, the PRC government may in the future announce further changes to the exchange rate system and we cannot assure you that Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.

Significant revaluation of the Renminbi may have a material and adverse effect on your investment. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from this offering into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or the ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us.

Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any material hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure or at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency.

 

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Governmental control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment.

The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our revenues in Renminbi. Under our current corporate structure, our Cayman Islands holding company may rely on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiary to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, by complying with certain procedural requirements. Specifically, under the existing exchange restrictions, without prior approval of SAFE, cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiary in China may be used to pay dividends to our company. However, approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, we need to obtain SAFE approval to use cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiary and consolidated variable interest entity to pay off their respective debt in a currency other than Renminbi owed to entities outside China, or to make other capital expenditure payments outside China in a currency other than Renminbi.

In light of the flood of capital outflows of China in 2016 due to the weakening Renminbi, the PRC government has imposed more restrictive foreign exchange policies and stepped up scrutiny of major outbound capital movement including overseas direct investment. More restrictions and substantial vetting process are put in place by SAFE to regulate cross-border transactions falling under the capital account. If any of our shareholders regulated by such policies fails to satisfy the applicable overseas direct investment filing or approval requirement timely or at all, it may be subject to penalties from the relevant PRC authorities. The PRC government may at its discretion further restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of the ADSs.

The M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.

The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, and some other regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that the Ministry of Commerce, or the MOC, be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise. Moreover, the Anti-Monopoly Law requires that the MOC shall be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain thresholds are triggered. In addition, the security review rules issued by the MOC that became effective in September 2011 specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise “national defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise “national security” concerns are subject to strict review by the MOC, and the rules prohibit any activities attempting to bypass a security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement. In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the MOC or its local counterparts may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.

 

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PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary and consolidated variable interest entity, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

We are an offshore holding company conducting our operations in China through our PRC subsidiary, our consolidated variable entity and its subsidiaries. We may make loans to our PRC subsidiary, consolidated variable entity and its subsidiaries, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, or we may establish new PRC subsidiaries and make capital contributions to these new PRC subsidiaries, or we may acquire offshore entities with business operations in China in an offshore transaction.

Most of these ways are subject to PRC regulations and approvals. For example, loans by us to our wholly owned PRC subsidiary to finance its activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the local counterpart of SAFE. If we decide to finance our wholly owned PRC subsidiary by means of capital contributions, these capital contributions are subject to the requirement of making necessary filings in the Foreign Investment Comprehensive Management Information System and registration with other governmental authorities in China. Due to the restrictions imposed on loans in foreign currencies extended to PRC domestic companies, we are not likely to make such loans to our consolidated variable interest entity, which is a PRC domestic company. Further, we are not likely to finance the activities of our consolidated variable interest entity by means of capital contributions due to regulatory restrictions relating to foreign investment in PRC domestic enterprises engaged in value-added telecommunication services and certain other businesses.

SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, effective June 2015, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, the Notice from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Exchange Businesses, and the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange Businesses. According to SAFE Circular 19, the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that RMB capital may not be used for the issuance of RMB entrusted loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment of banks loans that have been transferred to a third-party. Although SAFE Circular 19 allows RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise to be used for equity investments within China, it also reiterates the principle that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope. Thus, it is unclear whether SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in China in actual practice. SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or SAFE Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in SAFE Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to issue loans to non-associated enterprises. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer any foreign currency we hold, including the net proceeds from this offering, to our PRC subsidiary, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in China.

In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to

 

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future loans by us to our PRC subsidiary or with respect to future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiary. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds we received from this offering and to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiary to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiary, limit our PRC subsidiary’s ability to increase its registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us.

The SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Resident’s Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, in July 2014 that requires PRC residents or entities to register with SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing with such PRC residents or entities’ legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests. On February 13, 2015, SAFE issued SAFE Circular No. 13, which took effect on June 1, 2015, pursuant to which, the power to accept SAFE registration was delegated from local SAFE to local qualified banks where the assets or interest in the domestic entity was located. In addition, such PRC residents or entities must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose vehicle undergoes material events relating to any change of basic information (including change of such PRC citizens or residents, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions.

SAFE Circular 37 is issued to replace the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents Engaging in Financing and Roundtrip Investments via Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 75.

If our shareholders who are PRC residents or entities do not complete their registration with the local SAFE branches, our PRC subsidiary may be prohibited from distributing its profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us, and we may be restricted in our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiary. Moreover, failure to comply with the SAFE registration described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.

We have used our best efforts to notify PRC residents or entities who directly or indirectly hold shares in our Cayman Islands holding company and who are known to us as being PRC residents to complete the foreign exchange registrations. However, we may not be informed of the identities of all the PRC residents or entities holding direct or indirect interest in our company, nor can we compel our beneficial owners to comply with SAFE registration requirements. As of the date of this prospectus, our founder, Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen, and six other PRC residents known to us that currently hold direct or indirect ownership interests in our company have conducted the initial registrations with the SAFE as required by the SAFE Circular 37. After transferring all shares in Ebetter International Group Limited to The Better Learner Trust, a trust of which himself is a beneficiary, Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen, as well as the other beneficiaries of the trust who are PRC residents shall register or amend existing registrations with the local branch of SAFE regarding the shares of our company beneficially owned by them through the trust. Please refer to the beneficial ownership table in the section captioned “Principal Shareholders” for more information regarding the trust. We cannot assure you that all shareholders or beneficial owners of ours who are PRC residents or entities, including the beneficiaries of the trust schemes directly or indirectly holding interests in our Cayman Islands holding company, have complied with, and will in the future make, obtain or update any applicable registrations or approvals required by, SAFE regulations. Failure by such shareholders or beneficial owners to comply with SAFE regulations, or failure by us to amend the foreign exchange registrations of our PRC subsidiary, could subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our PRC subsidiary’s ability to make distributions or pay dividends to us or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects.

 

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Failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock ownership plans or share option plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

Pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who participate in share incentive plans in overseas non-publicly-listed companies due to their position as director, senior management or employees of the PRC subsidiaries of the overseas companies may submit applications to SAFE or its local branches for the foreign exchange registration with respect to offshore special purpose companies. Our directors, executive officers and other employees who are PRC residents and who have been granted share-based awards may follow SAFE Circular 37 to apply for the foreign exchange registration before our company becomes an overseas listed company. In February 2012, SAFE promulgated the Notices on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Companies, or SAFE Circular 7. Under SAFE Circular 7 and other relevant rules and regulations, PRC residents who participate in stock incentive plan in an overseas publicly-listed company are required to register with SAFE or its local branches and complete certain other procedures. Participants of a stock incentive plan who are PRC residents must retain a qualified PRC agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas publicly listed company or another qualified institution selected by such PRC subsidiary, to conduct the SAFE registration and other procedures with respect to the stock incentive plan on behalf of its participants. Such participants must also retain an overseas entrusted institution to handle matters in connection with their exercise of share-based awards, the purchase and sale of corresponding shares or interests and fund transfers. In addition, the PRC agent is required to amend the SAFE registration with respect to the stock incentive plan if there is any material change to the stock incentive plan, the PRC agent or the overseas entrusted institution or other material changes. We and our PRC employees who have been granted share-based awards will be subject to SAFE Circular 7 and other relevant rules and regulations these regulations upon the completion of this offering. Failure of our PRC share-based award holders to complete their SAFE registrations may subject these PRC residents to fines and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiary, limit our PRC subsidiary’s ability to distribute dividends to us, or otherwise materially adversely affect our business.

If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or the ADS holders.

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with its “de facto management body” within the PRC is considered a “resident enterprise” and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income at the rate of 25%. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management body” as the body that exercises full and substantial control and overall management over the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued a circular, known as SAT Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the State Administration of Taxation’s general position on how the “de facto management body” text should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to SAT Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.

We believe none of our entities outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and

 

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uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body.” If the PRC tax authorities determine that GSX Techedu Inc. is a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we may be required to withhold a 10% withholding tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises, including the holders of the ADSs. In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders (including the ADS holders) may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 10% on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares at a rate of 10%, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. Furthermore, if PRC tax authorities determine that we are a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, dividends paid to our non-PRC individual shareholders (including the ADS holders) and any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or ordinary shares by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20% (which, in the case of dividends, may be withheld at source by us), if such gains are deemed to be from PRC sources. These rates may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty, but it is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of GSX Techedu Inc. would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that GSX Techedu Inc. is treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in the ADSs.

We face uncertainties with respect to indirect transfer of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.

We face uncertainties regarding the reporting on and consequences of previous private equity financing transactions involving the transfer and exchange of shares in our company by non-resident investors. In February 2015, the State Administration of Taxation, or SAT, issued the Bulletin on Issues of Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Transfers of Assets by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises or Bulletin 7. Pursuant to Bulletin 7, an ‘‘indirect transfer’’ of PRC assets, including a transfer of equity interests in an unlisted non-PRC holding company of a PRC resident enterprise, by non-PRC resident enterprises may be re-characterized and treated as a direct transfer of the underlying PRC assets, if such arrangement does not have a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of avoiding payment of PRC enterprise income tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. On October 17, 2017, the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Non-resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, or Bulletin 37, which came into effect on December 1, 2017. The Bulletin 37 further clarifies the practice and procedure of the withholding of nonresident enterprise income tax.

There is uncertainty as to the application of Bulletin 37 or previous rules under Bulletin 7. We face uncertainties on the reporting and consequences of private equity financing transactions, share exchanges or other transactions involving the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises. Our company may be subject to filing obligations or taxes if our company is the transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company is the transferee in such transactions, under Bulletin 37 and Bulletin 7.

The enforcement of the PRC Labor Contract Law and other labor-related regulations in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress enacted the Labor Contract Law in 2008, and amended it on December 28, 2012. The Labor Contract Law introduced specific provisions related to fixed-term employment contracts, part-time employment, probationary periods, consultation with labor unions and employee assemblies, employment without a written contract, dismissal of employees, severance, and collective bargaining to enhance previous PRC labor laws. Under the Labor Contract Law, an employer is obligated to sign an unlimited-term labor contract with any employee who has worked for the employer for ten consecutive years. Further, if an employee requests or agrees to renew a fixed-term labor contract that has already been entered into twice consecutively, the resulting contract, with certain exceptions, must have an unlimited term, subject to certain exceptions. With certain exceptions, an employer must pay severance to an employee where a labor

 

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contract is terminated or expires. In addition, the PRC governmental authorities have continued to introduce various new labor-related regulations since the effectiveness of the Labor Contract Law.

Under the PRC Social Insurance Law and the Administrative Measures on Housing Fund, employees are required to participate in pension insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, and housing funds and employers are required, together with their employees or separately, to pay the social insurance premiums and housing funds for their employees. If we fail to make adequate social insurance and housing fund contributions, we may be subject to fines and legal sanctions, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. See “Regulation—Regulation Related to Employment, Social Insurance and Housing Fund.”

These laws designed to enhance labor protection tend to increase our labor costs. In addition, as the interpretation and implementation of these regulations are still evolving, our employment practices may not be at all times be deemed in compliance with the regulations. As a result, we could be subject to penalties or incur significant liabilities in connection with labor disputes or investigations.

Risks Related to The ADSs and This Offering

An active trading market for our ordinary shares or the ADSs may not develop and the trading price for the ADSs may fluctuate significantly.

We intend to apply to list the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange. We have no current intention to seek a listing for our ordinary shares on any stock exchange. Prior to the completion of this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs or our ordinary shares, and we cannot assure you that a liquid public market for the ADSs will develop. If an active public market for the ADSs does not develop following the completion of this offering, the market price and liquidity of the ADSs may be materially and adversely affected. The initial public offering price for the ADSs will be determined by negotiation between us and the underwriters based upon several factors, and we can provide no assurance that the trading price of the ADSs after this offering will not decline below the initial public offering price. As a result, investors in our securities may experience a significant decrease in the value of their ADSs.

The trading price of the ADSs is likely to be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.

The trading price of the ADSs is likely to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to multiple factors, some of which are beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, including the performance and fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with business operations located mainly in China that have listed their securities in the United States. In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for the ADSs may be highly volatile for factors specific to our own operations, including the following:

 

   

variations in our revenues, earnings, cash flow and data related to our student base or student engagement;

 

   

announcements of new investments, acquisitions, strategic partnerships or joint ventures by us or our competitors;

 

   

announcements of new product and service offerings, solutions and expansions by us or our competitors;

 

   

changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;

 

   

detrimental adverse publicity about us, our products and services or our industry;

 

   

additions or departures of key personnel;

 

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release of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding equity securities or sales of additional equity securities; and

 

   

actual or potential litigation or regulatory investigations.

Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which the ADSs will trade. Furthermore, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies like us. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our ADSs. Volatility or a lack of positive performance in our ADS price may also adversely affect our ability to retain key employees, most of whom have been granted equity incentives.

In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management’s attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for the ADSs will be influenced by research or reports that industry or securities analysts publish about our business. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease to cover us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the market price or trading volume for the ADSs to decline.

The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of the ADSs could adversely affect their market price.

Sales of substantial amounts of the ADSs in the public market after the completion of this offering, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of the ADSs and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. The ADSs sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, and shares held by our existing shareholders may also be sold in the public market in the future subject to the restrictions in Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act and the applicable lock-up agreements. There will be                      ADSs (equivalent to                      Class A ordinary shares) outstanding immediately after this offering, or                      ADSs (equivalent to                      Class A ordinary shares) if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full. In connection with this offering, [we, our directors and executive officers, our existing shareholders and holders of our share-based awards] have agreed not to sell any ordinary shares, ADSs or similar securities for 180 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior written consent of the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions. However, the underwriters may release these securities from these restrictions at any time, subject to applicable regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. We cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of securities held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities for future sale will have on the market price of the ADSs. See “Underwriting” and “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” for a more detailed description of the restrictions on selling our securities after this offering.

 

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Our proposed dual-class voting structure will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.

Our authorized and issued ordinary shares will be divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares immediately prior to the completion of this offering (with certain shares remaining undesignated, with power for our directors to designate and issue such classes of shares as they think fit). Holders of Class A ordinary shares will be entitled to one vote per share, while holders of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to ten votes per share. We will sell Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs in this offering. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof, while Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances.

Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen, our founder, chairman of board of directors and chief executive officer, will beneficially own all of our issued Class B ordinary shares. These Class B ordinary shares will constitute approximately        % of our total issued and outstanding share capital immediately after the completion of this offering and        % of the aggregate voting power of our total issued and outstanding share capital immediately after the completion of this offering due to the disparate voting powers associated with our dual-class share structure, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs. As a result of the dual-class share structure and the concentration of ownership, holders of Class B ordinary shares will have considerable influence over matters such as decisions regarding mergers and consolidations, election of directors and other significant corporate actions. Such holders may take actions that are not in the best interest of us or our other shareholders. This concentration of ownership may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could have the effect of depriving our other shareholders of the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and may reduce the price of the ADSs. This concentrated control will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transactions that holders of Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.

The dual-class structure of our ordinary shares may adversely affect the trading market for our ADSs.

Certain shareholder advisory firms have announced changes to their eligibility criteria for inclusion of shares of public companies on certain indices, including the S&P 500, to exclude companies with multiple classes of shares and companies whose public shareholders hold no more than 5% of total voting power from being added to such indices. In addition, several shareholder advisory firms have announced their opposition to the use of multiple class structures. As a result, the dual class structure of our ordinary shares may prevent the inclusion of our ADSs representing Class A ordinary shares in such indices and may cause shareholder advisory firms to publish negative commentary about our corporate governance practices or otherwise seek to cause us to change our capital structure. Any such exclusion from indices could result in a less active trading market for our ADSs. Any actions or publications by shareholder advisory firms critical of our corporate governance practices or capital structure could also adversely affect the value of our ADSs.

Because we do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future after this offering, you must rely on price appreciation of the ADSs for return on your investment.

We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings after this offering to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in the ADSs as a source for any future dividend income.

Our board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain restrictions under Cayman Islands law, namely that our company may only pay dividends out of profits or share premium account, and provided always that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in

 

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our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in the ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of the ADSs. There is no guarantee that the ADSs will appreciate in value after this offering or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in the ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in the ADSs.

We have not determined a specific use for a portion of the net proceeds from this offering and we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree.

We have not determined a specific use for a portion of the net proceeds of this offering, and our management will have considerable discretion in deciding how to apply these proceeds. You will not have the opportunity to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately before you make your investment decision. You must rely on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the net proceeds of this offering. We cannot assure you that the net proceeds will be used in a manner that would improve our results of operations or increase the ADS price, nor that these net proceeds will be placed only in investments that generate income or appreciate in value.

The approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission may be required in connection with this offering under PRC law.

The M&A Rules, which were adopted in 2006 by six PRC regulatory agencies, including the CSRC, and amended in 2009, purport to require offshore special purpose vehicles that are controlled by PRC companies or individuals 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. The interpretation and application of the regulations remain unclear, and if CSRC approval is required, it is uncertain whether it would be possible for us to obtain the approval and any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining CSRC approval for this offering would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC and other PRC regulatory agencies.

Our PRC counsel, Tian Yuan Law Firm, has advised us that, based on its understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations, we will not be required to submit an application to the CSRC for the approval of the listing and trading of the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange because (i) the CSRC currently has not issued any definitive rule or interpretation concerning whether offerings like ours under this prospectus are subject to this regulation, (ii) our wholly owned PRC subsidiary was established by foreign direct investment, rather than through a merger or acquisition of a domestic company as defined under the M&A Rules and (iii) no explicit provision in the M&A Rules classifies the contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiary, the consolidated variable interest entity and its shareholders as a type of acquisition transaction falling under the M&A Rules.

However, we cannot assure you that relevant PRC government agencies, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as our PRC counsel, and hence we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions from the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. If the CSRC or other relevant PRC regulatory authorities subsequently determine that a prior CSRC approval is required, we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions from the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from this offering into China or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of the ADSs. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies also may take actions requiring us, or

 

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making it advisable for us, to halt this offering before settlement and delivery of the ADSs offered hereby. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, you do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC or other regulatory agencies later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals for this offering, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties and/or negative publicity regarding such approval requirement could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of the ADSs.

Our memorandum and articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could have a material adverse effect on the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and the ADSs.

We will adopt the third amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association will contain provisions which could limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our ordinary shares, in the form of ADS or otherwise. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of the ADSs may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.

We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against our directors, actions by our minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.

Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records (other than the memorandum and articles of association and any special resolutions passed by such companies, and the registers of mortgages and charges of such companies) or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.

 

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Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, differ significantly from requirements for companies incorporated in other jurisdictions such as the United States. Currently, we do not plan to rely on home country practice with respect to any corporate governance matter. To the extent we choose to follow home country practice with respect to corporate governance matters, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under rules and regulations applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by our management, members of our board of directors or our controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States. For a discussion of significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders, see “Description of Share Capital—Differences in Corporate Law.”

Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.

We are a Cayman Islands company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. All of our current operations are conducted in China. In addition, all of our current directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. For more information regarding the relevant laws of the Cayman Islands and China, see “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.”

The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to direct how the Class A ordinary shares which are represented by your ADSs are voted.

Holders of ADSs do not have the same rights as our registered shareholders. As a holder of the ADSs, you will not have any direct right to attend general meetings of our shareholders or to cast any votes at such meetings. You will only be able to exercise the voting rights which are carried by the Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs indirectly by giving voting instructions to the depositary in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, you may vote only by giving voting instructions to the depositary. If we instruct the depositary to ask for your instructions, then upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will try, as far as is practicable, to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares which are represented by your ADSs in accordance with your instructions. If we do not instruct the depositary to ask for your instructions, the depositary may still vote in accordance with instructions you give, but it is not required to do so. You will not be able to directly exercise your right to vote with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs unless you withdraw the shares and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. Under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to completion of this offering, the minimum notice period required to be given by our company to our registered shareholders to convene a general meeting will be ten days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice of the meeting to withdraw the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs and become the registered holder of such shares to allow you to attend the general meeting and to vote directly with respect to any specific matter or resolution to be considered and voted upon at the general meeting. In addition, under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association that will become effective prior to the completion of this offering, for the purposes of determining those shareholders who are entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting, our directors may close our register of members and/or fix in advance a record date for such meeting, and such closure of our register of members or the setting of such a record date may prevent you from withdrawing the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs and becoming the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date, so that you would not be able to attend the general meeting or to vote directly. If we ask for your instructions, the depositary

 

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will notify you of the upcoming vote and will arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. We have agreed to give the depositary at least                    days’ prior notice of shareholder meetings. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to direct how the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs are voted and you may have no legal remedy if the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested.

You may experience dilution of your holdings due to inability to participate in rights offerings.

We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire securities. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not distribute rights to holders of ADSs unless the distribution and sale of rights and the securities to which these rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs, or are registered under the provisions of the Securities Act. The depositary may, but is not required to, attempt to sell these undistributed rights to third parties, and may allow the rights to lapse. We may be unable to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to these rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have a registration statement declared effective. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution of their holdings as a result.

You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs.

Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books from time to time for a number of reasons, including in connection with corporate events such as a rights offering, during which time the depositary needs to maintain an exact number of ADS holders on its books for a specified period. The depositary may also close its books in emergencies, and on weekends and public holidays. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of the ADSs generally when our share register or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.

ADSs holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.

The deposit agreement governing the ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares provides that, subject to the depositary’s right to require a claim to be submitted to arbitration, the federal or state courts in the City of New York have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine claims arising under the deposit agreement and in that regard, to the fullest extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our Class A ordinary shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws.

If we or the depositary opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with the applicable U.S. state and federal law. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver in connection with claims arising under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by the United States Supreme Court. However, we believe that a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement. In determining whether to enforce a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision, courts will generally consider whether a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial. We believe that this is the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. It is advisable that you consult legal counsel regarding the jury waiver provision before investing in the ADSs.

 

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If you or any other holders or beneficial owners of ADSs bring a claim against us or the depositary in connection with matters arising under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including claims under U.S. federal securities laws, you or such other holder or beneficial owner may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us and/or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us and/or the depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have had, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.

Nevertheless, if this jury trial waiver provision is not enforced, to the extent a court action proceeds, it would proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or ADSs serves as a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs or by us or the depositary of compliance with any substantive provision of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies.

Because we are a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including: (i) the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K with the SEC; (ii) the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; (iii) the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and (iv) the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD.

We will be required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we intend to publish our results on a quarterly basis through press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information, which would be made available to you, were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.

We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act and may take advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, most significantly, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for so long as we remain an emerging growth company. As a result, if we elect not to comply with such auditor attestation requirements, our investors may not have access to certain information they may deem important.

We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, particularly after we cease to qualify as an “emerging growth company.”

Upon completion of this offering, we will become a public company and expect to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and New York Stock Exchange, impose various

 

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requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies. As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenues for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also permits an emerging growth company to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. However, we have elected to “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted for public companies. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable.

We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some corporate activities more time-consuming and costly. After we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC. For example, as a result of becoming a public company, we will need to increase the number of independent directors and adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. We also expect that operating as a public company will make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. In addition, we will incur additional costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. It may also be more difficult for us to find qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these rules and regulations, and we cannot predict or estimate with any degree of certainty the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.

We may be a passive foreign investment company, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors owning the ADSs or our ordinary shares.

A non-U.S. corporation, such as our company, will be considered a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC,” for any taxable year if either (i) at least 75% of its gross income is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. Although the law in this regard is not entirely clear, we treat our consolidated VIE as being owned by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes because we control its management decisions and are entitled to substantially all of the economic benefits associated with it. As a result, we consolidate its results of operations in our consolidated U.S. GAAP financial statements. If it were determined, however, that we are not the owner of our consolidated VIE for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would likely be treated as a PFIC for the current taxable year and any subsequent taxable year.

Assuming that we are the owner of our consolidated VIE for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and based upon our current and projected income and assets, including the proceeds from this offering, and projections as to the value of our assets, we do not expect to be a PFIC for the current taxable year or the foreseeable future. However, no assurance can be given in this regard because the determination of whether we will be or become a PFIC is a factual determination made annually that will depend, in part, upon the composition of our income and assets. Fluctuations in the market price of the ADSs may cause us to be classified as a PFIC for the current or future taxable years because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test, including the value of our goodwill and unbooked intangibles, may be determined by reference to the market price of the ADSs from time to time (which may be volatile). If our market capitalization subsequently declines, we may be or become classified as a PFIC for the current taxable year or future taxable years. Furthermore, the composition of our income and assets may also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets and the cash raised in this offering. Under circumstances where our revenue from activities that produce passive income significantly increases relative to our revenue from activities that produce non-passive income, or where we determine not to

 

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deploy significant amounts of cash for active purposes, our risk of becoming classified as a PFIC may substantially increase.

If we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. investor held an ADS or an ordinary share, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to the U.S. Holder. See “Taxation—United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations.”

 

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S PECIAL N OTE R EGARDING F ORWARD -L OOKING S TATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and views of future events. The forward looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business.” Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those listed under “Risk Factors,” may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

You can identify some of these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to:

 

   

our mission, goals and strategies;

 

   

our future business development, financial condition and results of operations;

 

   

the expected growth of the online education industry in China;

 

   

our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our services;

 

   

our expectations regarding keeping and strengthening our relationships with students, teachers, strategic partners and other stakeholders;

 

   

competition in our industry;

 

   

our proposed use of proceeds; and

 

   

relevant government policies and regulations relating to our industry.

These forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that our expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, our expectations may later be found to be incorrect. Our actual results could be materially different from our expectations. Important risks and factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from our expectations are generally set forth in “Prospectus Summary—Our Challenges,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business,” “Regulation” and other sections in this prospectus. You should read thoroughly this prospectus and the documents that we refer to with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

This prospectus contains certain data and information that we obtained from various government and private publications. Statistical data in these publications also include projections based on a number of assumptions. Our industry may not grow at the rate projected by market data, or at all. Failure of this market to grow at the projected rate may have a material and adverse effect on our business and the market price of the ADSs. In addition, the rapidly evolving nature of this industry results in significant uncertainties for any projections or estimates relating to the growth prospects or future condition of our market. Furthermore, if any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data are later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this prospectus and the documents that we refer to in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.

 

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U SE OF P ROCEEDS

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately US$                 , or approximately US$                if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. These estimates are based upon an assumed initial public offering price of US$                per ADS, which is the midpoint of the price range shown on the front page of this prospectus. A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of US$                per ADS would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by US$                , assuming the number of ADSs offered by us, as set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us.

The primary purposes of this offering are to create a public market for our shares for the benefit of all shareholders, retain talented employees by providing them with equity incentives, and obtain additional capital. We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering as follows:

 

   

approximately 30% for improving students’ learning experience and educational content development;

 

   

approximately 20% for recruiting high quality teaching staff;

 

   

approximately 20% for improving our technology infrastructure;

 

   

approximately 20% for marketing and brand promotions; and

 

   

the balance to fund working capital and for other general corporate purposes.

The foregoing represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business conditions to use and allocate the net proceeds of this offering. Our management, however, will have significant flexibility and discretion to apply the net proceeds of this offering. If an unforeseen event occurs or business conditions change, we may use the proceeds of this offering differently than as described in this prospectus. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to The ADSs and This Offering—We have not determined a specific use for a portion of the net proceeds from this offering and we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree.”

Pending any use described above, we plan to invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, debt instruments or demand deposits.

In using the proceeds of this offering, we are permitted under PRC laws and regulations as an offshore holding company to provide funding to our PRC subsidiary only through loans or capital contributions and to our consolidated variable interest entities only through loans, subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration and approval requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain these government registrations or approvals on a timely basis, if at all. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary and consolidated variable interest entity, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.”

 

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D IVIDEND P OLICY

Our board of directors has discretion on whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. In either case, all dividends are subject to certain restrictions under Cayman Islands law, namely that our company may only pay dividends out of profits or share premium account, and provided always that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if we decide to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant.

We do not have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future after this offering. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. We may rely on dividends from our subsidiary in China for our cash requirements, including any payment of dividends to our shareholders. PRC regulations may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends to us. See “Regulation—Regulations on Dividend Distribution.”

If we pay any dividends on our ordinary shares, we will pay those dividends which are payable in respect of the Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs to the depositary, as the registered holder of such Class A ordinary shares, and the depositary then will pay such amounts to the ADS holders in proportion to the Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs held by such ADS holders, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See “Description of American Depositary Shares.” Cash dividends on our ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars.

 

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C APITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of March 31, 2019:

 

   

on an actual basis;

 

   

on a pro forma basis to reflect (i) the conversion or re-designation, as the case may be, of 73,305,288 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen, our founder, chairman of board of directors and chief executive officer, into Class B ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis immediately prior to the completion of this offering, and (ii) the conversion or re-designation, as the case may be, of all of the remaining 70,144,712 shares into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis immediately prior to the completion of this offering; and

 

   

on a pro forma as adjusted basis to reflect (i) the conversion or re-designation, as the case may be, of 73,305,288 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen, our founder, chairman of board of directors and chief executive officer, into Class B ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis immediately prior to the completion of this offering, (ii) the conversion or re-designation, as the case may be, of all of the remaining 70,144,712 shares into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis immediately prior to the completion of this offering, and (iii) the issuance and sale of                Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs by us in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of US$                per ADS, the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the front cover of this prospectus, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, assuming the underwriters do not exercise the option to purchase additional ADSs.

 

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You should read this table together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

     As of March 31, 2019  
     Actual     Pro Forma     Pro Forma
As
Adjusted (1)
 
     (in thousands)  
     RMB     US$     RMB     US$     RMB      US$  

Mezzanine equity

      

Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 35,625,002 shares authorized, issued and outstanding on an actual basis, and none outstanding on a pro forma or a pro forma as adjusted basis)

     475,793       70,895       —         —         

Total mezzanine equity

     475,793       70,895       —         —         

Ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value; 464,374,998 shares authorized, 107,824,998 shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis, and none outstanding on a pro forma or a pro forma as adjusted basis)

     70       10       —         —         

Class A ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value; none outstanding on an actual basis, 70,144,712 issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis, and              issued and outstanding on a pro forma as adjusted basis)

     —         —         47       7       

Class B ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value; none outstanding on an actual basis, 73,305,288 shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma and a pro forma as adjusted basis)

     —         —         47       7       

Additional paid-in capital (2)

     —         —         475,769       70,891       

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,428       213       1,428       213       

Accumulated deficit

     (465,639     (69,382     (465,639     (69,382     

Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity (2)

     (464,141     (69,159     11,652       1,736       

Total mezzanine equity and shareholders’ deficit

     11,652       1,736       11,652       1,736       

 

Notes:

(1)

The pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only. Our additional paid-in capital, accumulative deficit, accumulative other comprehensive income, total shareholder’s deficit and total capitalization following the completion of this offering are subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

(2)

A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of US$                per ADS, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the front cover of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) each of additional paid-in capital, total shareholders’ deficit, and total capitalization by US$                million.

 

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D ILUTION

If you invest in the ADSs, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per ADS and our net tangible book value per ADS after this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the initial public offering price per ordinary share is substantially in excess of the book value per ordinary share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding ordinary shares on an as-converted basis.

Our net tangible book value as of March 31, 2019 was approximately US$(1.8) million, or US$(0.01) per ordinary share on an as-converted basis as of that date and US$                 per ADS. Net tangible book value represents the amount of our total consolidated tangible assets, less the amount of our total consolidated liabilities. Dilution is determined by subtracting net tangible book value per ordinary share on an as-converted basis, after giving effect to the additional proceeds we will receive from this offering, from the assumed initial public offering price of US$                 per Class A ordinary share, which is the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the front cover of this prospectus adjusted to reflect the ADS-to-ordinary share ratio, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Because the Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares have the same dividend and other rights, except for voting and conversion rights, the dilution is presented based on all issued and outstanding ordinary shares, including Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares.

Without taking into account any other changes in net tangible book value after March 31, 2019, other than to give effect to our sale of the ADSs offered in this offering at the assumed initial public offering price of US$                 per ADS, which is the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range shown on the front cover of this prospectus, after deduction of the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31, 2019 would have been US$                 , or US$                 per ordinary share and US$                 per ADS. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of US$                 per ordinary share and US$                 per ADS to the existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of US$                 per ordinary share and US$                 per ADS to investors purchasing ADSs in this offering. The following table illustrates such dilution:

 

     Per
Ordinary
Share
     Per ADS  

Assumed initial public offering price

   US$                    US$                

Net tangible book value as of March 31, 2019

   US$ (0.01    US$    

Pro forma net tangible book value after giving effect to the conversion of our preferred shares

   US$        US$    

Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after giving effect to the conversion of our preferred shares and this offering

   US$        US$    

Amount of dilution in net tangible book value to new
investors in this offering

   US$        US$    

A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of US$                 per ADS would increase (decrease) our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after giving effect to this offering by US$                 , the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share and per ADS after giving effect to this offering by US$                 per ordinary share and US$                 per ADS, and the dilution in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share and per ADS to new investors in this offering by US$                 per ordinary share and US$                 per ADS, assuming no change to the number of ADSs offered by us as set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

The following table summarizes, on a pro forma as adjusted basis as of March 31, 2019, the differences between existing shareholders and the new investors with respect to the number of ordinary shares (in the form of

 

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ADSs or shares) purchased from us, the total consideration paid and the average price per ordinary share and per ADS paid before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The total number of ordinary shares does not include ordinary shares underlying the ADSs issuable upon the exercise of the option to purchase additional ADSs granted to the underwriters.

 

     Ordinary Shares
Purchased
     Total Consideration     Average Price
Per Ordinary
Share
     Average Price
Per ADS
 
     Number      Percent      Amount      Percent  

Existing shareholders

                                           US$                                     US$                    US$                

New investors

         US$                         US$        US$    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total

         US$          100.0     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

The pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only. Our net tangible book value following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price of the ADSs and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

The discussion and tables above assume no exercise of options outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. As of the date of this prospectus, there are 10,850,475 outstanding options with an exercise price of RMB0.01. To the extent that any of these options are exercised, there will be further dilution to new investors.

 

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E NFORCEABILITY OF C IVIL L IABILITIES

We are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability. We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands to take advantage of certain benefits associated with being a Cayman Islands exempted company, such as:

 

   

political and economic stability;

 

   

an effective judicial system;

 

   

a favorable tax system;

 

   

the absence of exchange control or currency restrictions; and

 

   

the availability of professional and support services.

However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the Cayman Islands. These disadvantages include but are not limited to:

 

   

the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and these securities laws provide provides significantly less protection to investors as compared to the United States; and

 

   

Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States.

Our constituent documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, between us, our officers, directors and shareholders, be arbitrated.

All of our operations are conducted in China, and substantially all of our assets are located in China. A majority of our directors and executive officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and most of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these individuals, or to bring an action against us or these individuals in the United States, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

We have appointed Puglisi & Associates, located at 850 Library Avenue, Suite 204, Newark, Delaware 19711, as our agent upon whom process may be served in any action brought against us under the securities laws of the United States.

We have been informed by Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP that the United States and the Cayman Islands do not have a treaty providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts in civil and commercial matters and that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands would (i) recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against us or our directors or officers, predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States, or (ii) entertain original actions brought in the Cayman Islands against us or our directors or officers, predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. We have also been advised by Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP that a judgment obtained in any federal or state court in the United States will be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands at common law, without any re-examination of the merits of the underlying dispute, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment debt in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, provided such judgment (i) is given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction, (ii) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given, (iii) is final, (iv) is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty, and (v) was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands.

However, the Cayman Islands courts are unlikely to enforce a judgment obtained from the United States courts under the civil liability provisions of the securities laws if such judgment is determined by the courts of

 

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the Cayman Islands to give rise to obligations to make payments that are penal or punitive in nature. Because the courts of the Cayman Islands have yet to rule on whether such judgments are penal or punitive in nature, it is uncertain whether such civil liability judgments from U.S. courts would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands.

Tian Yuan Law Firm, our counsel as to PRC law, has advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of China would:

 

   

recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States; or

 

   

entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

Tian Yuan Law Firm has further advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law and other applicable laws and regulations based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States or the Cayman Islands that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States or in the Cayman Islands. Under the PRC Civil Procedures Law, foreign shareholders may originate actions based on PRC law against a company in China for disputes if they can establish sufficient nexus to the PRC for a PRC court to have jurisdiction, and meet other procedural requirements, including, among others, the plaintiff must have a direct interest in the case, and there must be a concrete claim, a factual basis and a cause for the suit. It will be, however, difficult for U.S. shareholders to originate actions against us in the PRC in accordance with PRC laws because we are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and it will be difficult for U.S. shareholders, by virtue only of holding the ADSs or ordinary shares, to establish a connection to the PRC for a PRC court to have jurisdiction as required under the PRC Civil Procedures Law.

 

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C ORPORATE H ISTORY AND S TRUCTURE

We commenced operations through Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing BaiJiaHuLian, in June 2014. Our holding company, BaiJiaHuLian Group Holdings Limited, was incorporated in August 2014 in the Cayman Islands to facilitate financing and offshore listing. In January 2019, we renamed our company as GSX Techedu Inc.

In August 2014, we established a wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, BaiJiaHuLian HK Holdings Limited. In January 2015, BaiJiaHuLian HK Holdings Limited established a wholly-owned subsidiary in China, Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing Lexuebang.

In April 2015, we gained control over Beijing BaiJiaHuLian through Beijing Lexuebang by entering into a series of contractual arrangements with Beijing BaiJiaHuLian and its shareholders. The contractual arrangements with Beijing BaiJiaHuLian were subsequently amended and restated in March 2019.

 

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The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries, as of the date of this prospectus:

 

 

LOGO

 

Note:

(1)

Represents 67,213,280 ordinary shares and 6,092,008 preferred shares held by Ebetter International Group Limited, a British Virgin Islands company ultimately owned by The Better Learner Trust, as of the date of this prospectus. Please refer to the beneficial ownership table in the section captioned “Principal Shareholders” for more information on beneficial ownership of Ebetter International Group Limited in our company prior to and immediately after this offering.

(2)

Shareholders of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian and their respective shareholdings in the VIE and relationship with our company are Larry Xiangdong Chen (98.28%), chairman of our board of directors and our chief executive officer, and Bin Luo (1.72%), our employee.

 

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The following diagram sets forth the shareholding structure of our company immediately after this offering, without giving effect to voting power changes.

 

LOGO

 

Notes:

*

The computation of beneficial ownership percentages assumes that the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option. See “Principal Shareholders.” The shareholding percentages do not take into account the different votes that Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares are entitled to.

(1)

We expect the shareholding structure of our subsidiaries and variable interest entities will remain the same immediately after the completion of this offering.

Contractual Arrangements with Our VIE and Its Shareholders

Current PRC laws and regulations impose certain restrictions or prohibitions on foreign ownership of companies that engage in value-added telecommunication services and certain other businesses. We are a company registered in the Cayman Islands. Beijing Lexuebang is our PRC subsidiary and a foreign-invested enterprise under PRC laws. To comply with PRC laws and regulations, we primarily conduct our business in China through Beijing BaiJiaHuLian, our consolidated variable interest entity in the PRC which we refer to as our VIE in this prospectus, based on a series of contractual arrangements by and among Beijing Lexuebang, our VIE and its shareholders.

Our contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders allow us to (i) exercise effective control over our VIE, (ii) receive substantially all of the economic benefits of our VIE, and (iii) have an exclusive call option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in our VIE when and to the extent permitted by PRC law.

As a result of our direct ownership in Beijing Lexuebang and the contractual arrangements with our VIE, we are regarded as the primary beneficiary of our VIE, and we treat our VIE and its subsidiaries as our consolidated entities under U.S. GAAP. We have consolidated the financial results of our VIE and its subsidiaries in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The following is a summary of the currently effective contractual arrangements by and among Beijing Lexuebang, our VIE and its shareholders.

Agreements that provide us with effective control over our VIE

Powers of Attorney. Pursuant to the powers of attorney executed by our VIE’s shareholders, each of them irrevocably authorized Beijing Lexuebang or its designee(s) to act on their respective behalf as exclusive agent and attorney, to the extent permitted by law, with respect to all rights of shareholders concerning all the equity interest held by each of them in our VIE, including but not limited to proposing to convene or attend shareholder meetings, signing the resolutions and minutes of such meetings, exercising all the rights as shareholders (including but not limited to voting rights, nomination rights, appointment rights, the right to receive dividends and the right to sell, transfer, pledge or dispose of all the equity held in part or in whole).

 

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Equity Interest Pledge Agreement. Under the equity interest pledge agreement among Beijing Lexuebang, our VIE and its shareholders, our VIE’s shareholders pledged all of their equity interests of our VIE to Beijing Lexuebang as security for performance of the obligations of our VIE and its shareholders under the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement and the powers of attorney. If any of the specified events of default occurs, Beijing Lexuebang may exercise the right to enforce the pledge immediately. Beijing Lexuebang may transfer all or any of its rights and obligations under the equity interest pledge agreement to its designee(s) at any time. The agreement will remain in effect until the fulfillment of all the obligations under the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement and the powers of attorney.

We have registered the equity interest pledge under the equity interest pledge agreement in relation to our VIE with the relevant office of the State Administration for Market Regulation in accordance with the PRC Property Rights Law.

Agreements that allow us to receive economic benefits from our VIE

Exclusive Management Services and Business Cooperation Agreement. Pursuant to the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement among Beijing Lexuebang, our VIE and the shareholders of our VIE, Beijing Lexuebang has the exclusive right to provide or designate any third-party to provide, among other things, education management consultancy services, permission of intellectual property rights, technological support and business support to our VIE and its subsidiaries. In exchange, our VIE and its subsidiaries pay service fees to Beijing Lexuebang in an amount determined by Beijing Lexuebang in its sole discretion. Without the prior written consent of Beijing Lexuebang, our VIE and its subsidiaries cannot accept services provided by or establish similar cooperation relationship with any third-party. Beijing Lexuebang owns the exclusive intellectual property rights created as a result of the performance of this agreement unless otherwise provided by PRC laws or regulations. The agreement will remain effective unless unanimously agreed by the parties concerned or unilaterally terminated by Beijing Lexuebang with a written notice. Unless otherwise required by applicable PRC laws, our VIE and its shareholders do not have any right to terminate the agreement.

Agreements that provide us with the call option to purchase the equity interests in our VIE

Exclusive Call Option Agreement. Under the exclusive call option agreement among Beijing Lexuebang, our VIE and its shareholders, each of the shareholders of our VIE irrevocably granted Beijing Lexuebang a right to purchase, or designate a third-party to purchase, all or any part of their equity interests in our VIE at a purchase price equal to the lowest price permissible by the then-applicable PRC laws and regulations at Beijing Lexuebang’s sole and absolute discretion to the extent permitted by PRC law. The shareholders of our VIE shall promptly give all considerations they received from the exercise of the options to Beijing Lexuebang or its designee(s). Our VIE and its shareholders covenant that, without Beijing Lexuebang’s prior written consent, they will not, among other things, (i) create any pledge or encumbrance on their equity interests in our VIE; (ii) transfer or otherwise dispose of their equity interests in our VIE; (iii) change our VIE’s registered capital; (iv) amend our VIE’s articles of association; (v) sell, transfer, license or otherwise dispose of any of our VIE’s assets or allow any encumbrance of any assets, except for the disposal or the encumbrances of the assets that are treated as necessary for their daily business operations with the value of the assets involved in a single transaction not exceeding RMB100,000; (vi) cause our VIE to enter into any major contracts or terminate any material contracts to which our VIE is a party; (vii) declare or distribute dividends; (viii) terminate, liquidate or dissolve our VIE; or (ix) allow our VIE to incur, inherit, guarantee or permit any debts, except for those payables incurred in the ordinary or usual course of business but not incurred by way of borrowing. The agreement will remain effective until terminated by Beijing Lexuebang at its discretion or the entire equity interests in our VIE have been transferred to Beijing Lexuebang or its designee(s).

Spousal Consent Letters. Pursuant to the spousal consent letters executed by the spouses of certain shareholders of our VIE, the signing spouses unconditionally and irrevocably agreed that the equity interest in

 

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our VIE held by and registered in the name of their spouses be disposed of in accordance with the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement, the equity interest pledge agreement and the powers of attorney described above, and that their spouses may perform, amend or terminate such agreements without their additional consent. Additionally, the signing spouses agreed not to assert any rights over the equity interest in our VIE held by their spouses. In addition, in the event that the signing spouses obtains any equity interest in our VIE held by their spouses for any reason, they agree to be bound by and sign any legal documents substantially similar to the contractual arrangements described above, as may be amended from time to time.

In the opinion of Tian Yuan Law Firm, our PRC legal counsel:

 

   

the ownership structures of our VIE and Beijing Lexuebang in China, both currently and immediately after giving effect to this offering, are not in violation of applicable PRC laws and regulations currently in effect; and

 

   

the contractual arrangements between Beijing Lexuebang, our VIE and its shareholders governed by PRC law are valid, binding and enforceable, and will not result in any violation of applicable PRC laws and regulations currently in effect.

However, our PRC legal counsel has also advised us that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules. Accordingly, the PRC regulatory authorities may take a view that is contrary to the opinion of our PRC legal counsel. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. If we or our VIE is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating certain of our operations in China do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations”, “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance, business, financial condition and results of operations” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.”

 

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S ELECTED C ONSOLIDATED F INANCIAL D ATA

The following selected consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, selected consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, and selected consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary consolidated statements of operation for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, summary consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2019 and summary consolidated cash flow data for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019 have been derived from our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our historical results do not necessarily indicate results expected for any future periods. You should read this Selected Consolidated Financial Data section together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    

For the Year Ended December 31,

   

For the Three Months Ended
March 31,

 
    

2017

   

2018

   

2018

   

2019

 
    

RMB

   

RMB

   

US$

   

RMB

   

RMB

   

US$

 
     (in thousands, except for share amounts and per share data)  

Summary Consolidated Statements of Operations:

            

Net revenues

     97,580       397,306       59,200       46,911       269,155       40,105  

Cost of revenues (1)

     (25,023     (142,753     (21,271     (20,688     (82,045     (12,225
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     72,557       254,553       37,929       26,223       187,110       27,880  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

            

Selling expenses (1)

     (75,325     (121,518     (18,107     (13,882     (99,519     (14,829

Research and development expenses (1)

     (52,451     (74,050     (11,034     (11,924     (30,442     (4,536

General and administrative expenses (1)

     (37,208     (39,831     (5,935     (4,577     (14,422     (2,149

Total operating expenses

     (164,984     (235,399     (35,076  

 

 

 

(30,383

 

 

 

 

 

(144,383

 

 

 

 

 

(21,514

 

(Loss) income from operations

     (92,427     19,154       2,853    

 

 

 

(4,160

 

 

 

 

 

42,727

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,366

 

 

Interest income

     189       2,193       327       88       1,116       166  

Other income

     2,004       495       74       87       533       79  

Other expenses

     (50     (445     (66     (17            

Impairment loss on equity method investment

     (1,070     —         —      

 

 

 

—  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income before provision for income tax and (loss) income from equity method investments

     (91,354     21,397       3,188    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44,376

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,611

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax benefits (expenses)

     4,620       (2,616     (390     489       (10,018     (1,493

(Loss) income from equity method investments

     (221     869       129    

 

 

 

(90

 

 

 

 

 

(467

 

 

 

 

 

(70

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

     (86,955     19,650       2,927    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,603

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,891

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,048

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares redemption value accretion

     (38,930     (38,930     (5,801  

 

(9,733

 

 

 

 

(9,733

 

 

 

 

 

(1,450

 

Undistributed earnings allocated to the participating preferred shares

     —         —         —         —         (6,444     (961
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income attributable to GSX Techedu Inc.’s ordinary shareholders

     (125,885     (19,280     (2,874     (13,336     17,714       2,637  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income per ordinary share

            

Basic

     (1.36     (0.21     (0.03     (0.14     0.18       0.03  

Diluted

     (1.36     (0.21     (0.03     (0.14     0.17       0.02  

Weighted average shares used in net (loss) income per share

            

Basic

     92,224,998       92,224,998       92,224,998       92,224,998       97,944,998      
97,944,998
 

Diluted

     92,224,998       92,224,998       92,224,998       92,224,998      
106,013,755
 
   
106,013,755
 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures (2)

            

Gross billings

     121,843       655,128       97,617       60,999       300,095       44,716  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes:

(1)

Share-based compensation expenses are in cost of revenues and operating expenses as follows:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,      For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2017      2018      2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB      US$      RMB      RMB      US$  
Share-based compensation
expenses:
   (in thousands)  

Cost of revenues

     3        283        42        12        423        63  

Selling expenses

     373        429        64        32        590        88  

Research and development expenses

     276        782        117        80        1,208        180  

General and administrative expenses

     5,136        4,423        659        89        1,601        239  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     5,788        5,917        882        213        3,822        570  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2)

For discussions of gross billings and reconciliation of gross billings to net revenues, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measure.”

The following table presents our selected consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and March 31, 2019:

 

     As of December 31,     As of March 31,  
     2017     2018     2019  
     RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     US$  
     (in thousands)  

Selected Consolidated Balance Sheets Data:

          

Cash and cash equivalents

     19,294       33,259       4,956       40,033       5,965  

Short-term investments

     7,974       197,991       29,501       254,139       37,868  

Total current assets

     52,345       280,801       41,841       363,628       54,182  

Total assets

     103,213       338,203       50,394       474,169       70,653  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current liabilities

     155,013       355,912       53,033       420,702       62,687  

Total liabilities

     155,500       364,682       54,340       462,517       68,917  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mezzanine equity

     427,130       466,060       69,445       475,793       70,895  

Total shareholders’ deficit

     (479,417     (492,539     (73,391     (464,141     (69,159
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The following table presents our selected consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2017     2018     2018     2019  
     RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  
     (in thousands)  

Selected Consolidated Cash Flow Data:

            

Net cash (used in) generated from operating activities

     (49,643     241,869       36,040       5,420       64,609       9,627  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (10,140     (198,720     (29,610     (3,046     (57,320     (8,541

Net cash generated from (used in) financing activities

     56,531       (29,193     (4,350     460       (500     (75
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes

     (40     9       1       2       (15     (2

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (3,292     13,965       2,081    

 

2,836

 

 

 

6,774

 

 

 

1,009

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     22,586       19,294       2,875    

 

19,294

 

 

 

33,259

 

 

 

4,956

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

     19,294       33,259       4,956       22,130       40,033       5,965  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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M ANAGEMENT S D ISCUSSION AND A NALYSIS OF

F INANCIAL C ONDITION AND R ESULTS OF O PERATIONS

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the section entitled “Selected Consolidated Financial Data” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties about our business and operations. Our actual results and the timing of selected events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those we describe under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

We are a technology-driven education company. According to Frost & Sullivan, we are the third largest online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring service provider in China, in terms of gross billings in 2018. We adopted the online live large-class format to deliver our courses, which we believe is the most effective and scalable model to disseminate scarce high quality teaching resources to aspiring students in China. Our core expertise is in online K-12 courses, covering all primary and secondary grades, which contributed over 73% and 75% of our total revenues in 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019, respectively. We also offer foreign language, professional and interests courses.

To create a disciplined, effective and engaging learning environment under the large-class format, we have adopted a dual-teacher system. We conduct each class with an instructor and multiple tutors who are well-versed in the course materials and attentively supervise each student. Our instructors deliver the courses in online live large-class format, while our tutors provide academic and administrative support to each student during and after class hours. This system empowers thousands of students to simultaneously learn from the high quality instructors while enjoying the 1-on-1 close attention by our tutors. We design our courses in ways to inspire students’ genuine interest and in-depth interactions, which in turn foster students’ holistic development and thus better learning results. As a result of our superior education quality, we are able to maintain premium course fees relative to our competitors while continuing to periodically increase our course fees. In 2018, our online K-12 large-class courses on average were priced at a significant premium compared to the average online K-12 large-class courses in China, according to Frost & Sullivan.

We have grown rapidly while at the same time improving our cost efficiency. Our net revenues increased by 307.1% from RMB97.6 million in 2017 to RMB397.3 million (US$59.2 million) in 2018, and by 474.0% from RMB46.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB269.2 million (US$40.1 million) for the same period in 2019. Our gross billings increased by 437.8% from RMB121.8 million in 2017 to RMB655.1 million (US$97.6 million) in 2018, and by 392.0% from RMB61.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB300.1 million (US$44.7 million) for the same period in 2019. We generated a net income of RMB19.7 million (US$2.9 million) in 2018, compared with a net loss of RMB87.0 million in 2017, and a net income of RMB33.9 million (US$5.1 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared with a net loss of RMB3.6 million for the same period in 2018. For discussions of gross billings and reconciliation of gross billings to net revenues, see “—Non-GAAP Financial Measure.”

Key Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

Our results of operations and financial condition are affected by the general factors driving China’s online education industry. We have benefited from the China’s overall economic growth, significant urbanization rate, and higher per capita disposable income of urban households in China, which has allowed many households in China to spend more on education. We have also benefited from the increasing internet penetration in China.

 

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At the same time, our results are subject to changes in the regulatory regime governing China’s education industry, particularly uncertainties relating to online education services. The PRC government regulates various aspects of our business and operations, including the qualification, licensing or filing requirements for entities that provide online education services and limitations on foreign investments in the online education industry. See ‘‘Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We face uncertainties with respect to the development of regulatory requirements on operating licenses and permits for our online education services in China. Failure to renew requested licenses or permits in a timely manner or obtain newly required ones due to adverse changes in regulations or policies could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties exist in relation to new legislation or proposed changes in the PRC regulatory requirements regarding online private education, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.”

While our business is influenced by general factors affecting the online education industry in China generally, our results of operations are also directly affected by certain company specific factors, including the following major factors:

Our ability to continuously increase paid course enrollments

Our net revenues primarily consist of course fees from our students. Our growth in net revenues is primarily driven by increase in our paid course enrollments. Our paid course enrollments increased from 65,092 in 2017 to 552,294 in 2018 and from 58,308 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to 190,197 for the same period in 2019. We believe providing an effective learning experience is critical to attract new students and increase our paid course enrollments. We are committed to providing high quality course offerings to our students and will continue to enhance our students’ learning experience through enriching our course offerings, enhancing our brand reputation and refining our technology. We will continue to improve our ability to convert sales leads into paid course enrollments cost-effectively.

Our ability to further increase our course fees

Our net revenues are also affected by the level of tuition fees we charge and average gross billings per paid course enrollment for our K-12 courses, as well as foreign language, professional and interests education courses. Growth in the level of tuition fees we charge and average gross billing per paid course enrollment is dependent on our increased ability to charge premium fees for our course offerings. Due to our high quality course offerings, we have been able to price at a significant premium compared to the average online large-class products in 2018, according to Frost & Sullivan. Our ability to charge premium pricing is affected by the quality and effectiveness of our course offerings, the overall demand for our courses, prices and availability of competing courses. Between 2017 and 2018, we generally raised the standard tuition fee level we charged for our K-12 courses, as well as our foreign language, professional and interests education courses. Our pricing strategy with respect to our K-12 courses focuses on setting and regularly increasing the standard tuition fees we charge for each hour of lesson delivered. Our pricing strategy with respect to our foreign language, professional and interests education courses focuses on raising the total tuition fees we charge for each course, through the introduction of premium courses or upgrading existing courses. We will continue to monitor these factors and aim to further increase our pricing through regular review.

Our ability to manage our costs and operating expenses effectively

Our operating margins depend on our ability to control our costs and realize additional operation leverage as we expand. A substantial majority of our cost of revenues consists of staff costs paid to our instructors and tutors. Historically, we have benefited from the significant scalability of our business model and have been able to control teacher costs at a relatively low level despite the significant growth in our net revenues. Whether we can

 

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continue to control our teacher cost in the future depends on, to a significant extent, our ability to further realize the economic benefits from the scalability of our business model and our effectiveness in competing for top teaching talents in China.

We depend on our ability to sell and market our course offerings in a cost-effective manner to maintain and improve our operating margins. Selling expenses have historically been the largest item of our total operating expenses. Our selling expenses are primarily composed of compensation to our personnel involved in sales and marketing, selling expenses relating to our online and mobile marketing, and branding expenses. Our ability to maintain or lower our selling expenses as a percentage of net revenues depends on our ability to improve sales and marketing efficiency and leverage our existing brand value and recognition of our superior teaching quality to achieve word-of-mouth referrals. We may also incur increased research and development and general and administrative expenses due to the expansion of our course offerings.

We offer substantially all of our courses online in a live format. Our future success depends on the development and application of relevant technologies to meet our demand for sufficient network capacity and to continue to enhance our proprietary live broadcasting technology, all in a cost-effective manner. While we continue to focus on our live broadcasting technology development, we plan to devote more resources to the development of our technology infrastructure, software upgrades to increase our operational efficiency.

Key Components of Results of Operations

Net Revenues

In 2018 and the three months ended March 31, 2019, we derived substantially all of our net revenues from the course fees that we charge to our students. In 2017, we derived our net revenues from membership fees from our membership-based service platform, offline business consulting courses and the course fees that we charge to our students. We generally collect course fees in advance, which we initially record as deferred revenues. We recognize revenues proportionally as the classes are delivered. The majority of our courses are typically delivered within a period from 1 month to 6 months. For some courses, we continue to provide students with 12 months to 36 months access to the pre-recorded audio-video courses after the online live courses are delivered. The related revenue for playback is recognized proportionally over the playback period. The playback revenue represents a relatively small portion of the total course fees. The following table sets forth a breakdown of our total net revenues by amounts and percentages for the periods presented:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,      For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2017      2018      2018      2019  
     RMB      %      RMB      US$      %      RMB      %      RMB      US$      %  
     (in thousands, except for percentages)  

Net revenues:

                             

K-12 courses

     21,652        22.2        290,890        43,344        73.2        33,484        71.3        204,310        30,443        75.9  

Foreign language, professional and interest courses

     6,425        6.6        71,732        10,688        18.1        4,670        10.0        60,640        9,035        22.5  

Others

     69,503        71.2        34,684        5,168        8.7        8,757        18.7        4,205        627        1.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     97,580        100.0        397,306        59,200        100.0        46,911        100.0        269,155        40,105        100.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

We started to transit from a membership-based service platform connecting teachers and students to our current online live large-classes business model in March 2017. Under our earlier membership-based business model, we generated revenues, on a net basis, from teachers in the form of membership fees. Teachers who had paid our membership fees may join our online platform and market their courses to students on our online platform. We stopped providing membership-based services to teachers under our earlier business model in August 2018. Our other revenues in 2017 and 2018, and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019,

 

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consisted primarily of course fees from our offline business consulting courses and service fees for our membership-based service platform. Our offline business consulting courses target the principals and other officers of private education institutions who want to improve their management skills.

Cost of revenues

Our cost of revenues primarily consists of performance-based salaries to instructors and total compensation to tutors. We recorded cost of revenues of RMB25.0 million and RMB142.8 million (US$21.3 million) in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and of RMB20.7 million and RMB82.0 million (US$12.2 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Our cost of revenues also includes costs for teaching materials, rental expenses for our office space and server and bandwidth costs. We expect our cost of revenues to increase in absolute amounts in the foreseeable future as we serve more students and offer more courses.

Operating expenses

Our operating expenses consist primarily of selling expenses, and to a lesser extent, research and development expenses and general and administrative expenses.

Selling expenses . We recorded selling expenses of RMB75.3 million and RMB121.5 million (US$18.1 million) in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and of RMB13.9 million and RMB99.5 million (US$14.8 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Our selling expenses primarily consist of compensation to our personnel involved in sales and marketing, traffic acquisition expenses, expenses relating to our marketing and brand promotion activities, and certain rental expenses for our office space. We expect our selling expenses to increase in absolute amounts in the foreseeable future as we seek to further grow our paid course enrollments.

Research and development expenses . We recorded research and development expenses of RMB52.5 million and RMB74.1 million (US$11.0 million) in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and of RMB11.9 million and RMB30.4 million (US$4.5 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Research and development expenses consist primarily of compensation to our education content development personnel, including the base salary of instructors who work on educational content development, and to our technology development personnel, and to a lesser extent, rental expenses for office space and server and bandwidth costs.

General and administrative expenses . We recorded general and administrative expenses of RMB37.2 million and RMB39.8 million (US$5.9 million) in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and of RMB4.6 million and RMB14.4 million (US$2.1 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and related expenses for employees involved in general corporate functions and administrative personnel. We expect our general and administrative expenses to increase in the future on an absolute basis as our business grows and we will incur increased costs related to complying with our reporting obligations after we become a public company under U.S. securities laws.

Taxation

Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. In addition, the Cayman Islands does not impose withholding tax on dividend payments.

Hong Kong

Under the current Hong Kong Inland Revenue Ordinance, from the year of assessment 2018/2019 onwards, the subsidiaries in Hong Kong are subject to profits tax at the rate of 8.25% on assessable profits up to

 

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HK$2,000,000; and 16.5% on any part of assessable profits over HK$2,000,000. Under the Hong Kong tax laws, we are exempted from the Hong Kong income tax on our foreign-derived income. In addition, payments of dividends from our Hong Kong subsidiary to us are not subject to any Hong Kong withholding tax. No provision for Hong Kong profits tax was made as we had no estimated assessable profit that was subject to Hong Kong profits tax during 2017, 2018 and the three months ended March 31, 2019.

PRC

Generally, our PRC subsidiaries, VIE and its subsidiaries are subject to enterprise income tax on their taxable income in China at a statutory rate of 25%. The enterprise income tax is calculated based on the entity’s global income as determined under PRC tax laws and accounting standards.

Our educational services are subject to VAT at the rate of 3% for small-scale-VAT-payer entities or at the rate of 6% for general-VAT-payer entities in accordance with PRC law.

Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd., our VIE, qualified as national high and new technology enterprise, or HNTE, in August 2017, which reduced its enterprise income tax rate to 15%. Its current HNTE status is set to expire by August 2020.

Dividends paid by our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China to our intermediary holding company in Hong Kong will be subject to a withholding tax rate of 10%, unless the relevant Hong Kong entity satisfies all the requirements under the Arrangement between China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital and receives approval from the relevant tax authority. If our Hong Kong subsidiary satisfies all the requirements under the tax arrangement and receives approval from the relevant tax authority, then the dividends paid to the Hong Kong subsidiary would be subject to withholding tax at the standard rate of 5%. Effective from November 1, 2015, the above mentioned approval requirement has been abolished, but a Hong Kong entity is still required to file application package with the relevant tax authority, and settle the overdue taxes if the preferential 5% tax rate is denied based on the subsequent review of the application package by the relevant tax authority. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—We may rely on dividends paid by our PRC subsidiary to fund cash and financing requirements. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business and to pay dividends to holders of the ADSs and our ordinary shares.”

If our holding company in the Cayman Islands or any of our subsidiaries outside of China were deemed to be a “resident enterprise” under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, it would be subject to enterprise income tax on its worldwide income at a rate of 25%. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or the ADS holders.”

 

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated results of operations for the periods presented, both in absolute amount and as a percentage of our net revenues for the periods presented. This information should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The results of operations in any particular period are not necessarily indicative of our future trends.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2017     2018     2018     2019  
    RMB     %     RMB     US$     %     RMB     %     RMB     US$     %  
    (in thousands, except for shares and per share data)        

Net revenues

    97,580       100.0       397,306       59,200       100.0       46,911       100.0       269,155       40,105       100.0  

Cost of revenues (1) :

    (25,023     (25.6     (142,753     (21,271     (35.9     (20,688     (44.1     (82,045     (12,225     (30.5
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

    72,557       74.4       254,553       37,929       64.1       26,223       55.9       187,110       27,880       69.5  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

                   

Selling expenses (1)

    (75,325     (77.2     (121,518     (18,107     (30.6     (13,882     (29.6     (99,519     (14,829     (37.0

Research and development expenses (1)

    (52,451     (53.8     (74,050     (11,034     (18.6     (11,924     (25.4     (30,442     (4,536     (11.3

General and administrative expenses (1)

    (37,208     (38.1     (39,831     (5,935     (10.0     (4,577     (9.8     (14,422     (2,149     (5.4

Total operating expenses

    (164,984     (169.1     (235,399     (35,076     (59.2     (30,383     (64.8     (144,383     (21,514     (53.7
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income from operations

    (92,427     (94.7     19,154       2,853       4.9       (4,160     (8.9     42,727       6,366       15.8  

Interest income

    189       0.2       2,193       327       0.6       88       0.2       1,116       166       0.4  

Other income

    2,004       2.1       495       74       0.1       87       0.2       533       79       0.2  

Other expenses

    (50     (0.1     (445     (66     (0.1     (17     (0.0     —         —         —    

Impairment loss on equity method investment

    (1,070     (1.1     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income before provision for income tax and (loss) income from equity method investments

    (91,354     (93.6     21,397       3,188       5.5       (4,002     (8.5     44,376       6,611       16.4  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax benefits (expenses)

    4,620       4.7       (2,616     (390     (0.7     489       1.0       (10,018     (1,493     (3.7

(Loss) income from equity method investments

    (221     (0.2     869       129       0.2       (90     (0.2     (467     (70     (0.2
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

    (86,955     (89.1     19,650       2,927       5.0       (3,603     (7.7     33,891       5,048       12.5  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Notes:

(1)

Share-based compensation expenses were allocated as follows:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,      For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2017      2018      2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB      US$      RMB      RMB      US$  
     (in thousands)  

Share-based compensation expenses:

                 

Cost of revenues

     3        283        42        12        423        63  

Selling expenses

     373        429        64        32        590        88  

Research and development expenses

     276        782        117        80        1,208        180  

General and administrative expenses

     5,136        4,423        659        89        1,601        239  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     5,788        5,917        882        213        3,822        570  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to three months ended March 31, 2018

Revenues

Our net revenues increased by 474.0% from RMB46.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB269.2 million (US$40.1 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019. This increase was primarily driven by the increase in net revenues from our K-12 courses, and, to a lesser extent, the increase in net revenues from our foreign language, professional and interest courses, partially offset by the decrease in other revenues as

 

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we stopped providing membership-based services to teachers under our earlier business model in August 2018. We generated RMB3.4 million membership fees from teachers on our platform for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to RMB0.3 million (US$44.7 thousand) for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Net revenue from our K-12 courses increased from RMB33.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB204.3 million (US$30.4 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019. This increase was primarily driven by the higher level of tuition fees we charged our K-12 students and the growth in paid course enrollments in our K-12 courses. Paid course enrollments increased by 239.3% from 45,944 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to 155,907 for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Additionally, the year-over-year increase in the medium level of standard tuition fees for our elementary, middle and high school courses from the three months ended March 31, 2018 to the three months ended March 31, 2019 was over 20%, without taking into account the relative volume of any differently priced courses. Furthermore, the average gross billing per paid course enrollment for our K-12 courses increased by 50.0% from approximately RMB1,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to approximately RMB1,500 for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Net revenue from our foreign language, professional and interest courses increased from RMB4.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB60.6 million (US$9.0 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019. This increase was primarily driven by the growth in paid course enrollments in our foreign language, professional and interest education courses, as well as the higher level of tuition fees we charged our foreign language, professional and interest course students. Paid course enrollments increase by 177.3% from 12,364 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to 34,290 for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Additionally, from the three months ended March 31, 2018 to the three months ended March 31, 2019, the year-over-year increase in the medium level of standard tuition fees for our foreign language courses was over 40%, and the year-over-year increase in the medium level of standard tuition fees for our interest courses was over 30%, in each case without taking into account the relative volume of any differently priced courses. The increase is primarily due to our continued efforts to refine our course offerings as well as our enhanced capacity to recruit new students and to generate interests in courses beyond the current subscriptions of our existing students. Furthermore, the average gross billing per paid course enrollment for our foreign language, professional and interest courses increased by 166.7% from approximately RMB600 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to approximately RMB1,600 for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Costs of revenues

Our cost of revenues increased by 296.1% from RMB20.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB82.0 million (US$12.2 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019. This increase was primarily due to our increased recruitment of teaching staff, including instructors and tutors, as we continued to expand our business operations, the increase in compensation for our teaching staff as we continued to attract and retain high quality teaching staff, the increase in expenses for our teaching materials and increased rental expenses for office space.

The compensation for our teaching staff increased from RMB16.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB69.1 million (US$10.3 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The number of our instructors increased by 74.2% from 97 as of March 31, 2018 to 169 as of March 31, 2019. The number of our tutors increased by 278.3% from 138 as of March 31, 2018 to 522 as of March 31, 2019.

Gross profit

As a result of the foregoing, our gross profit increased by 614.1% from of RMB26.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB187.1 million (US$27.9 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Our gross margin increased from 55.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to 69.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

 

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Operating expenses

Our total operating expenses increased by 375.0% from RMB30.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB144.4 million (US$21.5 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as all components of operating expenses increased.

Selling expenses . Our selling expenses increased by 615.8% from RMB13.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB99.5 million (US$14.8 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019. This significant increase was mainly driven by our increased spending on branding and marketing activities, including expenses relating to online and mobile marketing, which increased from RMB0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB62.3 million (US$9.3 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as well as the increase in compensation to our sales and marketing staff.

Research and development expenses . Our research and development expenses increased by 155.5% from RMB11.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB30.4 million (US$4.5 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily due to the increase in compensation for our education content development personnel and technology development personnel, and to a lesser extent, to the increase in rental expenses for office space. The compensation for our education content development personnel and technology development personnel increased from RMB10.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB26.9 million (US$4.0 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

General and administrative expenses . Our general and administrative expenses increased by 213.0% from RMB4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB14.4 million (US$2.1 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in payroll costs due to the increase of our administrative personnel.

(Loss) income from operations

Our income from operations was RMB42.7 million (US$6.4 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to loss from operations of RMB4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Income tax benefits (expenses)

Our income tax expense was RMB10.0 million (US$1.5 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to income tax benefit of RMB0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, primarily due to the increase in our taxable income for certain profit-making entities, which were subject to enterprise income tax in China.

Net (loss) income

As a result of the foregoing, we incurred net income of RMB33.9 million (US$5.1 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to net loss of RMB3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Year ended December 31, 2018 compared to year ended December 31, 2017

Net revenues

Our net revenues increased by 307.1% from RMB97.6 million in 2017 to RMB397.3 million (US$59.2 million) in 2018. This increase was primarily driven by the increase in net revenues from our K-12 courses, and, to a lesser extent, net revenues from our foreign language, professional and interest courses, partially offset by the decrease in other revenues as we gradually terminated our membership-based services to teachers under our earlier business model. We generated RMB45.7 million membership fees from teachers on our platform in 2017, compared to RMB11.3 million (US$1.7 million) in 2018.

 

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Net revenue from our K-12 courses increased from RMB21.7 million in 2017 to RMB290.9 million (US$43.3 million) in 2018. This increase was primarily driven by the higher level of tuition fees we charged our K-12 students and the growth in paid course enrollments in our K-12 courses. Paid course enrollments increased by 632.7% from 56,350 in 2017 to 412,871 in 2018. Additionally, between 2017 and 2018, the average year-over-year increase in the medium level of standard tuition fees for our elementary, middle and high school courses was over 20%, calculated by averaging the quarterly increases for the third and fourth quarters, without taking into account the relative volume of any differently priced courses. Furthermore, we introduced our critical thinking course for children in 2018, which has a higher standard tuition fee than our elementary, middle and high school courses. We did not include the year-over-year increases for the first or second quarters because our K-12 operation was in its nascent stage during those quarters in 2017, and any year-over-year comparison would not be meaningful. Furthermore, the average gross billing per paid course enrollment for our K-12 courses increased by 50.0% from approximately RMB800 in 2017 to approximately RMB1,200 in 2018.

Net revenue from our foreign language, professional and interest courses increased from RMB6.4 million in 2017 to RMB71.7 million (US$10.7 million) in 2018. This increase was primarily driven by the higher level of tuition fees we charged our foreign language, professional and interest course students, as well as the growth in paid course enrollments in our foreign language, professional and interest education courses. Paid course enrollments increase by 936.1% from 8,742 in 2017 to 90,576 in 2018. Additionally, between 2017 and 2018, the year-over-year increase in the medium level of standard tuition fees for our foreign language courses was over 600%, and the year-over-year increase in the medium level of standard tuition fees for our interest courses was over 200%, in each case without taking into account the relative volume of any differently priced courses. The significant increase is primarily due to our redesigning of our course offerings to increase the number of the hours per class as well as to provide more advanced contents to our students, resulting in higher tuition fees. We also began to substantially roll out our professional education courses in 2018. Furthermore, the average gross billing per paid course enrollment for our foreign language, professional and interest courses increased by 200.0% from approximately RMB400 in 2017 to approximately RMB1,200 in 2018.

Cost of revenues

Our cost of revenues increased by 471.2% from RMB25.0 million in 2017 to RMB142.8 million (US$21.3 million) in 2018. This increase was primarily due to our increased recruitment of teaching staff, including instructors and tutors, as we transitioned from a membership-based service platform to our current online live large-classes business model in March 2017, the increase in compensation for our teaching staff as we continued to attract and retain high quality teaching staff, the increase in expenses for our teaching materials and increased rental expenses for office space.

The compensation for our teaching staff increased from RMB14.0 million in 2017 to RMB114.8 million (US$17.1 million) in 2018. The number of our instructors increased by 106.3% from 79 as of December 31, 2017 to 163 as of December 31, 2018. The number of our tutors increased by 382.2% from 73 as of December 31, 2017 to 352 as of December 31, 2018.

After we transitioned to our current business model of providing lessons directly to students, we design our course content in-house and mail hard copies of course materials to students once they enroll into our courses and provide their address.

Gross profit

As a result of the foregoing, our gross profit increased by 250.7% from RMB72.6 million in 2017 to RMB254.6 million (US$37.9 million) in 2018. Our gross margin decreased from 74.4% in 2017 to 64.1% in 2018, primarily due to our transition from our marketplace business model to our current business model of providing courses directly to students, which requires us to employ and incur significant payroll costs for instructors and tutors.

 

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Operating expenses

Our total operating expenses increased by 42.7% from RMB165.0 million in 2017 to RMB235.4 million (US$35.1 million) in 2018, as all components of operating expenses increased.

Selling expenses . Our selling expenses increased by 61.4% from RMB75.3 million in 2017 to RMB121.5 million (US$18.1 million) in 2018. This increase was mainly driven by our increased spending on branding and marketing activities, which increased from RMB4.8 million in 2017 to RMB49.6 million (US$7.4 million) in 2018, as well as the increase in compensation to our sales and marketing staff.

Research and development expenses . Our research and development expenses increased by 41.1% from RMB52.5 million in 2017 to RMB74.1 million (US$11.0 million) in 2018, primarily due to the increase in compensation for our education content development personnel and technology development personnel, and to a lesser extent, to the increase in rental expenses for office space, partially offset by decreased server and bandwidth costs. The compensation for our education content development personnel and technology development personnel increased from RMB43.7 million in 2017 to RMB66.1 million (US$9.8 million) in 2018.

General and administrative expenses . Our general and administrative expenses increased by 7.0% from RMB37.2 million in 2017 to RMB39.8 million (US$5.9 million) in 2018. This increase was primarily attributable to increase in expenses for purchase of office supplies.

(Loss) income from operations

Our income from operations was RMB19.2 million (US$2.9 million) in 2018, compared to loss from operations of RMB92.4 million in 2017.

Income tax benefits (expenses)

Our income tax expense was RMB2.6 million (US$0.4 million) in 2018, compared to income tax benefit of RMB4.6 million in 2017, primarily due to the increase in our taxable income for certain profit-making entities, which were subject to enterprise income tax in China.

Net (loss) income

As a result of the foregoing, we incurred net income of RMB19.7 million (US$2.9 million) in 2018, compared to net loss of RMB87.0 million in 2017.

 

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Selected Quarterly Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our unaudited consolidated quarterly results of operations for each of the nine quarters from January 1, 2017 to March 31, 2019. You should read the following table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared this unaudited condensed consolidated quarterly financial data on the same basis as we have prepared our audited consolidated financial statements. The unaudited condensed consolidated quarterly financial data include all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, that our management considered necessary for a fair statement of our financial position and results of operation for the quarters presented. Our historical results for any particular quarter are not necessarily indicative of our future results.

 

    For the Three Months Ended,  
    March 31,
2017
    June 30,
2017
    September 30,
2017
    December 31,
2017
    March 31,
2018
    June 30,
2018
    September 30,
2018
    December 31,
2018
    March 31,
2019
 
    (Unaudited)  
    (in RMB thousands)  

Net revenues :

                 

K-12 courses

    154       890       6,686       13,922       33,484       47,943       73,383       136,080       204,310  

Foreign language, professional and interest courses

    16       1,111       3,094       2,204       4,670       11,979       18,480       36,603       60,640  

Others

    15,219       17,401       18,923       17,960       8,757       8,964       7,381       9,582       4,205  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net revenues

    15,389       19,402       28,703       34,086       46,911       68,886       99,244       182,265       269,155  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of revenues (1)

    (1,403     (4,048     (7,811     (11,761     (20,688     (26,571     (37,556     (57,938     (82,045
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

    13,986       15,354       20,892       22,325       26,223       42,315       61,688       124,327       187,110  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

                 

Selling expenses (1)

    (18,166     (20,485     (18,118     (18,556     (13,882     (18,424     (31,023     (58,189     (99,519

Research and development expenses (1)

    (12,897     (11,225     (12,658     (15,671     (11,924     (15,566     (20,013     (26,547     (30,442

General and administrative expenses (1)

    (8,684     (8,718     (7,251     (12,555     (4,577     (8,864     (10,572     (15,818     (14,422
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    (39,747 )       (40,428 )       (38,027 )       (46,782 )       (30,383 )       (42,854 )       (61,608 )       (100,554 )       (144,383 )  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income from operations

    (25,761 )       (25,074 )       (17,135 )       (24,457 )       (4,160 )       (539 )       80       23,773       42,727  

Interest income

    38       41       44       66       88       146       295       1,664       1,116  

Other income

    —         4       2,000       —         87       204       —         204       533  

Other expenses

    (3     (4     (7     (36     (17     (324     —         (104     —    

Impairment loss on equity method investment

    —         —         —         (1,070     —         —         —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income before provision for income tax and (loss) income from equity method investments

    (25,726 )       (25,033 )       (15,098 )       (25,497 )       (4,002 )       (513 )       375       25,537       44,376  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax benefits (expenses)

    1,301       1,266       814       1,239       489       63       (46     (3,122     (10,018

(Loss) income from equity method investments

    76       152       (644     195       (90     45       355       559       (467
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

    (24,349     (23,615     (14,928     (24,063     (3,603     (405     684       22,974       33,891  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Note:

(1)

Share-based compensation expenses are in cost of revenues and operating expenses as follows:

 

    For the Three Months Ended,  
    March 31,
2017
    June 30,
2017
    September 30,
2017
    December 31,
2017
    March 31,
2018
    June 30,
2018
    September 30,
2018
    December 31,
2018
    March 31,
2019
 
    (Unaudited)  
    (in RMB thousands)  

Share-based compensation expenses:

                 

Cost of revenues

    —         —         —         3       12       47       66       158       423  

Selling expenses

    1       1       3       368       32       106       107       184       590  

Research and development expenses

    42       42       86       106       80       85       100       517       1,208  

General and administrative expenses

    81       81       84       4,890       89       471       89       3,774       1,601  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    124       124       173       5,367       213       709       362       4,633       3,822  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Quarterly trends

We have experienced continued growth in our net revenues for the nine quarters from January 1, 2017 to March 31, 2019. This increase was primarily driven by the increase in net revenues from our K-12 courses and our foreign language, professional and interest courses, partially offset by the decrease in other revenues as we gradually terminated our membership-based services to teachers under our earlier business model.

Our cost of revenues also generally increased during these periods mainly due to the increase in compensation for our teaching staff, as a result of our increased recruitment of teaching staff, and the increase in expenses for our teaching materials, as a result of increased total enrollments. The decrease in selling expenses from the fourth quarter of 2017 to the first quarter of 2018 was primarily due to a decrease in sales and marketing personnel and rental expenses as we transitioned from a membership-based service platform to our current online live large-classes business model. The fluctuations in our general and administrative expenses during these periods was primarily due to share-based compensation expense recorded as a result of the purchase of our company’s shares by Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen from other shareholders, which was RMB 4.8 million, RMB0.4 million, and RMB3.2 million for the quarters ended December 31, 2017, June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The decrease in our research and development expenses from the fourth quarter of 2017 to the first quarter of 2018 was mainly due to the decrease of server and bandwidth costs.

Our results of operations are subject to fluctuation and changes in market conditions. For example, we may generate higher growth in net revenues in the second and fourth quarters in the future because of the increased paid course enrollments during beginning of spring and fall semesters. Overall, the historical seasonality of our business has been relatively mild due to our rapid growth but seasonality may increase in the future. Due to our limited operating history, the seasonal trends that we have experienced in the past may not be indicative of our future operating results. See also “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Our results of operations are subject to seasonal fluctuations.”

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

Gross billings is a non-GAAP financial measure. We define gross billings for a specific period as the total amount of cash received for the sale of course offerings in such period, net of the total amount of refunds in such period. Our management uses gross billings as a performance measurement because we generally bill our students for the entire course fee at the time of sale of our course offerings and recognize revenue proportionally

 

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as the classes are delivered over a period typically ranging from 1 to 6 months. For some courses, we continue to provide students with 12 months to 36 months access to the pre-recorded audio-video courses after the online live courses are delivered. The related revenue for playback is recognized proportionally over the playback period. We believe that gross billings provides valuable insight into the sales of our course packages and the performance of our business.

This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, its most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP measure has been provided in the financial statement tables included below. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. As gross billings has material limitations as an analytical metrics and may not be calculated in the same manner by all companies, it may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider gross billings as a substitute for, or superior to, net revenues prepared in accordance with GAAP. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using gross billings only as a supplemental measure. The table below sets forth a reconciliation of our gross billings to net revenues for the years indicated:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,      For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2017      2018      2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB      US$      RMB      RMB      US$  
     (in thousands)  

Net revenues

     97,580        397,306        59,200        46,911        269,155        40,105  

Add: VAT and surcharges

     6,423        26,202        3,905        3,094        12,930        1,927  

Add: ending deferred revenue

     46,307        272,041        40,535        60,079        291,355        43,413  

Add: ending refund liability

     2,475        11,167        1,664        2,503        9,863        1,470  

Less: beginning deferred revenue

     29,848        46,307        6,900        46,307        272,041        40,535  

Less: beginning refund liability

     1,094        2,475        369        2,475        11,167        1,664  

Less: deferred revenue from the acquisition of Shanghai Jinyou Education Technology Co., Ltd.

     —          2,806        418        2,806        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross billings (non-GAAP)

     121,843        655,128        97,617        60,999        300,095        44,716  

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods presented:

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,
     For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2017      2018      2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB      US$      RMB      RMB      US$  
     (in thousands)  

Net cash (used in) generated from operating activities

     (49,643      241,869        36,040        5,420        64,609        9,627  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (10,140      (198,720      (29,610      (3,046      (57,320      (8,541

Net cash generated from (used in) financing activities

     56,531        (29,193      (4,350      460        (500      (75
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes

     (40      9        1        2        (15      (2

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (3,292      13,965        2,081        2,836        6,774        1,009  

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

     22,586        19,294        2,875        19,294        33,259        4,956  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

     19,294        33,259        4,956        22,130        40,033        5,965  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

To date, we have financed our operating and investing activities primarily through net cash generated by operating activities and cash from historical equity financing activities. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and March 31, 2019, our cash and cash equivalents were RMB19.3 million, RMB33.3 million (US$5.0 million) and RMB40.0 million (US$6.0 million), respectively. Our cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash on hand and deposits which have original maturities of three months or less and are readily convertible to cash. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and March 31, 2019, our short-term investments were RMB8.0 million, RMB198.0 million (US$29.5 million) and RMB254.1 million (US$37.9 million), respectively. Short-term investments generally consist of investments in financial products issued by banks, which contain a fixed or variable interest rate with original maturities less than six months. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and March 31, 2019, our prepaid expenses and other current assets were RMB23.1 million, RMB48.8 million (US$7.3 million) and RMB69.5 million (US$10.4 million), respectively. Our prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of prepaid other service fees and cash held in accounts with third-party online payment channels.

We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents and our anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital requirements and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months. After this offering, we may decide to enhance our liquidity position or increase our cash reserve for future investments through additional capital and finance funding. The issuance and sale of additional equity would result in further dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed obligations and could result in operating covenants that would restrict our operations. We cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

As of March 31, 2019, 98.5%, 1.1% and 0.4% of our cash and cash equivalents were held in China, Hong Kong and the Cayman Islands, respectively, of which 98.5% were denominated in Renminbi and 1.5% were denominated in U.S. dollars. As of March 31, 2019, all of our short-term investments were held in China and denominated in Renminbi. As of March 31, 2019, 94.9% of cash and cash equivalents and 100% of our short-term investments were held by our VIE and its subsidiaries.

Although we consolidate the results of our variable interest entity and its subsidiaries, we only have access to the assets or earnings of our variable interest entity and its subsidiaries through our contractual arrangements

 

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with our variable interest entity and its shareholders. See “Corporate History and Structure—Contractual Arrangements with Our VIE and Its Shareholders.” For restrictions and limitations on liquidity and capital resources as a result of our corporate structure, see “—Holding Company Structure.”

In utilizing the proceeds we expect to receive from this offering, we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, establish new PRC subsidiaries and make capital contributions to these new PRC subsidiaries, make loans to our PRC subsidiary, or acquire offshore entities with operations in China in offshore transactions. However, most of these uses are subject to PRC regulations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary and consolidated variable interest entity, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.” and “Use of Proceeds.”

All of our revenues are denominated in Renminbi. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, Renminbi may be converted into foreign exchange for current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade-and service-related foreign exchange transactions.

We expect that substantially all of our future revenues will be denominated in Renminbi. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior SAFE approval as long as certain routine procedural requirements are fulfilled. Therefore, our PRC subsidiary is allowed to pay dividends in foreign currencies to us without prior SAFE approval by following certain routine procedural requirements. However, approval from or registration with competent government authorities is required where the Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may at its discretion restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions in the future.

Operating activities

Net cash generated from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was RMB64.6 million (US$9.6 million), primarily attributable to a net income of RMB33.9 million, adjusted for non-cash items that primarily consist of RMB1.5 million in depreciation of property, equipment and software, and an increase in working capital that primarily consists of a RMB19.3 million increase in deferred revenue resulting from our rapid business expansion.

Net cash generated from operating activities in 2018 was RMB241.9 million (US$36.0 million), primarily attributable to a net income of RMB19.7 million, adjusted for non-cash items that primarily consist of RMB4.0 million in depreciation of property, equipment and software, and an increase in working capital that primarily consists of a RMB222.9 million increase in deferred revenue resulting from our rapid business expansion.

Net cash used in operating activities in 2017 was RMB49.6 million, primarily attributable to a net loss of RMB87.0 million and decrease in deferred tax assets of RMB4.6 million, prepaid expenses and other current assets of RMB8.7 million and amounts due from related parties of RMB0.2 million, and an increase in working capital that primarily consists of a RMB23.1 million increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and RMB16.5 million increase in deferred revenue.

Investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was RMB57.3 million (US$8.5 million), primarily due to the purchase of short-term investments of RMB406.6 million, partially offset by proceeds from maturity of short-term investments of RMB350.4 million.

 

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Net cash used in investing activities in 2018 was RMB198.7 million (US$29.6 million), primarily due to purchase of short-term investments of RMB422.8 million, partially offset by proceeds from maturity of short-term investments of RMB233.0 million.

Net cash used in investing activities in 2017 was RMB10.1 million, primarily due to purchase of short-term investments of RMB26.0 million, partially offset by proceeds from maturity of short-term investments of RMB18.1 million.

Financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was RMB0.5 million (US$0.1 million), primarily attributable to repayment of the loan extended by Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen in 2017.

Net cash used in financing activities in 2018 was RMB29.2 million (US$4.4 million), primarily attributable to repayment of the loan extended by Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen in 2017.

Net cash generated from financing activities in 2017 was RMB56.5 million, representing the loan extended by Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen to us.

Capital expenditures

Our capital expenditures are primarily related to leasehold improvements and investments in computers, network equipment and software. Our capital expenditures were RMB0.4 million, RMB12.1 million (US$1.8 million) and RMB1.2 million (US$0.2 million) in 2017, 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019, respectively. We intend to fund our future capital expenditures with our existing cash balance, short-term investments and proceeds from this offering. We will continue to make capital expenditures to meet the expected growth of our business.

Contractual obligations

The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2019.

 

     Years ending December 31,  
     Total      2019      2020      2021      2022      2023 and
thereafter
 
     (RMB in millions)  

Operating lease commitments (1)

     63.1        22.0        22.6        9.5        4.9        4.1  

 

Note:

(1)

Represents minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases related to offices.

Other than as shown above, we did not have any significant capital and other commitments, long-term obligations or guarantees as of March 31, 2019.

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments and Arrangements

We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. In addition, we have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholder’s equity or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

We prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires our management to make judgment, estimates and assumptions. We continually evaluate these judgments, estimates and assumptions based on our own historical experience, knowledge and assessment of current business and other conditions, our expectations regarding the future based on available information and various assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, which together form our basis for making judgments about matters that are not readily apparent from other sources. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, our actual results could differ from those estimates. Some of our accounting policies require a higher degree of judgment than others in their application.

The selection of critical accounting policies, the judgments and other uncertainties affecting application of those policies and the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions are factors that should be considered when reviewing our financial statements. We believe the following accounting policies involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements. You should read the following description of critical accounting policies, judgments and estimates in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and other disclosures included in this prospectus.

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” This standard replaced existing revenue recognition rules with a comprehensive revenue measurement and recognition standard and expanded disclosure requirements. We have early adopted the new standard as of January 1, 2017 using the full retrospective method which requires us to present our financial statements for all periods as if Topic 606 had been applied to all prior periods. We did not apply practical expedients as provided under Topic 606.

The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.

Our revenue is reported net of discount, value added tax and related surcharges. Prior to March 2017, we mainly provided a membership-based service platform connecting teachers and students and generated revenues from teachers in the form of membership fees. Subsequently, we transitioned from a membership-based service platform to an integrated online tutoring services provider. The primary sources of our revenues are as follows:

Online tutoring services

We offer various types of integrated online tutoring services covering a wide spectrum of topics and targets students from broad age groups through our diverse offerings of K-12, foreign language, professional and interest courses. Our live interactive tutoring services consists of several components, including online live classes as well as other activities during the online period including teaching material, quizzes before, during and after the classes, summary of lessons after each class and interactions with both other students and instructors during the period. Different service components are highly interdependent and interrelated in the context of the contract with the live interactive tutoring services. Therefore, we have determined that the live interactive tutoring services represents one performance obligation. The service period for a majority of the live interactive tutoring services is less than six months.

Once the live interactive tutoring services is complete, we also offer the customer a content playback service. In the content playback service, the customer has unlimited access to online pre-recorded audio-video courses for a specified period ranging from one to three years. No other interactions or activities are provided during the playback period. For contracts that provide both the live interactive tutoring service and the content

 

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playback service, we determined that the live interactive tutoring service and content playback service are two separate performance obligations under ASC 606, as these two deliverables are distinct in that customers can benefit from each service on its own and our promises to deliver the services are separately identifiable from each other in the contract.

Tutoring fees are collected in advance. We determine that there is not a significant financing component based on the nature of the service being offered and the purpose of the payment terms. We charge a single upfront amount, not with the primary purpose of obtaining financing from the students but, instead, to maximize profitability, taking into consideration the risks associated with providing the service. For K-12 related courses, we offer refunds for any remaining classes to students who withdraw from the course. The refund is equal to the amount related to the undelivered class. We determine the transaction price to be earned by estimating the refund liability based on historical refund ratio on a portfolio basis using the expected value method, and allocates the tutoring fee excluding the estimate for refund liability to each performance obligation using the relative stand-alone selling price. We determine the stand-alone selling prices using an expected cost plus margin methodology. Revenue related to the live interactive tutoring service is recognized proportionately as the online classes are delivered, as we concluded that the delivery of each online class represents a faithful depiction of when the services are provided to the students. Revenue related to the right to access the content playback is recognized proportionally over the playback period, as we concluded that the content playback service represents a stand ready obligation to provide the playback services and the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as we provide such services throughout the playback period.

In some promotion activities, we grant sales incentives, including cash coupon and free class, to students who made qualified course purchases. Those students can redeem the cash coupon in the next purchase as part of payment, or select to enroll in a new course free of charge, prior to the incentive’s expiration. The cash coupon and free class expire six months from when they were issued. We determined the cash coupon and/or free course granted to existing students are material rights. As a result, a portion of sales price received on students making qualified purchases is allocated to the sales incentives granted based on the relative standalone selling prices. The selling price of cash coupon is estimated based on the discount amount and the probability of redemption. Revenue allocated to sales incentives is recorded as deferred revenue until redemption or expiration. Once the coupon or free class is redeemed, revenue will be recognized based on the revenue recognition policy discussed above. Students may not always redeem cash coupon or take the free class offered before the expiration of the sales incentive. Therefore, we expect to be entitled to a breakage amount in deferred revenue related to the incentives. We estimate the breakage based on historical students’ usage and recognizes the estimated breakage as revenue in proportion to the pattern of incentives exercised by students. The assessment of estimating breakage is updated on a quarterly basis. Changes in estimated breakage is accounted for by adjusting deferred revenue to reflect the remaining incentive rights expected to be exercised.

Other services

Other service revenues are primarily derived from (i) membership-based service and (ii) offline business consulting courses.

We provide membership-based services which consists of providing a platform connecting training institutions or individual teachers and students. Training institutions or individual teachers who pay the membership fees are able to join our online platform and market their courses to prospective students. Membership fees are primarily fixed and no contractual membership fee refunds are provided to the training institutions or individual teachers. The membership services mainly provide training institutions or individual teachers with display of an online storefront on our platforms and access to online account management system, which are accounted for as a single performance obligation as the membership services are highly integrated. These service fees are paid in advance for a specific contracted service period and the revenues are recognized proportionally over the service period, typically 12 months, as we concluded that the membership service represents a stand ready obligation to provide the services while the member simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of such services throughout the contract period.

 

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We also offer offline business consulting courses targeting principals and other officers of private education institutions who want to improve their management skills. Contractually, we are not obligated to provide refund for course fees to these course participants. Course fees are collected in advance and the revenues, net of any discounts, are recognized proportionally over the service period, which is generally less than a year, as the classes are generally delivered evenly through the course period.

The contract liability consists of deferred revenue and refund liability.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entity

Our consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of GSX Techedu Inc, its subsidiaries, its VIE and the VIE’s subsidiaries. All profits, transactions and balances among GSX Techedu Inc, its subsidiaries, its VIE and the VIE’s subsidiaries have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Lexuebang”), our wholly-owned PRC subsidiary, has gained control over Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd (“Beijing BaiJiaHuLian”) and its subsidiaries that most significantly affect our economic performance through a series of contractual arrangements. Beijing Lexuebang bears the economic risks and receives the economic benefits of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian and its subsidiaries through these contractual agreements with Beijing BaiJiaHuLian and/or its nominee shareholders, including:

 

   

Exclusive Management Services and Business Cooperation Agreement

 

   

Equity Interest Pledge Agreement

 

   

Exclusive Call Option Agreement

 

   

Powers of Attorney

 

   

Spousal Consent Letters

Based on the advice of our PRC legal counsel, we believe above-mentioned contractual agreements are currently legally enforceable under PRC law and regulations.

As a result of these contractual arrangements, we believe we are entitled to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian, and receive the economic benefits of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian. In making the conclusion that we are the primary beneficiary of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian, we believe our rights under the exclusive call option agreements and powers of attorney have reinforced our abilities to direct the activities most significantly impacting Beijing BaiJiaHuLian’s economic performance. We also believe that this ability to exercise control ensures that Beijing BaiJiaHuLian would continue to execute and renew service agreements and pay service fees to us. By charging service fees, and by ensuring that service agreements are executed and renewed indefinitely, we have the rights to receive substantially all of the economic benefits from Beijing BaiJiaHuLian. Accordingly, as the primary beneficiary of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian and in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we consolidate its financial results and assets and liabilities in our consolidated financial statements.

As advised by our PRC legal counsel, our corporate structure in China complies with all existing PRC laws and regulations, and the above contractual agreements are valid, binding and enforceable under PRC laws. However, our PRC legal counsel has also advised us that as there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, and we cannot assure you that the PRC government would agree that our corporate structure or any of the above-mentioned contractual arrangements comply with current or future PRC laws or regulations. PRC laws and regulations governing the validity of these contractual arrangements are uncertain and the relevant government authorities may have broad discretion in interpreting these laws and regulations.

 

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Income Taxes

Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant tax authorities. Deferred income taxes are recognized when temporary differences exist between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. Net operating loss carry forwards and credits are applied using enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more-likely-than-not that a portion of or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The impact of an uncertain income tax position is recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Interest and penalties on income taxes will be classified as a component of the provisions for income taxes.

Fair Value of Ordinary Shares

Prior to our initial public offering, we were a private company with no quoted market prices for our ordinary shares. We therefore needed to make estimates of the fair value of our ordinary shares at various dates for the purpose of determining the fair value of our ordinary shares at the date of the grant of share-based compensation awards to our employees to determine the grant date fair value of the award.

The following table sets forth the fair value of our ordinary shares estimated at different times prior to our initial public offering with the assistance from an independent valuation firm:

 

Date

  Class of Shares   Fair Value
per Share
    DLOM     Discount Rate    

Purpose of Valuation

        (RMB)                  

June 30, 2017

  Ordinary shares     2.9       25     20   To determine the fair value of share option grant

October 31, 2017

  Ordinary shares     3.7       20     20   To determine the value of share-based compensation

December 31, 2017

  Ordinary shares     4.3       20     20   To determine the fair value of share option grant

March 31, 2018

  Ordinary shares     4.5       20     19.5   To determine the fair value of share option grant and the value of share-based compensation

June 30, 2018

  Ordinary shares     4.8       20     18.5   To determine the fair value of share option grant

September 30, 2018

  Ordinary shares     12.6       15     18.5   To determine the fair value of share option grant

December 31, 2018

  Ordinary shares     12.7       15     18.0   To determine the fair value of share option grant

March 31, 2019

  Ordinary shares     72.1       8     14.0   To determine the fair value of share option grant

The valuations of our ordinary shares were performed using methodologies, approaches and assumptions consistent with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Audit and Accounting Practice Aid Series: Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, or the AICPA Practice Guide. The determination of the fair value of our ordinary shares requires complex and subjective judgments to be made regarding our projected financial and operating results, our unique business risks, the liquidity of our shares and our operating history and prospects at the time of valuation.

In determining our equity value, we applied the discounted cash flow analysis based on our projected cash flow using our best estimate as of the valuation date. The discounted cash flow method involves applying an appropriate discount rate to future cash flow to present value. The future cash flows represents our management’s

 

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best estimation as of the measurement date. The projected cash flow estimation includes, among others, analysis of projected revenue growth, gross margins and terminal value based on our business plan. In determining an appropriate discount rate, we have considered the weighted average cost of capital, by considering a number of factors including risk-free rate, comparative industry risk, equity risk premium, company size and non-systematic risk factors. We also applied a discount for lack of marketability, or DLOM to reflect the fact that there is no ready market for our shares in a closely-held company like us. Such valuation estimates will no longer be necessary once we go public and our underlying shares begin trading as we will rely on the market price to determine the market value of our common stock.

The fair value of our ordinary shares increased from RMB2.9 per share as of June  30, 2017 to RMB4.8 per share as of June 30, 2018. The increase was attributable to (i)  organic growth of our current online live large-classes business model and (ii)  decrease in DLOM from 25% to 20% and discount rate from 20% to 18.5% as we progressed from earlier stage to later stage of business development.

The fair value of our ordinary shares increased from RMB4.8 per share as of June 30, 2018 to RMB12.6 per share as of September  30, 2018, and further to RMB12.7 per share as of December  31, 2018. The increases were primarily attributable to our successful completion of the transition of our business model to our current online live large-classes business model. As a result, we experienced rapid growth in student enrollment and started recording operating profit in the third quarter of 2018. This operation milestone increased our confidence and decreased market participants’ perceived risks in our current business model. Therefore, we adjusted our financial forecast upwards and lowered discount rate from 18.5% to 18% when valuing our ordinary shares as of September  30, 2018 and December  31, 2018.

The fair value of our ordinary shares increased from RMB12.7 per share to RMB72.1 per share from December 31, 2018 to March  31, 2019. The increase in fair value of ordinary share was attributable to the following factors:

 

   

Despite the fact that the first quarter of the calendar year is traditionally a relatively slow season for our industry, our income from operations was RMB42.7 million (US$6.4 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019, which was significantly higher than our income from operations of RMB19.2 million (US$2.9 million) for the whole year of 2018. A key driver of profit margin is the cost and expense savings we achieved by virtue of our scalability, greater efficiency and improved negotiation position.

 

   

We made significant progress in our IPO plan and made our first submission of our registration statement in March 2019. As preferred shares will be converted into ordinary shares upon the completion of our IPO, the increase in estimated IPO probability resulted in a greater portion of our equity interest being allocated to ordinary shares.

 

   

Global capital markets sentiment generally improved in the first quarter of 2019.

 

   

The New York Stock Exchange Composite Index, the Nasdaq Composite Index, the Nasdaq China US Internet Tiger Index and the Shanghai Stock Exchange A Share Index, increased by 12%, 16%, 23% and 24%, respectively, from December 31, 2018 to March 31, 2019. The stock price of large U.S.-listed education companies based in China also generally increased significantly between December  31, 2018 and March 31, 2019.

 

   

In February 2019, the U.S. government announced the delay in the imposition of certain tariffs on goods from China, citing progress in U.S. and China trade negotiation, which we believe eased consumers’ and investors’ concerns on the impact of U.S. and China trade war on the global economy and capital markets. Therefore, with greater confidence in China economic outlook, we also adjusted our financial forecast upward and lowered discount rate used in valuation as of March 31, 2019. Furthermore, in March 2019, the Chinese government announced an array of cost cutting measures to ease burdens on businesses. The stimulus plan boosted business sectors’ and consumers’ confidence in China economic outlooks. In addition, in March 2019, the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee, or FOMC, decided to hold interest rate steady.

 

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In light of the above-mentioned factors, we adjusted the following when preparing valuation as of March  31, 2019:

 

   

As our financial performance in the first quarter of 2019 exceeded our previous projection, we revised our long-term financial projection, primarily our profit projection, upward. The improvement in our profit projection translates into more available resources that we could allocate towards sales and marketing activities, as well as other initiatives in the future that will drive our long-term revenue growth. The change in financial forecast accounted for approximately 64% of the increase in the fair value of ordinary shares.

 

   

We lowered small size risk premium, a component of our discount rate, by approximate 2% to reflect the growth of our business. We also lowered unsystematic size premium, another component of our discount rate, by 2% to reflect the fact we sustained our profitable track record and reduced market participants’ perceived risks in our current business model. Our overall discount rate was lowered from 18% as of December 31, 2018 to 14% as of March  31, 2019. The change in discount rate accounted for approximately 27% of the increase in the fair value of ordinary shares.

