ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

The following consolidated statements of loss and other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. These audited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as set forth by the International Accounting Standard Board. The consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 is derived from other consolidated financial statements not included in this Form 20-F. The selected consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with and are qualified by reference to “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and other financial information included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F.

For more information see “Item 4. Information on the Company A. History and Development of the Company.”

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information in this annual report on Form 20-F. The risks described below are not the only risks facing us. 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 operations. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business and financial condition could suffer, and the price of our shares could decline.

Risks Related to Our Business

We made material changes to our business strategy during 2019, which we continued to implement in 2020. We cannot guarantee that any of these changes will result in any value to our shareholders.

Since 2019, we have materially changed our business model, adjusted our exclusive focus on the medical device industry to include other industries, abandoned our strategy to commercialize the MUSE^™ system, transferred our ScoutCam^™ activity into our subsidiary, ScoutCam Ltd., and consummated a securities exchange agreement in relation to ScoutCam Ltd. As a result of these changes, we have acquired substantial stakes in a number of ventures, including but not limited to online business activities such as ad-tech, e-commerce and online event management. We cannot guarantee that these strategic decisions will derive the anticipated value to our shareholders, or any value at all. 

We have a history of operating losses, we expect to incur additional losses in the future and our ability to grow sales and achieve profitability are unpredictable.

We have incurred losses since our incorporation and we are likely to continue to incur significant net losses for at least the next several years as we continue to pursue our strategy. As of December 31, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of $81 million and incurred total comprehensive losses of approximately $6.8 million, 14.2 million and $6.6 million in the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and 2018, respectively. Our losses have had, and will continue to have, an adverse effect on our shareholders’ equity and working capital. Any failure to achieve and maintain profitability would continue to have an adverse effect on our shareholders’ equity and working capital and could result in a decline in our share price or cause us to cease operations.

Our ability to reach profitability depends on many factors, which include:

There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully implement our business plan, meet our challenges and become profitable in the future.

We will need additional funding. If we are unable to raise capital, we will be forced to reduce or eliminate our operations.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Group incurred a total comprehensive loss of approximately $6.8 million and a negative cash flows from operating activities of approximately $5 million. Furthermore, in the recent years, the Group has suffered recurring losses from operations, negative cash flows from operating activities and has an accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2020.

As of December 31, 2020, we had a total cash and cash equivalents balance of approximately $22 million. Our management expects that we will continue to generate operating losses. Our management plans to continue to fund its operations primarily through utilization of its financial resources. In addition, we may raise additional capital or realize some of our investments in other entities in order to fund our operating needs. Our management is of the opinion that based on our current operating plan it will be able to carry out its plan for more than a year after the issuance date of this annual report on Form 20-F. However, we anticipate that we are likely to continue to incur significant net losses for at least the next year. There is no assurance however, that we will be successful in obtaining the level of financing needed for our operations. If we are unable to obtain additional sufficient financing our business and results of operations will be materially harmed.

On March 22, 2021, ScoutCam, as part of a private placement, undertook to issue units to certain investors for an aggregate purchase price of $20 million. There are no assurances however, that ScoutCam will be successful in obtaining the further financing needed for its operations. If ScoutCam is unsuccessful in commercializing its products and securing sufficient financing, it may need to reduce activities, curtail or even cease operations.

Even if we are able to continue to finance our business, the sale of additional equity or debt securities could result in dilution to our current shareholders and could require us to grant a security interest in our assets. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of debt securities, these securities may have rights senior to those of our Ordinary Shares and could contain covenants that could restrict our operations. In addition, we may require additional capital beyond our currently forecasted amounts to achieve profitability. Any such required additional capital may not be available on reasonable terms, or at all.

The global outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus) may negatively impact the global economy in a significant manner for an extended period of time, and also adversely affect our operating results in a material manner.

The COVID-19 pandemic, including the efforts to combat it, has had and may continue to have a widespread effect on our business. In response to the pandemic, public health authorities and local and national governments have implemented measures that have and may continue to impact our business, including voluntary or mandatory quarantines, restrictions on travel and orders to limit the activities of non-essential workforce personnel. As of the date of this annual report, the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic had made a significant impact on global economic activity, with governments around the world, including Israel, having closed office spaces, public transportation and schools, and restricting travel. These closures and restrictions, if continued for a sustained period, could trigger a global recession that could negatively impact our business in a material manner. We are actively monitoring the pandemic and we are taking any necessary measures to respond to the situation in cooperation with the various stakeholders.