 

   

We lowered DLOM from 15% to 8% and increased estimated IPO probabilities from 80% to 85% from December 31, 2018 to March  31, 2019. The change in DLOM and estimated IPO probabilities accounted for approximately 9% of the increase in the fair value of ordinary shares.

Share-based Compensation

We measure the cost of employee share options based on the grant date fair value of the award and recognizes compensation cost over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award, which generally is the vesting period. For the graded vesting share options, we recognize the compensation cost over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award is, in substance, multiple awards. When no future services are required to be performed by the employee in exchange for an award of equity instruments, the cost of the award is expensed on the grant date.

In determining the value of share options, we have used the binomial option pricing model, with assistance from an independent third-party valuation firm. Under this option pricing model, certain assumptions, including the risk-free interest rate, the expected dividends on the underlying ordinary shares, and the expected volatility of the price of the underlying shares for the contractual term of the options are required in order to determine the fair value of our options. The fair value of an option award was estimated on the date of grant using the following key assumptions:

 

     Grant Date  
     2017     2018     March 31, 2019  

Risk-free rate of interest (1)

     3.03%-3.12     3.42%-3.78     3.20

Volatility (2)

     53.2%-53.9     53.4%-56.2     54.6

Dividend yield (3)

     —         —         —    

Exercise multiples (4)

     2.2       2.2       2.2-2.8  

Life of options (years) (5)

     10       10       10  

 

Notes:

(1)

We estimate risk-free interest rate based on the daily treasury long term rate of U.S. Department of the Treasury with a maturity period close to the expected term of the options, plus the country default spread of China.

(2)

We estimated expected volatility based on the annualized standard deviation of the daily return embedded in historical share prices of comparable companies with a time horizon close to the expected expiry of the term.

(3)

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock, and we do not anticipate any dividend payments on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future.

(4)

The expected exercise multiple was estimated as the average ratio of the stock price to the exercise price as at the time when employees would decide to voluntarily exercise their vested options. As we did not have sufficient information of past employee exercise history, it was estimated by referencing to a widely-accepted academic research publication.

(5)

Extracted from option agreements.

 

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During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019, we recorded share-based compensation expenses of RMB1.0 million, RMB2.3 million (US$0.3 million) and RMB3.8 million (US$0.6 million) related to our share options.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Prior to this offering, we have been a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal control over financial reporting. In connection with the audits of our consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified one material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. Our independent registered public accounting firm has not conducted an audit of our internal control over financial reporting. As defined in the standards established by the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, a “material weakness” is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

The material weakness that has been identified relates to our lack of comprehensive accounting policies and procedures manual in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The material weakness, if not timely remedied, may lead to significant misstatements in our consolidated financial statements in the future.

To remedy the identified material weakness, we have implemented, and plan to continue to develop, a full set of U.S. GAAP accounting policies and financial reporting procedures as well as related internal control policies, including implementing a comprehensive accounting manual to guide the day-to-day accounting operation and reporting work and measures to improve controls over our information systems. We intend to remediate this material weakness in multiple phases and expect that we will incur certain costs for implementing our remediation measures. The implementation of the measure, however, may not fully address the material weaknesses identified in our internal control over financial reporting, and we cannot conclude that they have been fully remedied. See “Risk Factors—Risk Factors Related to Our Business and Industry—In connection with the audits of our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified one material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to develop and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud.”

As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenue for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Holding Company Structure

GSX Techedu Inc. is a holding company with no material operations of its own. We conduct our operations primarily through our PRC subsidiaries, our VIE and its subsidiaries in China. As a result, our ability to pay dividends depends upon dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries. If our existing PRC subsidiaries or any newly formed ones incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us. In addition, our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in China are permitted to pay dividends to us only out of its retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law, each of our subsidiaries and our VIE in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds until such reserve funds reach 50% of their registered capital. In addition, our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in China may allocate a portion of their after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to enterprise expansion funds and staff bonus and welfare funds at their discretion, and our VIE may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based

 

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on PRC accounting standards to a surplus fund at their discretion. The statutory reserve funds and the discretionary funds are not distributable as cash dividends. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned company out of China is subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. Our PRC subsidiaries have not paid dividends and will not be able to pay dividends until they generate accumulated profits and meet the requirements for statutory reserve funds.

Inflation

To date, inflation in China has not materially affected our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the year-over-year percent changes in the consumer price index for December 2017 and 2018 were increases of 1.8% and 1.9%, respectively. Although we have not been materially affected by inflation in the past, we may be affected if China experiences higher rates of inflation in the future.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Foreign exchange risk

All of our net revenues and expenses are denominated in RMB. We do not believe that we currently have any significant direct foreign exchange risk and have not used any derivative financial instruments to hedge exposure to such risk. Although our exposure to foreign exchange risks should be limited in general, the value of your investment in our ADSs will be affected by the exchange rate between U.S. dollar and Renminbi because the value of our business is effectively denominated in RMB, while our ADSs will be traded in U.S. dollars.

The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by changes in China’s political and economic conditions and by China’s foreign exchange policies, among other things. In July 2005, the PRC government changed its decades-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar, and the Renminbi appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following three years. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation subsided and the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Since June 2010, the Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. While appreciating approximately by 7% against the U.S. dollar in 2017, the Renminbi in 2018 depreciated approximately by 5% against the U.S. dollar. Since October 1, 2016, the RMB has joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s basket of currencies that make up the Special Drawing Right (SDR), along with the U.S. dollar, the Euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound. With the development of the foreign exchange market and progress towards interest rate liberalization and Renminbi internationalization, the PRC government may in the future announce further changes to the exchange rate system and there is no guarantee that the RMB will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.

To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would reduce the Renminbi amount we receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs, servicing our outstanding debt, or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would reduce the U.S. dollar amounts available to us.

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately US$                million from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, based on the assumed initial offering price of US$                per ADS. Assuming that we convert the full amount of the net proceeds from this offering into RMB, a 10% appreciation of the U.S. dollar against RMB, from a rate of RMB                to US$1.00 to a rate of RMB                 to US$1.00, will result in an increase of RMB                million in our net proceeds from this offering. Conversely, a 10% depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the RMB, from a rate of RMB                to US$1.00 to a rate of RMB                to US$1.00, will result in a decrease of RMB                million in our net proceeds from this offering.

 

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Interest rate risk

Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to the interest income generated by excess cash, which is mostly held in interest-bearing bank deposits and wealth management products. Interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. We have not been exposed to material risks due to changes in interest rates, and we have not used any derivative financial instruments to manage our interest risk exposure.

After completion of this offering, we may invest the net proceeds we receive from the offering in interest-earning instruments. Investments in both fixed rate and floating rate interest earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. Fixed rate securities may have their fair market value adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating rate securities may produce less income than expected if interest rates fall.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

A list of recently issued accounting pronouncements that are relevant to us is included in note 2 of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

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I NDUSTRY

The information presented in this section have been derived from an industry report dated March 18, 2019 commissioned by us and prepared by Frost & Sullivan, an independent research firm, regarding our industry and our market position in China.

China’s Non-Diploma-Seeking Education Market

China’s education system consists of diploma-seeking education and non-diploma-seeking education. China’s diploma-seeking education is primarily comprised of school-based education at the primary, secondary and post-secondary levels that grant students official degrees upon successful completion of the program. Non-diploma-seeking education market in China primarily consists of K-12 after-school tutoring education and foreign language, professional and interests education. China’s non-diploma-seeking education market has witnessed remarkable growth amid increase in per capita disposable income, fierce competition for students to gain admission into top universities in order to achieve greater job opportunities, and the society’s continuous attention on education. China’s non-diploma-seeking education market size reached RMB1,720.7 billion (US$250.3 billion) in 2018 and is expected to reach RMB3,172.8 billion (US$461.5 billion) in 2023, representing a CAGR of 13.0% from 2018, according to Frost & Sullivan.

China’s Online Education Market

China’s online education market, which delivers courses to students via websites, mobile apps and other online platforms, has emerged as an increasingly popular approach to address expanding market demand for non-diploma-seeking education. Online education targeting individual students is almost entirely comprised of non-diploma-seeking education.

 

 

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Overview of China’s online education market

The following chart sets forth the historical and expected market size of China’s online education in terms of gross billings for the periods indicated:

Gross Billings of Online Education Market (China), 2013-2023E

 

 

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Total student enrollments of China’s online education market reached 113.3 million in 2018. China’s online education market in terms of gross billings grew from RMB36.6 billion in 2013 to RMB143.2 billion (US$20.8 billion) in 2018, representing a CAGR of 31.4%, and is expected to further increase to RMB696.3 billion (US$101.3 billion) in 2023, representing a CAGR of 37.2% from 2018.

The key features of online compared to offline non-diploma-seeking education, according to Frost & Sullivan, include:

 

   

Flexibility. Online education allows students to attend courses anytime, anywhere via internet.

 

   

Effective teaching tools. Online education utilizes a variety of teaching tools, such as immersive visual aids and animation, which facilitates an interactive education environment.

 

   

Personalized education. Online education utilizes big data and artificial intelligence technology to provide personalized education services to students.

 

   

Access to top teaching talent. Utilizing internet-based technologies, such as live broadcasting and recordings, online education optimizes resource allocation to extend high-quality education experience across China, especially to more remote areas.

 

   

Competitive pricing. With improved efficiency, online courses can be offered at more attractive prices than offline courses.

As a result, it is expected that students of non-diploma-seeking education will continue to migrate from offline education to online education.

Key drivers of online education market in China

Demographic shift toward more technology-savvy generations. The popularity of mobile internet has enabled students to attend live courses through both their PCs and their mobile devices without any geographic limitations and thus made the delivery mode of education to be more diversified. More importantly, China is witnessing a shift in demographics where parents born in the 1980s and 1990s, who are generally more technology-savvy and readily embrace internet-based services compared with earlier generations, have become the main consumer group of online education for themselves and their children.

 

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Continued improvement in learning experience and course quality. Advancements in teaching methods, interaction tools and other technological capabilities have contributed to the continued improvement in the education quality of online courses.

Favorable policies and regulations. The Chinese government has implemented favorable policies to support the development of online education. For example, in 2018, the State Council of China advocated on development of internet and education in its 13th Five-year Plan for National Education Development.

China’s Online K-12 After-school Tutoring Market

Online K-12 after-school tutoring market includes tutoring for all academic subjects in K-12 schools. Admission to secondary schools and universities in China are primarily based on students’ performance during the standard examinations. Admission to quality schools and universities has created tremendous demand for K-12 after-school tutoring in China. As online courses provide students with access to otherwise scarce top teaching talents nationwide, online K-12 after-school tutoring has gained increasing popularity among K-12 students and their parents in China and the penetration rate of online K-12 after-school tutoring market in China is expected to increase from 9.5% in 2018 to 45.0% in 2023.

The following chart sets forth the historical and expected penetration rate of online K-12 after-school tutoring market in China, being the proportion of the students paying for online K-12 after-school tutoring courses in the total number of K-12 students:

Penetration Rate of Online K-12 After-school Tutoring Market (China), 2013-2023E

 

 

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China’s online K-12 after-school tutoring market in terms of gross billings grew from RMB1.4 billion in 2013 to RMB30.2 billion (US$4.4 billion) in 2018, representing a CAGR of 85.2%, and is expected to further increase to RMB367.2 billion (US$53.4 billion) in 2023, representing a CAGR of 64.8% from 2018. The following chart sets forth the historical and expected market size of China’s online K-12 after-school tutoring market in terms of gross billings for the periods indicated:

Gross Billings of Online K-12 After-school Tutoring Market (China), 2013-2023E

 

 

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Source: Frost & Sullivan

Online K-12 after-school tutoring courses are generally divided into three different types of formats, (i) large-class, (ii) small-class and (iii) one-on-one class formats.

 

   

Large-class : Large-class courses have more than 100 students per class. Large-class is particularly strong in its ability to maximize its use of top quality teaching resources and curriculum design, as well as provide standardized education experience to a large student base. It generally adopts a dual-teacher system, which separates roles and responsibilities of instructors and tutors that are commonly undertaken by a single teacher in an offline class setting. Large-class format is highly scalable compared with the other two class formats.

 

   

Small-class : Small-class courses have less than 100 students per class, and typically have two to 30 students per class.

 

   

One-on-one : With one teacher to only one student in the class, one-on-one online courses specialize in offering more customized tutoring services catered to each student’s education needs.

Large-class is the most popular option in the online K-12 after-school tutoring market in China, accounting for approximately 86.2% of total student enrollments and 50.0% of total gross billings in 2018.

China’s Online K-12 Large-class After-school Tutoring Market

There is significant imbalance of education resources between urban centers and the more remote areas in China. As an efficient means to solve this issue, online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring market in China has been growing rapidly. China’s online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring market in terms of gross billings grew from RMB0.7 billion in 2013 to RMB15.1 billion (US$2.2 billion) in 2018, representing a CAGR of 86.5%, and is expected to further increase to RMB202.0 billion (US$29.4 billion) in 2023, representing a CAGR of 68.0% from 2018.

 

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Gross Billings of Online K-12 Large-class After-school Tutoring Market (China), 2013-2023E

 

 

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Competitive landscape of China’s online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring market

The online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring market in China is still at an early development stage. Despite its short history, online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring market is already more consolidated than the offline market, according to Frost & Sullivan. The top market players for online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring as a whole is expected to grow faster than the overall online K-12 industry, according to Frost & Sullivan.

China’s Online Foreign Language, Professional and Interest Education Market

Online foreign language, professional and interest education presents an attractive option for people in China to utilize their fragmented time to pursue continuing studies in an effective way. China’s online foreign language, professional and interests education has witnessed rapid development over the past few years. The market in terms of gross billings grew from RMB32.2 billion in 2013 to RMB96.2 billion (US$14.0 billion) in 2018, representing a CAGR of 24.5%, and is expected to further increase to RMB264.7 billion (US$38.5 billion) in 2023, representing a CAGR of 22.4% from 2018.

The following chart sets forth the historical and expected market size of China’s online foreign language, professional and interest education in terms of gross billings for the periods indicated:

Gross Billings of Online Foreign Language, Professional and Interest Education Market (China), 2013-2023E

 

 

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B USINESS

Our Mission

Make education better through technology.

Who We Are

We are a technology-driven education company. Our core expertise is in online K-12 courses, and we are the third largest online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring service provider in China in terms of gross billings in 2018, according to Frost & Sullivan. Our K-12 courses cover all primary and secondary grades, and contributed over 73% and 75% of our total revenues in 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019, respectively. We also offer foreign language, professional and interest courses. Our total enrollments increased from 79,632 in 2017 to 767,102 in 2018, and from 70,845 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to 211,002 for the three months ended March 31, 2019. We adopted the online live large-class format to deliver our courses, which we believe is the most effective and scalable model to disseminate scarce high quality teaching resources to aspiring students in China. With a focus on operational efficiency, we achieved profitability in 2018.

We relentlessly pursue the highest quality in our course offerings. Our education excellence is backed by our high quality teachers and in-house curriculum development expertise. To create a disciplined, effective and engaging learning environment under the large-class format, we have adopted a dual-teacher system, staffing each class with an instructor and multiple tutors well trained in the relevant subjects or curriculum. We pride ourselves of our rigorous and systematic teacher selection and coaching process. From the pool of prospective instructors we identified in 2018 and during the three months ended March 31, 2019, we meticulously evaluated and employed less than 2% of the candidates. As of March 31, 2019, we had 169 instructors and 522 tutors.

We develop and tailor our proprietary curriculum specifically to our online live large-class format with the goal of driving students’ engagement and academic performance. We design our courses in ways to inspire students’ genuine interest and in-depth interactions, which in turn foster students’ holistic development and thus better learning results. With our superior education quality, our online K-12 large-class courses were priced at a significant premium compared to average online K-12 large-class courses in China in 2018, according to Frost & Sullivan.

We strive to apply the latest technology to improve the mode of teaching delivery, student learning experience and operational efficiency. Big data analytics permeates each aspect of our teaching staff training, course development and evaluation, and sales conversion process, which significantly improves our education quality and student engagement and optimizes our sales and marketing spending on prospective students. We leverage advancements in artificial intelligence technology and our proprietary business & operations support system, or BOSS , to improve the productivity and effectiveness of our instructors and tutors.

Capitalizing on our proprietary technology infrastructure, we have built a highly scalable business that we can expand and replicate rapidly with consistent quality. The average enrollments of our online K-12 courses increased from approximately 400 per course in 2017 to approximately 600 per course in 2018, and from approximately 440 per course for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to approximately 980 per course for the same period in 2019. Our net revenues increased by 307.1% to RMB397.3 million (US$59.2 million) in 2018 from RMB97.6 million in 2017 and by 474.0% to RMB269.2 million (US$40.1 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from RMB46.9 million for the same period in 2018. Our gross billings increased by 437.8% to RMB655.1 million (US$97.6 million) in 2018 from RMB121.8 million in 2017 and by 392.0% to RMB300.1 million (US$44.7 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from RMB61.0 million for the same period in 2018. We generated a net income of RMB19.7 million (US$2.9 million) in 2018, compared with a net loss of RMB87.0 million in 2017, and generated a net income of RMB33.9 million (US$5.1 million) in the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared with a net loss of RMB3.6 million in the same period in 2018.

 

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For discussions of gross billings and reconciliation of gross billings to net revenues, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measure.”

Market Opportunities

According to Frost & Sullivan, China’s online education market in terms of gross billings grew from RMB36.6 billion in 2013 to RMB143.2 billion (US$20.8 billion) in 2018, representing a CAGR of 31.4%, and is expected to grow at a higher CAGR of 37.2% to reach RMB696.3 billion (US$101.3 billion) in 2023.

China’s online K-12 after-school tutoring market has experienced significant growth over the past few years. Admission to quality schools and universities has created tremendous demand for K-12 after-school tutoring in China. Online K-12 after-school tutoring courses are generally divided into large-class, small-class and one-on-one class formats. As online courses provide students with access to otherwise scarce top teaching talents nationwide, online K-12 after-school tutoring has gained increasing popularity among K-12 students and their parents across China. According to Frost & Sullivan, China’s online K-12 after-school tutoring market in terms of gross billings grew from RMB1.4 billion in 2013 to RMB30.2 billion (US$4.4 billion) in 2018, representing a CAGR of 85.2%, and is expected to further increase to RMB367.2 billion (US$53.4 billion) in 2023, representing a CAGR of 64.8% from 2018.

There is significant imbalance of education resources between urban and more remote areas in China. The strong demand for high-quality education resources nationwide drives the growth of online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring market in China. According to Frost & Sullivan, China’s online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring market in terms of gross billings grew from RMB0.7 billion in 2013 to RMB15.1 billion (US$2.2 billion) in 2018, representing a CAGR of 86.5%, and is expected to further increase to RMB202.0 billion (US$29.4 billion) in 2023, representing a CAGR of 68.0% from 2018.

The online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring market in China is still at an early development stage. Despite its short history, online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring market is already more consolidated than the offline market. According to Frost & Sullivan, the top market players for online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring as a whole is expected to grow faster than the overall online K-12 after-school tutoring industry.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe the following competitive strengths are essential for our success and differentiate us from our competitors:

Leadership in China’s online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring market

We are the third largest online K-12 large-class after-school tutoring service provider in China in terms of gross billings in 2018, according to Frost & Sullivan. We relentlessly pursue the highest teaching quality across our course offerings to help our students achieve measurable results. Our superior instructors, tutors and in-house curriculum development team form the foundation of our educational excellence. Our grasp and application of industry-leading developments in online education, data analytics and live broadcasting technologies improve our operational efficiency, teaching delivery mode and student learning experience. Capitalizing on our proprietary technology infrastructure and organizational competence in education, we have built a highly scalable business that we can expand and replicate rapidly with consistent quality. The recognition of our education service is evident from the rapid expansion of our student base, with total enrollments increasing by 863.3% from 79,632 in 2017 to 767,102 in 2018, and by 197.8% from 70,845 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to 211,002 for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

 

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Superior education quality

Our superior education quality is rooted in our high quality instructors, professional tutors, and strong in-house curriculum development capability.

Our instructors

We believe that our instructors’ teaching capability in the online live large-class format fundamentally differentiates us from our competitors. Our commitment to bringing onboard superior instructors is reflected in our highly selective hiring process, rigorous ongoing evaluation, and competitive performance-based compensation. We have adopted a quantitative approach to comprehensively assess candidates based on a wide set of criteria. As of March 31, 2019, our instructors had an average of over 11 years of teaching experience, substantially all with prior work experience at reputable education institutions. From the pool of prospective instructors we identified in 2018 and during the three months ended March 31, 2019, we meticulously evaluated and employed less than 2% of the candidates. We also develop a systematic orientation training program and on-the-job training sessions, which reinforce the capability of our instructors in delivering the course materials effectively and assisting students to learn efficiently in an online live large-class setting. With our large-class size, the average compensation we provided to our instructors in 2018 were among the highest in the online education services market in China, according to Frost & Sullivan.

Dual-teacher system

For each course, our instructors are paired with a group of dedicated tutors who are well trained in the relevant subjects and curriculum to further improve the engagement and learning effectiveness of individual students. For our K-12 courses, we break each large-class into multiple smaller groups of students, and assign one tutor to each group to attentively monitor and assist students before, during and after each lesson. Similar to the programs for instructors, we have also adopted a systematic program of orientation and on-the-job training for tutors, as well as on-going review mechanism to assess their performance. We believe a responsive dual-teacher system is essential for our students to get the best out of our courses, as it enables us to closely assess student engagement, and provide timely in-class responses and tutoring services to students.

Curriculum development

We design and develop substantially all of our course materials in-house, including course syllabus, interactive courseware, practice exercises and lesson notes, to ensure a seamless and effective learning experience for our students. We have formulated a coordinated approach which engages both instructors and dedicated curriculum development experts to design, evaluate and regularly update course materials that best cater to our live large-class format. Furthermore, we design our courses in ways to inspire students’ genuine interest and in-depth interactions, which in turn foster students’ holistic development and thus better learning results.

Our unique “ 7+6 Steps ” learning methodology encompasses every critical step for effective learning. We understand that an effective learning experience for students goes beyond live lessons with instructors. To this end, we have designed and deployed a holistic, effective approach to learning through the integration of live lessons, practice, assessment and tutoring, during and outside of classes.

Robust proprietary technology infrastructure and application

Technology underpins the delivery of our high quality services and operational efficiencies, from live broadcasting, curriculum development, to sales conversion and operation management. We have been developing our proprietary live broadcasting technology since our inception in 2014. As of March 31, 2019, we had a total of 389 technology R&D staff, accounting for 22.3% of our employees.

 

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We collect and analyze a wealth of data with respect to teacher performance, student engagement and learning outcomes from our large classes with our PC and mobile education tools. We gather and analyze student behavioral data from over 15,000 dimensions, all in strict compliance with our data privacy policies. This forms a feedback loop that serves as a critical foundation for us to provide individualized education content recommendations, improve ongoing teacher training, continuously update our course materials, increase the effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts and in turn enhance student engagement.

We have also developed a robust internal operations management system, BOSS , to empower our instructors, tutors and staff to manage courses and students, and provide performance feedback in a seamless manner. In addition, we have adopted a company-wide best-practice proprietary business intelligence system, which is closely integrated with our business operations. With current business information readily available through this system, we are able to timely analyze and refine our resource allocation, respond to changes in student behavior patterns, adjust operational details, and set budgetary targets.

Highly scalable business model with exceptional operating efficiency

Our live large-class focused business model is highly scalable, which amplifies the benefits of online education. Our K-12 net revenues increased by 1,240.6% from RMB21.7 million in 2017 to RMB290.9 million (US$43.3 million) in 2018, and by 509.9% from RMB33.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB204.3 million (US$30.4 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Our K-12 paid course enrollments increased by 632.7% from 56,350 in 2017 to 412,871 in 2018, and by 239.3% from 45,944 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to 155,907 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, while the number of K-12 instructors increased by 78.7% from 61 as of December 31, 2017 to 109 as of December 31, 2018, and by 54.4% from 79 as of March 31, 2018 to 122 as of March 31, 2019.

Our sales and prospective student conversion is highly efficient. We have formulated a streamlined and standard operating procedure to optimize the effectiveness of each step along sales process, from content creation, content distribution, sales leads acquisition, to conversion into paid course enrollment and retention. Our dedicated team of content operation personnel generate highly informative content to students and parents in rich media format for distribution through major social media platforms in China. We optimize the precision of our traffic acquisition spending by levering our data analytics capabilities. Once the prospective students are attracted to our website or app, we offer these prospective students a fully simulated series of trial courses mirroring paid courses’ experience. Our high quality trial courses, each up to 10 hours, are delivered by the same instructor who will teach the corresponding paid courses. The trial courses are also complemented by the attentive assistance of tutors who grade assignments, provide feedback and address students’ questions. Such experiential marketing allows students to fully appreciate our course effectiveness and encourages ongoing attendance.

Our sales efficiency is further improved from the amplification of success rate at each step of our multistage sales cycle. We closely monitor the conversion of each sales link to measure our sales effectiveness, and continually apply various data insights to optimize the conversion rate at each sales link. Selling expenses accounted for less than 31% and 37% of our total revenues in 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019, respectively.

We have centralized our selection and training processes for our instructors, tutors, sales personnel and other employees serving critical functions, maintaining high organization efficiency and excellent reputation amid our rapid business growth. We believe our excellence in each critical aspect of our business operations makes our success difficult to replicate.

Renowned founder and seasoned management team with a corporate DNA of student service

Our founder, chairman and CEO, Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen, is a visionary and renowned industry leader with more than 30 years of experience in the education industry, including 8 years as a senior vice president and

 

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later the executive president of New Oriental Education, a leading provider of private educational services in China. Larry received his Ph.D. degree in economics from Renmin University of China, and completed the Harvard Business School General Manager Program.

Our other founding members and management consist of education and internet experts who worked in leading enterprises such as New Oriental Education, TAL Education, Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent. Leveraging our management team’s extensive experience in the education sector, we have been able to accurately identify and effectively recruit and retain high quality teachers. Our management team share a passion for promoting technology-driven education, and understand the needs and wants of the students and teachers. Staying true to our original aspiration, we are committed to creating value for our students and helping them to succeed, which we believe is the essence of education.

Our Strategies

We intend to enhance student engagement and increase our paid course enrollment by pursuing the following strategies:

Continue to enhance the quality of our education services and students’ learning experience

We believe that continually enhancing and refining our curriculum, teaching methods, teacher training and course offerings is essential to maintaining our leading position. We plan to continue to update and upgrade our existing courses based on student, teacher and sales staff feedback and our in-house industry research.

We intend to continually facilitate an engaging and immersive learning environment for our students to further improve learning results, customer satisfaction and student retention. We plan to enrich our in-class interaction functionality during our online live large classes.

Attract and develop teaching talent

We intend to attract selective, top instructors in the education industry. To supplement the lateral hiring of experienced teachers, we also plan to organically and systematically discover and nurture qualified new teaching talents.

We plan to continue the expansion our team of tutors in order to accommodate our rapidly expanding student base. We intend to enter into strategic cooperation with a number of universities and colleges in China to ensure sustainable and reliable channels for us to select candidates for our tutor positions.

Strengthen our technologies and data analytics capabilities

To ensure the high quality delivery of our course offerings, we plan to continue to invest in infrastructure and technological advancements, including attracting more information technology talents. Our in-house R&D team is enhancing our proprietary audio and video streaming technologies as well as in-class interactive features to further improve the quality of our course delivery and our student experience.

We will continue to build up our artificial intelligence lab and apply artificial intelligence technology to further improve teaching and learning efficiency. For example, we intend to further enhance our tutors’ working efficiency by providing automatic exercise question grading tools backed by advanced text, graphic and voice recognition technology, such that our student-to-tutor ratio can be increased without compromising service quality. We also plan to provide customized pre- and post-lesson exercise question recommendations to students based on their respective learning progresses.

Our proprietary technologies allow us to track a wide range of metrics across our student base and from our live lessons. This has created a substantial database of student and teacher data. We aim to actively enhance the

 

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learning experience of our students by analyzing these data, utilizing algorithms to identify trends and traits that will help better address the learning objectives and needs of our students. Furthermore, we intend to leverage our big data analytics capability to improve the effectiveness of our marketing initiatives, enhancing sales conversion rate and increasing paid course enrollments in a cost-effective manner.

We intend to continue to optimize our proprietary BOSS and business intelligence systems to further improve operating efficiency.

Expand our course offerings

We intend to develop and launch additional K-12 courses to attract prospective students from provinces and municipalities with autonomous examination development power and regional syllabi, to complement our current focus on the national K-12 syllabi. Furthermore, we plan to selectively develop and launch new categories of courses based on evolving student demands, such as foreign college admission test preparation courses. We also intend to broaden our offering of foreign language, professional and interest courses to cater to new market trends.

We are also in the process of exploring various interactive formats of course materials and teaching activities to cater to the different needs and learning habits of younger students.

We plan to selectively pursue strategic cooperation with, investment in or acquisition of, online education service providers whose operations are complementary to our strategic goal. By pursuing such new strategic opportunities, we can gain access to new sectors and educational content to further drive our long-term growth strategy.

Enhance our brand recognition

We plan to explore and establish content partnerships and generate more video-based content to attract prospective students and enhance our brand recognition. Our branding strategy will fully embrace the latest trends in social-based marketing activities, in a cost-effective manner by leveraging our word-of-mouth reputation. We also aim to expand our audience reach by establishing multiple channels of strategic marketing partnerships.

Our Business Model

We provide online live courses in a large-class setting backed by our proprietary technology infrastructure.

 

   

Live . Our online live course provides students with real-time access to the same group of experienced and high quality instructors, which ensures consistent teaching quality and improves learning efficiency.

 

   

Large-class . Our courses are offered in large-class format, which amplifies the benefits of online education and allows us to rapidly expand our student base. In 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019, our online K-12 courses had an average of approximately 600 and 980 enrollments per course, respectively. We have adopted a dual-teacher system whereby we staff each class with an instructor and multiple tutors to attentively engage with each student and facilitate an interactive learning environment.

 

   

Proprietary technology infrastructure. With our focus on promoting technology-driven education, we have built a robust proprietary technology infrastructure that has enabled us to expand and replicate rapidly with consistent education quality.

Our Course Offerings

We target students of all age groups through our course offerings covering a wide spectrum of topics. Our core expertise is in online K-12 courses across all primary and secondary grades. We also offer foreign language,

 

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professional and interest courses for post-secondary and adult students. We plan to enrich our course offerings as we continue to expand our student base.

We develop substantially all of our course contents in-house to provide high quality and effective online education experience for students. Our instructors use our standardized curriculum for each course to ensure a seamless and effective learning experience for students of different grades and background.

K-12 Courses

We have a comprehensive course offerings for K-12 courses. It primarily includes K-12 after-school tutoring covering all grades and major subject, together with critical thinking and children’s English courses. Our K-12 courses contributed over 73% and 75% of our total revenues in 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019, respectively. In 2018, 74.8% of our paid course enrollments were from our K-12 courses, compared to 86.6% in 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, 82.0% of our paid course enrollments were from our K-12 courses, compared to 78.8% for the same period in 2018.

K-12 after-school tutoring

We offer our K-12 after-school tutoring courses in four semesters, namely the two school semesters in Spring (March to June) and Fall (September to December) and the two holiday semesters in Summer (July to August) and Winter (January to February). Our K-12 courses are offered throughout the year at the beginning of each semester. We typically offer K-12 classes during weekends for the two school semesters in Spring and Fall and on a daily basis, generally for a consecutive period of eight to ten days, during the two holiday semesters in Summer and Winter.

Our K-12 after-school tutoring courses cover the core K-12 academic subjects, including mathematics, English, Chinese, physics, chemistry, biology, history, geography and political science. The following table provides a list of our current course offerings:

 

     Elementary School    Middle School    High School
     1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10    11    12

Mathematics

                                   

English

                                   

Chinese

                                   

Physics

                                   

Chemistry

                                   

Biology

                                   

History

                                   

Geography

                                   

Political Science

                                   

 

: Offered by us.

Other courses

We provide children’s English courses for children in kindergarten. Our courses focus on a specific area, such as vocabulary and grammar, and are designed to improve children’s English. Our children’s English courses are generally semester-long and offered throughout the year at the beginning of each month and each mid-month.

We also offer courses that help children in grade one through grade seven develop disciplined and sustainable studies habits and improve their critical thinking ability.

 

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Foreign Language, Professional and Interest Courses

Our course offerings for foreign language, professional and interest education contributed over 18% and 22% of our total revenues in 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019, respectively.

Foreign language courses

We provide foreign language courses, including English, Japanese and Korean to students who intend to learn or improve a foreign language. English courses has been our primary foreign language courses as it is widely recognized as the international language of business and has become an important language to have for pursuing career development opportunities in China. Our English courses are designed to teach and improve a specific area of the language, such as grammar, vocabulary, or spoken English. Our Japanese and Korean courses consist of proficiency lessons and test preparation courses for language certification exams. We also offer English test preparation courses for students taking post-graduate entrance exams in China.

Professional courses

Our professional courses primarily consist of courses designed for working adults preparing for professional qualification exams, including teacher’s qualification, the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, fund qualification, and securities qualification exams.

Our professional courses focus on test-taking techniques designed to help students achieve high scores on the admissions and assessment tests. Our instructors regularly review the latest examinations to ensure the corresponding course materials are up to date.

Interest courses

We also offer personal interest courses, such as yoga, fashion, guitar and Chinese calligraphy, designed to address students’ interests and enrich their life experience. We will continue to adjust our course offerings based on students’ demand and latest market trends.

Other Courses and Service Offerings

We also offer other courses, including our offline business consulting courses. Our offline business consulting courses target principals and other officers of private education institutions who want to improve their management skills. We also operate Weishi , our interactive learning platform on Weixin for users that follow our account.

Dual-teacher System

We have engineered a dual-teacher system, comprised of high quality instructors and professional tutors, to facilitate a disciplined and interactive learning environment. We pair our instructors with a group of dedicated tutors who are well trained in the course materials and attend to each student to further improve their engagement and learning effectiveness. For our K-12 courses, we break each large-class into multiple smaller groups, and assign a tutor into each group to closely follow up with each student before, during and after each lesson. Each tutor typically is assigned to one or two courses per semester and works with no more than 300 students at any given time. Tutors are responsible for addressing students’ in-class queries, correcting students’ post-class exercises, providing support to students and parents after class, and instilling discipline in the students to attend the classes and learn. We also train our tutors to provide emotional support to students to help cope with the challenging aspects of their studies. This system allows large-class students to simultaneously learn from our high quality instructors while enjoying personalized tutoring services.

 

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We have designed a unique “ 7+6 Steps ” learning methodology integrated into our dual-teacher system to encompass every step that is essential for students’ effective learning. Our “ 7+6 Steps ” learning methodology includes seven steps for pre-lesson, mid-lesson and post-lesson learning activities to ensure delivery of consistent teaching quality and six steps for post-lesson reviewing activities provided by tutors to enhance an effective learning experience and reinforce knowledge retention for students.

 

 

LOGO

Our “ 7+6 Steps ” learning methodology provides a holistic learning solution that enhances effective learning experience throughout the entire duration of a student’s learning during the course.

We believe our dual-teacher system is critical to our success and have devoted significant resources to maintain high quality and motivate instructors and tutors. This is reflected in our selective hiring process, strong emphasis on continued training, and competitive performance-based compensation based on rigorous on-going evaluation.

Our Instructors

We are committed to developing and maintaining a team of high quality instructors. We believe our instructors’ teaching capability, experience and proven track record fundamentally differentiate us from our competitors. As of March 31, 2019, we had 169 instructors.

We primarily seek qualified instructors who have extensive teaching experience and strong reputation from other education institutions. We have adopted a quantitative approach to comprehensively assess candidates nationwide based on a wide set of criteria. As of March 31, 2019, our instructors had an average of more than 11 years of teaching experience, substantially all with prior work experience at reputable education institutions. For example, most of our instructors in high school chemistry, mathematics and physics are former teachers of leading high schools in China including the High School Affiliated with Renmin University and Hengshui High School.

Recruitment

Leveraging our management team’s deep experience in the education sector, we have been able to accurately identify and effectively recruit and retain high quality instructors across our course offerings. We have a team of highly experienced recruitment personnel to seek qualified instructors across China. We attract applicants through various online career websites and we regularly participate in job fairs. Prospective candidates

 

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must go through our rigorous interview process, including resume screening, in-person interviews, and demo courses. From the pool of prospective instructors we identified in 2018, we meticulously evaluated and offered positions to less than 2% of the candidates.

Training and supervision

All newly-hired instructors are required to undergo standardized training to improve their skills in delivering courses to large-class students in a live format. Our instructors are required to continue to participate in periodic training programs that focus on education content, teaching skills and techniques, teaching performance in an online setting, and our corporate culture and values.

We have a quality assurance team that monitors performance of our instructors for each course and generates analysis report for the supervisor in the relevant subject area. Our CEO and senior management team has direct oversight over the analysis reports as well as the quality and performance of our instructors. Our instructors regularly receive constructive feedback on their courses from their supervisor. Our quality assurance team evaluates instructors’ performance based on an integrated, standardized evaluation system, including presentation skills, teaching process, course content and reactions to any emergent events. We provide personalized training programs for each instructor to address particular areas for improvement based on feedback from students and our quality assurance team.

Evaluation and Compensation

Our instructors are ranked into five levels depending on their seniority and performance. We adopt a comprehensive set of key performance indicators, or KPIs, and qualitative factors to evaluate instructor performance, including, among others, student retention, teaching capability, and dedication. Our instructors’ promotion is to a large extent based on these KPIs and qualitative factors. To incentivize our instructors, we offer competitive performance-based bonuses based on student and parent satisfaction. Our compensation packages are among the highest in the online education services market in China, according to Frost & Sullivan. Our full-time instructors have demonstrated high loyalty as evidenced by our retention rate of approximately 88% in 2018.

Our Tutors

Our tutors provide academic guidance and daily support to students and parents of K-12 students throughout the entire duration of a course. As of March 31, 2019, we employed 522 full-time tutors. Our tutors’ responsibilities typically include:

 

   

interacting with students and parents of K-12 students frequently to monitor students’ learning progress and facilitate an engaging learning environment;

 

   

responding to students’ in-class queries, correcting students’ post-class exercises in a timely manner after submission and providing prompt and personalized feedback to students and parents; and

 

   

cooperating with instructors to improve student satisfaction and student retention.

Recruitment

We primarily seek tutor candidates from recent graduates of reputable universities in China who have demonstrated proficiency in the relevant subjects, strong sense of responsibility, good communication skills and learning capabilities. We hold recruiting events at universities across China to seek for qualified candidates. We have entered into cooperation arrangements with universities in China, through which we promote our job offerings to and accept applications from their students. We also partner with universities in China to provide internship and graduate programs to develop a talent pipeline for our tutor team. In addition, we regularly participate in job fairs to hire qualified candidates with one to two years of work experience.

 

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Training

We provide our newly hired tutors with an orientation program to introduce their work flow and job responsibilities. To ensure our tutors will continue to engage and build relationship with students and parents of K-12 students, we have developed systematic on-the-job training programs on four specific areas, including training that focuses on our corporate culture and responsibilities of tutors, standardized training for each of the 33 links of our tutors’ work flow, training program that improves tutors’ personal capabilities, and training program to enhance tutors’ management skills. Our tutors are required to attentively reach out to students and parents of K-12 students at each stage of their learning process based on our standardized work flow provided in our training programs. We also train our tutors to identify signs of learning challenges of students and provide emotional support to students to help cope with the challenging aspects of their studies. We have an on-going review mechanism to assess our tutors’ job performance.

Evaluation and Compensation

We use various KPIs to measure the performance of our tutors, which include, among others, student retention, exercise completion, and student and parent satisfaction. Students and parents may provide feedback on the quality of our tutors anytime. Our tutors’ compensation consists of base salary and performance-based bonuses determined by student retention and exercise completion.

Education Content Development

Education Content Development Team

In addition to our instructors, we also have a dedicated team of staff focused on education content development. Our educational content development professionals have an average of 10 years of work experience in the education industry. Our educational content development team focuses on the following three areas:

 

   

Develop our proprietary course curriculum and educational content. Our content development team mainly focuses on developing, updating and improving our syllabi and course materials to stay abreast of the latest educational trends in their respective subject areas. For example, our course materials for our K-12 courses are typically updated every three months to remain current with evolving formal K-12 education curricula.

 

   

Enhance course materials to cater to our live learning setting. Our content development team works with our instructors to ensure our courses and educational content are delivered in an engaging and effective manner. While our instructors retain control of and flexibility in the way their classes are taught, our content development personnel, leveraging experience and data analytics, recommend to our instructors the best practices in teaching in an online setting. For example, for our elementary school courses, we develop scenario-based multi-media teaching content, including videos and animated materials, to stimulate children’s learning interest and motivation throughout the learning experience.

 

   

Design course materials. We deliver hard copies of our course materials to students and provide online course materials. Our content development team edits the lay-out and presentation of our course materials.

Content Development Process

We design and develop substantially all of our course materials in-house, including course outlines, interactive courseware, practice exercises and lesson notes, to ensure a seamless and effective learning experience for our students. We maintain a strict process for creating new course materials. Before new course material is officially applied, the drafts, along with the accompanying practice exercises, typically undergo

 

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multiple rounds of internal review. We generally pilot test new courses for up to six to twelve months before they are broadly released. We regularly update our course materials to stay abreast of the latest educational trends in their respective subject areas. Our content development team closely monitors the academic requirements in the PRC education system and work with our instructors to ensure that our syllabi and course materials are up to date with the mandated curricula. We also develop and update curricula and course materials tailored for classes of different difficulty levels to address different educational requirements and needs of our students at each grade.

We believe comprehensive quiz banks and exercises are important to enhance students’ learning effectiveness. We offer students pre-class, in-class and post-class quizzes together with post-class exercises to help them better assess their learning outcome and identify areas for improvement. Our tutors monitor student performance in these quizzes and exercises and report to our content development team, who will update our quiz banks and exercises catering to student needs as well as identify weaknesses in the educational content and make timely adjustments.

Our Website

We have built a user-friendly interface for students accessing our online classes on our website. Students may raise questions to our instructors in class, interact with other students through live-chat box, and contact our IT team to provide real-time technical support. Instructors may utilize the interactive board to highlight specific text phrases or knowledge points to students.

Below is a screenshot of the student interface for our live courses on our website:

 

 

LOGO

Our mobile apps

Students may enroll into our courses, attend live courses, review course materials and submit completed exercises through our website, PC terminal and mobile apps. Students may enroll into our courses through our

 

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mobile apps and utilize their functions in reviewing course materials and submitting exercises. Our main mobile apps include Genshuixue and Gaotu .

The screenshots below illustrate the main entrance feed and key features of our Genshuixue mobile app:

 

 

LOGO   

LOGO

Course Fees

In 2018, our K-12 courses on average were priced at a significant premium compared to average online K-12 large-class products in China, according to Frost & Sullivan.

Our course fees for our K-12 paid courses and foreign language, professional and interest paid courses typically ranged from RMB99 to RMB3,498 and RMB99 to RMB4,880 per course in 2018, respectively, and ranged from RMB117 to RMB3,542 and RMB99 to RMB4,980 per course for the three months ended March 31, 2019, respectively. We offer discounts under various marketing campaigns and promotions. For example, we offer trial courses at below RMB99 per course.

Our course fees are generally collected in full upon enrollment. We accept payments through major third-party online payment channels in China.

For our online courses, we allow students to withdraw from the enrolled courses at any time and receive refunds for the undelivered classes.

Technology and Infrastructure

Technology is the backbone of our highly scalable business model. Our strong technological capabilities enable us to deliver superior student experience and improve operational efficiency. Our technology team, coupled with our proprietary artificial intelligence technology and the large volume of data generated from our operations, has continued to identify opportunities for improvements in our technology infrastructure and applications. As of March 31, 2019, we had a technology R&D team of 389 professionals.

 

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Live Broadcasting Technology

Live broadcasting technology development has been our main focus since our inception. Currently, our proprietary live broadcasting technology makes it possible for as many as 100,000 students to join a live broadcasting class simultaneously, without compromising video quality. The average delay time is currently below 300 milliseconds for our PC terminal and mobile apps.

Network Infrastructure

We have developed a reliable and stable network infrastructure to ensure high availability and a low risk of downtime. We currently utilize third-party cloud service providers in China to host our network infrastructure, renting public servers and bandwidth. We back-up our databases on a daily basis. Our IT department monitors the performance of our websites, mobile apps and network infrastructure around the clock to enable us to respond quickly to potential problems.

Big Data and Artificial Intelligence

Big Data

We gather and analyze student data at each stage of their interaction with our platform, including enrolling into our course offerings, attending our live courses, submitting completed exercises and replaying our recorded courses. We have built strong data analytics capabilities using algorithms, models and data analytics tools. We leverage big data analytics technologies to enhance the accuracy in predicting student behavior, which allows optimize targeted marketing and platform operations, and delivers enhanced student experience. We aim to forecast the frequency of course bookings, preferences of course topics and learning progress through the data analytics to make appropriate recommendations and streamline our marketing and teaching operations. Furthermore, our content development team and sales and marketing force also heavily draw upon our data analytics capability.

Artificial Intelligence

With access to a massive amount of data, we believe we are in a strong position to capitalize on the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. We have applied various artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in multiple areas of our business operations, such as personalized course recommendation and automated question answering. We will continue to explore the application of the big data and artificial intelligence technologies in our business operations to improve teaching and learning efficiency. For example, we will introduce personalized exercise recommendations to students based on each student’s performance and provide automated exercise grading backed by text and voice recognition to allow our tutors to have more time for student interactions, and make higher student-to-tutor ratio possible without sacrificing student experience.

BOSS System

We have developed our business & operations support system, or BOSS system, to provide integrated and automated services to employees during every major aspect of our business operations. Our BOSS system is our internal system used by our employees, ranging from instructors, tutors, sales personnel, content development personnel, operations team, and management. Our BOSS system empowers our employees with automated workflows, such as scheduling courses, analyzing student exercises, and tracking students’ attendance, course completion and retention.

Business Intelligence System

We have adopted a company-wide best-practice proprietary business intelligence system, which is closely integrated with our business operations. Business intelligence system analyzes data from both BOSS and our

 

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financial reporting system. With current business information readily available through this system, we are able to timely and better refine our resource allocation, respond to changes in customer behavior patterns, adjust operational details, and set budgetary targets.

Sales and Marketing

Marketing Channels

We market our course offerings and enhance brand awareness through various online and mobile channels. We place advertisements and conduct marketing on social media platforms in China. At the same time, we also generate sales leads from word-of-mouth referrals by our students and parents of K-12 students. We believe our high quality course offerings and satisfactory student experience will continue to contribute word-of-mouth referrals.

Sales Process

We have formulated an effective and systematic sales conversion standard operating procedure designed to optimize the effectiveness of each step of a prospective student’s interaction with our platform, from content creation, content distribution, sales leads acquisition, to paid enrollment conversion and retention. We believe our sales efficiency relies on the multistage amplification of each of our sales links. We closely monitor the conversion of each sales link to measure our sales effectiveness and continually optimize each sales link.

Content Generation and Distribution

We have a dedicated user growth team who produces highly informative marketing content generally in the format of featured articles and short-form videos on parent-child relationship, book list recommendation, and skill set knowledge. Our promotional content is generally distributed through major social media platforms in China to access targeted audiences.

Multi-day Trial Program

The sales leads generated by our various marketing channels are directed to our sales team. Our sales team encourage prospective students to sign up for our free multi-day trial program. We devote significant resources to our trial programs as they have a great contribution to our new paid course enrollments.

Our multi-day trial program provides well-designed curriculum featuring a series of free-trial courses throughout a two-to-five-day period. The trial courses follow a similar format and are delivered by the same high quality instructors as our standard courses. Our instructors devote a significant amount of time in preparing these course materials in advance. We staff our sales personnel to each class to serve the same functions as our tutors in our standard courses and to promote our standard courses. Our trial program creates an immersive experience for prospective students to understand the effectiveness of our superior teaching quality and our dual-teacher system.

The tutors attentively promote our standard courses to prospective students and parents of K-12 students throughout the trial program and continue to follow-up with them after the trial program. Our instructors also promote our paid courses when delivering courses in the trial program. We believe their promotion, combined with prospective students’ immerse experience of our courses, have served as an effective way to convert sales leads into paid course enrollments.

Data Privacy and Security

We are committed to protecting our students and parents’ personal information and privacy. We have established and implemented a strict platform-wide policy on data collection, processing and usage. To ensure

 

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the confidentiality and integrity of our data, we maintain a comprehensive and rigorous data security program. We anonymize and encrypt confidential personal information and take other technological measures to ensure the secure processing, transmission and usage of data. We have also established stringent internal protocols under which we grant classified access to confidential personal data only to limited employees with strictly defined and layered access authority. We strictly control and manage the use of data within our various teams. Our back-end security system is capable of handling malicious attacks to safeguard the security of our operations and to protect the privacy of our students.

Content Monitoring

Our courses undergo multiple rounds of internal review and pilot testing before being broadly released. Our tutors and quality assurance team monitor our live courses, chat messages and other content on our platform to ensure that we are able to identify content that may be deemed inappropriate or violation of laws, regulations and government policies. When any inappropriate or illegal content is identified, we promptly remove the content.

Competition

The online education industry in China is intensely competitive. We face competition in each topic of our course offerings from other online educational service providers, such as TAL Education’s online courses.

We compete primarily on the following factors:

 

   

quality of education services and students’ learning experience;

 

   

the quality of teaching staff;

 

   

technology infrastructure and data analytics capabilities;

 

   

brand recognition; and

 

   

scope of course offerings.

We believe that we are well-positioned to effectively compete based on the factors listed above. However, some of our current or future competitors may have longer operating histories, greater brand recognition, or greater financial, technical or marketing resources than we do. For a discussion of risks relating to competition, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—We face intense competition, which could divert students to our competitors, lead to pricing pressure and loss of market shares, and significantly reduce our net revenues.”

Employees

We had 507, 1,315 and 1,746 full-time employees as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and as of March 31, 2019, respectively. All of our full-time employees are located in China. The following table sets forth the number of our full-time employees as of March 31, 2019:

 

Function:

   As of
March 31,
2019
 

Instructors

     84  

Tutors

     522  

Technology and content R&D

     430  

User growth

     297  

Sales

     279  

General and administrative

     134  
  

 

 

 

Total

     1,746  
  

 

 

 

 

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Besides full-time instructors, we also engage full-time exclusive contracted instructors to deliver our online courses. As of March 31, 2019, we employed 84 full-time instructors and had 85 full-time exclusively contracted instructors. Our full-time employed instructors enter into employment contracts with us and deliver online courses from our headquarters in Beijing. Our contracted instructors generally enter into exclusive service contracts with us and are not required to come into our office to deliver lessons. Our 84 full-time employed instructors also engage in content development activities.

We enter into employment contracts with our full-time employees which contain standard confidentiality provisions. We also enter into standalone confidentiality and non-compete agreements with our full-time employees. In addition to salaries and benefits, we provide performance-based bonuses for our full-time employees and commission-based compensation for our sales and marketing force.

As required by regulations in China, we participate in various employee social security plans that are organized by municipal and provincial governments for our PRC-based full-time employees, including pension, unemployment insurance, childbirth insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance and housing insurance. We are required under PRC law to make contributions from time to time to employee benefit plans for our PRC-based full-time employees at specified percentages of the salaries, bonuses and certain allowances of such employees, up to a maximum amount specified by the local governments in China.

We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with our employees, and we have not experienced material labor disputes in the past. None of our employees are represented by labor unions.

Facilities

Our principal executive offices are located in Beijing, China, where we lease premises of approximately 11,508 square meters, with lease term ranging from one to five years. We lease offices in Zhengzhou, China, with an aggregate of approximately 7,264 square meters, to support our daily operations, with lease term of five years. We lease offices in Shanghai, China, with an aggregate of approximately 370 square meters, to support our daily operations, with lease term of two years. We also lease offices in Wuhan, China, with an aggregate of approximately 932 square meters, to support our content development activities, with lease term of three years.

We lease all of the facilities that we currently occupy from independent third parties. We believe that the facilities that we currently lease are adequate to meet our needs for the foreseeable future.

Intellectual Property

Our trademarks, copyrights, domain names, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights distinguish our courses and services from those of our competitors and contribute to our ability to compete in our target markets. We rely on a combination of copyright and trademark law, trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements with employees to protect our intellectual property rights. In addition, under the employment agreements we enter into with our employees, they acknowledge that the intellectual property made by them in connection with their employment with us are our property. We also regularly monitor any infringement or misappropriation of our intellectual property rights.

As of the date of this prospectus, we have registered 164 domain names relating to our business, including our www.genshuixue.com website, 21 software copyrights, 2 literature work copyrights, 1 art work copyright, 1 patent and 316 trademarks in the PRC.

Insurance

We do not maintain any liability insurance or property insurance policies covering students, equipments and facilities for injuries, death or losses due to fire, earthquake, flood or any other disaster. Consistent with customary industry practice in China, we do not maintain business interruption insurance, nor do we maintain key-man life insurance.

 

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Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we may become a party to various legal or administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business, including actions with respect to intellectual property infringement, violation of third-party licenses or other rights, breach of contract and labor and employment claims. We are currently not a party to, and we are not aware of any threat of, any legal or administrative proceedings that, in the opinion of our management, are likely to have any material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash-flow or results of operations.

 

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R EGULATION

This section sets forth a summary of the most significant rules and regulations that affect our business activities in China or the rights of our shareholders to receive dividends and other distributions from us.

Regulation Related to Value-added Telecommunications Services

On September 25, 2000, the State Council issued the PRC Regulations on Telecommunications, or the Telecommunications Regulations, as last amended on February 6, 2016, to regulate telecommunications activities in China. The Telecommunications Regulations divided the telecommunications services into two categories, namely “infrastructure telecommunications services” and “value-added telecommunications services.” Pursuant to the Telecommunications Regulations, operators of value-added telecommunications services, or VATS, must first obtain a Value-added Telecommunications Business Operating License, or VATS License, from the MIIT, or its provincial level counterparts. On July 3, 2017, the MIIT promulgated the Administrative Measures on Telecommunications Business Operating Licenses, which set forth more specific provisions regarding the types of licenses required to operate VATS, the qualifications and procedures for obtaining such licenses and the administration and supervision of such licenses.

The Classified Catalog of Telecommunications Services (2015 Version), or the 2016 MIIT Catalog, which took effect on March 1, 2016, defines information services as “the information services provided for users through public communications networks or internet by means of information gathering, development, processing and the construction of the information platform.” Moreover, information services continue to be classified as a category of VATS and are clarified to include information release and delivery services, information search and query services, information community platform services, information real-time interactive services, and information protection and processing services under the 2016 MIIT Catalog. The Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, or ICP Measures, promulgated by the PRC State Council on September 25, 2000 and most recently amended on January 8, 2011, set forth more specific rules on the provision of internet information services. According to ICP Measures, any company that engages in the provision of commercial internet information services shall obtain a sub-category VATS License for Internet Information Services, or ICP License, from the relevant government authorities before providing any commercial internet information services within the PRC. Pursuant to the above-mentioned regulations, “commercial internet information services” generally refer to provision of specific information content, online advertising, web page construction and other online application services through internet for profit making purpose.

In addition to the Telecommunications Regulations and the other regulations discussed above, the provision of commercial internet information services on mobile internet applications is regulated by the Administrative Provisions on Mobile Internet Applications Information Services, which was promulgated by Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC, on June 28, 2016 and came into effect on August 1, 2016. The providers of mobile internet applications are subject to requirements under these provisions, including acquiring the qualifications and complying with other requirements provided by laws and regulations and being responsible for information security.

We provide information and services to our students through our websites and mobile apps, which is classified as commercial internet information services as defined in the above provisions. To comply with the relevant laws and regulations, Beijing BaiJiaHuLian, our VIE, has obtained an ICP License which will remain effective until February 27, 2024.

Regulation Related to Foreign Investment

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress promulgated the Foreign Investment Law, which will come into effect on January 1, 2020 and replace the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture

 

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Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The existing foreign-invested enterprises established prior to the effective of the Foreign Investment Law may keep their corporate forms within five years. The implementing rules of the Foreign Investment Law will be stipulated separately by State Council. Pursuant to the Foreign Investment Law, “foreign investors” means natural person, enterprise, or other organization of a foreign country, “foreign-invested enterprises” (FIEs) means any enterprise established under PRC law that is wholly or partially invested by foreign investors and “foreign investment” means any foreign investor’s direct or indirect investment in mainland China, including: (i) establishing FIEs in mainland China either individually or jointly with other investors; (ii) obtaining stock shares, stock equity, property shares, other similar interests in Chinese domestic enterprises; (iii) investing in new projects in mainland China either individually or jointly with other investors; and (iv) making investment through other means provided by laws, administrative regulations, or State Council provisions.

The Foreign Investment Law stipulates that China implements the management system of pre-establishment national treatment plus a negative list to foreign investment and the government generally will not expropriate foreign investment, except under special circumstances, in which case it will provide fair and reasonable compensation to foreign investors. Foreign investors are barred from investing in prohibited industries on the negative list and must comply with the specified requirements when investing in restricted industries on that list. When a license is required to enter a certain industry, the foreign investor must apply for one, and the government must treat the application the same as one by a domestic enterprise, except where laws or regulations provide otherwise. In addition, foreign investors or FIEs are required to file information reports and foreign investment shall be subject to the national security review.

For detailed discussion of the risk associated with the Foreign Investment Law, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance, business, financial condition and results of operations.”

Regulation Related to Foreign Investment Restrictions

Investment activities in China by foreign investors are principally governed by the Guidance Catalog of Industries for Foreign Investment, or the Foreign Investment Catalog, which was promulgated and is amended from time to time by Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, or MOFCOM, and the National Development and Reform Commission, or NDRC. The latest version of the Foreign Investment Catalog, which was promulgated jointly by MOFCOM and the NDRC, on June 28, 2017 and became effective on July 28, 2017, classifies industries into three categories with regard to foreign investment: (1) “encouraged”, (2) “restricted”, and (3) “prohibited”. The latter two categories are included in a negative list, which was first introduced into the Foreign Investment Catalog in 2017 and specified the restrictive measures for the entry of foreign investment. On June 28, 2018, MOFCOM and NDRC jointly promulgated the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access, or the Special Administrative Measures, which replaced the negative list attached to the Foreign Investment Catalog in 2017. Industries that are not listed in the Foreign Investment Catalog or the Special Administrative Measures are permitted areas for foreign investments, and are generally open to foreign investment unless specifically restricted by other PRC regulations. Some restricted industries are limited to equity or contractual joint ventures, while in some cases Chinese partners are required to hold the majority interests in such joint ventures. In addition, restricted category projects may be subject to higher-level government approvals. Foreign investors are not allowed to invest in industries in the prohibited category. The provision of value-added telecommunications services falls in the restricted category under the Special Administrative Measures and the percentage of foreign ownership cannot exceed 50% (except for e-commerce).

The Regulations on Administration of Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises, or the FITE Regulations, which took effect on January 1, 2002 and last amended on February 6, 2016, are the key regulations for foreign direct investment in telecommunications companies in China. The FITE Regulations stipulate that the

 

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foreign investor of a telecommunications enterprise is prohibited from holding more than 50% of the equity interest in a foreign-invested enterprise that provides value-added telecommunications services. In addition, the main foreign investor who invests in a value-added telecommunications enterprise in China must demonstrate a positive track record and experience in providing such services. Moreover, foreign investors that meet these qualification requirements that intend to invest in or establish a value-added telecommunications enterprise operating the value-added telecommunications business must obtain approvals from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT and MOFCOM, or their authorized local counterparts, which retain considerable discretion in granting approvals.

On July 13, 2006, the MIIT, issued the Circular on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in Value-added Telecommunications Services, or the MIIT Circular 2006, which requires that (i) foreign investors can only operate a telecommunications business in China through establishing a telecommunications enterprise with a valid telecommunications business operation license; (ii) domestic license holders are prohibited from leasing, transferring or selling telecommunications business operation licenses to foreign investors in any form, or providing any resource, sites or facilities to foreign investors to facilitate the unlicensed operation of telecommunications business in China; (iii) value-added telecommunications services providers or their shareholders must directly own the domain names and registered trademarks they use in their daily operations; (iv) each value-added telecommunications services provider must have the necessary facilities for its approved business operations and maintain such facilities in the geographic regions covered by its license; and (v) all value-added telecommunications services providers should improve network and information security, enact relevant information safety administration regulations and set up emergency plans to ensure network and information safety. The provincial communications administration bureaus, as local authorities in charge of regulating telecommunications services, may revoke the value-added telecommunications business operation licenses of those who fail to comply with the above requirements or fail to rectify such noncompliance within specified time limits. Due to the lack of any additional interpretation from the regulatory authorities, it remains unclear what impact MIIT Circular 2006 will have on us or the other PRC internet companies with similar corporate structures and contractual arrangements.

To comply with the above foreign investment restrictions, we rely on the contractual arrangements with our VIE to operate our business in China. However, there remain substantial uncertainties with respect to the interpretation and application of existing or future PRC laws and regulations on foreign investment. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating certain of our operations in China do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.”

Regulation Related to Private Education

Education Law of the PRC

The PRC Education Law, or the Education Law, which was promulgated on March 18, 1995, and last amended on December 27, 2015, sets forth provisions relating to the fundamental education systems of the PRC, including a school system of pre-school education, primary education, secondary education and higher education, a system of nine-year compulsory education and a system of education certificates. The Education Law stipulates that the government formulates plans for the development of education, establishes and operates schools and other types of educational institutions, and in principle, enterprises, institutions, social organizations and individuals are encouraged to operate schools and other types of educational organizations in accordance with PRC laws and regulations.

The Law for Promoting Private Education and its Implementing Rules

On December 28, 2002, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, or the SCNPC, promulgated the Law for Promoting Private Education, or the Private Education Law and was last amended on

 

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December 29, 2018 with such amendment effective on the same date. Under the amended Private Education Law, sponsors of private schools may choose to establish non-profit or for-profit private schools at their own discretion and the private schools shall obtain a private school operating permit issued by relevant government authorities and registered with relevant registration authorities.

On August 10, 2018, the Ministry of Justice, or MOJ, published the draft submitted for approval for the amendment to the Regulations on the Implementation of the Law for Promoting Private Education of the PRC, or MOJ Draft for Approval, for public comment. As of the date of this prospectus, this MOJ Draft for Approval was still pending for final approval and was not in effect. The MOJ Draft for Approval stipulates that private schools using internet technology to implement online diploma-awarding educational courses shall obtain the private school operating permit of similar academic education at the same level, as well as the internet operating permit. The institutions that use internet technology to implement training and educational activities, vocational qualification and vocational skills training, or providing an internet technology service platform for the above activities, would need to obtain the corresponding internet operating permit and file with the administrative department for education or the department of human resources and social security at the provincial level where the institution is domiciled, and such institutions shall not implement educational and teaching activities which requires the private school operating permit. The internet technology service platform that implements the training and educational activities shall review and register the identity information of institutions or individuals applying for access to the platform.

The MOJ Draft for Approval further stipulates that the establishment of private training and educational organizations enrolling students of kindergarten, primary school, middle and high school age and implementing activities relating to cultural and educational courses at school, or examination-related and further education-related tutoring and other cultural and educational activities, shall be subject to the review and approval of the administrative departments for education of the governments at or above the county level in accordance with the Article 12 of the amended Private Education Law. The establishment of private training and educational organizations that implement activities aiming at quality promotion, personality development in the areas of linguistic competence, arts, physical activities, technology, and activities targeting at cultural education for adults and non-degree continuing education, can apply to register as the legal person directly. However, such private training and/or educational organizations shall not carry out the cultural and educational activities mentioned above, which requires the review and approval of the administrative departments for education. In addition, the social organizations sponsoring group schools are prohibited from controlling any non-profit private schools by virtue of mergers and acquisitions, franchising or controlling contracts.

Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and application of the existing and future laws and regulations that govern the online private education industry, as well as when and how the MOJ Draft would come into effect and how the local government would promulgate implementing rules relating to the specific requirements applicable to online education service providers like us. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Uncertainties exist in relation to new legislation or proposed changes in the PRC regulatory requirements regarding online private education, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.”

Regulation Related to After-School Tutoring

On February 13, 2018, the Ministry of Education, or the MOE, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or the SAIC (currently known as the State Administration for Market Regulation, or the SAMR) jointly promulgated the Circular on Alleviating After-school Burden on Elementary and Middle School Students and Implementing Inspections on After-school Training Institutions, or Circular 3, which came into effect on the same date. Pursuant to Circular 3, the aforesaid government authorities will carry out a series of inspections on after-school training institutions and order those with material potential safety risks to suspend business for self-inspection and rectification and those without proper establishment licenses or school operating permits to apply for

 

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relevant qualifications and certificates under the guidance of competent government authorities. Moreover, after-school training institutions must file with the local education authorities and make public the classes, courses, target students, class hours and other information relating to their academic training courses (including primarily courses on Chinese and mathematics). After-school training institutions are prohibited from providing academic training services beyond the scope or above the level of school textbooks, or organizing any academic competitions (such as Olympiad competitions) or level tests for students of elementary or middle schools. In addition, elementary or middle schools may not reference a student’s performance in the after-school training institutions as one of admission criteria.

On August 22, 2018, the State Council issued the Opinion on the Regulation of the Development of Extracurricular Training Institutions, or State Council Circular 80, which primarily regulates extracurricular training institutions targeting K-12 students. State Council Circular 80 reiterates prior guidance that extracurricular training institutions must obtain a private school operating permit, and further requires such institutions to meet certain minimum requirements; for example, extracurricular training institutions are required to (i) have a fixed training premise that conforms to specified safety criteria, with an average area per student of no less than 3 square meters during the applicable training period; (ii) comply with relevant fire safety, environmental protection, hygiene, food operation and other specified requirements; (iii) purchase personal safety insurance for students to reduce safety risks; and (iv) not hire any teachers who are working concurrently in primary or secondary schools, and teachers for tutoring in academic subjects such as Chinese, mathematics, English, physics, chemistry and biology are required to have the corresponding teaching qualifications. Extracurricular training institutions are prohibited from carrying out exam-oriented training, training that goes beyond the school syllabus, training in advance of the corresponding school schedule and any training activities associated with student admission, nor shall they organize any level test, rank examination or competition on academic subjects for primary and secondary students. The training content of extracurricular training institutions shall not exceed the corresponding national curricular standards and training progress shall not be more accelerated than the corresponding progress of local schools. According to State Council Circular 80, extracurricular training institutions are also required to disclose and file relevant information regarding the institution, including their training content, schedule, targeted students and school timetable to the relevant education authority, and their training classes may not end later than 20:30 each day. Course fees can only be collected for courses in three months or shorter installments. Additionally, State Council Circular 80 requests that competent local authorities formulate relevant local standards for extracurricular training institutions within their administrative area. If an overseas listed extracurricular training institution publicizes overseas any periodical report, or any interim report on material adverse effect on its operation, it shall concurrently publish the information in Chinese on its official website (or on the disclosure platform for securities exchange information in the absence of an official website). In relation to online education service providers, State Council Circular 80 generally provides that regulatory authorities of networking, culture, information technology, radio and television industries shall cooperate with the education department in supervising online education within their relevant industry.

On November 20, 2018, the General Office of the MOE, the General Office of the SAMR of the PRC and the General Office of the Ministry of Emergency Management of the PRC jointly issued the Notice on Improving the Specific Governance and Rectification Mechanisms of After-school Education Institutions, or Circular 10, which provides that provincial education departments shall be responsible for the filing of training institutions that uses the internet technology to provide online training facing primary and middle school students. Provincial education departments shall regulate the online after-school training institutions based on the management policies governing offline after-school training institutions. In addition, online after-school education institutions shall file the information of their courses, such as names, contents, target students, syllabi and schedules with the provincial education departments and shall publish the name, photo, class schedule and certificate number of the teacher qualification of each teacher on their websites.

We are taking necessary measures to comply with the above requirements in these circulars. However, as there are no clear and specific guidance, interpretation or implementing rules on how an online education

 

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institution like us should comply with these requirements, our current practice may be deemed to be not in full compliance with these requirements. For detailed discussion, please see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Uncertainties exist in relation to new legislation or proposed changes in the PRC regulatory requirements regarding online private education, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.”

Regulation Related to Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs

To regulate the provision of audio-visual program services to the public via the internet, including through mobile networks, within the territory of the PRC, the State Administration of Press Publication Radio Film and Television, or the SAPPRFT (currently known as National Radio and Television Administration), and the MIIT jointly promulgated the Administrative Provisions on Internet Audio-Visual Program Service, or the Audio-Visual Program Provisions, on December 20, 2007, which came into effect on January 31, 2008 and was last amended on August 28, 2015. Under the Audio-Visual Program Provisions, “online audio-visual program services” is defined as activities of producing, redacting and integrating audio-visual programs, providing them to the general public via internet, and providing service for other people to upload and transmit audio-visual programs, and providers of online audio-visual program services are required to obtain a License for Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs issued by the SAPPRFT, or complete certain registration procedures with the SAPPRFT. In general, providers of online audio-visual program services must be either state-owned or state-controlled entities, and the business to be carried out by such providers must satisfy the overall planning and guidance catalog for internet audio-visual program service determined by the SAPPRFT.

On May 21, 2008, SAPPRFT issued a Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Application and Approval of License for the Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs, as amended on August 28, 2015, which sets out detailed provisions concerning the application and approval process regarding the License for Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs. According to the above regulations, providers of internet audio-visual program services that engaged in such services prior to the promulgation of the Audio-Visual Program Provisions are eligible to apply for the license so long as those providers did not violate the relevant laws and regulations in the past or their violation of the laws and regulations is minor in scope and can be rectified in a timely manner and they have no records of violation during the last three months prior to the promulgation of the Audio-Visual Program Provisions.

On March 30, 2009, SAPPRFT promulgated the Notice on Strengthening the Administration of the Content of Internet Audio-Visual Programs, which reiterates the pre-approval requirements for the audio-visual programs transmitted via the internet, including through mobile networks, where applicable, and prohibits certain types of internet audio-visual programs containing violence, pornography, gambling, terrorism, superstition or other similarly prohibited elements.

On March 10, 2017, SAPPRFT issued the Provisional Implementation of the Tentative Categories of Internet Audio-Visual Program Services, or the Categories, which revised the previous version issued on March 17, 2010. According to the Categories, there are four categories of internet audio and video programs services which are further divided into seventeen sub-categories. The third sub-category to the second category covers the making and editing of certain specialized audio-visual programs concerning, among other things, educational content, and broadcasting such content to the general public online.

On March 16, 2018, the SAPPRFT promulgated the Notice on Further Regulating the Transmission Order of Internet Audio-Visual Program Services, providing that the classic literary works, radio, film and television programs, internet original audio-visual programs shall not be re-edited, re-dubbed, re-subtitled or partly captured and consolidated as a new program without authorizations and providers of internet audio-visual program services shall strictly manage and supervise such re-edited programs uploaded by the internet users and shall not provide any transmission channel for those internet audio-visual programs which have political orientation issues, copyright issues or content issues.

 

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We currently do not hold a License for Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs. As of the date of this prospectus, online education institutions like us are not explicitly required to obtain the License for Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether the local PRC authorities would adopt a different practice. In addition, it remains uncertain whether the PRC governmental authorities would issue more explicit interpretation and rules or promulgate new laws and regulations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We face uncertainties with respect to the development of regulatory requirements on operating licenses and permits for our online education services in China. Failure to renew requested licenses or permits in a timely manner or obtain newly required ones due to adverse changes in regulations or policies could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.”

Regulation Related to Internet Live Streaming Services

On September 2, 2016, the SAPPRFT promulgated the Notice on Strengthening the Administration of Live Streaming Services of Internet Audio-Visual Program, which provides that any entity that intends to engage in live audio-visual broadcasting of major political, military, economic, social, cultural or sport events or activities, or live audio-visual broadcasting of general social or cultural group activities, general sporting events or other organizational events, must obtain a License for Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs with a permitted operation scope covering the above business activities. Any entity or individual without qualification is prohibited from broadcasting live audio-visual programs involving news, variety shows, sports, interviews, commentary or other forms of programs through any online live-streaming platform or online live broadcasting booth, nor are they permitted to start a live broadcasting channel for any audio-visual programs. In addition, any entity without such license shall not operate audio-visual live streaming business and the live streaming programs provided by the qualified company shall not contain any content forbidden by laws and regulations.

On November 4, 2016, the CAC promulgated the Provisions on the Administration of Internet Live Streaming Services, or the Internet Live Streaming Provisions, effective from December 1, 2016. Under the Internet Live Stream Provisions, “internet live streaming service” is defined as the activities of continuously releasing real-time information to the public on internet in such forms as videos, audios, images and texts and the “internet live streaming service provider” is defined thereunder as an operator of the platform providing internet live streaming platform services. The Internet Live Streaming Provisions provide that internet live streaming service providers shall examine and verify the identity information of internet live-streaming issuers and file the identity information of the issuers with local counterparts of the CAC.

On July 12, 2017, the CAC issued a Notice on Development of the Filing Work for Enterprises Providing Internet Live Streaming Services, which provides that all the companies providing internet live streaming services shall file with the local authority since July 15, 2017, otherwise the CAC or its local counterparts may impose administrative sanctions on such companies.

Pursuant to the Circular on Tightening the Administration of Internet Live-Streaming Services jointly issued by the MIIT, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, or the MCOT, and several other government agencies on August 1, 2018, live streaming services providers are required to file with the local public security authority within 30 days after it commences the service online.

After consulting with the local counterparts of the CAC, we were informed that they have not commenced accepting filings from the institutions offering education services via online-streaming like us or requested such institutions to complete the filings.

Regulation Related to Production and Distribution of Radio and Television Programs

On 19 July 2004, SAPPRFT promulgated the Administrative Measures on the Production and Operation of Radio and Television Programs, or the Radio and TV Programs Measures, which became effective on 20 August

 

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2004 and were amended on August 28, 2015 and October 31, 2018. The Radio and TV Programs Measures are applicable for establishing institutions that produce and distribute radio and television programs or for the production of radio and television programs like programs with a special topic, column programs, variety shows, animated cartoons, radio plays and television dramas and for activities like transactions and agency transactions of program copyrights. Pursuant to the Radio and TV Programs Measures, any entity that intends to produce or operate radio or television programs must first obtain the Permit for Production and Operation of Radio and TV Programs from SAPPRFT or its local branches.

We currently do not hold a Permit for Production and Operation of Radio and TV Programs. As of the date of this prospectus, online education institutions like us are not explicitly required to obtain the Permit for Production and Operation of Radio and TV Programs. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether the local PRC authorities would adopt a different practice. In addition, it remains uncertain whether the PRC governmental authorities would issue more explicit interpretation and rules or promulgate new laws and regulations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We face uncertainties with respect to the development of regulatory requirements on operating licenses and permits for our online education services in China. Failure to renew requested licenses or permits in a timely manner or obtain newly required ones due to adverse changes in regulations or policies could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.”

Regulation Related to Internet Culture Activities

On February 17, 2011, the Ministry of Culture, or MOC (currently known as the MCOT), promulgated the Interim Administrative Provisions on Internet Culture, or the Internet Culture Provisions, which became effective on April 1, 2011 and was amended on December 15, 2017. The Internet Culture Provisions require internet information services providers engaging in commercial “internet culture activities” to obtain an Internet Culture Business Operating License from the MOC. “Internet cultural activity” is defined under the Internet Culture Provisions as an act of provision of internet cultural products and related services, which includes (i) the production, duplication, importation, and broadcasting of the internet cultural products; (ii) the online dissemination whereby cultural products are posted on the internet or transmitted via the internet to end-users, such as computers, fixed-line telephones, mobile phones, television sets and games machines, for online users’ browsing, use or downloading; and (iii) the exhibition and competition of the internet cultural products. In addition, “internet cultural products” is defined under the Internet Culture Provisions as cultural products produced, broadcast and disseminated via the internet, which mainly include internet cultural products especially produced for the internet, such as online music entertainment, online games, online shows and plays (programs), online performances, online works of art and online cartoons, and internet cultural products produced from cultural products such as music entertainment, games, shows and plays (programs), performances, works of art, and cartoons through certain techniques and duplicating those to internet for dissemination.

We currently do not hold an Internet Cultural Business Operating License. As of the date of this prospectus, there are no explicit interpretation from governmental authorities or prevailing enforcement practice deeming the provision of our educational content to our students through our online platform as “internet cultural activities” which requires an Internet Cultural Business Operating License. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether the local PRC authorities would adopt a different practice. In addition, it remains uncertain whether the PRC governmental authorities would issue more explicit interpretation and rules or promulgate new laws and regulations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We face uncertainties with respect to the development of regulatory requirements on operating licenses and permits for our online education services in China. Failure to renew requested licenses or permits in a timely manner or obtain newly required ones due to adverse changes in regulations or policies could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.”

 

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Regulation Related to Online Publishing

On February 4, 2016, the SAPPRFT (currently reformed into the State Administration of Press and Publication (National Copyright Bureau) under the Propaganda Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China) and the MIIT jointly issued the Administrative Provisions on Online Publishing Services, or the Online Publishing Provisions, which came into effect on March 10, 2016. Under the Online Publishing Provisions, any entity providing online publishing services shall obtain an Online Publishing Services Permit. “Online publishing services” refer to the provision of online publications to the public through information networks; and “online publications” refer to digital works with publishing features such as having been edited, produced or processed and are available to the public through information networks, including: (i) written works, pictures, maps, games, cartoons, audio/video reading materials and other original digital works containing useful knowledge or ideas in the field of literature, art, science or other fields; (ii) digital works of which the content is identical to that of any published book, newspaper, periodical, audio/video product, electronic publication or the like; (iii) network literature databases or other digital works, derived from any of the aforesaid works by selection, arrangement, collection or other means; and (iv) other types of digital works as may be determined by the SAPPRFT.

We currently do not hold an Online Publishing Service Permit. As of the date of this prospectus, there are no explicit interpretation from the governmental authorities or prevailing enforcement practice deeming the provision of our educational content to our students through our online platform as “online publishing” which requires an Online Publishing Service Permit. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether the local PRC authorities would adopt a different practice. In addition, it remains uncertain whether the PRC governmental authorities would issue more explicit interpretation and rules or promulgate new laws and regulations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We face uncertainties with respect to the development of regulatory requirements on operating licenses and permits for our online education services in China. Failure to renew requested licenses or permits in a timely manner or obtain newly required ones due to adverse changes in regulations or policies could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.”

Regulation Related to Internet Information Security and Privacy Protection

The PRC Constitution states that the PRC laws protect the freedom and privacy of communications of citizens and prohibit infringement of such rights. PRC governmental authorities have enacted laws and regulations on internet information security and protection of personal information from any abuse or unauthorized disclosure. The Decisions on Maintaining Internet Security which was enacted by the Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress, or the SCNPC on December 28, 2000 and amended on August 27, 2009, may subject violators to criminal punishment in the PRC for any effort to: (i) gain improper entry into a computer or system of strategic importance; (ii) disseminate politically disruptive information; (iii) leak state secrets; (iv) spread false commercial information; or (v) infringe intellectual property rights. The Ministry of Public Security has promulgated measures that prohibit use of the internet in ways which, among other things, result in a leakage of state secrets or a spread of socially destabilizing content. If an information service provider violates these measures, the Ministry of Public Security and the local security bureaus may revoke its operating license and shut down its websites.

Pursuant to the Decision on Strengthening the Protection of Online Information issued by the SCNPC on December 28, 2012, and the Order for the Protection of Telecommunication and Internet User Personal Information issued by the MIIT on July 16, 2013, any collection and use of user personal information must be subject to the consent of the user, abide by the principles of legality, rationality and necessity and be within the specified purposes, methods and scopes. “Personal information” is defined as information that identifies a citizen, the time or location for his/her use of telecommunication and internet services or involves privacy of any citizen such as his/her birth date, ID card number, and address. An internet information service provider must also keep information collected strictly confidential, and is further prohibited from divulging, tampering or

 

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destroying of any such information, or selling or providing such information to other parties. Any violation of the above decision or order may subject the internet information service provider to warnings, fines, confiscation of illegal gains, revocation of licenses, cancelation of filings, closedown of websites or even criminal liabilities.

Pursuant to the Notice of the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security on Legally Punishing Criminal Activities Infringing upon the Personal Information of Citizens, issued in 2013, and the Interpretation of the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate on Several Issues regarding Legal Application in Criminal Cases Infringing upon the Personal Information of Citizens, which was issued on May 8, 2017 and took effect on June 1, 2017, the following activities may constitute the crime of infringing upon a citizen’s personal information:(i) providing a citizen’s personal information to specified persons or releasing a citizen’s personal information online or through other methods in violation of relevant national provisions; (ii) providing legitimately collected information relating to a citizen to others without such citizen’s consent (unless the information is processed, not traceable to a specific person and not recoverable); (iii) collecting a citizen’s personal information in violation of applicable rules and regulations when performing a duty or providing services; or (iv) collecting a citizen’s personal information by purchasing, accepting or exchanging such information in violation of applicable rules and regulations.

Pursuant to the Ninth Amendment to the Criminal Law issued by the SCNPC in August 2015, which became effective in November 2015, any person or entity that fails to fulfill the obligations related to internet information security administration as required by applicable laws and refuses to rectify upon orders is subject to criminal penalty for the result of (i) any dissemination of illegal information in large scale; (ii) any severe effect due to the leakage of the client’s information; (iii) any serious loss of criminal evidence; or (iv) other severe situation, and any individual or entity that (i) sells or provides personal information to others in a way violating the applicable law, or (ii) steals or illegally obtain any personal information is subject to criminal penalty in severe situation.

Pursuant to the PRC Cyber Security Law issued by the SCNPC on November 7, 2016, effective as of June 1, 2017, “personal information” refers to all kinds of information recorded by electronic or otherwise that can be used to independently identify or be combined with other information to identify individuals’ personal information including but not limited to: individuals’ names, dates of birth, ID numbers, biologically identified personal information, addresses and telephone numbers, etc. The Cyber Security Law also provides that: (i) to collect and use personal information, network operators shall follow the principles of legitimacy, rightfulness and necessity, disclose rules of data collection and use, clearly express the purposes, means and scope of collecting and using the information, and obtain the consent of the persons whose data is gathered; (ii) network operators shall neither gather personal information unrelated to the services they provide, nor gather or use personal information in violation of the provisions of laws and administrative regulations or the scopes of consent given by the persons whose data is gathered; and shall dispose of personal information they have saved in accordance with the provisions of laws and administrative regulations and agreements reached with users; (iii) network operators shall not divulge, tamper with or damage the personal information they have collected, and shall not provide the personal information to others without the consent of the persons whose data is collected. However, if the information has been processed and cannot be recovered and thus it is impossible to match such information with specific persons, such circumstance is an exception.

Pursuant to the Provisions on Internet Security Supervision and Inspection by Public Security Organs, which was promulgated by the Ministry of Public Security on September 15, 2018 and became effective on November 1, 2018, the public security departments are authorized to carry out internet security supervision and inspection of the internet service providers from the following aspects, among others: (i) whether the service providers have completed the recordation formalities for online entities, and filed the basic information on and the changes of the accessing entities and users; (ii) whether they have established and implemented the cybersecurity management system and protocols, and appointed the persons responsible for cybersecurity; (iii) whether the technical measures for recording and retaining users’ registration information and weblog data are in place according to the law; (iv) whether they have taken technical measures to prevent computer viruses, network

 

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attacks and network intrusion; (v) whether they have adopted preventive measures to tackle the information that is prohibited to be issued or transmitted by the laws and administrative regulations in the public information services; (vi) whether they provide technical support and assistance as required by laws to public security departments to safeguard national security and prevent and investigate on terrorist activities and criminal activities; and (vii) whether they have fulfilled the obligations of the grade-based cybersecurity protection and other obligations prescribed by the laws and administrative regulations. In particular, public security departments shall also carry out supervision and inspection on whether an internet service provider has taken required measures to manage information published by users, adopted proper measures to handle the published or transmitted information that is prohibited to be published or transmitted, and kept the relevant records.

As an online education service provider, we are subject to these laws and regulations relating to protection of internet security and protection of privacy. To comply with the above law and regulations, we have established and maintained a comprehensive data security program. See “Business—Data Privacy and Security.”

Regulation Related to Publication Distribution

Under the Administrative Provisions on the Publications Market, or the Publication Market Provisions, which was jointly promulgated by the SAPPRFT and the MOFCOM on May 31, 2016 and became effective on June 1, 2016, any enterprise or individual who engages in publication distribution activities shall obtain a Publication Operation License from SAPPRFT or its local counterpart. “Publication” is defined as “books, newspapers, periodicals, audio-visual products, and electronic publications,” and “distributing” is defined as “general distribution, wholesale, retail, rental, exhibition and other activities,” respectively, in the Publication Market Provisions. Without licensing, such entity or individual may be ordered to cease illegal acts by the competent administrative department of publication and be concurrently subject to fines. We print and provide physical education materials to our students without holding a Publication Operation License. If such practice is deemed by the government authorities as “publication distribution” pursuant to the above provisions, we may be required to obtain a Publication Operation License. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We face uncertainties with respect to the development of regulatory requirements on operating licenses and permits for our online education services in China. Failure to renew requested licenses or permits in a timely manner or obtain newly required ones due to adverse changes in regulations or policies could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.”

Regulation Related to Advertising

All commercial advertising activities for direct or indirect introduction of products or services promoted by product business operators or service providers via a certain medium and in a certain form within the territory of PRC are applied to PRC Advertising Law, which was promulgated by the SCNPC on October 27, 1994 and was last amended on October 26, 2018. Pursuant to the PRC Advertising Law, advertisements must not contain, among other prohibited contents, terms such as “the state-level,” “the highest grade,” “the best” or other similar words. Particularly, an advertisement for education or training shall not contain any of the following items: (i) any promise relating to progression, passing examinations, or obtaining a degree or qualification certificate; (ii) any express or implied guaranteed promise relating to education or training results; (iii) use of the names or images of research institutes, academic institutions, educational institutions, industry associations, professionals or beneficiaries for recommendation or as proof. Any data, statistics, research result, summary, quotation and other quoted information used in an advertisement shall be authentic and accurate, with the source indicated. If the quoted information is subject to a scope of application or a valid period, the scope of application or valid period shall be clearly indicated. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Our advertising content may subject us to penalties and other administrative actions.”

 

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Regulation Related to Intellectual Property Rights

Copyright and Software Registration

The SCNPC promulgated the PRC Copyright Law in 1990 and revised it in 2001 and 2010 respectively. The amended Copyright Law extends copyright protection to internet activities, products disseminated over the internet and software products. In addition, there is a voluntary registration system administered by the China Copyright Protection Center. To address the problem of copyright infringement related to the content posted or transmitted over the internet, the National Copyright Administration, or the NCAC, and the MIIT jointly promulgated the Measures for Administrative Protection of Copyright Related to Internet on April 29, 2005, which became effective on May 30, 2005.

On December 20, 2001, the State Council promulgated Computer Software Protection Regulations which came into effect on January 1, 2002 and was later amended on January 8, 2011 and January 30, 2013. These regulations are formulated for protecting the rights and interests of computer software copyright owners, encouraging the development and application of computer software and promoting the development of software business. In order to further implement the Computer Software Protection Regulations, the NCAC issued the Computer Software Copyright Registration Procedures on February 20, 2002 and amended them on June 18, 2004, which apply to software copyright registration, license contract registration and transfer contract registration. See “Business—Intellectual Property” for more details on the current situation of our software copyrights.

Patents

The SCNPC adopted the Patent Law of the PRC in 1984 and amended it in 1992, 2000 and 2008 respectively. A patentable invention, utility model or design must meet three conditions, namely novelty, inventiveness and practical applicability. Patents cannot be granted for scientific discoveries, rules and methods for intellectual activities, methods used to diagnose or treat diseases, animal and plant breeds or substances obtained by means of nuclear transformation. The Patent Office under the State Intellectual Property Office is responsible for receiving, examining and approving patent applications. A patent is valid for a twenty-year term for an invention and a ten-year term for a utility model or design, both starting from the application date. Except under certain specific circumstances provided by law, any third-party user must obtain consent or a proper license from the patent owner to use the patent, otherwise the use will constitute an infringement of the rights of the patent holder. See “Business—Intellectual Property” for more details on the current situation of our patents.

Trademark

Trademarks are protected by the PRC Trademark Law, adopted in 1982 and subsequently revised in 1993, 2001 and 2013, as well as its implementation rules adopted in 2002 and revised in 2014. The Trademark Office of National Intellectual Property Administration under the SAIC handles trademark registrations and grants a protection term of ten years to registered trademarks which may be renewed for consecutive ten-year periods upon request by the trademark owner. The PRC Trademark Law has adopted a “first-to-file” principle with respect to trademark registration. Where a trademark for which a registration has been made is identical or similar to another trademark which has already been registered or been subject to a preliminary examination and approval for use on the same kind of or similar commodities or services, the application for registration of such trademark may be rejected. Any person applying for the registration of a trademark may not prejudice the existing right first obtained by others, nor may any person register in advance a trademark that has already been used by another party and has already gained a “sufficient degree of reputation” through such party’s use. See “Business—Intellectual Property” for more details on the current situation of our trademarks.

Domain Name

The Administrative Measures on Internet Domain Names, or the Domain Name Measures, were promulgated by the MIIT on August 24, 2017, and came into effect on November 1, 2017. According to the

 

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Domain Name Measures, any party that has domain name root servers, and the institution for operating domain name root servers, the domain name registry and the domain name registrar within the territory of China, shall obtain a permit for this purpose from the MIIT or the communications administration of the local province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government. The registration of domain names is generally on a “first-apply-first-registration” basis and a domain name applicant will become the domain name holder upon the completion of the application procedure. See “Business—Intellectual Property” for more details on the current situation of our domain names.

Regulation Related to Employment, Social Insurance and Housing Fund

Employment

Pursuant to the PRC Labor Law effective from January 1, 1995 and last amended on December 29, 2018 and the PRC Labor Contract Law effective from January 1, 2008 and amended on December 28, 2012, a written labor contract shall be executed by an employer and an employee when the employment relationship is established, and an employer is under an obligation to sign an unlimited-term labor contract with any employee who has worked for the employer for ten consecutive years. Furthermore, if an employee requests or agrees to renew a fixed-term labor contract that has already been entered into twice consecutively, the resulting contract must have an unlimited term, with certain exceptions. The employer must also pay severance to an employee in nearly all instances where a labor contract, including a contract with an unlimited term, is terminated or expires. All employers must compensate their employees equal to at least the local minimum wage standards. All employers are required to establish a system for labor safety and sanitation, strictly abide by State rules and standards and provide employees with appropriate workplace safety training. In addition, the PRC government has continued to introduce various new labor-related regulations after the PRC Labor Contract Law. Amongst other things, new annual leave requirements mandate that annual leave ranging from 5 to 15 days is available to nearly all employees and further require that the employer compensate an employee for any annual leave days the employee is unable to take in the amount of three times his daily salary, subject to certain exceptions. Moreover, all PRC enterprises are generally required to implement a standard working time system of eight hours a day and forty hours a week, and if the implementation of such standard working time system is not appropriate due to the nature of the job or the characteristics of business operation, the enterprise may implement a flexible working time system or comprehensive working time system after obtaining approvals from the relevant authorities.

Social Insurance

The Law on Social Insurance of the PRC, which was promulgated on October 28, 2010 and amended on December 29, 2018, has established social insurance systems of basic pension insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, work injury insurance and basic medical insurance, and has elaborated in detail the legal obligations and liabilities of employers who do not comply with relevant laws and regulations on social insurance.

According to the Interim Regulations on the Collection and Payment of Social Insurance Premiums, the Regulations on Work Injury Insurance, the Regulations on Unemployment Insurance and the Trial Measures on Employee Maternity Insurance of Enterprises, enterprises in the PRC shall provide benefit plans for their employees, which include basic pension insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, work injury insurance and basic medical insurance. An enterprise must provide social insurance by going through social insurance registration with local social insurance authorities or agencies, and shall pay or withhold relevant social insurance premiums for or on behalf of employees. On July 20, 2018, the General Office of the State Council issued the Plan for Reforming the State and Local Tax Collection and Administration Systems, which stipulated that the State Administration of Taxation of the PRC, or the SAT will become solely responsible for collecting social insurance premiums.

 

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Housing Provident Fund

According to the Administrative Regulations on the Administration of Housing Provident Fund, which was promulgated and became effective on April 3, 1999, and was amended on March 24, 2002, housing provident fund paid and deposited both by employee themselves and their unit employer shall be owned by the employees.

A unit employer shall undertake registration of payment and deposit of the housing provident fund in the housing provident fund management center and, upon verification by the housing provident fund management center, open a housing provident fund account on behalf of its employees in a commissioned bank. Employers shall timely pay and deposit housing provident fund contributions in full amount and late or insufficient payments shall be prohibited. With respect to unit employers who violate the regulations hereinabove and fail to complete housing provident fund payment and deposit registrations or open housing provident fund accounts for their employees, such unit employers shall be ordered by the housing provident fund administration center to complete such procedures within a designated period. Those who fail to complete their registrations within the designated period shall be subject to a fine of between RMB10,000 and RMB50,000. When unit employers are in breach of these regulations and fail to pay deposit housing provident fund contributions in full amount as they fall due, the housing provident fund administration center shall order such unit employers to pay within a prescribed time limit, failing which an application may be made to a people’s court for compulsory enforcement.

Regulation Related to Foreign Exchange

Regulation on Foreign Currency Exchange

The principal regulations governing foreign currency exchange in China are the PRC Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations, or the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations, which were promulgated by the State Council on January 29, 1996 and last amended on August 5, 2008. Under the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations, Renminbi is generally freely convertible for payments of current account items, such as trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions and dividend payments, but not freely convertible for capital account items, such as direct investment, loan or investment in securities outside China, unless prior approval of State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or the SAFE, or its local counterparts has been obtained.

On February 13, 2015, SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the Direct Investment-related Foreign Exchange Administration Policies, or SAFE Notice 13. After SAFE Notice 13 became effective on June 1, 2015, instead of applying for approvals regarding foreign exchange registrations of foreign direct investment and overseas direct investment from SAFE, entities and individuals may apply for such foreign exchange registrations from qualified banks. The qualified banks, under the supervision of SAFE, may directly review the applications and conduct the registration.

On March 30, 2015, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Reforming the Management Approach regarding the Settlement of Foreign Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprise, or Circular 19, which came into effect on June 1, 2015. According to Circular 19, the foreign exchange capital of foreign-invested enterprises shall be subject to the Discretionary Foreign Exchange Settlement, which means that the foreign exchange capital in the capital account of a foreign-invested enterprise for which the rights and interests of monetary contribution have been confirmed by the local foreign exchange bureau (or the book-entry registration of monetary contribution by the banks) can be settled at the banks based on the actual operational needs of the foreign-invested enterprise. The proportion of Discretionary Foreign Exchange Settlement of the foreign exchange capital of a foreign-invested enterprise is temporarily set at 100%. The Renminbi converted from the foreign exchange capital will be kept in a designated account and if a foreign-invested enterprise needs to make further payment from such account, it still needs to provide supporting documents and proceed with the review process with the banks. Furthermore, Circular 19 stipulates that the use of capital by foreign-invested enterprises shall follow the principles of authenticity and self-use within the business scope of enterprises. The capital of a foreign-invested enterprise and capital in Renminbi obtained by the foreign-invested enterprise from foreign exchange settlement shall not be used for the following purposes: (i) directly or indirectly used for payments beyond the business

 

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scope of the enterprises or payments as prohibited by relevant laws and regulations; (ii) directly or indirectly used for investment in securities unless otherwise provided by the relevant laws and regulations; (iii) directly or indirectly used for granting entrust loans in Renminbi (unless permitted by the scope of business), repaying inter-enterprise borrowings (including advances by the third-party) or repaying the bank loans in Renminbi that have been sub-lent to third parties; or (iv) directly or indirectly used for expenses related to the purchase of real estate that is not for self-use (except for the foreign-invested real estate enterprises).

The Circular on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or Circular 16, was promulgated by SAFE on June 9, 2016 and became effective on the same date. Pursuant to Circular 16, enterprises registered in the PRC may also convert their foreign debts from foreign currency to Renminbi on a self- discretionary basis. Circular 16 provides a unified standard for the conversion of foreign exchange under capital account items (including but not limited to foreign currency capital and foreign debts) on a self-discretionary basis which applies to all enterprises registered in the PRC. Circular 16 reiterates the principle that Renminbi converted from foreign currency-denominated capital of a company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope or prohibited by PRC Laws, while such converted Renminbi shall not be provided as loans to its non-affiliated entities.

On January 26, 2017, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Further Improving Reform of Foreign Exchange Administration and Optimizing Genuineness and Compliance Verification, or Circular 3, which stipulates several capital control measures with respect to the outbound remittance of profit from domestic entities to offshore entities, including (i) under the principle of genuine transaction, banks shall check board resolutions regarding profit distribution, the original version of tax filing records and audited financial statements; and (ii) domestic entities shall hold income to account for previous years’ losses before remitting the profits. Moreover, pursuant to Circular 3, domestic entities shall make detailed explanations of the sources of capital and utilization arrangements, and provide board resolutions, contracts and other proof when completing the registration procedures in connection with an outbound investment.

Regulation on Foreign Debt

A loan made by a foreign entity as direct or indirect shareholder in a foreign-invested enterprise is considered to be foreign debt in China and is regulated by various laws and regulations, including the Regulation of the People’s Republic of China on Foreign Exchange Administration, the Interim Provisions on the Management of Foreign Debts, the Statistical Monitoring of Foreign Debts Tentative Provisions, the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of Provisional Regulations on Statistics and Supervision of External Debt, and the Administrative Measures for Registration of Foreign Debts. Under these rules and regulations, a shareholder loan in the form of foreign debt made to a PRC entity does not require the prior approval of SAFE. However, such foreign debt must be registered with and recorded by SAFE or its local branches within 15 business days after entering into the foreign debt contract. Pursuant to these rules and regulations, the maximum amount of the aggregate of (i) the outstanding balance of foreign debts with a term not longer than one year, and (ii) the accumulated amount of foreign debts with a term longer than one year, of a foreign-invested enterprise shall not exceed the difference between its registered total investment and its registered capital, or Total Investment and Registered Capital Balance.

On January 12, 2017, the People’s Bank of China, or PBOC, promulgated the Notice of the People’s Bank of China on Full-coverage Macro-prudent Management of Cross- border Financing, or PBOC Circular 9, which sets forth an upper limit for PRC entities, including foreign-invested enterprises and domestic-invested enterprises, regarding their foreign debts. Pursuant to PBOC Circular 9, the limit of foreign debts for enterprises shall be calculated based on the following formula: the limit of foreign debt = net assets * cross-border financing leverage ratio * macro-prudent regulation parameter. “Net assets” is calculated as the net assets value stated in the relevant entity’s latest audited financial statement. The cross-border financing leverage ratio for enterprises is two (2). The macro-prudent regulation parameter is one (1). The PBOC Circular 9 does not supersede the Interim

 

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Provisions on the Management of Foreign Debts, but rather serves as a supplement to it. PBOC Circular 9 provided for a one-year transitional period, or the Transitional Period, from its promulgation date for foreign-invested enterprises, during which period foreign-invested enterprise could choose to calculate their maximum amount of foreign debt based on either (i) the Total Investment and Registered Capital Balance, or (ii) the Net Assets Limit. After the Transition Period, the maximum amount applicable to foreign-invested enterprises is to be determined by PBOC and SAFE separately. However, although the Transitional Period ended on January 10, 2018, as of the date of this prospectus, neither PBOC nor SAFE has issued any new regulations regarding the appropriate means of calculating the maximum amount of foreign debt for foreign-invested enterprises. Domestic-invested enterprises have only been subject to the Net Assets Limit in calculating the maximum amount of foreign debt they may hold from the date of promulgation of PBOC Circular 9. In addition, according to PBOC Circular 9, a foreign loan must be filed with SAFE through the online filing system of SAFE after the loan agreement is signed and at least three business days prior to the borrower withdraws any amount from such foreign loan.

We may not be able to obtain these government approvals or complete such registrations on a timely basis, or at all, with respect to future foreign loans provided by us to our PRC subsidiaries. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary and consolidated variable interest entity, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.”

Regulation on Foreign Exchange Registration of Overseas Investment by PRC Residents

SAFE issued SAFE Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Resident’s Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, which became effective on July 4, 2014. SAFE Circular 37 regulates foreign exchange matters in relation to the use of special purpose vehicles, or SPVs, by PRC residents or entities to seek offshore investment and financing or conduct round trip investment in China. Under SAFE Circular 37, a SPV refers to an offshore entity established or controlled, directly or indirectly, by PRC residents (including individuals and entities) for the purpose of seeking offshore financing or making offshore investment, using legitimate onshore or offshore assets or interests, while “round trip investment” refers to direct investment in China by PRC residents through SPVs, namely, establishing foreign-invested enterprises to obtain the ownership, control rights and management rights. SAFE Circular 37 provides that, before making contribution into an SPV, PRC residents are required to complete foreign exchange registration with SAFE or its local branch. SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the Administration of the Foreign Exchange Concerning Direct Investment in February 2015, which took effect on June 1, 2015. This notice has amended SAFE Circular 37 requiring PRC residents or entities to register with qualified banks rather than SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing.

PRC residents who had contributed legitimate onshore or offshore interests or assets to SPVs but had not obtained registration as required before the implementation of the SAFE Circular 37 must register their ownership interests or control in the SPVs with qualified banks. An amendment to the registration is required if there is a material change with respect to the SPV registered, such as any change of basic information (including change of the PRC residents, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, and mergers or divisions. Failure to comply with the registration procedures set forth in SAFE Circular 37 and the subsequent notice, or making misrepresentation on or failure to disclose controllers of the foreign-invested enterprise that is established through round-trip investment, may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant foreign-invested enterprise, including payment of dividends and other distributions, such as proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation, to its offshore parent or affiliate, and the capital inflow from the offshore parent, and may also subject relevant PRC residents or entities to penalties under PRC foreign exchange administration regulations.

 

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As of the date of this prospectus, our founder, Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen, and six other PRC residents known to us that currently hold direct or indirect ownership interests in our company have conducted the initial registrations with the SAFE as required by the SAFE Circular 37. After transferring all shares in Ebetter International Group Limited to The Better Learner Trust, a trust of which himself is a beneficiary, Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen, as well as the other beneficiaries of the trust who are PRC residents shall register or amend existing registrations with the local branch of SAFE regarding the shares of our company beneficially owned by them through the trust. Please refer to the beneficial ownership table in the section captioned “Principal Shareholders” for more information regarding the trust. We cannot assure you that all shareholders or beneficial owners of ours who are PRC residents or entities, including the beneficiaries of the trust schemes directly or indirectly holding interests in our Cayman Islands holding company, have complied with, and will in the future make, obtain or update any applicable registrations or approvals required by, SAFE regulations. See “Risk Factors—PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiary to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiary, limit our PRC subsidiary’s ability to increase its registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us. ”

Regulation Related to Stock Incentive Plans

SAFE promulgated the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issues concerning the Administration of Foreign Exchange Used for Domestic Individuals’ Participation in Equity Incentive Plans of Companies Listed Overseas, or the Stock Option Rules in February 2012, replacing the previous rules issued by SAFE in March 2007. Under the Stock Option Rules and other relevant rules and regulations, PRC residents who participate in stock incentive plan in an overseas publicly-listed company are required to register with SAFE or its local branches and complete certain other procedures. Participants of a stock incentive plan who are PRC residents must retain a qualified PRC agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of the overseas publicly listed company or another qualified institution selected by the PRC subsidiary, to conduct the SAFE registration and other procedures with respect to the stock incentive plan on behalf of the participants. In addition, the PRC agent is required to amend the SAFE registration with respect to the stock incentive plan if there is any material change to the stock incentive plan, the PRC agent or other material changes. The PRC agent must, on behalf of the PRC residents who have the right to exercise the employee share options, apply to SAFE or its local branches for an annual quota for the payment of foreign currencies in connection with the PRC residents’ exercise of the employee share options. The foreign exchange proceeds received by the PRC residents from the sale of shares under the stock incentive plans granted and dividends distributed by the overseas listed companies must be remitted into the bank accounts in China opened by the PRC agents before distribution to such PRC residents.

In addition, the SAT, has issued certain circulars concerning employee share options or restricted shares. Under these circulars, the employees working in China who exercise share options or are granted restricted shares will be subject to PRC individual income tax. The PRC subsidiaries of such overseas listed company have obligations to file documents related to employee share options or restricted shares with relevant tax authorities and to withhold individual income taxes of those employees who exercise their share options. If the employees fail to pay or the PRC subsidiaries fail to withhold their income taxes according to relevant laws and regulations, the PRC subsidiaries may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC government authorities.

Regulation Related to Dividend Distribution

The principal regulations governing distribution of dividends of foreign holding companies include the Foreign Investment Enterprise Law, issued in 1986 and amended in 2000 and 2016, and the Implementation Rules for the Foreign Investment Enterprise Law, issued in 1990 and amended in 2001 and 2014 respectively. Under these regulations, foreign investment enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, foreign investment enterprises in China may not pay dividends unless they set aside at least 10% of their respective accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds unless these reserves have

 

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reached 50% of the registered capital of the enterprises. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. A PRC company is not permitted to distribute any profits until any losses from prior fiscal years have been offset. Profits retained from prior fiscal years may be distributed together with distributable profits from the current fiscal year.

Regulation Related to Taxation

Enterprise Income Tax

On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress enacted the Enterprise Income Tax Law, which was subsequently amended on February 24, 2017 and December 29, 2018, and on December 6, 2007, the State Council promulgated the Implementing Rules of the Enterprise Income Tax Law (or collectively, the PRC EIT Law). The PRC EIT Law applies a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate to both foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises, except where tax incentives are granted to special industries and projects. Enterprises qualifying as “High and New Technology Enterprises” are entitled to a 15% enterprise income tax rate rather than the 25% uniform statutory tax rate. The preferential tax treatment continues as long as an enterprise can retain its “High and New Technology Enterprise” status.

Under the PRC EIT Law, an enterprise established outside China with its “de facto management body” located in China is considered a “resident enterprise”, which means it can be treated as domestic enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. A non-resident enterprise that does not have an establishment or place of business in China, or has an establishment or place of business in China but the income of which has no actual relationship with such establishment or place of business, shall pay enterprise income tax on its income deriving from inside China at the reduced rate of enterprise income tax of 10%. Dividends generated after January 1, 2008 and payable by a foreign-invested enterprise in China to its foreign enterprise investors are subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless any such foreign investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a preferential withholding arrangement.

Pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, the withholding tax rate in respect to the payment of dividends by a PRC enterprise to a Hong Kong enterprise may be reduced to 5% from a standard rate of 10% if the Hong Kong enterprise directly holds at least 25% of the PRC enterprise. Pursuant to the Notice of the State Administration of Taxation on the Issues concerning the Application of the Dividend Clauses of Tax Agreements, a Hong Kong resident enterprise must meet the following conditions, among others, in order to apply the reduced withholding tax rate: (i) it must be a company; (ii) it must directly own the required percentage of equity interests and voting rights in the PRC resident enterprise; and (iii) it must have directly owned such required percentage in the PRC resident enterprise throughout the 12 months prior to receiving the dividends.

In January 2009, the SAT promulgated the Provisional Measures for the Administration of Withholding of Enterprise Income Tax for Non-resident Enterprises, or the Non-resident Enterprises Measures, pursuant to which entities that have direct obligation to make certain payments to a non-resident enterprise shall be the relevant tax withholders for such non-resident enterprise. Further, the Non-resident Enterprises Measures provides that, in case of an equity transfer between two non-resident enterprises which occurs outside China, the non-resident enterprise which receives the equity transfer payment shall, by itself or engage an agent to, file a tax declaration with the PRC tax authority located at the place of the PRC company whose equity has been transferred, and the PRC company whose equity has been transferred shall assist the tax authorities to collect taxes from the relevant non-resident enterprise. On December 10, 2009, the SAT issued the Notice on Strengthening the Administration of the Enterprise Income Tax concerning Proceeds from Equity Transfers by Non-resident Enterprises, or Circular 698, where a foreign investor transfers the equity interests of a PRC resident enterprise indirectly via disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company (an “Indirect Transfer”), and such an overseas holding company is located in a tax jurisdiction that: (i) has an effective tax rate less than 12.5% or (ii) does not tax the foreign income of its residents, the foreign investor shall report this

 

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Indirect Transfer to the competent tax authority of the location in which the PRC resident enterprise is located. The PRC tax authority will examine the true nature of the Indirect Transfer, and if the tax authority considers that the foreign investor has adopted an “abusive arrangement” in order to avoid PRC tax, it may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company and re-characterize the Indirect Transfer

On February 3, 2015, the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Several Issues Concerning the Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Property Transfer by Non-resident Enterprises, or SAT Bulletin 7, to supersede the provisions in relation to the Indirect Transfer as set forth in Circular 698. SAT Bulletin 7 introduces a new tax regime that is significantly different from that under Circular 698 and extends its tax jurisdiction to capture not only Indirect Transfer as set forth under Circular 698 but also transactions involving transfer of immovable property in China and assets held under the establishment and place in China of a foreign company through the offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. SAT Bulletin 7 also addresses transfer of the equity interest in a foreign intermediate holding company widely. In addition, SAT Bulletin 7 provides clearer criteria than Circular 698 on how to assess reasonable commercial purposes and introduces safe harbor scenarios applicable to internal group restructurings. However, it also brings challenges to both the foreign transferor and transferee of the Indirect Transfer as set forth in Circular 698 as they have to make self-assessment on whether the transaction should be subject to PRC tax and to file or withhold the PRC tax accordingly.

On October 17, 2017, the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Non-resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, or SAT Bulletin 37, which came into effect and superseded the Non-resident Enterprises Measures and Circular 698 on December 1, 2017. The SAT Bulletin 37 further clarifies the practice and procedure of the withholding of non-resident enterprise income tax.

Value-Added Tax and Business Tax

Pursuant to applicable PRC tax regulations, any entity or individual conducting business in the service industry was generally required to pay a business tax at the rate of 5% on the revenues generated from providing such services. However, if the services provided are related to technology development and transfer, such business tax may be exempted subject to approval by the relevant tax authorities. Whereas, pursuant to the Provisional Regulations on PRC Value-Added Tax and its implementation regulations, unless otherwise specified by relevant laws and regulations, any entity or individual engaged in the sales of goods, provision of processing, repairs and replacement services and importation of goods into China is generally required to pay a value-added tax, or VAT, for revenues generated from sales of products, while qualified input VAT paid on taxable purchase can be offset against such output VAT.

In November 2011, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation promulgated the Pilot Plan for Imposition of Value-Added Tax to Replace Business Tax. In March 2016, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation further promulgated the Notice on Fully Promoting the Pilot Plan for Replacing Business Tax by Value-Added Tax, which became effective on May 1, 2016. Pursuant to the pilot plan and relevant notices, VAT is generally imposed in lieu of business tax in the modern service industries, including the value-added telecommunications services, on a nationwide basis. VAT of a rate of 6% applies to revenue derived from the provision of some modern services and VAT of a rate of 3% applies to small-scale taxpayer. Unlike business tax, a general VAT taxpayer is allowed to offset the qualified input VAT paid on taxable purchases against the output VAT chargeable on the modern services provided.

Regulation Related to M&A and Overseas Listings

On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the MOFCOM, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the SAT, the SAIC (currently known as the State Administration for Market Regulation of the PRC, or the SAMR), the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC, and

 

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the SAFE, jointly issued the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, which became effective on September 8, 2006 and was amended on June 22, 2009. The M&A Rules, among other things, require that (i) PRC entities or individuals obtain MOFCOM approval before they establish or control an SPV overseas, provided that they intend to use the SPV to acquire their equity interests in a PRC company at the consideration of newly issued share of the SPV, or Share Swap, and list their equity interests in the PRC company overseas by listing the SPV in an overseas market; (ii) the SPV obtains MOFCOM’s approval before it acquires the equity interests held by the PRC entities or PRC individual in the PRC company by Share Swap; and (iii) the SPV obtains CSRC approval before it lists overseas. Our PRC legal counsel, Tian Yuan Law Firm, has advised us that, based on its understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations, we will not be required to submit an application to the CSRC for the approval of the listing and trading of our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange. However, our PRC legal counsel has further advised us that there remains some uncertainties as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted or implemented in the context of an overseas offering, and its opinions summarized above are subject to any new laws, rules and regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to The ADSs and This Offering—The approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission may be required in connection with this offering under PRC law.”

The Anti-Monopoly Law promulgated by the SCNPC on August 30, 2007 and effective on August 1, 2008 requires that transactions which are deemed concentrations and involve parties with specified turnover thresholds must be cleared by MOFCOM before they can be completed. In addition, on February 3, 2011, the General Office of the State Council promulgated a Notice on Establishing the Security Review System for Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or Circular 6, which officially established a security review system for mergers and acquisitions of domestic enterprises by foreign investors. Further, on August 25, 2011, MOFCOM promulgated the Regulations on Implementation of Security Review System for the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the MOFCOM Security Review Regulations, which became effective on September 1, 2011, to implement Circular 6. Under Circular 6, a security review is required for mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors having “national defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions by which foreign investors may acquire the “de facto control” of domestic enterprises with “national security” concerns. Under the MOFCOM Security Review Regulations, MOFCOM will focus on the substance and actual impact of the transaction when deciding whether a specific merger or acquisition is subject to security review. If MOFCOM decides that a specific merger or acquisition is subject to security review, it will submit it to the Inter-Ministerial Panel, an authority established under the Circular 6 led by the NDRC, and MOFCOM under the leadership of the State Council, to carry out the security review. The regulations prohibit foreign investors from bypassing the security review by structuring transactions through trusts, indirect investments, leases, loans, control through contractual arrangements or offshore transactions. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.”

 

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M ANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth information regarding our directors and executive officers as of the date of this prospectus.

 

Directors and Executive Officers

   Age     

Position/Title

Larry Xiangdong Chen

     47      Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer

Zhen Zhang

     42      Director†

Huaiting Zhang

     41      Director and Vice President†

Xin Fan

     40      Independent Director Appointee*

Yiming Hu

     46      Independent Director Appointee*

Ming Liao

     47      Independent Director Appointee*

Xiuping Qi

     41      Vice President

Wei Liu

     33      Vice President

Nan Shen

     34      Chief Financial Officer

 

Zhen Zhang and Huaiting Zhang will resign from our board of directors, effective upon the SEC’s declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1 of which this prospectus is a part.

*

Xin Fan, Yiming Hu and Ming Liao have accepted appointments to be our independent directors, effective upon the SEC’s declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1 of which this prospectus is a part.

Mr.  Larry Xiangdong Chen is our founder and has served as the chairman of our board of directors and our chief executive officer since August 2014. Prior to founding our company, Mr. Chen served as the executive president of New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. (NYSE: EDU), or New Oriental Education, from November 2010 to January 2014. Mr. Chen joined New Oriental in 1999. He was promoted to be senior vice president in January 2006, and from 2001 to January 2002 he served as executive assistant to the chief executive officer of New Oriental Education. From 2002 to 2003, Mr. Chen was the president of Wuhan New Oriental School. Mr. Chen was promoted to vice president in September 2003, and in this capacity was in charge of a number of departments at New Oriental Education’s headquarters, including its short-term training system, human resources, marketing and public relations and business development. Mr. Chen received his master’s and Ph.D. degrees in economics from Renmin University of China. Mr. Chen completed the General Manager Program at Harvard Business School in 2005.

Mr.  Zhen Zhang has served as our director since June 2015. He also serves as a director of Pinduoduo Inc. (Nasdaq: PDD). Mr. Zhang is one of the founders of Gaorong Capital and has served as its partner since 2014. Mr. Zhang focuses on investments in the technology, media and telecommunications sector and has extensive experience in helping early to growth stage companies develop their business. Prior to founding Gaorong Capital, Mr. Zhang worked at IDG Capital Partners from 2002 to 2013 and was a partner and a member of the investment committee at IDG Capital Partners. Mr. Zhang received his dual bachelor’s degree in engineering and law in 1998 and 1999, respectively, and his master’s degree in management in 2002 from Tsinghua University.

Mr.  Huaiting Zhang is our vice president, and has served as our director since June 2015. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Zhang served as a senior manager at Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. from August 2005 to May 2014. Before that, he was a software engineer at Yonyou Software Co., Ltd. from April 2003 to July 2005. Mr. Zhang received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science from University of Science and Technology Beijing in 2000 and 2003, respectively.

Mr. Xin Fan will serve as our director starting from the SEC’s declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1 of which this prospectus is a part. Mr. Fan has served as the chief financial officer of Bilibili Inc. (Nasdaq: BILI) since September 2017. Prior to that, Mr. Fan served as Bilibili’s vice president of finance since April 2016. Before joining Bilibili, Mr. Fan served as a finance director at NetEase

 

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(Nasdaq: NTES) from 2011 to 2016. Prior to 2011, Mr. Fan held various positions at KPMG Huazhen for an aggregate of eight years and served as a senior manager there from 2008 to 2011. Mr. Fan received his bachelor’s degree in international accounting from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics in 2001. Mr. Fan is a regular member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a certified public accountant in China. He also holds licenses as chartered global management accountant and chartered certified accountant in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Yiming Hu will serve as our director starting from the SEC’s declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1 of which this prospectus is a part. Mr. Hu has served as the chairman of the board of directors of Dongfang Beidou Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., a provider of navigation and positions products, since April 2018, and has been responsible for its strategic planning, organization and implementation. From March 2006 to May 2016, Mr. Hu held various positions at Ping An Trust Co., Ltd., including serving as project manager, general manager of the Beijing branch, and general manager of the private wealth division. Before joining Ping An Trust, Mr. Hu was a researcher at the Beijing Center for International Economic Research from July 1998 to March 2006, responsible for domestic and foreign macroeconomic tracking, analysis and research. Mr. Hu received his bachelor’s degree in political science and law from Xinyang Normal College in 1993 and his master’s degree in international economics from Renmin University of China in 1998.

Mr. Ming Liao will serve as our director starting from the SEC’s declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1 of which this prospectus is a part. Mr. Liao has been a founding partner and director of Prospect Avenue Capital, a late-stage private equity fund manager focusing on the internet industry, since July 2016. From February 2014 to February 2015, Mr. Liao served as the chief representative of UBS AG’s Beijing representative office, working at its investment banking division. Prior to joining UBS, Mr. Liao was a director at the investment banking division of Barclays Capital Asia from May 2011 to March 2013. Before Barclays, Mr. Liao was a vice president at The Carlyle Group’s investor relations division from September 2008 to May 2011, responsible for fund raising in China. Prior to joining Carlyle, Mr. Liao was a vice president in the investment banking division of Morgan Stanley Asia from August 2006 to August 2008. Mr. Liao received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Renmin University of China in 1995, and his master’s degree in public affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University in 2000.

Mr.  Xiuping Qi has served as our vice president since May 2016. Mr. Qi has extensive experience in technology and internet sectors. Prior to joining us, Mr. Qi was a co-founder and General Manager of the artificial intelligence accommodation department at Qunar.com from April 2014 to May 2016. Before that, Mr. Qi worked at Alibaba.com from November 2002 to April 2014 as the general manager of its International Core Business Unit, responsible for regional daily operation management in Northern China. Prior to joining Alibaba, Mr. Qi was a manager at Qingdao Yellow River Electronic Ltd. and China.com from 1998 to 2002. Mr. Qi received his bachelor’s degree in applied electronics technology from Qingdao University in 1998 and his executive MBA from Tsinghua University in 2017.

Mr.  Wei Liu has served as our vice president since November 2018. Mr. Liu joined us in August 2015. Prior to joining us, Mr. Liu served as a manager at Sohu Video, the online video platform of Sohu.com Ltd. (Nasdaq: SOHU), where he was responsible for business strategy, planning, management, and research and development from October 2012 to July 2015. Before that, Mr. Liu was an analyst at Accenture, a global management consulting and professional services firm that provides strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations services, from July 2010 to September 2012. Mr. Liu received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and automation from Beijing Technology and Business University in 2006 and his master’s degree in computer science from University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2010.

Ms.  Nan Shen has served as our chief financial officer since December 2018. Prior to joining us, Ms. Shen was the chief financial officer of China Sinoedu Co., Ltd. from November 2017 to November 2018. Before that, Ms. Shen served multiple positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers between February 2012 to November 2017, including the last position as assurance manager. From September 2014 to July 2016, she was based in the Great

 

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Michigan office of PricewaterhouseCoopers. Prior to February 2012, Ms. Shen was an investment manager of Dalian Port & Shipping Industry Fund, where she was also in charge of investor relations management. Ms. Shen received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in financial management from Dongbei University of Finance and Economics in 2006 and 2009, respectively. Ms. Shen is a certified public accountant in China.

Board of Directors

Our board of directors will consist of four directors upon the SEC’s declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1 of which this prospectus is a part. A director is not required to hold any shares in our company by way of qualification. A director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with our company is required to declare the nature of his or her interest at a meeting of our directors. A director may vote with respect to any contract, proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he or she may be interested therein, and if he or she does so his or her vote shall be counted and he or she may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of our directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement is considered. Our directors may exercise all the powers of our company to borrow money, mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital, and to issue debentures or other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of our company or of any third-party. None of our non-executive directors has a service contract with us that provides for benefits upon termination of service.

Committees of the Board of Directors

We will establish three committees under the board of directors immediately upon the effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1, of which this prospectus is a part: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. We will adopt a charter for each of the three committees. Each committee’s members and functions are described below.

Audit Committee . Our audit committee will consist of Xin Fan, Yiming Hu and Ming Liao. Xin Fan will be the chairman of our audit committee. We have determined that Xin Fan, Yiming Hu and Ming Liao satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. We have determined that Xin Fan qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert.” The audit committee will oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

   

appointing the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors;

 

   

reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;

 

   

discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors;

 

   

reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal control policies and procedures and any steps taken to monitor and control major financial risk exposures;

 

   

reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions;

 

   

meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent auditors; and

 

   

monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance.

Compensation Committee . Our compensation committee will consist of Xin Fan, Yiming Hu and Ming Liao. Yiming Hu will be the chairman of our compensation committee. We have determined that Xin Fan, Yiming Hu and Ming Liao satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the

 

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New York Stock Exchange. The compensation committee will assist the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our directors and executive officers. Our chief executive officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

   

reviewing and approving, or recommending to the board for its approval, the compensation for our chief executive officer and other executive officers;

 

   

reviewing and recommending to the board for determination with respect to the compensation of our non-employee directors;

 

   

reviewing periodically and approving any incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements; and

 

   

selecting compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to that person’s independence from management.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee . Our nominating and corporate governance committee will consist of Xin Fan, Yiming Hu and Ming Liao. Ming Liao will be the chairman of our nominating and corporate governance committee. Xin Fan, Yiming Hu and Ming Liao satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The nominating and corporate governance committee will assist the board of directors in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

   

selecting and recommending to the board nominees for election by the shareholders or appointment by the board;

 

   

reviewing annually with the board the current composition of the board with regards to characteristics such as independence, knowledge, skills, experience and diversity;

 

   

making recommendations on the frequency and structure of board meetings and monitoring the functioning of the committees of the board; and

 

   

advising the board periodically with regards to significant developments in the law and practice of corporate governance as well as our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and making recommendations to the board on all matters of corporate governance and on any remedial action to be taken.

Duties of Directors

Under Cayman Islands law, our directors owe fiduciary duties to our company, including a duty of loyalty, a duty to act honestly, and a duty to act in what they consider in good faith to be in our best interests. Our directors must also exercise their powers only for a proper purpose. Our directors also owe to our company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his or her duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his or her knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, and the class rights vested thereunder in the holders of the shares. In certain limited exceptional circumstances, a shareholder may have the right to seek damages in our name if a duty owed by our directors is breached.

Our board of directors has all the powers necessary for managing, and for directing and supervising, our business affairs. The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:

 

   

convening shareholders’ annual and extraordinary general meetings and reporting its work to shareholders at such meetings;

 

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declaring dividends and distributions;

 

   

appointing officers and determining the term of office of the officers;

 

   

exercising the borrowing powers of our company and mortgaging the property of our company; and

 

   

approving the transfer of shares in our company, including the registration of such shares in our share register.

Terms of Directors and Officers

Our directors may be elected by a resolution of our board of directors, or by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. The service of our independent directors may be terminated by the director or by us with a 30-day advance written notice or such other shorter period of notice as mutually agreed. A director will cease to be a director if, among other things, the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; (ii) dies or is found by our company to be or becomes of unsound mind, (iii) resigns his or her office by notice in writing to our company, or (iv) without special leave of absence from our board, is absent from three consecutive board meetings and our directors resolve that his or her office be vacated.

Our officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of our board of directors.

Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. Under these agreements, each of our executive officers is employed for a specified time period. We may terminate employment for cause, at any time, without advance notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the executive officer, such as conviction or plea of guilty to a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, negligent or dishonest acts to our detriment, or misconduct or a failure to perform agreed duties. We may also terminate an executive officer’s employment without cause upon three-month advance written notice. In such case of termination by us, we will provide severance payments to the executive officer as expressly required by applicable law of the jurisdiction where the executive officer is based. The executive officer may resign at any time with a three-month advance written notice.

Each executive officer has agreed to hold, both during and after the termination or expiry of his or her employment agreement, in strict confidence and not to use, except as required in the performance of his or her duties in connection with the employment or pursuant to applicable law, any of our confidential information or trade secrets, any confidential information or trade secrets of our clients or prospective clients, or the confidential or proprietary information of any third-party received by us and for which we have confidential obligations. The executive officers have also agreed to disclose in confidence to us all inventions, designs and trade secrets which they conceive, develop or reduce to practice during the executive officer’s employment with us and to assign all right, title and interest in them to us, and assist us in obtaining and enforcing patents, copyrights and other legal rights for these inventions, designs and trade secrets.

In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound by non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions during the term of his or her employment and typically for one year following the last date of employment. Specifically, each executive officer has agreed not to (i) approach our suppliers, clients, customers or contacts or other persons or entities introduced to the executive officer in his or her capacity as a representative of us for the purpose of doing business with such persons or entities that will harm our business relationships with these persons or entities; (ii) assume employment with or provide services to any of our competitors, or engage, whether as principal, partner, licensor or otherwise, any of our competitors, without our express consent; or (iii) seek directly or indirectly, to solicit the services of any of our employees who is employed by us on or after the date of the executive officer’s termination, or in the year preceding such termination, without our express consent.

 

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We have also entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Under these agreements, we agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being a director or officer of our company.

Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers

For the year ended December 31, 2018, we paid an aggregate of RMB1.2 million (US$0.2 million) in cash to our executive officers, and we did not pay any compensation to our non-executive directors. We have not set aside or accrued any amount to provide pension, retirement or other similar benefits to our directors and executive officers. Our PRC subsidiary and our VIE are required by law to make contributions equal to certain percentages of each employee’s salary for his or her pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance and other statutory benefits and a housing provident fund.

Share Incentive Plan

In March 2019, our shareholders and board of directors adopted the Share Incentive Plan, which we refer to as the Plan in this prospectus, to attract and retain the best available personnel, provide additional incentives to employees, directors and consultants, and promote the success of our business. The maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares that may be issued pursuant to all awards under the Plan is 28,400,000 shares. The shares reserved may be increased automatically if and whenever the unissued shares reserved accounts for less than one percent (1%) of the total then issued and outstanding shares, so that after the increase, the shares unissued and reserved under the Plan immediately after each such increase shall equal to 5% of the then issued and outstanding shares. As of the date of this prospectus, 10,850,475 options have been granted and are outstanding, excluding awards that were exercised, forfeited or canceled after the relevant grant dates.

The following paragraphs describe the principal terms of the Plan.

Type of Awards . The Plan permits the awards of options, restricted share units and restricted shares.

Plan Administration . Our board of directors or a committee appointed by the board of directors will administer the Plan. The committee or the board of directors, as applicable, will determine the participants to receive awards, the fair market value and number of shares covered by the awards to be granted to each participant, and the terms and conditions of each award granted.

Award Agreement . Awards granted under the Plan are evidenced by an award agreement that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each award, which may include the term of the award, restrictions on transfer of the award, and the provisions applicable in the event that the grantee’s employment or service terminates.

Eligibility . We may grant awards to our employees, directors and consultants.

Vesting Schedule . In general, the plan administrator determines the vesting schedule, which is specified in the relevant award agreement.

Exercise of Awards . The plan administrator determines the exercise or purchase price, as applicable, for each award, which is stated in the relevant award agreement. Options that are vested and exercisable will terminate if they are not exercised prior to the time as the plan administrator determines at the time of grant. However, the maximum exercisable term is 10 years from the date of grant.

Transfer Restrictions . Awards may not be transferred in any manner by the participant other than in accordance with the exceptions provided in the Plan or the relevant award agreement or otherwise determined by the plan administrator, such as transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

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Termination and Amendment of the Plan . Unless terminated earlier, the Plan has a term of 10 years. Our board of directors has the authority to terminate, amend, suspend or modify the Plan, subject to shareholder approval to the extent necessary to comply with applicable law. However, without the prior written consent of the participant, no such action may adversely affect in any material way any outstanding award previously granted pursuant to the Plan.

The following table summarizes, as of the date of this prospectus, the outstanding awards granted under the Plan to our directors and executive officers, excluding awards that were exercised, forfeited or canceled after the relevant grant dates.

 

Name

   Number of Ordinary
Shares Underlying
Options
     Exercise Price
(RMB/Share)
    

Date of Grant

  

Date of Expiration

Xiuping Qi

     *        0.01      December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2018    December 31, 2026 and December 31, 2028

Wei Liu

     *        0.01      December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2018    December 31, 2026 and December 31, 2028

Nan Shen

     *        0.01      December 31, 2018    December 31, 2028
  

 

 

          

Total

     2,020,000           
  

 

 

          

 

Note:

*

Aggregate number of shares represented by all grants of options to the person accounts for less than 1% of our total ordinary shares on an as-converted basis outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.

As of the date of this prospectus, our employees other than members of our directors and officers as a group held 8,830,475 outstanding options with an exercise price of RMB0.01.

 

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P RINCIPAL S HAREHOLDERS

Except as specifically noted, the following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares on an as-converted basis as of the date of this prospectus by:

 

   

each of our directors and executive officers; and

 

   

each of our principal shareholders who beneficially own more than 5% of our total outstanding shares.

The calculations in the table below are based on 143,450,000 ordinary shares outstanding on an as-converted basis as of the date of this prospectus, and            Class A ordinary shares and 73,305,288 Class B ordinary shares outstanding immediately after the completion of this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we have included shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days, including through the exercise of any option, warrant or other right or the conversion of any other security. These shares, however, are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person.

 

    Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned
Prior to This
Offering
    Class A Ordinary
Shares
Beneficially
Owned After

This Offering
    Class B Ordinary
Shares
Beneficially
Owned After

This Offering
    Voting
Power

After This
Offering***
 
    Number     %     Number     %     Number     %     %  

Directors and Executive Officers**:

             

Larry Xiangdong Chen (1)

    73,305,288       51.1          

Zhen Zhang† (2)

    —         —              

Huaiting Zhang† (3)

    9,678,125       6.7          

Xin Fan†† (4)

    —         —              

Yiming Hu†† (5)

    —         —              

Ming Liao†† (6)

    —         —              

Xiuping Qi (7)

    1,714,560       1.2          

Wei Liu

    *       *            

Nan Shen

    *       *            

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group

    85,975,533       59.9          

Principal Shareholders:

             

Ebetter International Group Limited (1)

    73,305,288       51.1          

Origin Beyond Limited (8)

    20,019,036       14.0          

Huaiting Zhang (3)

    9,678,125       6.7          

Banyan Partners Fund II, L.P. (9)

    9,375,000       6.5          

 

Notes:

*

Aggregate number of shares accounts for less than 1% of our total ordinary shares on an as-converted basis outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.

**

Except as indicated otherwise below, the business address of our directors and executive officers is Tower C, Beyondsoft Building, 7 East Zone, 10 Xibeiwang East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, People’s Republic of China.

***

For each person or group included in this column, percentage of total voting power represents voting power based on both Class A and Class B ordinary shares held by such person or group with respect to all of our outstanding Class A and Class B ordinary shares as a single class. Each holder of our Class A ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per share. Each holder of our Class B ordinary shares is entitled to ten votes per share. Our Class B ordinary shares are convertible at any time by the holder into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis, while Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances.

Zhen Zhang and Huaiting Zhang will resign from our board of directors, effective upon the SEC’s declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1 of which this prospectus is a part.

 

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††

Xin Fan, Yiming Hu and Ming Liao have accepted appointments to be independent directors of our company, effective upon the SEC’s declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1 of which this prospectus is a part.

(1)

The number of ordinary shares beneficially owned prior to this offering represents 67,213,280 ordinary shares and 6,092,008 preferred shares held by Ebetter International Group Limited, a British Virgin Islands company. Ebetter International Group Limited is ultimately owned by The Better Learner Trust, a trust established under the laws of the Cayman Islands and managed by Cantrust (Far East) Limited as the trustee. Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen is the settlor of this trust, and Mr. Chen and his family members are the trust’s beneficiaries. Under the terms of this trust, Mr. Chen has the power to direct the trustee with respect to the retention or disposal of, and the exercise of any voting and other rights attached to, the shares held by Ebetter International Group Limited in our company. Mr. Chen is the sole director of Ebetter International Group Limited. The registered address of Ebetter International Group Limited is OMC Chambers, Wickhams Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. All the ordinary shares and preferred shares held by Ebetter International Group Limited will be re-designated and reclassified as, or converted into, as the case may be, Class B ordinary shares immediately prior to the completion of this offering.

(2)

The business address of Mr. Zhen Zhang is Room 4101, Radiance Jinhui, Qiyang Road, Wangjing, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China.

(3)

The number of ordinary shares beneficially owned prior to this offering represents 9,000,000 ordinary shares and 678,125 preferred shares held by BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company beneficially owned by five of our employees, including Mr. Huaiting Zhang. BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd. holds 18,925,000 ordinary shares and 1,054,837 preferred shares in our company, representing 13.9% of our total ordinary shares on an as-converted basis outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. Five of our employees beneficially own all of the shares in BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd., with Mr. Huaiting Zhang beneficially owning approximately 48.4% of the shares in BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd. Mr. Huaiting Zhang disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd. in our company, except to the extent of his pecuniary interests therein. The registered address of BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd. is OMC Chambers, Wickhams Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. All the ordinary shares and preferred shares held by BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd. will be re-designated and reclassified as, or converted into, as the case may be, Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to the completion of this offering.

(4)

The business address of Xin Fan is c/o Shanghai Hode Information Technology Co., Ltd., Building 3, Guozheng Center, No. 485 Zhengli Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.

(5)

The business address of Yiming Hu is 908, Block A, West Four Ring, Haidian District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China.

(6)

The business address of Ming Liao is 22F01, Tower 2, Lippo Centre, 89 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong.

(7)

The number of ordinary shares beneficially owned prior to this offering represents 1,714,560 ordinary shares held by Irefresh Future Limited, a British Virgin Islands company. Irefresh Future Limited is ultimately owned by Irefresh Future Trust, a trust established under a trust deed between us and Maples Trustee Services (Cayman) Limited as trustee. The trust’s participants and beneficiaries are our employees who transferred shares of our company beneficially owned by them to the trust to be held for their benefit. The trust deed provides that the trustee shall not exercise the voting rights attached to the shares held by Irefresh Future Limited in our company unless otherwise directed by the trust administrator, which is an advisory committee consisting of authorized representatives of our company, including Mr. Xiuping Qi, Mr. Wei Liu and Ms. Nan Shen, each of whom is an officer of our company. The registered address of Irefresh Future Limited is at the offices of Maples Corporate Services (BVI) Limited, Kingston Chambers, PO Box 173, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. All the ordinary shares held by Irefresh Future Limited will be re-designated and reclassified as Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to the completion of this offering.

(8)

The number of ordinary shares beneficially owned prior to this offering represents 17,694,598 ordinary shares and 2,324,438 preferred shares held by Origin Beyond Limited, a British Virgin Islands company. Origin Beyond Limited is ultimately owned by Origin Beyond Trust, a trust established under a trust deed between us and Maples Trustee Services (Cayman) Limited as trustee. The trust’s participants and beneficiaries are our employees who transferred shares of our company beneficially owned by them to the trust to be held for their benefit. The trust deed provides that the trustee shall not exercise the voting rights attached to the shares held by Origin Beyond Limited in our company unless otherwise directed by the trust administrator, which is an advisory committee consisting of authorized representatives of our company, including Mr. Tong Liu, Ms. Yan Liu and Mr. Zihui Feng, each of whom is an employee of our company. The registered address of Origin Beyond Limited is at the offices of Maples Corporate Services (BVI) Limited, Kingston Chambers, PO Box 173, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. All the ordinary shares and preferred shares held by Origin Beyond Limited will be re-designated and reclassified as, or converted into, as the case may be, Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to the completion of this offering.

(9)

The number of ordinary shares beneficially owned prior to this offering represents 9,375,000 preferred shares held by Banyan Partners Fund II, L.P., an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The general partner of Banyan Partners Fund II, L.P. is Banyan Partners II Ltd., a Cayman Islands company. Messrs. Zhen Zhang, Bin Yue and Xiang Gao are the shareholders of Banyan Partners II Ltd. The registered address of Banyan Partners Fund II, L.P. is Intertrust Corporate Services (Cayman) Limited, 190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9005, Cayman Islands. All the ordinary shares and preferred shares held by Banyan Partners Fund II, L.P. will be re-designated and reclassified as, or converted into, as the case may be, Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to the completion of this offering.

As of the date of this prospectus, none of our ordinary shares or preferred shares are held by record holders in the United States.

None of our shareholders has informed us that it is affiliated with a FINRA member.

We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company.

 

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R ELATED P ARTY T RANSACTIONS

Contractual Arrangements with Our VIE and its Shareholders

See “Corporate History and Structure.”

Shareholders Agreement

See “Description of Share Capital—History of Securities Issuances.”

Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements

See “Management—Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements.”

Share Incentive Plan

See “Management—Share Incentive Plan.”

Transactions with Our Chief Executive Officer and Related Entities

Amount due to Our Chief Executive Officer . As of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and March 31, 2019, we had amounts of RMB64.5 million, RMB35.3 million (US$5.3 million) and RMB34.0 million (US$5.1 million), respectively, due to Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen, our chief executive officer and chairman of our board of directors, representing the outstanding balance of loan extended by Mr. Chen in 2017 to us.

Transactions with Anhui Wanxin Genshuixue Education Technology Co., Ltd. Anhui Wanxin Genshuixue Education Technology Co., Ltd., or Wanxin Genshuixue, is an investee company of ours and operates a learning service platform. We had amounts due to Wanxin Genshuixue of RMB0.1 million and nil as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively, representing product revenues that we collected on behalf of Wanxin Genshuixue.

Transactions with Beijing Youlian Global Education Technology Co., Ltd. Beijing Youlian Global Education Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing Youlian, is an investee company of ours. We had amounts due from Beijing Youlian of RMB0.2 million, RMB0.7 million (US$0.1 million) and nil as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and March 31, 2019, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 and the three months ended March 31, 2019, we provided technical services to Beijing Youlian amounting to RMB1.5 million, RMB4.7 million and RMB0.3 million, respectively. We received advertising service provided by Beijing Youlian amounting to RMB0.03 million, RMB2.1 million and RMB2.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 and the three months ended March 31, 2019, respectively.

Transactions with Shanghai Jinyou Education Technology Co., Ltd. Shanghai Jinyou Education Technology Co., Ltd., or Shanghai Jinyou, is an investee company of ours that provides financial and economics education services in the PRC. On January 31, 2018, our company became the sole shareholder of Shanghai Jinyou. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, we had amounts due from Shanghai Jinyou of RMB1.8 million and nil, respectively, representing our loan to Shanghai Jinyou to support its operations.

 

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D ESCRIPTION OF S HARE C APITAL

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated with limited liability and our affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, which we refer to as the Companies Law below, and the common law of the Cayman Islands.

As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized share capital is US$50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares, comprising of (i) 464,374,998 ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each; (ii) 4,375,000 Series A-0 preferred shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each; (iii) 5,305,064 Series A-1 preferred shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each; (iv) 10,319,938 Series A-2 preferred shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each; and (v) 15,625,000 Series A-3 preferred shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each.

As of the date of this prospectus, (i) 107,824,998 ordinary shares; (ii) 4,375,000 Series A-0 preferred shares; (iii) 5,305,064 Series A-1 preferred shares; (iv) 10,319,938 Series A-2 preferred shares; and (v) 15,625,000 Series A-3 preferred shares are issued and outstanding. All of our issued and outstanding shares are fully paid.

Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, our authorized share capital will be changed into US$100,000 divided into 1,000,000,000 shares comprising of (i) 800,000,000 Class A ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each, (ii) 100,000,000 Class B ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.0001, and (iii) 100,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the board of directors may determine in accordance with our post-offering memorandum and articles of association. Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, all of our issued and outstanding preferred shares and ordinary shares will be converted into, and/or re-designated and re-classified, as Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis, save and except that the 73,305,288 shares held by Ebetter International Group Limited and beneficially owned by Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen, our founder, chairman of board of directors and chief executive officer, will be converted into, and/or re-designated and re-classified as, Class B ordinary shares. Following such conversion and/or re-designation, we will have             Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding and 73,305,288 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding, assuming the underwriters do not exercise the option to purchase additional ADSs. All of our shares issued and outstanding prior to the completion of the offering are and will be fully paid, and all of our shares to be issued in the offering will be issued as fully paid.

Our Post-Offering Memorandum and Articles of Association

Our shareholders have conditionally adopted a third amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which will become effective and replace our current second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association in its entirety immediately prior to the completion of this offering. The following are summaries of material provisions of the post-offering memorandum and articles of association and of the Companies Law, insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.

Objects of Our Company . Under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association, the objects of our company are unrestricted and we have the full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Cayman Islands law.

Ordinary Shares . Our ordinary shares are divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Holders of our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. Our ordinary shares are issued in registered form and are issued when registered in our register of members (shareholders). We may not issue shares to bearer. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their shares.

Conversion. Class B ordinary shares may be converted into the same number of Class A ordinary shares by the holders thereof at any time, while Class A ordinary shares cannot be converted into Class B ordinary shares

 

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under any circumstances. Upon any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of Class B ordinary shares by a holder thereof to any person other than holders of Class B ordinary shares or their affiliates, such Class B ordinary shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into the same number of Class A ordinary shares.

Dividends . The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors or declared by our shareholders by ordinary resolution (provided that no dividend may be declared by our shareholders which exceeds the amount recommended by our directors). Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association provide that dividends may be declared and paid out of our profits, realized or unrealized, or from any reserve set aside from profits which our board of directors determine is no longer needed. Under the laws of the Cayman Islands, our company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business.

Voting Rights . Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares shall, at all times, vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote by the members at any general meeting of the Company. Each Class A ordinary share shall be entitled to one vote on all matters subject to the vote at general meetings of our company, and each Class B ordinary share shall be entitled to ten votes on all matters subject to the vote at general meetings of our company. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or any one shareholder present in person or by proxy.

An ordinary resolution to be passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast at a meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast attaching to the outstanding ordinary shares at a meeting. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our post-offering memorandum and articles of association. Our shareholders may, among other things, divide or combine their shares by ordinary resolution.

General Meetings of Shareholders . As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association provide that we may (but are not obliged to) in each year hold a general meeting as our annual general meeting in which case we shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it, and the annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by our directors.

Shareholders’ general meetings may be convened by a majority of our board of directors. Advance notice of at least ten days is required for the convening of our annual general shareholders’ meeting (if any) and any other general meeting of our shareholders. A quorum required for any general meeting of shareholders consists of at least one shareholder present or by proxy, representing not less than one-third of all votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares in our company entitled to vote at general meeting.

The Companies Law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association provide that upon the requisition of any one or more of our shareholders who together hold shares which carry in aggregate not less than one-third of all votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares of our company entitled to vote at general meetings, our board will convene an extraordinary general meeting and put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting. However, our post-offering memorandum and articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders.

Transfer of Ordinary Shares . Subject to the restrictions set out in our post-offering memorandum and articles of association as set out below, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary

 

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shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board of directors.

Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share which is not fully paid up or on which we have a lien. Our board of directors may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless:

 

   

the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the ordinary shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;

 

   

the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of ordinary shares;

 

   

the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;

 

   

in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the ordinary share is to be transferred does not exceed four; and

 

   

a fee of such maximum sum as the New York Stock Exchange may determine to be payable or such lesser sum as our directors may from time to time require is paid to us in respect thereof.

If our directors refuse to register a transfer they shall, within three months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.

The registration of transfers may, after compliance with any notice required of the New York Stock Exchange, be suspended and the register closed at such times and for such periods as our board of directors may from time to time determine, provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor the register closed for more than 30 days in any year as our board may determine.

Liquidation . On the winding up of our company, if the assets available for distribution amongst our shareholders shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up, subject to a deduction from those shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to our company for unpaid calls or otherwise. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them.

Calls on Shares and Forfeiture of Shares . Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 days prior to the specified time and place of payment. The shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.

Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Shares . We may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders of these shares, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined by either our board of directors or by a special resolution of our shareholders. Our company may also repurchase any of our shares on such terms and in such manner as have been approved by our board of directors or by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. Under the Companies Law, the redemption or repurchase of any share may be paid out of our Company’s profits or out of the proceeds of a new issue of shares made for the purpose of such redemption or repurchase, or out of capital (including share premium account and capital redemption reserve) if our company can, immediately following such payment, pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, under the Companies Law no such share may be redeemed or repurchased (a) unless it is fully paid up, (b) if such redemption or repurchase would result in there being no shares outstanding or (c) if the company has commenced liquidation. In addition, our company may accept the surrender of any fully paid share for no consideration.

 

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Variations of Rights of Shares . If at any time, our share capital is divided into different classes or series of shares, the rights attached to any class or series of shares (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class or series), whether or not our company is being wound-up, may be varied with the consent in writing of all the holders of the issued shares of that class or series or with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of the class or series. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with such existing class of shares.

Issuance of Additional Shares . Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association authorize our board of directors to issue additional ordinary shares from time to time as our board of directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.

Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association also authorize our board of directors to establish from time to time one or more series of preference shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preference shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:

 

   

the designation of the series;

 

   

the number of shares of the series;

 

   

the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights; and

 

   

the rights and terms of redemption and liquidation preferences.

Our board of directors may issue preference shares without action by our shareholders to the extent authorized but unissued. Issuance of these shares may dilute the voting power of holders of ordinary shares.

Inspection of Books and Records . Holders of our ordinary shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records. However, we will provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Anti-Takeover Provisions . Some provisions of our post-offering memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that:

 

   

authorize our board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders; and

 

   

limit the ability of shareholders to requisition and convene general meetings of shareholders.

However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.

Exempted Company . We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Law. The Companies Law distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except that an exempted company:

 

   

does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies;

 

   

is not required to open its register of members for inspection;

 

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does not have to hold an annual general meeting;

 

   

may issue negotiable or bearer shares or shares with no par value;

 

   

may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance);

 

   

may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;

 

   

may register as a limited duration company; and

 

   

may register as a segregated portfolio company.

“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).

Differences in Corporate Law

The Companies Law is derived, to a large extent, from the older Companies Acts of England but does not follow recent English statutory enactments and accordingly there are significant differences between the Companies Law and the current Companies Act of England. In addition, the Companies Law differs from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of certain significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.

Mergers and Similar Arrangements . The Companies Law permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies. For these purposes, (i) “merger” means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertaking, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company, and (ii) a “consolidation” means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a consolidated company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies to the consolidated company. In order to effect such a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by (a) a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company, and (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association. The written plan of merger or consolidation must be filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a list of the assets and liabilities of each constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members and creditors of each constituent company and that notification of the merger or consolidation will be published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation which is effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.

A merger between a Cayman parent company and its Cayman subsidiary or subsidiaries does not require authorization by a resolution of shareholders of that Cayman subsidiary if a copy of the plan of merger is given to every member of that Cayman subsidiary to be merged unless that member agrees otherwise. For this purpose a company is a “parent” of a subsidiary if it holds issued shares that together represent at least ninety percent (90%) of the votes at a general meeting of the subsidiary.

The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest over a constituent company is required unless this requirement is waived by a court in the Cayman Islands.

Save in certain limited circumstances, a shareholder of a Cayman constituent company who dissents from the merger or consolidation is entitled to payment of the fair value of his shares (which, if not agreed between the

 

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parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) upon dissenting to the merger or consolidation, provide the dissenting shareholder complies strictly with the procedures set out in the Companies Law. The exercise of dissenter rights will preclude the exercise by the dissenting shareholder of any other rights to which he or she might otherwise be entitled by virtue of holding shares, save for the right to seek relief on the grounds that the merger or consolidation is void or unlawful.

Separate from the statutory provisions relating to mergers and consolidations, the Companies Law also contains statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies by way of schemes of arrangement, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:

 

   

the statutory provisions as to the required majority vote have been met;

 

   

the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests adverse to those of the class;

 

   

the arrangement is such that may be reasonably approved by an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and

 

   

the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Law.

The Companies Law also contains a statutory power of compulsory acquisition which may facilitate the “squeeze out” of dissentient minority shareholder upon a tender offer. When a tender offer is made and accepted by holders of 90.0% of the shares affected within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares to the offeror on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed in the case of an offer which has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.

If an arrangement and reconstruction by way of scheme of arrangement is thus approved and sanctioned, or if a tender offer is made and accepted, in accordance with the foregoing statutory procedures, a dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.

Shareholders’ Suits . In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff to sue for a wrong done to us as a company, and as a general rule a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands court can be expected to follow and apply the common law principles (namely the rule in Foss v. Harbottle and the exceptions thereto) so that a non-controlling shareholder may be permitted to commence a class action against or derivative actions in the name of the company to challenge actions where:

 

   

a company acts or proposes to act illegally or ultra vires;

 

   

the act complained of, although not ultra vires, could only be effected duly if authorized by more than a simple majority vote that has not been obtained; and

 

   

those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.”

Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability . Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for

 

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indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association provide that that we shall indemnify our officers and directors against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such directors or officer, other than by reason of such person’s dishonesty, willful default or fraud, in or about the conduct of our company’s business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such director or officer in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning our company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation.

In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers that provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in our post-offering memorandum and articles of association.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Directors’ Fiduciary Duties . Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director acts in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, the director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.

As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore it is considered that he owes the following duties to the company—a duty to act bona fide in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a profit based on his position as director (unless the company permits him to do so), a duty not to put himself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his personal interest or his duty to a third-party, and a duty to exercise powers for the purpose for which such powers were intended. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.

Shareholder Action by Written Consent . Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. Cayman Islands law and our post-offering memorandum and articles of association provide that our shareholders may approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each

 

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shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.

Shareholder Proposals . Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.

The Companies Law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association allow any one or more of our shareholders who together hold shares which carry in aggregate not less than one-third of the total number of votes attaching to all issued and outstanding shares of our company entitled to vote at general meetings to requisition an extraordinary general meeting of our shareholders, in which case our board is obliged to convene an extraordinary general meeting and to put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting. Other than this right to requisition a shareholders’ meeting, our post-offering memorandum and articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any other right to put proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings. As an exempted Cayman Islands company, we are not obliged by law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings.

Cumulative Voting . Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. There are no prohibitions in relation to cumulative voting under the laws of the Cayman Islands but our post-offering memorandum and articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.

Removal of Directors . Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association, directors may be removed with or without cause, by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders.

Transactions with Interested Shareholders . The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting share within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.

Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.

 

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Dissolution; Winding up . Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board.

Under Cayman Islands law, a company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of its members. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so. Under the Companies Law and our post-offering memorandum and articles of association, our company may be dissolved, liquidated or wound up by a special resolution of our shareholders.

Variation of Rights of Shares . Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class with the written consent of the holders of all of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.

Amendment of Governing Documents . Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under the Companies Law and our post-offering memorandum and articles of association, our memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by a special resolution of our shareholders.

Rights of Non-resident or Foreign Shareholders . There are no limitations imposed by our post-offering memorandum and articles of association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our post-offering memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.

History of Securities Issuances

The following is a summary of our securities issuances in the past three years.

On March 14, 2019, 72,300,000 ordinary shares and 4,250,225 Series A-1 preferred shares were surrendered by BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd. and then canceled by us. Immediately thereafter, we issued the same number of shares to Ebetter International Group Limited and Origin Beyond Limited.

On March 14, 2019, we issued an aggregate of 15,600,000 ordinary shares to Origin Beyond Limited and Irefresh Future Limited, each a British Virgin Islands company nominated by our employees to hold for their benefit shares issued upon their exercise of options granted under the Share Incentive Plan.

Grant of Options

We have granted options to certain of our directors, executive officers and employees. As of the date of this prospectus, the aggregate number of outstanding options is 10,850,475. See “Management—Share Incentive Plan.”

Shareholders Agreement

We entered into our amended and restated shareholders agreement on March 15, 2019 with our shareholders, which consist of holders of ordinary shares and preferred shares. The shareholders agreement

 

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provides for certain shareholders’ rights, including information and inspection rights, right of participation, right of first refusal and co-sale rights, and contains provisions governing our board of directors and other corporate governance matters. The special rights, as well as the corporate governance provisions, will automatically terminate upon the completion of this offering.

Registration Rights

We have granted certain registration rights to our shareholders. Set forth below is a description of the registration rights granted under the shareholders agreement.

Demand Registration Rights . At any time after the earlier of (i) June 1, 2020 or (ii) one year following the closing of a qualified initial public offering, holders of at least 50% of the registrable securities (including preferred shares and ordinary shares issued upon conversion of preferred shares) then outstanding have the right to demand that we file a registration statement of all registrable securities that the holders request to be registered and included in such registration statement by written notice. Other than required by the underwriter(s) in connection with our initial public offering, at least 20% (or any lesser percentage if the anticipated gross proceeds to our company from such proposed offering would exceed US$5,000,000) of the registrable securities requested by the holders to be included in such underwriting and registration shall be so included. We have the right to defer filing of a registration statement for a period of not more than 90 days after the receipt of the request of the initiating holders if we furnish to the holders requesting registration a certificate signed by our president or chief executive officer stating that in the good faith judgment of our board of directors, it would be materially detrimental to us and our shareholders for such registration statement to be filed at such time. However, we cannot exercise the deferral right more than once in any twelve-month period. We are obligated to effect no more than two demand registrations, other than demand registration to be effected pursuant to registration statement on Form F-3, for which an unlimited number of demand registrations shall be permitted.

Piggyback Registration Rights . If we propose to file a registration statement for a public offering of our securities, we must offer shareholders an opportunity to include in the registration statement all or any part of the registrable securities held by such holders. If the managing underwriters of any underwritten offering determine in good faith that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, and the number of shares that may be included in the registration statement and the underwriting shall be allocated (i) first, to us, (ii) second, to each holder requesting inclusion of its registrable securities in such registration statement on a pro rata basis based on the total number of registrable securities then held by each such holder, (iii) third, to holders of other securities of us.

Form F-3 Registration Rights . Our shareholders may request us in writing to file an unlimited number of registration statements on Form F-3. We shall effect the registration of the securities on Form F-3 as soon as practicable, except in certain circumstances.

Expenses of Registration . We will bear all registration expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions, the holders’ fees for special counsel and fees charged or payable to the depositary bank) and expenses incurred by holders upon our or an underwriters’ request in connection with any demand, piggyback or Form F-3 registration.

Termination of Registration Rights . Our shareholders’ registration rights will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the fifth anniversary of the completion of a qualified public offering, (ii) the termination, liquidation, dissolution of our company or a liquidation event, and (iii) as to any shareholder when the shares subject to registration rights held by such shareholder can be sold without registration in any 90-day period pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

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D ESCRIPTION OF A MERICAN D EPOSITARY S HARES

[American Depositary Shares

             , as depositary, will register and deliver the ADSs. Each ADS represents              Class A ordinary shares, deposited with             , as custodian for the depositary. Each ADS will also represent ownership of any other securities, cash or other property which may be held by the depositary. The depositary’s corporate trust office at which the ADSs will be administered is located at             . The principal executive office of the depositary is located at             .

The Direct Registration System, or DRS, is a system administered by The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, pursuant to which the depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated ADSs, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the depositary to the ADS holders entitled thereto.

We will not treat ADS holders as our shareholders and accordingly, you, as an ADS holder, will not have shareholder rights. Cayman Islands law governs shareholder rights. The depositary will be the holder of the shares underlying your ADSs. As a holder of ADSs, you will have ADS holder rights. A deposit agreement among us, the depositary and you, as an ADS holder, and the beneficial owners of ADSs sets out ADS holder rights as well as the rights and obligations of the depositary. The laws of the State of New York govern the deposit agreement and the ADSs.

The following is a summary of the material provisions of the deposit agreement. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of American Depositary Receipt. For directions on how to obtain copies of those documents, see “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Holding the ADSs

How will you hold your ADSs?

You may hold ADSs either (1) directly (a) by having an American Depositary Receipt, or ADR, which is a certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs, registered in your name, or (b) by holding ADSs in DRS, or (2) indirectly through your broker or other financial institution. If you hold ADSs directly, you are an ADS holder. This description assumes you hold your ADSs directly. ADSs will be issued through DRS, unless you specifically request certificated ADRs. If you hold the ADSs indirectly, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or other financial institution to assert the rights of ADS holders described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.

Dividends and Other Distributions

How will you receive dividends and other distributions on the shares?

The depositary has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on shares or other deposited securities, after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of underlying securities that your ADSs represent as of the record date (which will be as close as practicable to the record date for our shares) set by the depositary with respect to the ADSs.

 

   

Cash . The depositary will convert or cause to be converted any cash dividend or other cash distribution we pay on the shares or any net proceeds from the sale of any shares, rights, securities or other entitlements under the terms of the deposit agreement into U.S. dollars if it can do so on a practicable basis, and can transfer the U.S. dollars to the United States and will distribute promptly the amount thus received. If the depositary shall determine in its judgment that such conversions or transfers are not practical or lawful or if any government approval or license is needed and cannot be obtained at a reasonable cost within a reasonable period or otherwise sought, the deposit agreement allows the

 

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depositary to distribute the foreign currency only to those ADS holders to whom it is possible to do so. It will hold or cause the custodian to hold the foreign currency it cannot convert for the account of the ADS holders who have not been paid and such funds will be held for the respective accounts of the ADS holders. It will not invest the foreign currency and it will not be liable for any interest for the respective accounts of the ADS holders. Before making a distribution, any taxes or other governmental charges, together with fees and expenses of the depositary, that must be paid, will be deducted. See “Taxation”. It will distribute only whole U.S. dollars and cents and will round down fractional cents to the nearest whole cent. If the exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some or all of the value of the distribution.

 

   

Shares . For any shares we distribute as a dividend or free distribution, either (1) the depositary will distribute additional ADSs representing such shares or (2) existing ADSs as of the applicable record date will represent rights and interests in the additional shares distributed, to the extent reasonably practicable and permissible under law, in either case, net of applicable fees, charges and expenses incurred by the depositary and taxes and/or other governmental charges. The depositary will only distribute whole ADSs. It will try to sell shares which would require it to deliver a fractional ADS and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed shares sufficient to pay its fees and expenses, and any taxes and governmental charges, in connection with that distribution.

 

   

Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares . If we offer holders of our shares the option to receive dividends in either cash or shares, the depositary, after consultation with us and having received timely notice as described in the deposit agreement of such elective distribution by us, has discretion to determine to what extent such elective distribution will be made available to you as a holder of the ADSs. We must timely first instruct the depositary to make such elective distribution available to you and furnish it with satisfactory evidence that it is legal to do so. The depositary could decide it is not legal or reasonably practicable to make such elective distribution available to you. In such case, the depositary shall, on the basis of the same determination as is made in respect of the shares for which no election is made, distribute either cash in the same way as it does in a cash distribution, or additional ADSs representing shares in the same way as it does in a share distribution. The depositary is not obligated to make available to you a method to receive the elective dividend in shares rather than in ADSs. There can be no assurance that you will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of shares.

 

   

Rights to Purchase Additional Shares . If we offer holders of our shares any rights to subscribe for additional shares, the depositary shall having received timely notice as described in the deposit agreement of such distribution by us, consult with us, and we must determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make these rights available to you. We must first instruct the depositary to make such rights available to you and furnish the depositary with satisfactory evidence that it is legal to do so. If the depositary decides it is not legal or reasonably practicable to make the rights available but that it is lawful and reasonably practicable to sell the rights, the depositary will endeavor to sell the rights and in a riskless principal capacity or otherwise, at such place and upon such terms (including public or private sale) as it may deem proper distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash.

The depositary will allow rights that are not distributed or sold to lapse. In that case, you will receive no value for them.

If the depositary makes rights available to you, it will establish procedures to distribute such rights and enable you to exercise the rights upon your payment of applicable fees, charges and expenses incurred by the depositary and taxes and/or other governmental charges. The Depositary shall not be obliged to make available to you a method to exercise such rights to subscribe for shares (rather than ADSs).

 

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U.S. securities laws may restrict transfers and cancellation of the ADSs represented by shares purchased upon exercise of rights. For example, you may not be able to trade these ADSs freely in the United States. In this case, the depositary may deliver restricted depositary shares that have the same terms as the ADSs described in this section except for changes needed to put the necessary restrictions in place.

There can be no assurance that you will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of shares or be able to exercise such rights.

 

   

Other Distributions . Subject to receipt of timely notice, as described in the deposit agreement, from us with the request to make any such distribution available to you, and provided the depositary has determined such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable and feasible and in accordance with the terms of the deposit agreement, the depositary will distribute to you anything else we distribute on deposited securities by any means it may deem practicable, upon your payment of applicable fees, charges and expenses incurred by the depositary and taxes and/or other governmental charges. If any of the conditions above are not met, the depositary will endeavor to sell, or cause to be sold, what we distributed and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash; or, if it is unable to sell such property, the depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances for nominal or no consideration, such that you may have no rights to or arising from such property.

The depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any ADS holders. We have no obligation to register ADSs, shares, rights or other securities under the Securities Act. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, shares, rights or anything else to ADS holders. This means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our shares or any value for them if we and/or the depositary determines that it is illegal or not practicable for us or the depositary to make them available to you.

Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation

How are ADSs issued?

The depositary will deliver ADSs if you or your broker deposit shares or evidence of rights to receive shares with the custodian. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will register the appropriate number of ADSs in the names you request and will deliver the ADSs to or upon the order of the person or persons entitled thereto.

Except for shares deposited by us in connection with this offering, no shares will be accepted for deposit during a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. The 180 day lock up period is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances as described in the section entitled “Shares Eligible for Future Sales—Lock-up Agreements.”

How do ADS holders cancel an American Depositary Share?

You may turn in your ADSs at the depositary’s corporate trust office or by providing appropriate instructions to your broker. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will deliver the shares and any other deposited securities underlying the ADSs to you or a person you designate at the office of the custodian. Or, at your request, risk and expense, the depositary will deliver the deposited securities at its corporate trust office, to the extent permitted by law.

How do ADS holders interchange between Certificated ADSs and Uncertificated ADSs?

You may surrender your ADR to the depositary for the purpose of exchanging your ADR for uncertificated ADSs. The depositary will cancel that ADR and will send you a statement confirming that you are the owner of

 

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uncertificated ADSs. Alternatively, upon receipt by the depositary of a proper instruction from a holder of uncertificated ADSs requesting the exchange of uncertificated ADSs for certificated ADSs, the depositary will execute and deliver to you an ADR evidencing those ADSs.

Voting Rights

How do you vote?

You may instruct the depositary to vote the shares or other deposited securities underlying your ADSs at any meeting at which you are entitled to vote pursuant to any applicable law, the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association, and the provisions of or governing the deposited securities. Otherwise, you could exercise your right to vote directly if you withdraw the shares. However, you may not know about the meeting sufficiently enough in advance to withdraw the shares.

If we ask for your instructions and upon timely notice from us by regular, ordinary mail delivery, or by electronic transmission, as described in the deposit agreement, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming meeting at which you are entitled to vote pursuant to any applicable law, the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association, and the provisions of or governing the deposited securities, and arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. The materials will include or reproduce (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consents or proxies; (b) a statement that the ADS holders at the close of business on the ADS record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association, and the provisions of or governing the deposited securities, to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the shares or other deposited securities represented by such holder’s ADSs; and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given or deemed given in accordance with the second to last sentence of this paragraph if no instruction is received, to the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us. Voting instructions may be given only in respect of a number of ADSs representing an integral number of shares or other deposited securities. For instructions to be valid, the depositary must receive them in writing on or before the date specified. The depositary will try, as far as practical, subject to applicable law and the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association, to vote or to have its agents vote the shares or other deposited securities (in person or by proxy) as you instruct. The depositary will only vote or attempt to vote as you instruct. If we timely requested the depositary to solicit your instructions but no instructions are received by the depositary from an owner with respect to any of the deposited securities represented by the ADSs of that owner on or before the date established by the depositary for such purpose, the depositary shall deem that owner to have instructed the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us with respect to such deposited securities, and the depositary shall give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us to vote such deposited securities. However, no such instruction shall be deemed given and no such discretionary proxy shall be given with respect to any matter if we inform the depositary we do not wish such proxy given, substantial opposition exists or the matter materially and adversely affects the rights of holders of the Class A ordinary shares.

We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the shares underlying your ADSs. In addition, there can be no assurance that ADS holders and beneficial owners generally, or any holder or beneficial owner in particular, will be given the opportunity to vote or cause the custodian to vote on the same terms and conditions as the holders of our shares.

The depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may have no recourse if the shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested.

In order to give you a reasonable opportunity to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to deposited securities, if we request the depositary to act, we will give the depositary notice of any such meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted at least              business days in advance of the meeting date.

 

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Compliance with Regulations

Information Requests

Each ADS holder and beneficial owner shall (a) provide such information as we or the depositary may request pursuant to law, including, without limitation, relevant Cayman Islands law, any applicable law of the United States of America, our memorandum and articles of association, any resolutions of our Board of Directors adopted pursuant to such memorandum and articles of association, the requirements of any markets or exchanges upon which the shares, ADSs or ADRs are listed or traded, or to any requirements of any electronic book-entry system by which the ADSs or ADRs may be transferred, regarding the capacity in which they own or owned ADRs, the identity of any other persons then or previously interested in such ADRs and the nature of such interest, and any other applicable matters, and (b) be bound by and subject to applicable provisions of the laws of the Cayman Islands, our memorandum and articles of association, and the requirements of any markets or exchanges upon which the ADSs, ADRs or shares are listed or traded, or pursuant to any requirements of any electronic book-entry system by which the ADSs, ADRs or shares may be transferred, to the same extent as if such ADS holder or beneficial owner held shares directly, in each case irrespective of whether or not they are ADS holders or beneficial owners at the time such request is made.

Disclosure of Interests

Each ADS holder and beneficial owner shall comply with our requests pursuant to Cayman Islands law, the rules and requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and any other stock exchange on which the shares are, or will be, registered, traded or listed or our memorandum and articles of association, which requests are made to provide information, inter alia, as to the capacity in which such ADS holder or beneficial owner owns ADS and regarding the identity of any other person interested in such ADS and the nature of such interest and various other matters, whether or not they are ADS holders or beneficial owners at the time of such requests.

Fees and Expenses

As an ADS holder, you will be required to pay the following service fees to the depositary bank and certain taxes and governmental charges (in addition to any applicable fees, expenses, taxes and other governmental charges payable on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs):

 

Service

  

Fees

•  To any person to which ADSs are issued or to any person to which a distribution is made in respect of ADS distributions pursuant to stock dividends or other free distributions of stock, bonus distributions, stock splits or other distributions (except where converted to cash)

   Up to US$0.05 per ADS issued

•  Cancellation of ADSs, including the case of termination of the deposit agreement

   Up to US$0.05 per ADS cancelled

•  Distribution of cash dividends

   Up to US$0.05 per ADS held

•  Distribution of cash entitlements (other than cash dividends) and/or cash proceeds from the sale of rights, securities and other entitlements

   Up to US$0.05 per ADS held

•  Distribution of ADSs pursuant to exercise of rights

   Up to US$0.05 per ADS held

•  Distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs

   Up to US$0.05 per ADS held

•  Depositary services

   Up to US$0.05 per ADS held on the applicable record date(s) established by the depositary bank

 

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As an ADS holder, you will also be responsible to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the depositary bank and certain taxes and governmental charges (in addition to any applicable fees, expenses, taxes and other governmental charges payable on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs) such as:

 

   

Fees for the transfer and registration of shares charged by the registrar and transfer agent for the shares in the Cayman Islands (i.e., upon deposit and withdrawal of shares).

 

   

Expenses incurred for converting foreign currency into U.S. dollars.

 

   

Expenses for cable, telex and fax transmissions and for delivery of securities.

 

   

Taxes and duties upon the transfer of securities, including any applicable stamp duties, any stock transfer charges or withholding taxes (i.e., when shares are deposited or withdrawn from deposit).

 

   

Fees and expenses incurred in connection with the delivery or servicing of shares on deposit.

 

   

Fees and expenses incurred in connection with complying with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to shares, deposited securities, ADSs and ADRs.

 

   

Any applicable fees and penalties thereon.

The depositary fees payable upon the issuance and cancellation of ADSs are typically paid to the depositary bank by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) receiving the newly issued ADSs from the depositary bank and by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) delivering the ADSs to the depositary bank for cancellation. The brokers in turn charge these fees to their clients. Depositary fees payable in connection with distributions of cash or securities to ADS holders and the depositary services fee are charged by the depositary bank to the holders of record of ADSs as of the applicable ADS record date.

The depositary fees payable for cash distributions are generally deducted from the cash being distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. In the case of distributions other than cash (i.e., share dividends, rights), the depositary bank charges the applicable fee to the ADS record date holders concurrent with the distribution. In the case of ADSs registered in the name of the investor (whether certificated or uncertificated in direct registration), the depositary bank sends invoices to the applicable record date ADS holders. In the case of ADSs held in brokerage and custodian accounts (via DTC), the depositary bank generally collects its fees through the systems provided by DTC (whose nominee is the registered holder of the ADSs held in DTC) from the brokers and custodians holding ADSs in their DTC accounts. The brokers and custodians who hold their clients’ ADSs in DTC accounts in turn charge their clients’ accounts the amount of the fees paid to the depositary banks.

In the event of refusal to pay the depositary fees, the depositary bank may, under the terms of the deposit agreement, refuse the requested service until payment is received or may set off the amount of the depositary fees from any distribution to be made to the ADS holder.

The depositary may make payments to us or reimburse us for certain costs and expenses, by making available a portion of the ADS fees collected in respect of the ADR program or otherwise, upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary bank agree from time to time.

Payment of Taxes

You will be responsible for any taxes or other governmental charges payable, or which become payable, on your ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs. The depositary may refuse to register or transfer your ADSs or allow you to withdraw the deposited securities represented by your ADSs until such taxes or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to you or sell deposited securities represented by your ADSs to pay any taxes owed and you will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to you any net proceeds,

 

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or send to you any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes. You agree to indemnify us, the depositary, the custodian and each of our and their respective agents, directors, employees and affiliates for, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect to taxes (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising from any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained for you. Your obligations under this paragraph shall survive any transfer of ADRs, any surrender of ADRs and withdrawal of deposited securities or the termination of the deposit agreement.

Reclassifications, Recapitalizations and Mergers

 

If we:

  

Then:

Change the nominal or par value of our shares    The cash, shares or other securities received by the depositary will become deposited securities.
Reclassify, split up or consolidate any of the deposited securities    Each ADS will automatically represent its equal share of the new deposited securities.
Distribute securities on the shares that are not distributed to you, or recapitalize, reorganize, merge, liquidate, sell all or substantially all of our assets, or take any similar action    The depositary may distribute some or all of the cash, shares or other securities it received. It may also deliver new ADSs or ask you to surrender your outstanding ADRs in exchange for new ADRs identifying the new deposited securities.

Amendment and Termination

How may the deposit agreement be amended?

We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the form of ADR without your consent for any reason. If an amendment adds or increases fees or charges, except for taxes and other governmental charges or expenses of the depositary for registration fees, facsimile costs, delivery charges or similar items, including expenses incurred in connection with foreign exchange control regulations and other charges specifically payable by ADS holders under the deposit agreement, or materially prejudices a substantial existing right of ADS holders, it will not become effective for outstanding ADSs until 30 days after the depositary notifies ADS holders of the amendment. At the time an amendment becomes effective, you are considered, by continuing to hold your ADSs, to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the ADRs and the deposit agreement as amended . If any new laws are adopted which would require the deposit agreement to be amended in order to comply therewith, we and the depositary may amend the deposit agreement in accordance with such laws and such amendment may become effective before notice thereof is given to ADS holders.

How may the deposit agreement be terminated?

The depositary will terminate the deposit agreement if we ask it to do so, in which case the depositary will give notice to you at least 90 days prior to termination. The depositary may also terminate the deposit agreement if the depositary has told us that it would like to resign, or if we have removed the depositary, and in either case we have not appointed a new depositary within 90 days. In either such case, the depositary must notify you at least 30 days before termination.

After termination, the depositary and its agents will do the following under the deposit agreement but nothing else: collect distributions on the deposited securities, sell rights and other property and deliver shares and other deposited securities upon cancellation of ADSs after payment of any fees, charges, taxes or other governmental charges. Six months or more after the date of termination, the depositary may sell any remaining deposited securities by public or private sale. After that, the depositary will hold the money it received on the sale, as well as any other cash it is holding under the deposit agreement, for the pro rata benefit of the ADS holders that have not surrendered their ADSs. It will not invest the money and has no liability for interest. After

 

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such sale, the depositary’s only obligations will be to account for the money and other cash. After termination, we shall be discharged from all obligations under the deposit agreement except for our obligations to the depositary thereunder.

Books of Depositary

The depositary will maintain ADS holder records at its depositary office. You may inspect such records at such office during regular business hours but solely for the purpose of communicating with other holders in the interest of business matters relating to the Company, the ADRs and the deposit agreement.

The depositary will maintain facilities in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York to record and process the issuance, cancellation, combination, split-up and transfer of ADRs.

These facilities may be closed at any time or from time to time when such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the depositary in connection with the performance of its duties under the deposit agreement or at our reasonable written request.

Limitations on Obligations and Liability

Limits on our Obligations and the Obligations of the Depositary and the Custodian; Limits on Liability to Holders of ADSs

The deposit agreement expressly limits our obligations and the obligations of the depositary and the custodian. It also limits our liability and the liability of the depositary. The depositary and the custodian:

 

   

are only obligated to take the actions specifically set forth in the deposit agreement without gross negligence or willful misconduct;

 

   

are not liable if any of us or our respective controlling persons or agents are prevented or forbidden from, or subjected to any civil or criminal penalty or restraint on account of, or delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of the deposit agreement and any ADR, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States or any state thereof, the Cayman Islands or any other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or on account of the possible criminal or civil penalties or restraint, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of our memorandum and articles of association or any provision of or governing any deposited securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control (including, without limitation, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure);

 

   

are not liable by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in the deposit agreement or in our memorandum and articles of association or provisions of or governing deposited securities;

 

   

are not liable for any action or inaction of the depositary, the custodian or us or their or our respective controlling persons or agents in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, any person presenting shares for deposit or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information;

 

   

are not liable for the inability of any holder of ADSs to benefit from any distribution on deposited securities that is not made available to holders of ADSs under the terms of the deposit agreement;

 

   

are not liable for any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the deposit agreement, or otherwise;

 

   

may rely upon any documents we believe in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party;

 

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disclaim any liability for any action or inaction or inaction of any of us or our respective controlling persons or agents in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting shares for deposit, holders and beneficial owners (or authorized representatives) of ADSs, or any person believed in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information; and

 

   

disclaim any liability for inability of any holder to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit made available to holders of deposited securities but not made available to holders of ADS.

The depositary and any of its agents also disclaim any liability (i) for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote or failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable or for allowing any rights to lapse in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement, (ii) the failure or timeliness of any notice from us, the content of any information submitted to it by us for distribution to you or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, (iii) any investment risk associated with the acquisition of an interest in the deposited securities, the validity or worth of the deposited securities, the credit-worthiness of any third party, (iv) for any tax consequences that may result from ownership of ADSs, shares or deposited securities, or (v) for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the depositary performed its obligations without gross negligence or willful misconduct while it acted as depositary.

In the deposit agreement, we agree to indemnify the depositary under certain circumstances.

Jurisdiction and Arbitration

The laws of the State of New York govern the deposit agreement and the ADSs and we have agreed with the depositary that the federal or state courts in the City of New York shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any dispute arising from or in connection with the deposit agreement and that the depositary will have the right to refer any claim or dispute arising from the relationship created by the deposit agreement to arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration provisions of the deposit agreement do not preclude you from pursuing claims under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act in federal courts.

Jury Trial Waiver

The deposit agreement provides that each party to the deposit agreement (including each holder, beneficial owner and holder of interest in the ADRs) irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to trial by jury in any lawsuit or proceedings against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under U.S. federal securities laws. If we or the depositary opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of the case in accordance with the applicable law. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or ADSs serves as a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs or by us or the depositary of compliance with any substantive provision of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Requirements for Depositary Actions

Before the depositary will issue, deliver or register a transfer of an ADS, split-up, subdivide or combine ADSs, make a distribution on an ADS, or permit withdrawal of shares, the depositary may require:

 

   

payment of stock transfer or other taxes or other governmental charges and transfer or registration fees charged by third parties for the transfer of any shares or other deposited securities and payment of the applicable fees, expenses and charges of the depositary;

 

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satisfactory proof of the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matters contemplated in the deposit agreement; and

 

   

compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and delivery of ADRs or ADSs or to the withdrawal or delivery of deposited securities and (B) such reasonable regulations and procedures as the depositary may establish, from time to time, consistent with the deposit agreement and applicable laws, including presentation of transfer documents.

The depositary may refuse to issue and deliver ADSs or register transfers of ADSs generally when the register of the depositary or our transfer books are closed or at any time if the depositary or we determine that it is necessary or advisable to do so.

Your Right to Receive the Shares Underlying Your ADSs

You have the right to cancel your ADSs and withdraw the underlying shares at any time except:

 

   

when temporary delays arise because: (1) the depositary has closed its transfer books or we have closed our transfer books; (2) the transfer of shares is blocked to permit voting at a shareholders’ meeting; or (3) we are paying a dividend on our shares;

 

   

when you owe money to pay fees, taxes and similar charges;

 

   

when it is necessary to prohibit withdrawals in order to comply with any laws or governmental regulations that apply to ADSs or to the withdrawal of shares or other deposited securities, or

 

   

other circumstances specifically contemplated by Section I.A.(l) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 (as such General Instructions may be amended from time to time); or

 

   

for any other reason if the depositary or we determine, in good faith, that it is necessary or advisable to prohibit withdrawals.

The depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under the deposit agreement any shares or other deposited securities required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such shares.

This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.

Direct Registration System

In the deposit agreement, all parties to the deposit agreement acknowledge that the DRS and Profile Modification System, or Profile, will apply to uncertificated ADSs upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC. DRS is the system administered by DTC pursuant to which the depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated ADSs, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the depositary to the ADS holders entitled thereto. Profile is a required feature of DRS which allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of an ADS holder, to direct the depositary to register a transfer of those ADSs to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those ADSs to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the depositary of prior authorization from the ADS holder to register such transfer.]

 

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S HARES E LIGIBLE FOR F UTURE S ALE

Upon completion of this offering, we will have            ADSs outstanding, representing            Class A ordinary shares or, approximately         % of our outstanding Class A and Class B ordinary shares, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs. All of the ADSs sold in this offering will be freely transferable by persons other than by our “affiliates” without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. Sales of substantial amounts of the ADSs in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices of the ADSs. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares or ADSs. We intend to apply to list the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange, but we cannot assure you that a regular trading market will develop in the ADSs. We do not expect that a trading market will develop for our ordinary shares not represented by the ADSs.

Lock-up Agreements

[We, our directors and executive officers, our existing shareholders and holders of our share-based awards] have agreed not to offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any ADSs, our ordinary shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any ADSs or our ordinary shares, or enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the ADSs or our ordinary shares, whether any of these transactions is to be settled by delivery of ADSs or our ordinary shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the representatives of the underwriters for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions and applicable notice requirements.

Other than this offering, we are not aware of any plans by any significant shareholders to dispose of significant numbers of the ADSs or ordinary shares. However, one or more existing shareholders or owners of securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for the ADSs or ordinary shares may dispose of significant numbers of the ADSs or ordinary shares in the future. We cannot predict what effect, if any, future sales of the ADSs or ordinary shares, or the availability of ADSs or ordinary shares for future sale, will have on the trading price of the ADSs from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of the ADSs or ordinary shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the trading price of the ADSs.

Rule 144

All of our ordinary shares that will be outstanding upon the completion of this offering, other than those ordinary shares sold in this offering, are “restricted securities” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act and may be sold publicly in the United States only if they are subject to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirement such as those provided by Rule 144 and Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act. In general, beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who at the time of a sale is not, and has not been during the three months preceding the sale, an affiliate of ours and has beneficially owned our restricted securities for at least six months will be entitled to sell the restricted securities without registration under the Securities Act, subject only to the availability of current public information about us, and will be entitled to sell restricted securities beneficially owned for at least one year without restriction. Persons who are our affiliates and have beneficially owned our restricted securities for at least six months may sell a number of restricted securities within any three-month period that does not exceed the greater of the following:

 

   

1% of the then outstanding Class A ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs or otherwise, which will equal approximately              Class A ordinary shares immediately after this offering; or

 

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the average weekly trading volume of our Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs or otherwise, on the New York Stock Exchange, during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC.

Sales by our affiliates under Rule 144 are also subject to certain requirements relating to manner of sale, notice and the availability of current public information about us.

Rule 701

In general, under Rule 701 of the Securities Act as currently in effect, each of our employees, consultants or advisors who purchases our ordinary shares from us in connection with a compensatory stock plan or other written agreement executed prior to the completion of this offering is eligible to resell those ordinary shares in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance with some of the restrictions, including the holding period, contained in Rule 144. However, the Rule 701 shares would remain subject to lock-up arrangements and would only become eligible for sale when the lock-up period expires.

 

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T AXATION

The following summary of Cayman Islands, PRC and U.S. federal income tax considerations of an investment in the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this registration statement, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax considerations relating to an investment in the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, such as the tax considerations under U.S. state and local tax laws or under the tax laws of jurisdictions other than the Cayman Islands, the People’s Republic of China and the United States. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of Cayman Islands tax law, it represents the opinion of Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our Cayman Islands counsel; to the extent it relates to PRC tax law, it is the opinion of Tian Yuan Law Firm, our PRC counsel.

Cayman Islands Taxation

The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or, after execution, brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made to or by our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.

Payments of dividends and capital in respect of our ordinary shares or ADSs will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of our ordinary shares or ADSs, nor will gains derived from the disposal of our ordinary shares or ADSs be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.

People’s Republic of China Taxation

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a “de facto management body” within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on its global income. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management body” as the body that exercises full and substantial control over and overall management of the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In April 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued a circular, known as Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the State Administration of Taxation’s general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in China only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.

We believe that GSX Techedu Inc. is not a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. GSX Techedu Inc. is not controlled by a PRC enterprise or PRC enterprise group, and we do not believe that GSX Techedu Inc. meets all of the conditions above. GSX Techedu Inc. is a company incorporated outside of the PRC. For the same reasons, we believe our other entities outside of China are not PRC resident enterprises either. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain

 

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with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body.” There can be no assurance that the PRC government will ultimately take a view that is consistent with us.

If the PRC tax authorities determine that GSX Techedu Inc. is a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we may be required to withhold a 10% withholding tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises, including the holders of the ADSs. In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders (including the ADS holders) may be subject to a 10% PRC tax on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. It is unclear whether our non-PRC individual shareholders (including the ADS holders) would be subject to any PRC tax on dividends or gains obtained by such non-PRC individual shareholders in the event we are determined to be a PRC resident enterprise. If any PRC tax were to apply to such dividends or gains, it would generally apply at a rate of 20% unless a reduced rate is available under an applicable tax treaty. It is also unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of GSX Techedu Inc. would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that GSX Techedu Inc. is treated as a PRC resident enterprise.

Provided that our Cayman Islands holding company, GSX Techedu Inc., is not deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise, holders of the ADSs and ordinary shares who are not PRC residents will not be subject to PRC income tax on dividends distributed by us or gains realized from the sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares or ADSs. However, under Bulletin 7 and Bulletin 37, where a non-resident enterprise conducts an “indirect transfer” by transferring taxable assets, including, in particular, equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise, being the transferor, or the transferee or the PRC entity which directly owned such taxable assets may report to the relevant tax authority such indirect transfer. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. We and our non-PRC resident investors may be at risk of being required to file a return and being taxed under Bulletin 7 and Bulletin 37, and we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with Bulletin 7 and Bulletin 37, or to establish that we should not be taxed under these circulars.

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following discussion is a summary of U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares by a U.S. Holder (as defined below) that acquires the ADSs in this offering and holds the ADSs or ordinary shares as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment) under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. This discussion is based upon existing U.S. federal tax law, which is subject to differing interpretations or change, possibly with retroactive effect. No ruling has been sought from the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, with respect to any U.S. federal income tax considerations described below, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position. This discussion, moreover, does not address the U.S. federal estate, gift, and alternative minimum tax considerations, the Medicare tax on net investment income, or any state, local and non-U.S. tax considerations, relating to the ownership or disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares. The following summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to particular investors in light of their individual circumstances or to persons in special tax situations such as:

 

   

banks and other financial institutions;

 

   

insurance companies;

 

   

pension plans;

 

   

cooperatives;

 

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regulated investment companies;

 

   

real estate investment trusts;

 

   

broker-dealers;

 

   

traders that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting;

 

   

certain former U.S. citizens or long-term residents;

 

   

tax-exempt entities (including private foundations);

 

   

persons liable for alternative minimum tax;

 

   

holders who acquire their ADSs or ordinary shares pursuant to any employee share option or otherwise as compensation;

 

   

investors that will hold their ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion, constructive sale or other integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

   

investors that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar;

 

   

persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our stock (by vote or value);

 

   

persons required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to their ADSs or ordinary shares as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement; or

 

   

partnerships or other entities taxable as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or persons holding common stock through such entities.

all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ significantly from those discussed below.

Each U.S. Holder is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the application of U.S. federal taxation to its particular circumstances, and the state, local, non-U.S. and other tax considerations of the ownership and disposition of the ADSs or our ordinary shares.

General

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of the ADSs or ordinary shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created in, or organized under the law of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust (A) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and which has one or more U.S. persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) that has otherwise validly elected to be treated as a U.S. person under the Code.

If a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of the ADSs or ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners in a partnerships holding the ADSs or ordinary shares are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, it is generally expected that a U.S. Holder of ADSs will be treated as the beneficial owner of the underlying shares represented by the ADSs. The remainder of this discussion assumes that a U.S. Holder of the ADSs will be treated in this manner. Accordingly, deposits or withdrawals of ordinary shares for ADSs will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.

 

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Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations

A non-U.S. corporation, such as our company, will be classified as a PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, if either (i) 75% or more of its gross income for such year consists of certain types of “passive” income or (ii) 50% or more of the value of its assets (determined on the basis of a quarterly average) during such year is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. For this purpose, cash and assets readily convertible into cash are categorized as a passive asset and the company’s goodwill and other unbooked intangibles are taken into account. Passive income generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and gains from the disposition of passive assets. We will be treated as owning a proportionate share of the assets and earning a proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, more than 25% (by value) of the stock.

Although the law in this regard is not entirely clear, we treat our consolidated VIE as being owned by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes because we control its management decisions and are entitled to substantially all of the economic benefits associated with it. As a result, we consolidate its results of operations in our consolidated U.S. GAAP financial statements. If it were determined, however, that we are not the owner of our consolidated VIE for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would likely be treated as a PFIC for the current taxable year and any subsequent taxable year.

Assuming that we are the owner of our consolidated VIE for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and based upon our current and projected income and assets, including the proceeds from this offering, and projections as to the value of our assets, we do not expect to be a PFIC for the current taxable year or the foreseeable future. However, no assurance can be given in this regard because the determination of whether we will be or become a PFIC is a factual determination made annually that will depend, in part, upon the composition of our income and assets. Fluctuations in the market price of the ADSs may cause us to be classified as a PFIC for the current or future taxable years because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test, including the value of our goodwill and unbooked intangibles, may be determined by reference to the market price of the ADSs from time to time (which may be volatile). If our market capitalization subsequently declines, we may be or become classified as a PFIC for the current taxable year or future taxable years. Furthermore, the composition of our income and assets may also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets and the cash raised in this offering. Under circumstances where our revenue from activities that produce passive income significantly increases relative to our revenue from activities that produce non-passive income, or where we determine not to deploy significant amounts of cash for active purposes, our risk of becoming classified as a PFIC may substantially increase.

If we are classified as a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds the ADSs or ordinary shares, the PFIC rules discussed below under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules” generally will apply to such U.S. Holder for such taxable year, and unless the U.S. Holder makes certain elections, will apply in future years even if we cease to be a PFIC.

The discussion below under “—Dividends” and “—Sale or Other Disposition” is written on the basis that we will not be or become classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The U.S. federal income tax rules that apply generally if we are treated as a PFIC are discussed below under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”

Dividends

Any cash distributions paid on the ADSs or ordinary shares (including the amount of any PRC tax withheld) out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, will generally be includible in the gross income of a U.S. Holder as dividend income on the day actually or constructively received by the U.S. Holder, in the case of ordinary shares, or by the depositary, in the case of ADSs. Because we do not intend to determine our earnings and profits on the basis of U.S. federal income tax

 

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principles, any distribution we pay will generally be treated as a “dividend” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dividends received on the ADSs or ordinary shares will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from U.S. corporations.

Individuals and other non-corporate U.S. Holders will be subject to tax at the lower capital gain tax rate applicable to “qualified dividend income,” provided that certain conditions are satisfied, including that (1) the ADSs or ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, or, in the event that we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC tax law, we are eligible for the benefit of the United States-PRC income tax treaty (the “Treaty”), (2) we are neither a PFIC nor treated as such with respect to a U.S. Holder (as discussed below) for the taxable year in which the dividend is paid and the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. We intend to list the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange. Provided the listing is approved, we believe that the ADSs will be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States and that we will be a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends paid on the ADSs. There can be no assurance that the ADSs will continue to be considered readily tradable on an established securities market in later years. Because the ordinary shares will not be listed on a U.S. exchange, dividends received with respect to ordinary shares that are not represented by ADSs may not be treated as qualified dividends. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares.

In the event that we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (see “Taxation—People’s Republic of China Taxation”), we may be eligible for the benefits of the Treaty. If we are eligible for such benefits, dividends we pay on our ordinary shares, regardless of whether such shares are represented by the ADSs, and regardless of whether the ADSs are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, would be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation described in the preceding paragraph.

For U.S. foreign tax credit purposes, dividends paid on the ADSs or ordinary shares generally will be treated as income from foreign sources and generally will constitute passive category income. If PRC withholding taxes apply to dividends paid to a U.S. Holder with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares, such U.S. Holder may be able to obtain a reduced rate of PRC withholding taxes under the Treaty if certain requirements are met. In addition, subject to certain conditions and limitations, PRC withholding taxes on dividends that are non-refundable under the Treaty may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. A U.S. Holder who does not elect to claim a foreign tax credit for foreign tax withheld may instead claim a deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in respect of such withholding, but only for a year in which such holder elects to do so for all creditable foreign income taxes. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex and U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.

Sale or Other Disposition

A U.S. Holder will generally recognize gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the disposition and the holder’s adjusted tax basis in such ADSs or ordinary shares. The gain or loss will generally the capital gain or loss. Individuals and other non-corporate U.S. Holders who have held the ADSs or ordinary shares for more than one year will generally be eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of a capital loss may be subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that the U.S. Holder recognizes will generally be treated as U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes, which will generally limit the availability of foreign tax credits. However, in the event we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be eligible for the benefits of the Treaty. In such event, if PRC tax were to be imposed on any gain from the disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, a U.S. Holder that is eligible for the benefits of the Treaty may elect to treat such gain as PRC source income. If a U.S. Holder is not eligible for the benefits of the income tax treaty or fails to make the election to treat any gain as foreign source, then such U.S. holder may not be able

 

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to use the foreign tax credit arising from any PRC tax imposed on the disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares unless such credit can be applied (subject to applicable limitations) against U.S. federal income tax due on other income derived from foreign sources in the same income category (generally, the passive category). U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the creditability of any PRC tax.

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

If we are classified as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds the ADSs or ordinary shares, and unless the U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election (as described below), the U.S. Holder will generally be subject to special tax rules on (i) any excess distribution that we make to the U.S. Holder (which generally means any distribution paid during a taxable year to a U.S. Holder that is greater than 125 percent of the average annual distributions paid in the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares), and (ii) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares. Under the PFIC rules:

 

   

the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares;

 

   

the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable years in the U.S. Holder’s holding period prior to the first taxable year in which we are classified as a PFIC (each, a “pre-PFIC year”), will be taxable as ordinary income; and

 

   

the amount allocated to each prior taxable year, other than a pre-PFIC year, will be subject to tax at the highest tax rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that year, increased by an additional tax equal to the interest on the resulting tax deemed deferred with respect to each such taxable year.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds the ADSs or ordinary shares and any of our subsidiaries, our consolidated VIE or any of the subsidiaries of our consolidated VIE is also a PFIC, such U.S. Holder would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the application of these rules. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries, our consolidated VIE or any of the subsidiaries of our consolidated VIE.

As an alternative to the foregoing rules, a U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” (as defined below) in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election with respect to such stock. If a U.S. Holder makes this election with respect to the ADSs, the holder will generally (i) include as ordinary income for each taxable year that we are a PFIC the excess, if any, of the fair market value of ADSs held at the end of the taxable year over the adjusted tax basis of such ADSs and (ii) deduct as an ordinary loss the excess, if any, of the adjusted tax basis of the ADSs over the fair market value of such ADSs held at the end of the taxable year, but such deduction will only be allowed to the extent of the amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. The U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ADSs would be adjusted to reflect any income or loss resulting from the mark-to-market election. If a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election in respect of the ADSs and we cease to be classified as a PFIC, the holder will not be required to take into account the gain or loss described above during any period that we are not classified as a PFIC. If a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election, any gain such U.S. Holder recognizes upon the sale or other disposition of the ADSs in a year when we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as ordinary loss, but such loss will only be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election.

The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock,” which is stock that is traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter (“regularly traded”) on a qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable United States Treasury regulations. The ADSs, but not our ordinary shares, will be treated as marketable stock upon their listing on the New York Stock Exchange. We anticipate that the ADSs should qualify as being regularly traded, but no assurances may be given in this regard.

 

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Because a mark-to-market election cannot be made for any lower-tier PFICs that we may own, a U.S. Holder may continue to be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to such U.S. Holder’s indirect interest in any investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

We do not intend to provide information necessary for U.S. Holders to make qualified electing fund elections which, if available, would result in tax treatment different from (and generally less adverse than) the general tax treatment for PFICs described above.

If a U.S. Holder owns the ADSs or ordinary shares during any taxable year that we are a PFIC, the holder must generally file an annual IRS Form 8621. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consideration of owning and disposing of the ADSs or ordinary shares if we are or become a PFIC, including the availability and possibility of making a mark-to-market election.

THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS INTENDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE TAX ADVICE. U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSIDERATIONS TO THEM OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE ADSS AND ORDINARY SHARES IN THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

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U NDERWRITING

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated            , we have agreed to sell to the underwriters named below, for whom Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. are acting as representatives, the following respective numbers of ADSs:

 

Underwriter

   Number of ADSs  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

  

Barclays Capital Inc.

  

CLSA Limited

  
  

 

 

 

Total

                       
  

 

 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers’ certificates and legal opinions and approval of certain legal matters by their counsel. The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated to purchase all ADSs in the offering if any are purchased, other than those ADSs covered by the option to purchase additional ADSs described below. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the offering may be terminated. All sales of ADSs in the United States will be made by U.S. registered broker-dealers.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and certain of their controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

We have granted to the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase on a pro rata basis up to            additional ADSs from us at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The option may be exercised to cover any over-allotments of ADSs.

The underwriters propose to offer part of the ADSs initially at the public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus and part to certain dealers at that price that represents a selling concession of up to US$            per ADS under the initial public offering price. After the initial public offering, the representatives may change the public offering price and concession and discount to broker/dealers. The offering of the ADSs by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.

Certain of the underwriters are expected to make offers and sales both inside and outside the United States through their respective selling agents. Any offers or sales in the United States will be conducted by broker-dealers registered with the SEC. CLSA Limited is not a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and may not make sales in the United States or to U.S. persons, and has agreed that it does not intend to and will not offer or sell any of our ADSs in the United States or to U.S. persons in connection with this offering.

The following table shows the public offering price, the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay the underwriters and the proceeds, before expenses, to us in connection with this offering. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional ADSs.

 

     Per ADS      Total  
     Without
Over-allotment
     With
Over-allotment
     Without
Over-allotment
     With
Over-allotment
 

Public offering price

   US$                    US$                    US$                    US$                

Underwriting discounts and commissions paid by us

   US$        US$        US$        US$    

Expenses payable by us

   US$        US$        US$        US$    

We estimate expenses payable by us in connection with this offering, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions referred to above, will not exceed approximately US$            . Expenses include the SEC and

 

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the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, filing fees, the NYSE listing fee, and printing, legal, accounting and miscellaneous expenses. The total underwriting compensation for this offering will not exceed             % of the offering proceeds.

The underwriters have informed us that they do not intend sales to discretionary accounts to exceed five percent of the total number of ADSs offered by them.

The address of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC is Eleven Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010, United States of America. The address of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. is 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, United States of America. The address of Barclays Capital Inc. is 745 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019, United States of America. The address of CLSA Limited is 18/F, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong.

No Sales of Similar Securities

We have agreed that we will not offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any ADSs, our ordinary shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any ADSs or our ordinary shares, enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the ADSs or our ordinary shares, whether any of these transactions is to be settled by delivery of ADSs or our ordinary shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise, or confidentially submit any draft registration statement or file any registration statement with the SEC relating to the offering of any ADSs, our ordinary shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any ADSs or our ordinary shares, without the prior written consent of the representatives of the underwriters for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions and applicable notice requirements.

[Our directors and executive officers, our existing shareholders and holders of our share-based awards] have agreed that they will not offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any ADSs, our ordinary shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any ADSs or our ordinary shares, or enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the ADSs or our ordinary shares, whether any of these transactions is to be settled by delivery of ADSs or our ordinary shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the representatives of the underwriters for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions and applicable notice requirements.

Listing

We intend to apply for the listing of the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange. In order to meet the requirements for listing on that exchange, the underwriters have undertaken to sell a minimum number of ADSs to a minimum number of beneficial owners as required by that exchange.

Determination of Offering Price

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs. The initial public offering price was determined by negotiations among us and the representatives and will not necessarily reflect the market price of the ADSs following this offering. The principal factors that were considered in determining the initial public offering price included:

 

   

the information presented in this prospectus and otherwise available to the underwriters;

 

   

the history of, and prospects for, the industry in which we will compete;

 

   

the ability of our management;

 

   

the prospects for our future earnings;

 

   

the present state of our development, results of operations and our current financial condition;

 

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the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering; and

 

   

the recent market prices of, and the demand for, publicly traded common stock of generally comparable companies.

We cannot assure you that the initial public offering price will correspond to the price at which the ADSs will trade in the public market subsequent to this offering or that an active trading market for the ADSs will develop and continue after this offering.

Stabilization

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions, penalty bids and passive market making in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act.

 

   

Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

   

Over-allotment involves sales by the underwriters of ADSs in excess of the number of ADSs the underwriters are obligated to purchase, which creates a syndicate short position. The short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of ADSs over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater than the number of ADSs that they may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of ADSs involved is greater than the number of ADSs in the over-allotment option. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option and/or purchasing ADSs in the open market.

 

   

Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of ADSs in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of ADSs to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of ADSs available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase ADSs through the over-allotment option. If the underwriters sell more ADSs than could be covered by the over-allotment option, a naked short position, the position can only be closed out by buying ADSs in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the ADSs in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

   

Penalty bids permit the representatives to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the ADSs originally sold by the syndicate member is purchased in a stabilizing transaction or a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

 

   

In passive market making, market makers in the ADSs who are underwriters or prospective underwriters may, subject to limitations, make bids for or purchases of our ADSs until the time, if any, at which a stabilizing bid is made.

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our ADSs or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the ADSs. As a result, the price of our ADSs may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering and one or more of the underwriters participating in this offering may distribute prospectuses electronically. The representatives may agree to allocate

 

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a number of ADSs to underwriters and selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the underwriters and selling group members that will make internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters’ websites and any information contained in any other website maintained by any of the underwriters is not part of this prospectus, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters and should not be relied upon by investors.

Relationships

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full-service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage, and other financial and non-financial activities and services. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us and for persons and entities with relationships with us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. These investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such assets, securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Selling Restrictions

Australia

No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”) in relation to the offering. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act. Any offer in Australia of the ADSs may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the ADSs without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. The ADSs applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring ADSs must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions. This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any ADSs recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.

Bermuda

The ADSs may be offered or sold in Bermuda only in compliance with the provisions of the Investment Business Act of 2003 of Bermuda which regulates the sale of securities in Bermuda. Additionally,

 

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non-Bermudian persons (including companies) may not carry on or engage in any trade or business in Bermuda unless such persons are permitted to do so under applicable Bermuda legislation.

British Virgin Islands

The ADSs are not being, and may not be, offered to the public or to any person in the British Virgin Islands for purchase or subscription by us or on our behalf. The ADSs may be offered to companies incorporated under the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (British Virgin Islands) (each a BVI Company), but only where the offer will be made to, and received by, the relevant BVI Company entirely outside of the British Virgin Islands.

This prospectus has not been, and will not be, registered with the Financial Services Commission of the British Virgin Islands. No registered prospectus has been or will be prepared in respect of the ADSs for the purposes of the Securities and Investment Business Act, 2010, or SIBA or the Public Issuers Code of the British Virgin Islands.

The ADSs may be offered to persons located in the British Virgin Islands who are “qualified investors” for the purposes of SIBA. Qualified investors include (i) certain entities which are regulated by the Financial Services Commission in the British Virgin Islands, including banks, insurance companies, licensees under SIBA and public, professional and private mutual funds; (ii) a company, any securities of which are listed on a recognized exchange; and (iii) persons defined as “professional investors” under SIBA, which is any person (a) whose ordinary business involves, whether for that person’s own account or the account of others, the acquisition or disposal of property of the same kind as the property, or a substantial part of our property; or (b) who has signed a declaration that he, whether individually or jointly with his spouse, has a net worth in excess of US$1,000,000 and that he consents to being treated as a professional investor.

Canada

Resale Restrictions

The distribution of ADSs in Canada is being made only in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia on a private placement basis exempt from the requirement that we prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each province where trades of these securities are made. Any resale of the ADSs in Canada must be made under applicable securities laws which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made under available statutory exemptions or under a discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the ADSs.

Representations of Canadian Purchasers

By purchasing ADSs in Canada and accepting delivery of a purchase confirmation, a purchaser is representing to us and the dealer from whom the purchase confirmation is received that:

 

   

the purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws to purchase the ADSs without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under those securities laws as it is an “accredited investor” as defined under National Instrument 45-106—Prospectus Exemptions,

 

   

the purchaser is a “permitted client” as defined in National Instrument 31-103—Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations,

 

   

where required by law, the purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent, and

 

   

the purchaser has reviewed the text above under Resale Restrictions.

 

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Conflicts of Interest

Canadian purchasers are hereby notified that the underwriters are relying on the exemption set out in section 3A.3 or 3A.4, if applicable, of National Instrument 33-105—Underwriting Conflicts from having to provide certain conflict of interest disclosures in this document.

Statutory Rights of Action

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if the offering memorandum (including any amendment thereto) such as this document contains a misrepresentation; provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser of these securities in Canada should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Enforcement of Legal Rights

All of our directors and officers as well as the experts named herein may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon us or those persons. All or a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of those persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against us or those persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against us or those persons outside of Canada.

Taxation and Eligibility for Investment

Canadian purchasers of ADSs should consult their own legal and tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the ADSs in their particular circumstances and about the eligibility of the ADSs for investment by the purchaser under relevant Canadian legislation.

Cayman Islands

This prospectus does not constitute an invitation or offer to the public in the Cayman Islands of the ADSs, whether by way of sale or subscription. The underwriters have not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any ADSs in the Cayman Islands.