In light of the evolving nature of the pandemic and the uncertainty it has produced around the world, we do not believe it is possible to predict with precision the pandemic’s cumulative and ultimate impact on our future business operations, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. For example, travel restrictions have adversely affected our ability to timely achieve certain milestones included in our Golden Grand Agreement and has delayed the recognition revenues deriving therefrom. These travel restrictions have also impacted our sales and marketing efforts and those of our subsidiaries. In addition, a substantial portion of Eventer’s business relates to leisure event management, the scope of which was greatly reduced as a result of governmental policies and measures tailored to address to spread of COVID-19. To the extent that these measures remain in place, Eventer’s business and result of operations could be harmed.

The extent of the impact of the pandemic on our business and financial results will depend largely on future developments, including the duration of the spread of the outbreak and any future “waves” of the outbreak, globally and specifically within Israel and the United States. In addition, the extent of the impact on capital and financial markets, foreign currencies exchange and governmental or regulatory orders that impact our business are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If economic conditions generally or in the industries in which we operate specifically, worsen from present levels, our results of operations could be adversely affected and our financial condition will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new government actions or restrictions, new information that may emerge concerning the severity, longevity and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on economic activity.

Additionally, concerns over the economic impact of the pandemic have caused extreme volatility in financial markets, which has adversely impacted and may continue to adversely impact our share price and our ability to access capital markets. To the extent the pandemic or any worsening of the global business and economic environment as a result adversely affects our business and financial results, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this annual report.

Our ability to freely operate our business is limited as a result of certain covenants included in our Series C Warrants.

The Series C Warrant Agreement, or the Series C Warrant, contains a number of covenants that limit our operating activities, and may prevent our acquisition by a third party, including a provision setting forth that in the event of a fundamental transaction (other than a fundamental transaction not approved by the our board of directors), we or any successor entity may at the Series C Warrant holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the fundamental transaction, purchase the Series C Warrants from the holder by paying to the Series C Warrant holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes value of the remaining unexercised portion of the Series C Warrants on the date of the consummation of such fundamental transaction. These and other similar provisions could delay, prevent or impede an acquisition of us or our merger with another company, even if such an acquisition or merger would be beneficial to us or to our shareholders.

Pro, Purex, Gix and Eventer each rely on key employees and highly skilled personnel, and, if they are unable to attract, retain or motivate qualified personnel, they may not be able to operate its business effectively.

The success of Gix, Pro, Purex and Eventer depends largely on the continued employment of their senior management and key personnel who can effectively operate its business and its ability to attract and retain skilled employees. Competition for highly skilled management, technical, research and development, and other employees is intense, and Gix, Pro, Purex and Eventer may not be able to attract or retain highly qualified personnel in the future. If any of the key employees of Gix, Pro, Purex and Eventer leave or are terminated, and such companies fail to manage a transition to new personnel effectively, or if they fail to attract and retain qualified and experienced professionals on acceptable terms, the business, financial condition and results of operations of Gix, Pro, Purex and Eventer could be adversely affected.

We, and our subsidiaries, are subject to stringent and changing laws, regulations, standards, and contractual obligations related to privacy, data protection, and data security. The actual or perceived failure to comply with such obligations could harm our business.

Our subsidiaries and we receive, collect, store, process, transfer, and use personal information and other data relating to users of our products, our employees and contractors, and other persons. We have legal and contractual obligations regarding the protection of confidentiality and appropriate use of certain data, including personal information. We are subject to numerous federal, state, local, and international laws, directives, and regulations regarding privacy, data protection, and data security and the collection, storing, sharing, use, processing, transfer, disclosure, and protection of personal information and other data, the scope of which are changing, subject to differing interpretations, and may be inconsistent among jurisdictions or conflict with other legal and regulatory requirements. We are also subject to certain contractual obligations to third parties related to privacy, data protection and data security. We strive to comply with our applicable policies and applicable laws, regulations, contractual obligations, and other legal obligations relating to privacy, data protection, and data security to the extent possible. However, the regulatory framework for privacy, data protection and data security worldwide is, and is likely to remain for the foreseeable future, uncertain and complex, and it is possible that these or other actual or alleged obligations may be interpreted and applied in a manner that we do not anticipate or that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another and may conflict with other legal obligations or our practices. Further, any significant change to applicable laws, regulations or industry practices regarding the collection, use, retention, security or disclosure of data, or their interpretation, or any changes regarding the manner in which the consent of users or other data subjects for the collection, use, retention or disclosure of such data must be obtained, could increase our costs and require us to modify our services and features, possibly in a material manner, which we may be unable to complete, and may limit our ability to store and process user data or develop new services and features.