Dubai International Financial Center

This document relates to an exempt offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. This document is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in those rules. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with exempt offers. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has not approved this document nor taken steps to verify the information set out in it, and has no responsibility for it. The ADSs which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this document may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the ADSs offered should conduct their own due diligence on the ADSs. If you do not understand the contents of this document you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a Relevant Member State), each underwriter represents and agrees that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State, it has not

 

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made and will not make an offer of ADSs which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:

 

   

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

 

   

to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or

 

   

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive; provided that no such offer of ADSs shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any ADSs in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the ADSs to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the ADSs, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State; the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

France

Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the ADSs described in this prospectus has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers or of the competent authority of another member state of the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The ADSs have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the ADSs has been or will be:

 

   

offered to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

 

   

offered to fewer than 100 or, if the relevant member state has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant Dealer or Dealers nominated by us for any such offer;

 

   

offered in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive;

 

   

released, issued, distributed or caused to be released, issued or distributed to the public in France; or

 

   

used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the ADSs to the public in France.

Such offers, sales and distributions will be made in France only:

 

   

to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) and/or to a restricted circle of investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs), in each case investing for their own account, all as defined in and in accordance with articles L.411-2, D.411-1, D.411-2, D.734-1, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Code monétaire et financier;

 

   

to investment services providers authorized to engage in portfolio management on behalf of third parties; or

 

   

in a transaction that, in accordance with article L.411-2-II-1° -or-2° -or 3° of the French Code monétaire et financier and article 211-2 of the General Regulations (Règlement Général) of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, does not constitute a public offer (appel public à l’épargne).

 

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The ADSs may be resold directly or indirectly only in compliance with articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 through L.621-8-3 of the French Code monétaire et financier.

Germany

This prospectus does not constitute a Prospectus Directive-compliant prospectus in accordance with the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz) and does therefore not allow any public offering in the Federal Republic of Germany (“Germany”) or any other Relevant Member State pursuant to § 17 and § 18 of the German Securities Prospectus Act. No action has been or will be taken in Germany that would permit a public offering of the ADSs, or distribution of a prospectus or any other offering material relating to the ADSs. In particular, no securities prospectus (Wertpapierprospekt) within the meaning of the German Securities Prospectus Act or any other applicable laws of Germany has been or will be published within Germany, nor has this prospectus been filed with or approved by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht) for publication within Germany.

Each underwriter will represent, agree and undertake (i) that it has not offered, sold or delivered and will not offer, sell or deliver the ADSs within Germany other than in accordance with the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz) and any other applicable laws in Germany governing the issue, sale and offering of ADSs, and (ii) that it will distribute in Germany any offering material relating to the ADSs only under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of Germany.

This prospectus is strictly for use of the person who has received it. It may not be forwarded to other persons or published in Germany.

Hong Kong

The ADSs may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance, or (ii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the ADSs may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to ADSs which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.

Israel

This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In Israel, this prospectus is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, investors listed in the first addendum, or the Addendum, to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds, provident funds, insurance companies, banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, underwriters purchasing for their own account, venture capital funds, entities with equity in excess of NIS 50 million and qualified individuals, each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors. Qualified investors may be required to submit written confirmation that they meet the criteria for one of the categories of investors set forth in the prospectus.

 

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Italy

The offering of ADSs has not been registered with the Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (“CONSOB”) pursuant to Italian securities legislation and, accordingly, no ADSs may be offered, sold or delivered, nor copies of this prospectus or any other documents relating to the ADSs distributed in Italy except:

 

   

to “qualified investors,” as referred to in Article 100 of Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the “Decree No. 58”) and defined in Article 26, paragraph 1, letter d) of CONSOB Regulation No. 16190 of October 29, 2007, as amended (“Regulation No. 16190”) pursuant to Article 34-ter, paragraph 1, letter. b) of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999, as amended (“Regulation No. 11971”); or

 

   

in any other circumstances where an express exemption from compliance with the offer restrictions applies, as provided under Decree No. 58 or Regulation No. 11971.

Any offer, sale or delivery of the ADSs or distribution of copies of this prospectus or any other documents relating to the ADSs in the Republic of Italy must be:

 

   

made by investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in the Republic of Italy in accordance with Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993, as amended (the “Banking Law”), Decree No. 58 and Regulation No. 16190 and any other applicable laws and regulations;

 

   

in compliance with Article 129 of the Banking Law, and the implementing guidelines of the Bank of Italy, as amended; and

 

   

in compliance with any other applicable notification requirement or limitation which may be imposed, from time to time, by CONSOB or the Bank of Italy or other competent authority.

Please note that, in accordance with Article 100-bis of Decree No. 58, where no exemption from the rules on public offerings applies, the subsequent distribution of the ADSs on the secondary market in Italy must be made in compliance with the public offer and the prospectus requirement rules provided under Decree No. 58 and Regulation No. 11971.

Furthermore, ADSs which are initially offered and placed in Italy or abroad to qualified investors only but in the following year are regularly (“sistematicamente”) distributed on the secondary market in Italy to non-qualified investors become subject to the public offer and the prospectus requirement rules provided under Decree No. 58 and Regulation No. 11971. Failure to comply with such rules may result in the sale of the ADSs being declared null and void and in the liability of the intermediary transferring the ADSs for any damages suffered by such non-qualified investors.

Japan

The ADSs have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese Person” shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.

Kuwait

Unless all necessary approvals from the Kuwait Ministry of Commerce and Industry required by Law No. 31/1990 “Regulating the Negotiation of Securities and Establishment of Investment Funds,” its Executive

 

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Regulations and the various Ministerial Orders issued pursuant thereto or in connection therewith, have been given in relation to the marketing and sale of the ADSs, these may not be marketed, offered for sale nor sold in the State of Kuwait. Neither this prospectus (including any related document) nor any of the information contained therein is intended to lead to the conclusion of any contract of whatsoever nature within Kuwait.

PRC

This prospectus has not been and will not be circulated or distributed in the PRC, and the ADSs may not be offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to any resident of the PRC or to persons for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, to any resident of the PRC except pursuant to applicable laws and regulations of the PRC. For the purpose of this paragraph, the PRC does not include Taiwan and the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao.

Qatar

The ADSs have not been and will not be offered, sold or delivered at any time, directly or indirectly, in the State of Qatar (“Qatar”) in a manner that would constitute a public offering. This prospectus has not been reviewed or approved by or registered with the Qatar Central Bank, the Qatar Exchange or the Qatar Financial Markets Authority. This prospectus is strictly private and confidential, and may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose, or provided to any person other than the recipient thereof.

Saudi Arabia

This prospectus may not be distributed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia except to such persons as are permitted under the Offers of Securities Regulations issued by the Capital Market Authority. The Capital Market Authority does not make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of this prospectus, and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss arising from, or incurred in reliance upon, any part of this prospectus. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered hereby should conduct their own due diligence on the accuracy of the information relating to the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial adviser.

Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of ADSs may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the ADSs be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than

 

   

to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”);

 

   

to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA; or

 

   

otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the ADSs are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

   

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

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a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the ADSs pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

  (i)

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

  (ii)

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

 

  (iii)

where the transfer is by operation of law;

 

  (iv)

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

 

  (v)

as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

Notification under Section  309B(1)(c) of the SFA : We have determined that the ADSs shall be (A) prescribed capital markets products (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and (B) Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

Switzerland

This document is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the ADSs described herein. The ADSs may not be publicly offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the ADSs constitutes a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange or any other regulated trading facility in Switzerland, and neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the ADSs may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, nor the Company nor the ADSs, have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. The ADSs are not subject to the supervision by any Swiss regulatory authority, e.g., the Swiss Financial Markets Supervisory Authority FINMA (FINMA), and investors in the ADSs will not benefit from protection or supervision by such authority.

Taiwan

The ADSs have not been and will not be registered or filed with, or approved by, the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be offered or sold in Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which constitute an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan or relevant laws and regulations that require a registration, filing or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer or sell the ADSs in Taiwan.

United Arab Emirates

(Excluding the Dubai International Financial Center)

The ADSs have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (“U.A.E.”) other than in compliance with the laws of the U.A.E. Prospective investors in the Dubai International Financial Center should have regard to the specific selling restrictions on prospective investors in the Dubai International Financial Center set out below.

 

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The information contained in this prospectus does not constitute a public offer of ADSs in the U.A.E. in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law (Federal Law No. 8 of 1984 of the U.A.E., as amended) or otherwise and is not intended to be a public offer. This prospectus has not been approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority or the Dubai Financial Services Authority, or DFSA. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus, you should consult an authorized financial adviser. This prospectus is provided for the benefit of the recipient only, and should not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person.

United Kingdom

Each of the underwriters severally represents, warrants and agrees as follows:

 

   

it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the ADSs in circumstances in which Section 21 of the FSMA does not apply to us; and

 

   

it has complied with, and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the ADSs in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

 

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E XPENSES R ELATED TO THIS O FFERING

Set forth below is an itemization of the total expenses, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, that we expect to incur in connection with this offering. With the exception of the SEC registration fee, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc., or FINRA, filing fee, and the stock exchange market entry and listing fee, all amounts are estimates.

 

SEC Registration Fee

   US$                

FINRA Filing Fee

  

Stock Exchange Market Entry and Listing Fee

  

Printing and Engraving Expenses

  

Legal Fees and Expenses

  

Accounting Fees and Expenses

  

Miscellaneous

  
  

 

 

 

Total

   US$    
  

 

 

 

 

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L EGAL M ATTERS

We are being represented by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP with respect to certain legal matters as to United States federal securities and New York State law. The underwriters are being represented by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation with respect to certain legal matters as to United States federal securities and New York State law. The validity of the Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs offered in this offering will be passed upon for us by Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP. Certain legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Tian Yuan Law Firm and for the underwriters by Han Kun Law Offices. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may rely upon Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP with respect to matters governed by Cayman Islands law and Tian Yuan Law Firm with respect to matters governed by PRC law. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation may rely upon Han Kun Law Offices with respect to matters governed by PRC law.

 

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E XPERTS

The financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, and for each of the two years ended December 31, 2018 included in this prospectus, have been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein (which report expresses an unqualified opinion on the financial statements and includes an explanatory paragraph referring to the translation of Renminbi amounts to United States dollar amounts). Such financial statements have been so included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The offices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP are located at the 12th Floor, China Life Financial Center No. 23, Zhenzhi Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100026, the People’s Republic of China.

 

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W HERE Y OU C AN F IND A DDITIONAL I NFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement, including relevant exhibits, with the SEC on Form F-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs to be sold in this offering. We have also filed a related registration statement on Form F-6 with the SEC to register the ADSs. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement on Form F-1, does not contain all of the information contained in the registration statement. You should read our registration statements and their exhibits and schedules for further information with respect to us and the ADSs.

Immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form F-1 of which this prospectus forms a part, we will become subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we will be required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. All information filed with the SEC can be obtained over the internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

INDEX TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

   F-2

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

   F-3

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER  31, 2017 AND 2018

   F-4

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

   F-5

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

   F-6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER  31, 2017 AND 2018

   F-7

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   F-8

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I

   F-42

INDEX TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER  31, 2018 AND MARCH 31, 2019

     F-47  

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 AND 2019

     F-49  

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 AND 2019

     F-50  

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 AND 2019

     F-51  

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 AND 2019

     F-52  

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-53  

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of GSX Techedu Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of GSX Techedu Inc. (formerly BaiJiaHuLian Group Holdings Limited, the “Company”), its subsidiaries, its consolidated variable interest entity (“VIE”) and VIE’s subsidiaries (collectively the “Group”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, changes in shareholders’ deficit and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and the financial statement schedule listed in Schedule I (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Group as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Convenience translation

Our audits also comprehended the translation of Renminbi amounts into United State dollar amounts and, in our opinion, such translation has been made in conformity with the basis stated in Note 2. Such United States dollar amounts are presented solely for the convenience of readers in the United States of America.

/s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP

Beijing, the People’s Republic of China

March 19, 2019 (May 8, 2019 as to the convenience translation described in Note 2)

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

    As of December 31  
    2017     2018     2018  
    RMB     RMB     USD  
                (Note 2)  

ASSETS

     

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

    19,294       33,259       4,956  

Short-term investments

    7,974       197,991       29,501  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    23,080       48,841       7,278  

Amounts due from related parties

    1,997       710       106  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

    52,345       280,801       41,841  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current assets

     

Property, equipment and software, net

    7,144       16,779       2,500  

Intangible assets

    —         237       35  

Long-term investments

    7,604       5,221       778  

Goodwill

    —         331       49  

Deferred tax assets

    33,925       31,266       4,659  

Rental deposit

    2,079       3,508       523  

Other non-current assets

    116       60       9  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

    103,213       338,203       50,394  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

     

Current liabilities

     

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including accrued expenses and other current liabilities of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB40,073 and RMB51,445 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)

    44,588       57,244       8,530  

Deferred revenue, current portion of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group

    45,820       263,330       39,237  

Amounts due to related parties (including amounts due to related parties of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB32,074 and RMB960 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)

    64,605       35,338       5,266  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

    155,013       355,912       53,033  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

     

Deferred revenue, non-current portion of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group

    487       8,711       1,298  

Deferred tax liabilities of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group

    —         59       9  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

    155,500       364,682       54,340  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 16)

     

MEZZANINE EQUITY

     

Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares (USD0.0001 par value; 35,625,002 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2018; liquidation value of RMB552,755 and RMB578,709 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018)

    427,130       466,060       69,445  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

     

Ordinary shares (par value of USD0.0001 per share; 464,374,998 shares authorized as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, 92,224,998 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2018)

    60       60       9  

Additional paid-in capital

    —         —         —    

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    925       1,166       174  

Accumulated deficit

    (480,402     (493,765     (73,574
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

    (479,417     (492,539     (73,391
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

    103,213       338,203       50,394  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2017     2018     2018  
     RMB     RMB     USD  
                 (Note 2)  

Net revenues

     97,580       397,306       59,200  

Cost of revenues (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB3 and RMB283 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)

     (25,023     (142,753     (21,271
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     72,557       254,553       37,929  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

      

Selling expenses (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB373 and RMB429 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)

     (75,325     (121,518     (18,107

Research and development expenses (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB276 and RMB782 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)

     (52,451     (74,050     (11,034

General and administrative expenses (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB5,136 and RMB4,423 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)

     (37,208     (39,831     (5,935
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     (164,984     (235,399     (35,076
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income from operations

     (92,427     19,154       2,853  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest income

     189       2,193       327  

Other income

     2,004       495       74  

Other expenses

     (50     (445     (66

Impairment loss on equity method investment

     (1,070     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income before provision for income tax and (loss) income from equity method investments

     (91,354     21,397       3,188  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax benefits (expenses)

     4,620       (2,616     (390

(Loss) income from equity method investments

     (221     869       129  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

     (86,955     19,650       2,927  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares redemption value accretion

     (38,930     (38,930     (5,801

Net loss attributable to GSX Techedu Inc.’s ordinary shareholders

     (125,885     (19,280     (2,874
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per ordinary share

      

Basic and diluted

     (1.36     (0.21     (0.03
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in net loss per share

      

Basic and diluted

     92,224,998       92,224,998       92,224,998  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2017     2018      2018  
     RMB     RMB      USD  
                  (Note 2)  

Net (loss) income

     (86,955     19,650        2,927  

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:

       

Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments

     (39     10        1  

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments (net of tax effect of nil and nil for years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)

     24       231        34  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive (loss) income attributable to GSX Techedu Inc.

     (86,970     19,891        2,962  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

    Attributable to shareholders of the Group  
    Number of
ordinary
shares
    Ordinary
shares
    Additional
paid-in
capital
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
(loss) income
    Accumulated
deficit
    Total GSX
Techedu Inc.
shareholders’
deficit
 

Balance as of January 1, 2017 in RMB

    92,224,998       60       —         940       (360,060     (359,060

Net loss

    —         —         —         —         (86,955     (86,955

Share-based compensation

    —         —         5,788       —         —         5,788  

Accretion to redemption value of convertible redeemable preferred shares

    —         —         (6,270     —         (32,660     (38,930

Contribution from shareholders (Note 3)

    —         —         482       —         —         482  

Distribution to shareholders (Note 3)

    —         —         —         —         (727     (727

Foreign currency translation adjustments

    —         —         —         (39     —         (39

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments

    —         —         —         24       —         24  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2017 in RMB

    92,224,998       60       —         925       (480,402     (479,417
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

    —         —         —         —         19,650       19,650  

Share-based compensation

    —         —         5,917       —         —         5,917  

Accretion to redemption value of convertible redeemable preferred shares

    —         —         (5,917     —         (33,013     (38,930

Foreign currency translation adjustments

    —         —         —         10       —         10  

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments

    —         —         —         231       —         231  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2018 in RMB

    92,224,998       60       —         1,166       (493,765     (492,539
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2018 in USD

    92,224,998       9       —         174       (73,574     (73,391
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

    Year ended December 31,  
    2017     2018     2018  
    RMB     RMB     USD  
                (Note 2)  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     

Net (loss) income

    (86,955     19,650       2,927  

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash generated from operating activities:

     

Depreciation of property, equipment and software

    4,931       4,043       602  

Amortization of intangible assets

    —         173       26  

Gain from remeasuring fair value of previously held equity interests upon business acquisition

    —         (86     (13

Loss (income) from equity method investments

    221       (869     (129

Loss on disposal of property, equipment and software

    43       108       16  

Impairment loss on equity method investment

    1,070       —         —    

Share-based compensation

    5,788       5,917       882  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

     

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    23,138       8,440       1,258  

Deferred revenue

    16,459       222,928       33,217  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    (8,717     (20,973     (3,125

Rental deposit

    (825     (1,429     (213

Amounts due from related parties

    (247     1,287       192  

Other non-current assets

    —         138       21  

Amounts due to related parties

    74       (74     (11

Deferred tax assets

    (4,623     2,659       396  

Deferred tax liabilities

    —         (43     (6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) generated from operating activities

    (49,643     241,869       36,040  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     

Purchase of short-term investments

    (26,000     (422,760     (62,993

Proceeds from maturity of short-term investments

    18,050       232,950       34,711  

Loan to related party

    (1,750     —         —    

Purchase of property, equipment and software

    (370     (12,134     (1,809

Purchase of long-term investments

    (125     —         —    

Proceeds from capital return related to equity method investment

    —         3,185       475  

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

    —         37       6  

Disposal of property, equipment and software

    55       2       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

    (10,140     (198,720     (29,610
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     

Amounts borrowed from related parties

    59,531       960       143  

Repayment to related parties

    (3,000     (30,153     (4,493
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash generated from (used in) financing activities

    56,531       (29,193     (4,350
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes

    (40     9       1  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

    (3,292     13,965       2,081  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

    22,586       19,294       2,875  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

    19,294       33,259       4,956  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental schedule of cash flow information

     

Income taxes paid

    3       —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash investing and financing activity

     

Disposal of subsidiaries (Note 3)

    —         245       37  

Payables for purchase of property, equipment and software

    —         714       106  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-7


Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

BaiJiaHuLian Group Holdings Limited was incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands in August 2014. In January 2019, BaiJiaHuLian Group Holdings Limited changed its corporate name to GSX Techedu Inc. (the “Company”). The Company, its subsidiaries, its consolidated variable interest entity (“VIE”) and VIE’s subsidiaries (collectively the “Group”) are currently engaged in the business of providing K-12 tutoring services, foreign language, professional and interest education services in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”).

Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd (“Beijing BaiJiaHuLian” or “VIE”) was founded in June 2014, as a limited liability company in the PRC. Beijing BaiJiaHuLian and its subsidiaries are primarily engaged in providing online K-12 tutoring services, foreign language, professional and interest education services in the PRC.

There are some uncertainties as to whether applicable PRC laws and regulations prohibit foreign investors from providing internet and other business in the PRC. To comply with the relevant PRC laws and regulations, the Company operates substantially all of its business through its VIE. On April 28, 2015, BaiJiaHuLian Group Holdings Limited, through BaiJiaHuLian HK Holdings Limited (“BaiJiaHuLian HK”) and its PRC subsidiary, Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Lexuebang” or “WFOE”), entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Beijing BaiJiaHuLian, and the shareholders of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian. The series of contractual agreements include exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement, exclusive call option agreement, equity pledge agreement, powers of attorney, spousal consent letters and letters of commitment. Those agreements were amended in March 2019 with no significant differences. In connection with the amendment and as part of the Group’s efforts to streamline the corporate structure, the Group removed six existing nominee shareholders as parties to the contractual arrangements with Beijing BaiJiaHuLian and its shareholders. The rights and obligations of these nominee shareholders under these contractual arrangements have been assumed by Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen.

The Group believes that these contractual arrangements would enable the Company to (1) have power to direct the activities that most significant affects the economic performance of VIE, and (2) receive the economic benefits of the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. Accordingly, the Company is considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES—continued

 

The Company’s subsidiaries, VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018 were as follow:

 

Name

   Later of date
of establishment
or acquisition
     Place of
establishment
     Percentage of
direct or indirect
economic ownership
    Principal activities  

Subsidiaries:

          

BaiJiaHuLian HK

     Aug 18, 2014      HongKong        100%       Holding company  

Beijing Lexuebang

     Jan 12, 2015        PRC        100%       Holding company  

VIE:

          

Beijing BaiJiaHuLian

     Jun 4, 2014        PRC        100%       Education services  

VIE’s subsidiaries:

          

Beijing Genshuixue Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Genshuixue”)

     May 14, 2015        PRC        100%       Education services  

Beijing BaiJiaChengXi Education Technology Co., Ltd. (“BaiJiaChengXi”)

     Jun 16, 2016        PRC        100%       Education services  

Beijing Jiazi Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Jiazi”)

     Feb 16, 2016        PRC        100%       Education services  

Beijing GaoTuYunJi Education Technology Co., Ltd. (“GaoTuYunJi”)

     Jul 18, 2017        PRC        100%       Education services  

Shanghai Jinyou Education Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Jinyou”)

     Jan 31, 2018        PRC        100%       Education services  

The English names above are for identification purpose only.

The VIE arrangements

Details of the contractual agreements are set forth below.

 

   

Agreements that transfer economic benefits to the Group:

Exclusive Management Services and Business Cooperation Agreement

Pursuant to the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement among Beijing Lexuebang, the VIE and the shareholders of the VIE, Beijing Lexuebang has the exclusive right to provide or designate any third-party to provide, among other things, education management consultancy services, permission of intellectual property rights, technological support and business support to the VIE and its subsidiaries. In exchange, the VIE and its subsidiaries pay service fees to Beijing Lexuebang in an amount determined by Beijing Lexuebang in its sole discretion. Without the prior written consent of Beijing Lexuebang, the VIE and its subsidiaries cannot accept services provided by or establish similar cooperation relationship with any third-party. Beijing Lexuebang owns the exclusive intellectual property rights created as a result of the performance of this agreement unless otherwise provided by PRC laws or regulations. The agreement will be effective for twenty years upon signing by both parties. The term of the agreement was amended on March 2019 and the agreement will remain effective unless unanimously agreed by the parties concerned or unilaterally terminated by

 

F-9


Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES—continued

The VIE arrangements—continued

 

   

Agreements that transfer economic benefits to the Group:—continued

Exclusive Management Services and Business Cooperation Agreement—continued

 

Beijing Lexuebang with a written notice. Unless otherwise required by applicable PRC laws, the VIE and its shareholders do not have any right to terminate the agreement.

 

   

Agreements that provide the Company effective control over Beijing BaiJiaHuLian:

Equity Pledge Agreement

Under the equity interest pledge agreement among Beijing Lexuebang, the VIE and its shareholders, the VIE’s shareholders pledged all of their equity interests of the VIE to Beijing Lexuebang as security for performance of the obligations of the VIE and its shareholders under the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement and the powers of attorney. If any of the specified events of default occurs, Beijing Lexuebang may exercise the right to enforce the pledge immediately. Beijing Lexuebang may transfer all or any of its rights and obligations under the equity interest pledge agreement to its designee(s) at any time. The agreement will remain in effect until the fulfillment of all the obligations under the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement and the powers of attorney.

Exclusive Call Option Agreement

Under the exclusive call option agreement among Beijing Lexuebang, the VIE and its shareholders, each of the shareholders of the VIE irrevocably granted Beijing Lexuebang a right to purchase, or designate a third-party to purchase, all or any part of their equity interests in the VIE at a purchase price equal to the lowest price permissible by the then-applicable PRC laws and regulations at Beijing Lexuebang’s sole and absolute discretion to the extent permitted by PRC law. The shareholders of the VIE shall promptly give all considerations they received from the exercise of the options to Beijing Lexuebang or its designee(s). The VIE and its shareholders covenant that, without Beijing Lexuebang’s prior written consent, they will not, among other things, (i) create any pledge or encumbrance on their equity interests in the VIE; (ii) transfer or otherwise dispose of their equity interests in the VIE; (iii) change the VIE’s registered capital; (iv) amend the VIE’s articles of association; (v) sell, transfer, license or otherwise dispose of any of the VIE’s assets or allow any encumbrance of any assets, except for the disposal or the encumbrances of the assets that are treated as necessary for their daily business operations with the value of the assets involved in a single transaction not exceeding RMB100; (vi) cause the VIE to enter into any major contracts or terminate any material contracts to which the VIE is a party; (vii) declare or distribute dividends; (viii) terminate, liquidate or dissolve the VIE; or (ix) allow the VIE to incur, inherit, guarantee or permit any debts, except for those payables incurred in the ordinary or usual course of business but not incurred by way of borrowing. The agreement will remain effective until terminated by Beijing Lexuebang at its discretion or the entire equity interests in the VIE have been transferred to Beijing Lexuebang or its designee(s).

 

F-10


Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES—continued

The VIE arrangements—continued

 

   

Agreements that provide the Company effective control over Beijing BaiJiaHuLian:—continued

 

Powers of Attorney

Pursuant to the powers of attorney executed by the VIE’s shareholders, each of them irrevocably authorized Beijing Lexuebang or its designee(s) to act on their respective behalf as exclusive agent and attorney, to the extent permitted by law, with respect to all rights of shareholders concerning all the equity interest held by each of them in the VIE, including but not limited to proposing to convene or attend shareholder meetings, signing the resolutions and minutes of such meetings, exercising all the rights as shareholders (including but not limited to voting rights, nomination rights, appointment rights, the right to receive dividends and the right to sell, transfer, pledge or dispose of all the equity held in part or in whole).

Spousal Consent Letters

Pursuant to the spousal consent letters executed by the spouses of certain shareholders of the VIE, the signing spouses unconditionally and irrevocably agreed that the equity interest in the VIE held by and registered in the name of their spouses be disposed of in accordance with the exclusive call option agreement, the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreement, the equity interest pledge agreement and the powers of attorney described above, and that their spouses may perform, amend or terminate such agreements without their additional consent. Additionally, the signing spouses agreed not to assert any rights over the equity interest in the VIE held by their spouses. In addition, in the event that the signing spouses obtains any equity interest in the VIE held by their spouses for any reason, they agree to be bound by and sign any legal documents substantially similar to the contractual arrangements described above, as may be amended from time to time.

 

   

Risks in relation to VIE structure

The Company believes that the contractual arrangements with Beijing BaiJiaHuLian and its shareholders are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations and are legally enforceable. However, the contractual arrangements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including:

 

   

Beijing BaiJiaHuLian and its shareholders may have or develop interests that conflict with the Group’s interests, which may lead them to pursue opportunities in violation of the aforementioned contractual agreements. If the Group cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes between the Group and the shareholders of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian, the Group would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of its business, and there is substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.

 

   

Beijing BaiJiaHuLian and its shareholders could fail to obtain the proper operating licenses or fail to comply with other regulatory requirements. As a result, the PRC government could impose fines, new requirements or other penalties on the VIE or the Group, mandate a change in ownership structure or operations for the VIE or the Group, restrict the VIE or the Group’s use of financing sources or otherwise restrict the VIE or the Group’s ability to conduct business.

 

   

The PRC government may declare the aforementioned contractual arrangements invalid. They may modify the relevant regulations, have a different interpretation of such regulations, or

 

F-11


Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES—continued

The VIE arrangements—continued

 

   

Risks in relation to VIE structure—continued

 

 

otherwise determine that the Group or the VIE have failed to comply with the legal obligations required to effectuate such contractual arrangements.

 

   

If the legal structure and contractual arrangements were found to be in violation of PRC laws and regulations, the PRC government may restrict or prohibit the Group’s business and operations in China.

The Group’s ability to conduct its business may be negatively affected if the PRC government were to carry out any of the aforementioned actions. As a result, the Group may not be able to consolidate Beijing BaiJiaHuLian and its subsidiaries in the consolidated financial statements as the Group may lose the ability to exert effective control over Beijing BaiJiaHuLian and its shareholders, and the Group may lose the ability to receive economic benefits from Beijing BaiJiaHuLian.

The Group’s business has been directly operated by the VIE and its subsidiaries. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, the VIE and its subsidiaries accounted for an aggregate of 94.80% and 98.71%, respectively, of the Group’s consolidated total assets, and 76.18% and 88.98% respectively of the Group’s consolidated total liabilities.

The following financial information of the Company’s VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries after the elimination of inter-company transactions and balances as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 was included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Cash and cash equivalents

     18,529        31,603  

Short-term investments

     7,974        197,991  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     23,006        48,759  

Total current assets

     51,506        279,063  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term investments

     7,604        5,221  

Total assets

     97,848        333,850  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     40,073        51,445  

Deferred revenue, current portion

     45,820        263,330  

Amounts due to related parties

     32,074        960  

Total current liabilities

     117,967        315,735  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred revenue, non-current portion

     487        8,711  

Deferred tax liabilities

     —          59  

Total non-current liabilities

     487        8,770  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     118,454        324,505  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-12


Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES—continued

The VIE arrangements—continued

 

   

Risks in relation to VIE structure—continued

 

     For the year ended
December 31,
 
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Net revenues

     97,580        397,306  

Net (loss) income

     (44,839      66,934  

Net cash (used in) generated from operating activities

     (18,101      239,307  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (8,390      (195,193

Net cash generated from (used in) financing activities

     24,000        (31,040
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

There are no consolidated VIE’s assets that are collateral for the VIE’s obligations and which can only be used to settle the VIE’s obligations. No creditors (or beneficial interest holders) of the VIE have recourse to the general credit of the Company or any of its consolidated subsidiaries. No terms in any arrangements, considering both explicit arrangements and implicit variable interests, require the Company or its subsidiaries to provide financial support to the VIE. However, if the VIE ever needs financial support, the Company or its subsidiaries may, at its option and subject to statutory limits and restrictions, provide financial support to the VIE through loans to the shareholders of the VIE or entrustment loans to the VIE.

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of presentation and use of estimates

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). These accounting principles require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts in the accompanying financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The Group bases its estimates on past experience and various other factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.

Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Group’s financial statements include, but are not limited to, revenue recognition, valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, available-for-sale investments, useful lives of property, equipment and software and intangible assets, impairment assessment of long-lived assets, valuation of share-based compensation, valuation of ordinary shares and preferred shares. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates.

Principles of consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial information of the Group and its subsidiaries, the VIE and the VIE’s subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions were eliminated upon consolidation.

 

F-13


Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

 

Business combinations

Business combinations are recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The purchase price of the acquisition is allocated to the tangible assets, liabilities, identifiable intangible assets acquired and non-controlling interest, if any, based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over those fair values is recorded as goodwill. Acquisition-related expenses and restructuring costs are expensed as incurred. Common forms of the consideration made in acquisitions is cash. Consideration transferred in a business acquisition is measured at the fair value as of the date of acquisition.

In a business combination achieved in stages, the Group remeasures the previously held equity interest in the acquire immediately before obtaining control at its acquisition-date fair value and the remeasurement gain or loss, if any, is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

Fair value

Fair value is considered to be the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

Authoritative literature provides a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement as follows:

Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.

Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Financial instruments

The Group’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, receivables from third party payment platform, amounts due from/to related parties and other liabilities.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, held-to-maturities investments, receivables from third party payment platform, amounts due from/to related parties and other liabilities approximated their fair values reported in the consolidated balance sheets due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. Available-for-sale investments are recorded at fair value as of December 31, 2017 and 2018.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

 

Convenience translation

The Group’s business is primarily conducted in China and all of the revenues are denominated in RMB. However, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current period amounts translated into US dollars using the exchange rate as of balance sheet date, for the convenience of the readers. Translations of balances in the consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, change in shareholders’ deficit and cash flows from Renminbi (“RMB”) into US dollars as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of USD1.00=RMB6.7112 representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on March 29, 2019. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into USD at that rate on March 29, 2019, or at any other rate.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at banks and on hand, which have original maturities of three months or less when purchased and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

Short-term investments

As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the Group’s short-term investments consist of held-to-maturity securities with maturities of less than three months and available-for-sale investments.

Investments are classified as held-to-maturity when the Group has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity, and are recorded at amortized cost. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the balances of held-to-maturity securities were RMB nil and RMB115,000, respectively.

Investments that do not meet the criteria of held-to-maturity or trading securities are classified as available-for-sale investments, and are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains or losses on the sale of these securities are recognized in net income or loss. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the balances of available-for-sale investments were RMB7,974 and RMB82,991, respectively.

The Group reviews its short-term investments for impairment whenever an event or circumstance indicates that other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. The Group considers available quantitative and qualitative evidence in evaluating the potential impairment of its short-term investments. An impairment charge is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations if the carrying amount of an investment exceeds the investment’s fair value and such excess is determined to be other-than-temporary.

Property, equipment and software, net

Property, equipment and software are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:

 

Category

  

Estimated useful life

Electronic equipment

   3 years

Furniture and office equipment

   5 years

Software

   10 years

Leasehold improvement

   Shorter of the lease term or estimated economic life

 

F-15


Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

Property, equipment and software, net—continued

 

Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred, whereas the cost of renewals and betterment that extends the useful lives of property, equipment and software are capitalized as additions to the related assets. Retirements, sales and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the cost and accumulated depreciation from the assets and accumulated depreciation accounts with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the consolidated statement of operations.

Goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The useful life of an intangible asset is the period over which the asset is expected to contribute directly or indirectly to future cash flows.

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually at the end of the fourth quarter, or sooner if impairment indicators arise. In the evaluation of goodwill for impairment, the Group may perform a qualitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is not, no further analysis is required. If it is, a prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test is performed to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized for that reporting unit, if any.

The first step in the two-step impairment test is to identify if a potential impairment exists by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of a reporting unit is estimated by applying valuation multiples and/or estimating future discounted cash flows. The selection of multiples is dependent upon assumptions regarding future levels of operating performance as well as business trends and prospects, industry, market and economic conditions. When estimating future discounted cash flows, the Group considers the assumptions that hypothetical marketplace participants would use in estimating future cash flows. In addition, where applicable, an appropriate discount rate is used, based on an industry-wide average cost of capital or location-specific economic factors. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered to have a potential impairment and the second step of the impairment test is not necessary. However, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step is performed to determine if goodwill is impaired and to measure the amount of impairment loss to recognize, if any.

The second step compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination (i.e., the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all the assets and liabilities, including any unrecognized intangible assets, as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid to acquire the reporting unit). If the implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the carrying amount, goodwill is not considered impaired. However, if the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

Based on the result of the Group’s annual goodwill impairment assessment, no impairment charge was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2018. The Group did not have any goodwill as of December 31, 2017.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

Goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net—continued

 

Acquired intangible assets other than goodwill consist of student base and trademark, and are carried at cost, less accumulated amortization and impairment. Amortization of finite-lived intangible assets is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives. The amortization periods by intangible asset classes are as follows:

 

Category

   Estimated useful life

Student base

   1.5 years

Trademark

   3 years

Impairment of long-lived assets

The Group reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may no longer be recoverable. When these events occur, the Group measures impairment by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the Group would recognize an impairment loss based on the fair value of the assets. The Group did not record any impairment losses on its long-lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018.

Long-term investments

The Group’s long-term investments consist of equity method investments.

Investee companies over which the Group has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not have a controlling interest through investment in common shares or in-substance common shares, are accounted for using the equity method. Significant influence is generally considered to exist when the Group has an ownership interest in the voting stock of the investee between 20% and 50%, and other factors, such as representation on the investee’s board of directors, voting rights and the impact of commercial arrangements, are also considered in determining whether the equity method of accounting is appropriate.

Under the equity method, the Group initially records its investment at cost and subsequently recognizes the Group’s proportionate share of each equity investee’s net income or loss after the date of investment into earnings and accordingly adjusts the carrying amount of the investment.

The Group reviews its equity method investment for impairment whenever an event or circumstance indicates that any other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. The Group considers available quantitative and qualitative evidence in evaluating potential impairment of its equity method investment. An impairment charge is recorded when the carrying amount of the investment exceeds its fair value and this condition is determined to be other-than-temporary. The Group recorded RMB1,070 and RMB nil impairment losses on its equity method investments for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

 

Revenue recognition

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“Topic 606”). This standard replaces existing revenue recognition rules with a comprehensive revenue measurement and recognition standard and expanded disclosure requirements. The Group has early adopted the new standard as of January 1, 2017 using the full retrospective method which requires the Group to present its financial statements for all periods as if Topic 606 had been applied to all prior periods. The Group did not apply any practical expedients provided under Topic 606.

The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.

The Group’s revenue is reported net of discount, value added tax and related surcharges. Prior to March 2017, the Group mainly provided a membership-based service platform connecting teachers and students and generated revenues from teachers in the form of membership fees. Subsequently, the Group transitioned from a membership-based service platform to an integrated online tutoring services provider. The primary sources of the Group’s revenues are as follows:

(1) Online tutoring services

The Group offers various types of integrated online tutoring services covering a wide spectrum of topics and targets students from broad age groups through its diverse offerings of K-12 tutoring, foreign language, professional and interest education services. The Group’s live interactive tutoring services consists of several components, including online live broadcasting classes as well as other activities during the online period including teaching material, quizzes before, during and after the classes, summary of lessons after each class and interactions with both other students and instructors during the period. Different service components are highly interdependent and interrelated in the context of the contract with the live interactive tutoring services. Therefore, the Group has determined that the live interactive tutoring services represents one performance obligation. The service period for a majority of the live interactive tutoring services is less than six months.

Once the live interactive tutoring services is complete, the Group also offers the customer a content playback service. In the content playback service, the customer has unlimited access to online pre-recorded audio-video courses for a specified period ranging from one to three years. No other interactions or activities are provided during the playback period. For contracts that provide both the live interactive tutoring service and the content playback service, the Group determined that the live interactive tutoring service and content playback service are two separate performance obligations under ASC 606, as these two deliverables are distinct in that customers can benefit from each service on its own and the Group’s promises to deliver the services are separately identifiable from each other in the contract.

Tutoring fees are collected in advance. The Group determines that there is not a significant financing component based on the nature of the service being offered and the purpose of the payment terms. The Group charges a single upfront amount, not with the primary purpose of obtaining financing from the students but, instead, to maximize profitability, taking into consideration the risks associated with providing the service. For K-12 related courses, the Group offers refunds for any remaining classes to students who withdraw from the course. The refund is equal to the amount related to the undelivered class. The Group determines the transaction price to be earned by estimating the refund liability based on historical refund

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

Revenue recognition—continued

(1) Online tutoring services—continued

 

ratio on a portfolio basis using the expected value method, and allocates the tutoring fee excluding the estimate for refund liability to each performance obligation using the relative stand-alone selling price. The Group determines the stand-alone selling prices using an expected cost plus margin methodology. Revenue related to the live interactive tutoring service is recognized proportionately as the online classes are delivered, as the Group concluded that the delivery of each online class represents a faithful depiction of when the services are provided to the students. Revenue related to the right to access the content playback is recognized proportionally over the playback period, as the Group concluded that the content playback service represents a stand ready obligation to provide the playback services and the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as the Group provides such services throughout the playback period.

(2) Other services

Other service revenues are primarily derived from 1) membership-based service and 2) offline business consulting courses.

The Group provides membership-based services which consists of providing a platform connecting training institutions or individual teachers and students. Training institutions or individual teachers who pay the membership fees are able to join the Group’s online platform and market their courses to prospective students. Membership fees are primarily fixed and no contractual membership fee refunds are provided to the training institutions or individual teachers. The membership services mainly provide training institutions or individual teachers with display of an online storefront on the Group’s platforms and access to online account management system, which are accounted for as a single performance obligation as the membership services are highly integrated. These service fees are paid in advance for a specific contracted service period and the revenues are recognized proportionally over the service period, typically 12 months, as the Group concluded that the membership service represents a stand ready obligation to provide the services while the member simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of such services throughout the contract period.

The Group also offers offline business consulting courses targeting principals and other officers of private education institutions who want to improve their management skills. No contractual service fee refund is provided to the course participants. Course fees are collected in advance and the revenues, net of any discounts, are recognized proportionally over the service period, which is generally less than a year, as the classes are generally delivered evenly through the course period.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

Revenue recognition—continued

(2) Other services—continued

 

Contract balances

The following table provides information about the Group’s contract liabilities arising from contract with customers. The increase in contract liabilities primarily resulted from the Group’s business growth.

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2016      2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB      RMB  

Deferred revenue-current

     29,848        45,820        263,330  

Deferred revenue-non-current

     —          487        8,711  

Refund liability

     1,094        2,475        11,167  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     30,942        48,782        283,208  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred revenue primarily consists of tuition fees received from customers for which the Group’s revenue recognition criteria have not been met. The deferred revenue will be recognized as revenue once the criteria for revenue recognition have been met. Revenue recognized that was included in the deferred revenue balance at January 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018 amounted to RMB29,848 and RMB45,820, respectively.

Refund liability represents the tutoring fee collected by the Group which it expects to refund back to its customer as a result of its refund policy. Refund liability is estimated based on the historical refund ratio for each of the type of classes provided. The Group’s remaining performance obligations represents the amount of the transaction price for which service has not been performed. As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated for the remaining performance obligations amounted to RMB272,041. The Group expects to recognize revenue of RMB263,330 and RMB5,788 related the remaining performance obligations over the next 12 and 24 months, respectively, with the remainder of RMB2,923 recognized thereafter.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

Revenue recognition—continued

(2) Other services—continued

 

Disaggregation of revenue

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, all of the Group’s revenues were generated in the PRC. Additionally, all of the revenues for the periods were recognized from contracts with customers. The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by types:

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Online tutoring services:

     28,077        362,622  

—K-12 courses

     21,652        290,890  

—Foreign language, professional and interest education services

     6,425        71,732  

Other services:

     69,503        34,684  

—Membership-based service

     45,702        11,277  

—Offline business consulting courses

     22,023        22,081  

—Others

     1,778        1,326  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net revenues

     97,580        397,306  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cost of revenues

Cost of revenues mainly consists of salaries to instructors and tutors, rental expenses for office space, depreciation and amortization of properties and equipment, teaching materials and bandwidth costs. The instructors consists of both full-time instructors and part-time instructors. Full-time instructors’ compensation primarily consist of base salary, as well as teaching fees based on hourly rates in connection with courses delivered. The compensation of part-time instructors is calculated as a fixed percentage of the tuition fees of the courses delivered by the instructors, and is accrued as courses are delivered. The compensation of tutors consists of base salary and performance-based compensations, which is determined based on student retention and exercise completion. Specifically, if an existing student of a tutor enrolls in a new course, a bonus is paid to the tutor which is calculated as a percentage of the tuition of the new course. Tutors also receives a fixed payment for each exercise marking performed. The Company accrues on a monthly basis for the cost of tutor which includes basic salary, compensation for exercise marking as well as student retention bonus. The retention bonus is estimated by using the expected tuition collected for the retention courses, multiply by the estimated retention rate and the bonus percentage.

Government subsidies

The government subsidies provided by the local government mainly included funding to support the development of the Group. Government subsidies are recognized upon receipt as government subsidies income because the subsidies are not intended to compensate for specific expenditure and not subject to future return. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, RMB2,000 and RMB400 were received and recognized as other income in the Group’s consolidated statements of operations, respectively.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

 

Value added taxes

The Group’s educational services and non-educational services are subject to VAT at the rate of 3% for small-scale-VAT-payer entities or at the rate of 6% for general-VAT-payer entities in accordance with Tax rule.

Operating leases

Leases where substantially all the rewards and risk of assets remain with the leasing company are accounted for as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the consolidated statement of operations on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or estimated economic life.

Income taxes

Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant tax authorities. Deferred income taxes are recognized when temporary differences exist between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. Net operating loss carry forwards and credits are applied using enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more-likely-than-not that a portion of or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The impact of an uncertain income tax position is recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Interest and penalties on income taxes are classified as a component of the provisions for income taxes.

Share-based compensation

The Group measures the cost of employee share options based on the grant date fair value of the award and recognizes compensation cost over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award, which generally is the vesting period. For the graded vesting share options, the Group recognizes the compensation cost over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award is, in substance, multiple awards. When no future services are required to be performed by the employee in exchange for an award of equity instruments, the cost of the award is expensed on the grant date. The Group elects to recognize forfeitures when they occur.

Comprehensive (loss) income

Comprehensive (loss) income includes net (loss) income, foreign currency translation adjustments and the fair value change of available-for-sale investments of the Group. Comprehensive (loss) income is reported in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.

Net income (loss) per share

Basic income (loss) per ordinary share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

Net income (loss) per share—continued

 

The Group has determined that its convertible redeemable preferred shares are participating securities as the preferred shares participate in undistributed earnings on an as-if-converted basis. Accordingly, the Group used the two-class method of computing net income (loss) per share, for ordinary and preferred shares according to participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, net income applicable to holders of ordinary shares is allocated on a pro rata basis to the holders of ordinary and preferred shares to the extent that each class may share income for the period; whereas undistributed net loss is allocated to ordinary shares because preferred shares are not contractually obligated to share the loss.

Diluted income per ordinary share reflect the potential dilution that would occur if securities were exercised or converted into ordinary shares. The Group had convertible redeemable participating preferred shares and share options, which could potentially dilute basic income per share in the future. To calculate the number of shares for diluted income per ordinary shares, the effect of the convertible redeemable participating preferred shares is computed using the as-if-converted method; the effect of the share options is computed using the treasury stock method.

Significant risks and uncertainties

Foreign currency risk

The RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The State Administration for Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the Peoples Bank of China, controls the conversion of RMB into other currencies. The value of the RMB is subject to changes in central government policies, international economic and political developments affecting supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange Trading System market. The Group’s cash and cash equivalents denominated in RMB amounted to RMB18,697 and RMB32,643 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Concentration risks

Financial instruments that potentially expose the Group to significant concentration of credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and receivables from third party payment platform. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, substantially all of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were deposited in financial institutions located in the PRC.

There are no revenues from customers which individually represent greater than 10% of the total net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018.

The Group currently relies on third-party instructors to deliver its course offerings. Approximately 0.66% and 12.21% of the Group’s net revenues in 2017 and 2018, respectively, were earned through the courses offered by one instructor. The Group’s reliance on certain top quality instructors would expose it to risk of revenue loss if it loses the instructors.

Newly adopted accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 requires revenue recognition to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that a company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the goods or services. To

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

Newly adopted accounting pronouncements—continued

 

achieve this principle, a company must apply five steps including identifying the contract with a customer, identifying the performance obligations in the contract, determining the transaction price, allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations, and recognizing revenue when (or as) the company satisfies the performance obligations. Additional quantitative and qualitative disclosure to enhance the understanding about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows is also required. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing.” ASU 2016-10 clarifies the following two aspects of ASU 2014-09: identifying performance obligations and licensing implementation guidance. The effective date of ASU 2016-10 is the same as the effective date of ASU 2014-09.

The Group has early adopted ASC 606 during the year ended December 31, 2017 using the full retrospective approach.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, which changes how deferred taxes are classified on organizations’ balance sheets. The ASU eliminates the current requirement for organizations to present deferred tax liabilities and assets as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. Instead, organizations will be required to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. The amendments apply to all organizations that present a classified balance sheet. For public companies, the amendments are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. This ASU may be applied prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. The Group adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2017 on a retrospective basis and classified all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent.

In March 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which is intended to improve the accounting for employee share-based payments and affect all organizations that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. Several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions are simplified, including: (1) income tax consequences; (2) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; (3) accruals of compensation costs based on the forfeitures; (4) classification on the statement of cash flows. For public companies, the amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Group adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2017 and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The guidance supersedes existing guidance on accounting for leases with the main difference being that operating leases are to be recorded in the statement of financial position as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments. For operating leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and liabilities. For public companies, the guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted—continued

 

those fiscal years. Early application of the guidance is permitted. In July 2018, ASU 2016-02 was updated with ASU No. 2018-11, Targeted Improvements to ASC 842, which provides entities with relief from the costs of implementing certain aspects of the new leasing standard. Specifically, under the amendments in ASU 2018-11, (1) entities may elect not to recast the comparative periods presented when transitioning to ASC 842 (the “optional transition method”) and (2) lessors may elect not to separate lease and nonlease components when certain conditions are met. Before ASU 2018-11 was issued, transition to the new lease standard required application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Group will adopt the new lease standard using the optional transition method as of January 1, 2019. The Group has evaluated the effect of the adoption of this ASU and expects the adoption will result in an increase in the assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet for the operating leases and will have an insignificant impact on the consolidated statements of operations.

In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. Under the new accounting guidance, an entity will no longer determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Instead, an entity will perform its goodwill impairment tests by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity will recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value but not to exceed the total amount of the goodwill of the reporting unit. In addition, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment, if applicable. The provisions of the new accounting guidance are required to be applied prospectively. The new accounting guidance is effective for companies for goodwill impairment tests performed in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Group is in the process of assessing the impact on its consolidated financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to the Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities. ASU 2018-17 changes how entities evaluate decision-making fees under the variable interest entity guidance. To determine whether decision-making fees represent a variable interest, an entity considers indirect interests held through related parties under common control on a proportional basis, rather than in their entirety. This guidance will be adopted using a retrospective approach and is effective for the Group on January 1, 2020. The Group is evaluating the effect that adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

3.

BUSINESS ACQUISITION AND DISPOSAL

Acquisition of Shanghai Jinyou Education Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Jinyou”)

In June 2016, the Group purchased, for a cash consideration of RMB250, a 25% equity interest in Shanghai Jinyou. Shanghai Jinyou operates financial and economics education services in the PRC. The investment was initially classified as an equity method investment as the Group has significant influence but does not have control over Shanghai Jinyou. The Group recorded its shares of loss amounting to RMB62 during the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

3.

BUSINESS ACQUISITION AND DISPOSAL—continued

Acquisition of Shanghai Jinyou Education Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Jinyou”)—continued

 

On January 31, 2018, the Group purchased an additional 75% equity interest in Shanghai Jinyou for cash consideration of RMB350. The additional 75% equity interest purchase was accounted for as a step acquisition whereby the Group remeasured the fair value of its previously held equity interests in Shanghai Jinyou on January 31, 2018, the step acquisition date. The fair value of the equity interest in Shanghai Jinyou held by the Group immediately before the step acquisition date and the resulting gain were immaterial. Following the completion of the transaction, the Group held a total of 100% equity interest in Shanghai Jinyou, and Shanghai Jinyou became a consolidated subsidiary of the Group.

Shanghai Jinyou operates financial and economics education services in the PRC. The acquisition of Shanghai Jinyou with its strong teaching team and expansive student base allows the Group to provide high-quality, competitively priced and diversified services to the students. This transaction was considered a business acquisition and recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquired assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair value at the date of acquisition. The purchase price for the acquisition was allocated as follows:

 

            Amortization period  
     RMB         

Cash and cash equivalents

     387     

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     4,697     

Property, equipment and software, net

     111     

Other non-current assets

     83     

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     (2,675   

Deferred revenue

     (2,806   

Intangible assets-student base

     110        1.5 years  

Intangible assets-trademark

     300        3 years  

Deferred tax liabilities

     (102   

Goodwill

     331     
  

 

 

    

Total

     436     

—Cash consideration

     350     

—Fair value of the previously held 25% equity interests

     86     
  

 

 

    

The tangible and intangible assets valuation for the acquisition described above was based on a valuation analysis prepared by the management with the assistance from an independent third-party appraiser. The valuation analysis utilizes and considers the income approach. Goodwill is mainly attributable to intangible assets that cannot be recognized separately as identifiable assets under US GAAP, and comprise of (a) the assembled work force and (b) the expected but unidentifiable business growth as a result of the economy of scale, increase in cross-selling opportunities as well as synergy resulting from the acquisition.

The results of operations attributable to Shanghai Jinyou are included in the consolidated statement of operations of the Group beginning on February 1, 2018, which included net revenue of RMB 11,087 and pre-tax net loss of RMB990 generated from the acquisition date to December 31, 2018.

The following table presents certain unaudited pro forma information for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, as if the above acquisition had been acquired on January 1, 2017. The pro forma information may not be indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisition taken place on January 1, 2017, and

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

3.

BUSINESS ACQUISITION AND DISPOSAL—continued

Acquisition of Shanghai Jinyou Education Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Jinyou”)—continued

 

may not be indicative of the Group’s future consolidated results. Additionally, the pro forma financial information does not include the impact of possible business model changes and does not reflect pro forma adjustments to conform accounting policies between these above acquisitions and the Group. The unaudited pro forma information is presented below:

 

     Year ended
December 31, 2017
     Year ended
December 31, 2018
 
     RMB      RMB  

Pro forma net revenue

     103,312        397,742  

Pro forma net (loss) income

     (87,202      19,422  

Loss per common share:

     

Basic and diluted

     (1.37      (0.21

Disposal of Beijing Baijia Shilian Technololy Co., Ltd (“Baijia Shilian”) and Beijing Baijia Yuntu Technology Co. Ltd (“Baijia Yuntu”)

In September 2017 and December 2017, the Group disposed 100% equity interest in Baijia Shilian and Baijia Yuntu to the existing shareholders of the Company for no consideration. Baijia Shilian and Baijia Yuntu mostly focused on developing video player software with the function of providing live and on-demand video services. The disposals were accounted as a pro rata distribution to the Group’s shareholders and accordingly, any gains and losses resulting from the transaction were recorded as contribution from and distribution to shareholders.

The operations of Baijia Shilian and Baijia Yuntu prior to the disposal were insignificant and thus, did not have a major effect on the Group’s operation.

 

4.

PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Receivables from third party payment platform (1)

     18,405        24,352  

Prepaid rental expenses

     1,934        2,463  

Staff advance

     1,125        1,744  

Prepaid other service fees (2)

     1,616        19,007  

Others

     —          1,275  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     23,080        48,841  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Receivables from third party payment platform consist of cash that had been received from course participants but held by the third-party payment platform. The Group subsequently collected the full balance from the third-party payment platform.

(2)

Prepaid other service fees consist of prepayment of advertising fees and server hosting fees. Such prepayments are generally short-term in nature and are amortized over the related service period.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

5.

PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE, NET

Property, equipment and software consisted of the following:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Electronic equipment

     8,600        16,449  

Furniture and office equipment

     2,125        2,853  

Software

     360        360  

Leasehold improvement

     6,910        11,180  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     17,995        30,842  

Less: Accumulated depreciation

     (10,851      (14,063
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     7,144        16,779  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation expenses were RMB4,931 and RMB4,043 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

 

6.

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

 

 

     As of December 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Equity method investments:

     

Anhui Wanxin Genshuixue Education Technology Co., Ltd (1)

     3,244        —    

Chengdu Jingmiao Education Technology Co., Ltd (2)

     4,235        4,737  

Shanghai Jinyou Education Technology Co., Ltd.

     8        —    

Other equity method investments (3)

     117        484  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     7,604        5,221  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

In June 2016, the Group entered into an equity purchase agreement with the owner of Anhui Wanxin Genshuixue Education Technology Co., Ltd (“Anhui Wanxin”), a company established in the PRC that is committed to creating a permanent learning service platform for users. The Group purchased, for a cash consideration of RMB4,900, a 49% equity ownership interest in Anhui Wanxin. The Company has two seats out of five board seats and has concluded that it has significant influence but does not have control over Anhui Wanxin. Accordingly, the Group recorded its interest in Anhui Wanxin as an equity method investment. The Group recorded its shares of losses amounting to RMB586 during the year ended December 31, 2017 as well as an impairment losses amounting to RMB1,070 in order to decrease its carrying amount to the return of capital expected to be received from Anhui Wanxin upon its dissolution. In January 2018, Anhui Wanxin dissolved and the Group received a return on its capital amounting to RMB 3,244.

(2)

In July 2016, the Group entered into an equity purchase agreement with Chengdu Jingmiao Education Technology Co., Ltd (“Chengdu Jingmiao”), a company established in the PRC that is committed to providing study tour services to students aging from 4 to 14 years old. The Group purchased, for a cash consideration of RMB3,800, a 38% equity ownership interest in Chengdu Jingmiao. The Group concluded that it has significant influence but does not have control over Chengdu Jingmiao. Accordingly the Group

 

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Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

6.

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS—continued

 

  recorded its interest in Chengdu Jingmiao as an equity method investment. The Group recorded its shares of income amounting to RMB435 and RMB502 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018

 

(3)

The Group holds 25% equity interests in several third-party private companies through investments in their common shares or in-substance common shares. The majority of the long-term investments are engaged in online education services. The Group accounts for these investments under the equity method because the Group has the ability to exercise significant influence but does not have control over the investees. The Group recorded its shares of the loss of RMB8 in these investments for the year ended December 31, 2017 and recorded its shares of income in these investments of RMB367 for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

7.

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

The components of accrued expenses and other current liabilities were as follows:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Salary and welfare payable

     16,389        23,419  

Payable to third-parties (1)

     12,512        8,831  

Accrued expenses

     11,756        6,538  

Refund liability (2)

     2,475        11,167  

Other tax payable

     1,326        7,111  

Others

     130        178  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     44,588        57,244  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Payable to third-parties represents fees received from students and payable to training institutions and individual teachers under the Group’s membership-based platform service.

 

(2)

Refund liability represents the estimated amounts of deferred revenue with contingency in cash refund as described in Note 2.

 

8.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

Measured at fair value on a recurring basis

As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, available-for-sale investments recorded in short-term investments are measured and recorded at fair value initially and on a recurring basis in periods subsequent to their initial recognition and are as follows:

 

     Fair value measurement as of December 31, 2018  
     Quoted prices in
active market for
identical assets
     Significant
other
observable inputs
     Significant
unobservable
inputs
     Total  
     (Level 1) (RMB)      (Level 2) (RMB)      (Level 3) (RMB)      (RMB)  

Short-term investments- available-for-sale investments

     82,991        —          —          82,991  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     82,991        —          —          82,991  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

8.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT—continued

Measured at fair value on a recurring basis—continued

 

     Fair value measurement as of December 31, 2017  
     Quoted prices in
active market for
identical assets
     Significant
other
observable inputs
     Significant
unobservable
inputs
     Total  
     (Level 1) (RMB)      (Level 2) (RMB)      (Level 3) (RMB)      (RMB)  

Short-term investments- available-for-sale Investments

     7,974        —          —          7,974  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     7,974        —          —          7,974  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis

The Group measures goodwill at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when it is annually evaluated or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value as a result of the impairment assessments.

The Group measures long-term investments at fair value on a nonrecurring basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may no longer be recoverable.

 

9.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, the Group granted share options to employees. In March 2019, the Group approved the Share Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) under which the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares that may be issued pursuant to all awards is 28,400,000 shares. The shares reserved may be increased automatically if and whenever the unissued shares reserved accounts for less than one percent (1%) of the total then issued and outstanding shares, so that after the increase, the shares unissued and reserved under the Plan immediately after each such increase shall equal to five percent (5%) of the then issued and outstanding shares. The term of the option shall not exceed ten years from the date of the grant.

The options will vest in accordance with the vesting schedules set out in the respective share option agreements with vesting period ranging from 0 to 10 years.

The Company determined the estimated fair value of the options on the respective grant dates using the binomial option pricing model with the assistance from an independent valuation firm. The following assumptions were used.

 

     As of December 31,  

Grant date

   2017     2018  

Risk-free interest rate

     3.03%-3.12     3.42%-3.78

Volatility

     53.20%-53.90     53.40%-56.20

Dividend yield

     —         —    

Exercise multiples

     2.2       2.2  

Life of options (in years)

     10       10  

Fair value of underlying ordinary shares

     2.9-4.3       4.5-12.7  

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

9.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION—continued

 

(1) Risk-free interest rate

Risk-free interest rate was estimated based on the daily treasury long term rate of the U.S. Treasury Department with a maturity period close to the expected term of the options, plus the country default spread of China.

(2) Volatility

The volatility of the underlying ordinary shares during the lives of the options was estimated based on the historical stock price volatility of comparable listed companies over a period comparable to the expected term of the options.

(3) Dividend yield

The dividend yield was estimated by the Group based on its expected dividend policy over the expected term of the options.

(4) Exercise multiples

Exercise multiple represents the value of the underlying share as a multiple of exercise price of the option which, if achieved, results in exercise of the option.

(5) Life of options

Life of options is extracted from option agreements.

(6) Fair value of underlying ordinary shares

The estimated fair value of the ordinary shares underlying the options as of the respective grant dates was determined based on a valuation with the assistance of a third party appraiser.

 

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Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

9.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION—continued

 

A summary of options activities during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 is presented below:

 

    Number of
options
    Weighted
average
exercise price
    Weighted average
grant date
fair value
    Weighted average
remaining contractual
term (years)
    Aggregate
intrinsic
value
 

Options outstanding at January 1, 2017

    19,398,245       0.01       1.35      

Granted

    313,340       0.01       3.69      

Forfeited

    110,000       0.01       1.40      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Options outstanding at December 31, 2017

    19,601,585       0.01       1.39         82,907  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Granted

    4,873,980       0.01       12.17      

Forfeited

    5,000       0.01       4.24      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Options outstanding at December 31, 2018

    24,470,565       0.01       3.54       8.36       310,213  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2018

    24,470,565       0.01       3.54       8.36       310,213  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Option exercisable as of December 31, 2018

    17,782,980       0.01       7.03       7.84       295,210  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The total fair value of options vested during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 were RMB993 and RMB2,288, respectively.

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, the Group granted 93,540 and 28,820 of options to certain employees which were fully vested on the grant date. RMB397 and RMB366 of compensation expenses was recorded on the grant date related to those options as no future services were required to be performed by those employees in exchange for those awards.

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, the Group granted 219,800 and 4,845,160 of graded vesting options to certain employees. The Company recognizes compensation expenses related to those option over the estimated service period for each separate vesting portion of the award as if the award is in substance, multiple awards. RMB596 and RMB1,922 of compensation expenses was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

As of December 31, 2018, there was RMB59,498 of unrecognized compensation expenses related to options expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 8.35 years.

In October 2017 and April 2018, the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company repurchased 12,283,183 and 289,590 ordinary shares from other founders. The Company recorded RMB4,795 and RMB382, respectively, in 2017 and 2018, as compensation to the CEO, which represents the excess of the fair value of ordinary shares at each repurchase date over the repurchase price.

 

10.

CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES

In April 2015, the Company issued 20,000,000 Series A convertible redeemable preference shares (‘‘Series A Preferred Shares’’) with an issuance price of USD2 per share to a group of investors for a total consideration of USD40,000.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

10.

CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES—continued

 

In conjunction with the Series A Preferred Shares issuance, the Company granted Series A Preferred Shares purchase warrant (“Preferred Share Warrant”) to one of the Series A Preferred Shares investor to purchase an additional 5,000,000 Series A Preferred Shares at a price of USD2 per share before March 31, 2016. The Company recorded the Preferred Share Warrant as a deemed dividend and treated the Preferred Share Warrant as a freestanding financial instrument recorded at fair value at each reporting period. On December 28, 2015, the holder of the Preferred Share Warrant transferred the warrant to other investors who exercised it and purchased 5,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Shares for a total consideration of USD10,000.

In June 2015, the Company re-designated 3,500,000 ordinary shares held by one investor as 3,500,000 Series A Preferred Shares. The Company accounted for the re-designation as a repurchase and cancelation of ordinary shares combined with an issuance of new preferred shares. The difference between the carrying value of ordinary shares and the fair value of the Series A Preferred Shares at the time of re-designation was recorded as a deemed dividend in the Company’s consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ deficit.

In December 2015, the Group approved and issued 7,125,002 preferred shares to all preferred shareholders for no consideration and accounted for the issuance as a deemed dividend.

Key terms of the Series A Preferred Shares are summarized as follows:

Voting Rights

The holders of Series A Preferred Shares and ordinary shares shall vote together based on their shareholding ratio.

Dividends

If the board of directors decides to pay dividends, the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive dividends, out of any assets legally available therefor, prior and in preference to any declaration or payment of any dividend on the ordinary shares at the rate of 8% of the applicable preferred share issue price per annum on each Series A Preferred Shares, payable in U.S. dollars and annually when, as and if declared by the board. Such distributions shall not be cumulative.

Redemption

At any time after the earlier of (i) termination of Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen’s full-time employment relationship with the Group prior to a Qualified Initial Public Offering (“QIPO”), (ii) termination of the full-time employment relationship of any two of the founders (other than Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen) with the Group prior to a QIPO, (iii) June 30, 2018, if the company has not consummated a QIPO due to the reason that the founders of the Company disapprove or otherwise fail to approve a QIPO whilst the Company has satisfied, or is reasonably expected to satisfy the requirements necessary to consummate a QIPO, (iv) June 30, 2018, if the company has not consummated a QIPO due to any other reasons (other than the reason set forth in the Situation (iii)), (v) the failure by the Series A Preferred Shares holders to conduct the inspection contemplated for reasons attributable to the Seller Parties, or (vi) any material breach by the Group, the founders or the BVI companies of any representatives, warranties or covenants, the Company or the CEO shall redeem all or portion of respective outstanding Series A Preferred Shares within two months after the Company or the founders receive the redemption notice.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

10.

CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES—continued

Redemption—continued

 

The redemption price shall be a return at a specified rate per annum single annually from the original issue date to the date on which the applicable redemption amount is paid in full. A specified rate might be (a) 20% if the redemption is initiated pursuant to Situation(i); (b) 10% if the redemption is initiated pursuant to Situation (ii); (c) 15% if the redemption is initiated pursuant to Situation (iii); (d) 12% if the redemption is initiated pursuant to Situation (iv)-(vi), as applicable. The redemption value of the convertible redeemable preferred shares was RMB427,130 and RMB466,060 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

In October and December 2018, two existing Series A Preferred Share investors exercised their redemption option for a portion of their shares. As a result, the CEO repurchased 4,166,219 Series A Preferred Shares for cash at a total consideration of RMB60,050. The repurchase price was calculated based on the redemption option included in the Series A Preferred Shares agreement described in the previous paragraph. The Group treated the cash payment as an equity contribution to the Group from the CEO for the redemption price and the Group using the funds to redeem those shares, combined with a subsequent issuance of Series A Preferred Shares to the CEO. The redemption price equaled the carrying amount of the Series A Preferred Shares at the redemption date and thus, did not result in any deemed dividend. Additionally, the Company recorded RMB3,247 as share-based compensation, representing the difference between the fair value of the Series A Preferred Shares and the redemption price.

Liquidation

In the event of liquidation, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, prior to the holders of ordinary shares, the relevant amount per Series A Preferred Share equal to (i) 150% of the applicable Series A Preferred Share issue price, plus (ii) an amount accruing thereon at a compound annual rate of 8% of the applicable Series A Preferred Share issue price, plus (iii) all declared but unpaid dividends thereon.

In the event of insufficient funds available to pay in full the preference amount in respect of Series A Preferred Shares, the entire assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution to the holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall be distributed on a pro rata basis among the holders of Series A Preferred Shares in proportion to issued price.

Conversion

Each preferred share shall automatically be converted into ordinary shares at the then applicable preferred share conversion price upon the closing of an underwritten public offering of the ordinary shares of the Company in the United States; or upon the prior written approval of the holders of at least two thirds of the Series A Preferred Shares.

The conversion rate for Series A Preferred Shares shall be determined by dividing Series A Preferred Shares issue price by the conversion price then in effect at the date of the conversion. The initial conversion price will be the Series A Preferred Share issue price (i.e., a 1-to-1 initial conversion ratio), which will be subject to adjustments to reflect stock dividends, stock splits and other events.

Modification of preferred shares

In March 2019, the Company and the Series A Preferred Share investors agreed to (i) extend the original redemption date of the Series A Preferred Shares from June 30, 2018 to June 30, 2020, (ii) removed the

 

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Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

10.

CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES—continued

Modification of preferred shares—continued

 

termination of the full-time employment relationship of any two of the founders of the Group prior to a QIPO as a redemption triggering event and (iii) changed the liquidation preference to include an automatic termination once a QIPO occurs. As this transaction represented a modification as opposed to an extinguishment of preferred shares, only an increase in fair value required accounting. The Company calculated the increase in fair value of the Series A Preferred Share at the modification date resulting from the changes described and concluded that the increase was insignificant.

The change in the balance of Series A Preferred Shares included in mezzanine equity for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 are as follows:

 

     Series A
Preferred Shares
 
     RMB  

Balance as of January 1, 2017

     388,200  

Accretion of Series A Preferred Shares

     38,930  

Balance as of December 31, 2017

     427,130  
  

 

 

 

Accretion of Series A Preferred Shares

     38,930  

Balance as of December 31, 2018

     466,060  
  

 

 

 

The Group recognizes changes in the redemption value ratably over the redemption period. Increases in the carrying amount of the redeemable preferred shares are recorded by charges against retained earnings, or in the absence of retained earnings, by charges as reduction of additional paid-in capital until additional paid-in capital is reduced to zero. Once paid-in capital is reduced to zero, the redemption value measurement adjustment is recognized as an increase in accumulated deficit.

 

11.

INCOME TAXES

The Company is incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company is not subject to income or capital gains taxes. The Company’s subsidiary BaiJiaHuLian HK is located in Hong Kong and is subject to an income tax rate of 16.5% for assessable profit earned in Hong Kong in 2017, and an income tax rate of 8.25% for assessable profit up to HKD2,000,000 from April 2018 onwards. No provision for Hong Kong profits tax was made as the Group had no estimated assessable profit that was subject to Hong Kong profits tax during 2017 and 2018.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

11.

INCOME TAXES—continued

 

The Company’s subsidiary, the VIE and the VIE’s subsidiaries, which were entities incorporated in the PRC (the “PRC entities”), are subject to PRC Enterprise Income Tax (“EIT”) on their taxable income in accordance with the relevant PRC income tax laws, which have adopted a unified income tax rate of 25% since January 1, 2008. Beijing BaiJiaHuLian qualified as a High and New Technology Enterprise from 2017 to 2019 and accordingly was entitled to the 15% preferential tax rate during the period. The current and deferred components of the income tax expense appearing in the consolidated statement of operations were as follows:

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Current tax expense

     3        —    

Deferred tax (benefit) expense

     (4,623      2,616  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (4,620      2,616  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The principle components of deferred tax assets were as follows:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Deferred tax assets

     

Impairment loss on long-term investments

     161        —    

Deductible temporary difference related to advertising expenses

     14        3,122  

Net operating loss carrying forwards

     65,137        70,941  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     65,312        74,063  

Less: valuation allowance

     (31,387      (42,797
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets, net

     33,925        31,266  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2018, the Group had net operating loss carried forward of RMB285,446 from the Company’s PRC entities, which will expire on various dates from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2028.

The principle components of deferred taxes liability were as follows:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Deferred tax liabilities

     

Acquired intangible assets

     —          59  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     —          59  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

11.

INCOME TAXES—continued

 

The reconciliation of the effective tax rate and the statutory income tax rate applicable to PRC operations was as follow:

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

(Loss) income before provision for income taxes

     (91,354      21,397  

Income tax (benefit) expense computed at an applicable tax rate of 25%

     (22,839      5,349  

Effect of non-deductible expenses

     7,354        4,100  

Effect of preferential tax rate

     (878      (18,243

Change in valuation allowance

     11,743        11,410  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (4,620      2,616  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The movements of valuation allowance for the years end December 31, 2017 and 2018 are as follows:

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Balance at beginning of the year

     25,976        31,387  

Additions

     11,743        11,410  

Decrease related to subsidiary disposals

     (6,332      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of the year

     31,387        42,797  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

If Beijing BaiJiaHuLian did not enjoy income tax preferential tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, the increase in income tax expenses and decrease in net income per share amounts would be as follows:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Increase in income tax expenses

     878        18,243  

Decrease in net income per common share-basic

     0.01        0.20  

Decrease in net income per common share-diluted

     0.01        0.20  

The Group did not identify significant unrecognized tax benefits for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Group did not incur any interest and penalties related to potential underpaid income tax expenses and also does not anticipate any significant increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months from December 31, 2018.

 

12.

ORDINARY SHARES

The Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association authorizes the Company to issue 464,374,998 ordinary shares with a par value of USD0.0001 per share. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the Company had 92,224,998 and 92,224,998 ordinary shares issued and outstanding, respectively.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

13.

NET LOSS PER SHARE

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, the Group has determined that its convertible redeemable participating preferred shares are participating securities as the preferred shares participate in undistributed earnings on an as-if-converted basis. The holders of the preferred shares are entitled to receive dividends on a pro rata basis, as if their shares had been converted into ordinary shares. Accordingly, the Group uses the two-class method of computing net income per share, for ordinary shares and preferred shares according to the participation rights in undistributed earnings. However, undistributed loss is only allocated to ordinary shareholders because holders of preferred shares are not contractually obligated to share losses.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share for the periods indicated:

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Numerator:

     

Net (loss) income

     (86,955      19,650  

Accretion on Series A Preferred Shares redemption value

     (38,930      (38,930

Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of GSX Techedu Inc.

     (125,885      (19,280
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator:

     

Denominator for basic and diluted loss per share

     

Weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding (Note)

     

Basic and diluted

     92,224,998        92,224,998  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic and diluted loss per share

     (1.36      (0.21
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  Note:

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, the following shares or share options outstanding were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per ordinary share, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive for the periods prescribed.

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2017      2018  

Shares issuable upon exercise of share options

     21,347,418        21,892,243  

Shares issuable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Shares

     35,625,002        35,625,002  

 

14.

EMPLOYEE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN

Full time employees of the Group in the PRC participate in a government mandated defined contribution plan, pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, employee housing fund, unemployment insurance and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labor regulations require that the Group’s PRC entities make contributions to the government for these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees’ salaries. The Group has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions made. The total amount for such employee benefits, which was expensed as incurred, was RMB23,140 and RMB35,738 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

15.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

 

  (1)

Related parties

 

Name of related parties

  

Relationship with the Group

Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen

   CEO and Chairman of the board of Directors of the Company

Wanxin Genshuixue

   Equity method investment investee

Beijing Youlian Global Education Technology Co., Ltd (“Beijing Youlian”)

   Equity method investment investee

Shanghai Jinyou

   Equity method investment investee prior to the acquisition

 

  (2)

The significant balances and transactions between the Group and its related parties were as follows:

 

  (a)

Balance

 

     As of December 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Amounts due from:

     

Beijing Youlian

     247        710  

Shanghai Jinyou

     1,750        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,997        710  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts due to:

     

Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen

     64,531        35,338  

Wanxin Genshuixue

     74        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     64,605        35,338  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The balances with related parties were interest-free, unsecured and repayable on demand.

 

  (b)

Transaction

 

     Revenue
For the year ended December 31,
 
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Beijing Youlian (1)

     1,528        4,670  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,528        4,670  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Expense
For the year ended December 31,
 
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Beijing Youlian (2)

     33        2,052  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     33        2,052  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Group recognized revenue from providing technical service.

(2)

The Group recognized expense from receiving advertising service provided by Beijing Youlian.

 

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Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

16.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating lease commitments

Future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases related to offices consisted of the following at December 31, 2018:

 

Years ending December 31,    RMB  

2019

     25,110  

2020

     18,057  

2021

     7,849  

2022

     4,698  

2023 and thereafter

     3,986  
  

 

 

 
     59,700  
  

 

 

 

Payments under operating leases are expensed on a straight-line basis over the periods of their respective leases. The terms of the leases do not contain rent escalation or contingent rents. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, total rental expense for all operating leases amounted to RMB13,540 and RMB13,965, respectively.

 

17.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise engaging in businesses activities for which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by the Group’s chief operating decision makers (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Group’s CODM has been identified as the CEO. Prior to March 2017, the Group mainly provided membership-based service platform connecting teachers and students. Subsequently, the Group transitioned from a membership-based service platform to its current integrated online tutoring services. The CODM reviews consolidated results including revenue, grow profit and operating profit at a consolidated level only and does not distinguish between services for the purpose of making decisions about resources allocation and performance assessment. As such, the Group concluded that it has one operating segment and one reporting segment. The Group operates solely in the PRC and all of the Group’s long-lived assets are located in the PRC.

 

18.

RESTRICTED NET ASSETS

Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by the Group’s PRC subsidiaries only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. The results of operations reflected in the financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP differ from those reflected in the statutory financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries.

In accordance with the Regulations on Enterprises with Foreign Investment of China and their articles of association, a foreign invested enterprise established in the PRC is required to provide certain statutory reserves, namely general reserve fund, the enterprise expansion fund and staff welfare and bonus fund which are appropriated from net profit as reported in the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts, which is included in retained earnings accounts in equity section of the consolidated balance sheets. A wholly-owned foreign invested enterprise is required to allocate at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit to the general reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its respective registered capital based on the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. Appropriations to the enterprise expansion fund and staff welfare and bonus fund are at the

 

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Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

18.

RESTRICTED NET ASSETS—continued

 

discretion of the board of directors for all foreign invested enterprises. The aforementioned reserves can only be used for specific purposes and are not distributable as cash dividends. If any PRC subsidiary incur debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to the Group. Any limitation on the ability of the PRC subsidiaries to distribute dividends or other payments to their respective shareholders could materially and adversely limit the ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to pay dividends.

Additionally, in accordance with the Company Law of the PRC, a domestic enterprise is required to provide statutory common reserve at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit until such reserve reaches 50% of its respective registered capital based on the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. The Group’s provision for the statutory common reserve is in compliance with the aforementioned requirement of the Company Law. A domestic enterprise is also required to provide for discretionary surplus reserve, at the discretion of the board of directors, from the profits determined in accordance with the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. The aforementioned reserves can only be used for specific purposes and are not distributable as cash dividends.

Because the Group’s entities in the PRC can only be paid out of distributable profits reported in accordance with PRC accounting standards, the Group’s entities in the PRC are restricted from transferring a portion of their net assets to the Company. The restricted amounts include the paid-in capital and statutory reserves of the Group’s entities in the PRC. The aggregate amount of paid-in capital and statutory reserves, which is the amount of net assets of the Group’s entities in the PRC (mainland) not available for distribution, were RMB11,136 and RMB11,136, as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

 

19.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Group has evaluated events subsequent to the balance sheet date of December 31, 2018 through March 19, 2019, the date on which the financial statements are available to be issued.

 

F-41


Table of Contents

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY

BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

     As of December 31  
     2017     2018     2018  
     RMB     RMB     USD  
                 (Note 3)  

ASSETS

      

Current assets

      

Cash and cash equivalents

     169       166       24  

Amounts due from subsidiaries

     129,908       137,279       20,455  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     130,077       137,445       20,479  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

     130,077       137,445       20,479  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current liabilities

      

Amounts due to a related party

     32,531       34,378       5,122  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     32,531       34,378       5,122  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

      

Deficits of investments in subsidiaries and VIE

     149,833       129,546       19,303  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     182,364       163,924       24,425  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

MEZZANINE EQUITY

      

Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares (USD0.0001 par value; 35,625,002 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2018; liquidation value of RMB552,755 and RMB578,709 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018)

     427,130       466,060       69,445  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

      

Ordinary shares (par value of USD0.0001 per share; 464,374,998 shares authorized as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, 92,224,998 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2018)

     60       60       9  

Additional paid-in capital

     —         —         —    

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     925       1,166       174  

Accumulated deficit

     (480,402     (493,765     (73,574
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

     (479,417     (492,539     (73,391
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

     130,077       137,445       20,479  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-42


Table of Contents

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2017     2018     2018  
     RMB     RMB     USD  
                 (Note 3)  

General and administrative expenses

     —         (12     (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     —         (12     (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     —         (12     (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries and VIE

     (86,955     19,662       2,929  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income before income tax

     (86,955     19,650       2,927  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expenses

     —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

     (86,955     19,650       2,927  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares redemption value accretion

     (38,930     (38,930     (5,801
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to GSX Techedu Inc.’s ordinary shareholders

     (125,885     (19,280     (2,874
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-43


Table of Contents

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2017     2018      2018  
     RMB     RMB      USD  
                  (Note 3)  

Net (loss) income

     (86,955     19,650        2,927  

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:

       

Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments

     (39     10        1  

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments (net of tax effect of nil and nil for years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively

     24       231        34  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive (loss) income

     (86,970     19,891        2,962  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-44


Table of Contents

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2017     2018     2018  
     RMB     RMB     USD  
                 (Note 3)  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Net (loss) income

     (86,955     19,650       2,927  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries and VIE

     86,955       (19,662     (2,929

Net cash used in operating activities

     —         (12     (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

      

Amounts due from subsidiaries

     (32,495     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (32,495     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

      

Amounts borrowed from a related party

     32,531       —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash generated from financing activities

     32,531       —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes

     (40     9       1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (4     (3     (1

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

     173       169       25  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

     169       166       24  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-45


Table of Contents

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

1.

BASIS FOR PREPARATION

The condensed financial information of the Parent Company has been prepared using the same accounting policies as set out in the Group’s consolidated financial statements except that the Parent Company used the equity method to account for investments in its subsidiaries, VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries.

 

2.

INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES AND VIE AND VIE’S SUBSIDIARIES

The Parent Company and its subsidiaries, VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries were included in the consolidated financial statements where inter-company balances and transactions were eliminated upon consolidation. For purpose of the Parent Company’s stand-alone financial statements, its investments in subsidiaries, VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries were reported using the equity method of accounting. The Parent Company’s share of loss from its subsidiaries, VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries were reported as share of loss of subsidiaries, VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries in the accompanying Parent Company financial statements. Ordinarily under the equity method, an investor in an equity method investee would cease to recognize its share of the losses of an investee once the carrying value of the investment has been reduced to RMB nil absent an undertaking by the investor to provide continuing support and fund losses. For the purpose of this Schedule I, the Parent Company has continued to reflect its share, based on its proportionate interest, of the losses of subsidiaries, VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries regardless of the carrying value of the investment even though the Parent Company is not obligated to provide continuing support or fund losses.

 

3.

CONVENIENCE TRANSLATION

The Group’s business is primarily conducted in China and all of the revenues are denominated in RMB. However, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current period amounts translated into US dollars using the exchange rate as of balance sheet date, for the convenience of the readers. Translations of balances in the balance sheet, and the related statement of operations and cash flows from Renminbi (“RMB”) into US dollars as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of USD1.00=RMB6.7112, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on March 29, 2019. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into USD at that rate on March 29, 2019, or at any other rate.

 

F-46


Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

     As of December 31,      As of March 31,      As of March 31,  
     2018      2019      2019      2019      2019  
     RMB      RMB      USD      RMB      USD  
                   (Note 2)             (Note 2)  
                          Pro forma      Pro forma  

ASSETS

              

Current assets

              

Cash and cash equivalents

     33,259        40,033        5,965        40,033        5,965  

Short-term investments

     197,991        254,139        37,868        254,139        37,868  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     48,841        69,456        10,349        69,456        10,349  

Amounts due from related parties

     710        —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     280,801        363,628        54,182        363,628        54,182  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current assets

              

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     —          57,381        8,550        57,381        8,550  

Property, equipment and software, net

     16,779        19,595        2,920        19,595        2,920  

Intangible assets

     237        193        29        193        29  

Long-term investments

     5,221        4,754        708        4,754        708  

Goodwill

     331        331        49        331        49  

Deferred tax assets

     31,266        23,296        3,471        23,296        3,471  

Rental deposit

     3,508        4,689        699        4,689        699  

Other non-current assets

     60        302        45        302        45  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

     338,203        474,169        70,653        474,169        70,653  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

              

Current liabilities

              

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including accrued expenses and other current liabilities of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB51,445 and RMB64,804 as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, respectively)

     57,244        81,278        12,111        81,278        12,111  

Deferred revenue, current portion of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group

     263,330        282,267        42,059        282,267        42,059  

Current portion of operating lease liabilities of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group

     —          21,427        3,193        21,427        3,193  

Income tax payable of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group

     —          1,714        255        1,714        255  

Amounts due to related parties (including amounts due to related parties of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group of RMB960 and RMB460 as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, respectively)

     35,338        34,016        5,069        34,016        5,069  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     355,912        420,702        62,687        420,702        62,687  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

              

Deferred revenue, non-current portion of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group

     8,711        9,088        1,354        9,088        1,354  

Non-current portion of operating lease liabilities of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group

     —          32,679        4,869        32,679        4,869  

Deferred tax liabilities of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Group

     59        48        7        48        7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     364,682        462,517        68,917        462,517        68,917  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-47


Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

     As of December 31,     As of March 31,     As of March 31,  
     2018     2019     2019     2019     2019  
     RMB     RMB     USD     RMB     USD  
                 (Note 2)           (Note 2)  
                       Pro forma     Pro forma  

Commitments (Note 11)

          

MEZZANINE EQUITY

          

Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares (USD0.0001 par value; 35,625,002 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019; liquidation value of RMB578,709 and RMB585,197 as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019)

     466,060       475,793       70,895       —         —       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

          

Ordinary shares (par value of USD0.0001 per share; 464,374,998 shares authorized as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019; 92,224,998 shares and 107,824,998 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019 respectively; 143,450,000 shares issued and outstanding, unaudited, on a pro forma basis)

     60       70       10       94       14  

Additional paid-in capital

     —         —         —         475,769       70,891  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,166       1,428       213       1,428       213  

Accumulated deficit

     (493,765     (465,639     (69,382     (465,639     (69,382
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY

     (492,539     (464,141     (69,159     11,652       1,736  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

     338,203       474,169       70,653       474,169       70,653  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

     For the three months ended March 31,  
     2018     2019     2019  
     RMB     RMB     USD  
                 (Note 2)  

Net revenues

     46,911       269,155       40,105  

Cost of revenues (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB12 and RMB423 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively)

     (20,688     (82,045     (12,225
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     26,223       187,110       27,880  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

      

Selling expenses (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB32 and RMB590 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively)

     (13,882     (99,519     (14,829

Research and development expenses (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB80 and RMB1,208 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively)

     (11,924     (30,442     (4,536

General and administrative expenses (including share-based compensation expenses of RMB89 and RMB1,601 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively)

     (4,577     (14,422     (2,149
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     (30,383     (144,383     (21,514
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income from operations

     (4,160     42,727       6,366  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest income

     88       1,116       166  

Other income

     87       533       79  

Other expenses

     (17     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income before provision for income tax and loss from equity method investments

     (4,002     44,376       6,611  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax benefits (expenses)

     489       (10,018     (1,493

Loss from equity method investments

     (90     (467     (70
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

     (3,603     33,891       5,048  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less: Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares redemption value accretion

     9,733       9,733       1,450  

Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to the participating preferred shares

     —         6,444       961  

Net (loss) income attributable to GSX Techedu Inc.’s ordinary shareholders

     (13,336     17,714       2,637  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic (loss)/ income per ordinary share

     (0.14     0.18       0.03  

Diluted (loss)/income per ordinary share

     (0.14     0.17       0.02  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares used in computing net (loss)/income per share

      

Ordinary share-basic

     92,224,998       97,944,998       97,944,998  

Ordinary share-diluted

     92,224,998       106,013,755       106,013,755  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

     For the three months ended March 31,  
     2018     2019     2019  
     RMB     RMB     USD  
                 (Note 2)  

Net (loss) income

     (3,603     33,891       5,048  

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:

      

Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments

     58       (16     (2

Unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale investments (net of tax effect of nil and nil for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively)

     (15     278       41  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive (loss) income attributable to GSX Techedu Inc.

     (3,560     34,153       5,087  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

     Attributable to shareholders of the Group  
     Number of
ordinary
shares
     Ordinary
shares
     Additional
paid-in
capital
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
    Accumulated
deficit
    Total GSX
Techedu Inc.
shareholders’
deficit
 

Balance as of January 1, 2018

     92,224,998        60        —         925       (480,402     (479,417

Net loss

     —          —          —         —         (3,603     (3,603

Share-based compensation

     —          —          213       —         —         213  

Accretion to redemption value of convertible redeemable preferred shares

     —          —          (213     —         (9,520     (9,733

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     —          —          —         58       —         58  

Unrealized losses on available-for-sale investments

     —          —          —         (15     —         (15
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2018 in RMB

     92,224,998        60        —         968       (493,525     (492,497
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2019

     92,224,998        60        —         1,166       (493,765     (492,539

Net income

     —          —          —         —         33,891       33,891  

Share-based compensation

     —          —          3,822       —         —         3,822  

Accretion to redemption value of convertible redeemable preferred shares

     —          —          (3,968     —         (5,765     (9,733

Option exercised

     15,600,000        10        146       —         —         156  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     —          —          —         (16     —         (16

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments

     —          —          —         278       —         278  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2019 in RMB

     107,824,998        70        —         1,428       (465,639     (464,141
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2019 in USD(Note 2)

     107,824,998        10        —         213       (69,382     (69,159
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

     For the three months ended
March 31,
 
     2018     2019     2019  
     RMB     RMB     USD  
                 (Note 2)  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Net (loss) income

     (3,603     33,891       5,048  

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash generated from operating activities:

      

Depreciation of property, equipment and software

     1,087       1,529       228  

Amortization of intangible assets

     43       44       7  

Gain from remeasuring fair value of previously held equity interests upon business acquisition

     (86     —         —    

Loss from equity method investments

     90       467       70  

Loss on disposal of property, equipment and software

     27       —         —    

Share-based compensation

     213       3,822       569  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     7,569       20,970       3,126  

Deferred revenue

     10,965       19,314       2,878  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (12,029     (20,181     (3,007

Income tax payable

     —         1,714       255  

Amount due from related parties

     1,648       710       106  

Other assets

     33       (5,630     (839

Deferred tax assets

     (479     7,970       1,188  

Deferred tax liabilities

     (10     (11     (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash generated from operating activities

     5,420       64,609       9,627  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

      

Purchase of short-term investments

     (8,000     (406,593     (60,584

Proceeds from maturity of short-term investments

     7,950       350,445       52,218  

Purchase of property, equipment and software

     (3,033     (1,175     (175

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

     37       —         —    

Disposal of property, equipment and software

     —         3       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (3,046     (57,320     (8,541
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Amount borrowed from related parties

     460       —         —    

Repayment to related parties

     —         (500     (75
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash generated from (used in) financing activities

     460       (500     (75
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes

     2       (15     (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     2,836       6,774       1,009  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

     19,294       33,259       4,956  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

     22,130       40,033       5,965  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental schedule of cash flow information Income taxes paid

     —         345       51  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash investing and financing activity Payables for purchase of property, equipment and software

     170       3,172       473  

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

BaiJiaHuLian Group Holdings Limited was incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands in August 2014. In January 2019, BaiJiaHuLian Group Holdings Limited changed its corporate name to GSX Techedu Inc. (the “Company”). The Company, its subsidiaries, its consolidated variable interest entity (“VIE”) and VIE’s subsidiaries (collectively the “Group”) are currently engaged in the business of providing K-12 tutoring services, foreign language, professional and interest education services in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”).

The Group’s business has been directly operated by the VIE and its subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, the VIE and its subsidiaries accounted for an aggregate of 98.71% and 99.03%, respectively, of the Group’s consolidated total assets, and 88.98% and 89.18% respectively of the Group’s consolidated total liabilities.

The following financial information of the Company’s VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries after the elimination of inter-company transactions and balances as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019 was included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements:

 

     As of December 31      As of March 31  
     2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB  

Cash and cash equivalents

     31,603        37,998  

Short-term investments

     197,991        254,139  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     48,759        69,267  

Amounts due from related parties

     710        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     279,063        361,404  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term investments

     5,221        4,754  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     333,850        469,572  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     51,445        64,804  

Deferred revenue, current portion

     263,330        282,267  

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

     —          21,427  

Income tax payable

     —          1,714  

Amounts due to related parties

     960        460  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     315,735        370,672  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred revenue, non-current portion

     8,711        9,088  

Non-current portion of operating lease liabilities

     —          32,679  

Deferred tax liabilities

     59        48  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

     8,770        41,815  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     324,505        412,487  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES—continued

 

     For the three months ended March 31,  
     2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB  

Net revenues

     46,911        269,155  

Net income

     4,561        43,484  

Net cash generated from operating activities

     3,413        64,215  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (3,046      (57,320

Net cash generated from (used in) financing activities

     2,306        (500
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of presentation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Security and Exchange Commission and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial reporting. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Accordingly, these statements should be read in conjunction with the Group’s audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018.

In the opinion of the management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of financial results for the interim periods presented. The Group believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the same accounting policies as used in the preparation of the Group’s consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, except for the adoption of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The Group adopted Topic 842 in the first quarter of 2019 using the modified retrospective transition approach allowed under ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842), Targeted Improvements, as described in Note 2. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full years.

The financial information as of December 31, 2018 presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Principles of consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial information of the Group and its subsidiaries, the VIE and the VIE’s subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions were eliminated upon consolidation.

Convenience translation

The Group’s business is primarily conducted in China and all of the revenues are denominated in RMB. However, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current period amounts translated into

 

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Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

Convenience translation—continued

 

US dollars using the exchange rate as of balance sheet date, for the convenience of the readers. Translations of balances in the consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, change in shareholders’ deficit and cash flows from Renminbi (“RMB”) into US dollars as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of USD1.00=RMB6.7112 representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on March 29, 2019. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into USD at that rate on March 29, 2019, or at any other rate.

Revenue recognition

The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Group’s revenue is reported net of discount, value added tax and related surcharges.

The primary sources of the Group’s revenues are as follows:

(1) Online tutoring services

The Group offers various types of integrated online tutoring services covering a wide spectrum of topics and targets students from broad age groups through its diverse offerings of K-12 tutoring, foreign language, professional and interest education services. The Group’s live interactive tutoring services consists of several components, including online live broadcasting classes as well as other activities during the online period including teaching material, quizzes before, during and after the classes, summary of lessons after each class and interactions with both other students and instructors during the period. Different service components are highly interdependent and interrelated in the context of the contract with the live interactive tutoring services. Therefore, the Group has determined that the live interactive tutoring services represents one performance obligation. The service period for a majority of the live interactive tutoring services is less than six months.

Once the live interactive tutoring services is complete, the Group also offers the customer a content playback service. In the content playback service, the customer has unlimited access to online pre-recorded audio-video courses for a specified period ranging from one to three years. No other interactions or activities are provided during the playback period. For contracts that provide both the live interactive tutoring service and the content playback service, the Group determined that the live interactive tutoring service and content playback service are two separate performance obligations under ASC 606, as these two deliverables are distinct in that customers can benefit from each service on its own and the Group’s promises to deliver the services are separately identifiable from each other in the contract.

Tutoring fees are collected in advance. The Group determines that there is not a significant financing component based on the nature of the service being offered and the purpose of the payment terms. The Group charges a single upfront amount, not with the primary purpose of obtaining financing from the students but, instead, to maximize profitability, taking into consideration the risks associated with providing the service. For K-12 related courses, the Group offers refunds for any remaining classes to students who

 

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Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

Revenue recognition—continued

(1) Online tutoring services—continued

 

withdraw from the course. The refund is equal to the amount related to the undelivered class. The Group determines the transaction price to be earned by estimating the refund liability based on historical refund ratio on a portfolio basis using the expected value method, and allocates the tutoring fee excluding the estimate for refund liability to each performance obligation using the relative stand-alone selling price. The Group determines the stand-alone selling prices using an expected cost plus margin methodology. Revenue related to the live interactive tutoring service is recognized proportionately as the online classes are delivered, as the Group concluded that the delivery of each online class represents a faithful depiction of when the services are provided to the students. Revenue related to the right to access the content playback is recognized proportionally over the playback period, as the Group concluded that the content playback service represents a stand ready obligation to provide the playback services and the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as the Group provides such services throughout the playback period.

In some promotion activities, the Group grants sales incentives, including cash coupon and free class, to students who made qualified course purchases. Those students can redeem the cash coupon in the next purchase as part of payment, or select to enroll in a new course free of charge, prior to the incentive’s expiration. The cash coupon and free class will expire in six months. The Group determined the cash coupon and/or free course granted to existing students are material rights. As a result, a portion of sales price received on students making qualified purchases is allocated to the sales incentives granted based on the relative standalone selling prices. The selling price of cash coupon is estimated based on the discount amount and the probability of redemption. Revenue allocated to sales incentives is recorded as deferred revenue until redemption or expiration. Once the coupon or free class is redeemed, revenue will be recognized based on the revenue recognition policy discussed above. Students may not always redeem cash coupon or take the free class offered before the expiration of the sales incentive. Therefore, the Group expects to be entitled to a breakage amount in deferred revenue related to the incentives. The Group estimates the breakage based on historical students’ usage and recognizes the estimated breakage as revenue in proportion to the pattern of incentives exercised by students. The assessment of estimating breakage is updated on a quarterly basis. Changes in estimated breakage is accounted for by adjusting deferred revenue to reflect the remaining incentive rights expected to be exercised.

(2) Other services

Other service revenues are primarily derived from 1) membership-based service and 2) offline business consulting courses.

The Group provides membership-based services which consists of providing a platform connecting training institutions or individual teachers and students. Training institutions or individual teachers who pay the membership fees are able to join the Group’s online platform and market their courses to prospective students. Membership fees are primarily fixed and no contractual membership fee refunds are provided to the training institutions or individual teachers. The membership services mainly provide training institutions or individual teachers with display of an online storefront on the Group’s platforms and access to online account management system, which are accounted for as a single performance obligation as the membership services are highly integrated. These service fees are paid in advance for a specific contracted service period and the revenues are recognized proportionally over the service period, typically 12 months, as the Group

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

Revenue recognition—continued

(2) Other services—continued

 

concluded that the membership service represents a stand ready obligation to provide the services while the member simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of such services throughout the contract period.

The Group also offers offline business consulting courses targeting principals and other officers of private education institutions who want to improve their management skills. No contractual service fee refund is provided to the course participants. Course fees are collected in advance and the revenues, net of any discounts, are recognized proportionally over the service period, which is generally less than a year, as the classes are generally delivered evenly through the course period.

Contract balances

The following table provides information about the Group’s contract liabilities arising from contract with customers. The increase in contract liabilities primarily resulted from the Group’s business growth.

 

     As of
December 31
     As of
March 31
 
     2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB  

Deferred revenue-current

     263,330        282,267  

Deferred revenue-non-current

     8,711        9,088  

Refund liability

     11,167        9,863  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     283,208        301,218  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred revenue primarily consists of tuition fees received from customers for which the Group’s revenue recognition criteria have not been met. The deferred revenue will be recognized as revenue once the criteria for revenue recognition have been met. Revenue recognized during the three month ended March 31, 2018 and 2019 that was included in the deferred revenue balance at January 1, 2018 and January 1, 2019 amounted to RMB15,796 and RMB148,232, respectively.

Refund liability represents the tutoring fee collected by the Group which it expects to refund back to its customer as a result of its refund policy. Refund liability is estimated based on the historical refund ratio for each of the type of classes provided. The Group’s remaining performance obligations represents the amount of the transaction price for which service has not been performed.

As of March 31, 2019, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated for the remaining performance obligations amounted to RMB291,355. The Group expects to recognize revenue of RMB282,267 and RMB6,991 related the remaining performance obligations over the next 12 and 24 months, respectively, with the remainder of RMB2,097 recognized thereafter.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

Revenue recognition—continued

(2) Other services—continued

 

Disaggregation of revenue

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, all of the Group’s revenues were generated in the PRC. Additionally, all of the revenues for the periods were recognized from contracts with customers. The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by types:

 

     For the three months ended March 31,  
     2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB  

Online tutoring services

     38,154        264,950  

—K-12 courses

     33,484        204,310  

—Foreign language, professional and interest education services

     4,670        60,640  

Other services:

     8,757        4,205  

—Membership-based service

     3,374        282  

—Offline business consulting courses

     5,318        3,923  

—Others

     65        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net revenues

     46,911        269,155  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cost of revenues

Cost of revenues mainly consists of salaries to instructors and tutors, rental expenses for office space, depreciation and amortization of properties and equipment, teaching materials and bandwidth costs. The instructors consists of both full-time instructors and part-time instructors. Full-time instructors’ compensation primarily consist of base salary, as well as teaching fees based on hourly rates in connection with courses delivered. The compensation of part-time instructors is calculated as a fixed percentage of the tuition fees of the courses delivered by the instructors, and is accrued as courses are delivered. The compensation of tutors consists of base salary and performance-based compensations, which is determined based on student retention and exercise completion. Specifically, if an existing student of a tutor enrolls in a new course, a bonus is paid to the tutor which is calculated as a percentage of the tuition of the new course. Tutors also receives a fixed payment for each exercise marking performed. The Group accrues on a monthly basis for the cost of tutor which includes basic salary, compensation for exercise marking as well as student retention bonus. The retention bonus is estimated by using the expected tuition collected for the retention courses, multiply by the estimated retention rate and the bonus percentage.

Leases

The Group leases administrative office spaces in different cities in the PRC under operating leases. The Group determines whether an arrangement constitutes a lease and records lease liabilities and right-of-use assets on its consolidated balance sheets at the lease commencement. The Group measures its lease liabilities based on the present value of the total lease payments not yet paid discounted based on the more readily determinable of the rate implicit in the lease or its incremental borrowing rate, which is the estimated rate the Group would be required to pay for a collateralized borrowing equal to the total lease payments over the term of the lease. The Group estimates its incremental borrowing rate based on an analysis of publicly

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

Leases—continued

 

traded debt securities of companies with credit and financial profiles similar to its own. The Group measures right-of-use assets based on the corresponding lease liability adjusted for payments made to the lessor at or before the commencement date, and initial direct costs it incurs under the lease. The Group begins recognizing rent expense when the lessor makes the underlying asset available to the Group. The Group’s leases have remaining lease terms of up to five years, some of which include options to extend the leases for an additional period which has to be agreed with the lessors based on mutual negotiation. After considering the factors that create an economic incentive, the Group did not include renewal option periods in the lease term for which it is not reasonably certain to exercise.

For short-term leases, the Group records rent expense in its consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term and record variable lease payments as incurred.

Significant risks and uncertainties

Foreign currency risk

The RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The State Administration for Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the Peoples Bank of China, controls the conversion of RMB into other currencies. The value of the RMB is subject to changes in central government policies, international economic and political developments affecting supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange Trading System market. The Group’s cash and cash equivalents denominated in RMB amounted to RMB32,643 and RMB39,439 as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, respectively.

Concentration risks

Financial instruments that potentially expose the Group to significant concentration of credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and receivables from third party payment platform. As of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, substantially all of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were deposited in financial institutions located in the PRC.

There are no revenues from customers which individually represent greater than 10% of the total net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019.

The Group currently relies on third-party instructors to deliver its course offerings. Approximately 9.72% and 11.44% of the Group’s net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, were earned through the courses offered by one instructor. The Group’s reliance on certain top quality instructors would expose it to risk of revenue loss if it loses the instructors.

Unaudited pro forma information

Unaudited pro forma balance sheet information as of March 31, 2019 assumes the automatic conversion of all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares, as if the conversion had occurred as of March 31, 2019. Pro forma net income (loss) per share is not presented because of the effect of the conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares using a conversion ratio of 1:1 and would not result in any dilution in net income (loss) per share applicable to ordinary shareholders.

Newly adopted accounting pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued Topic 842. The guidance supersedes existing guidance on accounting for leases with the main difference being that operating leases are to be recorded in the statement of

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

Newly adopted accounting pronouncements—continued

 

financial position as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments. For operating leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and liabilities. The Group has elected not to record on the balance sheet leases with an initial term of twelve months or less. For public companies, the guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application of the guidance is permitted. In July 2018, ASU 2016-02 was updated with ASU No. 2018-11, Targeted Improvements to ASC 842, which provides entities with relief from the costs of implementing certain aspects of the new leasing standard. Specifically, under the amendments in ASU 2018-11, (1) entities may elect not to recast the comparative periods presented when transitioning to ASC 842 (the “optional transition method”) and (2) lessors may elect not to separate lease and nonlease components when certain conditions are met. Before ASU 2018-11 was issued, transition to the new lease standard required application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements.

The Group adopted Topic 842 in the first quarter of 2019 using the modified retrospective transition approach allowed under ASU 2018-11, without adjusting the comparative periods presented. The Group elected the practical expedients under ASU 2016-02 which includes the use of hindsight in determining the lease term and the practical expedient package to not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, to not reassess the classification of any expired or existing leases, and to not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases. Upon adoption of Topic 842, the Group recognized both a right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities of RMB57,381 and RMB54,106, respectively, on the balance sheet. The difference between the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities was due to prepaid rent. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Group’s consolidated statements of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows upon adoption as described in Note 11. The adoption of Topic 842 also did not result in a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings.

Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. Under the new accounting guidance, an entity will no longer determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Instead, an entity will perform its goodwill impairment tests by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity will recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value but not to exceed the total amount of the goodwill of the reporting unit. In addition, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment, if applicable. The provisions of the new accounting guidance are required to be applied prospectively. The new accounting guidance is effective for companies for goodwill impairment tests performed in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Group is in the process of assessing the impact on its consolidated financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to the Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities. ASU 2018-17 changes how entities evaluate decision-

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—continued

Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted—continued

 

making fees under the variable interest entity guidance. To determine whether decision-making fees represent a variable interest, an entity considers indirect interests held through related parties under common control on a proportional basis, rather than in their entirety. This guidance will be adopted using a retrospective approach and is effective for the Group on January 1, 2020. The Group is evaluating the effect that adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

3.

PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:

 

     As of December 31      As of March 31  
     2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB  

Receivables from third party payment platform (1)

     24,352        17,592  

Prepaid other service fees (2)

     19,007        46,496  

Prepaid rental expenses (3)

     2,463        306  

Staff advance

     1,744        2,717  

Others

     1,275        2,345  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     48,841        69,456  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Receivables from third party payment platform consist of cash that had been received from course participants but held by the third-party payment platform. The Group subsequently collected the full balance from the third-party payment platform.

(2)

Prepaid other service fees consist of prepayment of advertising fees, server hosting fees and fees related to initial public offering. The prepayments of advertising fees and server hosting fees are generally short-term in nature and are amortized over the related service period.

(3)

The Group adopted Topic 842 in the first quarter of 2019 using the modified retrospective transition approach allowed under ASU 2018-11 as described in Note 2. The prepaid rental expenses balance as of March 31, 2019 only represents the prepaid rental expenses for leases with an initial term of twelve months or less as the prepaid rental expenses for leases with an initial term of greater than 12 months are included in the Group’s operating lease right of used assets on its consolidated balance sheet.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

4.

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

The components of accrued expenses and other current liabilities were as follows:

 

     As of
December 31
     As of
March 31
 
     2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB  

Salary and welfare payable

     23,419        36,230  

Payable to third-parties (1)

     8,831        6,880  

Accrued expense

     6,538        18,325  

Refund liabilities (2)

     11,167        9,863  

Other tax payable

     7,111        9,880  

Others

     178        100  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     57,244        81,278  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Payable to third-parties represents fees received from students and payable to training institutions and individual teachers under the Group’s membership-based platform service.

(2)

Refund liability represents the estimated amounts of deferred revenue with contingency in cash refund as described in Note 2.

 

5.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

Measured at fair value on a recurring basis

As of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, available-for-sale investments recorded in short-term investments are measured and recorded at fair value initially and on a recurring basis in periods subsequent to their initial recognition and are as follows:

 

     Fair value measurement as of March 31, 2019  
     Quoted prices in
active market for
identical assets
     Significant other
observable inputs
     Significant
unobservable
inputs
     Total  
     (Level 1)(RMB)      (Level 2) (RMB)      (Level 3) (RMB)      (RMB)  

Short-term investments-available-for-sale investments

     35,509        —          —          35,509  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     35,509        —          —          35,509  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Fair value measurement as of December 31, 2018  
     Quoted prices in
active market for
identical assets
     Significant other
observable inputs
     Significant
unobservable
inputs
     Total  
     (Level 1)(RMB)      (Level 2) (RMB)      (Level 3) (RMB)      (RMB)  

Short-term investments-available-for-sale investments

     82,991        —          —          82,991  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     82,991        —          —          82,991  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

5.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT—continued

 

Measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis

The Group measures goodwill at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when it is annually evaluated or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value as a result of the impairment assessment.

The Group measures long-term investments at fair value on a nonrecurring basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may no longer be recoverable.

 

6.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, the Group granted share options to employees. In March 2019, the Group approved the Share Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) under which the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares that may be issued pursuant to all awards is 28,400,000 shares. The shares reserved may be increased automatically if and whenever the unissued shares reserved accounts for less than one percent (1%) of the total then issued and outstanding shares, so that after the increase, the shares unissued and reserved under the Plan immediately after each such increase shall equal to five percent (5%) of the then issued and outstanding shares. The term of the option shall not exceed ten years from the date of the grant.

The options will vest in accordance with the vesting schedules set out in the respective share option agreements with vesting period ranging from 0 to 10 years.

The Company determined the estimated fair value of the options on the respective grant dates using the binomial option pricing model with the assistance from an independent valuation firm. The following assumptions were used.

 

     For the three months ended March 31,  

Grant date

   2018     2019  

Risk-free interest rate

     3.47     3.20

Volatility

     53.40     54.60

Dividend yield

     —         —    

Exercise multiples

     2.20       2.20-2.80  

Life of options (in years)

     10       10  

Fair value of underlying ordinary shares

     4.5       72.1  

(1) Risk-free interest rate

Risk-free interest rate was estimated based on the daily treasury long term rate of the U.S. Treasury Department with a maturity period close to the expected term of the options, plus the country default spread of China.

(2) Volatility

The volatility of the underlying ordinary shares during the lives of the options was estimated based on the historical stock price volatility of comparable listed companies over a period comparable to the expected term of the options.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

6.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION—continued

 

(3) Dividend yield

The dividend yield was estimated by the Group based on its expected dividend policy over the expected term of the options.

(4) Exercise multiples

Exercise multiple represents the value of the underlying share as a multiple of exercise price of the option which, if achieved, results in exercise of the option.

(5) Life of options

Life of options is extracted from option agreements.

(6) Fair value of underlying ordinary shares

The estimated fair value of the ordinary shares underlying the options as of the respective grant dates was determined based on a valuation with the assistance of a third party appraiser.

A summary of options activities during the three months ended March 31, 2019 is presented below:

 

     Number of
options
     Weighted
average
exercise price
     Weighted average
grant date
fair value
     Weighted average
remaining contractual
term (years)
     Aggregate
intrinsic
value
 

Options outstanding at January 1, 2019

     24,470,565        0.01        3.54        8.36        310,213  

Granted

     1,979,910        0.01        72.12        

Exercised

     15,600,000        0.01        1.35        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options outstanding at March 31, 2019

     10,850,475        0.01        19.20        8.76        782,536  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options vested and expected to vest as of March 31, 2019

     10,850,475        0.01        19.20        8.76        782,536  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Option exercisable as of March 31, 2019

     2,254,180        0.01        1.78        6.41        162,571  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The total fair value of options vested during the three months ended March 31, 2019 were RMB222.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company granted 1,979,910 graded vesting options to certain employees. The Company recognizes compensation expenses related to those option over the estimated service period for each separate vesting portion of the award as if the award is in substance, multiple awards. RMB3,822 of compensation expenses was recorded for three months ended March 31, 2019.

As of March 31, 2019, there was RMB198,685 of unrecognized compensation expenses related to options expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 8.76 years.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

7.

CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES

In March 15, 2019, the Company and the Series A Preferred Share investors agreed to (i) extend the original redemption date of the Series A Preferred Shares from June 30, 2018 to June 30, 2020, (ii) removed the termination of the full-time employment relationship of any two of the founders of the Group prior to a QIPO as a redemption triggering event and (iii) changed the liquidation preference to include an automatic termination once a QIPO occurs. As this transaction represented a modification as opposed to an extinguishment of preferred shares, only an increase in fair value required accounting. The Company calculated the increase in fair value of the Series A Preferred Share at the modification date resulting from the changes described and concluded that the increase was insignificant.

The change in the balance of Series A Preferred Shares included in mezzanine equity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

     Series A
Preferred Shares
 
     RMB  

Balance as of January 1, 2018

     427,130  

Accretion of Series A Preferred Shares

     9,733  

Balance as of March 31, 2018

     436,863  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2019

     466,060  

Accretion of Series A Preferred Shares

     9,733  

Balance as of March 31, 2019

     475,793  
  

 

 

 

The Group recognizes changes in the redemption value ratably over the redemption period. Increases in the carrying amount of the redeemable preferred shares are recorded by charges against retained earnings, or in the absence of retained earnings, by charges as reduction of additional paid-in capital until additional paid-in capital is reduced to zero. Once paid-in capital is reduced to zero, the redemption value measurement adjustment is recognized as an increase in accumulated deficit.

 

8.

INCOME TAXES

The Company is incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company is not subject to income or capital gains taxes. The Company’s subsidiary BaiJiaHuLian HK is located in Hong Kong and is subject to an income tax rate of 16.5% for assessable profit earned in Hong Kong in 2017 and during the first three months of 2018. From April 2018, BaiJiaHuLian HK is subject to an income tax rate of 8.25% for the first HKD2,000 of assessable profit and 16.5% for profit exceeding HKD2,000. No provision for Hong Kong profits tax was made as the Group had no estimated assessable profit that was subject to Hong Kong profits tax for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019.

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

8.

INCOME TAXES—continued

 

The Company’s subsidiary, the VIE and the VIE’s subsidiaries, which were entities incorporated in the PRC (the “PRC entities”), are subject to PRC Enterprise Income Tax (“EIT”) on their taxable income in accordance with the relevant PRC income tax laws, which have adopted a unified income tax rate of 25% since January 1, 2008. Beijing BaiJiaHuLian qualified as a High and New Technology Enterprise from 2017 to 2019 and accordingly was entitled to the 15% preferential tax rate during the period. The current and deferred components of the income tax expense appearing in the consolidated statement of operations were as follows:

 

     For the three months ended March 31,  
     2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB  

Current tax expense

     —          2,059  

Deferred tax (benefit) expense

     (489      7,959  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (489      10,018  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The principle components of deferred tax assets were as follows:

 

     As of December 31      As of March 31  
     2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB  

Deferred tax assets

     

Deductible temporary difference related to advertising expenses

     3,122        7,179  

Net operating loss carrying forwards

     70,941        61,307  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     74,063        68,486  

Less: valuation allowance

     (42,797      (45,190
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets, net

     31,266        23,296  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2019, the Group had net operating loss carried forward of RMB245,257 from the Company’s PRC entities, which will expire on various dates from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2028.

The principle components of deferred taxes liability were as follows:

 

     As of December 31      As of March 31  
     2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB  

Deferred tax liabilities

     

Acquired intangible assets

     59        48  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     59        48  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

8.

INCOME TAXES—continued

 

The reconciliation of the effective tax rate and the statutory income tax rate applicable to PRC operations was as follow:

 

     For the three months ended March 31,  
     2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB  

(Loss) income before provision for income taxes

     (4,002      44,376  

Income tax (benefit) expense computed at an applicable tax rate of 25%

     (1,001      11,094  

Effect of non-deductible expenses

     473        157  

Effect of preferential tax rate

     (2,814      (3,626

Change in valuation allowance

     2,853        2,393  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (489      10,018  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The movements of valuation allowance for the year end December 31, 2018 and three months ended March 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

     As of December 31      As of March 31  
     2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB  

Balance at beginning of the period

     31,387        42,797  

Additions

     11,410        2,393  

Balance at end of the period

     42,797        45,190  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

If Beijing BaiJiaHuLian did not enjoy income tax preferential tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, the increase in income tax expenses and decrease in net income per share amounts would be as follows:

 

     For the three months ended March 31,  
     2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB  

Increase in income tax expenses

     2,814        3,626  

Decrease in net income per ordinary share-basic

     0.03        0.04  

Decrease in net income per ordinary share-diluted

     0.03        0.03  

The Group did not identify significant unrecognized tax benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The Group did not incur any interest and penalties related to potential underpaid income tax expenses and also does not anticipate any significant increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months from March 31, 2019.

 

9.

NET (LOSS) INCOME PER SHARE

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, the Group has determined that its convertible redeemable participating preferred shares are participating securities as the preferred shares participate in undistributed earnings on an as-if-converted basis. The holders of the preferred shares are entitled to receive dividends on a pro rata basis, as if their shares had been converted into ordinary shares. Accordingly, the Group uses the two-class method of computing net income per share, for ordinary shares and preferred

 

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Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

9.

NET (LOSS) INCOME PER SHARE—continued

 

shares according to the participation rights in undistributed earnings. However, undistributed loss is only allocated to ordinary shareholders because holders of preferred shares are not contractually obligated to share losses.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net (loss) income per share for the periods indicated:

 

     For the three months ended March 31  
     2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB  

Basic net (loss) income per share calculation

     

Numerator:

     

Net (loss) income

     (3,603      33,891  

Less: Accretion on Series A Preferred Shares redemption value

     9,733        9,733  

Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to Series A

     

Preferred Shares

     —          6,444  

Net (loss)/income attributed to ordinary shareholders for computing net (loss)/income per ordinary shares-basic

     (13,336      17,714  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator:

     

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in computing net (loss)/income per ordinary shares-basic

     92,224,998        97,944,998  

Net (loss)/income per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders-basic

     (0.14      0.18  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted net (loss)/income per ordinary share calculation

     

Net (loss)/income attributed to ordinary shareholders for computing net (loss)/income per ordinary shares-diluted

     (13,336      17,714  

Denominator:

     

Weighted average ordinary shares basic outstanding

     92,224,998        97,944,998  

Effect of potentially diluted stock options

     —          8,068,757  

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in computing net (loss) income per ordinary shares-diluted

     92,224,998        106,013,755  

Net (loss) income per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders-diluted

     (0.14      0.17  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Note:

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, the following shares or share options outstanding were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per ordinary share, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive for the periods prescribed.

 

     For the three months ended March 31  
     2018      2019  

Shares issuable upon exercise of share options

     199,500        1,979,910  

Shares issuable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Shares

     35,625,002        35,625,002  

 

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Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

10.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

 

  (1)

Related parties

 

Name of related parties

  

Relationship with the Group

Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen

   CEO and Chairman of the board of Directors of the Company

Beijing Youlian Global Education Technology Co., Ltd (“Beijing Youlian”)

   Equity method investment investee

 

  (2)

The significant balances and transactions between the Group and its related parties were as follows:

 

  (a)

Balance

 

     As of December 31      As of March 31  
     2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB  

Amounts due from:

     

Beijing Youlian

     710        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     710        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts due to:

     

Mr. Larry Xiangdong Chen

     35,338        34,016  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     35,338        34,016  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The balances with related parties were interest-free, unsecured and repayable on demand.

 

  (b)

Transaction

 

     Revenue  
     For the three months ended March 31,  
     2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB  

Beijing Youlian (1)

     750        300  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     750        300  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Expense  
     For the three months ended March 31,  
     2018      2019  
     RMB      RMB  

Beijing Youlian (2)

     21        2,096  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     21        2,096  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Group recognized revenue from providing technical service.

(2)

The Group recognized expense from receiving advertising service provided by Beijing Youlian.

 

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Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

11.

LEASES

Operating leases

The Group’s leases consist of operating leases for administrative office spaces in different cities in the PRC. The Group determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Some lease agreements contain lease and non-lease components, which the Group choose to account for as separate components. The allocation of the consideration between the lease and the non-lease components is based on the relative stand-alone prices of lease components included in the lease contracts. As of March 31, 2019, the Group had no long-term leases that were classified as a financing lease. As of March 31, 2019, the Group did not have additional operating leases that have not yet commenced.

Total operating lease expenses for the period ended March 31, 2019 was RMB6,475, and was recorded in cost of revenues, selling expenses, research and development expenses and general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

     Three months ended
March 31, 2019
 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

  

Operating cash flows from operating leases

     6,561  

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations:

  

Operating leases

     6,480  

Weighted average remaining lease term

  

Operating leases

     2.5  

Weighted average discount rate

  

Operating leases

     7.0%  

On March 31, 2019, future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases were as follows:

 

     RMB  

Nine months remaining in 2019

     21,984  

2020

     22,554  

2021

     9,510  

2022

     4,876  

2023

     4,116  

2024 and thereafter

     —    
     63,040  
  

 

 

 

Less imputed interest

     8,934  
  

 

 

 

Total

     54,106  
  

 

 

 

 

F-70


Table of Contents

GSX TECHEDU INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 and 2019

(In thousands of RMB and USD, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)

 

11.

LEASES—continued

Operating leases—continued

 

Future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases related to offices consisted of the following at December 31, 2018:

 

Years ending December 31,    RMB  

2019

     25,110  

2020

     18,057  

2021

     7,849  

2022

     4,698  

2023 and thereafter

     3,986  
  

 

 

 
     59,700  
  

 

 

 

Payments under operating leases are expensed on a straight-line basis over the periods of their respective leases. The terms of the leases do not contain rent escalation or contingent rents. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, total rental expense for all operating leases amounted to RMB2,985.

 

12.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise engaging in businesses activities for which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by the Group’s chief operating decision makers (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Group’s CODM has been identified as the CEO. The Group is currently engaged in providing integrated online tutoring services. The CODM reviews consolidated results including revenue, grow profit and operating profit at a consolidated level only and does not distinguish between services for the purpose of making decisions about resources allocation and performance assessment. As such, the Group concluded that it has one operating segment and one reporting segment. The Group operates solely in the PRC and all of the Group’s long-lived assets are located in the PRC.

 

13.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Group has evaluated events subsequent to the balance sheet date of March 31, 2019 through May 8, 2019, the date on which the financial statements are available to be issued.

 

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LOGO

 

 

 


Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

ITEM 6.

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime.

The post-offering memorandum and articles of association that we expect to adopt and to become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering provide that we shall indemnify our directors and officers (each an indemnified person) against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such indemnified person, other than by reason of such person’s own dishonesty, willful default or fraud, in or about the conduct of our company’s business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such indemnified person in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning our company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.

Pursuant to the indemnification agreements, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this registration statement, we agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director or officer.

The underwriting agreement, the form of which will be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement, will also provide indemnification for us and our officers and directors for certain liabilities.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

II-1


Table of Contents
ITEM 7.

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.

During the past three years, we have issued the following securities. We believe that each of the following issuances was exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act regarding sales by an issuer in offshore transactions. No underwriters were involved in these issuances of securities.

 

Securities/Purchaser

  Date of Issuance     Number of
Securities
   

Consideration

Ordinary shares

     

Ebetter International Group Limited

    March 14, 2019       67,213,280     Surrender and cancelation of the same number of shares held by BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd.

Origin Beyond Limited

    March 14, 2019       5,086,718     Surrender and cancelation of the same number of shares held by BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd.

Origin Beyond Limited*

    March 14, 2019       12,607,880     Nominal exercise price

Irefresh Future Limited*

    March 14, 2019       2,992,120     Nominal exercise price

Series A-1 preferred shares

     

Ebetter International Group Limited

    March 14, 2019       1,925,789     Surrender and cancelation of the same number of shares held by BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd.

Origin Beyond Limited

    March 14, 2019       2,324,438     Surrender and cancelation of the same number of shares held by BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd.

Options

     

Certain directors, officers and employees

   


Between
December 31,
2016 and
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
   

10,850,475
outstanding
options
 
 
 
  Past and future services provided by these individuals to us

 

*

The stock issuance was in relation to the options exercised by our employees.

 

ITEM 8.

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

(a) Exhibits

See Exhibit Index beginning on page II-5 of this registration statement.

The agreements included as exhibits to this registration statement contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties were made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and (i) were not intended to be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; (ii) may have been qualified in such agreement by disclosure that was made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement; (iii) may apply contract standards of “materiality” that are different from “materiality” under the applicable securities laws; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement.

We acknowledge that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, we are responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosure of material information regarding material contractual provisions is required to make the statements in this registration statement not misleading.

(b) Financial Statement Schedules

Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the Notes thereto.

 

II-2


Table of Contents
ITEM 9.

UNDERTAKINGS.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

II-3


Table of Contents

GSX Techedu Inc.

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit
Number
  

Description of Document

  1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement
  3.1    Second Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Registrant, as currently in effect
  3.2    Form of Third Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Registrant, effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering
  4.1*    Registrant’s Specimen American Depositary Receipt (included in Exhibit 4.3)
  4.2    Registrant’s Specimen Certificate for Class A Ordinary Shares
  4.3*    Form of Deposit Agreement, among the Registrant, the depositary and the holders and beneficial owners of American Depositary Shares issued thereunder
  4.4    Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement between the Registrant and other parties thereto dated March 15, 2019
  5.1    Opinion of Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP regarding the validity of the Class A ordinary shares being registered and certain Cayman Islands tax matters
  8.1    Opinion of Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP regarding certain Cayman Islands tax matters (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  8.2    Opinion of Tian Yuan Law Firm regarding certain PRC tax matters (included in Exhibit 99.2)
10.1    Share Incentive Plan
10.2    Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its directors and executive officers
10.3    Form of Employment Agreement between the Registrant and its executive officers
10.4    English translation of the executed form of the Powers of Attorney granted by shareholders of our VIE, as currently in effect, and a schedule of all executed Powers of Attorney adopting the same form
10.5    English translation of the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement among our WFOE, our VIE and shareholders of our VIE dated March 16, 2019
10.6    English translation of the Exclusive Management Services and Business Cooperation Agreement between our WFOE and our VIE dated March 16, 2019
10.7    English translation of the Exclusive Call Option Agreement among our WFOE, our VIE and shareholders of our VIE dated March 16, 2019
10.8    English translation of executed form of the Spousal Consent Letter granted by the spouse of each individual shareholder of our VIE, as currently in effect, and a schedule of all executed Spousal Consent Letters adopting the same form
21.1    Subsidiaries of the Registrant
23.1    Consent of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm
23.2    Consent of Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.3    Consent of Tian Yuan Law Firm (included in Exhibit 99.2)
23.4    Consent of Xin Fan
23.5    Consent of Yiming Hu
23.6    Consent of Ming Liao

 

II-4


Table of Contents


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Beijing, China, on May 8, 2019.

 

GSX Techedu Inc.

By:

 

/s/ Larry Xiangdong Chen

  Name:   Larry Xiangdong Chen
  Title:   Chairman of the Board of Directors
and Chief Executive Officer

 

II-6


Table of Contents

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Larry Xiangdong Chen and Nan Shen as attorneys-in-fact with full power of substitution for him or her in any and all capacities to do any and all acts and all things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorney and agent may deem necessary or desirable to enable the registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of ordinary shares of the registrant (the “Shares”), including, without limitation, the power and authority to sign the name of each of the undersigned in the capacities indicated below to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to such Shares, to any and all amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, whether such amendments or supplements are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement, to any related Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in connection with such Registration Statement or any and all amendments thereto, whether such amendments are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement; and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on May 8, 2019.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/ Larry Xiangdong Chen

Larry Xiangdong Chen

   Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Zhen Zhang

Zhen Zhang

   Director

/s/ Huaiting Zhang

Huaiting Zhang

   Director

/s/ Nan Shen

Nan Shen

   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

II-7


Table of Contents

SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES

Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of GSX Techedu Inc. has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto in Newark, Delaware, United States on May 8, 2019.

 

Authorized U.S. Representative

By:

 

/s/ Donald J. Puglisi

 

Name: Donald J. Puglisi

 

Title: Managing Director

 

II-8

Exhibit 3.1

THE COMPANIES LAW (2018 Revision)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

EXEMPTED COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

OF

GSX Techedu Inc.

(Adopted by a special resolution passed on March 14, 2019)

NAME

 

1.

The name of the Company is GSX Techedu Inc.

REGISTERED OFFICE

 

2.

The Registered Office of the Company shall be at the offices of Corporate Filing Services Ltd, P.O. Box 613 GT, 3rd Floor Harbour Centre, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-1107, Cayman Islands or at such other place as the Directors may from time to time decide.

GENERAL OBJECTS AND POWERS

 

3.

Subject to the following provisions of this Memorandum, the objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Companies Law or as revised, or any other law of the Cayman Islands.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

 

4.

The liability of each Member of the Company is limited to the amount from time to time unpaid on such Member’s shares.

CURRENCY

 

5.

Shares in the Company shall be issued in the currency of the United States of America.

AUTHORIZED CAPITAL

 

6.

The authorized share capital of the Company is US$50,000 consisting of 500,000,000 shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each, of which: (i) 464,374,998 are designated as ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each (the “Ordinary Shares”), (ii) 4,375,000 are designated as series A-0 convertible redeemable preferred shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each (the “Series A-0 Preferred Shares”), (iii) 5,305,064 are designated as series A-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each (the “Series A-1 Preferred Shares”), (iv) 10,319,938 are designated as series A-2 convertible redeemable preferred shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each (the “Series A-2 Preferred Shares”), and (v) 15,625,000 are designated as series A-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each (the “Series A-3 Preferred Shares”, collectively with Series A-0 Preferred Shares, Series A-1 Preferred Shares and Series A-2 Preferred Shares, the “Series A Preferred Shares”), with power for the Company, insofar as is permitted by law, to redeem or purchase any of its shares and to increase or reduce the said capital subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and the Articles of Association and to issue any part of its capital, whether original, redeemed or increased with or without any preference, priority or special privilege or subject to any postponement of rights or to any conditions or restrictions and so that unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly declare every issue of shares whether declared to be Preferred or otherwise shall be subject to the powers hereinbefore contained.

 

1


EXEMPTED COMPANY

 

7.

If the Company is registered as exempted, its operations will be carried on subject to the provisions of Article 174 of the Companies Law and, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and the Articles of Association, it shall have the power to register by way of continuation as a body corporate limited by shares under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands and to be deregistered in the Cayman Islands.

REGISTERED SHARES AND BEARER SHARES

 

8.

Shares of the Company may be issued as registered shares only. The Company shall not issue shares in bearer form.

DEFINITIONS

 

9.

The meanings of terms used in this Memorandum of Association are as defined in the Articles of Association.

 

2


THE COMPANIES LAW (2018 Revision)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

EXEMPTED COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

GSX Techedu Inc.

(Adopted by a special resolution passed on March 14, 2019)

PRELIMINARY

The regulations in Table A in the Schedule to the Law (as defined below) do not apply to the Company.

 

1.

In these Articles and the Memorandum, if not inconsistent with the subject or context, the words and expressions standing in the first column of the following table shall bear the meanings set opposite them respectively in the second column thereof.

 

Words    Meanings
Banyan    Banyan Partners Fund II, L.P.
BVI Holding Company    BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd., a company organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands.

BVI 1

   Ebetter International Group Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands.

BVI 2

   Huai Yuan Group Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands.

BVI 3

   Su Wei Group Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands.

BVI 4

   Jenny and Jerry International Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands.

BVI 5

   Rolancy International Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands.

BVI 6

   Super Energy Global Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands
BVI Companies    BVI 1, BVI 2, BVI 3, BVI 4, BVI 5, BVI 6 and BVI Holding Company.

 

3


Closing    has the meaning ascribed to it in Share Purchase Agreement.
Companies Law    means Companies Law, Cap 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated, modified, re-enacted and revised) of the Cayman Islands.
Director    a director, including a sole director, for the time being of the Company and shall include an alternate director.
Founder    Chen Xiangdong, with the PRC ID Number 410323197107160039
Group Companies    the Company, the HK Co., the WFOE, the PRC Affiliate and each of their direct or indirect subsidiaries.
HK Co.    BaiJiaHuLian HK Holdings Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of Hong Kong.
Investors    Series A Investors and Angel Investor, each an Investor.
Series A-1 Investor    BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd.
Series A-2 Investors    ROGER INTERNATIONAL VENTURE LIMITED, JSR Limited, JPXC LIMITED, QF Group Limited and QFcapital Limited
Series A-3 Investor    Banyan Partners Fund II, L.P..
Series A Investor    Series A-1 Investor, Series A-2 Investors and Series A-3 Investor
Series A-1/2/3 Preferred Shares    the Series A-1 Preferred Shares, the Series A-2 Preferred Shares and the Series A-3 Preferred Shares.
Angel Investor    QFcapital Limited.
Member    the person registered in the Register of Members as the holder of shares in the Company and, when two or more persons are so registered as joint holders of shares, means the person whose name stands first in the Register of Members as one of such joint holders or all of such persons, as the context so requires.
Ordinary Resolution    a resolution passed at a general meeting (or, if so specified, a meeting of Members holding a class of shares) of the Company by a simple majority of the votes cast, or a written resolution passed by the unanimous consent of all Members entitled to vote.
Ordinary Shares    ordinary shares with the par value of US$0.0001 each in the capital of the Company.
PRC Companies    the WFOE and the PRC Affiliate.
PRC Affiliate    Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd. ( 北京百家互联科技有限公司 ).
Preferred Shares    the Series A Preferred Shares.
Preferred Share Issue Price    with respect to the Series A-0 Preferred Shares, the Series A-0 Preferred Shares Issue Price; with respect to the Series A-1/2/3 Preferred Shares, the Series A-1/2/3 Preferred Shares Issue Price, as applicable.

 

4


person    an individual, a corporation, a trust, the estate of a deceased individual, a partnership or an unincorporated or association of persons.
Share Purchase Agreement    the Series A Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement dated April 28, 2015 by and among the Group Companies, the BVI Companies, the Founder, the Investors and certain other parties named therein, as amended from time to time.
Register of Members    the register of Members referred to in these Articles.
resolution of directors   

(a)    A resolution approved at a duly convened and constituted meeting of directors of the Company or of a committee of directors of the Company by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the directors present at the meeting who voted and did not abstain; or

 

(b)    a resolution consented to in writing by all directors or of all members of the committee, as the case may be.

Securities    shares and debt obligations of every kind, and options, warrants and rights to acquire shares, or debt obligations.
Series A-0 Preferred Share Issue Price    the deemed per share price of the Series A-0 Preferred Shares, which is US$0.6, as adjusted for share dividends, splits, combinations, recapitalizations or similar events and are otherwise provided herein.
Series A-1/2/3 Preferred Share Issue Price    the deemed per share price of the Series A-1/2/3 Preferred Shares, which is US$2.00, as adjusted for share dividends, splits, combinations, recapitalizations or similar events and are otherwise provided herein.
Share    a share or shares in the Company and includes a fraction of a share.
Special Resolution    a resolution passed at a general meeting (or, if so specified, a meeting of Members holding a class of shares) of the Company by a majority of not less than two thirds (or such greater number as may be specified in these Articles) of the vote cast, as provided in the Law, or a written resolution passed by unanimous consent of all Members entitled to vote.
the Law    the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands and every modification, re-enactment or revision thereof for the time being in force.
the Memorandum    the Memorandum of Association of the Company as originally framed or as from time to time amended.
the Seal    any Seal which has been duly adopted as the Seal of the Company.
these Articles    the Articles of Association as originally framed or as from time to time amended.
WFOE    has the meaning ascribed to it in Share Purchase Agreement.

 

2.

“Written” or any term of like import includes words typewritten, printed, painted, engraved, lithographed, photographed or represented or reproduced by any mode of reproducing words in a visible form, including telex, facsimile, telegram, cable, or other form of writing produced by electronic communication.

 

3.

Save as aforesaid any words or expressions defined in the Law shall bear the same meaning in these Articles.

 

5


4.

Whenever the singular or plural number, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender is used in these Articles, it shall equally, where the context admits, include the others.

 

5.

A reference in these Articles to voting in relation to shares shall be construed as a reference to voting by members holding the shares except that it is the votes allocated to the shares that shall be counted and not the number of members who actually voted and a reference to shares being present at a meeting shall be given a corresponding construction.

 

6.

A reference to money in these Articles is, unless otherwise stated, a reference to the currency in which shares in the Company shall be issued according to the provisions of the Memorandum.

REGISTRATION OF SHARES

 

7.

Register of Members

The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) shall cause to be kept in one or more books a Register of Members which may be kept within or outside the Cayman Islands at such place as the Directors shall appoint and shall enter therein the following particulars:

 

  (a)

the name and address of each Member, the number, and (where appropriate) the class of shares held by such Member and the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid on such shares;

 

  (b)

the date on which each person was entered in the Register of Members; and

 

  (c)

the date on which any person ceased to be a Member.

 

8.

Registered Holder Absolute Owner

 

  8.1

The Company shall be entitled to treat the registered holder of any share as the absolute owner thereof and accordingly shall not be bound to recognise any equitable claim or other claim to, or interest in, such share on the part of any other person.

 

  8.2

No person shall be entitled to recognition by the Company as holding any share upon any trust and the Company shall not be bound by, or be compelled in any way to recognise, (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or any other right in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety of the share in the holder. If, notwithstanding this Article, notice of any trust is at the holder’s request entered in the Register or on a share certificate in respect of a share, then, except as aforesaid:

 

  (a)

such notice shall be deemed to be solely for the holder’s convenience;

 

  (b)

the Company shall not be required in any way to recognise any beneficiary, or the beneficiary, of the trust as having an interest in the share or shares concerned;

 

  (c)

the Company shall not be concerned with the trust in any way, as to the identity or powers of the trustees, the validity, purposes or terms of the trust, the question of whether anything done in relation to the shares may amount to a breach of trust or otherwise; and

 

  (d)

the holder shall keep the Company fully indemnified against any liability or expense which may be incurred or suffered as a direct or indirect consequence of the Company entering notice of the trust in the Register or on a share certificate and continuing to recognise the holder as having an absolute right to the entirety of the share or shares concerned.

SHARES, AUTHORIZED CAPITAL, CAPITAL

 

9.

Subject to the provisions of these Articles, any resolution of the Members and any agreement which is binding on the Company to the contrary, the unissued shares of the Company shall be at the disposal of the directors who may, without limiting or affecting any rights previously conferred on the holders of any existing shares or class or series of shares, offer, allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose of shares to such persons, at such times and upon such terms and conditions as the Company may by resolution of directors determine provided that no share shall be issued at a discount except in accordance with the Law.

 

6


10.

Shares in the Company shall be issued for money, services rendered, personal property, an estate in real property, a promissory note or other binding obligation to contribute money or property or any combination of the foregoing as shall be determined by a resolution of directors.

 

11.

Shares in the Company may be issued for such amount of consideration as the directors may from time to time by resolution of directors determine, except that in the case of shares with par value, the amount shall not be less than the par value, and in the absence of fraud the decision of the directors as to the value of the consideration received by the Company in respect of the issue is conclusive unless a question of law is involved. The consideration in respect of the shares constitutes capital to the extent of thereof and the excess constitutes share premium.

 

12.

A share issued by the Company upon conversion of, or in exchange for, another share or a debt obligation or other security in the Company, shall be treated for all purposes as having been issued for money equal to the consideration received or deemed to have been received by the Company in respect of the other share, debt obligation or security.

 

13.

The Company may issue fractions of a share and a fractional share shall have the same corresponding fractional liabilities, limitations, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions, rights and other attributes of a whole share of the same class or series of shares.

 

14.

Shares may be issued as registered shares only. The Company shall not issue shares in bearer form.

 

15.

Upon the issue by the Company of a share without par value, if an amount is stated in the Memorandum to be authorized capital represented by such shares then each share shall be issued for no less than the appropriate proportion of such amount which shall constitute capital, otherwise the consideration in respect of the share constitutes capital to the extent designated by the directors, except that the directors must designate as capital an amount of the consideration that is at least equal to the amount that the share is entitled to as a preference, if any, in the assets of the Company upon liquidation of the Company.

 

16.

Subject to receipt of all approvals required under the Memorandum or elsewhere in these Articles, the Company may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire and hold its own shares but in accordance with the Law and the Company be and is hereby authorised to make payment out of capital in connection therewith.

 

17.

Subject to provisions to the contrary in

 

  (a)

the Memorandum or these Articles;

 

  (b)

the designations, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions with which the shares were issued; or

 

  (c)

the subscription agreement for the issue of the shares,

The Company may not purchase or redeem its own shares without the consent of members whose shares are to be purchased or redeemed.

 

18.

No purchase or redemption of shares out of capital shall be made unless the directors determine that immediately after the purchase or redemption the Company will be able to satisfy its liabilities as they become due in the ordinary course of its business and unless it is in compliance with the provisions of the Law.

 

19.

Shares that the Company purchases, redeems or otherwise acquires pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be cancelled and available for re-issue thereafter.

 

7


TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

20.

Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum, registered shares in the Company may be transferred by a written instrument of transfer signed by the transferor and containing the name and address of the transferee, but in the absence of such written instrument of transfer the directors may accept such evidence of a transfer of shares as they consider appropriate.

 

21.

The Company shall not be required to treat a transferee of a registered share in the Company as a member until the transferee’s name has been entered in the Register of Members.

 

22.

Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum, these Articles and any agreements entered into between the Company and the members, the Company must on the application of the transferor or transferee of a registered share in the Company enter in the Register of Members the name of the transferee of the share; provided that, the directors, solely subject to and in accordance with contractual commitments regarding the transfer of shares that the Company may from time to time have, may decline to register any transfer of shares in violation of such commitments. If the directors refuse to register a transfer they shall notify the transferee within sixty (60) days of such refusal.

VARIATION OF CLASS RIGHTS

 

23.

If at any time the authorized capital is designated into different classes or series of shares, subject to compliance with other consent or approval requirements under these Articles, the rights attached to any class or series (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issuance of the shares of that class or series) may, whether or not the Company is being wound up, be varied with the consent in writing of the holders of at least two thirds (2/3) of the issued shares of that class or series, which may be affected by such variation.

 

24.

The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights shall not be deemed to be varied by the creation or issuance of further shares ranking pari passu therewith.

TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

 

25.

The executor or administrator of a deceased member, the guardian of an incompetent member or the trustee of a bankrupt member shall be the only person recognized by the Company as having any title to his share but they shall not be entitled to exercise any rights as a member of the Company until they have proceeded as set forth in the next following three regulations.

 

26.

The production to the Company of any document which is evidence of probate of the will, or letters of administration of the estate, or confirmation as executor, of a deceased member or of the appointment of a guardian of an incompetent member or the trustee of a bankrupt member shall be accepted by the Company even if the deceased, incompetent or bankrupt member is domiciled outside the Cayman Islands if the document evidencing the grant of probate or letters of administration, confirmation as executor, appointment as guardian or trustee in bankruptcy is issued by a foreign court which had competent jurisdiction in the matter. For the purpose of establishing whether or not a foreign court had competent jurisdiction in such a matter the directors may obtain appropriate legal advice. The directors may also require an indemnity to be given by the executor, administrator, guardian or trustee in bankruptcy.

 

27.

Any person becoming entitled by operation of law or otherwise to a share or shares in consequence of the death, incompetence or bankruptcy of any member may be registered as a member upon such evidence being produced as may reasonably be required by the directors. An application by any such person to be registered as a member shall for all purposes be deemed to be a transfer of shares of the deceased, incompetent or bankrupt member and the directors shall treat it as such.

 

28.

Any person who has become entitled to a share or shares in consequence of the death, incompetence or bankruptcy of any member may, instead of being registered himself, request in writing that some person to be named by him be registered as the transferee of such share or shares and such request shall likewise be treated as if it were a transfer.

 

8


29.

What amounts to incompetence on the part of a person is a matter to be determined by the court having regard to all the relevant evidence and the circumstances of the case.

REDUCTION OR INCREASE IN AUTHORIZED CAPITAL OR CAPITAL

 

30.

Subject to the Law, the Company may from time to time by a Special Resolution alter the conditions of its Memorandum of Association to increase its share capital by new shares of such amount as it thinks expedient or, if the Company has shares without par value, increase its share capital by such number of shares without nominal or par value, or increase the aggregate consideration for which its shares may be issued, as it thinks expedient.

 

31.

Subject to the Law, the Company may from time to time by a Special Resolution alter the conditions of its Memorandum of Association to:

 

  (a)

consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into shares of larger amount than its existing shares;

 

  (b)

subdivide its shares or any of them into shares of an amount smaller than that fixed by the Memorandum of Association; or

 

  (c)

cancel shares which at the date of the passing of the resolution have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person, and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled or, in the case of shares without par value, diminish the number of shares into which its capital is divided.

 

32.

For the avoidance of doubt it is declared that Article 31(a) and (b) above do not apply if at any time the shares of the Company have no par value.

 

33.

Subject to the Law, the Company may from time to time by Special Resolution reduce its share capital in any way or, subject to Article 133, alter any conditions of its Memorandum of Association relating to share capital.

 

34.

Subject to Article 9, the Memorandum and any resolution of the Members to the contrary and without prejudice to any special rights conferred thereby on the holders of any other shares or class of shares, the share capital of the Company shall be divided into Ordinary Shares and Preferred Share. The holders of Ordinary Shares, subject to provisions of these Articles, shall:

 

  (a)

be entitled to one vote per share;

 

  (b)

be entitled to such dividends as the Board may from time to time declare;

 

  (c)

in the event of a winding-up or dissolution of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or for the purpose of a reorganization or otherwise or upon any distribution of capital, be entitled to the surplus assets of the Company; and

 

  (d)

generally be entitled to enjoy all of the rights attaching to shares.

The holders of the Preferred Shares shall be entitled to the rights set out in the following Articles.

CONVERSION OF PREFERRED SHARES

 

35.

Conversion Rights. Unless converted earlier pursuant to Article 36 below, each holder of Preferred Shares shall have the right, at such holder’s sole discretion, to convert all or any portion of the Preferred Shares into Ordinary Shares at any time.

The conversion rate for Preferred Shares shall be determined by dividing Preferred Share Issue Price by the conversion price then in effect at the date of the conversion. The initial conversion price will be the Preferred Share Issue Price (i.e., a 1-to-1 initial conversion ratio), which will be subject to adjustments to reflect stock dividends, stock splits and other events, as provided in Article 39 below (the “Preferred Share Conversion Price”).

 

9


Nothing in this Article 35 shall limit the automatic conversion rights of Preferred Shares described in Article 36 below.

 

36.

Automatic Conversion. Each Preferred Share shall automatically be converted into Ordinary Shares, at the then applicable Preferred Share Conversion Price (i) upon the closing of an underwritten public offering of the Ordinary Shares of the Company in the United States, that has been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or in a similar public offering of the Ordinary Shares of the Company in Hong Kong, Mainland China or another jurisdiction which results in the Ordinary Shares trading publicly on a recognized international securities exchange (including but not limited to stock exchanges in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen); (a “Qualified Initial Public Offering”), and (ii) upon the prior written approval of the holders of at least two thirds (2/3) of the Preferred Shares. In the event of the automatic conversion of the Preferred Shares upon a Qualified Initial Public Offering as aforesaid, the person(s) entitled to receive the Ordinary Shares issuable upon such conversion of Preferred Shares shall not be deemed to have converted such Preferred Shares until immediately prior to the closing of such Qualified Initial Public Offering.

 

37.

Mechanics of Conversion. No fractional Ordinary Share shall be issued upon conversion of the Preferred Shares. In lieu of any fractional shares to which the holder would otherwise be entitled, the Company shall pay cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the then effective Preferred Share Conversion Price. Before any holder of Preferred Shares shall be entitled to convert the same into full Ordinary Shares and to receive certificates therefor, he shall surrender the certificate or certificates therefor, at the office of the Company or of any transfer agent for the Preferred Shares and shall give written notice to the Company at such office that he elects to convert the same. The Company shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, issue and deliver at such office to such holder of Preferred Shares a certificate or certificates for the number of Ordinary Shares to which he shall be entitled as aforesaid and a check payable to the holder in the amount of any cash amounts payable as the result of a conversion into fractional Ordinary Shares, if any. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to close of business on the date of such surrender of the shares of Preferred Shares to be converted, and the person or persons entitled to receive the Ordinary Shares issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Ordinary Shares on such date after its name is recorded in the Register of Members as the holder of such Ordinary Shares. The Directors may effect conversion in any matter permitted by law including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, repurchasing or redeeming the relevant Preferred Shares and applying the proceeds towards the issue of the relevant number of new Ordinary Shares.

 

38.

Reservation of Shares Issuable Upon Conversion. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued Ordinary Shares solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of the Preferred Shares such number of its Ordinary Shares as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of the Preferred Shares, and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued Ordinary shares shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of the Preferred Shares, in addition to such other remedies as shall be available to the holder of such Preferred Shares, the Company will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its legal counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued Ordinary Shares to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purposes.

ADJUSTMENTS TO CONVERSION PRICE

 

39.

(a)     Special Definitions. For purposes of this Article 39, the following definitions shall apply:

 

  (i)

Options ” mean rights, options or warrants to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire either Ordinary Shares or Convertible Securities.

 

  (ii)

Original Issue Date ” for each class of Preferred Shares shall mean the date on which the first such Preferred Shares was issued.

 

  (iii)

Convertible Securities ” shall mean any evidences of indebtedness, shares or other securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares.

 

10


  (iv)

Additional Ordinary Shares ” for each class of Preferred Shares shall mean all Ordinary Shares (including reissued shares) issued (or, pursuant to Article 39(c), deemed to be issued) by the Company after the Original Issue Date, other than:

 

  (A)

Ordinary Shares (and/or options or warrants therefor), the amount of which shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of all issued and outstanding shares of the Company, issued to employees, officers, directors, contractors, advisors or consultants of the Company pursuant to the Company’s employee share option plans approved by the Board (with the consent of the Investor Director);

 

  (B)

any Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon conversion or exercise of the Preferred Shares;

 

  (C)

any securities issued in connection with any share dividend or other similar event in which all the holders of the Preferred Shares are entitled to participate on a pro rata basis;

 

  (D)

any securities issued in connection with any share split, share combination or other similar event without changing the authorized share capital of the Company;

 

  (E)

any securities issued upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of any outstanding security if such outstanding security constituted an Additional Ordinary Shares prior to the Closing;

 

  (F)

any securities issued pursuant to a Qualified Initial Public Offering;

 

  (G)

any Ordinary Shares issued or issuable to banks, equipment leasers or other financial institutions pursuant to a debt financing or commercial leasing transaction approved by the Board subject to Article 41.

 

  (b)

No Adjustment to Conversion Price. No adjustment in the Preferred Share Conversion Price shall be made in respect of the issuance of Additional Ordinary Shares unless the consideration per share for an Additional Ordinary Share issued or deemed to be issued by the Company is less than the Preferred Share Conversion Price in effect on the date of and immediately prior to such issuance.

 

  (c)

Deemed Issuance of Additional Ordinary Shares. In the event the Company at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date shall issue any Options or Convertible Securities or shall fix a record date for the determination of holders of any class of securities entitled to receive any such Options or Convertible Securities, then the maximum number (as set forth in the instrument relating thereto without regard to any provisions contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such number that would result in an adjustment pursuant to clause (ii) below) of Ordinary Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Options or, in the case of Convertible Securities and Options therefor, the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, shall be deemed to be Additional Ordinary Shares issued as of the time of such issuance or, in case such a record date shall have been fixed, as of the close of business on such record date, provided that Additional Ordinary Shares shall not be deemed to have been issued with respect to Preferred Shares, unless the consideration per share (determined pursuant to Article 39(e) hereof) of such Additional Ordinary Share would be less than the Preferred Share Conversion Price in effect on the date of and immediately prior to such issuance, or such record date, as the case may be, and provided further that in any such case in which Additional Ordinary Shares are deemed to be issued:

 

  (i)

no further adjustment to the Preferred Share Conversion Price shall be made upon the subsequent issuance of Convertible Securities or Ordinary Shares upon the exercise of such Options or conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities;

 

11


  (ii)

if such Options or Convertible Securities by their terms provide, with the passage of time or otherwise, for any increase or decrease in the consideration payable to the Company, or increase or decrease in the number of Ordinary Shares issuable, upon the exercise, conversion or exchange thereof, the Preferred Share Conversion Price computed upon the original issuance thereof (or upon the occurrence of a record date with respect thereto), and any subsequent adjustments based thereon, shall, upon any such increase or decrease becoming effective be recomputed to reflect such increase or decrease insofar as it affects such Options or the rights of conversion or exchange under such Convertible Securities;

 

  (iii)

upon the expiration of any such Options or any rights of conversion or exchange under such Convertible Securities which shall not have been fully exercised, the Preferred Share Conversion Price computed upon the original issuance thereof (or upon the occurrence of a record date with respect thereto), and any subsequent adjustments based thereon, shall, upon such expiration be recomputed as if:

 

  (A)

in the case of Convertible Securities or Options for Ordinary Shares, the only Additional Ordinary Shares issued were Ordinary Shares, if any, actually issued upon the exercise of such Options or the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities and the consideration received therefor was the consideration actually received by the Company for the issuance of all such Options, whether or not exercised, plus the consideration actually received by the Company upon such exercise, or for the issuance of all such Convertible Securities which were actually converted or exchanged, plus the additional consideration, if any, actually received by the Company upon such conversion or exchange, and

 

  (B)

in the case of Options for Convertible Securities, only the Convertible Securities, if any, actually issued upon the exercise thereof were issued at the time of issuance of such Options, and the consideration received by the Company for the Additional Ordinary Shares deemed to have been then issued was the consideration actually received by the Company for the issuance of all such Options, whether or not exercised, plus the consideration deemed to have been received by the Company upon the issuance of the Convertible Securities with respect to which such Options were actually exercised;

 

  (iv)

no readjustment pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) above shall have the effect of increasing the Preferred Share Conversion Price to an amount which exceeds the lower of (i) the Preferred Share Conversion Price immediately prior to the original adjustment date, or (ii) the Preferred Share Conversion Price that would have resulted from any issuance of Additional Ordinary Shares between the original adjustment date and such readjustment date; and

 

  (v)

in the case of any Options which expire by their terms not more than 30 days after the date of issuance thereof, no adjustment of the Preferred Share Conversion Price shall be made until the expiration or exercise of all such Options, whereupon such adjustment shall be made in the manner provided in clause (iii) above.

 

  (d)

Adjustment of Preferred Share Conversion Price upon Issuance of Additional Ordinary Shares below the Preferred Share Conversion Price. In the event that the Company shall issue any Additional Ordinary Shares (including those deemed to be issued pursuant to Article 39 (c)) without consideration or at a subscription price per Ordinary Share (on an as-converted basis) less than any of the Preferred Share Conversion Price in effect on the date of and immediately prior to such issuance, then the Preferred Share Conversion Price for such Preferred Shares shall forthwith be reduced, concurrently with such issuance of the Additional Ordinary Shares, to a price equal to the per share consideration paid for the Additional Ordinary Shares.

 

  (e)

Determination of Consideration. For purposes of this Article 39, the consideration received by the Company for the issuance of any Additional Ordinary Shares shall be computed as follows:

 

  (i)

Cash and Property. Except as provided in clause (ii) below, such consideration shall:

 

  (A)

insofar as it consists of cash, be computed at the aggregate amount of cash received by the Company excluding amounts paid or payable for accrued interest for accrued dividends;

 

12


  (B)

insofar as it consists of property other than cash, be computed at the fair value thereof at the time of such issuance, as determined in good faith by the Board; provided, however, that no value shall be attributed to any services performed by any employee, officer or director of the Company; and

 

  (C)

in the event Additional Ordinary Shares are issued together with other shares or securities or other assets of the Company for consideration which covers both, be the proportion of such consideration so received with respect to such Additional Ordinary Shares, computed as provided in clauses (A) and (B) above, as determined in good faith by the Board.

 

  (ii)

Options and Convertible Securities. The consideration per share received by the Company for Additional Ordinary Shares deemed to have been issued pursuant to Aricle 39(c), relating to Options and Convertible Securities, shall be determined by dividing

 

  (A)

the total amount, if any, received or receivable by the Company as consideration for the issuance of such Options or Convertible Securities, plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration (as set forth in the instruments relating thereto, without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such consideration) payable to the Company upon the exercise of such Options or the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, or in the case of Options for Convertible Securities, the exercise of such Options for Convertible Securities and the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities by

 

  (B)

the maximum number of Ordinary Shares (as set forth in the instruments relating thereto, without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such number) issuable upon the exercise of such Options or the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities.

 

  (f)

Adjustments for Share Dividends, Subdivisions, Combinations or Consolidations of Ordinary Shares. In the event the outstanding Ordinary Shares shall be subdivided (by share dividend, share split, or otherwise), into a greater number of Ordinary Shares, the Preferred Share Conversion Price shall, concurrently with the effectiveness of such subdivision, be proportionately decreased. In the event the outstanding Ordinary Shares shall be combined or consolidated, by reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser number of Ordinary Shares the Preferred Share Conversion Price shall, concurrently with the effectiveness of such combination or consolidation, be proportionately increased.

 

  (g)

Adjustments for Other Distributions. In the event the Company at any time or from time to time makes, or files a record date for the determination of holders of Ordinary Shares entitled to receive any distribution payable in securities or assets of the Company other than Ordinary Shares, then and in each such event provision shall be made so that the holders of Preferred Shares shall receive upon conversion thereof, in addition to the number of Ordinary Shares receivable thereupon, the amount of securities or assets of the Company which they would have received had their Preferred Shares been converted into Ordinary Shares on the date of such event and had they thereafter, during the period from the date of such event to and including the date of conversion, retained such securities or assets receivable by them as aforesaid during such period, subject to all other adjustment called for during such period under this Article 39 with respect to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Shares.

 

13


  (h)

Adjustments for Reclassification, Exchange and Substitution. If the Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares shall be changed into the same or a different number of shares of any other class or classes of shares, whether by capital reorganization, reclassification or otherwise (other than a subdivision or combination of shares provided for above), then and in each such event the holder of each share of Preferred Shares shall have the right thereafter to convert such share into the kind and amount of shares and other securities and property receivable upon such reorganization or reclassification or other change by holders of the number of Ordinary Shares that would have been subject to receipt by the holders upon conversion of the Preferred Shares immediately before that change, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

 

  (i)

No Impairment. The Company will not, by the amendment of its Memorandum and Articles of Association or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issuance or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Company but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of Article 39 and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the Conversion Rights of the holders of the Preferred Shares against impairment.

 

  (j)

Certificate as to Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the Conversion Price pursuant to Article 39, the Company at its expense shall promptly compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and furnish to each holder of Preferred Shares a certificate setting forth such adjustment or readjustment and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based. The Company shall, upon the written request at any time of any holder of Preferred Shares, furnish or cause to be furnished to such holder a like certificate setting forth (i) such adjustments and readjustments, (ii) the Preferred Share Conversion Price at the time in effect, and (iii) the number of Ordinary Shares and the amount, if any, of other property which at the time would be received upon the conversion of such Preferred Shares.

 

  (k)

Miscellaneous.

 

  (i)

All calculations under this Article 39 shall be made to the nearest one hundredth (1/100) of a cent or to the nearest one hundredth (1/100) of a share, as the case may be.

 

  (ii)

The holders of at least fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Preferred Shares shall have the right to challenge any determination by the Board of fair value pursuant to this Article 39, in which case such determination of fair value shall be made by an independent appraiser selected jointly by the Board and the challenging parties, the cost of such appraisal to be borne equally by the Company and the challenging holders of Preferred Shares.

 

  (iii)

No adjustment in the Preferred Share Conversion Price need be made if such adjustment would result in a change in such conversion price of less than US$0.01. Any adjustment of less than US$0.01 which is not made shall be carried forward and shall be made at the time of and together with any subsequent adjustment which, on a cumulative basis, amounts to an adjustment of US$0.0l or more in such conversion price.

VOTING RIGHTS

 

40.

Each Preferred Share shall carry a number of votes equal to the number of Ordinary Shares then issuable upon its conversion into Ordinary Shares at the record date for determination of the shareholders entitled to vote on such matters, or, if no such record date is established, at the date such vote is taken or any written consent of shareholders is solicited. Fractional votes shall not, however, be permitted and any fractional voting rights available on an as converted and fully diluted basis (after aggregating all shares into which the Preferred Shares held by each holder could be converted) shall be rounded to the nearest whole number (with one-half being rounded upward). Subject to provisions to the contrary elsewhere in the Memorandum and/or these Articles, including the limitations set forth in Article 41, or as required by the applicable laws, the holders of Preferred Shares and Ordinary Shares shall vote together as a single class.

 

14


PROTECTIVE PROVISIONS

 

41.

In addition to such other limitations as may be provided in the Restated Articles, for so long as any Preferred Shares are outstanding, the following acts of the Company shall require the prior written approval of the holders of at least two thirds (2/3) of the Preferred Shares, or the written approval of at least seventy five percent (75%) of Directors of the Board (including the approval of the Investor Director), as the case maybe.

 

  (a)

any amendment or change of the rights, preferences, privileges or powers of, or the restrictions provided for the benefit of the Preferred Shares;

 

  (b)

any action that authorizes, creates or issues any class of the Company securities having preferences superior to or on a parity with the Preferred Shares; increase, decrease or otherwise change the share capital of the Company;

 

  (c)

any action that reclassifies any outstanding shares into shares having preferences or priority as to dividends or assets superior to or on a parity with the preference of the Preferred Shares;

 

  (e)

any issuance or sale of any equity or debt securities of the Company, excluding (i) any issuance of Ordinary Shares upon conversion of the Preferred Shares, and (ii) the issuance of Ordinary Shares (or options or warrants therefor) under employee equity incentive plans approved by the Board (including the affirmative vote of the Investor Director);

 

  (f)

any action that repurchases, redeems or retires any of the Company’s voting securities (excluding pursuant to contractual rights to repurchase Ordinary Shares or preferred shares held by employees, directors or consultants of the Company or its subsidiaries upon termination of their employment or services, or pursuant to the exercise of a contractual right of first refusal held by the Company);

 

  (g)

any consolidation, merger, corporate reorganization, transaction or series of transactions, in which in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s voting power is transferred or in which all or substantially all the assets of the Company are sold;

 

  (h)

any increase in the maximum number of shares covered by the ESOP (as defined in the Share Purchase Agreement) or any other similar plans, or any settlement or alteration of the terms of any profit sharing scheme or any employee share option or share participation schemes;

 

  (i)

the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company;

 

  (j)

the declaration or payment of any dividend or other distribution on any Ordinary Shares of the Company, or on any shares of the Company’s subsidiaries, as the case maybe;

 

  (m)

provide any loan by the Company to any director, management or employee of the Company;

 

  (p)

any transaction or series of transactions between the Company and any holder of Ordinary Shares, director, officer or employee of the Company, or any affiliate of the Company or any of its officers, directors or employees in excess of US$100,000;

 

  (x)

any other event which may negatively affect the Investors’ rights, preferences, privileges or powers herein, or in the Restated Articles, or Share Purchase Agreement; or

 

15


  (y)

agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.

 

42.

To be reserved.

REDEMPTION

 

43A.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, at any time after the earlier of (i) termination of the Founder’s full-time employment relationship with the Group Companies prior to a Qualified Initial Public Offering, (ii) June 30, 2020, if the Company has not consummated a Qualified Initial Public Offering due to the reason that the Founder of the Company disapproves or otherwise fails to approve a Qualified Initial Public Offering whilst the Company has satisfied, or is reasonably expected to satisfy the requirements necessary to consummate a Qualified Initial Public Offering, (iii) June 30, 2020, if the Company has not consummated a Qualified Initial Public Offering due to any other reasons (other than the reason set forth in the Article 43A(ii)), or (iv) any material breach by the Group Companies, the Founder and/or BVI 1 of any representatives, warranties or covenants of the Transaction Documents (the “ Redemption Start Date ”), then subject to the applicable laws of the Cayman Islands and, if so requested by any holders of the Preferred Shares, the Company and/or the Founder shall redeem all or part of the outstanding Preferred Shares in cash out of funds legally available therefore within two (2) months after the Company and/or the Founder receive the Redemption Notice from such holders of Preferred Shares (the “ Redemption ”). The price at which each Preferred Share shall be redeemed (the “ Redemption Price ”) shall be equal to the greatest of:

 

  (1)

IP ×(1+R×N) A, where

IP = applicable Preferred Share Issue Price;

R =: (a) 20% if the Redemption is initiated pursuant to Article 43(i); (b) 10% if the Redemption is initiated pursuant to Article 43 (ii); (c) 15% if the Redemption is initiated pursuant to Article 43 (iii); (d) 12% if the Redemption is initiated pursuant to Article 43 (iv)-(vi), as applicable.

N = a fraction the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the original issue date of the relevant Preferred Shares and the Redemption Date (as defined in below) and the denominator of which is 365,

A= all declared and paid dividends thereon up to the date of redemption, proportionally adjusted for share subdivisions, share dividends, reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations or mergers.

or

 

  (2)

(I) the product obtained by multiplying (x) the per share value of the Company which shall be determined through an independent appraisal performed by a qualified appraisal firm mutually agreed upon by all the relevant parties and (y) the amount of shares held by such holder of Preferred Shares, (II) minus all declared and paid dividends thereon up to the date of redemption, proportionally adjusted for share subdivisions, share dividends, reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations or mergers;

or

 

  (3)

(I) the product obtained by multiplying (x) the total amount of the net asset value of the Company and (y) the shareholding of such holder of Preferred Shares in the Company, (II) minus all declared and paid dividends thereon up to the date of redemption, proportionally adjusted for share subdivisions, share dividends, reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations or mergers.

If the Company does not have sufficient cash or funds legally available to redeem all of the Preferred Shares required to be redeemed, the remainder shall be carried forward and redeemed as soon as the Company has legally available funds to do so.

 

16


43B.

A notice of redemption (a “Redemption Notice”) by such holder of Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall be given by hand or by mail to the Company and/or the Founder at any time on or after the Redemption Start Date stating the date on which the Preferred Shares are to be redeemed (the “Redemption Date”), provided, however, that the Redemption Date shall be no earlier than the date 30 days after such notice of redemption is given. Upon receipt of any such request, the Company and the Founder shall promptly give written notice of the redemption request to each non-requesting holder of record of Preferred Shares stating the existence of such request, the Redemption Price, the Redemption Date and the mechanics of redemption. If on the Redemption Date, the number of Preferred Shares that may then be legally redeemed by the Company is less than the number of all Preferred Shares to be redeemed, then (i) the number of Preferred Shares then redeemed shall be based ratably on all Preferred Shares to be redeemed, and (ii) the remaining Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall be carried forward and redeemed as soon as the Company has legally available funds to do so, and (iii) the redemption amount with respect to the remaining Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall be paid to the holder of such Preferred Shares bearing 3‰ daily interest until all the relevant redemption amount to such holder of Preferred Shares has been fully paid. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no other securities of the Company shall be redeemed unless and until the Company and the Founder shall have redeemed all of the Preferred Shares requested to be redeemed pursuant to this Article 43 and shall have paid all the Redemption Price for such Preferred Shares requested to be redeemed payable pursuant to this Article 43.

 

43C.

Before any holder of Preferred Shares shall be entitled for redemption under the provisions of this Article 43, such holder shall surrender his or her certificate or certificates representing such Preferred Shares to be redeemed to the Company in the manner and at the place designated by the Company for that purpose, and the Redemption Price shall be payable on the Redemption Date to the order of the person whose name appears on such certificate or certificates as the owner of such shares and each such certificate shall be cancelled on the Redemption Date. In the event less than all the shares represented by any such certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be promptly issued representing the unredeemed shares. Unless there has been a default in payment of the applicable Redemption Price, upon cancellation of the certificate representing such Preferred Shares to be redeemed, all dividends on such Preferred Shares designated for redemption on the relevant Redemption Date shall cease to accrue and all rights of the holders thereof, except the right to receive the Redemption Price thereof (including all accrued and unpaid dividend up to the relevant redemption date), without interest, shall cease and terminate and such Preferred Shares shall cease to be issued shares of the Company. If the Company fails to redeem any Preferred Shares for which redemption is requested, then during the period from the Redemption Date through the date on which such Preferred Shares are actually redeemed and the Redemption Price is actually made, in full, such Preferred Shares shall continue to be outstanding and be entitled to all rights and preferences of Preferred Shares. After payment in full of the aggregate Redemption Price for all issued and outstanding Preferred Shares, all rights of the holders thereof as shareholders of the Company shall cease and terminate and such Preferred Shares shall be cancelled.

 

43D.

If the Company fails (for whatever reason) to redeem any Preferred Shares on its due date for redemption then, as from such date until the date on which the same are redeemed the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend nor otherwise make any distribution of or otherwise decrease its profits available for distribution.

 

43E.

To the extent permitted by law, the Company shall procure that the profits of each subsidiary and affiliate of the Company for the time being legally available for distribution shall be paid to it by way of dividend or otherwise if and to the extent that, but for such payment, the Company would not itself otherwise have sufficient profits available for distribution to make any redemption of Preferred Shares required to be made pursuant to this Article 43.

 

43F.

All references to “redemption by the Company” in this Article 43 shall be read as references to “redemption or purchase (as the case maybe) by the Company and the Founder”, provided that the Founder’ total liability in respect of the redemption obligation under this Article 43 in the aggregate shall be limited to the Ordinary Shares of the Company directly or indirectly held by the Founder.

 

17


MEETINGS AND CONSENTS OF

MEMBERS

 

44.

The directors of the Company may convene meetings of the members of the Company at such times and in such manner and places within or outside the Cayman Islands as the directors consider necessary or desirable.

 

45.

Upon the written request of members holding ten percent or more of the outstanding voting shares in the Company, the directors shall convene a meeting of members promptly, and in any event within ten (10) business days, following receipt by the Company of such a request.

 

46.

The directors shall give not less than seven days notice of meetings of members to those persons whose names on the date the notice is given appear as members in the share register of the Company and are entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

47.

The directors may fix the date notice is given of a meeting of members as the record date for determining those shares that are entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

48.

A meeting of members may be called on short notice:

 

  (a)

if members holding not less than 90 percent of the total number of shares entitled to vote on all matters to be considered at the meeting, or 90 percent of the votes of each class or series of shares where members are entitled to vote thereon as a class or series together with not less than a 90 percent majority of the remaining votes, have agreed to short notice of the meeting, or

 

  (b)

if all members holding shares entitled to vote on all or any matters to be considered at the meeting have waived notice of the meeting and for this purpose presence at the meeting shall be deemed to constitute waiver.

 

49.

The inadvertent failure of the directors to give notice of a meeting to a member, or the fact that a member has not received notice, does not invalidate the meeting.

 

50.

A member may be represented at a meeting of members by a proxy who may speak and vote on behalf of the member.

 

51.

The instrument appointing a proxy shall be produced at the place appointed for the meeting before the time for holding the meeting at which the person named in such instrument proposes to vote.

 

52.

An instrument appointing a proxy shall be in substantially the following form or such other form as the Chairman of the meeting shall accept as properly evidencing the wishes of the member appointing the proxy.

(Name of Company)

I/We                 being a member of the above Company with                  shares HEREBY APPOINT     of                  or failing him                 of                  to be my/our proxy to vote for me/us at the meeting of members to be held on the                  day of                  and at any adjournment thereof.

(Any restrictions on voting to be inserted here.)

Signed this day of

 

                                                 

Member

 

53.

The following shall apply in respect of joint ownership of shares:

 

  (a)

if two or more persons hold shares jointly each of them may be present in person or by proxy at a meeting of members and may speak as a member;

 

18


  (b)

if only one of the joint owners is present in person or by proxy he may vote on behalf of all joint owners; and;

 

  (c)

if two or more of the joint owners are present in person or by proxy they must vote as one.

 

54.

A member shall be deemed to be present at a meeting of members if he participates by telephone or other electronic means and all members participating in the meeting are able to hear each other.

 

55.

No business shall be transacted at any meeting of members unless a quorum is present. The quorum for a meeting of members shall be such Member(s) present in person or by proxy holding (i) not less than a majority of the votes of the shares or class or series of shares entitled to vote on a resolution of members to be considered at the meeting, and (ii) not less than two thirds (2/3) of the issued Preferred Shares.

 

56.

If within two hours from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of members, shall be dissolved; in any other case it shall stand adjourned to the next business day at the same time and place or to such other time and place as the directors may determine, and if at the adjourned meeting, a quorum is not present within an hour from the time appointed for the meeting, those present shall constitute a quorum.

 

57.

At every meeting of members, the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside as Chairman of the meeting. If there is no Chairman of the Board of Directors or if the Chairman of the Board of Directors is not present at the meeting, the members present shall choose someone of their number to be the Chairman. If the members are unable to choose a Chairman for any reason, then the person representing the greatest number of voting shares present in person or by prescribed proxy at the meeting shall preside as Chairman failing which the oldest individual member or representative of a member present shall take the chair.

 

58.

The Chairman may, with the consent of the meeting, adjourn any meeting from time to time, from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.

 

59.

At any meeting of the members the Chairman shall be responsible for deciding in such manner as he shall consider appropriate whether any resolution has been carried or not and the result of his decision shall be announced to the meeting and recorded in the minutes thereof.

 

60.

Any person other than an individual shall be regarded as one member and subject to the specific provisions hereinafter contained for the appointment of representatives of such persons the right of any individual to speak for or represent such member shall be determined by the law of the jurisdiction where, and by the documents by which, the person is constituted or derives its existence. In case of doubt, the directors may in good faith seek legal advice from any qualified person and unless and until a court of competent jurisdiction shall otherwise rule, the directors may rely and act upon such advice without incurring any liability to any member.

 

61.

Any person other than an individual which is a member of the Company may by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorize such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or of any class of members of the Company, and the person so authorized shall be entitled to exercise the same power on behalf of the person which he represents as that person could exercise if it were an individual member of the Company.

 

62.

The Chairman of any meeting at which a vote is cast by proxy or on behalf of any person other than an individual may call for a notarially certified copy of such proxy or authority which shall be produced within seven days of being so requested or the votes cast by such proxy or on behalf of such person shall be disregarded.

 

63.

Directors of the Company may attend and speak at any meeting of members of the Company and at any separate meeting of the holders of any class or series of shares in the Company.

 

64.

An action that may be taken by the members at a meeting may also be taken by a resolution of members consented to in writing or by telex, telegram, cable, facsimile or other written electronic communication by all the Members, without the need for any notice. The consent may be in the form of counterparts, each counterpart being signed by one or more members.

 

19


DIRECTORS

 

65.

The first directors of the Company shall be appointed by the subscriber to the Memorandum; and thereafter, the directors shall be elected by the members for such term as the members determine.

 

66.

The Company shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of at least three (3) directors, which number of directors shall not be changed except pursuant to an amendment to these Articles. BVI 1 shall be entitled to appoint and remove two (2) directors (the “Ordinary Directors”) and Banyan (so long as they continue to hold shares in the Company) shall be entitled to appoint and remove one (1) director (the “Investor Director”). BVI 1 and Banyan may remove a Director appointed by it, with or without cause and appoint a new Director in his place by notice in writing to the Company and the other Members.

 

67.

Any director of the Company may be removed from the Board by the Members of the Company or in the manner specified by the Law and these Articles, but with respect to a director appointed pursuant to Article 66, only upon the vote or written consent of the Members entitled to appoint such director. Any vacancies created by the resignation, removal or death of a director appointed pursuant to Article 66 shall be filled pursuant to Article 66.

 

68.

A director may resign his office by giving written notice of his resignation to the Company and the resignation shall have effect from the date the notice is received by the Company or from such later date as may be specified in the notice.

 

69.

The Company shall keep a register of directors containing:

 

  (a)

the names and addresses of the persons who are directors of the Company;

 

  (b)

the date on which each person whose name is entered in the register was appointed as a director of the Company; and

 

  (c)

the date on which each person named as a director ceased to be a director of the Company.

 

70.

A copy of the register of directors shall be kept at the registered office of the Company.

 

71.

With the prior approval or subsequent ratification by an Ordinary Resolution and subject to all other approvals required under the Memorandum or these Articles, the Board may, by a resolution of directors, fix the emoluments of directors with respect to services to be rendered in any capacity to the Company.

 

72.

A director shall not require a share qualification, and may be an individual or a company.

POWERS OF DIRECTORS

 

73.

The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by the directors who may pay all expenses incurred preliminary to and in connection with the formation and registration of the Company and may exercise all such powers of the Company as are not by the Law or by the Memorandum or these Articles required to be exercised by the members of the Company, subject to any delegation of such powers as may be authorized by these Articles and to such requirements as may be prescribed by a resolution of members; but no requirement made by a resolution of members shall prevail if it be inconsistent with these Articles nor shall such requirement invalidate any prior act of the directors which would have been valid if such requirement had not been made.

 

74.

The directors may, by a resolution of directors, appoint any person, including a person who is a director, to be an officer or agent of the Company. The resolution of directors appointing an agent may authorize the agent to appoint one or more substitutes or delegates to exercise some or all of the powers conferred on the agent by the Company.

 

20


75.

Every officer or agent of the Company has such powers and authority of the directors, including the power and authority to affix the Seal, as are set forth in these Articles or in the resolution of directors appointing the officer or agent, except that no officer or agent has any power or authority with respect to the matters requiring a resolution of directors under the Law.

 

76.

Any director which is a body corporate may appoint any person its duly authorized representative for the purpose of representing it at meetings of the Board of Directors or with respect to unanimous written consents.

 

77.

The continuing directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body.

 

78.

The directors may by resolution of directors exercise all the powers of the Company subject to all approvals required under the Memorandum to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertakings and property or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.

 

79.

All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other negotiable instruments and all receipts for monies paid to the Company, shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed, as the case may be, in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of directors.

 

80.

The Directors shall cause to be kept the register of mortgages and charges required by the Law.

 

81.

The register of mortgages and charges shall be open to inspection in accordance with the Law, at the office of the Company on every business day in the Cayman Islands, subject to such reasonable restrictions as the Board may impose, so that not less than two hours in each such business day be allowed for inspection.

PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

 

82.

The directors of the Company or any committee thereof may meet at such times and in such manner and places within or outside the Cayman Islands as the directors may determine to be necessary or desirable; provided, that the Board of Directors and the Committee (as defined in Article 93 below) shall meet at least every six months.

 

83.

A director shall be deemed to be present at a meeting of directors if he participates by telephone or other electronic means and all directors participating in the meeting are able to hear each other.

 

84.

A director shall be given not less than seven (7) days notice of meetings of directors, but a meeting of directors held without seven (7) days notice having been given to all directors shall be valid if all the directors entitled to vote at the meeting who do not attend, waive notice of the meeting and for this purpose, the presence of a director at a meeting shall constitute waiver on his part. The inadvertent failure to give notice of a meeting to a director, or the fact that a director has not received the notice, does not invalidate the meeting.

 

85.

A director may by a written instrument appoint an alternate who need not be a director and an alternate is entitled to attend meetings in the absence of the director who appointed him and to vote or consent in place of the director.

 

86.

A meeting of directors is duly constituted for all purposes if at the commencement of the meeting there are present in person or by alternate not less than three (3) directors. If within two hours from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place, and if at the adjourned meeting there are present within one hour from the time appointed for the meeting in person or by proxy not less than a majority of the votes of the directors entitled to vote on the matters to be considered by the meeting, those present shall constitute a quorum but otherwise the meeting shall be dissolved.

 

87.

At every meeting of the directors the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside as Chairman of the meeting. If there is no Chairman of the Board of Directors or if the Chairman of the Board of Directors is not present at the meeting the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside. If there is no Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors or if the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors is not present at the meeting the directors present shall choose someone of their number to be Chairman of the meeting.

 

21


88.

An action that may be taken by the directors or a committee of directors at a meeting may also be taken by a resolution of directors or a committee of directors consented to in writing or by telex, telegram, cable, facsimile or other written electronic communication by all directors or all members of the committee as the case may be, without the need for any notice. The consent may be in the form of counterparts, each counterpart being signed by one or more directors.

 

89.

The directors shall cause the following corporate records to be kept:

 

  (a)

minutes of all meetings of directors, members, committees of directors, committees of officers and committees of members;

 

  (b)

copies of all resolutions consented to by directors, members, committees of directors, committees of officers and committees of members; and

 

  (c)

such other accounts and records as the directors by resolution of directors consider necessary or desirable in order to reflect the financial position of the Company.

 

90.

The books, records and minutes shall be kept at the registered office of the Company, its principal place of business or at such other place as the directors determine.

 

91.

The directors may, by resolution of directors, designate one or more committees. Each committee of directors has such powers and authorities of the directors, including the power and authority to affix the Seal, as are set forth in the resolution of directors establishing the committee, except that no committee has any power or authority to appoint directors or fix their emoluments, or to appoint officers or agents of the Company.

 

92.

The meetings and proceedings of each committee of directors shall be governed mutatis mutandis by the provisions of these Articles regulating the proceedings of directors so far as the same are not superseded by any provisions in the resolution establishing the committee.

 

93.

The Company shall set up a compensation committee (the “Compensation Committee”), and an audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) (collectively, the “Committees”) at the time determined by the Board of Directors (including the affirmative vote from the Investor Director). Each Committee shall consist of three (3) directors, among which one (1) shall be appointed by Banyan (the “Banyan Representative”). The Compensation Committee shall be responsible for evaluating and recommending to the Board of the Director for action all matters related to the Company’s annual compensation and/or bonus plan, share option plan, and employee related compensation matters. The Audit Committee shall be responsible for internal audit and nomination of auditors for the Company. All the resolutions of the Committees shall be adopted with the consent of the Banyan Representative.

OFFICERS

 

94.

The Company may by resolution of Board of Directors, appoint officers of the Company at such times as shall be considered necessary or expedient. Such officers may consist of a Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, a President and one or more Vice Presidents, Secretaries and Financial Controller and such other officers as may from time to time be deemed desirable. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

 

95.

The officers shall perform such duties as shall be prescribed at the time of their appointment subject to any modification in such duties as may be prescribed thereafter by resolution of directors or Ordinary Resolution, but in the absence of any specific allocation of duties it shall be the responsibility of the Chairman of the Board of Directors to preside at meetings of directors and members, the Vice Chairman to act in the absence of the Chairman, the President to manage the day to day affairs of the Company, the Vice Presidents to act in order of seniority in the absence of the President but otherwise to perform such duties as may be delegated to them by the President, the Secretaries to maintain the share register, minute books and records (other than financial records) of the Company and to ensure compliance with all procedural requirements imposed on the Company by applicable law, and the Treasurer to be responsible for the financial affairs of the Company.

 

22


96.

The emoluments of all officers shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors, with the prior written approval of the members holding more than fifty percent (50%) of the Preferred Shares; provided, that the Company shall not provide any director’s fee, other remuneration or emolument to directors that are not independent directors. The Company shall reimburse the directors for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending any meetings of the Board and any committee thereof.

 

97.

Subject to compliance with Article 94, the officers of the Company shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified, but any officer elected or appointed by the directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by resolution of directors. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Company may be filled by resolution of directors.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

 

98.

No agreement or transaction between the Company and one or more of its directors or any person in which any director has a financial interest or to whom any director is related, including as a director of that other person, is void or voidable for this reason only or by reason only that the director is present at the meeting of directors or at the meeting of the committee of directors that approves the agreement or transaction or that the vote or consent of the director is counted for that purpose if the material facts of the interest of each director in the agreement or transaction and his interest in or relationship to any other party to the agreement or transaction are disclosed in good faith or are known by the other directors.

 

99.

A director who has an interest in any particular business to be considered at a meeting of directors or members may be counted for purposes of determining whether the meeting is duly constituted and may vote in respect of any such business at the meeting.

INDEMNIFICATION

 

100.

Subject to the limitations hereinafter provided and to all applicable laws, the Company may indemnify against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings any person who

 

  (a)

is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, an officer or a liquidator of the Company; or

 

  (b)

is or was, at the request of the Company, serving as a director, officer or liquidator of, or in any other capacity is or was acting for, another company or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

 

101.

The Company may only indemnify a person if the person acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of criminal proceedings, the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

 

102.

The decision of the directors as to whether the person acted honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the Company and as to whether the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful, is, in the absence of fraud, sufficient for the purposes of these Articles, unless a question of law is involved.

 

103.

The termination of any proceedings by any judgment, order, settlement, conviction or the entering of a nolle prosequi does not, by itself, create a presumption that the person did not act honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the Company or that the person had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

 

104.

If a person to be indemnified has been successful in defense of any proceedings referred to above the person is entitled to be indemnified against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the proceedings.

 

23


105.

The Company may purchase and maintain insurance in relation to any person who is or was a director, an officer or a liquidator of the Company, or who at the request of the Company is or was serving as a director, an officer or a liquidator of, or in any other capacity is or was acting for, another company or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against the person and incurred by the person in that capacity, whether or not the Company has or would have had the power to indemnify the person against the liability as provided in these Articles.

SEAL

 

106.

The Company may have more than one Seal and references herein to the Seal shall be references to every Seal which shall have been duly adopted by resolution of directors. The directors shall provide for the safe custody of the Seal and for an imprint thereof to be kept at the Registered Office. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Seal, when affixed to any written instrument, shall be witnessed and attested to by the signature of a director or any other person so authorized from time to time by resolution of directors. Such authorization may be before or after the seal is affixed may be general or specific and may refer to any number of sealing. The Directors may provide for a facsimile of the Seal and of the signature of any director or authorized person which may be reproduced by printing or other means on any instrument and it shall have the same force and validity as if the Seal had been affixed to such instrument and the same had been signed as hereinbefore described.

DIVIDENDS

 

107A.

The holders of outstanding Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive dividends, out of any assets legally available therefor, prior and in preference to any declaration or payment of any dividend (whether in cash, in property or in shares of the capital of the Company) on the Ordinary Shares or any other class or series of shares of the Company, at the rate of eight percent (8%) of the applicable Preferred Share Issue Price per annum on each Preferred Share, payable in U.S. dollars and annually when, as and if declared by the Board. Such distributions shall not be cumulative.

 

107B.

After payment of the dividends as set forth above, any additional dividends or distributions shall be distributed among all holders of Ordinary Shares and Preferred Shares in proportion to the number of Ordinary Shares that would be held by each such holder if all Preferred Shares had been converted to Ordinary Shares as of the record date fixed for determining those entitled to receive such distribution.

 

107C.

No dividend, whether in cash, in property or in shares of the capital of the Company, shall be paid on any other class or series of shares of the Company unless and until a dividend in like amount is first paid in full on the Preferred Shares (on an as-converted basis). Holders of the Preferred Shares shall also be entitled to receive any non-cash dividends declared by the Board on an as-converted basis.

 

108.

Subject to receipt of all approvals required under the Memorandum or elsewhere in these Articles, the Company may by a resolution of directors declare and pay dividends in money, shares, or other property. In the event that dividends are paid in specie the directors shall have responsibility for establishing and recording in the resolution of directors authorizing the dividends, a fair and proper value for the assets to be so distributed.

 

109.

Subject to receipt of all approvals required under the Memorandum or elsewhere in these Articles, the directors may from time to time pay to the members such interim dividends as appear to the directors to be justified by the profits of the Company.

 

110.

The directors may, before declaring any dividend, set aside out of the profits of the Company such sum as they think proper as a reserve fund, and may invest the sum so set apart as a reserve fund upon such securities as they may select.

 

111.

Dividends may be declared and paid out of profits of the Company, realised or unrealised, or from any reserve set aside from profits which the Directors determine is no longer needed, or not in the same amount. Dividends may also be declared and paid out of share premium account or any other fund or account which can be authorised for this purpose in accordance with the Law.

 

24


112.

Notice of any dividend that may have been declared shall be given to each member in manner hereinafter mentioned and all dividends unclaimed for 3 years after having been declared may be forfeited by resolution of the directors for the benefit of the Company.

 

113.

No dividend shall bear interest as against the Company and no dividend shall be paid on shares held by another company of which the Company holds, directly or indirectly, shares having more than 50 per cent of the vote in electing directors.

 

114.

The Board may resolve to capitalise any sum for the time being standing to the credit of any of the Company’s share premium or other reserve accounts or to the credit of the profit and loss account or otherwise available for distribution by applying such sum in paying up unissued shares to be allotted as fully paid bonus shares pro rata to the Members.

 

115.

The Board may resolve to capitalise any sum for the time being standing to the credit of a reserve account or sums otherwise available for dividend or distribution by applying such amounts in paying up in full partly paid or nil paid shares of those Members who would have been entitled to such sums if they were distributed by way of dividend or distribution.

 

116.

A division of the issued and outstanding shares of a class or series of shares into a larger number of shares of the same class or series having a proportionately smaller par value does not constitute a dividend of shares.

ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT

 

117.

The Company shall prepare an audited annual consolidated financial statements and unaudited consolidated monthly financial statements, each in accordance with the United State generally accepted accounting principles (“ US GAAP ”), which shall be drawn up so as to give respectively a true and fair view of the profit or loss of the Company for the financial period and a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company as at the end of the financial period.

 

118.

The accounts of the Company shall be examined at least annually by one accounting firm acceptable to the Investors starting from the fiscal year 2015.

 

119.

The first auditors shall be appointed by resolution of directors, and subsequent auditors shall be appointed by an Ordinary Resolution in accordance with the Memorandum and these Articles.

 

120.

The auditors may be members of the Company but no director or other officer shall be eligible to be an auditor of the Company during his continuance in office.

 

121.

The remuneration of the auditors of the Company

 

  (a)

in the case of auditors appointed by the directors, may be fixed by resolution of directors;

 

  (b)

subject to the foregoing, shall be fixed by an Ordinary Resolution or in such manner as the Company may by an Ordinary Resolution determine.

 

122.

The auditors shall examine each profit and loss account and balance sheet required to be served on every member of the Company or laid before a meeting of the members of the Company and shall state in a written report whether or not

 

  (a)

in their opinion the profit and loss account and balance sheet give a true and fair view respectively of the profit or loss for the period covered by the accounts, and of the state of affairs of the Company at the end of that period, and

 

  (b)

all the information and explanations required by the auditors have been obtained.

 

123.

The report of the auditors shall be annexed to the accounts and shall be read at the meeting of members at which the accounts are laid before the Company or shall be served on the members.

 

25


124.

Every auditor of the Company shall have a right of access at all times to the books of account and vouchers of the Company, and shall be entitled to require from the directors and officers of the Company such information and explanations as he thinks necessary for the performance of the duties of the auditors.

 

125.

The auditors of the Company shall be entitled to receive notice of, and to attend any meetings of members of the Company at which the Company’s profit and loss account and balance sheet are to be presented.

NOTICES

 

126.

Any notice, information or written statement to be given by the Company to Members may be served in the case of members holding registered shares in any way by which it can reasonably be expected to reach each member or by mail addressed to each member at the address shown in the share register.

 

127.

Any summons, notice, order, document, process, information or written statement to be served on the Company may be served by leaving it, or by sending it by registered mail addressed to the Company, at its registered office, or by leaving it with, or by sending it by registered mail to, the registered office of the Company.

 

128.

Service of any summons, notice, order, document, process, information or written statement to be served on the Company may be proved by showing that the summons, notice, order, document, process, information or written statement was delivered to the registered office of the Company or that it was mailed in such time as to admit to its being delivered to the registered office of the Company in the normal course of delivery within the period prescribed for service and was correctly addressed and the postage was prepaid.

 

129.

(a)    Where a notice is sent by post, service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing, pre-paying and posting a letter containing the notice, and shall be deemed to have been received on the fifth day (not including Saturdays or Sundays or public holidays) following the day on which the notice was posted.

(b)    Where a notice is sent by cable, telex, or facsimile, service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing, and sending such notice and shall be deemed to have been received on the same day that it was transmitted.

(c)    Where a notice is given by e-mail service shall be deemed to be effected by transmitting the e-mail to the e-mail address provided by the intended recipient and shall be deemed to have been received on the same day that it was sent, and it shall not be necessary for the receipt of the e-mail to be acknowledged by the recipient.

VOLUNTARY WINDING UP AND DISSOLUTION

 

130.

Subject to the provisions of the Memorandum, the Company may voluntarily commence to wind up and dissolve by a Special Resolution.

LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE

131A. Liquidation Preference .

 

  (a)

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, prior to any distribution to the holders of Ordinary Shares or holders of any other class or series of shares then outstanding, an amount per Preferred Share equal to (i) one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the applicable Preferred Share Issue Price, plus (ii) an amount accruing thereon at a compound annual rate of eight percent (8%) of the applicable Preferred Share Issue Price, plus (iii) all declared but unpaid dividends thereon (the “Preferred Share Preference Amount”), If the Company has insufficient assets to permit payment of the Preferred Share Preference Amount in full to all holders of Preferred Shares, then the assets of the Company shall be distributed ratably to the holders of the Preferred Shares in proportion to the full Preferred Share Preference Amount each such holder of Preferred Shares would otherwise be entitled to receive under this Article 131A (a).

 

26


  (b)

After the payment according to Article 131A (a), any remaining funds or assets of the Company legally available for distribution to shareholders shall be distributed on a pro rata, pari passu basis among the holders of the Preferred Shares (on an as-converted basis), together with the holders of the Ordinary Shares.

 

131B.

Any sale of shares, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction involving the Company in which its shareholders do not retain a majority of the voting power in the surviving or resulting entity, or a sale of all or substantially all the Company’s assets (the “Liquidation Event”), shall be deemed a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, such that the provision of the first paragraph of Article 131 shall apply as if all consideration received by the Company and its shareholders in connection with such event were being distributed in a liquidation of the Company. If the requirements of this Article 131 are not complied with, the Company shall forthwith either (i) cause such closing to be postponed until such time as the requirements of this Article 131 have been complied with, or (ii) cancel such transaction.

 

131C.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 131, the Company may at any time, out of funds legally available therefor and subject to compliance with the provisions of the applicable laws of the Cayman Islands, repurchase Ordinary Shares of the Company issued to or held by employees, officers or consultants of the Company or its subsidiaries upon termination of their employment or services, pursuant to any bona fide agreement providing for such right of repurchase, whether or not dividends on the Preferred Shares shall have been declared.

 

131D.

In the event the Company proposes to distribute assets other than cash in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the value of the assets to be distributed to the holders of Preferred Shares and Ordinary Shares shall be that as determined in good faith by the liquidator or, in the case of any proposed distribution in connection with a transaction which is a deemed liquidation hereunder, by the Board, which decision shall include the affirmative vote of the Investor Director. Any securities not subject to investment letter or similar restrictions on free marketability shall be valued as follows:

 

  (i)

If traded on a securities exchange, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the security’s closing prices on such exchange over the thirty (30) day period ending one (1) day prior to the distribution;

 

  (ii)

If actively traded over-the-counter, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the closing bid prices over the thirty (30) day period ending three (3) days prior to the distribution; and

 

  (iii)

If there is no active public market, the value shall be the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the liquidator or, in the case of any proposed distribution in connection with a transaction which is a deemed liquidation hereunder, by the Board.

 

131E.

The method of valuation of securities subject to restrictions on free marketability shall be adjusted to make an appropriate discount from the market value determined as above in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) to reflect the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the liquidator or, in the case of any proposed distribution in connection with a transaction which is a deemed liquidation hereunder, by the Board. The holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the Preferred Shares, shall have the right to challenge any determination by the liquidator or the Board, as the case may be, of fair market value pursuant to this Article 131, in which case the determination of fair market value shall be made by an independent appraiser selected jointly by the liquidator or the Board, as the case may be, and the challenging parties, the cost of such appraisal to be borne equally by the Company and the challenging party.

CONTINUATION

 

132.

The Company may by an Ordinary Resolution or by a resolution passed unanimously by all directors of the Company continue as a company incorporated under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands in the manner provided under those laws.

 

27


CHANGES TO CONSTITUTION

 

133.

The Company may from time to time, by Special Resolution, change the name of the Company, alter or add to the Memorandum or these Articles.

 

28

Exhibit 3.2

THE COMPANIES LAW (2018 REVISION)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

OF

GSX TECHEDU INC.

(adopted by a Special Resolution passed on May 7, 2019 and effective immediately prior to the completion of the initial public offering of the Company’s American Depositary Shares representing its Class A Ordinary Shares)

 

1.

The name of the Company is GSX Techedu Inc.

 

2.

The Registered Office of the Company will be situated at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited at PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands, or at such other location within the Cayman Islands as the Directors may from time to time determine.

 

3.

The objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Companies Law or any other law of the Cayman Islands.

 

4.

The Company shall have and be capable of exercising all the functions of a natural person of full capacity irrespective of any question of corporate benefit as provided by the Companies Law.

 

5.

The Company will not trade in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm or corporation except in furtherance of the business of the Company carried on outside the Cayman Islands; provided that nothing in this section shall be construed as to prevent the Company effecting and concluding contracts in the Cayman Islands, and exercising in the Cayman Islands all of its powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the Cayman Islands.

 

6.

The liability of each Shareholder is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the Shares held by such Shareholder.

 

7.

The authorised share capital of the Company is US$100,000 divided into 1,000,000,000 shares comprising of (i) 800,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each, (ii) 100,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each and (iii) 100,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the board of directors may determine in accordance with Article 9 of the Articles. Subject to the Companies Law and the Articles, the Company shall have power to redeem or purchase any of its Shares and to increase or reduce its authorised share capital and to sub-divide or consolidate the said Shares or any of them and to issue all or any part of its capital whether original, redeemed, increased or reduced with or without any preference, priority, special privilege or other rights or subject to any postponement of rights or to any conditions or restrictions whatsoever and so that unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly provide every issue of shares whether stated to be ordinary, preference or otherwise shall be subject to the powers on the part of the Company hereinbefore provided.


8.

The Company has the power contained in the Companies Law to deregister in the Cayman Islands and be registered by way of continuation in some other jurisdiction.

 

9.

Capitalised terms that are not defined in this Memorandum of Association bear the same meanings as those given in the Articles of Association of the Company.

 

2


THE COMPANIES LAW (2018 REVISION)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

GSX TECHEDU INC.

(adopted by a Special Resolution passed on May 7, 2019 and effective immediately prior to the completion of the initial public offering of the Company’s American Depositary Shares representing its Class A Ordinary Shares)

TABLE A

The regulations contained or incorporated in Table ‘A’ in the First Schedule of the Companies Law shall not apply to the Company and the following Articles shall comprise the Articles of Association of the Company.

INTERPRETATION

 

1.

In these Articles the following defined terms will have the meanings ascribed to them, if not inconsistent with the subject or context:

 

“ADS”

   means an American Depositary Share representing Class A Ordinary Shares;

“Affiliate”

   means in respect of a Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, and (i) in the case of a natural person, shall include, without limitation, such person’s spouse, parents, children, siblings, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, a trust for the benefit of any of the foregoing, and a corporation, partnership or any other entity wholly or jointly owned by any of the foregoing, and (ii) in the case of an entity, shall include a partnership, a corporation or any other entity or any natural person which directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such entity. The term “control” shall mean the ownership, directly or indirectly, of shares possessing more than fifty per cent (50%) of the voting power of the corporation, partnership or other entity (other than, in the case of a corporation, securities having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency), or having the power to control the management or elect a majority of members to the board of directors or equivalent decision-making body of such corporation, partnership or other entity;

“Articles”

   means these articles of association of the Company, as amended or substituted from time to time;

“Board” and “Board of Directors” and “Directors”

   means the directors of the Company for the time being, or as the case may be, the directors assembled as a board or as a committee thereof;

“Chairman”

   means the chairman of the Board of Directors;

“Class” or “Classes”

   means any class or classes of Shares as may from time to time be issued by the Company;

 

3


“Class A Ordinary Share”

   means a Class A Ordinary Share of a par value of US$0.0001 in the capital of the Company and having the rights provided for in these Articles;

“Class B Ordinary Share”

   means a Class B Ordinary Share of a par value of US$0.0001 in the capital of the Company and having the rights provided for in these Articles;

“Commission”

   means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America or any other federal agency for the time being administering the Securities Act;

“Company”

   means GSX Techedu Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company;

“Companies Law”

   means the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and any statutory amendment or re-enactment thereof;

“Company’s Website”

   means the main corporate/investor relations website of the Company, the address or domain name of which has been disclosed in any registration statement filed by the Company with the Commission in connection with its initial public offering of ADSs, or which has otherwise been notified to Shareholders;

“Designated Stock Exchange”

   means the stock exchange in the United States on which any Shares and ADSs are listed for trading;

“Designated Stock Exchange Rules”

   means the relevant code, rules and regulations, as amended, from time to time, applicable as a result of the original and continued listing of any Shares or ADSs on the Designated Stock Exchange;

“electronic”

   has the meaning given to it in the Electronic Transactions Law and any amendment thereto or re-enactments thereof for the time being in force and includes every other law incorporated therewith or substituted therefor;

“electronic communication”

   means electronic posting to the Company’s Website, transmission to any number, address or internet website or other electronic delivery methods as otherwise decided and approved by not less than two-thirds of the vote of the Board;

“Electronic Transactions Law”

   means the Electronic Transactions Law (2003 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and any statutory amendment or re-enactment thereof;

“electronic record”

   has the meaning given to it in the Electronic Transactions Law and any amendment thereto or re-enactments thereof for the time being in force and includes every other law incorporated therewith or substituted therefor;

“Founder”

   means Larry Xiangdong Chen;

“Memorandum of Association”

   means the memorandum of association of the Company, as amended or substituted from time to time;

“Ordinary Resolution”

   means a resolution:
  

(a)   passed by a simple majority of the votes cast by such Shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy or, in the case of corporations, by their duly authorised representatives, at a general meeting of the Company held in accordance with these Articles; or

  

(b)   approved in writing by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Shareholders and the effective date of the resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument, or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed;

“Ordinary Share”

   means a Class A Ordinary Share or a Class B Ordinary Share;

“paid up”

   means paid up as to the par value in respect of the issue of any Shares and includes credited as paid up;

“Person”

   means any natural person, firm, company, joint venture, partnership, corporation, association or other entity (whether or not having a separate legal personality) or any of them as the context so requires;

 

4


“Register”

   means the register of Members of the Company maintained in accordance with the Companies Law;

“Registered Office”

   means the registered office of the Company as required by the Companies Law;

“Seal”

   means the common seal of the Company (if adopted) including any facsimile thereof;

“Secretary”

   means any Person appointed by the Directors to perform any of the duties of the secretary of the Company;

“Securities Act”

   means the Securities Act of 1933 of the United States of America, as amended, or any similar federal statute and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time;

“Share”

   means a share in the capital of the Company. All references to “Shares” herein shall be deemed to be Shares of any or all Classes as the context may require. For the avoidance of doubt in these Articles the expression “Share” shall include a fraction of a Share;

“Shareholder” or “Member”

   means a Person who is registered as the holder of one or more Shares in the Register;

“Share Premium Account”

   means the share premium account established in accordance with these Articles and the Companies Law;

“signed”

   means bearing a signature or representation of a signature affixed by mechanical means or an electronic symbol or process attached to or logically associated with an electronic communication and executed or adopted by a Person with the intent to sign the electronic communication;

“Special Resolution”

   means a special resolution of the Company passed in accordance with the Companies Law, being a resolution:
  

(a)   passed by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by such Shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy or, in the case of corporations, by their duly authorised representatives, at a general meeting of the Company of which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution has been duly given; or

  

(b)   approved in writing by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Shareholders and the effective date of the special resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed;

“Treasury Share”

   means a Share held in the name of the Company as a treasury share in accordance with the Companies Law; and

“United States”

   means the United States of America, its territories, its possessions and all areas subject to its jurisdiction.

 

2.

In these Articles, save where the context requires otherwise:

 

  (a)

words importing the singular number shall include the plural number and vice versa;

 

  (b)

words importing the masculine gender only shall include the feminine gender and any Person as the context may require;

 

5


  (c)

the word “may” shall be construed as permissive and the word “shall” shall be construed as imperative;

 

  (d)

reference to a dollar or dollars (or US$) and to a cent or cents is reference to dollars and cents of the United States of America;

 

  (e)

reference to a statutory enactment shall include reference to any amendment or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force;

 

  (f)

reference to any determination by the Directors shall be construed as a determination by the Directors in their sole and absolute discretion and shall be applicable either generally or in any particular case;

 

  (g)

reference to “in writing” shall be construed as written or represented by any means reproducible in writing, including any form of print, lithograph, email, facsimile, photograph or telex or represented by any other substitute or format for storage or transmission for writing including in the form of an electronic record or partly one and partly another;

 

  (h)

any requirements as to delivery under the Articles include delivery in the form of an electronic record or an electronic communication;

 

  (i)

any requirements as to execution or signature under the Articles, including the execution of the Articles themselves, can be satisfied in the form of an electronic signature as defined in the Electronic Transaction Law; and

 

  (j)

Sections 8 and 19(3) of the Electronic Transactions Law shall not apply.

 

3.

Subject to the last two preceding Articles, any words defined in the Companies Law shall, if not inconsistent with the subject or context, bear the same meaning in these Articles.

PRELIMINARY

 

4.

The business of the Company may be conducted as the Directors see fit.

 

5.

The Registered Office shall be at such address in the Cayman Islands as the Directors may from time to time determine. The Company may in addition establish and maintain such other offices and places of business and agencies in such places as the Directors may from time to time determine.

 

6.

The expenses incurred in the formation of the Company and in connection with the offer for subscription and issue of Shares shall be paid by the Company. Such expenses may be amortised over such period as the Directors may determine and the amount so paid shall be charged against income and/or capital in the accounts of the Company as the Directors shall determine.

 

7.

The Directors shall keep, or cause to be kept, the Register at such place as the Directors may from time to time determine and, in the absence of any such determination, the Register shall be kept at the Registered Office.

SHARES

 

8.

Subject to these Articles, all Shares for the time being unissued shall be under the control of the Directors who may, in their absolute discretion and without the approval of the Members, cause the Company to:

 

  (a)

issue, allot and dispose of Shares (including, without limitation, preferred shares) (whether in certificated form or non-certificated form) to such Persons, in such manner, on such terms and having such rights and being subject to such restrictions as they may from time to time determine;

 

6


  (b)

grant rights over Shares or other securities to be issued in one or more classes or series as they deem necessary or appropriate and determine the designations, powers, preferences, privileges and other rights attaching to such Shares or securities, including dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the powers, preferences, privileges and rights associated with the then issued and outstanding Shares, at such times and on such other terms as they think proper; and

 

  (c)

grant options with respect to Shares and issue warrants or similar instruments with respect thereto.