If our subsidiaries or we were found in violation of any applicable laws or regulations relating to privacy, data protection, or security, our business may be materially and adversely affected and we would likely have to change our business practices and potentially the services and features available through our platform. In addition, these laws and regulations could impose significant costs on us and could constrain our ability to use and process data in manners that may be commercially desirable. In addition, if a breach of data security were to occur or to be alleged to have occurred, if any violation of laws and regulations relating to privacy, data protection or data security were to be alleged, or if we had any actual or alleged defect in our safeguards or practices relating to privacy, data protection, or data security, our solutions may be perceived as less desirable, and our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We also expect that there will continue to be new laws, regulations, and industry standards concerning privacy, data protection, and information security proposed and enacted in various jurisdictions. For example, the data protection landscape in the European Union (“EU”) is currently evolving, resulting in possible significant operational costs for internal compliance and risks to our business. The EU adopted the General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR, which became effective in May 2018, and contains numerous requirements and changes from previously existing EU laws, including more robust obligations on data processors and heavier documentation requirements for data protection compliance programs by companies. Among other requirements, the GDPR regulates the transfer of personal data subject to the GDPR to third countries that have not been found to provide adequate protection to such personal data, including the United States. Failure to comply with the GDPR could result in penalties for noncompliance (including possible fines of up to the greater of €20 million and 4% of our global annual turnover for the preceding financial year for the most serious violations, as well as the right to compensation for financial or non-financial damages claimed by individuals under Article 82 of the GDPR).

In addition to the GDPR, the European Commission has another draft regulation in the approval process that focuses on a person’s right to conduct a private life. The proposed legislation, known as the Regulation of Privacy and Electronic Communications, or ePrivacy Regulation, would replace the current ePrivacy Directive. Originally planned to be adopted and implemented at the same time as the GDPR, the ePrivacy Regulation is still being negotiated.

Additionally, in June 2018, California passed the California Consumer Privacy Act, or CCPA, which provides new data privacy rights for California consumers and new operational requirements for covered companies. Specifically, the CCPA provides that covered companies must provide new disclosures to California consumers and afford such consumers new data privacy rights that include the right to request a copy from a covered company of the personal information collected about them, the right to request deletion of such personal information, and the right to request to opt-out of certain sales of such personal information. The CCPA became operative on January 1, 2020. The California Attorney General can enforce the CCPA, including seeking an injunction and civil penalties for violations. The CCPA also provides a private right of action for certain data breaches expected to increase data breach litigation. The CCPA may require us to modify our data practices and policies and to incur substantial costs and expenses in order to comply. On November 3, 2020, California voters passed the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”) into law, which will take effect in January 2023 and will significantly modify the CCPA, potentially resulting in further uncertainty and requiring us to incur additional costs and expenses in an effort to comply. More generally, some observers have noted the CCPA and CPRA could mark the beginning of a trend toward more stringent United States federal privacy legislation, which could increase our potential liability and adversely affect our business.

In addition, failure to comply with the Israeli Privacy Protection Law 5741-1981, and its regulations as well as the guidelines of the Israeli Privacy Protection Authority, may expose us to administrative fines, civil claims (including class actions), and in certain cases, criminal liability. Current pending legislation may result in a change in the current enforcement measures and sanctions.

Any failure or perceived failure by our subsidiaries or by us to comply with our posted privacy policies, our privacy-related obligations to users or other third parties, or any other legal obligations or regulatory requirements relating to privacy, data protection, or data security may result in governmental investigations or enforcement actions, litigation, claims, or public statements against us by consumer advocacy groups or others and could result in significant liability, cause our users to lose trust in us, and otherwise materially and adversely affect our reputation and business. Furthermore, the costs of compliance with, and other burdens imposed by, the laws, regulations, other obligations, and policies that are applicable to the businesses of our users may limit the adoption and use of, and reduce the overall demand for, our platform. Additionally, if third parties we work with violate applicable laws, regulations, or contractual obligations, such violations may put our users’ data at risk, could result in governmental investigations or enforcement actions, fines, litigation, claims, or public statements against us by consumer advocacy groups or others and could result in significant liability, cause our users to lose trust in us, and otherwise materially and adversely affect our reputation and business. Further, public scrutiny of, or complaints about, technology companies or their data handling or data protection practices, even if unrelated to our business, industry, or operations, may lead to increased scrutiny of technology companies, including us, and may cause government agencies to enact additional regulatory requirements, or to modify their enforcement or investigation activities, which may increase our costs and risks.