 

9.

The Directors may authorise the division of Shares into any number of Classes and the different Classes shall be authorised, established and designated (or re-designated as the case may be) and the variations in the relative rights (including, without limitation, voting, dividend and redemption rights), restrictions, preferences, privileges and payment obligations as between the different Classes (if any) may be fixed and determined by the Directors or by a Special Resolution. The Directors may issue Shares with such preferred or other rights, all or any of which may be greater than the rights of Ordinary Shares, at such time and on such terms as they may think appropriate. Notwithstanding Article 17, the Directors may issue from time to time, out of the authorised share capital of the Company (other than the authorised but unissued Ordinary Shares), series of preferred shares in their absolute discretion and without approval of the Members; provided, however, before any preferred shares of any such series are issued, the Directors shall by resolution of Directors determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:

 

  (a)

the designation of such series, the number of preferred shares to constitute such series and the subscription price thereof if different from the par value thereof;

 

  (b)

whether the preferred shares of such series shall have voting rights, in addition to any voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights, which may be general or limited;

 

  (c)

the dividends, if any, payable on such series, whether any such dividends shall be cumulative, and, if so, from what dates, the conditions and dates upon which such dividends shall be payable, and the preference or relation which such dividends shall bear to the dividends payable on any shares of any other class or any other series of shares;

 

  (d)

whether the preferred shares of such series shall be subject to redemption by the Company, and, if so, the times, prices and other conditions of such redemption;

 

  (e)

whether the preferred shares of such series shall have any rights to receive any part of the assets available for distribution amongst the Members upon the liquidation of the Company, and, if so, the terms of such liquidation preference, and the relation which such liquidation preference shall bear to the entitlements of the holders of shares of any other class or any other series of shares;

 

  (f)

whether the preferred shares of such series shall be subject to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund and, if so, the extent to and manner in which any such retirement or sinking fund shall be applied to the purchase or redemption of the preferred shares of such series for retirement or other corporate purposes and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof;

 

  (g)

whether the preferred shares of such series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or any other series of preferred shares or any other securities and, if so, the price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of adjusting the same, and any other terms and conditions of conversion or exchange;

 

  (h)

the limitations and restrictions, if any, to be effective while any preferred shares of such series are outstanding upon the payment of dividends or the making of other distributions on, and upon the purchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Company of, the existing shares or shares of any other class of shares or any other series of preferred shares;

 

7


  (i)

the conditions or restrictions, if any, upon the creation of indebtedness of the Company or upon the issue of any additional shares, including additional shares of such series or of any other class of shares or any other series of preferred shares; and

 

  (j)

any other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof;

and, for such purposes, the Directors may reserve an appropriate number of Shares for the time being unissued. The Company shall not issue Shares to bearer.

 

10.

The Company may insofar as may be permitted by law, pay a commission to any Person in consideration of his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe whether absolutely or conditionally for any Shares. Such commissions may be satisfied by the payment of cash or the lodgment of fully or partly paid-up Shares or partly in one way and partly in the other. The Company may also pay such brokerage as may be lawful on any issue of Shares.

 

11.

The Directors may refuse to accept any application for Shares, and may accept any application in whole or in part, for any reason or for no reason.

CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES AND CLASS B ORDINARY SHARES

 

12.

Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall at all times vote together as one class on all resolutions submitted to a vote by the Members. Each Class A Ordinary Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one (1) vote on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of the Company, and each Class B Ordinary Share shall entitle the holder thereof to ten (10) votes on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of the Company.

 

13.

Each Class B Ordinary Share is convertible into one (1) Class A Ordinary Share at any time at the option of the holder thereof. The right to convert shall be exercisable by the holder of the Class B Ordinary Share delivering a written notice to the Company that such holder elects to convert a specified number of Class B Ordinary Shares into Class A Ordinary Shares. In no event shall Class A Ordinary Shares be convertible into Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

14.

Any conversion of Class B Ordinary Shares into Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to these Articles shall be effected by means of the re-designation of each relevant Class B Ordinary Share as a Class A Ordinary Share. Such conversion shall become effective (i) in the case of any conversion effected pursuant to Article 13, forthwith upon the receipt by the Company of the written notice delivered to the Company as described in Article 13 (or at such later date as may be specified in such notice), or (ii) in the case of any automatic conversion effected pursuant to Article 15, forthwith upon occurrence of the event specified in Article 15 which triggers such automatic conversion, and the Company shall make entries in the Register to record the re-designation of the relevant Class B Ordinary Shares as Class A Ordinary Shares at the relevant time.

 

15.

Upon any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of any Class B Ordinary Share by a Shareholder to any person who is not the Founder or an Affiliate of the Founder, such Class B Ordinary Share shall be automatically and immediately converted into one Class A Ordinary Share. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) a sale, transfer, assignment or disposition shall be effective upon the Company’s registration of such sale, transfer, assignment or disposition in its Register; and (ii) the creation of any pledge, charge, encumbrance or other third party right of whatever description on any Class B Ordinary Shares to secure a holder’s contractual or legal obligations shall not be deemed as a sale, transfer, assignment or disposition unless and until any such pledge, charge, encumbrance or other third party right is enforced and results in the third party holding legal title to the relevant Class B Ordinary Shares, in which case all the related Class B Ordinary Shares shall be automatically converted into the same number of Class A Ordinary Shares. For purpose of this Article 15, beneficial ownership shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

8


16.

Save and except for voting rights and conversion rights as set out in Articles 12 to 16 (inclusive), the Class A Ordinary Shares and the Class B Ordinary Shares shall rank pari passu with one another and shall have the same rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions.

MODIFICATION OF RIGHTS

 

17.

Whenever the capital of the Company is divided into different Classes the rights attached to any such Class may, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any Class, only be materially adversely varied with the consent in writing of the holders of all of the issued Shares of that Class or with the sanction of an Ordinary Resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the Shares of that Class. To every such separate meeting all the provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings of the Company or to the proceedings thereat shall, mutatis mutandis, apply, except that the necessary quorum shall be one or more Persons holding or representing by proxy at least one-third in nominal or par value amount of the issued Shares of the relevant Class (but so that if at any adjourned meeting of such holders a quorum as above defined is not present, those Shareholders who are present shall form a quorum) and that, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the Shares of that Class, every Shareholder of the Class shall on a poll have one vote for each Share of the Class held by him. For the purposes of this Article the Directors may treat all the Classes or any two or more Classes as forming one Class if they consider that all such Classes would be affected in the same way by the proposals under consideration, but in any other case shall treat them as separate Classes.

 

18.

The rights conferred upon the holders of the Shares of any Class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the Shares of that Class, be deemed to be materially adversely varied by, inter alia, the creation, allotment or issue of further Shares ranking pari passu with or subsequent to them or the redemption or purchase of any Shares of any Class by the Company. The rights of the holders of Shares shall not be deemed to be materially adversely varied by the creation or issue of Shares with preferred or other rights including, without limitation, the creation of Shares with enhanced or weighted voting rights.

CERTIFICATES

 

19.

Every Person whose name is entered as a Member in the Register may, without payment and upon its written request, request a certificate within two calendar months after allotment or lodgement of transfer (or within such other period as the conditions of issue shall provide) in the form determined by the Directors. All certificates shall specify the Share or Shares held by that Person, provided that in respect of a Share or Shares held jointly by several Persons the Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate, and delivery of a certificate for a Share to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all. All certificates for Shares shall be delivered personally or sent through the post addressed to the Member entitled thereto at the Member’s registered address as appearing in the Register.

 

20.

Every share certificate of the Company shall bear legends required under the applicable laws, including the Securities Act.

 

21.

Any two or more certificates representing Shares of any one Class held by any Member may at the Member’s request be cancelled and a single new certificate for such Shares issued in lieu on payment (if the Directors shall so require) of one dollar (US$1.00) or such smaller sum as the Directors shall determine.

 

22.

If a share certificate shall be damaged or defaced or alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, a new certificate representing the same Shares may be issued to the relevant Member upon request, subject to delivery up of the old certificate or (if alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed) compliance with such conditions as to evidence and indemnity and the payment of out-of-pocket expenses of the Company in connection with the request as the Directors may think fit.

 

9


23.

In the event that Shares are held jointly by several Persons, any request may be made by any one of the joint holders and if so made shall be binding on all of the joint holders.

FRACTIONAL SHARES

 

24.

The Directors may issue fractions of a Share and, if so issued, a fraction of a Share shall be subject to and carry the corresponding fraction of liabilities (whether with respect to nominal or par value, premium, contributions, calls or otherwise), limitations, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions, rights (including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, voting and participation rights) and other attributes of a whole Share. If more than one fraction of a Share of the same Class is issued to or acquired by the same Shareholder such fractions shall be accumulated.

LIEN

 

25.

The Company has a first and paramount lien on every Share (whether or not fully paid) for all amounts (whether presently payable or not) payable at a fixed time or called in respect of that Share. The Company also has a first and paramount lien on every Share registered in the name of a Person indebted or under liability to the Company (whether he is the sole registered holder of a Share or one of two or more joint holders) for all amounts owing by him or his estate to the Company (whether or not presently payable). The Directors may at any time declare a Share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Article. The Company’s lien on a Share extends to any amount payable in respect of it, including but not limited to dividends.

 

26.

The Company may sell, in such manner as the Directors in their absolute discretion think fit, any Share on which the Company has a lien, but no sale shall be made unless an amount in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable nor until the expiration of fourteen calendar days after a notice in writing, demanding payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable, has been given to the registered holder for the time being of the Share, or the Persons entitled thereto by reason of his death or bankruptcy.

 

27.

For giving effect to any such sale the Directors may authorise a Person to transfer the Shares sold to the purchaser thereof. The purchaser shall be registered as the holder of the Shares comprised in any such transfer and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the sale.

 

28.

The proceeds of the sale after deduction of expenses, fees and commissions incurred by the Company shall be received by the Company and applied in payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable, and the residue shall (subject to a like lien for sums not presently payable as existed upon the Shares prior to the sale) be paid to the Person entitled to the Shares immediately prior to the sale.

CALLS ON SHARES

 

29.

Subject to the terms of the allotment, the Directors may from time to time make calls upon the Shareholders in respect of any moneys unpaid on their Shares, and each Shareholder shall (subject to receiving at least fourteen calendar days’ notice specifying the time or times of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times so specified the amount called on such Shares. A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the Directors authorising such call was passed.

 

30.

The joint holders of a Share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay calls in respect thereof.

 

31.

If a sum called in respect of a Share is not paid before or on the day appointed for payment thereof, the Person from whom the sum is due shall pay interest upon the sum at the rate of eight percent per annum from the day appointed for the payment thereof to the time of the actual payment, but the Directors shall be at liberty to waive payment of that interest wholly or in part.

 

10


32.

The provisions of these Articles as to the liability of joint holders and as to payment of interest shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a Share, becomes payable at a fixed time, whether on account of the amount of the Share, or by way of premium, as if the same had become payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.

 

33.

The Directors may make arrangements with respect to the issue of partly paid Shares for a difference between the Shareholders, or the particular Shares, in the amount of calls to be paid and in the times of payment.

 

34.

The Directors may, if they think fit, receive from any Shareholder willing to advance the same all or any part of the moneys uncalled and unpaid upon any partly paid Shares held by him, and upon all or any of the moneys so advanced may (until the same would, but for such advance, become presently payable) pay interest at such rate (not exceeding without the sanction of an Ordinary Resolution, eight percent per annum) as may be agreed upon between the Shareholder paying the sum in advance and the Directors. No such sum paid in advance of calls shall entitle the Member paying such sum to any portion of a dividend declared in respect of any period prior to the date upon which such sum would, but for such payment, become presently payable.

FORFEITURE OF SHARES

 

35.

If a Shareholder fails to pay any call or instalment of a call in respect of partly paid Shares on the day appointed for payment, the Directors may, at any time thereafter during such time as any part of such call or instalment remains unpaid, serve a notice on him requiring payment of so much of the call or instalment as is unpaid, together with any interest which may have accrued.

 

36.

The notice shall name a further day (not earlier than the expiration of fourteen calendar days from the date of the notice) on or before which the payment required by the notice is to be made, and shall state that in the event of non-payment at or before the time appointed, the Shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited.

 

37.

If the requirements of any such notice as aforesaid are not complied with, any Share in respect of which the notice has been given may at any time thereafter, before the payment required by notice has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Directors to that effect.

 

38.

A forfeited Share may be sold or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the Directors think fit, and at any time before a sale or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Directors think fit.

 

39.

A Person whose Shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Shareholder in respect of the forfeited Shares, but shall, notwithstanding, remain liable to pay to the Company all moneys which at the date of forfeiture were payable by him to the Company in respect of the Shares forfeited, but his liability shall cease if and when the Company receives payment in full of the amount unpaid on the Shares forfeited.

 

40.

A certificate in writing under the hand of a Director that a Share has been duly forfeited on a date stated in the certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the facts in the declaration as against all Persons claiming to be entitled to the Share.

 

41.

The Company may receive the consideration, if any, given for a Share on any sale or disposition thereof pursuant to the provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture and may execute a transfer of the Share in favour of the Person to whom the Share is sold or disposed of and that Person shall be registered as the holder of the Share and shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, if any, nor shall his title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the disposition or sale.

 

11


42.

The provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which by the terms of issue of a Share becomes due and payable, whether on account of the amount of the Share, or by way of premium, as if the same had been payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.

TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

43.

The instrument of transfer of any Share shall be in writing and in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may, in their absolute discretion, approve and be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and if in respect of a nil or partly paid up Share, or if so required by the Directors, shall also be executed on behalf of the transferee and shall be accompanied by the certificate (if any) of the Shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer. The transferor shall be deemed to remain a Shareholder until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register in respect of the relevant Shares.

 

44.

(a) The Directors may in their absolute discretion decline to register any transfer of Shares which is not fully paid up or on which the Company has a lien.

 

  (b)

The Directors may also decline to register any transfer of any Share unless:

 

  (i)

the instrument of transfer is lodged with the Company, accompanied by the certificate for the Shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;

 

  (ii)

the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one Class of Shares;

 

  (iii)

the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;

 

  (iv)

in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the Share is to be transferred does not exceed four; and

 

  (v)

a fee of such maximum sum as the Designated Stock Exchange may determine to be payable, or such lesser sum as the Board of Directors may from time to time require, is paid to the Company in respect thereof.

 

45.

The registration of transfers may, on ten calendar days’ notice being given by advertisement in such one or more newspapers, by electronic means or by any other means in accordance with the Designated Stock Exchange Rules, be suspended and the Register closed at such times and for such periods as the Directors may, in their absolute discretion, from time to time determine, provided always that such registration of transfer shall not be suspended nor the Register closed for more than thirty calendar days in any calendar year.

 

46.

All instruments of transfer that are registered shall be retained by the Company. If the Directors refuse to register a transfer of any Shares, they shall within three calendar months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with the Company send notice of the refusal to each of the transferor and the transferee.

TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

 

47.

The legal personal representative of a deceased sole holder of a Share shall be the only Person recognised by the Company as having any title to the Share. In the case of a Share registered in the name of two or more holders, the survivors or survivor, or the legal personal representatives of the deceased survivor, shall be the only Person recognised by the Company as having any title to the Share.

 

48.

Any Person becoming entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder shall, upon such evidence being produced as may from time to time be required by the Directors, have the right either to be registered as a Shareholder in respect of the Share or, instead of being registered himself, to make such transfer of the Share as the deceased or bankrupt Person could have made; but the Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by the deceased or bankrupt Person before the death or bankruptcy.

 

12


49.

A Person becoming entitled to a Share by reason of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder shall be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the registered Shareholder, except that he shall not, before being registered as a Shareholder in respect of the Share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company, provided however, that the Directors may at any time give notice requiring any such Person to elect either to be registered himself or to transfer the Share, and if the notice is not complied with within ninety calendar days, the Directors may thereafter withhold payment of all dividends, bonuses or other monies payable in respect of the Share until the requirements of the notice have been complied with.

REGISTRATION OF EMPOWERING INSTRUMENTS

 

50.

The Company shall be entitled to charge a fee not exceeding one dollar (US$1.00) on the registration of every probate, letters of administration, certificate of death or marriage, power of attorney, notice in lieu of distringas, or other instrument.

ALTERATION OF SHARE CAPITAL

 

51.

The Company may from time to time by Ordinary Resolution increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into Shares of such Classes and amount, as the resolution shall prescribe.

 

52.

The Company may by Ordinary Resolution:

 

  (a)

increase its share capital by new Shares of such amount as it thinks expedient;

 

  (b)

consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into Shares of a larger amount than its existing Shares;

 

  (c)

subdivide its Shares, or any of them, into Shares of an amount smaller than that fixed by the Memorandum, provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced Share shall be the same as it was in case of the Share from which the reduced Share is derived; and

 

  (d)

cancel any Shares that, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any Person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the Shares so cancelled.

 

53.

The Company may by Special Resolution reduce its share capital and any capital redemption reserve in any manner authorised by law.

REDEMPTION, PURCHASE AND SURRENDER OF SHARES

 

54.

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and these Articles, the Company may:

 

  (a)

issue Shares that are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the Shareholder or the Company. The redemption of Shares shall be effected in such manner and upon such terms as may be determined, before the issue of such Shares, by either the Board or by the Shareholders by Special Resolution;

 

  (b)

purchase its own Shares (including any redeemable Shares) on such terms and in such manner and terms as have been approved by the Board or by the Members by Ordinary Resolution, or are otherwise authorised by these Articles; and

 

13


  (c)

make a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of its own Shares in any manner permitted by the Companies Law, including out of capital.

 

55.

The purchase of any Share shall not oblige the Company to purchase any other Share other than as may be required pursuant to applicable law and any other contractual obligations of the Company.

 

56.

The holder of the Shares being purchased shall be bound to deliver up to the Company the certificate(s) (if any) thereof for cancellation and thereupon the Company shall pay to him the purchase or redemption monies or consideration in respect thereof.

 

57.

The Directors may accept the surrender for no consideration of any fully paid Share.

TREASURY SHARES

 

58.

The Directors may, prior to the purchase, redemption or surrender of any Share, determine that such Share shall be held as a Treasury Share.

 

59.

The Directors may determine to cancel a Treasury Share or transfer a Treasury Share on such terms as they think proper (including, without limitation, for nil consideration).

GENERAL MEETINGS

 

60.

All general meetings other than annual general meetings shall be called extraordinary general meetings.

 

61.

(a) The Company may (but shall not be obliged to) in each calendar year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting and shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. The annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by the Directors.

 

  (b)

At these meetings the report of the Directors (if any) shall be presented.

 

62.

(a) The Chairman or the Directors (acting by a resolution of the Board) may call general meetings, and they shall on a Shareholders’ requisition forthwith proceed to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the Company.

 

  (b)

A Shareholders’ requisition is a requisition of Members holding at the date of deposit of the requisition Shares which carry in aggregate not less than one-third (1/3) of all votes attaching to all issued and outstanding Shares of the Company that as at the date of the deposit carry the right to vote at general meetings of the Company.

 

  (c)

The requisition must state the objects of the meeting and must be signed by the requisitionists and deposited at the Registered Office, and may consist of several documents in like form each signed by one or more requisitionists.

 

  (d)

If there are no Directors as at the date of the deposit of the Shareholders’ requisition, or if the Directors do not within twenty-one calendar days from the date of the deposit of the requisition duly proceed to convene a general meeting to be held within a further twenty-one calendar days, the requisitionists, or any of them representing more than one-half of the total voting rights of all of them, may themselves convene a general meeting, but any meeting so convened shall not be held after the expiration of three calendar months after the expiration of the said twenty-one calendar days.

 

  (e)

A general meeting convened as aforesaid by requisitionists shall be convened in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which general meetings are to be convened by Directors.

 

14


NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS

 

63.

At least ten (10) calendar days’ notice shall be given for any general meeting. Every notice shall be exclusive of the day on which it is given or deemed to be given and of the day for which it is given and shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business and shall be given in the manner hereinafter mentioned or in such other manner if any as may be prescribed by the Company, provided that a general meeting of the Company shall, whether or not the notice specified in this Article has been given and whether or not the provisions of these Articles regarding general meetings have been complied with, be deemed to have been duly convened if it is so agreed:

 

  (a)

in the case of an annual general meeting, by all the Shareholders (or their proxies) entitled to attend and vote thereat; and

 

  (b)

in the case of an extraordinary general meeting, by holders of two-thirds (2/3rd ) of the Shareholders having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy or, in the case of a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative or proxy.

 

64.

The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to or the non-receipt of a notice of a meeting by any Shareholder shall not invalidate the proceedings at any meeting.

PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

 

65.

No business except for the appointment of a chairman for the meeting shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of Shareholders is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. One or more Shareholders holding Shares which carry in aggregate (or representing by proxy) not less than one-third of all votes attaching to all Shares in issue and entitled to vote at such general meeting, present in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative, shall be a quorum for all purposes.

 

66.

If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall be dissolved.

 

67.

If the Directors wish to make this facility available for a specific general meeting or all general meetings of the Company, participation in any general meeting of the Company may be by means of a telephone or similar communication equipment by way of which all Persons participating in such meeting can communicate with each other and such participation shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

68.

The Chairman, if any, shall preside as chairman at every general meeting of the Company.

 

69.

If there is no such Chairman, or if at any general meeting he is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or is unwilling to act as chairman of the meeting, any Director or Person nominated by the Directors shall preside as chairman of that meeting, failing which the Shareholders present in person or by proxy shall choose any Person present to be chairman of that meeting.

 

70.

The chairman of any general meeting at which a quorum is present may with the consent of the meeting (and shall if so directed by the meeting) adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a meeting, or adjourned meeting, is adjourned for fourteen calendar days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Save as aforesaid it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.

 

15


71.

The Directors may cancel or postpone any duly convened general meeting at any time prior to such meeting, except for general meetings requisitioned by the Shareholders in accordance with these Articles, for any reason or for no reason, upon notice in writing to Shareholders. A postponement may be for a stated period of any length or indefinitely as the Directors may determine.

 

72.

At any general meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands, unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded by the chairman of the meeting or any Shareholder present in person or by proxy, and unless a poll is so demanded, a declaration by the chairman of the meeting that a resolution has, on a show of hands, been carried, or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry to that effect in the book of the proceedings of the Company, shall be conclusive evidence of the fact, without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of, or against, that resolution.

 

73.

If a poll is duly demanded it shall be taken in such manner as the chairman of the meeting directs, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded.

 

74.

All questions submitted to a meeting shall be decided by an Ordinary Resolution except where a greater majority is required by these Articles or by the Companies Law. In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of the meeting at which the show of hands takes place or at which the poll is demanded, shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.

 

75.

A poll demanded on the election of a chairman of the meeting or on a question of adjournment shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken at such time as the chairman of the meeting directs.

VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

76.

Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Share, on a show of hands every Shareholder present in person or by proxy (or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative or proxy) shall, at a general meeting of the Company, each have one vote and on a poll every Shareholder present in person or by proxy (or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative or proxy) shall have one (1) vote for each Class A Ordinary Share and ten (10) votes for each Class B Ordinary Share of which he is the holder.

 

77.

In the case of joint holders the vote of the senior who tenders a vote whether in person or by proxy (or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative or proxy) shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register.

 

78.

Shares carrying the right to vote that are held by a Shareholder of unsound mind, or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction in lunacy, may be voted, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his committee, or other Person in the nature of a committee appointed by that court, and any such committee or other Person may vote in respect of such Shares by proxy.

 

79.

No Shareholder shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting of the Company unless all calls, if any, or other sums presently payable by him in respect of Shares carrying the right to vote held by him have been paid.

 

80.

On a poll votes may be given either personally or by proxy.

 

81.

Each Shareholder, other than a recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)), may only appoint one proxy on a show of hand. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under Seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised. A proxy need not be a Shareholder.

 

16


82.

An instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may approve.

 

83.

The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited at the Registered Office or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting, or in any instrument of proxy sent out by the Company:

 

  (a)

not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote; or

 

  (b)

in the case of a poll taken more than 48 hours after it is demanded, be deposited as aforesaid after the poll has been demanded and not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for the taking of the poll; or

 

  (c)

where the poll is not taken forthwith but is taken not more than 48 hours after it was demanded be delivered at the meeting at which the poll was demanded to the chairman of the meeting or to the secretary or to any Director;

provided that the Directors may in the notice convening the meeting, or in an instrument of proxy sent out by the Company, direct that the instrument appointing a proxy may be deposited at such other time (no later than the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting) at the Registered Office or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting, or in any instrument of proxy sent out by the Company. The chairman of the meeting may in any event at his discretion direct that an instrument of proxy shall be deemed to have been duly deposited. An instrument of proxy that is not deposited in the manner permitted shall be invalid.

 

84.

The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll.

 

85.

A resolution in writing signed by all the Shareholders for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company (or being corporations by their duly authorised representatives) shall be as valid and effective as if the same had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held.

CORPORATIONS ACTING BY REPRESENTATIVES AT MEETINGS

 

86.

Any corporation which is a Shareholder or a Director may by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorise such Person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or of any meeting of holders of a Class or of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, and the Person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were an individual Shareholder or Director.

DEPOSITARY AND CLEARING HOUSES

 

87.

If a recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) is a Member of the Company it may, by resolution of its directors or other governing body or by power of attorney, authorise such Person(s) as it thinks fit to act as its representative(s) at any general meeting of the Company or of any Class of Shareholders provided that, if more than one Person is so authorised, the authorisation shall specify the number and Class of Shares in respect of which each such Person is so authorised. A Person so authorised pursuant to this Article shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) which he represents as that recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) could exercise if it were an individual Member holding the number and Class of Shares specified in such authorisation, including the right to vote individually on a show of hands.

 

17


DIRECTORS

 

88.

(a) Unless otherwise determined by the Company in general meeting, the number of Directors shall not be less than three (3) Directors, the exact number of Directors to be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

  (b)

The Board of Directors shall elect and appoint a Chairman by a majority of the Directors then in office. The period for which the Chairman will hold office will also be determined by a majority of all of the Directors then in office. The Chairman shall preside as chairman at every meeting of the Board of Directors. To the extent the Chairman is not present at a meeting of the Board of Directors within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the same, the attending Directors may choose one of their number to be the chairman of the meeting.

 

  (c)

The Company may by Ordinary Resolution appoint any person to be a Director.

 

  (d)

The Board may, by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting, appoint any person as a Director, to fill a casual vacancy on the Board or as an addition to the existing Board.

 

  (e)

An appointment of a Director may be on terms that the Director shall automatically retire from office (unless he has sooner vacated office) at the next or a subsequent annual general meeting or upon any specified event or after any specified period in a written agreement between the Company and the Director, if any; but no such term shall be implied in the absence of express provision. Each Director whose term of office expires shall be eligible for re-election at a meeting of the Shareholders or re-appointment by the Board.

 

  (f)

A Director may be removed from office by Ordinary Resolution, notwithstanding anything in these Articles or in any agreement between the Company and such Director (but without prejudice to any claim for damages under such agreement).

 

  (g)

A vacancy on the Board created by the removal of a Director under the previous clause may be filled by Ordinary Resolution or by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting. The notice of any meeting at which a resolution to remove a Director shall be proposed or voted upon must contain a statement of the intention to remove that Director and such notice must be served on that Director not less than ten (10) calendar days before the meeting. Such Director is entitled to attend the meeting and be heard on the motion for his removal.

 

89.

The Board may, from time to time, and except as required by applicable law or Designated Stock Exchange Rules, adopt, institute, amend, modify or revoke the corporate governance policies or initiatives of the Company and determine on various corporate governance related matters of the Company as the Board shall determine by resolution of Directors from time to time.

 

90.

A Director shall not be required to hold any Shares in the Company by way of qualification. A Director who is not a Member of the Company shall nevertheless be entitled to attend and speak at general meetings.

 

91.

The remuneration of the Directors may be determined by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution.

 

92.

The Directors shall be entitled to be paid their travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by them in going to, attending and returning from meetings of the Directors, or any committee of the Directors, or general meetings of the Company, or otherwise in connection with the business of the Company, or to receive such fixed allowance in respect thereof as may be determined by the Directors from time to time, or a combination partly of one such method and partly the other.

 

18


ALTERNATE DIRECTOR OR PROXY

 

93.

Any Director may in writing appoint another Person to be his alternate and, save to the extent provided otherwise in the form of appointment, such alternate shall have authority to sign written resolutions on behalf of the appointing Director, but shall not be required to sign such written resolutions where they have been signed by the appointing director, and to act in such Director’s place at any meeting of the Directors at which the appointing Director is unable to be present. Every such alternate shall be entitled to attend and vote at meetings of the Directors as a Director when the Director appointing him is not personally present and where he is a Director to have a separate vote on behalf of the Director he is representing in addition to his own vote. A Director may at any time in writing revoke the appointment of an alternate appointed by him. Such alternate shall be deemed for all purposes to be a Director of the Company and shall not be deemed to be the agent of the Director appointing him. The remuneration of such alternate shall be payable out of the remuneration of the Director appointing him and the proportion thereof shall be agreed between them.

 

94.

Any Director may appoint any Person, whether or not a Director, to be the proxy of that Director to attend and vote on his behalf, in accordance with instructions given by that Director, or in the absence of such instructions at the discretion of the proxy, at a meeting or meetings of the Directors which that Director is unable to attend personally. The instrument appointing the proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointing Director and shall be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may approve, and must be lodged with the chairman of the meeting of the Directors at which such proxy is to be used, or first used, prior to the commencement of the meeting.

POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

 

95.

Subject to the Companies Law, these Articles and to any resolutions passed in a general meeting, the business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors, who may pay all expenses incurred in setting up and registering the Company and may exercise all powers of the Company. No resolution passed by the Company in general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors that would have been valid if that resolution had not been passed.

 

96.

Subject to these Articles, the Directors may from time to time appoint any natural person or corporation, whether or not a Director to hold such office in the Company as the Directors may think necessary for the administration of the Company, including but not limited to, chief executive officer, one or more other executive officers, president, one or more vice presidents, treasurer, assistant treasurer, manager or controller, and for such term and at such remuneration (whether by way of salary or commission or participation in profits or partly in one way and partly in another), and with such powers and duties as the Directors may think fit. Any natural person or corporation so appointed by the Directors may be removed by the Directors. The Directors may also appoint one or more of their number to the office of managing director upon like terms, but any such appointment shall ipso facto terminate if any managing director ceases for any cause to be a Director, or if the Company by Ordinary Resolution resolves that his tenure of office be terminated.

 

97.

The Directors may appoint any natural person or corporation to be a Secretary (and if need be an assistant Secretary or assistant Secretaries) who shall hold office for such term, at such remuneration and upon such conditions and with such powers as they think fit. Any Secretary or assistant Secretary so appointed by the Directors may be removed by the Directors or by the Company by Ordinary Resolution.

 

98.

The Directors may delegate any of their powers to committees consisting of such member or members of their body as they think fit; any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the Directors.

 

19


99.

The Directors may from time to time and at any time by power of attorney (whether under Seal or under hand) or otherwise appoint any company, firm or Person or body of Persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be the attorney or attorneys or authorised signatory (any such person being an “Attorney” or “Authorised Signatory”, respectively) of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretion (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit, and any such power of attorney or other appointment may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of Persons dealing with any such Attorney or Authorised Signatory as the Directors may think fit, and may also authorise any such Attorney or Authorised Signatory to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretion vested in him.

 

100.

The Directors may from time to time provide for the management of the affairs of the Company in such manner as they shall think fit and the provisions contained in the three next following Articles shall not limit the general powers conferred by this Article.

 

101.

The Directors from time to time and at any time may establish any committees, local boards or agencies for managing any of the affairs of the Company and may appoint any natural person or corporation to be a member of such committees or local boards and may appoint any managers or agents of the Company and may fix the remuneration of any such natural person or corporation.

 

102.

The Directors from time to time and at any time may delegate to any such committee, local board, manager or agent any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in the Directors and may authorise the members for the time being of any such local board, or any of them to fill any vacancies therein and to act notwithstanding vacancies and any such appointment or delegation may be made on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Directors may think fit and the Directors may at any time remove any natural person or corporation so appointed and may annul or vary any such delegation, but no Person dealing in good faith and without notice of any such annulment or variation shall be affected thereby.

 

103.

Any such delegates as aforesaid may be authorised by the Directors to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities, and discretion for the time being vested in them.

BORROWING POWERS OF DIRECTORS

 

104.

The Directors may from time to time at their discretion exercise all the powers of the Company to raise or borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock, bonds and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.

THE SEAL

 

105.

The Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Directors provided always that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of the Seal and if given after may be in general form confirming a number of affixings of the Seal. The Seal shall be affixed in the presence of a Director or a Secretary (or an assistant Secretary) or in the presence of any one or more Persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose and every Person as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the Seal is so affixed in their presence.

 

106.

The Company may maintain a facsimile of the Seal in such countries or places as the Directors may appoint and such facsimile Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Directors provided always that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of such facsimile Seal and if given after may be in general form confirming a number of affixings of such facsimile Seal. The facsimile Seal shall be affixed in the presence of such Person or Persons as the Directors shall for this purpose appoint and such Person or Persons as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the facsimile Seal is so affixed in their presence and such affixing of the facsimile Seal and signing as aforesaid shall have the same meaning and effect as if the Seal had been affixed in the presence of and the instrument signed by a Director or a Secretary (or an assistant Secretary) or in the presence of any one or more Persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose.

 

20


107.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Secretary or any assistant Secretary shall have the authority to affix the Seal, or the facsimile Seal, to any instrument for the purposes of attesting authenticity of the matter contained therein but which does not create any obligation binding on the Company.

DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS

 

108.

The office of Director shall be vacated, if the Director:

 

  (a)

becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors;

 

  (b)

dies or is found to be or becomes of unsound mind;

 

  (c)

resigns his office by notice in writing to the Company;

 

  (d)

without special leave of absence from the Board, is absent from meetings of the Board for three consecutive meetings and the Board resolves that his office be vacated; or

 

  (e)

is removed from office pursuant to any other provision of these Articles.

PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

 

109.

The Directors may meet together (either within or outside of the Cayman Islands) for the despatch of business, adjourn, and otherwise regulate their meetings and proceedings as they think fit. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. At any meeting of the Directors, each Director present in person or represented by his proxy or alternate shall be entitled to one vote. In case of an equality of votes the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote. A Director may, and a Secretary or assistant Secretary on the requisition of a Director shall, at any time summon a meeting of the Directors.

 

110.

A Director may participate in any meeting of the Directors, or of any committee appointed by the Directors of which such Director is a member, by means of telephone or similar communication equipment by way of which all Persons participating in such meeting can communicate with each other and such participation shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

111.

The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board may be fixed by the Directors, and unless so fixed, the quorum shall be a majority of Directors then in office. A Director represented by proxy or by an alternate Director at any meeting shall be deemed to be present for the purposes of determining whether or not a quorum is present.

 

112.

A Director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction with the Company shall declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the Directors. A general notice given to the Directors by any Director to the effect that he is a member of any specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract or transaction which may thereafter be made with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest in regard to any contract so made or transaction so consummated. A Director may vote in respect of any contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction notwithstanding that he may be interested therein and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the Directors at which any such contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction shall come before the meeting for consideration.

 

113.

A Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (other than the office of auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and on such terms (as to remuneration and otherwise) as the Directors may determine and no Director or intending Director shall be disqualified by his office from contracting with the Company either with regard to his tenure of any such other office or place of profit or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any such contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director is in any way interested be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit realised by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such Director holding that office or of the fiduciary relation thereby established. A Director, notwithstanding his interest, may be counted in the quorum present at any meeting of the Directors whereat he or any other Director is appointed to hold any such office or place of profit under the Company or whereat the terms of any such appointment are arranged and he may vote on any such appointment or arrangement.

 

21


114.

Any Director may act by himself or through his firm in a professional capacity for the Company, and he or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director; provided that nothing herein contained shall authorise a Director or his firm to act as auditor to the Company.

 

115.

The Directors shall cause minutes to be made for the purpose of recording:

 

  (a)

all appointments of officers made by the Directors;

 

  (b)

the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Directors and of any committee of the Directors; and

 

  (c)

all resolutions and proceedings at all meetings of the Company, and of the Directors and of committees of Directors.

 

116.

When the chairman of a meeting of the Directors signs the minutes of such meeting the same shall be deemed to have been duly held notwithstanding that all the Directors have not actually come together or that there may have been a technical defect in the proceedings.

 

117.

A resolution in writing signed by all the Directors or all the members of a committee of Directors entitled to receive notice of a meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be (an alternate Director, subject as provided otherwise in the terms of appointment of the alternate Director, being entitled to sign such a resolution on behalf of his appointer), shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a duly called and constituted meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be. When signed a resolution may consist of several documents each signed by one or more of the Directors or his duly appointed alternate.

 

118.

The continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body but if and for so long as their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to these Articles as the necessary quorum of Directors, the continuing Directors may act for the purpose of increasing the number, or of summoning a general meeting of the Company, but for no other purpose.

 

119.

Subject to any regulations imposed on it by the Directors, a committee appointed by the Directors may elect a chairman of its meetings. If no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the committee members present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.

 

120.

A committee appointed by the Directors may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper. Subject to any regulations imposed on it by the Directors, questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the committee members present and in case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

 

121.

All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, or by any Person acting as a Director, shall notwithstanding that it be afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any such Director or Person acting as aforesaid, or that they or any of them were disqualified, be as valid as if every such Person had been duly appointed and was qualified to be a Director.

 

22


PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT

 

122.

A Director who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which an action on any Company matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he shall file his written dissent from such action with the person acting as the chairman or secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward such dissent by registered post to such person immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a Director who voted in favour of such action.

DIVIDENDS

 

123.

Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, the Directors may from time to time declare dividends (including interim dividends) and other distributions on Shares in issue and authorise payment of the same out of the funds of the Company lawfully available therefor.

 

124.

Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, the Company by Ordinary Resolution may declare dividends, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the Directors.

 

125.

The Directors may, before recommending or declaring any dividend, set aside out of the funds legally available for distribution such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall, in the absolute discretion of the Directors, be applicable for meeting contingencies or for equalising dividends or for any other purpose to which those funds may be properly applied, and pending such application may in the absolute discretion of the Directors, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments (other than Shares of the Company) as the Directors may from time to time think fit.

 

126.

Any dividend payable in cash to the holder of Shares may be paid in any manner determined by the Directors. If paid by cheque it will be sent by mail addressed to the holder at his address in the Register, or addressed to such person and at such addresses as the holder may direct. Every such cheque or warrant shall, unless the holder or joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to the order of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of the holder whose name stands first on the Register in respect of such Shares, and shall be sent at his or their risk and payment of the cheque or warrant by the bank on which it is drawn shall constitute a good discharge to the Company.

 

127.

The Directors may determine that a dividend shall be paid wholly or partly by the distribution of specific assets (which may consist of the shares or securities of any other company) and may settle all questions concerning such distribution. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Directors may fix the value of such specific assets, may determine that cash payment shall be made to some Shareholders in lieu of specific assets and may vest any such specific assets in trustees on such terms as the Directors think fit.

 

128.

Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the Shares, but if and for so long as nothing is paid up on any of the Shares dividends may be declared and paid according to the par value of the Shares. No amount paid on a Share in advance of calls shall, while carrying interest, be treated for the purposes of this Article as paid on the Share.

 

129.

If several Persons are registered as joint holders of any Share, any of them may give effective receipts for any dividend or other moneys payable on or in respect of the Share.

 

130.

No dividend shall bear interest against the Company.

 

131.

Any dividend unclaimed after a period of six calendar years from the date of declaration of such dividend may be forfeited by the Board of Directors and, if so forfeited, shall revert to the Company.

 

23


ACCOUNTS, AUDIT AND ANNUAL RETURN AND DECLARATION

 

132.

The books of account relating to the Company’s affairs shall be kept in such manner as may be determined from time to time by the Directors.

 

133.

The books of account shall be kept at such place or places as the Directors think fit, and shall always be open to the inspection of the Directors.

 

134.

The Directors may from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions or regulations the accounts and books of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of Shareholders not being Directors, and no Shareholder (not being a Director) shall have any right to inspect any account or book or document of the Company except as conferred by law or authorised by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution.

 

135.

The accounts relating to the Company’s affairs shall be audited in such manner and with such financial year end as may be determined from time to time by the Directors or failing any determination as aforesaid shall not be audited.

 

136.

The Directors may appoint an auditor of the Company who shall hold office until removed from office by a resolution of the Directors and may fix his or their remuneration.

 

137.

Every auditor of the Company shall have a right of access at all times to the books and accounts and vouchers of the Company and shall be entitled to require from the Directors and officers of the Company such information and explanation as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the auditors.

 

138.

The auditors shall, if so required by the Directors, make a report on the accounts of the Company during their tenure of office at the next annual general meeting following their appointment, and at any time during their term of office, upon request of the Directors or any general meeting of the Members.

 

139.

The Directors in each calendar year shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, an annual return and declaration setting forth the particulars required by the Companies Law and deliver a copy thereof to the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands.

CAPITALISATION OF RESERVES

 

140.

Subject to the Companies Law, the Directors may:

 

  (a)

resolve to capitalise an amount standing to the credit of reserves (including a Share Premium Account, capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account), which is available for distribution;

 

  (b)

appropriate the sum resolved to be capitalised to the Shareholders in proportion to the nominal amount of Shares (whether or not fully paid) held by them respectively and apply that sum on their behalf in or towards:

 

  (i)

paying up the amounts (if any) for the time being unpaid on Shares held by them respectively, or

 

  (ii)

paying up in full unissued Shares or debentures of a nominal amount equal to that sum,

and allot the Shares or debentures, credited as fully paid, to the Shareholders (or as they may direct) in those proportions, or partly in one way and partly in the other, but the Share Premium Account, the capital redemption reserve and profits which are not available for distribution may, for the purposes of this Article, only be applied in paying up unissued Shares to be allotted to Shareholders credited as fully paid;

 

24


  (c)

make any arrangements they think fit to resolve a difficulty arising in the distribution of a capitalised reserve and in particular, without limitation, where Shares or debentures become distributable in fractions the Directors may deal with the fractions as they think fit;

 

  (d)

authorise a Person to enter (on behalf of all the Shareholders concerned) into an agreement with the Company providing for either:

 

  (i)

the allotment to the Shareholders respectively, credited as fully paid, of Shares or debentures to which they may be entitled on the capitalisation, or

 

  (ii)

the payment by the Company on behalf of the Shareholders (by the application of their respective proportions of the reserves resolved to be capitalised) of the amounts or part of the amounts remaining unpaid on their existing Shares,

and any such agreement made under this authority being effective and binding on all those Shareholders; and

 

  (e)

generally do all acts and things required to give effect to the resolution.

 

141.

Notwithstanding any provisions in these Articles, the Directors may resolve to capitalise an amount standing to the credit of reserves (including the share premium account, capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account) or otherwise available for distribution by applying such sum in paying up in full unissued Shares to be allotted and issued to:

 

  (a)

employees (including Directors) or service providers of the Company or its Affiliates upon exercise or vesting of any options or awards granted under any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme or other arrangement which relates to such persons that has been adopted or approved by the Directors or the Members;

 

  (b)

any trustee of any trust or administrator of any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme to whom shares are to be allotted and issued by the Company in connection with the operation of any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme or other arrangement which relates to such persons that has been adopted or approved by the Directors or Members; or

 

  (c)

any depositary of the Company for the purposes of the issue, allotment and delivery by the depositary of ADSs to employees (including Directors) or service providers of the Company or its Affiliates upon exercise or vesting of any options or awards granted under any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme or other arrangement which relates to such persons that has been adopted or approved by the Directors or the Members.

SHARE PREMIUM ACCOUNT

 

142.

The Directors shall in accordance with the Companies Law establish a Share Premium Account and shall carry to the credit of such account from time to time a sum equal to the amount or value of the premium paid on the issue of any Share.

 

143.

There shall be debited to any Share Premium Account on the redemption or purchase of a Share the difference between the nominal value of such Share and the redemption or purchase price provided always that at the discretion of the Directors such sum may be paid out of the profits of the Company or, if permitted by the Companies Law, out of capital.

NOTICES

 

144.

Except as otherwise provided in these Articles, any notice or document may be served by the Company or by the Person entitled to give notice to any Shareholder either personally, or by posting it by airmail or a recognised courier service in a prepaid letter addressed to such Shareholder at his address as appearing in the Register, or by electronic mail to any electronic mail address such Shareholder may have specified in writing for the purpose of such service of notices, or by facsimile to any facsimile number such Shareholder may have specified in writing for the purpose of such service of notices, or by placing it on the Company’s Website should the Directors deem it appropriate. In the case of joint holders of a Share, all notices shall be given to that one of the joint holders whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the joint holding, and notice so given shall be sufficient notice to all the joint holders.

 

25


145.

Notices sent from one country to another shall be sent or forwarded by prepaid airmail or a recognised courier service.

 

146.

Any Shareholder present, either personally or by proxy, at any meeting of the Company shall for all purposes be deemed to have received due notice of such meeting and, where requisite, of the purposes for which such meeting was convened.

 

147.

Any notice or other document, if served by:

 

  (a)

post, shall be deemed to have been served five calendar days after the time when the letter containing the same is posted;

 

  (b)

facsimile, shall be deemed to have been served upon production by the transmitting facsimile machine of a report confirming transmission of the facsimile in full to the facsimile number of the recipient;

 

  (c)

recognised courier service, shall be deemed to have been served 48 hours after the time when the letter containing the same is delivered to the courier service; or

 

  (d)

electronic means, shall be deemed to have been served immediately (i) upon the time of the transmission to the electronic mail address supplied by the Shareholder to the Company or (ii) upon the time of its placement on the Company’s Website.

In proving service by post or courier service it shall be sufficient to prove that the letter containing the notice or documents was properly addressed and duly posted or delivered to the courier service.

 

148.

Any notice or document delivered or sent by post to or left at the registered address of any Shareholder in accordance with the terms of these Articles shall notwithstanding that such Shareholder be then dead or bankrupt, and whether or not the Company has notice of his death or bankruptcy, be deemed to have been duly served in respect of any Share registered in the name of such Shareholder as sole or joint holder, unless his name shall at the time of the service of the notice or document have been removed from the Register as the holder of the Share, and such service shall for all purposes be deemed a sufficient service of such notice or document on all Persons interested (whether jointly with or as claiming through or under him) in the Share.

 

149.

Notice of every general meeting of the Company shall be given to:

 

  (a)

all Shareholders holding Shares with the right to receive notice and who have supplied to the Company an address for the giving of notices to them; and

 

  (b)

every Person entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder, who but for his death or bankruptcy would be entitled to receive notice of the meeting.

No other Person shall be entitled to receive notices of general meetings.

 

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INFORMATION

 

150.

Subject to the relevant laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Company, no Member shall be entitled to require discovery of any information in respect of any detail of the Company’s trading or any information which is or may be in the nature of a trade secret or secret process which may relate to the conduct of the business of the Company and which in the opinion of the Board would not be in the interests of the Members of the Company to communicate to the public.

 

151.

Subject to due compliance with the relevant laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Company, the Board shall be entitled to release or disclose any information in its possession, custody or control regarding the Company or its affairs to any of its Members including, without limitation, information contained in the Register and transfer books of the Company.

INDEMNITY

 

152.

Every Director (including for the purposes of this Article any alternate Director appointed pursuant to the provisions of these Articles), Secretary, assistant Secretary, or other officer for the time being and from time to time of the Company (but not including the Company’s auditors) and the personal representatives of the same (each an “Indemnified Person”) shall be indemnified and secured harmless against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such Indemnified Person, other than by reason of such Indemnified Person’s own dishonesty, wilful default or fraud, in or about the conduct of the Company’s business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such Indemnified Person in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning the Company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.

 

153.

No Indemnified Person shall be liable:

 

  (a)

for the acts, receipts, neglects, defaults or omissions of any other Director or officer or agent of the Company; or

 

  (b)

for any loss on account of defect of title to any property of the Company; or

 

  (c)

on account of the insufficiency of any security in or upon which any money of the Company shall be invested; or

 

  (d)

for any loss incurred through any bank, broker or other similar Person; or

 

  (e)

for any loss occasioned by any negligence, default, breach of duty, breach of trust, error of judgement or oversight on such Indemnified Person’s part; or

 

  (f)

for any loss, damage or misfortune whatsoever which may happen in or arise from the execution or discharge of the duties, powers, authorities, or discretions of such Indemnified Person’s office or in relation thereto;

unless the same shall happen through such Indemnified Person’s own dishonesty, willful default or fraud.

FINANCIAL YEAR

 

154.

Unless the Directors otherwise prescribe, the financial year of the Company shall end on December 31st in each calendar year and shall begin on January 1st in each calendar year.

 

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NON-RECOGNITION OF TRUSTS

 

155.

No Person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any Share upon any trust and the Company shall not, unless required by law, be bound by or be compelled in any way to recognise (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any Share or (except only as otherwise provided by these Articles or as the Companies Law requires) any other right in respect of any Share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in each Shareholder registered in the Register.

WINDING UP

 

156.

If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator may, with the sanction of a Special Resolution of the Company and any other sanction required by the Companies Law, divide amongst the Members in species or in kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for that purpose value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the Members as the liquidator, with the like sanction, shall think fit, but so that no Member shall be compelled to accept any asset upon which there is a liability.

 

157.

If the Company shall be wound up, and the assets available for distribution amongst the Members shall be insufficient to repay the whole of the share capital, such assets shall be distributed so that, as nearly as may be, the losses shall be borne by the Members in proportion to the par value of the Shares held by them. If in a winding up the assets available for distribution amongst the Members shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst the Members in proportion to the par value of the Shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up subject to a deduction from those Shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to the Company for unpaid calls or otherwise. This Article is without prejudice to the rights of the holders of Shares issued upon special terms and conditions.

AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

158.

Subject to the Companies Law, the Company may at any time and from time to time by Special Resolution alter or amend these Articles in whole or in part.

CLOSING OF REGISTER OR FIXING RECORD DATE

 

159.

For the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at any meeting of Shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination as to who is a Shareholder for any other purpose, the Directors may provide that the Register shall be closed for transfers for a stated period which shall not exceed in any case thirty calendar days in any calendar year.

 

160.

In lieu of or apart from closing the Register, the Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of the Shareholders and for the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend the Directors may, at or within ninety calendar days prior to the date of declaration of such dividend, fix a subsequent date as the record date for such determination.

 

161.

If the Register is not so closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of those Shareholders entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders or those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the meeting is posted or the date on which the resolution of the Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of Shareholders. When a determination of those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders has been made as provided in this Article, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.

 

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REGISTRATION BY WAY OF CONTINUATION

 

162.

The Company may by Special Resolution resolve to be registered by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing. In furtherance of a resolution adopted pursuant to this Article, the Directors may cause an application to be made to the Registrar of Companies to deregister the Company in the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing and may cause all such further steps as they consider appropriate to be taken to effect the transfer by way of continuation of the Company.

DISCLOSURE

 

163.

The Directors, or any service providers (including the officers, the Secretary and the Registered Office provider of the Company) specifically authorised by the Directors, shall be entitled to disclose to any regulatory or judicial authority any information regarding the affairs of the Company including without limitation information contained in the Register and books of the Company.

 

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Exhibit 4.2

GSX TECHEDU INC.

 

Number   Class A Ordinary Shares
Certificate No.   -No. of Share(s)-

Incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands

Share capital is US$100,000 divided into

1,000,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each, comprising of

(i) 800,000,000 Class  A Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each,

(ii) 100,000,000 Class  B Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each, and

(iii) 100,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each of such class or classes (as designated)

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT Shareholder is the registered holder of No. of Share(s) Class A Ordinary Shares in the above-named Company subject to the Memorandum and Articles of Association thereof.

EXECUTED on behalf of the said Company on the                      day of                                         by:

DIRECTOR                                                                      

Exhibit 4.4

Execution

AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of March 15, 2019 by and among:

 

  1.

GSX Techedu Inc., an exempted company with limited liability organized and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “ Company ”);

 

  2.

BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd., a company organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “ BVI Holding Company ”);

 

  3.

Mr. Xiangdong Chen, a PRC citizen with his PRC ID number [    ] (the “ Founder ”) and Ebetter International Group Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and wholly owned by the Founder (the “ Founder Holding Company ”);

 

  4.

Huai Yuan Group Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “ BVI 1 ”)

 

  5.

Su Wei Group Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “ BVI 2 ”);

 

  6.

Jenny and Jerry International Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “ BVI 3 ”);

 

  7.

Rolancy International Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “ BVI 4 ”);

 

  8.

Super Energy Global Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “ BVI 5 ”, collectively with BVI 1, BVI 2, BVI 3, BVI 4 and the BVI Holding Company, the “ BVI Companies ”);

 

  9.

BaiJiaHuLian HK Holdings Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of Hong Kong (the “ HK Co. ”);

 

  10.

Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd. (北京乐学帮网络技术有限公司) , a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (the “ PRC ”) (the “ WFOE ”);

 

  11.

Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd. ( 北京百家互联科技有限公司 ), a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the PRC (the “ BaiJiaHuLian ” or “ PRC Affiliate ”);

 

  12.

Each of the persons as set forth in Schedule I attached hereto (collectively, the “ Individual Shareholders ”, and each an “ Individual Shareholder ”);

 

  13.

Origin Beyond Limited, a company limited by shares established under the laws of British Virgin Islands ( “ Origin Beyond ”);

 

  14.

Irefresh Future Limited, a company limited by shares established under the laws of British Virgin Islands ( “ Irefresh Future ”);

 

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  15.

`QFcapital Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “ Angel Investor ”);

 

  16.

Each of the entities as set forth in Schedule II (A)  attached hereto (the “ Series A-1 Investors ”, and each a “ Series A-1 Investor ”);

 

  17.

Each of the entities as set forth in Schedule II (B) (the “ Series A-2 Investors ”, and each a “ Series A-2 Investor ”); and

 

  18.

Each of the entities as set forth in Schedule II (C) ( “ Banyan ” or the “ Series A-3 Investors ”, and each a “ Series A-3 Investor ”, collectively with the Series A-1 Investors, Series A-2 Investors, the “ Series A Investors ”, and each a “ Series A Investor ”, and together with the Angel Investor, the Investors ”, and each an “ Investor ”).

The Company, the HK Co., the WFOE, the PRC Affiliate and each of their direct or indirect subsidiaries are referred to collectively herein as the “ Group Companies ”, and each, a “ Group Company ”. The WFOE and the PRC Affiliate are referred to collectively herein as the “ PRC Companies ”, and each a “ PRC Company ”.

RECITALS

A.    The Company, the HK Co., the WFOE, the PRC Affiliate, the Founder, the Individual Shareholders the Investors and certain other parties named therein entered into a Series A Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement dated April 28, 2015 (the “ Share Purchase Agreement ”), under which the Company shall issue and allot (i) 4,244,050 series A-1 convertible preferred shares, par value US$0.0001 per share (the “ Series A-1 Preferred Shares ”) to the Series A-1 Investors, (ii) 8,255,950 series A-2 convertible preferred shares, par value US$0.0001 per share (the “ Series A-2 Preferred Shares ”) to Series A-2 Investors, and (iii) 7,500,000 series A-3 convertible preferred shares, par value US$0.0001 per share (the “ Series A-3 Preferred Shares ”, together with Series A-1 Preferred Shares and Series A-2 Preferred Shares, the “ Series A-1/2/3 Preferred Shares ”) to Series A-3 Investor at the Closing. The Angel Investor has purchased from the Company 3,500,000 series A-0 convertible preferred shares, par value US$0.0001 per share (the “ Series A-0 Preferred Shares ”, and together with the Series A-1/2/3 Preferred Shares, the “ Series A Preferred Shares ”).

B.    In connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Share Purchase Agreement, the parties to the Share Purchase Agreement entered into the Shareholders Agreement on April 28, 2015 (the “ Original Shareholders Agreement ”) for the governance, management and operations of the Group Companies and for the rights and obligations between and among the shareholders and the Company.

C.    On December 31, 2017, BaiJiaHuLian transferred and sold to another party all the shares it held in the Beijing Zhongzhi Xinyu Information Technology Co., Ltd. ( 北京众智新育信息技术有限公司 ), whose name has been changed into Beijing Baijia Yuntu Technology Co., Ltd. ( 北京百家云图科技有限公司 ) (the “ Zhongzhi Xinyu ” ), by which Zhongzhi Xinyu is no longer an entity owned by BaiJiaHuLian.

 

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D.    The parties hereto wish to amend and restate the Original Shareholders Agreement in its entirety as provided hereunder and simultaneously amend the Share Purchase Agreement as set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.     CAPITALIZATION STRUCTURE OF COMPANY; INFORMATION RIGHTS; BOARD REPRESENTATION; .

1.1.     Capitalization Structure of Company.

(a)    The parties hereto acknowledge and confirm that, as of December 31, 2015, the Company issued a certain number of new securities in the authorized share capital of the Company as agreed by all the shareholders of the Company, and the capitalization structure of the Company immediately thereafter shall be as shown in the Schedule III attached hereto, without regard to any provisions in connection with the adjustments of number of shares or conversion price as set forth in the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Share Purchase Agreement).

(b)    In consideration of certain transfer and surrender of shares and exercise of outstanding share options of the Company by and among the parties hereto, the parties hereto confirm that the Company’s capitalization structure as of the date hereof shall be as shown in the Schedule IV  attached hereto.

1.2.     Information and Inspection Rights .

(a)     Information Rights . Each of the Group Companies covenants and agrees that, commencing on the date of the Original Shareholders Agreement, for so long as any Investor holds any outstanding shares of the Company, the Group Companies shall deliver to such Investor:

(i)    audited annual consolidated financial statements, within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, prepared in conformance with the United States generally accepted accounting principles (the “ US GAAP ”) throughout the period and audited by one reputable accounting firm acceptable to Investors;

(ii)    unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements with comparison with actual result against annual capital expenditure and operations budget, within thirty (30) days after the end of each quarter, prepared in conformance with the PRC generally accepted accounting principles (the “ PRC GAAP ”)

(iii)    unaudited monthly consolidated financial statements with comparison with actual result against annual capital expenditure and operations budget, within thirty (30) days after the end of each month, prepared in conformance with the PRC GAAP;

(iv)    an annual business plan, capital expenditure and operations budget and forecasted financial statements of the Group Companies for each fiscal year, as approved by the board of directors of the Company (“ Board ”), within thirty (30) days before the end of each fiscal year;

 

3


(v)    an up-to-date capitalization table of the Company certified by the chief executive officer of the Company, within five (5) days after the end of each quarter;

(vi)    copies of all Company documents or other Company information sent to any shareholder;

(vii)    upon the written request by any Investor, such other information as such Investor shall reasonably request from time to time (the above rights, collectively, the “ Information Rights ”).

All financial statements to be provided to the Investors pursuant to this Section 1.2(a) shall include an income statement, a balance sheet and a cash flow statement for the relevant period as well as for the fiscal year to-date.

(b)     Inspection Rights . Each of the Group Companies further covenants and agrees that, commencing on the date of the Original Shareholders Agreement, for so long as any Preferred Shares are outstanding, each holder of Preferred Shares shall have (i) the right to inspect facilities, records and books of the Group Companies, and (ii) the right to discuss the business, operations and conditions of the Group Companies with their respective directors, officers, employees, accountants, legal counsel and investment bankers (the “ Inspection Rights ”).

(c)     Termination of Rights . The Information Rights and Inspection Rights shall terminate upon consummation of a firm commitment underwritten public offering of the ordinary shares of the Company (“ Ordinary Shares ”) in the United States, that has been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, including any successor statutes (the “ Securities Act ”), , or in a similar public offering of the Ordinary Shares of the Company in Hong Kong, Mainland China or another jurisdiction which results in the Ordinary Shares trading publicly on a recognized international securities exchange (including but not limited to stock exchanges in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen); (a “ Qualified Initial Public Offering ”).

1.3.     Board of Directors . The Second Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company (the “ Restated Articles ”) shall provide that the Board of the Company shall consist of not less than three (3) members, which number of members shall not be changed except pursuant to an amendment to the Restated Articles. Effective from the date hereof,

(i)    Banyan shall be entitled to appoint and remove one (1) director (the “ Investor Director ”), and shall also be entitled to remove any director occupying such position and to fill any vacancy caused by the resignation, death or renewal of any director occupying such position;

(ii)    the Founder Holding Company shall be entitled to appoint and remove two (2) directors (the “ Ordinary Directors ”) and shall also be entitled to remove any director occupying such position and to fill any vacancy caused by the resignation, death or renewal of any director occupying such position.

 

4


(iii)    The Company shall hold meetings of the Board of Directors at least every six (6) months. A meeting of directors is duly constituted for all purposes if at the commencement of the meeting there are present in person or by alternate not less than three (3) directors. The Company shall reimburse the directors for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending any meetings of the Board and any committee thereof.

(iv)    For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions under this Section 1.3 shall be terminated upon the occurrence of the Qualified Initial Public Offering of the Company.

2.     REGISTRATION RIGHTS .

2.1.     Applicability of Rights . The Holders (as defined below) shall be entitled to the following rights with respect to any proposed public offering of the Company’s Ordinary Shares in the United States and shall be entitled to reasonably equivalent or analogous rights with respect to any other offering of the Company’s securities in Hong Kong or any other jurisdiction in which the Company undertakes to publicly offer or list such securities for trading on a recognized securities exchange.

2.2.     Definitions . For purposes of this Section 2:

(a)     Registration . The terms “ register ,” “ registered ,” and “ registration ” refer to a registration effected by filing a registration statement which is in a form which complies with, and is declared effective by the SEC (as defined below) in accordance with, the Securities Act.

(b)     Registrable Securities . The term “ Registrable Securities ” means: (1) any Ordinary Shares of the Company issued or issuable pursuant to conversion of any shares of Preferred Shares issued (A) under the Share Purchase Agreement, or (B) pursuant to the Right of Participation (defined in Section 3.1), (2) any Ordinary Shares issued (or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any warrant, right or other security which is issued) as a dividend or other distribution with respect to, or in exchange for or in replacement of, any Preferred Shares described in clause (1) of this subsection (b), (3) any other Ordinary Shares of the Company owned or hereafter acquired by the holders of Preferred Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “ Registrable Securities ” shall exclude any Registrable Securities sold by a person in a transaction in which rights under this Section 2 are not validly assigned in accordance with this Agreement, and any Registrable Securities which are sold in a registered public offering under the Securities Act or analogous statute of another jurisdiction, or sold pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act or analogous rule of another jurisdiction.

(c)     Registrable Securities Then Outstanding . The number of shares of “ Registrable Securities then Outstanding ” shall mean the number of Ordinary Shares of the Company that are Registrable Securities and are then issued and outstanding, issuable upon conversion of Preferred Shares then issued and outstanding, or issuable upon conversion or exercise of any warrant, right or other security then outstanding.

(d)     Holder . For purposes of this Section 2, the term “ Holder ” means any person owning or having the rights to acquire Registrable Securities or any permitted assignee of record of such Registrable Securities to whom rights under this Section 2 have been duly assigned in accordance with this Agreement.

 

5


(e)     Form F-3 . The term “ Form F-3 ” means such respective form under the Securities Act or any successor registration form under the Securities Act subsequently adopted by the SEC which permits inclusion or incorporation of substantial information by reference to other documents filed by the Company with the SEC.

(f)     SEC . The term “ SEC ” or “ Commission ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

(g)     Registration Expenses . The term “ Registration Expenses” shall mean all expenses incurred by the Company in complying with Sections 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 hereof, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, printing expenses, fees, and disbursements of counsel for the Company, reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for all the Holders, “blue sky” fees and expenses and the expense of any special audits incident to or required by any such registration (but excluding the compensation of regular employees of the Company which shall be paid in any event by the Company).

(h)     Selling Expenses . The term “ Selling Expenses” shall mean all underwriting discounts and selling commissions applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to Sections 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 hereof and all fees charged by or payable to the depositary bank.

(i)     Exchange Act . The term “ Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

2.3.     Demand Registration .

(a)     Request by Holders . If the Company shall, at any time after the earlier of (i) five (5) years after the Closing or (ii) one (1) year following the taking effect of a registration statement for a Qualified Initial Public Offering, receive a written request from the Holders of at least fifty percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities then outstanding that the Company file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the registration of at least twenty percent (20%) (or any lesser percentage if the anticipated gross proceeds to the Company from such proposed offering would exceed US$5,000,000) of the Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 2.3, then the Company shall, within ten (10) business days of the receipt of such written request, give written notice of such request (“ Request Notice ”) to all Holders, and use its best efforts to effect, as soon as practicable, the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities that the Holders request to be registered and included in such registration by written notice given by such Holders to the Company within twenty (20) days after receipt of the Request Notice, subject only to the limitations of this Section 2.3; provided that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such registration if the Company has, within the six (6) month period preceding the date of such request, already effected a registration under the Securities Act pursuant to this Section 2.3 or Section 2.5 or in which the Holders had an opportunity to participate pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.4, other than a registration from which the Registrable Securities of the Holders have been excluded (with respect to all or any portion of the Registrable Securities the Holders requested be included in such registration) pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.4(a). The Company shall be obligated to effect no more than two (2) Registrations pursuant to this Section 2.3. For purposes of this Agreement, reference to registration of securities under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall be deemed to mean the equivalent registration in a jurisdiction other than the United States as designated by such Holders, it being understood and agreed that in each such case all references in this Agreement to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and rules, forms of registration statements and registration of securities thereunder, U.S. law and the SEC, shall be deemed to refer, to the equivalent statutes, rules, forms of registration statements, registration of securities and laws of and equivalent government authority in the applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction. In addition, “Form F-3” shall be deemed to refer to Form S-3 or any comparable form under the U.S. securities laws in the condition that the Company is not at that time eligible to use Form F-3.

 

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(b)     Underwriting . If the Holders initiating the registration request under this Section 2.3 (the “ Initiating Holders ”) intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request by means of an underwriting, then they shall so advise the Company as a part of their request made pursuant to this Section 2.3 and the Company shall include such information in the Request Notice. In such event, the right of any Holder to include its Registrable Securities in such registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting (unless otherwise mutually agreed by a majority in interest of the Initiating Holders and such Holder) to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the managing underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being registered and reasonably acceptable to the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.3, if the underwriter(s) advise(s) the Company in writing that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of securities to be underwritten, then the Company shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities which would otherwise be registered and underwritten pursuant hereto, and the number of Registrable Securities that may be included in the underwriting shall be reduced as required by the underwriter(s) and allocated among the Holders of Registrable Securities on a pro rata basis according to the number of Registrable Securities then outstanding held by each Holder requesting registration (including the Initiating Holders); provided , however , that the number of shares of Registrable Securities to be included in such underwriting and registration shall not be reduced unless all other securities are first entirely excluded from the underwriting and registration including, without limitation, all shares that are not Registrable Securities and are held by any other person, including, without limitation, any person who is an employee, officer or director of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company; provided further , that at least twenty percent (20%) (or any lesser percentage if the anticipated gross proceeds to the Company from such proposed offering would exceed $5,000,000) of shares of Registrable Securities requested by the Holders to be included in such underwriting and registration shall be so included. If any Holder disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, such Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the underwriter(s), delivered at least ten (10) business days prior to the effective date of the registration statement. Any Registrable Securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be excluded and withdrawn from the registration.

(c)     Deferral . Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company shall furnish to Holders requesting registration pursuant to this Section 2.3, a certificate signed by the President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board, it would be materially detrimental to the Company and its shareholders for such registration statement to be filed at such time, then the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than ninety (90) days after receipt of the request of the Initiating Holders; provided , however , that the Company may not utilize this right more than once in any twelve (12) month period; provided further, that the Company shall not register any other of its shares during such twelve (12) month period. A demand right shall not be deemed to have been exercised until such deferred registration shall have been effected.

 

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2.4.     Piggyback Registrations .

(a)    The Company shall notify all Holders of Registrable Securities in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to filing any registration statement under the Securities Act for purposes of effecting a public offering of securities of the Company (including, but not limited to, registration statements relating to secondary offerings of securities of the Company, but excluding registration statements relating to any employee benefit plan or a corporate reorganization), and shall afford each such Holder an opportunity to include in such registration statement all or any part of the Registrable Securities then held by such Holder. Each Holder desiring to include in any such registration statement all or any part of the Registrable Securities held by it shall within twenty (20) days after receipt of the above-described notice from the Company, so notify the Company in writing, and in such notice shall inform the Company of the number of Registrable Securities such Holder wishes to include in such registration statement. If a Holder decides not to include all of its Registrable Securities in any registration statement thereafter filed by the Company, such Holder shall nevertheless continue to have the right to include any Registrable Securities in any subsequent registration statement or registration statements as may be filed by the Company with respect to offerings of its securities, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein. No Holder of Registrable Securities shall be granted piggyback registration rights superior to those of the Holders of the Preferred Shares without the consent in writing of the Holders of at least two thirds (2/3) of the Preferred Shares or Ordinary Shares issued upon conversion of the Preferred Shares or a combination of such Preferred Shares and Ordinary Shares.

(b)     Underwriting . If a registration statement under which the Company gives notice under this Section 2.4 is for an underwritten offering, then the Company shall so advise the Holders of Registrable Securities. In such event, the right of any such Holder’s Registrable Securities to be included in a registration pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through such underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the managing underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement but subject to Section 2.12, if the managing underwriter(s) determine(s) in good faith that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, then the managing underwriter(s) may exclude shares from the registration and the underwriting, and the number of shares that may be included in the registration and the underwriting shall be allocated, first , to the Company, second , to each of the Holders requesting inclusion of their Registrable Securities in such registration statement on a pro rata basis based on the total number of shares of Registrable Securities then held by each such Holder, and third , to holders of other securities of the Company; provided , however , that the right of the underwriter(s) to exclude shares (including Registrable Securities) from the registration and underwriting as described above shall be restricted so that (i) the number of Registrable Securities included in any such registration is not reduced below twenty-five percent (25%) of the aggregate number of shares of Registrable Securities for which inclusion has been requested; and (ii) all shares that are not Registrable Securities and are held by any other person, including, without limitation, any person who is an employee, officer or director of the Company (or any subsidiary of the Company) shall first be excluded from such registration and underwriting before any Registrable Securities are so excluded. If any Holder disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, such Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the underwriter(s), delivered at least ten (10) business days prior to the effective date of the registration statement. Any Registrable Securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be excluded and withdrawn from the registration.

 

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(c)     Not Demand Registration . Registration pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall not be deemed to be a demand registration as described in Section 2.3 above. There shall be no limit on the number of times the Holders may request registration of Registrable Securities under this Section 2.4.

2.5.     Form F-3 . In case the Company shall receive from any Holder a written request or requests that the Company effect a registration on Form F-3 and any related qualification or compliance with respect to all or a part of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder or Holders, then the Company will:

(a)     Notice . Promptly give written notice of the proposed registration and the Holder’s or Holders’ request therefor, and any related qualification or compliance, to all other Holders of Registrable Securities; and

(b)     Registration . As soon as practicable, effect such registration and all such qualifications and compliances as may be so requested and as would permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of all or such portion of such Holders or Holders’ Registrable Securities as are specified in such request, together with all or such portion of the Registrable Securities of any other Holder or Holders joining in such request as are specified in a written request given within twenty (20) days after the Company provides the notice contemplated by Section 2.5(a); provided , however , that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such registration, qualification or compliance pursuant to this Section 2.5:

(i)    if Form F-3 is not available for such offering by the Holders;

(ii)    if the Holders, together with the holders of any other securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such registration, propose to sell Registrable Securities and such other securities (if any) at an aggregate price to the public of less than US$500,000;

(iii)    if the Company shall furnish to the Holders a certificate signed by the President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, it would be materially detrimental to the Company and its shareholders for such Form F-3 registration to be effected at such time, in which event the Company shall have the right to defer the filing of the Form F-3 registration statement no more than once during any twelve (12) month period for a period of not more than sixty (60) days after receipt of the request of the Holder or Holders under this Section 2.5; provided that the Company shall not register any of its other shares during such sixty (60) day period;

 

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(iv)    if the Company has, within the twelve (12) month period preceding the date of such request, already effected two (2) registrations under the Securities Act other than a registration from which the Registrable Securities of Holders have been excluded (with respect to all or any portion of the Registrable Securities the Holders requested be included in such registration) pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2.3(b) and 2.4 (a); or

(v)    in any particular jurisdiction in which the Company would be required to qualify to do business or to execute a general consent to service of process in effecting such registration, qualification or compliance.

Subject to the foregoing, the Company shall file a Form F-3 registration statement covering the Registrable Securities and other securities so requested to be registered as soon as practicable after receipt of the request or requests of the Holders.

(c)     Not Demand Registration . Form F-3 registrations shall not be deemed to be demand registrations as described in Section 2.3 above. Except as otherwise provided herein, there shall be no limit on the number of times the Holders may request registration of Registrable Securities under this Section 2.5.

2.6.     Expenses . All Registration Expenses incurred in connection with any registration pursuant to Sections 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5 (but excluding Selling Expenses, underwriting discounts and commissions, and fees for special counsel of the Holders participating in such registration) shall be borne by the Company; provided , however , the expenses in excess of US$25,000 of any special audit required in connection with a Demand Registration shall be borne pro rata by the Holders participating in such registration. Each Holder participating in a registration pursuant to Sections 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5 shall bear such Holder’s proportionate share (based on the total number of shares sold in such registration other than for the account of the Company) of all Selling Expenses or other amounts payable to underwriter(s) or brokers, in connection with such offering by the Holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to pay for any expenses of any registration proceeding begun pursuant to Section 2.3 if the registration request is subsequently withdrawn at the request of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be registered, unless the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities then outstanding agree that such registration constitutes the use by the Holders of one (1) demand registration pursuant to Section 2.3; provided further , however , that if at the time of such withdrawal, the Holders have learned of a material adverse change in the condition, business, or prospects of the Company not known to the Holders at the time of their request for such registration and have withdrawn their request for registration with reasonable promptness after learning of such material adverse change, then the Holders shall not be required to pay any of such expenses and such registration shall not constitute the use of a demand registration pursuant to Section 2.3.

 

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2.7.     Obligations of the Company . Whenever required to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities under this Agreement the Company shall, as expeditiously as reasonably possible:

(a)     Registration Statement . Prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective, and, upon the request of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities registered thereunder, keep such registration statement effective for a period of up to ninety (90) days or, in the case of Registrable Securities registered under Form F-3 in accordance with Rule 415 under the Securities Act or a successor rule, until the distribution contemplated in the registration statement has been completed; provided , however , that (i) such ninety (90) day period shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period any Holder refrains from selling any securities included in such registration at the request of the underwriter(s), and (ii) in the case of any registration of Registrable Securities on Form F-3 which are intended to be offered on a continuous or delayed basis, such ninety (90) day period shall be extended, if necessary, to keep the registration statement effective until all such Registrable Securities are sold.

(b)     Amendments and Supplements . Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection with such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement.

(c)     Prospectuses . Furnish to the Holders such number of copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as they may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by them that are included in such registration.

(d)     Blue Sky . Use its best efforts to register and qualify the securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders, provided that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions, unless the Company is already subject to service in such jurisdiction and except as may be required by the Securities Act.

(e)     Underwriting . In the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement in usual and customary form, with the managing underwriter(s) of such offering. Each Holder participating in such underwriting shall also enter into and perform its obligations under such an agreement.

(f)     Notification . Notify each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of (i) the issuance of any stop order by the SEC in respect of such registration statement, or (ii) the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing.

 

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(g)     Opinion and Comfort Letter . Furnish, at the request of any Holder requesting registration of Registrable Securities, on the date that such Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriter(s) for sale, if such securities are being sold through underwriters, or, if such securities are not being sold through underwriters, on the date that the registration statement with respect to such securities becomes effective, (i) an opinion, dated as of such date, of the counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and substance as is customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public offering and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the Holders requesting registration, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and to the Holders requesting registration of Registrable Securities and (ii) letters dated as of (x) the effective date of the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities and (y) the closing date of the offering, from the independent certified public accountants of the Company, in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the Holders requesting registration, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and to the Holders requesting registration of Registrable Securities.

2.8.     Furnish Information . It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to Sections 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5 that the selling Holders shall furnish to the Company such information regarding themselves, the Registrable Securities held by them and the intended method of disposition of such securities as shall be required to timely effect the Registration of their Registrable Securities.

2.9.     Indemnification . In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a registration statement under Sections 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5:

(a)     By the Company . To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its partners, officers, directors, legal counsel, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for such Holder and each person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to which they may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other United States federal or state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any of the following statements, omissions or violations (collectively a “ Violation ”):

(i)    any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in such registration statement, including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto;

(ii)    the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or

(iii)    any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any United States federal or state securities law, or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any United States federal or state securities law in connection with the offering covered by such registration statement;

 

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and the Company will reimburse each such Holder, its partner, officer, director, legal counsel, underwriter or controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them, as such expenses are incurred, in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided , however , that the indemnity agreement contained in this subsection 2.9(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), nor shall the Company be liable in any such case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished expressly for use in connection with such registration by such Holder, partner, officer, director, legal counsel, underwriter or controlling person of such Holder.

(b)     By Selling Holders . To the extent permitted by law, each selling Holder will, if Registrable Securities held by Holder are included in the securities as to which such registration qualifications or compliance is being effected, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who has signed the registration statement, each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, any underwriter and any other Holder selling securities under such registration statement or any of such other Holder’s partners, directors, officers, legal counsel or any person who controls such Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (joint or several) to which the Company or any such director, officer, legal counsel, controlling person, underwriter or other such Holder, partner or director, officer or controlling person of such other Holder may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other United States federal or state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent (and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished by such Holder expressly for use in connection with such registration; and each such Holder will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any such director, officer, controlling person, underwriter or other Holder, partner, officer, director or controlling person of such other Holder in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided , however , that the indemnity agreement contained in this subsection 2.9(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Holder, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; and provided , further , that in no event shall any indemnity under this Section 2.9(b) exceed the net proceeds received by such Holder in the registered offering out of which the applicable Violation arises.

(c)     Notice . Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 2.9 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental action), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 2.9, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the parties; provided , however , that an indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if representation of such indemnified party by the counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential conflict of interests between such indemnified party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall relieve such indemnifying party of liability to the indemnified party under this Section 2.9 to the extent the indemnifying party is prejudiced as a result thereof, but the omission to so deliver written notice to the indemnifying party will not relieve it of any liability that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 2.9.

 

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(d)     Contribution . In order to provide for just and equitable contribution to joint liability under the Securities Act in any case in which either (i) any indemnified party makes a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 2.9 but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Section 2.9 provides for indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Securities Act may be required on the part of any indemnified party in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under this Section 2.9; then, and in each such case, the indemnified party and the indemnifying party will contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which they may be subject (after contribution from others) in such proportion so that a Holder (together with its related persons) is responsible for the portion represented by the percentage that the public offering price of its Registrable Securities offered by and sold under the registration statement bears to the public offering price of all securities offered by and sold under such registration statement, and the Company and other selling Holders are responsible for the remaining portion. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by a court of law by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission; provided , however , that, in any such case: (A) no Holder will be required to contribute any amount in excess of the net proceeds to such Holder from the sale of all such Registrable Securities offered and sold by such Holder pursuant to such registration statement; and (B) no person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any person or entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

(e)     Survival; Consents to Judgments and Settlements . The obligations of the Company and Holders under this Section 2.9 shall survive the completion of any offering of Registrable Securities in a registration statement, regardless of the expiration of any statutes of limitation or extensions of such statutes. No indemnifying party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, shall, except with the consent of each indemnified party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.

 

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2.10.     No Registration Rights to Third Parties . Without the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the Preferred Shares then outstanding, the Company covenants and agrees that it shall not grant, or cause or permit to be created, for the benefit of any person or entity any registration rights of any kind (whether similar to the demand, “piggyback” or Form F-3 registration rights described in this Section 2, or otherwise) relating to any securities of the Company which are senior to, or on a parity with, those granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities.

2.11.     Rule 144 Reporting . With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the SEC which may at any time permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration or pursuant to a registration on Form F-3, after such time as a public market exists for the Ordinary Shares, the Company agrees to:

(a)    Make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, at all times after the effective date of the first registration under the Securities Act filed by the Company for an offering of its securities to the general public;

(b)    File with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements); and

(c)    So long as a Holder owns any Registrable Securities, to furnish to such Holder forthwith upon request (i) a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 (at any time after ninety (90) days after the effective date of the Company’s initial public offering), the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements), or its qualification as a registrant whose securities may be resold pursuant to Form F-3 (at any time after it so qualifies), (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and (iii) such other reports and documents of the Company as a Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the SEC that permits the selling of any such securities without registration or pursuant to Form F-3.

2.12.     Market Stand-Off . Each party agrees that, so long as it holds any voting securities of the Company, upon request by the Company or the underwriters managing the initial public offering of the Company’s securities, it will not sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any securities of the Company (other than those permitted to be included in the registration and other transfers to affiliates permitted by law) without the prior written consent of the Company or such underwriters, as the case may be, for a period of time specified by the representative of the underwriters not to exceed 180 days from the effective date of the registration statement covering such initial public offering or the pricing date of such offering as may be requested by the underwriters. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take all steps to shorten such lock-up period. The foregoing provision of this Section 2.12 shall not apply to the sale of any securities of the Company to an underwriter pursuant to any underwriting agreement, and shall only be applicable to the Holders if all other shareholders of the Company enter into similar agreements, and if the Company or any underwriter releases any other shareholder from his, her or its sale restrictions so undertaken, then each Holder shall be notified prior to such release and shall itself be simultaneously released to the same proportional extent. The Company shall require all future acquirers of the Company’s securities to execute prior to a Qualified Initial Public Offering a market stand-off agreement containing substantially similar provisions as those contained in this Section 2.12.

 

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2.13.     Termination of the Company s Obligations. The Company’s obligations under Sections 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 with respect to any Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by a Holder in a registration pursuant to Section 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5 shall terminate (i) on the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Qualified Initial Public Offering, (ii) upon the termination, liquidation, dissolution of the Company and Liquidation Event (as defined below) or (iii) if and when in the opinion of counsel to the Company, all such Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by a Holder may then be sold without registration in any ninety (90) day period pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

3.     RIGHT OF PARTICIPATION .

3.1.     General .

(a)    Any holder of Preferred Shares (hereinafter referred to as a “ Participation Rights Hol d er ”) shall have the right of first refusal to purchase such Participation Rights Holder’s Pro Rata Share (as defined below), of all (or any part) of any New Securities (as defined in Section 3.3) that the Company may from time to time issue after the date of the Original Shareholders Agreement (the “ Right of Participation ”).

3.2.     Pro Rata Share . A Participation Rights Holder’s “ Pro Rata Share ” for purposes of the Right of Participation is equal to the product obtained by multiplying (x) the aggregate number of the New Securities to be issued by the Company by (y) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares held by such Participation Rights Holder and the denominator of which is the total number of Ordinary Shares (calculated on a fully-diluted and as-converted basis) then outstanding immediately prior to the issuance of New Securities giving rise to the Right of Participation. For the purpose of this Agreement, “ fully-diluted ” means, with respect to the capitalization of the Company, all warrants, options and convertible securities of the Company are taken into account and assumed to be exercised.

3.3.     New Securities . “ New Securities ” shall mean any Preferred Shares, Ordinary Shares or other voting shares of the Company and rights, options or warrants to purchase such Preferred Shares, Ordinary Shares and securities of any type whatsoever that are, or may become, convertible or exchangeable into such Preferred Shares, Ordinary Shares or other voting shares, provided , however , that the term “New Securities” shall not include:

(a)    up to 28,400,000 Ordinary Shares (and/or options or warrants therefor) issued to employees, officers, directors, contractors, advisors or consultants of the Company pursuant to the Company’s employee share option plans approved by the Board (with the consent of the Investor director);

 

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(b)    any Ordinary Shares issued upon conversion or exercise of the Preferred Shares;

(c)    any securities issued in connection with any share split, share dividend or other similar event in which all Participation Rights Holders are entitled to participate on a pro rata basis;

(d)    any securities issued upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of any outstanding security if such outstanding security constituted a New Security prior to the Closing; or

(e)    any securities issued pursuant to a Qualified Initial Public Offering.

3.4.     Procedures.

(a)     First Participation Notice . In the event that the Company proposes to undertake an issuance of New Securities (in a single transaction or a series of related transactions), it shall give to each Participation Rights Holder written notice of its intention to issue New Securities (the “ First Participation Notice ”), describing the amount and type of New Securities, the price and the general terms upon which the Company proposes to issue such New Securities. Each Participation Rights Holder shall have thirty (30) days (the “ First Participation Period ”) from the date of receipt of any such First Participation Notice to agree in writing to purchase such Participation Rights Holder’s Pro Rata Share of such New Securities for the price and upon the terms and conditions specified in the First Participation Notice by giving written notice to the Company and stating therein the quantity of New Securities to be purchased (not to exceed such Participation Rights Holder’s Pro Rata Share). If any Participation Rights Holder fails to so agree in writing within the First Participation Period to purchase such Participation Rights Holder’s full Pro Rata Share of an offering of New Securities, then such Participation Rights Holder shall forfeit the right hereunder to purchase that part of its Pro Rata Share of such New Securities that it did not agree to purchase.

(b)     Second Participation Notice; Oversubscription . If any Participation Rights Holder fails or declines to exercise its Right of Participation in accordance with subsection (a) above, the Company shall promptly give notice (the “ Second Participation Notice ”) to other Participation Rights Holders who exercised their Right of Participation (the “ Right Participants ”) in accordance with subsection (a) above. Each Right Participant, other than a Participation Rights Holder who fails or declines to exercise its Right of Participation in accordance with subsection (a) above, shall have five (5) business days from the date of the Second Participation Notice (the “ Second Participation Period ”) to notify the Company of its desire to purchase more than its Pro Rata Share of the New Securities, stating the number of the additional New Securities it proposes to buy (the “ Additional Number ”). Such notice may be made by telephone if confirmed in writing within two (2) business days. If, as a result thereof, such oversubscription exceeds the total number of the remaining New Securities available for purchase, each oversubscribing Right Participant will be cut back by the Company with respect to its oversubscription to that number of remaining New Securities equal to the lesser of (x) the Additional Number and (y) the product obtained by multiplying (i) the number of the remaining New Securities available for subscription by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Ordinary Shares (calculated on a fully-diluted and as-converted basis) held by such oversubscribing Right Participant and the denominator of which is the total number of Ordinary Shares (calculated on a fully-diluted and as-converted basis) held by all the oversubscribing Right Participants. Each Right Participant shall be obligated to buy such number of New Securities as determined by the Company pursuant to this Section 3.4 and the Company shall so notify the Right Participants within fifteen (15) business days following the date of the Second Participation Notice.

 

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3.5.     Failure to Exercise . Upon the expiration of the Second Participation Period, or in the event no Participation Rights Holder exercises the Right of Participation within the First Participation Period, the Company shall have ninety (90) days thereafter to sell the New Securities described in the First Participation Notice (with respect to which the Right of Participation hereunder were not exercised) at the same or higher price and upon non-price terms not materially more favorable to the purchasers thereof than specified in the First Participation Notice. In the event that the Company has not issued and sold such New Securities within such ninety (90) day period, then the Company shall not thereafter issue or sell any New Securities without again first offering such New Securities to the Participation Rights Holders pursuant to this Section 3.

3.6.    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Banyan shall have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase for such number of New Securities in excess of its Pro Rata Share such that Banyan’s shareholding in the Company may be increased to up to fifteen percent (15%) immediately after such purchase of New Securities (on a fully-diluted and as-converted basis).

3.7.     Termination . The Right of Participation for each Participation Rights Holder shall terminate upon a Qualified Initial Public Offering or a Liquidation Event (as defined in Section 7).

4.     TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS .

4.1.     Certain Definitions . For purposes of this Section 4, “ Ordinary Shares ” means (i) the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares, (ii) the Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Company’s outstanding Preferred Shares, (iii) the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options or warrants and (iv) the Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of any outstanding convertible securities; “ Preferred Shareholder ” means each holder of the Preferred Shares and its permitted assignees to whom its rights under this Section 4 have been duly assigned in accordance with this Agreement; and “ Ordinary Shareholder ” means any holder of Ordinary Shares of the Company.

4.2.     Sale of Ordinary Shares; Notice of Sale. Subject to Section 4.6 of this Agreement, if the Founder and/or the Founder Holding Company (the “ Selling Shareholder ”) proposes to sell or transfer any Ordinary Shares held by it, then such Selling Shareholder shall promptly give written notice (the “ Transfer Notice ”) to the Company and each of the Preferred Shareholders (the “ Non-Selling Shareholders ”) prior to such sale or transfer. The Transfer Notice shall describe in reasonable detail the proposed sale or transfer including, without limitation, the number of Ordinary Shares to be sold or transferred (the “ Offered Shares ”), the nature of such sale or transfer, the consideration to be paid, and the name and address of each prospective purchaser or transferee.

 

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4.3.     Non Selling Shareholder s Right of First Refusal. The Non-Selling Shareholders shall have an option for a period of thirty (30) days (the “ First Refusal Period ”) from receipt of the Transfer Notice to elect to purchase the Offered Shares at the same price and subject to the same terms and conditions as described in the Transfer Notice. The Non-Selling Shareholders may exercise such purchase option and purchase all or any portion of the Offered Shares by notifying the Selling Shareholder in writing before expiration of the First Refusal Period as to the number of shares that it wishes to purchase. Each Non-Selling Shareholder will have the right, by delivery of written notice (the “ First Refusal Notice ”) to the Selling Shareholder, the Company and each other Non-Selling Shareholder within the First Refusal Period of its election to exercise its right of first refusal hereunder. The First Refusal Notice shall set forth the number of Offered Shares that such Non-Selling Shareholder wishes to purchase, which amount shall not exceed the First Refusal Allotment (as defined below) of such Non-Selling Shareholder. Such right of first refusal shall be exercised as follows:

(a)     First Refusal Allotment . Each Non-Selling Shareholder shall have the right to purchase that number of the Offered Shares (the “ First Refusal Allotment ”) equivalent to the product obtained by multiplying the aggregate number of the Offered Shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares held by such Non-Selling Shareholder at the time of the transaction and the denominator of which is the total number of Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares owned by all Non-Selling Shareholders at the time of the transaction who elect to participate in the right of first refusal purchase. A Non-Selling Shareholder shall not have a right to purchase any of the Offered Shares unless it exercises its right of first refusal within the First Refusal Period to purchase up to all of its First Refusal Allotment of the Offered Shares. To the extent that any Non-Selling Shareholder does not exercise its right of first refusal to the full extent of its First Refusal Allotment, the Selling Shareholder and the exercising Non-Selling Shareholders shall, at the exercising Non-Selling Shareholders’ sole discretion, within five (5) days after the end of the First Refusal Period, make such adjustment to the First Refusal Allotment of each exercising Non-Selling Shareholder so that any additional Offered Shares may be allocated to those Non-Selling Shareholders exercising their rights of first refusal on a pro rata basis.

(b)     Purchase Price and Payment . The purchase price for the Offered Shares to be purchased by the Non-Selling Shareholders exercising their right of first refusal will be the price set forth in the Transfer Notice, but will be payable as set forth below. If the purchase price in the Transfer Notice includes consideration other than cash, the cash equivalent value of the non-cash consideration will be as previously determined by the Board in good faith, which determination will be binding upon the Selling Shareholder and the Non-Selling Shareholders, absent fraud or error. Payment of the purchase price for the Offered Shares purchased by the Non-Selling Shareholders shall be made within ten (10) days following the date of the First Refusal Expiration Notice (as defined in the Section 4.3(c) below) by wire transfer or check as directed by the Selling Shareholder.

(c)     Expiration Notice . Within ten (10) days after the expiration of the First Refusal Period, the Company will give written notice (the “ First Refusal Expiration Notice ”) to the Selling Shareholder and the Non-Selling Shareholders specifying either (i) that all of the Offered Shares were subscribed by the Non-Selling Shareholders exercising their rights of first refusal, or (ii) that the Non-Selling Shareholders have not subscribed for all of the Offered Shares in which case the First Refusal Expiration Notice will specify the Co-Sale Pro Rata Portion (as defined below) of the remaining Offered Shares for the purpose of the co-sale right of the holders of the Preferred Shares described in the Section 4.4 below.

 

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(d)     Rights of a Selling Shareholder . If any Non-Selling Shareholder exercises its right of first refusal to purchase the Offered Shares, then, upon the date the notice of such exercise is given by the Non-Selling Shareholder, the Selling Shareholder will have no further rights as a holder of such Offered Shares except the right to receive payment for such Offered Shares from such Non-Selling Shareholder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and the Selling Shareholder will forthwith cause all certificate(s) evidencing such Offered Shares to be surrendered to the Company for transferring to such Non-Selling Shareholder.

4.4.     Preferred Shareholders Co -Sale Right . In the event that the Non-Selling Shareholders have not exercised their right of first refusal with respect to any or all of the Offered Shares, then the remaining Offered Shares not subscribed for under the right of first refusal pursuant to Section 4.3 above shall be subject to co-sale rights under this Section 4.4 and each Preferred Shareholder who have not exercised any of its right of first refusal with respect to the Offered Shares shall have the right, exercisable upon written notice to the Selling Shareholder, the Company and each other Preferred Shareholder (the “ Co-Sale Notice ”) within thirty (30) days after receipt of First Refusal Expiration Notice (the “ Co-Sale Right Period ”), to participate in such sale of the Offered Shares on the same terms and conditions as set forth in the Transfer Notice. The Co-Sale Notice shall set forth the number of Ordinary Shares (on both an absolute and as-converted to Ordinary Shares basis) that such participating Preferred Shareholder wishes to include in such sale or transfer, which amount shall not exceed the Co-Sale Pro Rata Portion (as defined below) of such Preferred Shareholder. To the extent one or more of the Preferred Shareholder exercise such right of participation in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below, the number of Ordinary Shares that such Selling Shareholder may sell in the transaction shall be correspondingly reduced. The co-sale right of each Preferred Shareholder shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a)     Co-Sale Pro Rata Portion . Each Preferred Shareholder may sell all or any part of that number of Ordinary Shares held by it that is equal to the product obtained by multiplying (x) the aggregate number of the Offered Shares subject to the co-sale right hereunder by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares owned by such Preferred Shareholder at the time of the sale or transfer and the denominator of which is the combined number of Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares at the time owned by all Preferred Shareholders who elect to exercise their co-sale rights and the Ordinary Shares (on an as-converted basis) owned by the Selling Shareholder at the time of the sale or transfer (“ Co-Sale Pro Rata Portion ”). If any Preferred Shareholder does not elect to exercise the co-sale right to the full extent then its Ordinary Shares (on an as-converted basis) for calculation in the numerator and denominator shall be proportionately reduced.

 

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(b)     Transferred Shares . Each participating Preferred Shareholder shall effect its participation in the sale by promptly delivering to the Selling Shareholder for transfer to the prospective purchaser one or more certificates, properly endorsed for transfer, which represent:

(i)    the number of Ordinary Shares which such Preferred Shareholder elects to sell;

(ii)    that number of Preferred Shares which is at such time convertible into the number of Ordinary Shares that such Preferred Shareholder elects to sell; provided in such case that, if the prospective purchaser objects to the delivery of Preferred Shares in lieu of Ordinary Shares, such Preferred Shareholder shall convert such Preferred Shares into Ordinary Shares and deliver Ordinary Shares as provided in Subsection 4.4(b)(i) above. The Company agrees to make any such conversion concurrent with the actual transfer of such shares to the purchaser; or

(iii)    a combination of the above.

(c)     Payment to Preferred Shareholders . The share certificate or certificates that the participating Preferred Shareholder delivers to the Selling Shareholder pursuant to Section 4.4(b) shall be transferred to the prospective purchaser in consummation of the sale of the Offered Shares pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in the Transfer Notice, and the Selling Shareholder shall concurrently therewith remit to such Preferred Shareholder that portion of the sale proceeds to which such Preferred Shareholder is entitled by reason of its participation in such sale. To the extent that any prospective purchaser or purchasers prohibits such assignment or otherwise refuses to purchase any shares or other securities from a Preferred Shareholder exercising its co-sale right hereunder, the Selling Shareholder shall not sell to such prospective purchaser or purchasers any Ordinary Shares unless and until, simultaneously with such sale, the Selling Shareholder shall purchase such shares or other securities from such Preferred Shareholder.

(d)     Right to Transfer . To the extent the Non-Selling Shareholders do not elect to purchase, or the Preferred Shareholders do not to participate in the sale of, any or all of the Offered Shares subject to the Transfer Notice, the Selling Shareholder may, not later than ninety (90) days following delivery to the Company and each of the Preferred Shareholders of the Transfer Notice, conclude a transfer of the Offered Shares covered by the Transfer Notice and not elected to be purchased by the Non-Selling Shareholders, which in each case shall be on substantially the same terms and conditions as those described in the Transfer Notice. Any proposed transfer on terms and conditions which are more favorable from those described in the Transfer Notice, as well as any subsequent proposed transfer of any Ordinary Shares by the Selling Shareholder, shall again be subject to the right of first refusal of the Non-Selling Shareholders and the co-sale right of the Preferred Shareholders and shall require compliance by the Selling Shareholder with the procedures described in Sections 4.3 and 4.4 of this Agreement.

4.5.     Permitted Transfers . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the right of first refusal and co-sale rights of the Non-Selling Shareholders and/or the Preferred Shareholders as set forth in the Section 4.3 and 4.4 above shall not apply to (a) any sale or transfer of Ordinary Shares to the Company pursuant to a repurchase right or right of first refusal held by the Company in the event of a termination of employment or consulting relationship, (b) any transfer to the parents, children, or spouse, or to trusts for the benefit of such persons, of any holder of Ordinary Shares for bona fide estate planning purposes, or (c) any transfer of securities under Section 1.05 of the Share Purchase Agreement (each transferee pursuant to the foregoing subsections (a) to (c) is hereafter referred as a “ Permitted Transferee ”); provided that adequate documentation therefor is provided to the Preferred Shareholders to their satisfaction and that any such Permitted Transferee agrees in writing to be bound by this Agreement in place of the relevant transferor.

 

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4.6.     Prohibited Transfers.     Except for transfers by the Founder and the Founder Holding Company to its Permitted Transferees as provided in Section 4.5 above, none of the Founder or his Founder Holding Company or their Permitted Transferees shall, without the prior written consent of the holders of more than two thirds (2/3) of the Series A Preferred Shares (or their permitted assigns), sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose through one or a series of transactions any Company securities held by him to any person on or prior to a Qualified Initial Public Offering. Any attempt by a party to sell or transfer Ordinary Shares in violation of this Section 4 shall be void and the Company hereby agrees it will not effect such a transfer nor will it treat any alleged transferee as the holder of such shares without the written consent of the Preferred Shareholders or its permitted assigns.

4.7.    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Section 4.3, 4.4 and 4.6 shall not apply to any proposed transfer of Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares converted from the Preferred Shares by the Investors, without prejudice to the rights of the certain Investor to purchase any Offered Shares to be transferred by any other shareholders pursuant to Section 4.3 and 4.4.

4.8.    The shareholders specifically agree that the restrictions with regard to the transfer of the Ordinary Shareholders’ shares in the Company as described under this Section 4 shall apply equally to transfer of the shares of the Founder Holding Company, as if each of the provisions under this Section 4 has been repeated under this Section 4.8 with regard to transfer of the shares of the Founder Holding Company except that the reference to the shares in the Company has been revised to refer to the shares in the Founder Holding Company.

4.9.     Restriction on Indirect Transfers . Except for transfers by the Founder of shares in the Founder Holding Company to its Permitted Transferees as provided in Section 4.5 above, without the prior written approval of the holders of more than two thirds (2/3) of the Series A Preferred Shares:

(a)    (i) the shareholders of the Founder Holding Company shall not, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose through one or a series of transactions any equity interest held, directly or indirectly, by him in the Founder Holding Company to any person; and (ii) the Founder Holding Company shall not, and the shareholders of the Founder Holding Company shall not cause the Founder Holding Company to, issue to any person any equity securities of the Founder Holding Company or any options or warrants for, or any other securities exchangeable for or convertible into, such equity securities of the Founder Holding Company.

 

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(b)    the shareholders of the Founder Holding Company, and the Founder Holding Company shall not, or shall not cause or permit any other person to, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose through one or a series of transactions any equity interest held or controlled by him or the Founder Holding Company respectively in the Company to any person.

(c)    Except in compliance with this Agreement, each Group Company shall not, and the Founder shall not (i) sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose through one or a series of transactions any equity interest held, directly or indirectly, by it and/or him in the Group Companies to any person; and (ii) cause any Group Company to, issue to any person any equity securities of such Group Company, or any options or warrants for, or any other securities exchangeable for or convertible into, such equity securities of such Group Company.

Any transfer or issuance in violation of this Section 4.9 shall be void and each of the Founder Holding Company and the Group Companies hereby agrees it will not effect such a transfer or issuance nor will it treat any alleged transferee or purchaser as the holder of such equity interest.

4.10.     Guarantees by the Indirect Shareholders. The Founder hereby guarantee and warrant the performance and obligations of the Founder Holding Company under this Agreement.

4.11.     Legend.

(a)    Each certificate representing the Ordinary Shares shall be endorsed with the following legend:

“THE SALE, PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATION OR TRANSFER OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN A SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.”

(b)    Each party agrees that the Company may instruct its transfer agent to impose transfer restrictions on the shares represented by certificates bearing the legend referred to in Section 4.11(a) above to enforce the provisions of this Agreement and the Company agrees to promptly do so. The legend shall be removed upon termination of the provisions of this Section 4.

4.12.     Term . The provisions under this Section 4 shall terminate upon the earlier of occurrence of (i) a Qualified Initial Public Offering, or (ii) a Liquidation Event as defined in Section 7 below.

 

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5.     DRAG-ALONG RIGHT .

5.1.    If at any time after the third (3 rd ) anniversary of the Closing Date (as defined in the Share Purchase Agreement), the holders of more than two thirds (2/3) of the aggregate number of Series A-2 Preferred Shares and Series A-3 Preferred Shares, voting as a single class, approve a proposed Acquisition (as defined below), and the implied per share price in such Acquisition is no less than five (5) times the Preferred Share Issue Price (as defined below), as adjusted for share dividends, splits, combinations, recapitalizations or similar events and are otherwise provided herein, then, in any such event, upon written notice from any such holders of Preferred Shares of the Company requesting them to do so, the holders of Ordinary Shares, directly or indirectly, shall (i) vote, or give their written consent with respect to, all the Ordinary Shares directly or indirectly held by them in favor of such proposed Acquisition and in opposition of any proposal that could reasonably be expected to delay or impair the consummation of any such proposed Acquisition; (ii) refrain from exercising any dissenters’ rights or rights of appraisal under applicable law at any time with respect to or in connection with such proposed Acquisition; and (iii) take all actions reasonably necessary to consummate the proposed Acquisition, including without limitation amending the then existing Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company; provided , however , the holders of Ordinary Shares may elect not to vote or give their consent with respect to, all the Ordinary Shares directly or indirectly held by them in favor of such proposed Acquisition, but in any such event, the holders of Ordinary Shares shall be obliged to purchase all the Ordinary Shares (on an as-converted basis) held by the holders of Preferred Shares, under the same terms and conditions as offered by the prospective purchaser of the proposed Acquisition.

For purposes of this Section 5, an “ Acquisition ” shall mean (i) a sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, (ii) a transfer or an exclusive licensing of all or substantially all of the intellectual property of the Company, (iii) a sale, transfer or other disposition of a majority of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Company or a majority of the voting power of the Company; or (iv) a merger, consolidation or other business combination of the Company with or into any other business entity in which the shareholders of the Company immediately after such merger, consolidation or business combination hold shares representing less than a majority of the voting power of the outstanding share capital of the surviving business entity.

5.2 The provisions under this Section 5 shall be terminated upon the occurrence of a Qualified Initial Public Offering.

6.     REDEMPTION.

6.1.     Redemption by the Company .

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, at any time after the earlier of (i) termination of the Founder’s full-time employment relationship with the Group Companies prior to a Qualified Initial Public Offering, (ii) June 30, 2020, if the Company has not consummated a Qualified Initial Public Offering due to the reason that the Founder of the Company disapproves or otherwise fails to approve a Qualified Initial Public Offering whilst the Company has satisfied, or is reasonably expected to satisfy the requirements necessary to consummate a Qualified Initial Public Offering, (iii) June 30, 2020, if the Company has not consummated a Qualified Initial Public Offering due to any reasons other than the reason set forth in the above subsection 6.1(ii), or (iv) any material breach by the Group Companies, the Founder and/or the Founder Holding Company of any representatives, warranties or covenants of the Transaction Documents (the “ Redemption Start Date ”), then subject to the applicable laws of the Cayman Islands and, if so requested by any holders of the Series A Preferred Shares, the Company and/or the Founder shall redeem all or part of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares in cash out of funds legally available therefore within two (2) months after the Company and/or the Founder receive the Redemption Notice from such holders of Series A Preferred Shares (the “ Redemption ”). The price at which each Series A Preferred Share shall be redeemed (the “ Redemption Price ”) shall be equal to the greatest of:

(1) IP ×(1+R×N) A, where

IP = applicable Preferred Share Issue Price (as defined in the Restated Articles);

 

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R = (a) 20%, if the Redemption is initiated pursuant to subsection 6.1(i); (b) 10%, if the Redemption is initiated pursuant to subsection 6.1(ii); (c) 15%, if the Redemption is initiated pursuant to Section 6.1(iii); (d) 12%, if the Redemption is initiated pursuant to subsection 6.1(iv)-(vi), as applicable.

N = a fraction the numerator of which is the number of calendar days between the original issue date of the relevant Series A Preferred Shares and the Redemption Date (as defined in below) and the denominator of which is 365,

A= all declared and paid dividends thereon up to the date of redemption, proportionally adjusted for share subdivisions, share dividends, reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations or mergers.

or

(2) (I) the product obtained by multiplying (x) the per share value of the Company which shall be determined through an independent appraisal performed by a qualified appraisal firm mutually agreed upon by all the relevant parties and (y) the amount of shares held by such holder of Preferred Shares, (II) minus all declared and paid dividends thereon up to the date of redemption, proportionally adjusted for share subdivisions, share dividends, reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations or mergers;

or

(3) (I) the product obtained by multiplying (x) the total amount of the net asset value of the Company and (y) the shareholding percentage of such holder of Preferred Shares in the Company, (II) minus all declared and paid dividends thereon up to the date of redemption, proportionally adjusted for share subdivisions, share dividends, reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations or mergers.

If the Company does not have sufficient cash or funds legally available to redeem all of the Series A Preferred Shares required to be redeemed, and the remainder shall be carried forward and redeemed as soon as the Company has legally available funds to do so.

 

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6.2.     Notice . A notice of redemption (a “ Redemption Notice ”) by such holder of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall be given by hand or by mail to the Company and/or the Founder at any time on or after the Redemption Start Date stating the date on which the Series A Preferred Shares are to be redeemed (the “ Redemption Date ”), provided, however, that the Redemption Date shall be no earlier than the date 30 days after such notice of redemption is given. Upon receipt of any such request, the Company and the Founder shall promptly give written notice of the redemption request to each non-requesting holder of record of Series A Preferred Shares stating the existence of such request, the Redemption Price, the Redemption Date and the mechanics of redemption. If on the Redemption Date, the number of Series A Preferred Shares that may then be legally redeemed by the Company and/or the Founder is less than the number of all Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed, then (i) the number of Series A Preferred Shares then redeemed shall be based ratably on all Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed, (ii) the remaining Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall be carried forward and redeemed as soon as the Company has legally available funds to do so, and (iii) the redemption amount with respect to the remaining Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall be paid to the holder of such Series A Preferred Shares bearing 3‰ daily interest until all the relevant redemption amount to such holder of Series A Preferred Shares has been fully paid. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no other securities of the Company shall be redeemed unless and until the Company and/or the Founder shall have redeemed all of the Series A Preferred Shares requested to be redeemed pursuant to this Section 6 and shall have paid all the Redemption Price for such Series A Preferred Shares requested to be redeemed payable pursuant to this Section 6.

6.3.     Surrender of Certificates . Before any holder of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled for redemption under the provisions of this Section 6, such holder shall surrender his or her certificate or certificates representing such Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed to the Company in the manner and at the place designated by the Company for that purpose, and the Redemption Price shall be payable on the Redemption Date to the order of the person whose name appears on such certificate or certificates as the owner of such shares and each such certificate shall be cancelled on the Redemption Date. In the event less than all the shares represented by any such certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be promptly issued representing the unredeemed shares. Unless there has been a default in payment of the applicable Redemption Price, upon cancellation of the certificate representing such Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed, all dividends on such Series A Preferred Shares designated for redemption on the relevant Redemption Date shall cease to accrue and all rights of the holders thereof, except the right to receive the Redemption Price thereof (including all accrued and unpaid dividend up to the relevant redemption date), without interest, shall cease and terminate and such Series A Preferred Shares shall cease to be issued shares of the Company. If the Company fails to redeem any Series A Preferred Shares for which redemption is requested, then during the period from the Redemption Date through the date on which such Series A Preferred Shares are actually redeemed and the Redemption Price is actually made, in full, such Preferred Shares shall continue to be outstanding and be entitled to all rights and preferences of Preferred Shares. After payment in full of the aggregate Redemption Price for all issued and outstanding Preferred Shares, all rights of the holders thereof as shareholders of the Company shall cease and terminate and such Series A Preferred Shares shall be cancelled.

 

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6.4.     Restriction on Distribution . If the Company fails (for whatever reason) to redeem any Series A Preferred Shares on its due date for redemption then, as from such date until the date on which the same are redeemed, the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend nor otherwise make any distribution of or otherwise decrease its profits available for distribution.

6.5.    To the extent permitted by law, the Company shall procure that the profits of each subsidiary and affiliate of the Company for the time being legally available for distribution shall be paid to it by way of dividend or otherwise if and to the extent that, but for such payment, the Company would not itself otherwise have sufficient profits available for distribution to make any redemption of Series A Preferred Shares required to be made pursuant to this Section 6.

6.6.    All references to “redemption by the Company” in this Section 6 shall be read as references to “redemption or purchase (as the case maybe) by the Company and the Founder”, provided that the Founder’s total liability in respect of the redemption obligation under this Section 6 in the aggregate shall be limited to the Ordinary Shares of the Company directly or indirectly held by the Founder.

6.7.    For the avoidance of any doubt, the provisions under this Section 6 shall be terminated upon the occurrence of a Qualified Initial Public Offering.

7.     LIQUIDATION.

7.1.     Liquidation Preference .

(a)    In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, prior to any distribution to the holders of Ordinary Shares or the holders of any other class or series of shares then outstanding, an amount per Preferred Share equal to (i) one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the applicable Preferred Share Issue Price (as defined in the Restated Articles), plus (ii) an amount accruing thereon at a compound annual rate of eight percent (8%) of the applicable Preferred Share Issue Price, plus (iii) all declared but unpaid dividends thereon (the “ Preferred Share Preference Amount ”). If the Company has insufficient assets to permit payment of the Preferred Share Preference Amount in full to all holders of Preferred Shares, then the assets of the Company shall be distributed ratably to the holders of the Preferred Shares in proportion to the full Preferred Share Preference Amount each such holder of Preferred Shares would otherwise be entitled to receive under this Section 7.1(a).

(b)    After the payment according to Section 7.1(a), any remaining funds or assets of the Company legally available for distribution to shareholders shall be distributed on a pro rata, pari passu basis among the holders of the Preferred Shares (on an as-converted basis), together with the holders of the Ordinary Shares.

7.2.    Any sale of shares, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction involving the Company in which its shareholders do not retain a majority of the voting power in the surviving or resulting entity, or a sale of all or substantially all the Company’s assets (the “ Liquidation Event ”, for avoidance of doubt, each transaction under the Acquisitions also referred herein as a Liquidation Event), shall be deemed a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, such that the provision of Section 7.1 shall apply as if all consideration received by the Company and its shareholders in connection with such event were being distributed in a liquidation of the Company. If the requirements of this Section 7 are not complied with, the Company shall forthwith either (i) cause such closing to be postponed until such time as the requirements of this Section 7 have been complied with, or (ii) cancel such transaction.

 

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7.3.    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 7, the Company may at any time, out of funds legally available therefor and subject to compliance with the provisions of the applicable laws of the Cayman Islands, repurchase Ordinary Shares of the Company issued to or held by employees, officers or consultants of the Company or its subsidiaries upon termination of their employment or services, pursuant to any bona fide agreement providing for such right of repurchase, whether or not dividends on the Preferred Shares shall have been declared.

7.4.    In the event the Company proposes to distribute assets other than cash in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the value of the assets to be distributed to the holders of Preferred Shares and Ordinary Shares shall be that as determined in good faith by the liquidator or, in the case of any proposed distribution in connection with a transaction which is a deemed liquidation hereunder, by the Board, which decision shall include the affirmative vote of the Investor Director. Any securities not subject to investment letter or similar restrictions on free marketability shall be valued as follows:

 

  (i)

If traded on a securities exchange, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the security’s closing prices on such exchange over the thirty (30) day period ending one (1) day prior to the distribution;

 

  (ii)

If actively traded over-the-counter, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the closing bid prices over the thirty (30) day period ending three (3) days prior to the distribution; and

 

  (iii)

If there is no active public market, the value shall be the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the liquidator or, in the case of any proposed distribution in connection with a transaction which is a deemed liquidation hereunder, by the Board.

The method of valuation of securities subject to restrictions on free marketability shall be adjusted to make an appropriate discount from the market value determined as above in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) to reflect the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the liquidator or, in the case of any proposed distribution in connection with a transaction which is a deemed liquidation hereunder, by the Board. The holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the Preferred Shares, shall have the right to challenge any determination by the liquidator or the Board, as the case may be, of fair market value pursuant to this Section 7, in which case the determination of fair market value shall be made by an independent appraiser selected jointly by the liquidator or the Board, as the case may be, and the challenging parties, the cost of such appraisal to be borne equally by the Company and the challenging party.

 

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7.5.    For the avoidance of any doubt, the provisions under this Section 7 shall be terminated upon the occurrence of a Qualified Initial Public Offering.

8.     ASSIGNMENT AND AMENDMENT.

8.1.     Assignment and Amen dment . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary:

(a)     Information Rights; Registration Rights . The Information and Inspection Rights under Section 1 may be assigned to any holder of Preferred Shares; and the registration rights of the Holders under Section 2 may be assigned to any Holder or to any person acquiring Registrable Securities, provided , however , that in either case no party may be assigned any of the foregoing rights unless the Company is given written notice by the assigning party stating the name and address of the assignee and identifying the securities of the Company as to which the rights in question are being assigned; provided further , that any such assignee shall receive such assigned rights subject to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including without limitation the provisions of this Section 8.

(b)     Right of Participation; Right of First Refusal; Co-Sale Right . The rights of the Preferred Shareholder under Sections 3 and 4 are fully assignable in connection with a transfer of shares of the Company by such Preferred Shareholder; provided , however , that no party may be assigned any of the foregoing rights unless the Company is given written notice by the Preferred Shareholder stating the name and address of the assignee and identifying the securities of the Company as to which the rights in question are being assigned; and provided further , that any such assignee shall receive such assigned rights subject to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

8.2.     Amendment of Rights . Any provision in this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only by the written consent of (i) as to the Company, only by the Company; (ii) as to the holders of Preferred Shares, by the holders of more than two thirds (2/3) of the Preferred Shares and their permitted assigns; provided , however , that any holder of Preferred Shares may waive any of its rights hereunder without obtaining the consent of any other holders of Preferred Shares or their assigns; and (iii) as to the holders of Ordinary Shares, by persons or entities holding a majority of the Ordinary Shares and their assigns; provided , however , that any holder of Ordinary Shares may waive any of its rights hereunder without obtaining the consent of any other holders of Ordinary Shares or their assigns. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 8.2 shall be binding upon the Company, the holders of Preferred Shares, the holders of Ordinary Shares and their respective assigns.

9.     CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON -DISCLOSURE .

9.1.     Disclosure of Terms . The terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Share Purchase Agreement, and all exhibits attached to such agreements (collectively, the “ Financing Terms ”), including their existence, shall be considered confidential information and shall not be disclosed by any party hereto to any third party except in accordance with the provisions set forth below; provided that such confidential information shall not include any information that is in the public domain other than caused by the breach of the confidentiality obligations hereunder.

 

29


9.2.     Press Releases, Etc . Any press release issued by the Company shall not disclose any of the Financing Terms and the final form of such press release shall be approved in advance in writing by the Investors. No other announcement regarding any of the Financing Terms in a press release, conference, advertisement, announcement, professional or trade publication, mass marketing materials or otherwise to the general public may be made without the Investors’ prior written consent.

9.3.     Permitted Disclosures . Notwithstanding the foregoing, any party may disclose any of the Financing Terms to its current or bona fide prospective investors, employees, investment bankers, lenders, partners, accountants and attorneys, in each case only where such persons or entities have the need to know such information and are subject to appropriate nondisclosure obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Investors shall be entitled to disclose the Financing Terms for the purposes of fund reporting or inter-fund reporting or to their fund manager, other funds managed by their fund manager and their respective auditors, counsel, directors, officers, employees, shareholders or investors have the need to know such information and are subject to appropriate nondisclosure obligations.

9.4.     Legally Compelled Disclosure . In the event that any party is requested or becomes legally compelled (including without limitation, pursuant to securities laws and regulations) to disclose the existence of this Agreement and the Share Purchase Agreement, any of the exhibits attached to such agreements, or any of the Financing Terms hereof in contravention of the provisions of this Section 9, such party (the “ Disclosing party ”) shall provide the other parties (the “ Non-Disclosing Parties ”) with prompt written notice of that fact and use all reasonable efforts to seek (with the cooperation and reasonable efforts of the other parties) a protective order, confidential treatment or other appropriate remedy. In such event, the Disclosing party shall furnish only that portion of the information which is legally required to be disclosed and shall exercise reasonable efforts to keep confidential such information to the extent reasonably requested by any Non-Disclosing party.

9.5.     Other Information . The provisions of this Section 9 shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for, the provisions of any separate nondisclosure agreement executed by any of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.

9.6.     Notices . All notices required under this section shall be made pursuant to Section 11.1 of this Agreement.

10.     PROTECTIVE PROVISIONS .

10.1.     Approv al by Shareholders . In addition to such other limitations as may be provided in the Restated Articles, for so long as any Preferred Shares are outstanding, the following acts of the Company shall require the prior written approval of the holders of at least two thirds (2/3) of the Preferred Shares, or the written approval of at least seventy five percent (75%) of the directors of the Board including the approval of the Investor Director, as the case maybe.

 

30


(a)    any amendment or change of the rights, preferences, privileges or powers of, or the restrictions provided for the benefit of the Preferred Shares;

(b)     any action that authorizes, creates or issues any class of the Company securities having preferences superior to or on a parity with the Preferred Shares; increase, decrease or otherwise change the share capital of the Company;

(c)    any action that reclassifies any outstanding shares into shares having preferences or priority as to dividends or assets superior to or on a parity with the preference of the Preferred Shares;

(d)    any issuance or sale of any equity or debt securities of the Company, excluding (i) any issuance of Ordinary Shares upon conversion of the Preferred Shares, and (ii) the issuance of Ordinary Shares (or options or warrants therefor) under employee equity incentive plans approved by the Board (including the affirmative vote of the Investor director);

(e)    any action that repurchases, redeems or retires any of the Company’s voting securities (excluding pursuant to contractual rights to repurchase Ordinary Shares or preferred shares held by employees, directors or consultants of the Company or its subsidiaries upon termination of their employment or services, or pursuant to the exercise of a contractual right of first refusal held by the Company);

(f)    any consolidation, merger, corporate reorganization, transaction or series of transactions, in which in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s voting power is transferred or in which all or substantially all the assets of the Company are sold;

(g)    any increase in the maximum number of shares covered by the ESOP (as defined in the Share Purchase Agreement) or any other similar plans, or any settlement or alteration of the terms of any profit sharing scheme or any employee share option or share participation schemes;

(h)    the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company;

(i)    the declaration or payment of any dividend or other distribution on any Ordinary Shares of the Company, or on any shares of the Company’s subsidiaries, as the case maybe;

(j)    provide any loan by the Company to any director, management or employee of the Company;

(k)    any transaction or series of transactions between the Company and any holder of Ordinary Shares, director, officer or employee of the Company, or any affiliate of the Company or any of its officers, directors or employees in excess of US$100,000;

 

31


(l)    any other event which may negatively affect the Investors’ rights, preferences, privileges or powers herein, or in the Restated Articles, or Share Purchase Agreement; or

(m)    agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.

10.2.    For the avoidance of any doubt, the provisions under this Section 10 shall be terminated upon the occurrence of a Qualified Initial Public Offering.

11.     GENERAL PROVISIONS .

11.1.     Notices . Except as may be otherwise provided herein, all notices, requests, waivers and other communications made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be conclusively deemed to have been duly given (a) when hand delivered to the other party, upon delivery; (b) when sent by facsimile at the number set forth in Exhibit A hereto, upon receipt of confirmation of error-free transmission; (c) seven (7) business days after deposit in the mail as air mail or certified mail, receipt requested, postage prepaid and addressed to the other party as set forth in Exhibit A ; or (d) three (3) business days after deposit with an international overnight delivery service, postage prepaid, addressed to the parties as set forth in Exhibit A with next business day delivery guaranteed, provided that the sending party receives a confirmation of delivery from the delivery service provider. Each person making a communication hereunder by facsimile shall promptly confirm by telephone to the person to whom such communication was addressed each communication made by it by facsimile pursuant hereto but the absence of such confirmation shall not affect the validity of any such communication. A party may change or supplement the addresses given above, or designate additional addresses, for purposes of this Section 10.1 by giving the other party written notice of the new address in the manner set forth above.

11.2.     Entire Agreement . The Transaction Documents (as defined in the Share Purchase Agreement), together with all the exhibits hereto and thereto, constitute and contain the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior negotiations, correspondence, agreements, understandings, duties or obligations between the parties respecting the subject matter hereof, including without limitation, the letters of undertaking respectively issued to each of the parties hereto in January 2019. Capitalized terms which are not defined hereinto shall have the same meaning as such in the Share Purchase Agreement.

11.3.     Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the Hong Kong, without giving effect to any choice of law rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the Hong Kong to the rights and duties of the parties hereunder.

11.4.     Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, then such provision shall be construed, to the extent feasible, so as to render the provision enforceable and to provide for the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby on substantially the same terms as originally set forth herein, and if no feasible interpretation would save such provision, it shall be severed from the remainder of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect unless the severed provision is essential to the rights or benefits intended by the parties. In such event, the parties shall use best efforts to negotiate, in good faith, a substitute, valid and enforceable provision or agreement which most nearly effects the parties’ intent in entering into this Agreement.

 

32


11.5.     Third Parties . Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any person, other than the parties hereto and their permitted successors and assigns any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

11.6.     Successors and Assigns . Subject to the provisions of Section 8.1, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto.

11.7.     Interpretation; Captions . This Agreement shall be construed according to its fair language. The rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in interpreting this Agreement. The captions to sections of this Agreement have been inserted for identification and reference purposes only and shall not be used to construe or interpret this Agreement. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all references to Sections and Exhibits herein are to Sections and Exhibits of this Agreement.

11.8.     Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile or other electronic signature and in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

11.9.     Adjustments for Share Splits, Etc . Wherever in this Agreement there is a reference to a specific number of shares of Preferred Shares or Ordinary Shares of the Company, then, upon the occurrence of any subdivision, combination or share dividend of the Preferred Shares or Ordinary Shares, the specific number of shares so referenced in this Agreement shall automatically be proportionally adjusted to reflect the effect on the outstanding shares of such class or series of shares by such subdivision, combination or share dividend.

11.10.     Aggregation of Shares . All Preferred Shares or Ordinary Shares held or acquired by affiliated entities or persons (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) shall be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the availability of any rights under this Agreement.

11.11.     Shareholders Agreement to Control . If and to the extent that there are inconsistencies between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Restated Articles, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail. The parties agree to take all actions necessary or advisable, as promptly as practicable after the discovery of such inconsistency, to amend the Restated Articles so as to eliminate such inconsistency.

 

33


11.12.     Dispute Resolution .

(a)     Negotiation Between Parties; Mediation . The parties agree to negotiate in good faith to resolve any dispute between them regarding this Agreement. If the negotiations do not resolve the dispute to the reasonable satisfaction of all parties within thirty (30) days, Section 11.12(b) shall apply.

(b)     Arbitration . In the event the parties are unable to settle a dispute between them regarding this Agreement in accordance with subsection (a) above, such dispute shall be referred to and finally settled by arbitration at Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre in accordance with the HKIAC Rules in effect, which rules are deemed to be incorporated by reference into this subsection (b).

11.13.      Reorganization of PRC Affiliate . For the purpose of the Qualified Initial Public Offering of the Company, the Investors (excluding Banyan Partners Fund II, L.P.) and the Individual Shareholders agree to transfer at a nominal price to the Founder all the shares they directly or indirectly hold in the PRC Affiliate. All the Investors (excluding Banyan Partners Fund II, L.P.) and Individual Shareholders shall not and shall cause their affiliates or any other party designated to hold any share in the PRC Affiliate on their behalf not to, require the Founder to pay any price greater than nominal price for such transfer of shares in the PRC Affiliate, notwithstanding anything contrary in any other agreement, oral or in writing, reached by the shareholders of the PRC Affiliate.

11.14.     Further Actions . Each shareholder of the Company agrees that it shall use its best effort to enhance and increase the value and principal business of the Company.

11.15.    The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that, (i) with effect from the date hereof, the provisions under Sections 5.03, 5.04, 5.06, 5.08, 5.14, 5.26, 5.27 and 5.31 of the Share Purchase Agreement shall be terminated and the parties to the Share Purchase Agreement shall be released or exempted from all and any obligations or liabilities under these sections of the Share Purchase Agreement; (ii) there has been no breach of any provisions under any Transaction Documents on the part of any party thereto prior to the execution of this Agreement; (iii) unless otherwise provided under this Agreement, all the parties hereto shall be released and exempted from all and any obligations or liabilities under the Original Shareholders Agreement; and (iv) if and to the extent there is any conflict between this Agreement and the Original Shareholders Agreement or Share Purchase Agreement, the provisions under this Agreement shall control and prevail.

11.16.     Effective Date . This Agreement should take effect and become binding on and enforceable against the parties hereto upon due execution of this Agreement.

— —REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK— —

 

34


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

THE GROUP COMPANIES:
GSX Techedu Inc.
By:  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong                        

Name:   Chen Xiangdong
Title:   Director
BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd.
By:  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong

Name:   Chen Xiangdong
Title:   Director
BaiJiaHuLian HK Holdings Limited
By:  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong

Name:   Chen Xiangdong
Title:   Director
Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd. ( 北京乐学帮网络技术有限公司 )
(/s/ Seal of Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd.)
By:  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong

Name:   Chen Xiangdong
Title:   Legal Representative
Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd. (北京百家互联科技有限公司)
(/s/ Seal of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd.)
By:  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong

Name:   Chen Xiangdong
Title:   Legal Representative

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

THE FOUNDER HOLDING COMPANY:
Ebetter International Group Limited
By:  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong                                        

Name:   Chen Xiangdong
Title:   Director
THE BVI COMPANIES:
BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd.
By:  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong

Name:   Chen Xiangdong
Title:   Director
Huai Yuan Group Limited
By:  

/s/ Zhang Huaiting

Name:   Zhang Huaiting
Title:   Director
Su Wei Group Limited
By:  

/s/ Su Wei

Name:   Su Wei
Title:   Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

THE BVI COMPANIES:
Jenny and Jerry International Limited
By:  

/s/ Li Gangjiang                                

Name:   Li Gangjiang
Title:   Director
Rolancy International Limited
By:  

/s/ Luo Bin

Name:   Luo Bin
Title:   Director
Super Energy Global Limited
By:  

/s/ Song Yuxiao

Name:   Song Yuxiao
Title:   Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

ABUNDENT DELIGHT LIMITED
By:  

/s/ Ma Cuilan                                

Name:   Ma Cuilan
Title:   Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

THE FOUNDER:
By:  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong                    

Name:   Chen Xiangdong ( 陈向东 )
THE INDIVIDUAL SHAREHOLDERS:
By:  

/s/ Zhang Huaiting

Name:   Zhang Huaiting ( 张怀亭 )
By:  

/s/ Su Wei

Name:   Su Wei ( 苏伟 )
By:  

/s/ Li Gangjiang

Name:   Li Gangjiang ( 李钢江 )
By:  

/s/ Luo Bin

Name:   Luo Bin ( 罗斌 )
By:  

/s/ Song Yuxiao

Name:   Song Yuxiao ( 宋欲晓 )

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

THE ANGEL INVESTOR, SERIES A-0 INVESTOR AND SERIES A-2 INVESTOR:
QFcapital Limited
By:  

/s/ Gu Kai                                                     

Name:   Gu Kai
Title:   Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

SERIES A-1 INVESTOR:
BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd.
By:  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong                    

Name:   Chen Xiangdong
Title:   Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

SERIES A-2 INVESTOR AND SERIES A-3 INVESTOR:
ROGER INTERNATIONAL VENTURE LIMITED
By:  

/s/ Hou Haoxiang                

Name:   Hou Haoxiang
Title:   Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

SERIES A-2 INVESTOR:
JSR Limited
By:  

/s/ Ji Dongmei                    

Name:   Ji Dongmei
Title:   Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

SERIES A-2 INVESTOR:
JPXC LIMITED
By:  

/s/ Hou Haoxiang                

Name:   Hou Haoxiang
Title:   Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

SERIES A-2 INVESTOR AND SERIES A-3 INVESTOR:
QF Group Limited
By:  

/s/ Fu Zhekuan                                             

Name:   Fu Zhekuan
Title:   Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

SERIES A-3 INVESTOR:
Banyan Partners Fund II, L.P.
By: Banyan Partners II Ltd.
By:  

/s/ Anthony Wu                    

Name:   Anthony Wu
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

SIGNATURE PAGE OF SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

ORIGIN BEYOND:
Origin Beyond Limited
By:  

/s/ Peter Goddard                        

Name:   Peter Goddard
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

SIGNATURE PAGE OF SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

IREFRESH FUTURE:
Irefresh Future Limited
By:  

/s/ Peter Goddard                        

Name:   Peter Goddard
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

SIGNATURE PAGE OF SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT


SCHEDULE I

Individual Shareholders

 

                                         NAME                                         

  

PRC ID NO.

Zhang Huaiting ( 张怀亭 )    [    ]
Su Wei ( 苏伟 )    [    ]
Li Gangjiang ( 李钢江 )    [    ]
Luo Bin ( 罗斌 )    [    ]
Song Yuxiao ( 宋欲晓 )    [    ]

 

SCHEDULE I


SCHEDULE II

Investors

A         Series A-1 Investor

 

No.

  

Series A-1 Investor

  

Number of Series  A-1
Preferred Shares

1    BaiJiaHuLian Co., Ltd.    1,054,837
2    Ebetter International Group Limited    1,925,789
3    Origin Beyond Limited    2,324,438

B         Series A-2 Investors

 

No.

  

Series A-2 Investors

   Number of Series A-2
Preferred Shares
1.    ROGER INTERNATIONAL VENTURE LIMITED    2,375,254
2.    JSR Limited    1,666,219
3.    JPXC LIMITED    1,487,246
4.    QF Group Limited    1,875,000
5.    QFcapital Limited    1,250,000
6.    Ebetter International Group Limited    1,666,219

C         Series A-3 Investor

 

No.

  

Series A-3 Investor

   Number of Series A-3
Preferred Shares
1.    Banyan Partners Fund II, L.P.    9,375,000
2.    Ebetter International Group Limited    2,500,000
3.    QF Group Limited    3,125,000
4.    ROGER INTERNATIONAL VENTURE LIMITED    625,000

 

SCHEDULE II

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO

Our ref             KKZ/754680-000001/14641416v3

GSX Techedu Inc.

Tower C, Beyondsoft Bldg.,

7 East Zone, 10 Xibeiwang E. Road,

Haidian District, Beijing

People’s Republic of China

8 May 2019

Dear Sirs

GSX Techedu Inc.

We have acted as Cayman Islands legal advisers to GSX Techedu Inc. (the “ Company ”) in connection with the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1, including all amendments or supplements thereto (the “ Registration Statement ”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended to date relating to the offering by the Company of certain American depositary shares (the “ ADSs ”) representing the Company’s Class A Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each (the “ Shares ”).

We are furnishing this opinion as Exhibits 5.1, 8.1 and 23.2 to the Registration Statement.

 

1

Documents Reviewed

For the purposes of this opinion, we have reviewed only originals, copies or final drafts of the following documents:

 

1.1

The certificate of incorporation of the Company dated 11 August 2014 and the certificate of incorporation on change of name of the Company dated 31 January 2019 issued by the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands.

 

1.2

The second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company as adopted by special resolution on 14 March 2019 (the “ Pre -IPO Memorandum and Articles ”).

 

LOGO


1.3

The third amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company as conditionally adopted by a special resolution passed on 7 May 2019 and effective immediately prior to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering of the ADSs representing the Shares (the “ IPO Memorandum and Articles ”).

 

1.4

The written resolutions of the directors of the Company dated 7 May 2019 (the “ Directors’ Resolutions ”).

 

1.5

The written resolutions of the shareholders of the Company dated on 7 May 2019 (the “ Shareholders’ Resolutions ”).

 

1.6

A certificate from a director of the Company, a copy of which is attached hereto (the “ Director’s Certificate ”).

 

1.7

A certificate of good standing dated 2 May 2019, issued by the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands (the “ Certificate of Good Standing ”).

 

1.8

The Registration Statement.

 

2

Assumptions

The following opinions are given only as to, and based on, circumstances and matters of fact existing and known to us on the date of this opinion letter. These opinions only relate to the laws of the Cayman Islands which are in force on the date of this opinion letter. In giving these opinions we have relied (without further verification) upon the completeness and accuracy, as of the date of this opinion letter, of the Director’s Certificate and the Certificate of Good Standing. We have also relied upon the following assumptions, which we have not independently verified:

 

2.1

Copies of documents, conformed copies or drafts of documents provided to us are true and complete copies of, or in the final forms of, the originals.

 

2.2

All signatures, initials and seals are genuine.

 

2.3

There is nothing under any law (other than the law of the Cayman Islands), which would or might affect the opinions set out below.

 

3

Opinion

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set out below and having regard to such legal considerations as we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:

 

3.1

The Company has been duly incorporated as an exempted company with limited liability and is validly existing and in good standing with the Registrar of Companies under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

3.2

The authorised share capital of the Company, with effect immediately prior to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering of the ADSs representing the Shares, will be US$100,000 divided into (i) 800,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each, (ii) 100,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each, and (iii) 100,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the board of directors may determine in accordance with the IPO Memorandum and Articles.

 

2


3.3

The issue and allotment of the Shares have been duly authorised and when allotted, issued and paid for as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Shares will be legally issued and allotted, fully paid and non-assessable. As a matter of Cayman law, a share is only issued when it has been entered in the register of members (shareholders).

 

3.4

The statements under the caption “Taxation” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement, to the extent that they constitute statements of Cayman Islands law, are accurate in all material respects and that such statements constitute our opinion.

 

4

Qualifications

In this opinion the phrase “non-assessable” means, with respect to shares in the Company, that a shareholder shall not, solely by virtue of its status as a shareholder, be liable for additional assessments or calls on the shares by the Company or its creditors (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).

Except as specifically stated herein, we make no comment with respect to any representations and warranties which may be made by or with respect to the Company in any of the documents or instruments cited in this opinion or otherwise with respect to the commercial terms of the transactions the subject of this opinion.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our name under the headings “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities”, “Taxation” and “Legal Matters” and elsewhere in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Yours faithfully

 

/s/ Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP

Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP

 

3


Director’s Certificate

8 May 2019

 

To:

Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP

    

53/F, The Center

    

99 Queen’s Road Central

    

Central, Hong Kong

Dear Sirs

GSX Techedu Inc. (the “Company”)

I, the undersigned, being a director of the Company, am aware that you are being asked to provide a legal opinion (the “ Opinion ”) in relation to certain aspects of Cayman Islands law. Capitalised terms used in this certificate have the meaning given to them in the Opinion. I hereby certify that:

 

1

The Pre-IPO Memorandum and Articles remain in full force and effect and, except as amended by the Shareholders’ Resolutions adopting the IPO Memorandum and Articles, are otherwise unamended.

 

2

The Directors’ Resolutions were duly passed in the manner prescribed in the Pre-IPO Memorandum and Articles (including, without limitation, with respect to the disclosure of interests (if any) by each director of the Company) and have not been amended, varied or revoked in any respect.

 

3

The Shareholders’ Resolutions were duly passed in the manner prescribed in the Pre-IPO Memorandum and Articles and have not been amended, varied or revoked in any respect.

 

4

The authorised share capital of the Company is US$50,000 consisting of 500,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each, of which: (i) 464,374,998 are designated as ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each, (ii) 4,375,000 are designated as series A-0 convertible redeemable preferred shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each, (iii) 5,305,064 are designated as series A-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each, (iv) 10,319,938 are designated as series A-2 convertible redeemable preferred shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each, and (v) 15,625,000 are designated as series A-3 convertible redeemable preferred shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each.

 

5

The authorised share capital of the Company, with effect immediately prior to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering of the ADSs representing the Shares, will be US$100,000 divided into (i) 800,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each, (ii) 100,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each, and (iii) 100,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the board of directors may determine in accordance with the IPO Memorandum and Articles.


6

The shareholders of the Company have not restricted or limited the powers of the directors in any way and there is no contractual or other prohibition (other than as arising under Cayman Islands law) binding on the Company prohibiting it from issuing and allotting the Shares or otherwise performing its obligations under the Registration Statement.

 

7

The directors of the Company at the date of the Director’s Resolutions and at the date hereof were and are:

Chen Xiangdong

Zhang Huaiting

Zhang Zhen

 

8

Each director of the Company considers the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement to be of commercial benefit to the Company and has acted bona fide in the best interests of the Company, and for a proper purpose of the Company in relation to the transactions the subject of the Opinion.

 

9

To the best of my knowledge and belief, having made due inquiry, the Company is not the subject of legal, arbitral, administrative or other proceedings in any jurisdiction that would have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Company. Nor have the directors or shareholders taken any steps to have the Company struck off or placed in liquidation, nor have any steps been taken to wind up the Company. Nor has any receiver been appointed over any of the Company’s property or assets.

 

10

Upon the completion of the Company’s initial public offering of the ADSs representing the Shares, the Company will not be subject to the requirements of Part XVIIA of the Companies Law (2018 Revision).

I confirm that you may continue to rely on this Certificate as being true and correct on the day that you issue the Opinion unless I shall have previously notified you personally to the contrary.

[ signature page follows ]


Signature:    

/s/ Xiangdong Chen

Name:   Xiangdong Chen
Title:   Director

[Signature Page to Director’s Certificate]

Exhibit 10.1

GSX Techedu Inc.

Share Incentive Plan

ARTICLE 1

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Plan is to promote the success and enhance the value of GSX Techedu Inc., an exempted company formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “ Company ”), by linking the personal interests of the Directors, Employees, and Consultants to those of the Company’s shareholders and by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance to generate superior returns to the Company’s shareholders.

ARTICLE 2

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.

2.1    “ Applicable Laws ” means the legal requirements relating to the Plan and the Awards under applicable provisions of the corporate, securities, tax and other laws, rules, regulations and government orders, and the rules of any applicable stock exchange or national market system, of any jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to residents therein.

2.2    “ Award ” means an Option, Restricted Share, Restricted Share Units or other types of award approved by the Committee granted to a Participant pursuant to the Plan.

2.3    “ Award Agreement ” means any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, including through electronic medium.

2.4    “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.5    “ Cause ” with respect to a Participant means (unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, or another applicable contract with the Participant that defines such term for purposes of determining the effect that a “for cause” termination has on the Participant’s Awards) a termination of employment or service based upon a finding by the Service Recipient, acting in good faith and based on its reasonable belief at the time, that the Participant:

(a)    has been negligent in the discharge of his or her duties to the Service Recipient, has refused to perform stated or assigned duties or is incompetent in or (other than by reason of a disability or analogous condition) incapable of performing those duties;

 

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(b)    has been dishonest or committed or engaged in an act of theft, embezzlement or fraud, a breach of confidentiality, an unauthorized disclosure or use of inside information, customer lists, trade secrets or other confidential information;

(c)    has breached a fiduciary duty, or willfully and materially violated any other duty, law, rule, regulation or policy of the Service Recipient; or has been convicted of, or plead guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or misdemeanor (other than minor traffic violations or similar offenses);

(d)    has materially breached any of the provisions of any agreement with the Service Recipient;

(e)    has engaged in unfair competition with, or otherwise acted intentionally in a manner injurious to the reputation, business or assets of, the Service Recipient; or

(f)    has improperly induced a vendor or customer to break or terminate any contract with the Service Recipient or induced a principal for whom the Service Recipient acts as agent to terminate such agency relationship.

A termination for Cause shall be deemed to occur (subject to reinstatement upon a contrary final determination by the Committee) on the date on which the Service Recipient first delivers written notice to the Participant of a finding of termination for Cause.

2.6    “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 of the United States, as amended.

2.7    “ Committee ” means a committee of the Board described in Article 10.

2.8    “ Consultant ” means any consultant or adviser if: (a) the consultant or adviser renders bona fide services to a Service Recipient; (b) the services rendered by the consultant or adviser are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities; and (c) the consultant or adviser is a natural person who has contracted directly with the Service Recipient to render such services.

2.9    “ Corporate Transaction ”, unless otherwise defined in an Award Agreement, means any of the following transactions, provided, however, that the Committee shall determine under (d) and (e) whether multiple transactions are related, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive:

(a)    an amalgamation, arrangement or consolidation or scheme of arrangement (i) in which the Company is not the surviving entity, except for a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the jurisdiction in which the Company is incorporated or (ii) following which the holders of the voting securities of the Company do not continue to hold more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity;

(b)    the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;

 

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(c)    the complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

(d)    any reverse takeover or series of related transactions culminating in a reverse takeover (including, but not limited to, a tender offer followed by a reverse takeover) in which the Company is the surviving entity but (A) the Company’s equity securities outstanding immediately prior to such takeover are converted or exchanged by virtue of the takeover into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise, or (B) in which securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities are transferred to a person or persons different from those who held such securities immediately prior to such takeover or the initial transaction culminating in such takeover, but excluding any such transaction or series of related transactions that the Committee determines shall not be a Corporate Transaction; or

(e)    acquisition in a single or series of related transactions by any person or related group of persons (other than the Company or by a Company-sponsored employee benefit plan) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities but excluding any such transaction or series of related transactions that the Committee determines shall not be a Corporate Transaction.

2.10    “ Director ”, means a member of the Board or a member of the board of directors of any Subsidiary of the Company.

2.11    “ Disability ”, unless otherwise defined in an Award Agreement, means that the Participant qualifies to receive long-term disability payments under the Service Recipient’s long-term disability insurance program, as it may be amended from time to time, to which the Participant provides services regardless of whether the Participant is covered by such policy. If the Service Recipient to which the Participant provides service does not have a long-term disability plan in place, “Disability” means that a Participant is unable to carry out the responsibilities and functions of the position held by the Participant by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment for a period of not less than ninety (90) consecutive days. A Participant will not be considered to have incurred a Disability unless he or she furnishes proof of such impairment sufficient to satisfy the Committee in its discretion.

2.12    “ Effective Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.

2.13    “ Employee ” means any person, including an officer or a Director, who is in the employment of a Service Recipient, subject to the control and direction of the Service Recipient as to both the work to be performed and the manner and method of performance. The payment of a director’s fee by a Service Recipient shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Service Recipient.

2.14    “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the United States, as amended.

 

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2.15    “ Fair Market Value ” means, as of any date, the value of Shares determined as follows:

(a)    If the Shares are listed on one or more established stock exchanges or national market systems, including without limitation, the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such shares (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on the principal exchange or system on which the Shares are listed (as determined by the Committee) on the date of determination (or, if no closing sales price or closing bid was reported on that date, as applicable, on the last trading date such closing sales price or closing bid was reported), as reported on the website maintained by such exchange or market system or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; or

(b)    In the absence of an established market for the Shares of the type described in (a) above, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined by the Committee in good faith and in its discretion by reference to (i) the placing price of the latest private placement of the Shares and the development of the Company’s business operations and the general economic and market conditions since such latest private placement, (ii) other third party transactions involving the Shares and the development of the Company’s business operation and the general economic and market conditions since such transaction, (iii) an independent valuation of the Shares, or (iv) such other methodologies or information as the Committee determines to be indicative of Fair Market Value.

2.16    “ Group Entity ” means any of the Company and Subsidiaries of the Company.

2.17    “ Incentive Share Option ” means an Option that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.

2.18    “ Independent Director ” means (i) if the Shares or other securities representing the Shares are not listed on a stock exchange, a Director of the Company who is a Non-Employee Director; and (ii) if the Shares or other securities representing the Shares are listed on one or more stock exchange, a Director of the Company who meets the independence standards under the applicable corporate governance rules of the stock exchange(s).

2.19    “ Non-Employee Director ” means a member of the Board who qualifies as a “Non-Employee Director” as defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3) of the Exchange Act, or any successor definition adopted by the Board.

2.20    “ Non-Qualified Share Option ” means an Option that is not intended to be an Incentive Share Option.

2.21    “ Option ” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 5 of the Plan to purchase a specified number of Shares at a specified price during specified time periods. An Option may be either an Incentive Share Option or a Non-Qualified Share Option.

2.22    “ Participant ” means a person who, as a Director, Consultant or Employee, has been granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.

2.23    “ Parent ” means a parent corporation under Section 424(e) of the Code.

2.24    “ Plan ” means this Share Incentive Plan of GSX Techedu Inc., as amended and/or restated from time to time.

 

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2.25    “ Related Entity ” means any business, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company, a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company holds a substantial ownership interest, directly or indirectly, or controls through contractual arrangements and consolidates the financial results according to applicable accounting standards, but which is not a Subsidiary and which the Board designates as a Related Entity for purposes of the Plan.

2.26    “ Restricted Share ” means a Share awarded to a Participant pursuant to Article 6 that is subject to certain restrictions and may be subject to risk of forfeiture.

2.27    “ Restricted Share Unit ” means the right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 7 to receive a Share at a future date.

2.28    “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933 of the United States, as amended.

2.29    “ Service Recipient ” means the Company or Subsidiary of the Company to which a Participant provides services as an Employee, a Consultant or a Director.

2.30    “ Share ” means the ordinary shares of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share, and such other securities of the Company that may be substituted for Shares pursuant to Article 9.

2.31    “ Subsidiary ” means any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the outstanding voting shares or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Company.

2.32    “ Trading Date ” means the closing of the first sale to the general public of the Shares pursuant to a registration statement filed with and declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act.

ARTICLE 3

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

  3.1

Number of Shares .

(a)    Subject to the provisions of Article 9 and Section 3.1(b), the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to all Awards (including Incentive Share Options) (the “ Award Pool ”) shall be 28,400,000 Shares, provided that , the Shares reserved shall be increased automatically if and whenever the unissued Shares reserved accounts for less than one percent (1%) of the total then issued and outstanding Shares, as a result of which increase the Shares unissued and reserved in the Award Pool immediately after each such increase shall equal to five percent (5%) of the then issued and outstanding Shares.

 

5


(b)    To the extent that an Award terminates, expires, or lapses for any reason, any Shares subject to the Award shall again be available for the grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan. To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, Shares issued in assumption of, or in substitution for, any outstanding awards of any entity acquired in any form or combination by a Group Entity shall not be counted against Shares available for grant pursuant to the Plan. Shares delivered by the Participant or withheld by the Company upon the exercise of any Award under the Plan, in payment of the exercise price thereof or tax withholding thereon, may again be optioned, granted or awarded hereunder, subject to the limitations of Section 1.1(a). If any Restricted Shares are forfeited by the Participant or repurchased by the Company, such Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded hereunder, subject to the limitations of Section 1.1(a). Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.1(b), no Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded if such action would cause an Incentive Share Option to fail to qualify as an incentive share option under Section 422 of the Code.

3.2     Shares Distributed . Any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares, treasury Shares (subject to Applicable Laws) or Shares purchased on the open market. Additionally, at the discretion of the Committee, any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award may be represented by American Depository Shares. If the number of Shares represented by an American Depository Share is other than on a one-to-one basis, the limitations of Section 3.1 shall be adjusted to reflect the distribution of American Depository Shares in lieu of Shares.

ARTICLE 4

ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

4.1     Eligibility . Persons eligible to participate in this Plan include Employees, Consultants, and Directors, as determined by the Committee.

4.2     Participation . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from among all eligible individuals, those to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award. No individual shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to this Plan.

ARTICLE 5

OPTIONS

5.1     General . The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants on the following terms and conditions:

(a)     Exercise Price . The exercise price per Share subject to an Option shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement which may be a fixed price or a variable price related to the Fair Market Value of the Shares. The exercise price per Share subject to an Option may be amended or adjusted in the absolute discretion of the Committee, the determination of which shall be final, binding and conclusive. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Laws or any exchange rule, a downward adjustment of the exercise prices of Options mentioned in the preceding sentence shall be effective without the approval of the Company’s shareholders or the approval of the affected Participants.

 

6


(b)     Time and Conditions of Exercise . The Committee shall determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, including exercise prior to vesting; provided that the term of any Option granted under the Plan shall not exceed ten years, except as provided in Section 12.1. The Committee shall also determine any conditions, if any, that must be satisfied before all or part of an Option may be exercised.

(c)     Payment . The Committee shall determine the methods by which the exercise price of an Option may be paid, the form of payment, including, without limitation (i) cash or check denominated in U.S. Dollars, (ii) to the extent permissible under the Applicable Laws, cash or check in Chinese Renminbi, (iii) cash or check denominated in any other local currency as approved by the Committee, (iv) Shares held for such period of time as may be required by the Committee in order to avoid adverse financial accounting consequences and having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option or exercised portion thereof, (v) after the Trading Date the delivery of a notice that the Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the Option exercise price; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale, (vi) other property acceptable to the Committee with a Fair Market Value equal to the exercise price, or (vii) any combination of the foregoing. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Participant who is a member of the Board or an “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act shall be permitted to pay the exercise price of an Option in any method which would violate Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.

(d)     Effects of Termination of Employment or Service on Options . Termination of employment or service shall have the following effects on Options granted to the Participants:

(i)     Dismissal for Cause . Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment by or service to the Service Recipient is terminated by the Service Recipient for Cause, the Participant’s Options will terminate upon such termination, whether or not the Option is then vested and/or exercisable;

(ii)     Death or Disability . Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment by or service to the Service Recipient terminates as a result of the Participant’s death or Disability:

 

  (a)

the Participant (or his or her legal representative or beneficiary, in the case of the Participant’s Disability or death, respectively), will have until the date that is 12 months after the Participant’s termination of Employment to exercise the Participant’s Options (or portion thereof) to the extent that such Options were vested and exercisable on the date of the Participant’s termination of Employment on account of death or Disability;

 

  (b)

the Options, to the extent not vested and exercisable on the date of the Participant’s termination of Employment or service, shall terminate upon the Participant’s termination of Employment or service on account of death or Disability; and

 

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  (c)

the Options, to the extent exercisable for the 12-month period following the Participant’s termination of Employment or service and not exercised during such period, shall terminate at the close of business on the last day of the 12-month period.

(iii)     Other Terminations of Employment or Service . Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment by or service to the Service Recipient terminates for any reason other than a termination by the Service Recipient for Cause or because of the Participant’s death or Disability:

 

  (a)

the Participant will have until the date that is 90 days after the Participant’s termination of Employment or service to exercise his or her Options (or portion thereof) to the extent that such Options were vested and exercisable on the date of the Participant’s termination of Employment or service;

 

  (b)

the Options, to the extent not vested and exercisable on the date of the Participant’s termination of Employment or service, shall terminate upon the Participant’s termination of Employment or service; and

 

  (c)

the Options, to the extent exercisable for the 90-day period following the Participant’s termination of Employment or service and not exercised during such period, shall terminate at the close of business on the last day of the 90-day period.

5.2     Incentive Share Options . Incentive Share Options may be granted to Employees of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. Incentive Share Options may not be granted to employees of a Related Entity or to Independent Directors or Consultants. The terms of any Incentive Share Options granted pursuant to the Plan, in addition to the requirements of Section 5.1, must comply with the following additional provisions of this Section 5.2:

(a)     Individual Dollar Limitation . The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of all Shares with respect to which Incentive Share Options are first exercisable by a Participant in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000 or such other limitation as imposed by Section 422(d) of the Code, or any successor provision. To the extent that Incentive Share Options are first exercisable by a Participant in excess of such limitation, the excess shall be considered Non-Qualified Share Options.

(b)     Exercise Price . The exercise price of an Incentive Share Option shall be equal to the Fair Market Value on the date of grant. However, the exercise price of any Incentive Share Option granted to any individual who, at the date of grant, owns Shares possessing more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company may not be less than 110% of Fair Market Value on the date of grant and such Option may not be exercisable for more than five years from the date of grant.

 

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(c)     Transfer Restriction . The Participant shall give the Company prompt notice of any disposition of Shares acquired by exercise of an Incentive Share Option within (i) two years from the date of grant of such Incentive Share Option or (ii) one year after the transfer of such Shares to the Participant.

(d)     Expiration of Incentive Share Options . No Award of an Incentive Share Option may be made pursuant to this Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.

(e)     Right to Exercise . During a Participant’s lifetime, an Incentive Share Option may be exercised only by the Participant.

ARTICLE 6

RESTRICTED SHARES

6.1     Grant of Restricted Shares . The Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted Shares to Participants as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the number of Restricted Shares to be granted to each Participant.

6.2     Restricted Shares Award Agreement . Each Award of Restricted Shares shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the period of restriction, the number of Restricted Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, Restricted Shares shall be held by the Company as escrow agent until the restrictions on such Restricted Shares have lapsed.

6.3     Issuance and Restrictions . Restricted Shares shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions as the Committee may impose (including, without limitation, limitations on the right to vote Restricted Shares or the right to receive dividends on the Restricted Shares). These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, pursuant to such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Committee determines at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter.

6.4     Forfeiture/Repurchase . Except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter, upon termination of employment or service during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Shares that are at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited or repurchased in accordance with the Award Agreement; provided, however, the Committee may (a) provide in any Restricted Share Award Agreement that restrictions or forfeiture and repurchase conditions relating to Restricted Shares will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and (b) in other cases waive in whole or in part restrictions or forfeiture and repurchase conditions relating to Restricted Shares.

6.5     Certificates for Restricted Shares . Restricted Shares granted pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Shares are registered in the name of the Participant, certificates must bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Shares, and the Company may, at its discretion, retain physical possession of the certificate until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.

 

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6.6     Removal of Restrictions . Except as otherwise provided in this Article 6, Restricted Shares granted under the Plan shall be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the period of restriction. The Committee, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions shall lapse or be removed. After the restrictions have lapsed, the Participant shall be entitled to have any legend or legends under Section 6.5 removed from his or her Share certificate, and the Shares shall be freely transferable by the Participant, subject to applicable legal restrictions. The Committee (in its discretion) may establish procedures regarding the release of Shares from escrow and the removal of legends, as necessary or appropriate to minimize administrative burdens on the Company.

ARTICLE 7

RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS

7.1     Grant of Restricted Share Units . The Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted Share Units to Participants as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the number of Restricted Share Units to be granted to each Participant.

7.2     Restricted Share Units Award Agreement . Each Award of Restricted Share Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify any vesting conditions, the number of Restricted Share Units granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

7.3     Form and Timing of Payment of Restricted Share Units . At the time of grant, the Committee shall specify the date or dates on which the Restricted Share Units shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable. Upon vesting, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay Restricted Share Units in the form of cash, Shares or a combination thereof.

7.4     Forfeiture/Repurchase . Except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter, upon termination of employment or service during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Share Units that are at that time unvested shall be forfeited or repurchased in accordance with the Award Agreement; provided, however , the Committee may (a) provide in any Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement that restrictions or forfeiture and repurchase conditions relating to Restricted Share Units will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and (b) in other cases waive in whole or in part restrictions or forfeiture and repurchase conditions relating to Restricted Share Units.

 

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ARTICLE 8

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS

8.1     Award Agreement . Awards under the Plan shall be evidenced by Award Agreements that set forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each Award which may include the term of an Award, the provisions applicable in the event the Participant’s employment or service terminates, and the Company’s authority to unilaterally or bilaterally amend, modify, suspend, cancel or rescind an Award.

8.2     No Transferability; Limited Exception to Transfer Restrictions .

8.2.1     Limits on Transfer . Unless otherwise expressly provided in (or pursuant to) this Section 8.2, by applicable law and by the Award Agreement, as the same may be amended:

(a)    all Awards are non-transferable and will not be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, anticipation, alienation, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge;

(b)    Awards will be exercised only by the Participant; and

(c)    amounts payable or shares issuable pursuant to an Award will be delivered only to (or for the account of), and, in the case of Shares, registered in the name of, the Participant.

In addition, the shares shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

8.2.2     Further Exceptions to Limits on Transfer . The exercise and transfer restrictions in Section 8.2.1 will not apply to:

(a)    transfers to the Company or a Subsidiary;

(b)    transfers by gift to “immediate family” as that term is defined in SEC Rule 16a-1(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act;

(c)    the designation of a beneficiary to receive benefits if the Participant dies or, if the Participant has died, transfers to or exercises by the Participant’s beneficiary, or, in the absence of a validly designated beneficiary, transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution; or

(d)    if the Participant has suffered a disability, permitted transfers or exercises on behalf of the Participant by the Participant’s duly authorized legal representative; or

(e)    subject to the prior approval of the Committee or an executive officer or director of the Company authorized by the Committee, transfer to one or more natural persons who are the Participant’s family members or entities owned and controlled by the Participant and/or the Participant’s family members, including but not limited to trusts or other entities whose beneficiaries or beneficial owners are the Participant and/or the Participant’s family members, or to such other persons or entities as may be expressly approved by the Committee, pursuant to such conditions and procedures as the Committee or may establish. Any permitted transfer shall be subject to the condition that the Committee receives evidence satisfactory to it that the transfer is being made for estate and/or tax planning purposes and on a basis consistent with the Company’s lawful issue of securities.

 

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Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 8.2.2 to the contrary, but subject to compliance with all Applicable Laws, Incentive Share Options, Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units will be subject to any and all transfer restrictions under the Code applicable to such Awards or necessary to maintain the intended tax consequences of such Awards. Notwithstanding clause (b) above but subject to compliance with all Applicable Laws, any contemplated transfer by gift to “immediate family” as referenced in clause (b) above is subject to the condition precedent that the transfer be approved by the Administrator in order for it to be effective.

8.3     Beneficiaries . Notwithstanding Section 8.2, a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Committee, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participant’s death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan and Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee. If the Participant is married and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Participant’s spouse as his or her beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of the Participant’s interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written consent of the Participant’s spouse. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is filed with the Committee.

8.4     Performance Objectives and Other Terms . The Committee, in its discretion, shall set performance objectives or other vesting criteria which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number or value of the Awards that will be granted or paid out to the Participants.

ARTICLE 9

CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE

9.1     Adjustments . In the event of any dividend, share split, combination or exchange of Shares, amalgamation, arrangement or consolidation, spin-off, recapitalization or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to its shareholders, or any other change affecting the shares of Shares or the share price of a Share, the Committee shall make such proportionate adjustments, if any, as the Committee in its discretion may deem appropriate to reflect such change with respect to (a) the aggregate number and type of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 3.1); (b) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and (c) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan.

 

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9.2     Corporate Transactions . Except as may otherwise be provided in any Award Agreement or any other written agreement entered into by and between the Company and a Participant, if the Committee anticipates the occurrence, or upon the occurrence, of a Corporate Transaction, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for (i) any and all Awards outstanding hereunder to terminate at a specific time in the future and shall give each Participant the right to exercise the vested portion of such Awards during a period of time as the Committee shall determine, or (ii) the purchase of any Award for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been attained upon the exercise of such Award (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of such date the Committee determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment), or (iii) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Committee in its sole discretion or the assumption of or substitution of such Award by the successor or surviving corporation, or a Parent or Subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of Shares and prices, or (iv) payment of such Award in cash based on the value of Shares on the date of the Corporate Transaction plus reasonable interest on the Award through the date as determined by the Committee when such Award would otherwise be vested or have been paid in accordance with its original terms, if necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

9.3     Outstanding Awards – Other Changes . In the event of any other change in the capitalization of the Company or corporate change other than those specifically referred to in this Article 9, the Committee may, in its absolute discretion, make such adjustments in the number and class of shares subject to Awards outstanding on the date on which such change occurs and in the per share grant or exercise price of each Award as the Committee may consider appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights.

9.4     No Other Rights . Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no Participant shall have any rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of Shares of any class, the payment of any dividend, any increase or decrease in the number of shares of any class or any dissolution, liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the Company or any other corporation. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or pursuant to action of the Committee under the Plan, and no issuance by the Company of shares of any class, or securities convertible into shares of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of Shares subject to an Award or the grant or exercise price of any Award.

ARTICLE 10

ADMINISTRATION

10.1     Committee . The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a committee of one or more members of the Board (the “ Committee ”) to whom the Board shall delegate the authority to grant or amend Awards to Participants other than any of the Committee members, Independent Directors and executive officers of the Company. Reference to the Committee shall refer to the Board in absence of the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the full Board, acting by majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of the Plan if required by Applicable Laws, and with respect to Awards granted to the Committee members, Independent Directors and executive officers of the Company and for purposes of such Awards the term “Committee” as used in the Plan shall be deemed to refer to the Board.

 

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10.2     Action by the Committee . A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved unanimously in writing by all members of the Committee in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Each member of the Committee is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of a Group Entity, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.

10.3     Authority of the Committee . Subject to any specific designation in the Plan, the Committee has the exclusive power, authority and discretion to:

(a)    designate Participants to receive Awards;

(b)    determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant;

(c)    determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Shares to which an Award will relate;

(d)    determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, and any provisions related to non-competition and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee in its sole discretion determines;

(e)    determine whether, to what extent, and pursuant to what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in, cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;

(f)    prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;

(g)    decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;

(h)    establish, adopt, or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

(i)    interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan or any Award Agreement;

(j)    amend terms and conditions of Award Agreements; and

 

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(k)    make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan, including design and adopt from time to time new types of Awards that are in compliance with Applicable Laws.

10.4     Decisions Binding . The Committee’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Committee with respect to the Plan are final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.

ARTICLE 11

EFFECTIVE AND EXPIRATION DATE

11.1     Effective Date . The Plan shall become effective as of the date immediately prior to the completion of the initial public offering of the Company (the “ Effective Date ”).

11.2     Expiration Date . The Plan will expire on, and no Award may be granted pursuant to the Plan after, the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. Any Awards that are outstanding on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date shall remain in force according to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

ARTICLE 12

AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, AND TERMINATION

12.1     Amendment, Modification, and Termination . At any time and from time to time, the Board may terminate, amend or modify the Plan; provided, however, that (a) to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws or stock exchange rules, the Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required, unless the Company decides to follow home country practice, and (b) unless the Company decides to follow home country practice, shareholder approval is required for any amendment to the Plan that (i) increases the number of Shares available under the Plan (other than any adjustment as provided by Article 9), or (ii) permits the Committee to extend the term of the Plan or the exercise period for an Option beyond ten years from the date of grant.

12.2     Awards Previously Granted . Except with respect to amendments made pursuant to Section 12.1, no termination, amendment, or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted pursuant to the Plan without the prior written consent of the Participant.

ARTICLE 13

GENERAL PROVISIONS

13.1     No Rights to Awards . No Participant, employee, or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award pursuant to the Plan, and neither the Company nor the Committee is obligated to treat Participants, employees, and other persons uniformly.

 

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13.2     No Shareholders Rights . No Award gives the Participant any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company unless and until Shares are in fact issued to such person in connection with such Award.

13.3     Taxes . No Shares shall be delivered under the Plan to any Participant until such Participant has made arrangements acceptable to the Committee for the satisfaction of any income and employment tax withholding obligations under Applicable Laws. The Company or any Subsidiary shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy all applicable taxes (including the Participant’s payroll tax obligations) required or permitted by Applicable Laws to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Participant arising as a result of this Plan. The Committee may in its discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement allow a Participant to elect to have the Company withhold Shares otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the return of Shares) having a Fair Market Value equal to the sums required to be withheld. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the number of Shares which may be withheld with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or payment of any Award (or which may be repurchased from the Participant of such Award after such Shares were acquired by the Participant from the Company) in order to satisfy any income and payroll tax liabilities applicable to the Participant with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or payment of the Award shall, unless specifically approved by the Committee, be limited to the number of Shares which have a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or repurchase equal to the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for the applicable income and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income.

13.4     No Right to Employment or Services . Nothing in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Service Recipient to terminate any Participant’s employment or services at any time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employment or services of any Service Recipient.

13.5     Unfunded Status of Awards . The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the relevant Group Entity.

13.6     Indemnification . To the extent allowable pursuant to Applicable Laws, each member of the Committee or of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Company’s Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

 

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13.7     Expenses . The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Group Entities.

13.8     Fractional Shares . No fractional Shares shall be issued and the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares shall be eliminated by rounding up or down as appropriate.

13.9     Government and Other Regulations . The obligation of the Company to make payment of awards in Shares or otherwise shall be subject to all Applicable Laws, and to such approvals by government agencies as may be required. The Company shall be under no obligation to register any of the Shares paid pursuant to the Plan under the Securities Act or any other similar law in any applicable jurisdiction. If the Shares paid pursuant to the Plan may in certain circumstances be exempt from registration pursuant to the Securities Act or other Applicable Laws, the Company may restrict the transfer of such Shares in such manner as it deems advisable to ensure the availability of any such exemption.

13.10     Governing Law . The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Cayman Islands.

13.11     Section  409A . To the extent that the Committee determines that any Award granted under the Plan is or may become subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and the Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and the U.S. Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretative guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulation or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that following the Effective Date the Committee determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the Effective Date), the Committee may adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Award agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Committee determines are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the Award from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (b) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related U.S. Department of Treasury guidance.

 

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Exhibit 10.2

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of              , 2019 by and between GSX TECHEDU INC., an exempted company incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “ Company ”), and                  (PRC ID Card No.             ) (the “ Indemnitee ”).

WHEREAS, the Indemnitee has agreed to serve as a director or officer of the Company and in such capacity will render valuable services to the Company; and

WHEREAS, in order to induce and encourage highly experienced and capable persons such as the Indemnitee to render valuable services to the Company, the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) has determined that this Agreement is not only reasonable and prudent, but necessary to promote and ensure the best interests of the Company and its shareholders;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, including, without limitation, the service of the Indemnitee, the receipt of which hereby is acknowledged, and in order to induce the Indemnitee to render valuable services the Company, the Company and the Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:

Definitions. As used in this Agreement:

(a)     “ Change in Control ” shall mean a change in control of the Company of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any similar or successor schedule or form) promulgated under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “ Act ”), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided, however, that, without limitation, such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred (irrespective of the applicability of the initial clause of this definition) if (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Act, but excluding any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities pursuant to an employee benefit or welfare plan or employee share plan of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, or any entity organized, appointed, established or holding securities of the Company with voting power for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors (as defined below) in office immediately prior to such person’s attaining such interest; (ii) the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, scheme of arrangement, sale of assets or other reorganization, or a proxy contest, as a consequence of which Continuing Directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of the Company (or any successor entity) thereafter; or (iii) during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of the Company (including for this purpose any new director whose election or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of such period) (such directors being referred to herein as “ Continuing Directors ”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of the Company.


(b)     “ Disinterested Director ” with respect to any request by the Indemnitee for indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder shall mean a director of the Company who neither is nor was a party to the Proceeding (as defined below) in respect of which indemnification or advancement is being sought by the Indemnitee.

(c)     The term “ Expenses ” shall mean, without limitation, expenses of Proceedings, including attorneys’ fees, disbursements and retainers, accounting and witness fees, expenses related to preparation for service as a witness and to service as a witness, travel and deposition costs, expenses of investigations, judicial or administrative proceedings and appeals, amounts paid in settlement of a Proceeding by or on behalf of the Indemnitee, costs of attachment or similar bonds, any expenses of attempting to establish or establishing a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses, under this Agreement, the Company’s Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association as currently in effect (the “ Articles ”), applicable law or otherwise, and reasonable compensation for time spent by the Indemnitee in connection with the investigation, defense or appeal of a Proceeding or action for indemnification for which the Indemnitee is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. The term “Expenses” shall not include the amount of judgments, fines, interest or penalties, or excise taxes assessed with respect to any employee benefit or welfare plan, which are actually levied against or sustained by the Indemnitee to the extent sustained after final adjudication.

(d)     The term “ Independent Legal Counsel ” shall mean any firm of attorneys reasonably selected by the Board of the Company, so long as such firm has not represented the Company, the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates, the Indemnitee, any entity controlled by the Indemnitee, or any party adverse to the Company, within the preceding five (5) years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Legal Counsel” shall not include any person who, under applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or the Indemnitee in an action to determine the Indemnitee’s right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Agreement, the Company’s Articles, applicable law or otherwise.

(e)     The term “ Proceeding ” shall mean any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, or other proceeding (including, without limitation, an appeal therefrom), formal or informal, whether brought in the name of the Company or otherwise, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature, and whether by, in or involving a court or an administrative, other governmental or private entity or body (including, without limitation, an investigation by the Company or its Board), by reason of (i) the fact that the Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, whether or not the Indemnitee is serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or reimbursement is to be provided under this Agreement, (ii) any actual or alleged act or omission or neglect or breach of duty, including, without limitation, any actual or alleged error or misstatement or misleading statement, which the Indemnitee commits or suffers while acting in any such capacity, or (iii) the Indemnitee attempting to establish or establishing a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses pursuant to this Agreement, the Company’s Articles, applicable law or otherwise.

 

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(f)     The phrase “ serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise ” or any similar terminology shall mean, unless the context otherwise requires, serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, employee benefit or welfare plan or other enterprise, foreign or domestic. The phrase “serving at the request of the Company” shall include, without limitation, any service as a director/an executive officer of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director/executive officer with respect to the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries, affiliates, employee benefit or welfare plans, such plan’s participants or beneficiaries or any other enterprise, foreign or domestic. In the event that the Indemnitee shall be a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, employee benefit or welfare plan or other enterprise, foreign or domestic, 50% or more of the ordinary shares, combined voting power or total equity interest of which is owned by the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, then it shall be presumed conclusively that the Indemnitee is so acting at the request of the Company.

2.      Services by the Indemnitee . The Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director or officer of the Company under the terms of the Indemnitee’s agreement with the Company for so long as the Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or until such time as the Indemnitee tenders a resignation in writing or is removed from the Indemnitee’s position; provided, however, that the Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or other obligation imposed by operation of law).

3.      Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company . The Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee if the Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, against all Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties, and excise taxes assessed with respect to any employee benefit or welfare plan, which are actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense or settlement of such a Proceeding, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company; except that no indemnification under this section shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudicated by final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company for willful misconduct in the performance of his/her duty to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such amounts which such other court shall deem proper.

4.      Proceeding Other Than a Proceeding by or in the Right of the Company . The Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee if the Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding (other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company), by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, against all Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties, and excise taxes assessed with respect to any employee benefit or welfare plan, which are actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such a Proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, that any settlement of a Proceeding must be approved in advance in writing by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld).

 

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5.      Indemnification for Costs, Charges and Expenses of Witness or Successful Party . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (except as set forth in subparagraph 9(a) hereof), and without a requirement for determination as required by Paragraph 8 hereof, to the extent that the Indemnitee (a) has prepared to serve or has served as a witness in any Proceeding in any way relating to (i) the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries, affiliates, employee benefit or welfare plans or such plan’s participants or beneficiaries or (ii) anything done or not done by the Indemnitee as a director or officer of the Company or in connection with serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, or (b) has been successful in defense of any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, on the merits or otherwise, including the dismissal of a Proceeding without prejudice or the settlement of a Proceeding without an admission of liability, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection therewith to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

6.      Partial Indemnification . If the Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for a portion of the Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties, or excise taxes assessed with respect to any employee benefit or welfare plan, which are actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in the investigation, defense, appeal or settlement of any Proceeding, but not, however, for the total amount of the Indemnitee’s Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties, or excise taxes assessed with respect to any employee benefit or welfare plan, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify the Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties or excise taxes to which the Indemnitee is entitled.

7.      Advancement of Expenses . The Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in any Proceeding shall be paid promptly by the Company in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding at the written request of the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, that the Indemnitee shall set forth in such request reasonable evidence that such Expenses have been incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, a statement that such Expenses do not relate to any matter described in subparagraph 9(a) of this Agreement, and an undertaking in writing to repay any advances if it is ultimately determined as provided in subparagraph 8(b) of this Agreement that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement.

8.      Indemnification Procedure; Determination of Right to Indemnification .

(a)     Promptly after receipt by the Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, the Indemnitee shall, if a claim for indemnification or advancement of Expenses in respect thereof is to be made against the Company under this Agreement, notify the Company of the commencement thereof in writing. The omission to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability which the Company may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement unless the Company shall have lost significant substantive or procedural rights with respect to the defense of any Proceeding as a result of such omission to so notify.

 

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(b)     The Indemnitee shall be conclusively presumed to have met the relevant standards of conduct, if any, as defined by applicable law, for indemnification pursuant to this Agreement and shall be absolutely entitled to such indemnification, unless a determination is made that the Indemnitee has not met such standards by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(c)     If a claim for indemnification or advancement of Expenses under this Agreement is not paid by the Company within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of written notice thereof, the rights provided by this Agreement shall be enforceable by the Indemnitee in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such judicial proceeding shall be made de novo. The burden of proving that indemnification or advances are not appropriate shall be on the Company. Neither the failure of the directors or shareholders of the Company or Independent Legal Counsel to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification or advancement of Expenses is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, if any, nor an actual determination by the directors or shareholders of the Company or Independent Legal Counsel that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct shall be a defense to an action by the Indemnitee or create a presumption for the purpose of such an action that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself (i) create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company and/or its shareholders, and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful or (ii) otherwise adversely affect the rights of the Indemnitee to indemnification or advancement of Expenses under this Agreement, except as may be provided herein.

(d)     If a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that the Indemnitee is entitled to any indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder, the Company shall pay all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such adjudication (including, but not limited to, any appellate proceedings).

(e)     With respect to any Proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of Expenses is requested, the Company will be entitled to participate therein at its own expense and, except as otherwise provided below, to the extent that it may wish, the Company may assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee. After notice from the Company to the Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of a Proceeding, the Company will not be liable to the Indemnitee under this Agreement for any Expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof, other than as provided below. The Company shall not settle any Proceeding in any manner which would impose any penalty or limitation on the Indemnitee without the Indemnitee’s written consent. The Indemnitee shall have the right to employ his/her own counsel in any Proceeding, but the fees and expenses of such counsel incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense of the Proceeding shall be at the expense of the Indemnitee, unless (i) the employment of counsel by the Indemnitee has been authorized by the Company, (ii) the Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and the Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of a Proceeding, or (iii) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of a proceeding, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of the Indemnitee’s counsel shall be advanced by the Company. The Company shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Company or as to which the Indemnitee has reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and the Indemnitee.

 

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9.      Limitations on Indemnification . No payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be made by the Company:

(a)     To indemnify or advance funds to the Indemnitee for Expenses with respect to (i) Proceedings initiated or brought voluntarily by the Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except with respect to Proceedings brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any other statute or law or otherwise as required under applicable law or (ii) Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with preparing to serve or serving, prior to a Change in Control, as a witness in cooperation with any party or entity who or which has threatened or commenced any action or proceeding against the Company, or any director, officer, employee, trustee, agent, representative, subsidiary, parent corporation or affiliate of the Company, but such indemnification or advancement of Expenses in each such case may be provided by the Company if the Board finds it to be appropriate;

(b)     To indemnify the Indemnitee for any Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties, or excise taxes assessed with respect to any employee benefit or welfare plan, sustained in any Proceeding for which payment is actually made to the Indemnitee under a valid and collectible insurance policy, except in respect of any excess beyond the amount of payment under such insurance;

(c)     To indemnify the Indemnitee for any Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties sustained in any Proceeding for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by the Indemnitee of securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Act or similar provisions of any foreign or United States federal, state or local statute or regulation;

(d)     To indemnify the Indemnitee for any Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties, or excise taxes assessed with respect to any employee benefit or welfare plan, for which the Indemnitee is indemnified by the Company otherwise than pursuant to this Agreement;

(e)     To indemnify the Indemnitee for any Expenses (including without limitation any Expenses relating to a Proceeding attempting to enforce this Agreement), judgments, fines, interest or penalties, or excise taxes assessed with respect to any employee benefit or welfare plan, on account of the Indemnitee’s conduct if such conduct shall be finally adjudged to have been knowingly fraudulent, deliberately dishonest or willful misconduct, including, without limitation, breach of the duty of loyalty; or

(f)     If a court of competent jurisdiction finally determines that any indemnification hereunder is unlawful. In this respect, the Company and the Indemnitee have been advised that the Securities and Exchange Commission takes the position that indemnification for liabilities arising under securities laws is against public policy and is, therefore, unenforceable and that claims for indemnification should be submitted to appropriate courts for adjudication;

 

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(g)     To indemnify the Indemnitee in connection with Indemnitee’s personal tax matter; or

(h)     To indemnify the Indemnitee with respect to any claim related to any dispute or breach arising under any contract or similar obligation between the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and such Indemnitee.

10.      Continuation of Indemnification . All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period that the Indemnitee is a director or officer of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, foreign or domestic) and shall continue thereafter so long as the Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee was a director or officer of the Company or serving in any other capacity referred to in this Paragraph 10.

11.      Indemnification Hereunder Not Exclusive . The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed to be exclusive of any other rights to which the Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s Articles, any agreement, vote of shareholders or vote of Disinterested Directors, provisions of applicable law, or otherwise, both as to action or omission in the Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action or omission in another capacity on behalf of the Company while holding such office.

12.      Successors and Assigns .

(a)     This Agreement shall be binding upon the Indemnitee, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Indemnitee and the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, whether or not the Indemnitee has ceased to be a director or officer, and the Company and its successors and assigns. Upon the sale of all or substantially all of the business, assets or share capital of the Company to, or upon the merger of the Company into or with, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other person, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon both the Indemnitee and such purchaser or successor person. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other party hereto.

(b)     If the Indemnitee is deceased and is entitled to indemnification under any provision of this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee’s estate and the Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns against, and the Company shall, and does hereby agree to assume, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by or for the Indemnitee or the Indemnitee’s estate, in connection with the investigation, defense, appeal or settlement of any Proceeding. Further, when requested in writing by the spouse of the Indemnitee, and/or the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, the Company shall provide appropriate evidence of the Company’s agreement set out herein to indemnify the Indemnitee against and to itself assume such Expenses.

13.      Subrogation . In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

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14.      Severability . Each and every paragraph, sentence, term and provision of this Agreement is separate and distinct so that if any paragraph, sentence, term or provision thereof shall be held to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable for any reason, such invalidity, unlawfulness or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, unlawfulness or enforceability of any other paragraph, sentence, term or provision hereof. To the extent required, any paragraph, sentence, term or provision of this Agreement may be modified by a court of competent jurisdiction to preserve its validity and to provide the Indemnitee with the broadest possible indemnification permitted under applicable law. The Company’s inability, pursuant to a court order or decision, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.

15.      Savings Clause . If this Agreement or any paragraph, sentence, term or provision hereof is invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify the Indemnitee as to any Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties, or excise taxes assessed with respect to any employee benefit or welfare plan, which are incurred with respect to any Proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by any (a) applicable paragraph, sentence, term or provision of this Agreement that has not been invalidated or (b) applicable law.

16.      Interpretation; Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed as a whole and in accordance with its fair meaning and any ambiguities shall not be construed for or against either party. Headings are for convenience only and shall not be used in construing meaning. This Agreement shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.

17.      Amendments . No amendment, waiver, modification, termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought. The indemnification rights afforded to the Indemnitee hereby are contract rights and may not be diminished, eliminated or otherwise affected by amendments to the Company’s Articles, or by other agreements, including directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies, of the Company.

18.      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other.

19.      Notices . Any notice required to be given under this Agreement shall be directed to Ms. Nan Shen, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, at Tower C, Beyondsoft Building, 7 East Zone, 10 Xibeiwang East Road, Haidian District, Beijing People’s Republic of China and to the Indemnitee at                                      or to such other address as either shall designate to the other in writing.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Indemnification Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

GSX TECHEDU INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
INDEMNITEE
By:  

 

Name:  

[Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement]

Exhibit 10.3

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement” ) is entered into as of             , 2019 by and between GSX TECHEDU INC., an exempted company incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “ Company ”) and                      (ID Card No.                     ) (the “ Executive ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive and to assure itself of the services of the Executive during the term of Employment (as defined below) and under the terms and conditions of the Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Executive desires to be employed by the Company during the term of Employment and under the terms and conditions of the Agreement;

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:

 

1.

EMPLOYMENT

The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive and the Executive hereby accepts such employment, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth (the “ Employment ”).

 

2.

TERM

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the initial term of the Employment shall be          years, commencing on             , 2019 (the “ Effective Date ”) and ending on             ,      (the “ Initial Term ”), unless terminated earlier pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. Upon expiration of the Initial Term of the Employment, the Employment shall be automatically extended for successive periods of              months each (each, an “ Extension Period ”) unless either party shall have given 60 days advance written notice to the other party, in the manner set forth in Section 19 below, prior to the end of the Initial Term or the Extension Period in question, as applicable, that the term of this Agreement that is in effect at the time such written notice is given is not to be extended or further extended, as the case may be (the period during which this Agreement is effective being referred to hereafter as the “ Term ”).

 

3.

POSITION AND DUTIES

 

  (a)

During the Term, the Executive shall serve as                      of the Company or in such other position or positions with a level of duties and responsibilities consistent with the foregoing with the Company and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates as the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) may specify from time to time and shall have the duties, responsibilities and obligations customarily assigned to individuals serving in the position or positions in which the Executive serves hereunder and as assigned by the Board, or with the Board’s authorization, by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.


  (b)

The Executive agrees to serve without additional compensation, if elected or appointed thereto, as a director of the Company or any subsidiaries or affiliated entity of the Company (collectively, the “ Group ”) and as a member of any committees of the board of directors of any such entity, provided that the Executive is indemnified for serving in any and all such capacities on a basis no less favorable than is currently provided to any other director of any member of the Group.

 

  (c)

The Executive agrees to devote all of his/her working time and efforts to the performance of his/her duties for the Company and to faithfully and diligently serve the Company in accordance with the Agreement and the guidelines, policies and procedures of the Company approved from time to time by the Board.

 

4.

NO BREACH OF CONTRACT

The Executive hereby represents to the Company that: (i) the execution and delivery of the Agreement by the Executive and the performance by the Executive of the Executive’s duties hereunder shall not constitute a breach of, or otherwise contravene, the terms of any other agreement or policy to which the Executive is a party or by which the Executive is otherwise bound, except that the Executive does not make any representation with respect to agreements required to be entered into by and between the Executive and any member of the Group pursuant to the applicable law of the jurisdiction in which the Executive is based, if any; (ii) that the Executive is not in possession of any information (including, without limitation, confidential information and trade secrets) the knowledge of which would prevent the Executive from freely entering into the Agreement and carrying out his/her duties hereunder; and (iii) that the Executive is not bound by any confidentiality, trade secret or similar agreement with any person or entity other than any member of the Group.

 

5.

LOCATION

The Executive will be based in             ,      or any other location as requested by the Company during the Term.

 

6.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

 

  (a)

Cash Compensation . As compensation for the performance by the Executive of his/her obligations hereunder, during the Term, the Company shall pay the Executive cash compensation (inclusive of the statutory benefit contributions that the Company is required to set aside for the Executive under applicable law) pursuant to Schedule A hereto, subject to annual review and adjustment by the Board or any committee designated by the Board.

 

2


  (b)

Equity Incentives . During the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to participate, at a level comparable to similarly situated executives of the Company, in such long-term compensation arrangements as may be authorized from time to time by the Board, including any share incentive plan the Company may adopt from time to time in its sole discretion.

 

  (c)

Benefits . During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all of the employee benefit plans and arrangements made available by the Company to its similarly situated executives, including, but not limited to, any retirement plan, medical insurance plan and travel/holiday policy, subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plans and arrangements.

 

7.

TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT

The Employment may be terminated as follows:

 

  (a)

Death . The Employment shall terminate upon the Executive’s death.

 

  (b)

Disability . The Employment shall terminate if the Executive has a disability, including any physical or mental impairment which, as reasonably determined by the Board, renders the Executive unable to perform the essential functions of his/her position at the Company, even with reasonable accommodation that does not impose an undue burden on the Company, for more than 180 days in any 12-month period, unless a longer period is required by applicable law, in which case that longer period shall apply.

 

  (c)

Cause . The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause. The occurrence of any of the following, as reasonably determined by the Company, shall be a reason for Cause, provided that, if the Company determines that the circumstances constituting Cause are curable, then such circumstances shall not constitute Cause unless and until the Executive has been informed by the Company of the existence of Cause and given an opportunity of ten business days to cure, and such Cause remains uncured at the end of such ten-day period:

 

  (1)

continued failure by the Executive to satisfactorily perform his/her duties;

 

  (2)

willful misconduct or gross negligence by the Executive in the performance of his/her duties hereunder, including insubordination;

 

  (3)

the Executive’s conviction or entry of a guilty or nolo contendere plea of any felony or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

 

  (4)

the Executive’s commission of any act involving dishonesty that results in material financial, reputational or other harm, monetary or otherwise, to any member of the Group, including but not limited to an act constituting misappropriation or embezzlement of the property of any member of the Group as determined in good faith by the Board; or

 

3


  (5)

any material breach by the Executive of this Agreement.

 

  (d)

Good Reason . The Executive may terminate his/her employment hereunder for “Good Reason” upon the occurrence, without the written consent of the Company, of an event constituting a material breach of this Agreement by the Company that has not been fully cured within ten business days after written notice thereof has been given by the Executive to the Company setting forth in sufficient detail the conduct or activities the Executive believes constitute grounds for Good Reason, including but not limited to:

 

  (1)

the failure by the Company to pay to the Executive any portion of the Executive’s current compensation or to pay to the Executive any portion of an installment of deferred compensation under any deferred compensation program of the Company, within 20 business days of the date such compensation is due; or

 

  (2)

any material breach by the Company of this Agreement.

 

  (e)

Without Cause by the Company; Without Good Reason by the Executive . The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time without Cause upon 60-day prior written notice to the Executive. The Executive may terminate the Executive’s employment voluntarily for any reason or no reason at any time by giving 60-day prior written notice to the Company.

 

  (f)

Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executive’s employment under the Agreement shall be communicated by written notice of termination (“ Notice of Termination ”) from the terminating party to the other party. The notice of termination shall indicate the specific provision(s) of the Agreement relied upon in effecting the termination.

 

  (g)

Date of Termination . The “ Date of Termination ” shall mean (i) the date set forth in the Notice of Termination, or (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive’s death, the date of his/her death.

 

  (h)

Compensation upon Termination .

 

  (1)

Death . If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s death, the Company shall have no further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement and the Executive’s benefits shall be determined under the Company’s retirement, insurance and other benefit and compensation plans or programs then in effect in accordance with the terms of such plans and programs.

 

4


  (2)

By Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason . If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, the Company shall (i) continue to pay and otherwise provide to the Executive, during any notice period, all compensation, base salary and previously earned but unpaid incentive compensation, if any, and shall continue to allow the Executive to participate in any benefit plans in accordance with the terms of such plans during such notice period; and (ii) pay to the Executive, in lieu of benefits under any severance plan or policy of the Company, any such amount as may be agreed between the Company and the Executive.

 

  (3)

By Company for Cause or by the Executive other than for Good Reason . If the Executive’s employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause or by the Executive other than for Good Reason, the Company shall pay the Executive his/her base salary at the rate in effect at the time Notice of Termination is given through the Date of Termination, and the Company shall have no additional obligations to the Executive under this Agreement.

 

  (i)

Return of Company Property . The Executive agrees that following the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, or at any time prior to the Executive’s termination upon the request of the Company, he/she shall return all property of the Group that is then in or thereafter comes into his/her possession, including, but not limited to, any Confidential Information (as defined below) or Intellectual Property (as defined below), or any other documents, contracts, agreements, plans, photographs, projections, books, notes, records, electronically stored data and all copies, excerpts or summaries of the foregoing, as well as any automobile or other materials or equipment supplied by the Group to the Executive, if any.

 

  (j)

Requirement for a Release . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company’s obligations to pay or provide any benefits shall (1) cease as of the date the Executive breaches any of the provisions of Sections 8, 9 and 11 hereof, and (2) be conditioned on the Executive signing the Company’s customary release of claims in favor of the Group and the expiration of any revocation period provided for in such release.

 

8.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONDISCLOSURE

 

  (a)

Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure.

 

  (1)

The Executive acknowledges and agrees that: (A) the Executive holds a position of trust and confidence with the Company and that his/her employment by the Company will require that the Executive have access to and knowledge of valuable and sensitive information, material, and devices relating to the Company and/or its business, activities, products, services, customers and vendors, including, but not limited to, the following, regardless of the form in which the same is accessed, maintained or stored: the identity of the Company’s actual and prospective customers and, as applicable, their representatives; prior, current or future research or development activities of the Company; the products and services provided or offered by the Company to customers or potential customers and the manner in which such services are performed or to be performed; the product and/or service needs of actual or prospective customers; pricing and cost information; information concerning the development, engineering, design, specifications, acquisition or disposition of products and/or services of the Company; user base personal data, programs, software and source codes, licensing information, personnel information, advertising client information, vendor information, marketing plans and techniques, forecasts, and other trade secrets (“Confidential Information”); and (B) the direct and indirect disclosure of any such Confidential Information would place the Company at a competitive disadvantage and would do damage, monetary or otherwise, to the Company’s business.

 

5


  (2)

During the Term and at all times thereafter, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, whether individually, as a director, stockholder, owner, partner, employee, consultant, principal or agent of any business, or in any other capacity, publish or make known, disclose, furnish, reproduce, make available, or utilize any of the Confidential Information without the prior express written approval of the Company, other than in the proper performance of the duties contemplated herein, unless and until such Confidential Information is or shall become general public knowledge through no fault of the Executive.

 

  (3)

In the event that the Executive is required by law to disclose any Confidential Information, the Executive agrees to give the Company prompt advance written notice thereof and to provide the Company with reasonable assistance in obtaining an order to protect the Confidential Information from public disclosure.

 

  (4)

The failure to mark any Confidential Information as confidential shall not affect its status as Confidential Information under this Agreement.

 

  (c)

Third Party Information in the Executive’s Possession . The Executive agrees that he/she shall not, during the Term, (i) improperly use or disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former employer or other person or entity with which the Executive has an agreement or duty to keep in confidence information acquired by Executive, if any, or (ii) bring into the premises of Company any document or confidential or proprietary information belonging to such former employer, person or entity unless consented to in writing by such former employer, person or entity. The Executive will indemnify the Company and hold it harmless from and against all claims, liabilities, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of litigation, arising out of or in connection with any violation of the foregoing.

 

6


  (d)

Third Party Information in the Company’s Possession . The Executive recognizes that the Company may have received, and in the future may receive, from third parties their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. The Executive agrees that the Executive owes the Company and such third parties, during the Term and thereafter, a duty to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in strict confidence and not to disclose such information to any person or firm, or otherwise use such information, in a manner inconsistent with the limited purposes permitted by the Company’s agreement with such third party.

This Section 8 shall survive the termination of the Agreement for any reason. In the event the Executive breaches this Section 8, the Company shall have right to seek remedies permissible under applicable law.

 

9.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

  (a)

Prior Inventions. The Executive has attached hereto, as Schedule B , a list describing all inventions, ideas, improvements, designs and discoveries, whether or not patentable and whether or not reduced to practice, original works of authorship and trade secrets made or conceived by or belonging to the Executive (whether made solely by the Executive or jointly with others) that (i) were developed by Executive prior to the Executive’s employment by the Company (collectively, “ Prior Inventions ”), (ii) relate to the Company’ actual or proposed business, products or research and development, and (iii) are not assigned to the Company hereunder; or, if no such list is attached, the Executive represents that there are no such Prior Inventions. Except to the extent set forth in Schedule B , the Executive hereby acknowledges that, if in the course of his/her service for the Company, the Executive incorporates into a Company product, process or machine a Prior Invention owned by the Executive or in which he/she has an interest, the Company is hereby granted and shall have a nonexclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right and license (which may be freely transferred by the Company to any other person or entity) to make, have made, modify, use, sell, sublicense and otherwise distribute such Prior Invention as part of or in connection with such product, process or machine.

(b)     Assignment of Intellectual Property. The Executive hereby assigns to the Company or its designees, without further consideration and free and clear of any lien or encumbrance, the Executive’s entire right, title and interest (within the United States and all foreign jurisdictions) to any and all inventions, discoveries, improvements, developments, works of authorship, concepts, ideas, plans, specifications, software, formulas, databases, designees, processes and contributions to Confidential Information created, conceived, developed or reduced to practice by the Executive (alone or with others) during the Term which (i) are related to the Company’s current or anticipated business, activities, products, or services, (ii) result from any work performed by Executive for the Company, or (iii) are created, conceived, developed or reduced to practice with the use of Company property, including any and all Intellectual Property Rights (as defined below) therein (“ Work Product ”). Any Work Product which falls within the definition of “work made for hire”, as such term is defined in the U.S. Copyright Act, shall be considered a “work made for hire”, the copyright in which vests initially and exclusively in the Company. The Executive waives any rights to be attributed as the author of any Work Product and any “droit morale” (moral rights) in Work Product. The Executive agrees to immediately disclose to the Company all Work Product. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Intellectual Property ” shall mean any patent, copyright, trademark or service mark, trade secret, or any other proprietary rights protection legally available.

 

7


  (c)

Patent and Copyright Registration. The Executive agrees to execute and deliver any instruments or documents and to do all other things reasonably requested by the Company in order to more fully vest the Company with all ownership rights in the Work Product. If any Work Product is deemed by the Company to be patentable or otherwise registrable, the Executive shall assist the Company (at the Company’s expense) in obtaining letters of patent or other applicable registration therein and shall execute all documents and do all things, including testifying (at the Company’s expense) as necessary or appropriate to apply for, prosecute, obtain, or enforce any Intellectual Property right relating to any Work Product. Should the Company be unable to secure the Executive’s signature on any document deemed necessary to accomplish the foregoing, whether due to the Executive’s disability or other reason, the Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and each of its duly authorized officers and agents as the Executive’s agent and attorney-in-fact to act for and on the Executive’s behalf and stead to take any of the actions required of Executive under the previous sentence, with the same effect as if executed and delivered by the Executive, such appointment being coupled with an interest.

This Section 9 shall survive the termination of the Agreement for any reason. In the event the Executive breaches this Section 9, the Company shall have right to seek remedies permissible under applicable law.

 

10.

CONFLICTING EMPLOYMENT

The Executive hereby agrees that, during the Term, he/she will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity related to the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the Term, nor will the Executive engage in any other activities that conflict with his/her obligations to the Company without the prior written consent of the Company.

 

8


11.

NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION

 

  (a)

Non-Competition . In consideration of the compensation provided to the Executive by the Company hereunder, the adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, the Executive agree that during the Term and for a period of one year following the termination of the Employment for whatever reason, the Executive shall not engage in Competition (as defined below) with the Group. For purposes of this Agreement, “Competition” by the Executive shall mean the Executive’s engaging in, or otherwise directly or indirectly being employed by or acting as a consultant or lender to, or being a director, officer, employee, principal, agent, stockholder, member, owner or partner of, or permitting the Executive’s name to be used in connection with the activities of, any other business or organization which competes, directly or indirectly, with the Group in the Business; provided , however , it shall not be a violation of this Section 11(a) for the Executive to become the registered or beneficial owner of up to five percent (5%) of any class of the capital stock of a publicly traded corporation in Competition with the Group, provided that the Executive does not otherwise participate in the business of such corporation.

For purposes of this Agreement, “ Business ” means the operation of e-commerce platform and provision of related services and any other business which the Group engages in, or is preparing to become engaged in, during the Term.

 

  (b)

Non-Solicitation; Non-Interference . During the Term and for a period of one year following the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, the Executive agrees that he/she will not, directly or indirectly, for the Executive’s benefit or for the benefit of any other person or entity, do any of the following:

 

  (1)

solicit from any customer doing business with the Group during the Term business of the same or of a similar nature to the Business;

 

  (2)

solicit from any known potential customer of the Group business of the same or of a similar nature to that which has been the subject of a known written or oral bid, offer or proposal by the Group, or of substantial preparation with a view to making such a bid, proposal or offer;

 

  (3)

solicit the employment or services of, or hire or engage, any person who is known to be employed or engaged by the Group; or

 

  (4)

otherwise interfere with the business or accounts of the Group, including, but not limited to, with respect to any relationship or agreement between the Group and any vendor or supplier.

 

9


  (c)

Injunctive Relief; Indemnity of Company . The Executive agrees that any breach or threatened breach of subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 11 would result in irreparable injury and damage to the Company for which an award of money to the Company would not be an adequate remedy. The Executive therefore also agrees that in the event of said breach or any reasonable threat of breach, the Company shall be entitled to seek an immediate injunction and restraining order to prevent such breach and/or threatened breach and/or continued breach by the Executive and/or any and all persons and/or entities acting for and/or with the Executive. The terms of this paragraph shall not prevent the Company from pursuing any other available remedies for any breach or threatened breach hereof, including, but not limited to, remedies available under this Agreement and the recovery of damages. The Executive and the Company further agree that the provisions of this Section 11 are reasonable. The Executive agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company from and against all reasonable expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) which may be incurred by the Company in connection with, or arising out of, any violation of this Agreement by the Executive. This Section 11 shall survive the termination of the Agreement for any reason.

 

12.

WITHHOLDING TAXES

Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, the Company may withhold (or cause there to be withheld, as the case may be) from any amounts otherwise due or payable under or pursuant to the Agreement such national, state, provincial, local or any other income, employment, or other taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

13.

ASSIGNMENT

The Agreement is personal in its nature and neither of the parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign or transfer the Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder; provided, however, that the Company may assign or transfer the Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder to any member of the Group without such consent. If the Executive should die while any amounts would still be payable to the Executive hereunder if the Executive had continued to live, all such amounts unless otherwise provided herein shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Executive’s devisee, legatee, or other designee or, if there be no such designee, to the Executive’s estate. The Company will require any and all successors (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption and agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle the Executive to compensation from the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as the Executive would be entitled to hereunder if the Company had terminated the Executive’s employment other than for Cause, except that for purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on which any such succession becomes effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination. As used in this Section 13, “Company” shall mean the Company as herein before defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section 13 or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.

 

10


14.

SEVERABILITY

If any provision of the Agreement or the application thereof is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the Agreement which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or applications and to this end the provisions of the Agreement are declared to be severable.

 

15.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

The Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Executive and the Company regarding the terms of the Employment and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements concerning such subject matter. The Executive acknowledges that he/she has not entered into the Agreement in reliance upon any representation, warranty or undertaking which is not set forth in the Agreement.

 

16.

GOVERNING LAW

The Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York, U.S.A.

 

17.

AMENDMENT

The Agreement may not be amended, modified or changed (in whole or in part), except by a formal, definitive written agreement expressly referring to the Agreement, which agreement is executed by both of the parties hereto.

 

18.

WAIVER

Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of a party to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under the Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver.

 

19.

NOTICES

All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted under the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and made if (i) delivered by hand, (ii) otherwise delivered against receipt therefor, (iii) sent by a recognized courier with next-day or second-day delivery to the last known address of the other party; or (iv) sent by e-mail with confirmation of receipt.

 

11


20.

COUNTERPARTS

The Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories. Photographic copies of such signed counterparts may be used in lieu of the originals for any purpose.

 

21.

NO INTERPRETATION AGAINST DRAFTER

Each party recognizes that the Agreement is a legally binding contract and acknowledges that such party has had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of choice. In any construction of the terms of the Agreement, the same shall not be construed against either party on the basis of that party being the drafter of such terms.

[Remainder of the page intentionally left blank.]

 

12


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:      GSX TECHEDU INC.
     a Cayman Islands exempted company
    By:  

 

    Name:  
    Title:  
EXECUTIVE:      
   

 

    Name:  
    Address:  


Schedule A

Cash Compensation

 

     Amount    Pay Period
Base Salary      
Cash Bonus      


Schedule B

List of Prior Inventions

 

Title

 

Date

 

Identifying Number

or Brief Description

   
   

 

 

                     No inventions or improvements

                     Additional Sheets Attached

Signature of Executive:                         

Print Name of Executive:                         

Date:                     

Exhibit 10.4

Power of Attorney

I, [Name], with identity card number of [ID Card No.], am a Chinese citizen, with domicile at [Address], and as of the date of signing this Power of Attorney hold [Percentage]% equity of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the “ Company ”). In respect of the aforesaid equity, I hereby irrevocably authorize Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ WFOE ”) to exercise the following rights during the validity period of this Power of Attorney in compliance with the laws and regulations of China:

I exclusively authorize WFOE or the individual(s) designated by WFOE (the “ Trustee ”) on my behalf to exercise, including but not limited to, the following rights in accordance with the Trustee’s own purpose:

1)    Convene shareholders’ meetings pursuant to the articles of association of the Company, and attend the shareholders’ meetings and sign the resolutions and minutes of the relevant shareholders’ meetings;

2)    Exercise all my rights in the Company as a shareholder under the laws and the articles of association respectively at the shareholders’ meetings, including but not limited to voting rights, nomination rights and appointment rights;

3)    Submit on my behalf any documents that are necessary to submit by shareholders of the Company to the relevant competent government authorities;

4)    Exercise in accordance with the laws and the articles of association the rights of receiving dividends, selling or transferring or pledging or disposing of all or part of the equity I hold in the Company, the rights of distribution of the remaining assets after liquidation of the Company, and other rights of operation of the Company;

5)    Constitute a liquidation team and exercise the power entitled to the liquidation team, including but not limited to management of the assets of the Company, during the liquidation period in compliance with the laws when the Company is liquidated or dissolved;

6)    Inspect the resolutions of the shareholders’ meetings, the resolutions of the board of directors, records and financial accounting statements and reports of the Company in accordance with the laws; and

7)    All other rights (including but not limited to all the rights under the laws and the articles of association) entitled to me as a shareholder of the Company.

Without any restriction on this authorization and within the scope of authorization, the Trustee shall have the right to sign and perform on my behalf as the contractual party the equity transfer contract stipulated in the Exclusive Call Option Agreement, and sign and perform as scheduled on my behalf as the contractual party the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, Exclusive Call Option Agreement and Exclusive Management Services and Business Cooperation Agreement, and the supplemental agreements, appendices and/or amendments and restatement of the aforesaid agreements, as well as all the other agreements and documents to be signed by me as agreed in the aforesaid documents.


Within the validity period of this Power of Attorney and subject to the restrictions of the laws of China, I undertake to deliver free of charge to WFOE or its designated third party the received distribution of dividends, bonuses or any assets as soon as possible and no later than three (3) days from the date of receipt of such distribution of dividends, bonuses or any assets.

During the period when I am a shareholder of the Company, no matter how the equity proportion I hold in the Company is changed, this Power of Attorney shall be irrevocable and effective from the date of signing the Power of Attorney. If and only if WFOE issues me a written notice of replacing the Trustee, I shall immediately appoint the then other trustee designated by WFOE to exercise the entrusted rights under this Power of Attorney, and the new authorization shall, once made, supersede the original authorization without the requirement of my consent. In addition, I will not revoke the entrustment and authorization made to the Trustee. During the validity period of this Power of Attorney, I hereby give up all rights of exercising the power entitled to the Trustee through this Power of Attorney and no longer exercise such rights by myself. If I become a person without capacity for civil conduct or with limited capacity for civil conduct, any my successors, guardians or administrators shall continue to comply with the stipulation of this Power of Attorney upon inheriting or managing the shareholders’ rights entitled to me as a shareholder of the Company.

I accept and bear the corresponding responsibilities for any legal consequences arising from the exercise of the aforesaid entrusted rights by the Trustee. I hereby confirm that in no event shall the Trustee be liable for or make any financial compensation whatsoever in respect of the exercise of the aforesaid entrusted rights. And I agree to indemnify WFOE, and hold it harmless, for all the loss suffered or likely to be suffered as a result of the exercise of the entrusted rights by the designated Trustee, including but not limited to litigation, recovery, arbitration, claim by any third party or any loss caused by administrative investigation or punishment of the government authorities.

I will provide full assistance to the Trustee in exercising the aforesaid entrusted rights and will procure the Company to provide full assistance, including signing in time the legal documents of shareholders’ meetings or other relevant legal documents made by the Trustee if necessary (such as meeting the requirements of the government departments for examination, approval, registration and filing of the required submitted documents), as well as entitling the Trustee the rights to know about the operations, business, customers, finance, employees and other relevant information of the Company, and accessing to related information of the Company.

In case the authorization or exercise of the aforesaid entrusted rights could not be realized for any reasons (except my violation of the terms of this Power of Attorney) at any time during the validity period of this trust, all parties shall immediately seek alternatives that are the closest to the unrealized ones, and sign supplemental agreements to amend or adjust the terms of this Power of Attorney to ensure the continuous realization of the purposes of this Power of Attorney if necessary.


This Power of Attorney will be effective from the date of signature and shall, once signed, supersede any undertakings, memorandums, agreements or any other documents previously made in connection with matters of this Power of Attorney, and shall be continuously effective during the period when I hold the equity of the Company.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank]


(This page is the signature page of the Power of Attorney)

[Name]

 

Signature:  

/s/ [Name]

Date:    March 16, 2019


Schedule of Material Differences

One or more persons signed a power of attorney using this form. Pursuant to Instruction ii to Item 601 of Regulation S-K, the Registrant may only file this form as an exhibit with a schedule setting forth the material details in which the executed agreements differ from this form:

 

No.

  Name   ID Card No.   Address   Percentage
1.   Chen Xiangdong   [***]   [***]   98.28
2.   Luo Bin   [***]   [***]   1.72

Exhibit 10.5

Equity Interest Pledge Agreement

This Equity Interest Pledge Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the “ Agreement ”) was signed by the following parties on this 16th day of March, 2019 in Beijing of the People’s Republic of China:

 

Party A:    Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd. , a wholly foreign-owned enterprise legally established and subsisting under the laws of the PRC with a unified social credit code of 911101083217069797 and a registered address of W105, 1st Floor, Building 7, East Area, Courtyard #10, Xibeiwang East Road, Haidian District, Beijing.
Party B:    Current Shareholders of Party C, as listed in Appendix I hereto, with their capital contribution to and ratio of capital contribution of Party C set forth in Appendix I hereto.
Party C:    Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd., a limited liability company legally established and subsisting under the laws of the PRC with the unified social credit code of 91110108397109142T and the registered address at W102, 1st Floor, Building 7, East Area, Courtyard #10, Xibeiwang East Road, Haidian District, Beijing.

(Party A, Party B and Party C are individually referred to as a “ party ”, collectively referred to as the “ parties ”.)

Whereas:

 

  (1)

Party A, Party B and Party C have respectively signed the agreements as set out in Appendix II to this Agreement (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Master Contract ”); and

 

  (2)

On the date hereof, Party B holds a total of 100% equity of Party C; Party B intends to pledge its own 100% equity of Party C to Party A unconditionally, as the guarantee for performance of all the obligations under the Master Contract by Party B, Party C and Party C’s subsidiaries (hereinafter referred to as the “ Party C’s subsidiaries ”). Party A also agrees to accept the above-mentioned guarantee interests (hereinafter referred to as the “ pledge ”).

 

  (3)

On 28th day of April, 2015, Party A, Party B, Shanghai Qianhao Investment Partnership, L.P. ( 上海谦昊投资合伙企业(有限合伙) ), Shanghai Jinshahe Equity Investment Enterprise, L.P.( 上海金沙河股权投资企业(有限合伙) ), Yingtan Jinguo Investment Limited Partnership ( 鹰潭市锦国投资有限合伙企业 ), Guangzhou Qifu Venture Capital Partnership, L.P. ( 广州市启赋创业投资合伙企业(有限合伙) ), Shenzhen Caixi Venture Capital Center, L.P. ( 深圳市采希创业投资中心(有限合伙) ), Zhang Huaiting ( 张怀亭 ), Su Wei ( 苏伟 ), Li Gangjiang ( 李钢江 ), Song Yuxiao ( 宋欲晓 ), Ma Cuilan ( 马翠兰 ), Zuo Aisi ( 左爱思 ) and Party C entered into Equity Interest Pledge Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the “ Previous Equity Interest Pledge Agreement ”). As the capital structure of Party C has changed, the parties intend to sign this Agreement to amend the Previous Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, and this Agreement shall supersede the Previous Equity Interest Pledge Agreement upon the effective date hereof.


In view of this, the three parties, namely Party A, Party B and Party C have, upon amicable negotiations, reached the following agreements for joint compliance:

 

1.

Pledge

Party B agrees to unconditionally and irrevocably pledge all of its own 100% equity of Party C (hereinafter referred to as “ pledged equity ”) to Party A, as the guarantee for performance of all the obligations under the Master Contract by Party B and Party C.

 

2.

Scope of guarantee

The guarantee of pledged equity under this Agreement covers all the obligations of Party B and Party C under the Master Contract (including but not limited to any monies, dividends, bonuses or any assets, liquidated damages, damages due but not paid to Party A etc.) and the expenses incurred for realizing main creditor’s rights and pledges, as well as all other related costs, but not limited to the amount of secured creditor’s rights as recorded in the administration for industry and commerce.

 

3.

Pledge period and cancellation of the pledge

 

  3.1

The pledge of equity under this Agreement has been established since its registration with the administration for industry and commerce to which Party C belongs, and terminated until all of the Master Contract has been fulfilled, lapsed or terminated (whichever is later), and all the secured debts agreed in Article 2 have been settled. All parties jointly confirm that, for the purpose of handling the industrial and commercial registration formalities for the pledge of equity, all parties shall submit this Agreement or an equity interest pledge contract (hereinafter referred to as the “Industrial and Commercial Registration Pledge Contract”), which is signed in the form required by the administration for industry and commerce of the place where Party C is located and truly reflects the pledge information under this Agreement. For matters not stipulated in the Industrial and Commercial Registration Pledge Contract, this Agreement shall prevail. During the term of the pledge, if Party B or Party C fails to fulfil any of its obligations under the Master Contract, or in the event of occurrence of any default as stipulated in Article 6.1 of this Agreement, Party A shall have the right but not be obliged to dispose of the pledged equity in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

  3.2

After all of the Master Contract has been fulfilled, lapsed or terminated (whichever is later), and Party B and/or Party C fully and completely fulfilled all of the contractual obligations under the Master Contract and all the secured debts agreed in Article 2 of this contract have been settled, Party A shall, at the request of Party B, terminate the pledge of equity under this Agreement, and cooperate with Party B in handling the registration cancellation of the pledge of equity registered in the register of shareholders of Party C and in the administration for industry and commerce. The expenses arising from cancellation of the pledge of equity shall be borne by Party C.

 

4.

Pledge registration and custody of pledge record

 

  4.1

Party B and Party C undertake to Party A that Party B and Party C will (i) record the pledge of equity under this Agreement on the register of shareholders of Party C as set out in Appendix III at the date of signing this Agreement and deliver the register of shareholders recording the pledge of equity to Party A for its custody; (ii) within thirty (30) working days from the date of signing this Agreement or within the fastest time limit as may be practicable, file record of the registration of the aforementioned pledge of equity with the relevant industrial and commercial registration authorities, and obtain a written certificate of registration filing from such registration authorities. Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, during the term of this Agreement, Party C’s register of shareholders shall be kept by Party A or its designated officers, except for the registration and amendments necessary for the operation of Party C.


  4.2

Party B and Party C further undertake that after the signing of this Agreement, Party B may increase capital contribution to Party C with the prior consent of Party A, provided that the equity arising from any increase in Party C’s equity by Party B is part of the pledged equity under this Agreement. Party B and Party C are obliged to make any necessary amendments to the register of shareholders and the amount of their capital contribution in the relevant company immediately after completion of the relevant capital increase and fulfil the pledge registration procedures stipulated in Article 4.1.

 

  4.3

All expenses and actual expenses related to this Agreement, including but not limited to registration fee, production costs, stamp duty and any other taxes, fees, etc., shall be borne by Party A in accordance with the provisions of the relevant laws and regulations.

 

  4.4

During the period of pledge stipulated in this Agreement, Party B shall deliver the certificate of capital contribution to Party A for its custody within one week after the signing of this Agreement. Party A shall keep such document for the entire period of the pledge stipulated in this Agreement. During the period of the pledge, Party A shall have the right to receive dividends arising from the pledged equity.

 

5.

Undertaking and guarantee of Party B and Party C

Party B and Party C shall severally and jointly undertake and guarantee to Party A as follows:

 

  5.1

Party B is the legal owner of the pledged equity and there is no dispute over the ownership of the relevant pledged equity that has been or may have occurred. Party B has the right to dispose of pledged shares and any part thereof, and such right of disposal shall not be restricted by any third party.

 

  5.2

Except for this Agreement and the “Exclusive Call Option Agreement” signed by all the related parties, Party B has not set any other pledge or third party rights on the pledged shares.

 

  5.3

Party B and Party C fully understand the contents of this Agreement. The signing and performance of this Agreement are voluntary and all the representations are true. Party B and Party C have taken all necessary measures at Party A’s reasonable request, obtained all internal authorization necessary for signing and performing this Agreement, signed all the necessary documents and obtained the consent and approval of government departments and third parties (if involved) to ensure that the pledge of equity under this Agreement is lawful and valid.

 

  5.4

The signing, delivery and performance of this Agreement shall not (i) cause a violation of any relevant PRC law;

(ii) contradict with Party C’s Articles of Association or any other organizational documents; (iii) cause a breach of any contract or document to which it is a party or is bound; or cconstitute a breach of contract under any contract or document to which it is a party or is bound; (iv) cause a breach of any permission or approval granted to either party and (or) any conditions which continue to be valid; or (v) cause termination or revocation of any permission or approval granted to either party or imposition of additional conditions on either party.


  5.5

During the duration of this Agreement, Party B shall not transfer the pledged equity without the prior written consent of Party A. No other person shall be authorized to exercise any rights and interests, options or other rights in connection with the pledged equity, and shall not establish or allow the existence of any third party guarantee interest in respect of the pledged equity or dispose of the pledged equity in any other manner that may affect Party A’s pledge.

 

  5.6

During the duration of this Agreement, Party B and Party C shall comply with and implement the provisions of all laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China pertaining to the pledge of rights. Upon receipt of the notice, order or recommendation issued by the relevant competent authorities on pledged equity and / or pledges under this Agreement, Party B and Party C shall present the above-mentioned notice, order or recommendation to Party A within five working days, at the same time comply with the above-mentioned notice, order or recommendation, or propose objection opinions and representation on the above-mentioned matter at Party A’s reasonable request or with the written consent of Party A.

 

  5.7

Party B and Party C will not implement, procure or permit the other party to commit any act that may derogate, endanger or otherwise impair the value of pledged equity or Party A’s pledge. Party B and Party C shall notify Party A in writing within five working days from the date of knowing any event and action that may affect the value of pledged equity or Party A’s pledge. Party A shall not be held accountable for any reduction in the value of pledged equity and neither Party B nor Party C shall have any right to make any claim or any request in any form against Party A.

 

  5.8

Subject to the provisions of the relevant PRC laws and regulations, the pledge of equity under this Agreement is a continuous guarantee and will remain in full force and effect for the duration of this Agreement even if neither Party B nor Party C is insolvent, liquidated, incapacitated or has incurred any change of organization or status, or any offsetting of funds between the parties, or any other event, the pledge of equity under this Agreement will not be affected.

 

  5.9

For the purpose of the implementation of this Agreement, Party A shall have the right to dispose of the pledged equity in the manner provided in this Agreement and Party A shall, at the time of exercising its right in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, not be subject to interruption or prejudice arising from legal proceedings made by Party B or Party C or successors of Party B or Party C, or trustees of Party B or Party C or any other person.

 

  5.10

For the purpose of protecting or improving the guarantee provided by this Agreement for performance of the obligation under the Master Contract by Party B and Party C, Party B and Party C will sign honestly and procure other parties interested in the pledged equity to sign all rights certificates, contracts relating to the implementation of this Agreement at Party A’s request, and / or perform and procure other interested parties to perform any act relating to the implementation of this Agreement at Party A’s request, and facilitate the exercise of Party A’s rights and authorization entitled under this Agreement.


  5.11

For the purpose of protecting the interests of Party A, Party B and Party C will comply with and perform all the guarantees, undertakings, agreements, representations and conditions. Party B and / or Party C shall compensate Party A for any damages suffered by Party A if Party B and / or Party C fails to perform or fully perform its guarantees, undertakings, agreements, representations and conditions.

 

6.

Rights exercise events and pledge execution

 

  6.1

Where any of the following events occurs (hereinafter referred to as “rights exercise events”), Party A may, in the case that the relevant PRC laws and regulations permit, opt to request Party B or Party C to forthwith and fully fulfill all of their obligations under this Agreement, and the pledge established under this Agreement can also be executed immediately:

 

  (a)

Where Party B or Party C violates any of its material obligations or undertakings and guarantee under this Agreement, or its undertakings and guarantee under this Agreement are materially untrue;

 

  (b)

Where Party B or Party C violate(s) any material obligations or undertakings and guarantee under their respective Master Contract, or its undertakings and guarantee under the Master Contract are materially untrue;

 

  (c)

Where one or more of any obligations of Party B or Party C under this Agreement or the Master Contract are deemed to be unlawful or invalid transactions;

 

  (d)

Where Party C or Party C’s subsidiaries cease(s) or is / are dissolved, or is / are ordered to suspend business, dissolve or go bankrupt;

 

  (e)

Where Party B and / or Party C or Party C’s subsidiaries involve(s) any dispute, litigation, arbitration, administrative proceeding or any other legal proceedings or government inquiry, action or investigation for which Party A reasonably believes to have a material adverse effect on: (i) the ability of Party B to fulfil its obligations under this Agreement or the Master Contract, or (ii) the ability of Party C to fulfil its obligations under this Agreement or the Master Contract; or

 

  (f)

Any other circumstances under which pledged equity may be disposed of under applicable laws and regulations.

 

  6.2

Where any of the above-mentioned rights exercise events occurs, Party A or a third party designated by Party A may, in accordance with the relevant PRC laws and regulations, purchase whole or part of the pledged equity at the lowest price permitted by the laws or designate other parties to purchase whole or part of the pledged equity at the lowest price permitted by the laws, or auction or sell whole or part of the pledged equity and execute the pledge by way of priority of compensation from the proceeds from auction or sale. Party A may forthwith execute the pledge under this Agreement without first exercising any other guarantee or right, or by taking other measures or procedures against Party B and / or Party C or any other party, or by first making other default relief.


  6.3

Party B and Party C shall, at the request of Party A, take all legal and appropriate actions required by Party A to ensure that Party A could execute the pledge pursuant to this Agreement. For this purpose, Party B and Party C shall sign all the documents and materials reasonably requested by Party A, and shall implement and handle all acts and matters that Party A reasonably requires.

 

7.

Transfer

 

  7.1

Party B and Party C shall not be entitled to make a gift of or transfer any of their rights or obligations under this Agreement to any third party without the prior written consent of Party A, except for Party A who obtains the pledged equity directly or indirectly under the “Exclusive Call Option Agreement”.

 

  7.2

This Agreement is binding on both Party B and its successors and is valid for Party A and each successor and assignee.

 

  7.3

Party A may at any time transfer all or any of its rights and obligations under the Master Contract to its designees (which may be natural persons / legal persons), in which case the assignee shall be entitled to and undertake the rights and obligations to be entitled and undertaken by Party A under this Agreement, and shall be the same as those to be entitled and undertaken by any party to this Agreement. When Party A transfers the rights and obligations under the Master Contract, at Party A’s request, Party B and / or Party C or any Party C’s subsidiaries shall transfer and execute the relevant agreements and documents (including but not limited to the new equity interest pledge agreement signed by the assignee of the format and content consistent to this Agreement).

 

  7.4

In case of the change of Party A to this Agreement in consequence of the above Party A’s transfer, the new pledge parties shall re-sign the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement. Party B and Party C shall assist the transferee in handling all the change formalities for equity interest pledge registration (if applicable).

 

8.

Confidentiality

The entire terms of this Agreement and this Agreement itself are confidential. All parties shall not disclose such information to any third party other than senior officers, directors, employees, agents and professional advisers of the parties and their affiliates, except that there is a need for all parties to disclose the information or content of this document to the government, the public or shareholders in accordance with legal requirements or the requirements of the relevant securities trading institutions or to submit such document to the relevant authorities for the record.

Regardless of whether this Agreement is changed, canceled or terminated, this term is legally binding.

 

9.

Liability for default

 

  9.1

Where a party fails to fulfil any of its obligations under this Agreement or any representations or guarantees of such party under this Agreement are substantially untrue or inaccurate, such Party shall be in breach of this Agreement and shall be liable in full for compensation of other Party’s actual economic losses; this Article 9 shall not hinder Party A from any other rights under this Agreement.


  9.2

Regardless of whether this Agreement is changed, canceled or terminated, this term is legally binding.

 

10.

Force majeure

A force majeure event means any event unforeseen by any party at the time of signing this Agreement that cannot be avoided, controlled and overcome (including but not limited to earthquake, typhoon, flood, fire, strike, war or riot, etc.).

In view of the fact that the force majeure event affects the performance of this Agreement, in the event of force majeure, the party shall forthwith (i) notify the remaining parties in the form of telegraph, facsimile or other electronic means and submit the written evidence of force majeure within fifteen (15) working days; (ii) take all reasonable and possible measures to eliminate or mitigate the effects of force majeure event and to resume the fulfillment of its obligations upon the elimination or mitigation of the effects of force majeure event.

 

11.

Changes in agreement parties

Where Party B no longer holds any shares in Party C, Party B shall automatically be deemed as Party B ceasing to be a party to this Agreement. Where any third party becomes a shareholder of Party C, Party A and Party C shall use their best endeavors to urge the third party to become one of Party B to this Agreement as soon as possible by signing the appropriate legal documents.

 

12.

Termination

Party B and / or Party C shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement under any circumstance without the written consent of Party A.

Unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with these terms, Party A shall, at Party B’s request, lift the pledge of pledged equity under this Agreement as soon as reasonably practicable after Party B and Party C have fully and completely fulfilled all their contractual obligations and settled all the secured debts, and cooperate with Party B to cancel the registration of the pledge of equity made in the register of shareholders of Party C and handle the pledge deregistration with the relevant administration for industry and commerce.

 

13.

Supplementary provisions

 

  13.1

This Agreement is governed by the laws of PRC in all respects. Any dispute that may arise during the performance of this Agreement shall be settled through amicable negotiations by all parties involved. Where the negotiation fails, either party may submit the dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with the prevailing arbitration rules of such arbitration institution. The place of arbitration is Beijing, the arbitration language is Chinese, the arbitral award is final and binding on all parties. Except for the part that is being submitted to arbitration, the rest of this Agreement shall remain in force. The validity of this Article is not subject to the impact from the change, cancellation or termination of this Agreement.


  13.2

This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of signing by all parties and the pledge under this Agreement shall be established from the date on which it is registered in the administration for industry and commerce to which Party C belongs. Unless Party A executes the pledge in accordance with this Agreement within the validity period of this Agreement, this Agreement shall not be terminated until all of the Master Contract has been fulfilled, lapsed or terminated and all the secured debts agreed in Article 2 have been settled, or all parties have engaged in any written agreement to revoke this agreement (whichever is later).

 

  13.3

All parties agree that this Agreement shall be implemented to the extent permitted by law. Where any of the terms of this Agreement or any part of a term is deemed illegal, invalid or unenforceable by any competent authority or court have jurisdiction, such unlawful, invalid or unenforceable terms shall not be prejudice to any other terms of this Agreement or other parts of such terms. Other terms or other parts of such terms shall remain in full force and each party shall use its best endeavors to amend such illegal, invalid or unenforceable terms for the purpose of achieving the original terms.

 

  13.4

This Agreement is prepared in Chinese quadruplicate. Party A and Party B as well as Party C each own one copy respectively. The remaining original copy shall be submitted to the relevant industrial and commercial registration authorities for record filing and registration or retained by Party A. The parties hereby agree that, as required by the relevant industrial and commercial registration authority, the parties may separately enter into another agreement meeting the requirements of the industrial and commercial authority, provided that the substantive content of such agreement shall be consistent with this Agreement. Where such agreement is inconsistent with any term any condition hereof, no matter whether or not the date of such agreement is later than the date hereof, this Agreement shall prevail.

 

  13.5

Upon signing this Agreement, it shall supersede any prior undertakings, memorandums, agreements or any other documents previously made in respect of the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement shall supersede the Previous Equity Interest Pledge Agreement signed by the parties and the Previous Equity Interest Pledge Agreement shall be expired upon and after the effective date hereof.

 

  13.6

Any amendment or supplement to this Agreement must be made in writing and shall be effective only after all parties to this Agreement have signed it in effect.

(The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank)


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the Parties or their authorized representative hereto as of the date first above written.

Party A:    Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)

 

Authorized representative (Signature):  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong

/s/ Seal of Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the Parties or their authorized representative hereto as of the date first above written.

Party B:

Chen Xiangdong

 

Signature:  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the Parties or their authorized representative hereto as of the date first above written.

Party B:

Luo Bin

 

Signature:  

/s/ Luo Bin


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the Parties hereto as of the date first above written.

Party C:    Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)

 

Authorized representative (Signature):  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong

/s/ Seal of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd.


Appendix I Current Shareholders of Party C

 

Name of Shareholder

   Capital contribution
(’0,000 RMB
     Ratio of capital
contribution
 

Chen Xiangdong

     5,405.4        98.28

Luo Bin

     94.6        1.72

Total

     5,500.00        100


Appendix II Master Contract List

 

1.

“Exclusive Call Option Agreement” signed on 16th day of March, 2019 by and among Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd., Chen Xiangdong, Luo Bin and Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd.

 

2.

“Exclusive Management Services and Business Cooperation Agreement” signed on 16th day of March, 2019 by and among Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd., Chen Xiangdong, Luo Bin and Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd.

 

3.

“Power of Attorney” issued on 16th day of March, 2019 by Chen Xiangdong

 

4.

“Power of Attorney” issued on 16th day of March, 2019 by Luo Bin


Appendix III Register of Shareholders

Register of Shareholders of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Name of
shareholder

   Capital contribution
(’0,000 RMB)
     Ratio of capital
contribution
   

Pledge of equity

Chen Xiangdong      5,405.4        98.28   98.28% equity have been pledged to Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd. in accordance with the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement signed on 16th day of March, 2019 by and among Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd., Chen Xiangdong, Luo Bin and Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd.
Luo Bin      94.6        1.72   1.72% equity have been pledged to Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd. in accordance with the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement signed on 16th day of March, 2019 by and among Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd., Chen Xiangdong, Luo Bin and Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd.

(The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank)


(This page is the signature page of the Register of Shareholders of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd.)

Company: Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)

 

Authorized representative (Signature):  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong

Date: March 16, 2019

Exhibit 10.6

Exclusive Management Services and Business Cooperation Agreement

This Exclusive Management Services and Business Cooperation Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the “ Agreement ”) was signed by the following parties in Beijing of the People’s Republic of China on March 16, 2019.

 

Party A:    Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd. , a wholly foreign-owned enterprise legally established and subsisting under the laws of the PRC with a unified social credit code of 911101083217069797 and a registered address at W105, 1st Floor, Building 7, East Area, Courtyard #10, Xibeiwang East Road, Haidian District, Beijing.
Party B:    Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd. , a limited liability company legally established and subsisting under the laws of the PRC with its unified social credit code of 91110108397109142T and the registered address at W102, 1st Floor, Building 7, East Area, Courtyard #10, Xibeiwang East Road, Haidian District, Beijing.
Party C:    Current Shareholders of Party B, as listed in Appendix I hereto, with their capital contribution to and ratio of capital contribution of Party B set forth in Appendix I hereto.

(Party A, Party B and Party C are referred to as a “ party ” respectively and collectively referred to as the “ parties ”. “ Party B’s subsidiaries ” are all the principal bodies mentioned in Appendix II to this Agreement and the institutions invested and controlled by Party B (including but not limited to the companies and relevant institutions, more than 50% investment equity of which are directly or indirectly held by Party B) updated from time to time according to this Agreement.)

Whereas:

 

  (1)

Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise effectively established and lawfully subsisting under the laws of the PRC, with business scope including computer network technology development, technology transfer, technical services, technical consultation; enterprise management consultancy; investment consulting; computer system integration; technology import and export (excluding products under state-run trade management; for products subject to quota license, shall conduct application procedure in accordance with relevant regulations ); sale of self-developed software products (for items subject to approval in accordance with the laws, the operation of business shall be within the approved scope after approval of the relevant authorities).

 

  (2)

Party B is a company with limited liability effectively established and lawfully subsisting under the laws of the PRC, mainly engaging in technology development, technology promotion, technology transfer, technical consultation, technical services, technical training; education consulting; business management consulting; investment management; asset management; sales of self-developed products; organization of cultural and artistic exchange activities (excluding commercial performances) ;transfer of copyright; copyright agent; conference service, undertaking exhibition activities; computer system service; technology import and export and so on (hereinafter referred to as “ the Main Services ”).


  (3)

On 28th day of April, 2015, Party A, Party B, Party C, Shanghai Qianhao Investment Partnership, L.P. ( 上海谦昊投资合伙企业(有限合伙) ), Shanghai Jinshahe Equity Investment Enterprise, L.P.( 上海金沙河股权投资企业(有限合伙) ), Yingtan Jinguo Investment Limited Partnership ( 鹰潭市锦国投资有限合伙企业 ), Guangzhou Qifu Venture Capital Partnership, L.P. ( 广州市启赋创业投资合伙企业(有限合伙) ), Shenzhen Caixi Venture Capital Center, L.P. ( 深圳市采希创业投资中心(有限合伙) ), Zhang Huaiting ( 张怀亭 ), Su Wei ( 苏伟 ), Li Gangjiang ( 李钢江 ), Song Yuxiao ( 宋欲晓 ), Ma Cuilan ( 马翠兰 ), Zuo Aisi ( 左爱思 ) and other relevant parties entered into Exclusive Technology Support and Consultation Service Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the “ Previous Exclusive Service Agreement ”).

 

  (4)

Subsidiaries currently held by Party B are shown in Appendix II .

 

  (5)

Party C are shareholders of Party B, and hold 100% equity of Party B as of the date hereof.

 

  (6)

Party B and Party C undertake to help materializing the compliance and implementation of the terms under this Agreement by Party B’s subsidiaries, and sign necessary relevant specific agreements or documents to realize the purposes of this Agreement under the request of Party A.

 

  (7)

Party A agrees to provide Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries with exclusive education management consultancy, permission of intellectual property rights, technological support and business support by leveraging its advantages on talents, technology and information and Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries agree to accept the relevant services provided by Party A.

 

  (8)

As the capital structure of Party B has changed, the parties intend to sign this Agreement to amend and restate the Previous Exclusive Service Agreement, and this Agreement shall supersede the Previous Exclusive Service Agreement upon the effective date hereof.

The parties have reached a consensus and the following agreement:

 

1.

Provision of Service

 

  1.1.

According to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Party B and Party C hereby appoint Party A as the exclusive provider of technology and service for Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries during the period of this Agreement, so as to provide Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries with comprehensive education management consultancy, permission of intellectual property rights, technological support and business support. Specific contents are given in Appendix III of this Agreement. Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries are the “ service recipients ”.

Party B shall, and Party B shall guarantee to procure Part B’s subsidiaries, based on actual business needs, determine the services together with Party A or the entities designated by Party A, and such services are given in Appendix III of this Agreement. The parties understand that the services actually provided by Party A are subject to Party A’s approved business scope; and if Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries require Party A to provide services beyond Party A’s approved business scope, Party A shall have the right to designate third parties or within the maximum limit allowed by law to apply for expanding its business scope, and then provide services after the application has been approved.


  1.2.

Party B and Party C further agree that, without the prior written consent of Party A, Party B and Party C guarantee that they and their relevant institutions (including but not limited to Part B’s subsidiaries) shall not directly or indirectly obtain services the same as or similar to the exclusive technology and services specified in this Agreement from any third party, and shall not establish any similar cooperation relations relating to the matters covered herein with any third party and shall promise that their relevant institutions shall not do so. Party B and Party C agree that Party A may designate other parties to provide Party B and Part B’s subsidiaries with the services specified in Appendix III of this Agreement.

 

  1.3.

In order to ensure the normal operation of daily business of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries, Party A may (but not necessarily), based on its own judgement and Chinese laws and regulations, provide guarantee for the performance of other business contracts and agreements signed between Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries and any third parties related to its business as the guarantor. Party B and Party C hereby unanimously agree and confirm that Party A shall first be appointed as the guarantor if it is necessary to provide any guarantee for the fulfilment of any contract or loan during the business operation of Party B and/or Party B’s subsidiaries.

 

2.

Price and Payment Method of Services

 

  2.1.

Party A may, by referring to the specific service contents and objects and the income, number of students in the particular period of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries, determine by itself the price and appropriate payment methods of services, and the specific calculation and payment methods of service expenses are given in Appendix III of this Agreement.

 

  2.2.

If Party A thinks that the confirmation mechanism of service prices specified in this Agreement becomes inappropriate because of some reasons and therefore shall be adjusted, Party A shall actively and honestly propose adjustment plan, so as to confirm new price standard or mechanism. If the service recipients fail to reply within seven workdays after receiving the notice of the aforesaid adjustment, it shall be deemed as having accepted the said adjustment to service price.

 

3.

Intellectual Property Rights

 

  3.1.

The intellectual property rights of all the achievements arising from performing this Agreement shall include but not limited to copyright, patent, the right to apply for patent, technological secrets, commercial secrets, etc., whether or not developed by Party A, and shall be the ownerships, rights and interests that are exclusively enjoyed by Party A. Party B, Party B’s subsidiaries and Party C shall not enjoy any other rights that are not specified in this Agreement unless with the permission of Party A, and shall support Party A in taking all necessary measures to obtain such intellectual property rights. For the avoidance of doubt, except for the intellectual property rights that are confirmed by Party A as necessary for normal business operation of Party B or Party B’s subsidiaries or shall be held by Party B or Party B’s subsidiaries according to relevant domestic laws and regulations, as for the intellectual property rights that have been held or applied by Party B or Party B’s subsidiaries to relevant competent authorities as of the signing date of this Agreement, the equity holders or applicants of other intellectual property rights shall, based on Party A’s requirements, transfer the said intellectual property rights to Party A or Party A’s related parties, and Party B or Party B’s subsidiaries shall sign a transfer agreement of intellectual property rights with Party A or Party A’s related parties.


  3.2.

If development is conducted by Party A based on the intellectual property rights of Party B or Party B’s subsidiaries, Party B and Party B’s relevant subsidiary shall ensure that there are not any flaw of such intellectual property rights, otherwise Party B and Party B’s relevant subsidiaries shall bear the losses caused to Party A. If Party A needs to compensate any third person in this case, Party A shall have the right to, after such a compensation, claim for all the losses against Party B and/or relevant Party B’s subsidiaries.

 

  3.3.

The parties agree that, regardless of whether this Agreement is changed, cancelled or terminated, these terms are binding.

 

4.

Realization of Party A’s Rights

Whereas the provisions of Article 1 of this Agreement and in order to clarify the rights and interests of the parties, guarantee the actual performance of management services agreement provided by Party A for Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries, the implementation of business services between Party A and Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries, and the payment by Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries for payable consideration to Party A, Party B and Party C hereby agree that, and guarantee to procure Party B to agree:

 

  4.1.

Party A shall have the right to propose suggestions or requirements regarding the daily operation, financial management and staff employment of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries, and Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries shall strictly fulfil or observe the said suggestions or requirements proposed by Party A.

 

  4.2.

Party C, Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries shall, according to laws and regulations and the procedures specified in the articles of association of company, select candidates designated by Party A as the directors of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries, and procure the said elected directors to select the chairman of the board of directors from the candidates recommended by Party A, and appoint the persons designated by Party A as all of the senior executives (including but not limited to principal, general manager, financial controller, responsible persons of respective businesses, financial management staff, financial monitoring staff and accountant) of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries.

 

  4.3.

Party C, Party B and/or Party B’s subsidiaries shall, based on Party A’s requirements, dismiss any directors and/or senior executives of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries, and immediately select and appoint other persons designated by Party A to assume the said positions.


  4.4.

In respect of the objective of Clause 4.3, Party C, Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries shall, according to laws, articles of association and this Agreement, take all necessary internal or external procedures to complete the abovementioned dismissal and employment procedures.

 

  4.5.

Party A shall have the right to check the accounts of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries regularly or at any time. Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries shall timely and accurately record the accounts, and shall, upon requirements of Party A, provide Party A with their accounts, audit reports, financial statements and all operation records, business contracts and financial information. During the validity period of this Agreement and on the condition of not violating applicable laws, Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries shall agree to support Party A and any third party designated by Party A in auditing (including but not limited to audit of related transactions and other audits of various types), provide relevant information and data relating to operation, business, customers, finance and staff of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries for Party A and any third party designated by Party A and auditors appointed by Party A, and shall agree that Party A or any other related parties of Party A may disclose such information and data in order to meet the relevant requirements of securities regulatory authorities.

 

  4.6.

Party C hereby agrees to, on the date of signing this Agreement, present Party A with a Power of Attorney, the content and form of which satisfy Party A, and comprehensively, appropriately and completely perform the stipulation of such a Power of Attorney, including but not limited to, according to this Power of Attorney, unconditionally and irrevocably authorizing Party A or the persons (“ trustee ”, and such a trustee shall not be Party C) designated by Party A as the representative of Party C to exercise the rights of shareholders and/or directors of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries based on the will of the trustee.

 

  4.7.

Party C confirms that it has comprehensively and clearly understood the obligations of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries under this Agreement at the time of signing this Agreement, and that it is willing to pledge the 100% equity of Party B held by it to Party A, so as to provide guarantee for the performance of all the obligations of Party B under this Agreement. The parties will sign a separate agreement on equity interest pledge.

 

  4.8.

Party B and Party C hereby agree that, and Party B and Party C guarantee to procure Party B’s subsidiaries to agree, once Party A submits a written request, Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries and Party C will pledge all of their receivables and/or all the other assets that are lawfully owned and may be disposed of by them as the guarantee for the payment obligation of the service expenses specified in Clause 2.1 of this Agreement, in a manner then permitted by the laws. Party B and Party C hereby agree that, and Party B and Party C guarantee to procure Party B’s subsidiaries to agree, during the validity period of this Agreement, Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries maintain complete business licences necessary for operation and adequate rights and qualifications to engage in the current businesses in China.


  4.9.

In case of liquidation or dissolution of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries for various reasons, Party C, Party B or Party B’s subsidiaries shall, within the scope permitted by Chinese laws, appoint the persons recommended by Party A as the liquidation team, which takes charge of managing the property of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries. Party C, Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries promise that in case of liquidation or dissolution of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries, Party C, Party B or Party B’s subsidiaries shall deliver all the remaining property obtained from the liquidation of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries conducted according to Chinese laws and regulations respectively to Party A or the third parties designated by Party A, no matter whether the agreement specified in this article has been implemented and within the restriction of Chinese laws.

 

  4.10.

Without the prior written consent of Party A, Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries are not allowed to conduct any transactions that may substantially affect their assets, obligations, rights or operation of institutions, including but not limited to:

 

  (1)

To conduct any activities beyond the normal business scope of institutions or do business not in the consistent and usual way;

 

  (2)

To lend the third parties money or assume any debts;

 

  (3)

To change or dismiss any directors or change any executives;

 

  (4)

Employ other staff or service providers with annual remuneration more than RMB 500,000;

 

  (5)

To sell to any third parties or obtain from any third parties, or otherwise deal with any assets or rights, including but not limited to any intellectual property rights;

 

  (6)

To provide guarantee for any third parties with its assets or intellectual property rights, or provide guarantee in any other forms or set any encumbrance on the assets of institutions not because of the debts of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries;

 

  (7)

To change the articles of association of institutions or change the business scope of institutions;

 

  (8)

To change the operation method, business procedures of institutions or change any major internal rules and systems of institutions;

 

  (9)

To significantly adjust its business operation models, marketing strategies, operation guidelines or customer relations;

 

  (10)

To distribute bonus and dividends in any form;

 

  (11)

To liquidate institutions and distribute the remaining assets;

 

  (12)

To transfer the rights and interests under this Agreement to any third parties;

 

  (13)

To sign any other agreements or arrangements which contradict this Agreement or may damage the rights and interests of Party A under this Agreement; and

 

  (14)

To conduct contracted operation, operation of lease, consolidation, division, joint venture, shareholding reform or other arrangements that change the operation method and equity structure, or deal with all or substantial assets or rights and interests of the institutions of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries in the form of transfer, or assignment or capital contribution at a certain price or other ways.


Moreover, Party B shall, and Party C shall, procure Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries to immediately inform Party A of any situations that will or may substantially and adversely affect the businesses and operation of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries, and shall use its best endeavours to avoid the occurrence of such situations and/or the expansion of losses.

 

  4.11.

Party B hereby grants Party A an irrevocable and exclusive purchase right, pursuant to which Party A may, at its own option, purchase any partial or entire assets and businesses from Party B at the minimum price allowed by the Chinese laws within the scope permitted by the Chinese laws and regulations. The two parties will then separately sign asset or business transfer contract to specify the terms and conditions of such asset transfer.

 

5.

Validity Period and Termination Right

 

  5.1.

This Agreement was signed and took effect on the date set out in the first page.

 

  5.2.

This Agreement shall be effective in the operation period of Party A, Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries unless it is cancelled earlier as unanimously agreed by the parties.

 

  5.3.

The parties agree to grant Party A an option to terminate this Agreement at any time. Party A shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time during the performance of this Agreement by serving a written notice.

 

  5.4.

Party B and/or Party C are not allowed to terminate this Agreement under any situations without the prior written consent of Party A.

 

6.

Representations and Warranties

 

  6.1.

Party A makes the following representations and warranties for Party B and Party C:

 

  (1)

Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise legal person lawfully established and effectively subsisting under the laws of the PRC, and has the capacity of independently undertaking civil liabilities.

 

  (2)

Party A has the full corporate powers necessary for signing and delivering this Agreement and fulfilling its obligations under this Agreement. After the signing, this Agreement shall constitute statutory, effective and binding obligations for Party A and may be enforceable based on its terms.

 

  (3)

The signing of this Agreement and Party A’s fulfilment of the obligations under this Agreement will not contradict, breach or violate (i) any requirements of Party A’s any business licences or articles of association; (ii) any laws, rules, ordinances, authorizations or approvals of any government agencies or departments that are applicable to Party A; and (iii) any requirements of the contracts and agreements to which Party A is the signing party or main body.


  6.2.

Party B makes the following representations and warranties to Party A:

 

  (1)

Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries are companies with limited liability or non-governmental non-profit units (legal person) lawfully established and effectively subsisting under the laws of the PRC, and have the capacity of independently undertaking civil liabilities with its registered capital.

 

  (2)

Party B has the full authority necessary for signing and delivering this Agreement and completely fulfilling their obligations under this Agreement. After the signing, this Agreement shall constitute statutory, effective and binding obligations for Party B and may be enforceable based on its terms.

 

  (3)

The signing of this Agreement and the fulfilment by Party B of the obligations under this Agreement will not contradict, breach or violate (i) any requirements of business licences or articles of association of Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries; (ii) any laws, rules, ordinances, authorizations or approvals of any government agencies or departments that are applicable to Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries; and (iii) any requirements of the contracts and agreements to which Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries or any of their related companies are the signing parties or main bodies.

 

  (4)

Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries will, based on Party A’s requirements, provide Party A with relevant information and document; assign special staff to communicate with Party A and coordinate the work, and actively support Party A’s on-site investigation and data collection at Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries.

 

  (5)

If necessary, Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries shall provide necessary working facilities and conditions for Party A’s professionals, and bear the corresponding expenditures and expenses incurred during the provision of management services by the said professionals at Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries;

 

  (6)

To develop and provide the Main Services effectively, prudently and lawfully, maintain and timely update all the licences and authorizations necessary for the provision of the Main Services by Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries under this Agreement, so as to maintain the validity and full legal force of such licences and authorizations; and establish and maintain an independent recording unit for the Main Services;

 

  (7)

To provide Party A with any technological information or other data that Party A thinks are necessary for fulfilling the obligations under this Agreement, and allow Party A to enter the relevant venues and facilities that Party A thinks are necessary for providing the services under this Agreement;

 

  (8)

Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries will, based on relevant Chinese laws and regulations, conduct business operation and handle all the necessary formalities relating to the business operation, and timely provide Party A with the copies of the aforesaid licences;

 

  (9)

Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries have all the permits, licences, authorizations, approvals and facilities necessary for providing the Main Services during the validity period of this Agreement, and Party B and Party B’s subsidiaries guarantee that the aforesaid permits, licences, authorizations and approvals will continue to have legal force and legally valid during the entire validity period of this Agreement.


  (10)

To pay service expenses to Party A on time.

 

7.

Confidentiality

 

  7.1.

All the terms of this Agreement and this Agreement itself are both confidential, and the parties shall not disclose them to any third party, except for the disclosure to senior staff, directors, employees, agents and professional consultants that are related to this project and undertake the confidentiality obligation to the said parties or their related parties; with the exception of the disclosure of information or content of this document to government, public or shareholders and the filing of this document at relevant institutions based on the requirements of laws or relevant securities trading institutions.

 

  7.2.

This article shall still have legal force no matter whether this Agreement has been altered, cancelled or terminated.

 

8.

Liabilities for Default

 

  8.1.

Where a party fails to fulfil any of its obligations under this Agreement or any representations or guarantees of such party under this Agreement are substantially untrue or inaccurate, such Party shall be in breach of this Agreement and shall be liable for compensation of all losses of other parties or pay liquidated damages according to the agreement separately signed by the relevant parties.

 

  8.2.

Where Party B is deemed as having breached this Agreement according to Clause 8.1, Party B shall fully compensate Party A for any losses, damages or liabilities (including the losses and expenses arising from any lawsuit, claim for compensation or other requirements) that Party A incur or assume because of fulfilling the obligations under this Agreement or providing the services specified in this Agreement.

 

  8.3.

Regardless of whether this Agreement is changed, cancelled or terminated, these terms are legally binding.

 

9.

Force Majeure

A force majeure event means any event unforeseen by any party at the time of signing this Agreement that cannot be avoided, controlled and overcome (including but not limited to earthquake, typhoon, flood, fire, strike, war or riot, etc.).

In view of the fact that the force majeure event affects the performance of this Agreement, in the event of force majeure, the party shall forthwith (i) notify the remaining parties in the form of telegraph, facsimile or other electronic means and submit the written evidence of force majeure within fifteen (15) working days; (ii) take all reasonable and possible measures to eliminate or mitigate the effects of force majeure event and to resume the fulfillment of its obligations upon the elimination or mitigation of the effects of force majeure event.


10.

Transfer of Agreement and Changes to Parties of Agreement

 

  10.1.

Without the prior written consent of Party A, none of Party B and Party C shall have the right to transfer any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party, except for the situation that Party A directly or indirectly obtains the equity of Party B based on the Exclusive Call Option Agreement signed by Party A, Party B and Party C on March 16, 2019 (including amendments made by the parties from time to time).

 

  10.2.

Party B hereby agrees that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to third parties, and Party A only needs to issue a written notice to Party B at the time of such transfer, without obtaining Party B’s consent of the said transfer.

 

  10.3.

Addition of Party B’s subsidiaries. In case that it is necessary to add Party B’s subsidiaries at any time starting from the effective date of this Agreement, the said Party B’s subsidiaries newly added shall be regarded as one of the Party B’s subsidiaries specified under this Agreement. The other parties of this Agreement hereby agree with and completely accept the aforesaid arrangement.

 

  10.4.

The rights and obligations under this Agreement shall be legally binding on the transferees and successors (no matter whether the transfer of such rights and obligations are caused by acquisition, reorganization, succession, transfer or other reasons) of rights and obligations of the parties of this Agreement.

 

  10.5.

If Party C no longer holds any shares of Party B, it shall be deemed that Party C is no longer either party of this Agreement. In case that any third party becomes a shareholder of Party B, Party B and Party C shall try its best to include the said third party as one of Party C of this Agreement as soon as possible through signing appropriate legal documents.

 

11.

Supplementary Provisions

 

  11.1.

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the People’s Republic of China. Any dispute that may arise during the performance of this Agreement shall be settled through amicable negotiations by all parties involved. Where the negotiation fails, either party may submit the dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with the prevailing arbitration rules of such arbitration institution. The place of arbitration is Beijing, the arbitration language is Chinese, the arbitral award is final and binding on all parties. Except for the part that is being submitted to arbitration, the rest of this Agreement shall remain in force. The validity of this Article is not subject to the impact from the change, cancellation or termination of this Agreement.

 

  11.2.

Upon signing this Agreement, it shall supersede any prior undertakings, memorandums, agreements or any other documents previously made in respect of the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement shall supersede the Previous Exclusive Service Agreement signed by the parties and the Previous Exclusive Service Agreement shall be expired upon and after the effective date hereof.


  11.3.

All parties agree that this Agreement shall be implemented to the extent permitted by law. Where any of the terms of this Agreement or any part of a term is deemed illegal, invalid or unenforceable by any competent authority or court have jurisdiction, such unlawful, invalid or unenforceable terms shall not be prejudice to any other terms of this Agreement or other parts of such terms. Other terms or other parts of such terms shall remain in full force and each party shall use its best endeavors to amend such illegal, invalid or unenforceable terms for the purpose of achieving the original terms.

 

  11.4.

The appendixes shall be an inalienable part of this Agreement and shall have the same legal effect as other parts of this Agreement.

 

  11.5.

This Agreement is prepared in Chinese and shall be executed in quadruplicate. Each copy has the same legal effect.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the Parties or their authorized representative hereto as of the date first above written.

Party A: Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)

 

Authorized representative (Signature) :  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong

/s/ Seal of Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd.

Party B: Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)

 

Authorized representative (Signature) :  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong

/s/ Seal of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the Parties or their authorized representative hereto as of the date first above written.

Party C:

Chen Xiangdong

 

Signature:  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the Parties or their authorized representative hereto as of the date first above written.

Party C:

Luo Bin

 

Signature:   

/s/ Luo Bin

  


Appendix I Current Shareholders of Party B

 

Name of Shareholder

   Capital contribution
(’0,000 RMB
     Ratio of capital
contribution
 

Chen Xiangdong

     5,405.4        98.28

Luo Bin

     94.6        1.72

Total

     5,500.00        100


Appendix II List of Party B’s subsidiaries

 

    

Name

    
1.    Beijing GaoTuYunJi Education Technology Co., Ltd.   
2.    Beijing BaiJiaChengXi Education Technology Co., Ltd.   
3.    Beijing Jiazi Technology Co., Ltd.   
4.    Shanghai Jinyou Education Technology Co., Ltd.   
5.    Beijing Genshuixue Technology Co., Ltd.   


Appendix III Service Content, Calculation and Payment Methods of Service Expenses

(I) List of service content

 

  1.

To provide opinions and suggestions on asset, business operation and negotiation, signing and fulfilment of significant contracts;

 

  2.

To provide services relating to short-term and medium-term market development and market plan;

 

  3.

To provide industrial market investigation, study and consulting service;

 

  4.

To provide opinions and suggestions on disposing of creditor’s rights and debts;

 

  5.

To provide opinions and suggestions on M&A;

 

  6.

To provide human resources management service and pre-job training, on-site skill training;

 

  7.

To provide the authorized use of various intellectual property rights like software, trademark, domain name and technological secret;

 

  8.

To provide the R&D of educational software, educational courseware and on-line lessons and supporting services;

 

  9.

To provide consulting and training services on opening school and training courses;

 

  10.

To provide services on technological development, technological transfer and technological consultancy;

 

  11.

To provide the management and maintenance of management and service systems like human resources information management system, payment management system and internal information management system;

 

  12.

To provide development and upgrading of website, and daily maintenance, monitoring, debugging and troubleshooting of computer network equipment;

 

  13.

To provide technological consultancy and answer to the technological questions on network equipment, technological product and software proposed by the service recipients;

 

  14.

To provide public relations service;

 

  15.

To provide selling service for self-made products;

 

  16.

To provide daily maintenance for office equipment;

 

  17.

To seek and select appropriate service provider as the third party for the service recipients;

 

  18.

To provide daily management of service provider as the third party for the service recipients;

 

  19.

To provide the service recipients with consultancy service regarding overseas market; and/or

 

  20.

To provide other services that are negotiated and confirmed from time to time by Party A and the service recipients based on the business needs of the service recipients and Party A’s capability of providing services.

(II) Calculation and Payment Methods of Service Expenses

 

  1.

The amount of service expenses are the balance of the total income of the service recipients minus cost, taxes and other expenses that are reserved or withdrawn according to laws and regulations. The specific amount shall be determined by Party A by referring to the following factors:

 

  (1)

Technological difficulties and complexity of services;


  (2)

The resources input by Party A and the time spent by Party A’s staff for specific services;

 

  (3)

Specific content and commercial value of services;

 

  (4)

Market reference price of services of the same category;

 

  (5)

Operating conditions of the service recipients.

 

  2.

Party A shall summarize the service expenses on time (the specific period shall be determined by Party A, and the service recipients shall agree with such decision) and notify the service recipients by regularly sending the account of service expenses to them. The service recipients shall remit the said service expenses to the bank account designated by Party A within 10 work days after receiving the said notice. The service recipients shall fax or mail the copy of remittance voucher to Party A within 10 workdays after the remittance.

 

  3.

Besides the service expenses, the service recipients shall bear all reasonable expenses, advance payment and expenses actually paid (“ expenditures ”) in any form that are ascribable to Party A, arising from, or relating to Party A’s fulfilment or provision of services, and shall compensate Party A in respect of these expenses.

 

  4.

The service recipients shall pay the service expenses and the expenditures to be made up to Party A according to this Agreement and the supplementary agreement signed from time to time. Party A shall timely issue the invoices of corresponding service expenses and all the expenditures arising during the relevant period to the service recipients. All the payments shall be remitted to the bank account designated by Party A via remittance or other methods agreed by both parties. Both parties agree that Party A may also inform the service recipients of changing the said payment instructions from time to time.

Exhibit 10.7

Exclusive Call Option Agreement

This Exclusive Call Option Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the “ Agreement ”) was signed by the following parties on 16th day of March, 2019 in Beijing of the People’s Republic of China:

 

Party A:    Beijing  Lexuebang  Network  Technology  Co.,  Ltd. , a wholly foreign-owned enterprise legally established and subsisting under the laws of the PRC with a unified social credit code of 911101083217069797 and a registered address of W105, 1st Floor, Building 7, East Area, Courtyard #10, Xibeiwang East Road, Haidian District, Beijing.
Party B:    Current Shareholders of Party C, as listed in Appendix I hereto, with their capital contribution to and ratio of capital contribution of Party C set forth in Appendix I hereto.
Party C:    Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd. , a limited liability company legally established and subsisting under the laws of the PRC with its unified social credit code of 91110108397109142T and the registered address at W102, 1st Floor, Building 7, East Area, Courtyard #10, Xibeiwang East Road, Haidian District, Beijing.

(Party A, Party B and Party C are individually referred to as a “ party ”, collectively referred to as the “ parties ”.)

Whereas:

 

  1.

On 28 th day of April, 2015, Party A, Party B, Shanghai Qianhao Investment Partnership, L.P. ( 上海谦昊投资合伙企业(有限合伙) ), Shanghai Jinshahe Equity Investment Enterprise, L.P.( 上海金沙河股权投资企业(有限合伙) ), Yingtan Jinguo Investment Limited Partnership ( 鹰潭市锦国投资有限合伙企业 ), Guangzhou Qifu Venture Capital Partnership, L.P. ( 广州市启赋创业投资合伙企业(有限合伙) ), Shenzhen Caixi Venture Capital Center, L.P. ( 深圳市采希创业投资中心(有限合伙) ), Zhang Huaiting ( 张怀亭 ), Su Wei ( 苏伟 ), Li Gangjiang ( 李钢江 ), Song Yuxiao ( 宋欲晓 ), Ma Cuilan ( 马翠兰 ), Zuo Aisi ( 左爱思 ) and Party C entered into Exclusive Call Option Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the “ Previous Exclusive Call Option Agreement ”).

 

  2.

Party B holds a total of 100% equity of Party C as of the date hereof.

 

  3.

As the capital structure of Party C has changed, the parties intend to sign this Agreement to amend the Previous Exclusive Call Option Agreement, and this Agreement shall supersede the Previous Exclusive Call Option Agreement upon the effective date hereof.

All the above parties, upon amicable negotiations, hope to reach this Agreement in respect of the purchase by Party A or the third party designated by Party A of Party C’s equity held by Party B for joint compliance.


The parties have reached a consensus and the following agreement:

 

  1.

Exclusive call option

 

  1.1

From the date of signing this Agreement, Party A shall be entitled at any time under the following circumstances to request Party B (subject to the specific requirements of Party A) to transfer all or part of 100% equity of Party C held by Party B (hereinafter referred to as the “ subject equity ”) in accordance with the consideration as stipulated in Article 3 of this Agreement. Party B shall transfer the subject equity to Party A or a third party designated by Party A at Party A’s request and complete the corresponding change of industrial and commercial registration:

 

  (1)

Where the PRC laws and regulations permit Party A or a third party designated by Party A to hold all or part of the subject equity; or

 

  (2)

Any other circumstances that Party A deems appropriate or necessary as far as legally permissible under the PRC laws and regulations.

Party A’s call options under this Agreement are exclusive, unconditional and irrevocable.

 

  1.2

All parties agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and Party A shall be entitled, at its own discretion, to exercise all or part of the exclusive call options and acquire all or part of the subject equity without violating the then PRC laws. All parties further agree that Party A shall not be subject to any restriction on the time, method, quantity and frequency of exercising the exclusive call options as stipulated in this Agreement.

 

  1.3

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, all parties agree that Party A may designate any third party to exercise its exclusive call option to purchase all or part of the subject equity without violating the then PRC laws. Unless expressly prohibited by PRC laws, Party B shall not refuse to transfer all or part of the subject equity to the designated third party.

Party B shall not transfer the subject equity to any third party without the prior written consent of Party A before transferring all the subject equity to Party A or a third party designated by Party A in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement,

i.e. before Party B no longer holds any equity in Party C. Except for the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement separately signed by Party A and Party B, Party B shall not pledge the subject equity to any third party or impose any encumbrance on the subject equity.

 

  1.4

Party B agrees that before transferring the subject equity to Party A by Party B, where Party B obtains dividends, bonuses or any assets distributed from Party C, subject to the compliance with the relevant PRC laws and regulations, upon payment of the taxes as required by the relevant laws and regulations, Party B, as the shareholder of Party C, shall deliver such dividends, bonuses or any assets at no charge to Party A or a third party designated by Party A as soon as possible not later than three days from the date of receiving such distributed proceeds.

 

  2.

Procedures

 

  2.1

Where Party A decides to exercise the exclusive call option pursuant to the provisions of Article 1.1 above, Party A shall issue a written notice (refer to the format as shown in Appendix IV to this Agreement) to Party B and state in the notice the proportion or quantity of the subject equity to be transferred, and the name and identity of the transferee. Party B and Party C shall provide all the necessary information and documents for the transfer of equity interests within seven days from the date of the notification by Party A, including but not limited to the “Equity Transfer Contract” and “Letter of Consent” signed in accordance with the format stipulated in Appendices II and III to this Agreement.


  2.2

Except the notice as set forth in Article 2.1 of this Agreement, Party A shall have no other conditions or procedures precedent or incidental to the exercise of the option right to purchase the subject equity.

 

  2.3

Party B shall instruct Party C to convene a shareholders’ meeting in time. At this meeting, a resolution to approve the transfer of the subject equity to Party A and / or the appointee by Party B shall be passed.

 

  2.4

Party B shall provide Party C with necessary and prompt coordination to assist Party C in completing the examination and approval formalities with the examination and approval authorities (if required by law) in accordance with the applicable PRC laws and completing the equity transfer formalities with the administration for industry and commerce.

 

  2.5

The date on which the exercise of exclusive call option is completed is the date on which all transfer formalities of the entire 100% equity in Party C has been completed in accordance with this Agreement.

 

  3.

Transfer price

 

  3.1

All parties confirm that, without violating the PRC laws and regulations, the subject equity shall be transferred at no charge or transferred at the lowest price permitted by the PRC laws and regulations. Where the subject equity is to be transferred by installments or in stages, the amount of the corresponding transfer price shall be determined based on the specific transfer time and the proportion of subject equity to be transferred.

 

  3.2

Where the subject equity is not transferred by way of free transfer, Party B agrees that, when Party A or a third party designated by Party A exercises its rights, the entire exercise price received thereof by Party B shall be given as a gift at no charge to Party C or given as a gift in full amount to Party A or a third party designated by Party A at Party A’s request.

 

  3.3

The taxes and expenses incurred due to the transfer of the subject equity (including the gift of the price) shall be borne by each party respectively pursuant to the law. Agreement otherwise made between the parties shall be complied with.

 

  4.

Representation, guarantee and undertaking

 

  4.1

Each party hereby represents and assures to the other party as follows:

 

  (1)

The party has all the necessary rights, powers and authorization to sign this Agreement and fulfil all the obligations and responsibilities under this Agreement;

 

  (2)

The Party has passed all necessary internal procedures for signing, delivering and performing this Agreement and has obtained all necessary internal and external authorizations and approvals;

 

  (3)

This Agreement and each of the Equity Transfer Contracts for which the party is one of the parties, once signed, constitute or will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation and be enforceable in accordance with its terms;


  (4)

Signing and performance of this Agreement shall not contravene, be in breach of or contrary to (i) any of the business licences of each party or any of the provisions of its articles of association, (ii) any laws, rules, regulations, authorizations or approvals of any government agencies or departments applicable to each party, or (iii) any of the provisions of the contracts and agreements in which each party is a signatory or principal body;

 

  (5)

Party C does not have any outstanding debts except for debts incurred in its normal course of business, and debts which has been disclosed to Party A and agreed in writing by Party A;

 

  (6)

Party C complies with all laws and regulations applicable to the acquisition of assets; and

 

  (7)

No litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to the subject equity, Party C’s assets or Party C is pending or threatened.

 

  4.2

Party B and Party C severally and jointly make further representations, guarantees and undertakings to Party A as follows:

 

  (1)

On the effective date of this Agreement, Party B is a Chinese national or an entity established and validly subsisting under the PRC laws, which legally owns the entire equity of Party C and has full and effective disposition rights over such equity. Party C’s registered capital has been fully paid up. Except for the pledges as stipulated in the “Equity Interest Pledge Agreement” signed by the parties on the same date hereof and other rights agreed in writing by Party A, Party B has no mortgage, pledge, guarantee or other third party rights in the equity of Party C owned by Party B, and shall not be liable to third parties for recourse; and no third party shall be entitled to demand the allotment, issue, sale, transfer or conversion of any Party C’s equity under any option, conversion option, preemptive right or other agreement in such party’s favour;

 

  (2)

During the validity period of this Agreement, except for the pledges set forth in the “Equity Interest Pledge Agreement” signed by all parties on the same date hereof or with the prior written consent of Party A, Party B shall not transfer any equity of Party C to any third party or grant any options, conversion rights, pre-emptive rights to any third party or sign other agreements with third parties to allot, issue, sell, transfer or convert any of Party C’s equity or to set up any collateral, pledge or other form of guarantee or other third party rights and interests to such third parties, and to ensure that Party B shall not be liable to third parties for recourse;

 

  (3)

Without the prior written consent of Party A, other party / parties shall not supplement, change or amend Party C’s Articles of Association in any form, increase or decrease its / their registered capital, or otherwise change its / their registered capital structure, unless otherwise stipulated in other agreements signed by all parties or except for amendments to be made as required by laws and regulations;

 

  (4)

Without the prior written consent of Party A, no major contract shall be signed or the scope of business operation shall be changed;


  (5)

Subject to the relevant PRC laws and regulations, Party B and Party C shall extend the operating period of Party C in accordance with the permitted period of operation of Party A, so as to make it equal to Party A’s operating period or set and adjust the operating period of Party C at Party A’s request in accordance with the requirements of PRC laws;

 

  (6)

Maintain the existence of Party C, obtain and maintain all the government permits and licences required of Party C to perform its business in accordance with sound financial and commercial standards and practices, and conduct its business and deal with its business matters in a prudent and effective manner;

 

  (7)

During the validity period of this Agreement, Party B and Party C will use their best efforts to maintain and increase the value of Party C’s assets. Party B and Party C shall not terminate any material agreement to which Party C is a party or shall not enter into any agreement that would affects Party C’s assets and financial position without the prior written consent of Party A;

 

  (8)

Without the prior written consent of Party A, no debts shall be incurred, inherited, guaranteed or permitted, except for those payables incurred in the ordinary or usual course of business but not incurred by way of borrowing;

 

  (9)

Party C shall not merge with any entity or acquire or make foreign investments in any entity without the prior written consent of Party A;

 

  (10)

Promptly notify Party A of all occurrences or possible occurrences of any litigation, arbitration, administrative investigation or conduct which may substantially affect Party C’s assets, business or income;

 

  (11)

Without the prior written consent of Party A, no dividend shall be distributed to shareholders in any form;

 

  (12)

From the date of signing this Agreement, without the prior written consent of Party A, the party / parties shall not sell, transfer, license or otherwise dispose of any of Party C’s assets at any time or allow any encumbrance of any assets, provided that Party C can prove that the disposal of the relevant assets or the encumbrances of the assets are treated as necessary for their daily business operations and the value of the assets involved in a single transaction does not exceed RMB100,000; and

 

  (13)

Unless required by the PRC laws, Party C shall not be dissolved or liquidated without the written consent of Party A. If Party C is liquidated or dissolved within the validity period of this Agreement, Party B and Party C shall appoint Party A’s nominees to form a liquidation team to manage Party C’s property within the scope permitted by PRC laws and regulations. Party B confirms that when Party C is liquidated or dissolved, Party B agrees to deliver all the remaining property obtained from liquidation of Party C in accordance with the PRC laws and regulations to Party A or a third party designated by Party A, regardless of whether the above-mentioned agreement of this Article is implemented or not.


  5.

Applicable law and dispute resolution

 

  5.1

Applicable law

The laws of the People’s Republic of China shall apply to the signing, validity, interpretation, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes under this Agreement.

 

  5.2

Method of dispute resolution

Any dispute that may arise during the performance of this Agreement shall be settled through amicable negotiations by all parties involved. Where the negotiation fails, either party may submit the dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with the prevailing arbitration rules of such arbitration institution. The place of arbitration is Beijing, the arbitration language is Chinese, and the arbitral award is final and binding on all parties.

Except for the part that is being submitted to arbitration, the rest of this Agreement shall remain in force. The validity of this Article is not subject to the impact from the change, cancellation or termination of this Agreement.

 

  6.

Liability for default

 

  6.1

Where a party fails to fulfil any of its obligations under this Agreement or any representations or guarantees of such party under this Agreement are substantially untrue or inaccurate, such Party shall be in breach of this Agreement and shall be liable for compensation of all losses of other parties.

 

  6.2

Regardless of whether this Agreement is changed, cancelled or terminated, these terms are legally binding.

 

  7.

Termination

 

  7.1

This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of signing by all parties and shall not be terminated until Party A or the third party designated by it exercises the option pursuant to the Agreement and acquires the entire 100% equity in Party C, or until 30 days after the date Party A issues a written notice to the other parties regarding the cancellation of the Agreement. Subject to the laws and regulations, when the Agreement is cancelled, Party B shall repay in full the transfer price (if any) paid by Party A or the third party designated by it.

 

  7.2

Unless otherwise provided by laws, neither Party B nor Party C shall have the right to terminate or rescind this Agreement in any case.

 

  8.

Notification

 

  8.1

All notices and other communications required or permitted to be made pursuant to this Agreement shall be sent either by hand or by postage prepaid registered mail, courier service or facsimile to the following address of such party. An acknowledgement receipt shall be sent for each notice via email. The date on which such notices are deemed to be validly served shall be determined as follows:

 

  8.1.1

Notices sent by hand delivery, courier service or postage prepaid registered mail shall be deemed to be validly served on the day of delivery or rejection at the specified recipient address of the notice.

 

  8.1.2

Notices, if sent by facsimile, shall be deemed to be validly served on the day of successful transmission (as proved by the automatically generated transmission confirmation).


  8.2

For the purpose of notification, the addresses of all parties are as follows:

Party A:

Address: Headquarter of Gensheixue, 1st Floor, Boyan Technology West Building, Building 7, East Area, Courtyard #10, Xibeiwang East Road, Haidian District, Beijing

Recipient: Zeng Hongjun

Tel: [***]

 

  Party

B :

Address: Headquarter of Gensheixue, 1st Floor, Boyan Technology West Building, Building 7, East Area, Courtyard #10, Xibeiwang East Road, Haidian District, Beijing

Recipient: Zeng Hongjun

Tel: [***]

 

  Party

C:

Address: Headquarter of Gensheixue, 1st Floor, Boyan Technology West Building, Building 7, East Area, Courtyard #10, Xibeiwang East Road, Haidian District, Beijing

Recipient: Zeng Hongjun

Tel: [***]

 

  8.3

Any party may change the recipient address of its notice at any time by giving notice to other parties in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

 

  9.

Confidentiality obligations

All parties confirm that any oral or written information exchanged by them for the purposes of this Agreement is confidential. Each party shall keep all such information confidential and shall not disclose any relevant information to any third party without the prior written consent of the other parties, except where: (a) the public is aware of or will be aware of such information (But this is not due to public disclosure by one of the parties receiving the information); (b) information required to be disclosed by applicable laws or the rules or provisions of any stock exchange; or (c) information required to be disclosed by either party to its legal adviser or financial adviser as to the transactions stipulated under this Agreement and the legal adviser or financial adviser is also subject to the confidentiality obligations similar to the obligations set forth in this Article. The disclosure of any confidential information by a staff member or agency employed by either party shall be deemed to be such party’s disclosure of such confidential information and such party shall be legally liable for any violation of this Agreement. This Article shall remain in force irrespective of whether this Agreement is terminated for any reason.

 

  10.

Further assurance

All parties agree to promptly sign documents necessary or conducive to them for the purpose of implementation of various provisions and purposes of this Agreement and take further action that is necessary or conducive to them for the purpose of implementation of various provisions and purposes of this Agreement.


  11.

Others

 

  11.1

Revision, change and supplement

Any amendments, changes and supplements to this Agreement must be signed in writing by all the parties.

 

  11.2

Title

The title of this Agreement is for readability only and shall not be used to interpret, explain or otherwise affect the meaning of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

  11.3

Language

This Agreement is prepared in Chinese in quadruplicate. Each copy has the same legal effect.

 

  11.4

Divisibility

In the event that one or more of the provisions of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any law or regulation, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected or compromised in any respect. All parties shall, through bona fide negotiations, seek to replace such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions permitted by laws and within the maximum extent of expectations of all parties, and the economic effect resulting from such valid provisions shall be similar to the economic effect resulting from such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions as much as possible.

 

  11.5

Successor

This Agreement shall be binding and conducive to the respective successors of the parties and to the transferee(s) permitted by such parties.

 

  11.6

Force majeure

A force majeure event means any event unforeseen by any party at the time of signing this Agreement that cannot be avoided, controlled and overcome (including but not limited to earthquake, typhoon, flood, fire, strike, war or riot, etc.).

In view of the fact that the force majeure event affects the performance of this Agreement, in the event of force majeure, the party shall forthwith (i) notify the remaining parties in the form of telegraph, facsimile or other electronic means and submit the written evidence of force majeure within fifteen (15) working days; (ii) take all reasonable and possible measures to eliminate or mitigate the effects of force majeure event and to resume the fulfillment of its obligations upon the elimination or mitigation of the effects of force majeure event.

 

  11.7

Abstention

Either party may abstain from voting on the terms and conditions of this Agreement but such abstention must be in writing and signed by all parties. Abstention by either party of breach of contract by the other parties under certain circumstances shall not be regarded as abstention by such party in similar case of breach of contract under other circumstances.


  11.8

Remaining in force

Any obligations arising from this Agreement or expired prior to the expiry or early termination of this Agreement shall remain in force upon expiry or early termination of this Agreement.

 

  11.9

Complete contract

Except for written amendments, supplements or changes made upon the signing of this Agreement, this Agreement, once signed, constitutes the complete agreement reached between the parties to this Agreement in respect of the transactions under this Agreement and shall supersede any and all oral or written undertakings, memorandums, agreements or any other documents previously made in respect of the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement shall supersede the Previous Exclusive Call Option Agreement signed by the parties and the Previous Exclusive Call Option Agreement shall be expired upon and after the effective date hereof.

 

(The

remainder of this page is intentionally left blank)


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the Parties or their authorized representative hereto as of the date first above written.

Party A: Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)

 

Authorized representative (Signature) :  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong

/s/ Seal of Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the Parties or their authorized representative hereto as of the date first above written.

Party B:

 

Chen Xiangdong
Signature:  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the Parties or their authorized representative hereto as of the date first above written.

Party B:

 

Luo Bin  
Signature:  

/s/ Luo Bin


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the Parties or their authorized representative hereto as of the date first above written.

Party C: Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)

 

Authorized representative (Signature) :  

/s/ Chen Xiangdong

/s/ Seal of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd.


Appendix I

Current Shareholders of Party C

 

Name of Shareholder

   Capital contribution
(’0,000 RMB
     Ratio of capital
contribution
 

Chen Xiangdong

     5,405.4        98.28

Luo Bin

     94.6        1.72

Total

     5,500.00        100


Appendix II

Equity Transfer Contract

This Equity Transfer Contract (hereinafter referred to as “this Contract”) was entered into by the following parties this      day of     , 20     in [    ] Municipality in China:

Transferor: [    ]

Transferee: [    ]

Upon amicable negotiations, the above two parties have reached an agreement on equity transfer as follows:

1.    The transferor agrees to transfer the [    ]% equity (the “subject equity”) of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd. held by it to the transferee in RMB    Yuan, and the transferee agrees to assign such subject equity.

2.    Upon completion of the transfer of the subject equity, the transferor no longer has the shareholders’ rights of the subject equity and the shareholders’ obligation to undertake the subject equity. The transferee has the shareholders’ rights of the subject equity and the shareholders’ obligation to undertake the subject equity.

 

  3.

For matters not covered in this Contract, both parties may sign a supplementary agreement.

 

  4.

This Contract shall come into effect from the date of signing by both parties.

 

  5.

This Contract is in quadruplicate. Each party holds a copy and other copies are used for industrial and commercial change.

Transferor: [    ]

Signature:

Transferee: [    ]

Signature:


Appendix III

Letter of Consent

To: Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd.

As a shareholder of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Company”), I hereby agree and confirm as follows:

 

  1.

Agree and accept all terms and conditions of the “Exclusive Call Option Agreement” signed by the Company and myself with Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“WFOE”) this      day of     , 20    , and take all actions to assist WFOE in the transfer of relevant equity interests when exercising the exclusive call option over the Company’s equity in WFOE pursuant to the provisions of such agreement.

 

  2.

Agree other shareholders of the Company to transfer the Company’s equity held by them to WFOE or its designated third party, and I abstain from the preemptive right.

 

  3.

Agree that when other shareholders of the Company transfer the Company’s equity held by them to WFOE or its designated third party, I will sign or provide the necessary documents for the purpose of the equity transfer.

Sincerely,

[    ]

Signature:


Appendix IV

Exercise Notice

To: All shareholders of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd.; and / or

Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd.

In view of the signing of an “Exclusive Call Option Agreement” this      day of     , 20     between the Company and you, it is agreed that, subject to the conditions permitted by the relevant PRC laws and regulations, you shall, pursuant to the requirements of the Company, sell to the Company or the transferee designed by the Company all or part of the equity interest in Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd. held by you.

Accordingly, the Company hereby issues this notice to you as follows:

The Company hereby requires the exercise of the option under the “Exclusive Call Option Agreement” for the purchase of the equity held by you, accounting for [    ]% of registered capital of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd. (“equity to be transferred”), by the Company / the transferee designated by the Company at a price of RMB [    ] yuan. Please, upon receipt of this notice, immediately handle the necessary formalities for the sale of all the equity to be transferred to the Company / the transferee designated by the Company pursuant to the agreement of the “Exclusive Call Option Agreement”.

Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)

Authorized representative (Signature):                                     

Date:

Exhibit 10.8

Letter of Consent

I, [Name of Spouse] (ID Card No: [ID Card No. of Spouse]), am the lawful spouse of [Name of Shareholder] (ID Card No: [ID Card No. of Shareholder]), and now hereby provide this Letter of Consent unconditionally and irrevocably as follows with respect to the equity of Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd. (the “ Company ”) held by [Name of Shareholder]:

I am informed that:

(1)    The entire equity held by [Name of Shareholder] in the Company will be settled in accordance with the Exclusive Call Option Agreement dated March 16, 2019, the Equity Pledge Agreement dated March 16, 2019 and the Exclusive Management Services and Business Cooperation Agreement dated March 16, 2019 signed by [Name of Shareholder], the Company, other shareholders of the Company and Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“ WFOE ”). Such equity is under the control of WFOE;

(2)    The entire equity held by [Name of Shareholder] in the Company will be settled in accordance with the Power of Attorney issued by [Name of Shareholder] to WFOE on March 16, 2019.

I confirm that I am aware of and agree to the signing of the aforesaid Exclusive Call Option Agreement, Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, Exclusive Management Services and Business Cooperation Agreement and Power of Attorney (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Transaction Documents ”) by [Name of Shareholder] and the disposal of the corresponding equity of the Company in accordance with the requirements of the Transaction Documents. I undertake neither to take any action at any time to hinder the disposal of the above equity, nor to claim any rights in regard to the above equity, including but not limited to claiming that the above equity of the Company is attributed to me and [Name of Shareholder] as common property of husband and wife.

I further confirm that [Name of Shareholder] needs no further authorization or consent from me for the fulfillment of all the above Transaction Documents and the further modification or termination of any of the Transaction Documents. I undertake to sign all necessary documents and take all necessary actions to ensure that the Transaction Documents (as amended from time to time) are properly implemented.

I agree and undertake that I shall be bound by the Transaction Documents (as amended from time to time) and subject to the obligations under the Transaction Documents (as amended from time to time) as a shareholder of the Company if I, for any reason, have acquired any equity of the Company, and for this purpose, under the request of WFOE, I shall sign a series of written documents with basically the same format and content as the Transaction Documents (as amended from time to time). I further undertake and guarantee that I shall in no circumstances, whether directly or indirectly, proactively or passively, take any action or make any claim or litigation with a contradicting intention against the above arrangements.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank]


(This page is the signature page of the Letter of Consent)

[Name of Spouse]

 

Signature:   

/s/ [Name of Spouse]

  

Date: March 16, 2019


Schedule of Material Differences

One or more persons signed a letter of consent using this form. Pursuant to Instruction ii to Item 601 of Regulation S-K, the Registrant may only file this form as an exhibit with a schedule setting forth the material details in which the executed agreements differ from this form:

 

No.

  Name of Spouse   ID Card No. of Spouse   Name of Shareholder   ID Card No. of Shareholder
1.   Ren Yan   [***]   Chen Xiangdong   [***]
2.   Wu Yusi   [***]   Luo Bin   [***]

Exhibit 21.1

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

 

Subsidiaries

   Place of Incorporation
BaiJiaHuLian HK Holdings Limited    Hong Kong
Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd.    PRC

Consolidated Variable Interest Entity

   Place of Incorporation
Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd.    PRC

Subsidiaries of Consolidated Variable Interest Entity

   Place of Incorporation
Beijing Genshuixue Technology Co., Ltd.    PRC
Beijing Jiazi Technology Co., Ltd.    PRC
Beijing GaoTuYunJi Education Technology Co., Ltd.    PRC
Beijing BaiJiaChengXi Education Technology Co., Ltd.    PRC
Shanghai Jinyou Education Technology Co., Ltd.    PRC

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form F-1 of our report dated March 19, 2019 (May 8, 2019 as to the convenience translation described in Note 2) relating to the financial statements of GSX Techedu Inc., its subsidiaries, its consolidated variable interest entity (“VIE”) and VIE’s subsidiaries as of and for the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the translation of Renminbi amounts into United States dollar amounts) appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.

/s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP

Beijing, the People’s Republic of China

May 8, 2019

Exhibit 23.4

May 8, 2019

GSX Techedu Inc.

Tower C, Beyondsoft Building, 7 East Zone,

10 Xibeiwang East Road

Haidian District, Beijing 100193

People’s Republic of China

Dear Sirs:

Pursuant to Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, I hereby consent to the references to my name in the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the “Registration Statement”) of GSX Techedu Inc. (the “Company”) and any amendments thereto, which indicate that I have accepted the nomination to become a director of the Company. I further agree that immediately upon the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, I will serve as a member of the board of directors of the Company.

*            *              *


Sincerely yours,

/s/ Xin Fan

Name: Xin Fan

 

[Signature Page to Consent of Independent Director]

Exhibit 23.5

May 8, 2019

GSX Techedu Inc.

Tower C, Beyondsoft Building, 7 East Zone,

10 Xibeiwang East Road

Haidian District, Beijing 100193

People’s Republic of China

Dear Sirs:

Pursuant to Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, I hereby consent to the references to my name in the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the “Registration Statement”) of GSX Techedu Inc. (the “Company”) and any amendments thereto, which indicate that I have accepted the nomination to become a director of the Company. I further agree that immediately upon the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, I will serve as a member of the board of directors of the Company.

*            *             *


Sincerely yours,

/s/ Yiming Hu

Name: Yiming Hu

[Signature Page to Consent of Independent Director]

Exhibit 23.6

May 8, 2019

GSX Techedu Inc.

Tower C, Beyondsoft Building, 7 East Zone,

10 Xibeiwang East Road

Haidian District, Beijing 100193

People’s Republic of China

Dear Sirs:

Pursuant to Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, I hereby consent to the references to my name in the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the “Registration Statement”) of GSX Techedu Inc. (the “Company”) and any amendments thereto, which indicate that I have accepted the nomination to become a director of the Company. I further agree that immediately upon the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, I will serve as a member of the board of directors of the Company.

*            *              *


Sincerely yours,

/s/ Ming Liao

Name: Ming Liao

 

[Signature Page to Consent of Independent Director]

Exhibit 99.1

GSX TECHEDU INC.

CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

 

 

 

I.

PURPOSE

This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “ Code ”) contains general guidelines for conducting the business of GSX TECHEDU INC., a Cayman Islands company, and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the “ Company ”) consistent with the highest standards of business ethics, and is intended to qualify as a “code of ethics” within the meaning of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder. To the extent this Code requires a higher standard than required by commercial practice or applicable laws, rules or regulations, we adhere to these higher standards.

This Code is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:

 

   

honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

 

   

full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) and in other public communications made by the Company;

 

   

compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations;

 

   

prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code; and

 

   

accountability for adherence to the Code.

 

II.

APPLICABILITY

This Code applies to all directors, officers and employees of the Company, whether they work for the Company on a full-time, part-time, consultative or temporary basis (each, an “ employee ” and collectively, the “ employees ”). Certain provisions of the Code apply specifically to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, senior finance officer, controller, senior vice presidents, vice presidents and any other persons who perform similar functions for the Company (each, a “ senior officer ,” and collectively, the “ senior officers ”).

The Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) has appointed the Company’s Chief Financial Officer as the Compliance Officer for the Company (the “ Compliance Officer ”). If you have any questions regarding the Code or would like to report any violation of the Code, please email the Compliance Officer at shennan@baijiahulian.com.

This Code has been adopted by the Board and shall become effective (the “ Effective Time ”) upon the effectiveness of the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1 filed by the Company with the SEC relating to the Company’s initial public offering.


III.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Identifying Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest occurs when an employee’s private interest interferes, or appears to interfere, in any way with the interests of the Company as a whole. An employee should actively avoid any private interest that may impact such employee’s ability to act in the interests of the Company or that may make it difficult to perform the employee’s work objectively and effectively. In general, the following should be considered conflicts of interest:

 

   

Competing Business . No employee may be employed by a business that competes with the Company or deprives it of any business.

 

   

Corporate Opportunity . No employee should use corporate property, information or his/her position with the Company to secure a business opportunity that would otherwise be available to the Company. If an employee discovers a business opportunity that is in the Company’s line of business through the use of the Company’s property, information or position, the employee must first present the business opportunity to the Company before pursuing the opportunity in his/her individual capacity.

 

   

Financial Interests .

 

  (i)

No employee may have any financial interest (ownership or otherwise), either directly or indirectly through a spouse or other family member, in any other business or entity if such interest adversely affects the employee’s performance of duties or responsibilities to the Company, or requires the employee to devote time to it during such employee’s working hours at the Company;

 

  (ii)

No employee may hold any ownership interest in a privately held company that is in competition with the Company;

 

  (iii)

An employee may hold up to 5% ownership interest in a publicly traded company that is in competition with the Company; provided that if the employee’s ownership interest in such publicly traded company increases to more than 5%, the employee must immediately report such ownership to the Compliance Officer;

 

  (iv)

No employee may hold any ownership interest in a company that has a business relationship with the Company if such employee’s duties at the Company include managing or supervising the Company’s business relations with that company; and


  (v)

Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Code,

(a) a director or any family member of such director (collectively, “ Director Affiliates ”) or a senior officer or any family member of such senior officer (collectively, “ Officer Affiliates ”) may continue to hold his/her investment or other financial interest in a business or entity (an “ Interested Business ”) that:

(1) was made or obtained either (x) before the Company invested in or otherwise became interested in such business or entity; or (y) before the director or senior officer joined the Company (for the avoidance of doubt, regardless of whether the Company had or had not already invested in or otherwise become interested in such business or entity at the time the director or senior officer joined the Company); or

(2) may in the future be made or obtained by the director or senior officer, provided that at the time such investment or other financial interest is made or obtained, the Company has not yet invested in or otherwise become interested in such business or entity;

provided that such director or senior officer shall disclose such investment or other financial interest to the Board;

(b) an interested director or senior officer shall refrain from participating in any discussion among senior officers of the Company relating to an Interested Business and shall not be involved in any proposed transaction between the Company and an Interested Business; and

(c) before any Director Affiliate or Officer Affiliate (i) invests, or otherwise acquires any equity or other financial interest, in a business or entity that is in competition with the Company; or (ii) enters into any transaction with the Company, the related director or senior officer shall obtain prior approval from the Audit Committee of the Board.

 

   

Loans or Other Financial Transactions . No employee may obtain loans or guarantees of personal obligations from, or enter into any other personal financial transaction with, any company that is a material customer, supplier or competitor of the Company. This guideline does not prohibit arms-length transactions with recognized banks or other financial institutions.

 

   

Service on Boards and Committees . No employee shall serve on a board of directors or trustees or on a committee of any entity (whether profit or not-for-profit) whose interests could reasonably be expected to conflict with those of the Company. Employees must obtain prior approval from the Board before accepting any such board or committee position. The Company may revisit its approval of any such position at any time to determine whether an employee’s service in such position is still appropriate.

The above is in no way a complete list of situations where conflicts of interest may arise. The following questions might serve as a useful guide in assessing a potential conflict of interest situation not specifically addressed above:

 

   

Is the action to be taken legal?


   

Is it honest and fair?

 

   

Is it in the best interests of the Company?

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

The Company requires that employees fully disclose any situations that could reasonably be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest. If an employee suspects that he/she has a conflict of interest, or a situation that others could reasonably perceive as a conflict of interest, the employee must report it immediately to the Compliance Officer. Conflicts of interest may only be waived by the Board, or the appropriate committee of the Board, and will be promptly disclosed to the public to the extent required by law and applicable rules of the applicable stock exchange.

Family Members and Work

The actions of family members outside the workplace may also give rise to conflicts of interest because they may influence an employee’s objectivity in making decisions on behalf of the Company. If a member of an employee’s family is interested in doing business with the Company, the criteria as to whether to enter into or continue the business relationship and the terms and conditions of the relationship must be no less favorable to the Company compared with those that would apply to an unrelated party seeking to do business with the Company under similar circumstances.

Employees should report any situation involving family members that could reasonably be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest to their supervisor or the Compliance Officer. For purposes of this Code, “family members” or “members of employee’s family” include an employee’s spouse, parents, children and siblings, whether by blood, marriage or adoption or anyone residing in such employee’s home.

 

IV.

GIFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

The giving and receiving of appropriate gifts may be considered common business practice. Appropriate business gifts and entertainment are welcome courtesies designed to build relationships and understanding among business partners. However, gifts and entertainment should never compromise, or appear to compromise, an employee’s ability to make objective and fair business decisions.

It is the responsibility of employees to use good judgment in this area. As a general rule, employees may give or receive gifts or entertainment to or from customers or suppliers only if the gift or entertainment is in compliance with applicable law, insignificant in amount and not given in consideration or expectation of any action by the recipient. All gifts and entertainment expenses made on behalf of the Company must be properly accounted for on expense reports.

We encourage employees to submit gifts received to the Company. While it is not mandatory to submit small gifts, gifts of over US$150 must be submitted immediately to the human resources department of the Company.


Bribes and kickbacks are criminal acts, strictly prohibited by law. An employee must not offer, give, solicit or receive any form of bribe or kickback anywhere in the world.

 

V.

FCPA COMPLIANCE

The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“ FCPA ”) prohibits giving anything of value, directly or indirectly, to officials of foreign governments or foreign political candidates in order to obtain or retain business. A violation of FCPA does not only violate the Company’s policy but also constitute a civil or criminal offense under FCPA which the Company is subject to after the Effective Time. No employee shall give or authorize directly or indirectly any illegal payments to government officials of any country. While the FCPA does, in certain limited circumstances, allow nominal “facilitating payments” to be made, any such payment must be discussed with and approved by an employee’s supervisor in advance before it can be made.

 

VI.

PROTECTION AND USE OF COMPANY ASSETS

Employees should protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use for legitimate business purposes only. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s profitability. Any use of the funds or assets of the Company, whether for personal gain or not, for any unlawful or improper purpose is strictly prohibited.

To ensure the protection and proper use of the Company’s assets, each employee should:

 

   

exercise reasonable care to prevent theft, damage or misuse of the Company’s assets;

 

   

promptly report any actual or suspected theft, damage or misuse of the Company’s assets;

 

   

safeguard all electronic programs, data, communications and written materials from unauthorized access; and

 

   

use the Company’s assets only for legitimate business purposes.

Except as approved in advance by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, the Company prohibits political contributions (directly or through trade associations) by any employee on behalf of the Company. Prohibited political contributions include:

 

   

any contributions of the Company’s funds or other assets for political purposes;

 

   

encouraging individual employees to make any such contribution; and

 

   

reimbursing an employee for any political contribution.


VII.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

Employees should abide by the Company’s rules and policies in protecting the intellectual property and confidential information, including the following:

 

   

All inventions, creative works, computer software, and technical or trade secrets developed by an employee in the course of performing the employee’s duties or primarily through the use of the Company’s assets or resources while working at the Company shall be the property of the Company.

 

   

Employees should maintain the confidentiality of information entrusted to them by the Company or entities with which the Company has business relations, except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. Confidential information includes all non-public information that might be of use to competitors, or harmful to the company or its business associates, if disclosed.

 

   

The Company maintains a strict confidentiality policy. During an employee’s term of employment with the Company, the employee shall comply with any and all written or unwritten rules and policies concerning confidentiality and shall fulfill the duties and responsibilities concerning confidentiality applicable to the employee.

 

   

In addition to fulfilling the responsibilities associated with his/her position in the Company, an employee shall not, without obtaining prior approval from the Company, disclose, announce or publish trade secrets or other confidential business information of the Company, nor shall an employee use such confidential information outside the course of his/her duties to the Company.

 

   

Even outside the work environment, an employee must maintain vigilance and refrain from disclosing important information regarding the Company or its business, business associates or employees.

 

   

An employee’s duty of confidentiality with respect to the confidential information of the Company survives the termination of such employee’s employment with the Company for any reason until such time as the Company discloses such information publicly or the information otherwise becomes available in the public sphere through no fault of the employee.

 

   

Upon termination of employment, or at such time as the Company requests, an employee must return to the Company all of its property without exception, including all forms of medium containing confidential information, and may not retain duplicate materials.


VIII.

ACCURACY OF FINANCIAL REPORTS AND OTHER PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS

Upon the Effective Time, the Company will be required to report its financial results and other material information about its business to the public and the SEC. It is the Company’s policy to promptly disclose accurate and complete information regarding its business, financial condition and results of operations. Employees must strictly comply with all applicable standards, laws, regulations and policies for accounting and financial reporting of transactions, estimates and forecasts. Inaccurate, incomplete or untimely reporting will not be tolerated and can severely damage the Company and result in legal liability.

Employees should be on guard for, and promptly report, any possibility of inaccurate or incomplete financial reporting. Particular attention should be paid to:

 

   

Financial results that seem inconsistent with the performance of the underlying business;

 

   

Transactions that do not seem to have an obvious business purpose; and

 

   

Requests to circumvent ordinary review and approval procedures.

The Company’s senior financial officers and other employees working in the finance department have a special responsibility to ensure that all of the Company’s financial disclosures are full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable. Any practice or situation that might undermine this objective should be reported to the Compliance Officer.

Employees are prohibited from directly or indirectly taking any action to coerce, manipulate, mislead or fraudulently influence the Company’s independent auditors for the purpose of rendering the financial statements of the Company materially misleading. Prohibited actions include but are not limited to:

 

   

issuing or reissuing a report on the Company’s financial statements that is not warranted in the circumstances (due to material violations of U.S. GAAP, generally accepted auditing standards or other professional or regulatory standards);

 

   

not performing audit, review or other procedures required by generally accepted auditing standards or other professional standards;

 

   

not withdrawing an issued report when withdrawal is warranted under the circumstances; or

 

   

not communicating matters required to be communicated to the Company’s Audit Committee.

 

IX.

COMPANY RECORDS

Accurate and reliable records are crucial to the Company’s business and form the basis of its earnings statements, financial reports and other disclosures to the public. The Company’s records are a source of essential data that guides business decision-making and strategic planning. Company records include, but are not limited to, booking information, payroll, timecards, travel and expense reports, e-mails, accounting and financial data, measurement and performance records, electronic data files and all other records maintained in the ordinary course of business.


All Company records must be complete, accurate and reliable in all material respects. There is never an acceptable reason to make false or misleading entries. Undisclosed or unrecorded funds, payments or receipts are strictly prohibited. An employee is responsible for understanding and complying with the Company’s recordkeeping policy. An employee should contact the Compliance Officer if he/she has any questions regarding the recordkeeping policy.

 

X.

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Each employee has an obligation to comply with the laws of the cities, provinces, regions and countries in which the Company operates. This includes, without limitation, laws covering commercial bribery and kickbacks, patent, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, information privacy, insider trading, offering or receiving gratuities, employment harassment, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, false or misleading financial information, misuse of corporate assets and foreign currency exchange activities. Employees are expected to understand and comply with all laws, rules and regulations that apply to their positions at the Company. If any doubt exists about whether a course of action is lawful, the employee should seek advice immediately from the Compliance Officer.

 

XI.

DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT

The Company is firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, national origin or any other protected class. For further information, employees should consult the Compliance Officer.

 

XII.

FAIR DEALING

Each employee should endeavor to deal fairly with the Company’s customers, suppliers, competitors and employees. None should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other unfair-dealing practice.

 

XIII.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Company strives to provide employees with a safe and healthy work environment. Each employee has responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for other employees by following environmental, safety and health rules and practices and reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe equipment, practices or conditions. Violence or threats of violence are not permitted.

Each employee is expected to perform his/her duty to the Company in a safe manner, not under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or other controlled substances. The use of illegal drugs or other controlled substances in the workplace is prohibited.


XIV.

VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE

All employees have a duty to report any known or suspected violation of this Code, including any violation of laws, rules, regulations or policies that apply to the Company. Reporting a known or suspected violation of this Code by others will not be considered an act of disloyalty, but an action to safeguard the reputation and integrity of the Company and its employees.

If an employee knows of or suspects a violation of this Code, it is such employee’s responsibility to immediately report the violation to the Compliance Officer, who will work with the employee to investigate his/her concern. All questions and reports of known or suspected violations of this Code will be treated with sensitivity and discretion. The Compliance Officer and the Company will protect the employee’s confidentiality to the extent possible, consistent with the law and the Company’s need to investigate the employee’s concern.

It is the Company’s policy that any employee who violates this Code will be subject to appropriate discipline, including termination of employment, based upon the facts and circumstances of each particular situation. An employee’s conduct, if it does not comply with the law or with this Code, can result in serious consequences for both the employee and the Company.

The Company strictly prohibits retaliation against an employee who, in good faith, seeks help or reports known or suspected violations. An employee inflicting reprisal or retaliation against another employee for reporting a known or suspected violation will be subject to disciplinary action, including termination of employment.

 

XV.

WAIVERS OF THE CODE

Waivers of this Code will be granted on a case-by-case basis and only in extraordinary circumstances. Waivers of this Code may be made only by the Board, or the appropriate committee of the Board, and may be promptly disclosed to the public if so required by applicable laws and regulations and rules of the applicable stock exchange.

 

XVI.

CONCLUSION

This Code contains general guidelines for conducting the business of the Company consistent with the highest standards of business ethics. If employees have any questions about these guidelines, they should contact the Compliance Officer. We expect all employees to adhere to these standards. Each employee is separately responsible for his/her actions. Conduct that violates the law or this Code cannot be justified by claiming that it was ordered by a supervisor or someone in higher management positions. If an employee engages in conduct prohibited by the law or this Code, such employee will be deemed to have acted outside the scope of his/her employment. Such conduct will subject the employee to disciplinary action, including termination of employment.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Exhibit 99.2

 

LOGO

May 8, 2019

 

To:

GSX Techedu Inc.

Tower C, Beyondsoft Building, 7 East Zone, 10 Xibeiwang East Road, Haidian District,

Beijing, 100193, People’s Republic of China

 

Re:

Legal Opinion Regarding Certain PRC Law Matters

We are qualified lawyers of the People’s Republic of China (the “ PRC ”) and are qualified to issue an opinion on the laws and regulations of the PRC (for the purposes of this opinion, excluding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan).

We have acted as PRC counsel to GSX Techedu Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “ Company ”). With respect to (i) the proposed initial public offering (the “ Offering ”) of the Company’s American Depositary Shares (the “ ADSs ”), representing Class A ordinary shares (the “ Shares ”), par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company as set forth in the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Registration Statement ”), including all amendments or supplements thereto, and (ii) the Company’s proposed listing of the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange, you have requested us to furnish an opinion to you as to the matters hereinafter set forth.

 

A.

Documents Examined, Definition and Information Provided

In connection with the furnishing of this opinion, we have examined copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of documents provided by the Company, and such other documents, the Registration Statement, corporate records, certificates, Approvals (as defined below) and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purpose of rendering this opinion, including, without limitation, originals or copies of the certificates issued by PRC government authorities and officers of the Company. All of these documents are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Documents ”.

Unless the context of this opinion otherwise provides, the following terms in this opinion shall have the meanings set forth below:

Government Authorizations ” means all government authorizations, consents, waivers, sanctions, certificates, authorizations, filings, registrations, exemptions, permissions, endorsements, annual inspections, qualifications and licenses required by applicable PRC Laws.

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PRC Company ” means Beijing BaiJiaHuLian Technology Co., Ltd., which is a company incorporated in accordance with the PRC Laws.

PRC Subsidiaries ” means any company controlled directly or indirectly by the PRC Company, including the entities listed in Schedule I of this opinion, all of which are companies incorporated in accordance with the PRC Laws.

PRC Laws ” means all laws, regulations, statutes, orders, decrees, guidelines, notices, judicial interpretations currently in force and publicly available in the PRC on the date hereof.

Prospectus ” means the prospectus, including all amendments or supplements thereto, that forms part of the Registration Statement.

WFOE ” means Beijing Lexuebang Network Technology Co., Ltd., the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary located in the PRC.

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Registration Statement.

 

B.

Assumptions

In our examination of the aforesaid Documents, we have assumed, without independent investigation and inquiry that:

 

  1.

all signatures, seals and chops are genuine and were made or affixed by representatives duly authorized by the respective parties, all natural persons have the necessary legal capacity, all Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic, and all Documents submitted to us as certified or photo static copies conform to the originals;

 

  2.

no amendments, revisions, modifications or other changes have been made with respect to any of the Documents after they were submitted to us for the purposes of this opinion; and

 

  3.

each of the parties to the Documents (except that we do not make such assumptions about the PRC Company and the PRC Subsidiaries) is duly organized and validly existing in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and/or incorporation, and has been duly approved and authorized where applicable by the competent governmental authorities of the relevant jurisdiction to carry on its business and to perform its obligations under the Documents to which it is a party.

 

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In expressing the opinions set forth herein, we have relied upon the factual matters contained in the representations and warranties set forth in the Documents.

 

C.

Opinion

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

1. With Respect to the Corporate Structure and Contractual Arrangements among the WFOE, the PRC Company and Its Respective Shareholders

(a)     Each of the parties to the contractual arrangements and agreements by and among the PRC Company and its respective shareholders that has been filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement (collectively, “ VIE Contracts ”) has full power, authority and legal right to enter into, execute, deliver and perform their respective obligations under each of the VIE Contracts and such obligations constitute valid, legal and binding obligations enforceable in accordance with the terms of each of the VIE Contracts against each of them. No Government Authorizations are required to be done or obtained for the performance of the respective parties of their obligations and the transactions contemplated under the VIE Contracts other than those already obtained, except for the Government Authorizations to be required for the WFOE to exercise the option granted under the Exclusive Call Option Agreement to purchase the equity interests in the PRC Company.

(b)    The execution, delivery and performance by each of the relevant parties of their respective obligations under each of the VIE Contracts, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereunder, do not and will not (i) result in any violation of their respective articles of association, their respective business licenses or constitutive documents, (ii) result in any violation of any applicable PRC Laws, or (iii) to the best of our knowledge after due and reasonable inquiries, conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any agreement, instrument, arbitration award or judgment, order or decree of any court of the PRC having jurisdiction over the relevant parties of the VIE Contracts, as the case may be, any agreement or instrument to which any of them is expressed to be a party or which is binding on any of them.

 

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(c)    The description of the VIE Contracts and the ownership structure described under the captions “Related Party Transactions” and “Corporate History and Structure” in the Prospectus are true and accurate in all material respects and insofar as related to PRC Laws nothing has been omitted from such description which would make the same misleading in any material respects. The ownership structures of the PRC Company, the WFOE and the PRC Subsidiaries as described in the Prospectus complies, and immediately after giving effect of this Offering will comply, with all applicable PRC Laws, and does not violate, breach, or otherwise conflict with any applicable PRC Laws, except as disclosed in the Prospectus. However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC Laws and future PRC laws, and there can be no assurance that the PRC regulatory authorities will not take a view that is contrary to or otherwise different from our opinion stated above.

2.     With respect to the M&A Rules

On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, namely, the Ministry of Commerce, the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Administration for Taxation, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the State Administration for Foreign Exchange, and the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC, jointly adopted the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rule, which became effective on September 8, 2006 and amended on June 22, 2009. M&A Rule requires, among other things, offshore special purpose vehicles, or SPVs, formed for the purpose of acquiring PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC companies or individuals, to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange. The Company acquired contractual control rather than acquired any equity interests in the PRC Company and the PRC Subsidiaries and is hence not a special purpose vehicle formed or controlled by PRC companies or individuals as defined under the M&A Rules. Therefore, the Company is not required to obtain the prior approval from CSRC for the listing and trading of the Company’s ADSs on an overseas stock exchange.

3 .    Taxation

The statements set forth under the caption “Taxation” in the Prospectus, insofar as they constitute statements of PRC tax law, are accurate in all material respects and that such statements constitute our opinion, and insofar as related to PRC Laws nothing has been omitted from such statements which would make the same misleading in all material respects.

 

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4.     Enforceability of Civil Procedures

The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are subject to compliance with the PRC Civil Procedures Law and relevant civil procedure requirements in PRC. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States or the Cayman Islands that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in China will not enforce a foreign judgment against the Company or its directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States or in the Cayman Islands.

5.     Statements in the Prospectus

The statements in the Prospectus under the captions “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Taxation – PRC,” “Business,” “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities,” “Regulation,” “Management,” “Taxation – People’s Republic of China Taxation,” and “Dividend Policy,” “Legal Matters,” insofar as such statements constitute summaries of the PRC legal matters, documents or proceedings referred to therein, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, governed by the PRC Laws, fairly present the information and summarize in all material respects the matters referred to therein; and such statements are true and accurate in all material aspects, and correctly set forth therein, and nothing has been omitted from such statements which would make the same misleading in any material respect.

 

D.

Consent

We hereby consent to the use of our name under the captions “Risk Factors,” “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities,” “Corporate History and Structure,” “Regulations,” “Taxation,” “Legal Matters,” and elsewhere in the Prospectus.

This opinion relates only to PRC Laws and we express no opinion as to any laws other than PRC Laws. PRC Laws referred to herein are laws currently in force as of the date of this opinion and there is no guarantee that any of such PRC Laws, or the interpretation thereof or enforcement therefor, will not be changed, amended or revoked in the immediate future or in the longer term with or without retroactive effect.

 

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We hereby consent to the use of this opinion in, and the filing hereof as an exhibit to, the Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we fall within the category of the person whose consent is required under Section 7 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ Tian Yuan Law Firm

Tian Yuan Law Firm

 

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Schedule I – PRC Subsidiaries

 

1.

 

Beijing GaoTuYunJi Education Technology Co. Ltd.

   

2.

 

Beijing BaiJiaChengXi Education Technology Co., Ltd.

   

3.

 

Beijing Jiazi Technology Co., Ltd.

   

4.

 

Shanghai Jinyou Education Technology Co., Ltd.

   

5.

 

Beijing Genshuixue Technology Co., Ltd.

 

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Exhibit 99.3

May 8, 2019

GSX Techedu Inc.

Tower C, Beyondsoft Building, 7 East Zone

10 Xibeiwang East Road

Haidian District, Beijing 100193

People’s Republic of China

Re: Consent of Frost & Sullivan

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We, Frost & Sullivan (Beijing) Inc., Shanghai Branch Co., understand that GSX Techedu Inc. (the “ Company ”) plans to file a registration statement on Form F-1 (the “ Registration Statement ”) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with its proposed initial public offering (the “ Proposed IPO ”).

We hereby consent to the use of and references to our name and the inclusion of information, data and statements from our research reports and amendments thereto (collectively, the “ Reports ”), and any subsequent amendments to the Reports, as well as the citation of our research reports and amendments thereto, (i) in the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto, (ii) in any written correspondence with the SEC, (iii) in any other future filings with the SEC by the Company, including, without limitation, filings on Form 20-F, Form 6-K and other SEC filings (collectively, the “ SEC Filings ”), (iv) in institutional and retail roadshows and other activities in connection with the Proposed IPO, (v) on the websites of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and (vi) in other publicity materials in connection with the Proposed IPO.

We further hereby consent to the filing of this consent letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and as an exhibit to any other SEC Filings.

Yours faithfully,

For and on behalf of

Frost & Sullivan (Beijing) Inc., Shanghai Branch Co.

/s/ Seal of Frost & Sullivan (Beijing) Inc., Shanghai Branch Co.

 

/s/ Fox Hu

Name: Fox Hu
Title:   Managing Director