Risks Related to Our Subsidiary, ScoutCam’s, ScoutCam^™ Business

ScoutCam’s reliance on third-party suppliers for most of the components of ScoutCam products could harm ScoutCam’s ability to meet demand for ScoutCam products in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Though ScoutCam attempts to ensure the availability of more than one supplier for each important component in any product that ScoutCam commissions, the number of suppliers engaged in the provision of miniature video sensors which are suitable for ScoutCam’s Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor, or CMOS, technology products is very limited, and therefore in some cases ScoutCam engages with a single supplier, which may result in ScoutCam dependency on such supplier. This is the case regarding sensors for the CMOS type technology that is produced by a single supplier in the United States. As ScoutCam does not have a contract in place with this supplier, there is no contractual commitment on the part of such supplier for any set quantity of such sensors. The loss of ScoutCam sole supplier in providing ScoutCam with miniature sensors for ScoutCam’s CMOS technology products, and ScoutCam inability or delay in finding a suitable replacement supplier, could significantly affect ScoutCam’s business, financial condition, results of operations and reputation.

Because of its limited operating history, ScoutCam may not be able to successfully operate its business or execute its business plan.

In 2019, we transferred our ScoutCam^™ activity, which had limited operation activity, into a wholly-owned subsidiary, ScoutCam Ltd. On December 26, 2019, we consummated a securities exchange agreement with Intellisense Solutions Inc., under which we received 60% of the issued and outstanding stock of Intellisense Solutions Inc. in consideration for 100% of our holdings in ScoutCam Ltd. Simultaneously with the securities exchange agreement, Intellisense Solutions Inc. raised $3.3 million dollars (gross) based on a post money valuation of $13.3 million dollars. Following the aforementioned transactions, Intellisense Solutions Inc. changed its name to ScoutCam Inc. Given the limited operating history, it is hard to evaluate ScoutCam’s proposed business and prospects. ScoutCam’s proposed business operations is subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, expenses and difficulties associated with early-stage enterprises. Such risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

Furthermore, ScoutCam has a history of losses, and may not be able to generate sufficient revenues to achieve and sustain profitability, and as a result, there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern following the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

Because ScoutCam is subject to these risks, evaluating its business may be difficult, its business strategy may be unsuccessful and it may be unable to address such risks in a cost-effective manner, if at all. If ScoutCam is unable to successfully address these risks, its business and any proceeds derived from it by the Company could be harmed.

The commercial success of the ScoutCam^™ or any future product, depends upon the degree of market acceptance by the medical community as well as by other prospect markets and industries.

Any product that ScoutCam commissions or brings to the market may or may not gain market acceptance by prospective customers.

The commercial success of ScoutCam’s technologies commissioned products, and any future product that it may develop depends in part on the medical community as well as other industries for various use cases, depending on the acceptance by such industries of its commissioned products as a useful and cost-effective solution compared to current technologies. To date, ScoutCam has not yet commenced proactive market penetration in other industries, with the exception of the biomedical sector. If ScoutCam’s technology or any future product that may be developed does not achieve an adequate level of acceptance, or does not garner significant commercial appeal, ScoutCam may not generate significant revenue and may not become profitable. The degree of market acceptance will depend on a number of factors, including:

ScoutCam’s efforts to penetrate industries and educate the marketplace on the benefits of its technology, and reasons to seek the commissioning of products based on its technology, may require significant resources and may never be successful. Such efforts to educate the marketplace may require more resources than are required by conventional technologies.

ScoutCam expects to face significant competition. If it cannot successfully compete with new or existing products, its marketing and sales will suffer and may never be profitable.

ScoutCam expects to compete against existing technologies and proven products in different industries. In addition, some of these competitors, either alone or together with their collaborative partners, operate larger research and development programs than ScoutCam does, and have substantially greater financial resources than it does, as well as significantly greater experience in obtaining applicable regulatory approvals applicable to the commercialization of ScoutCam’s technologies and future products.

If ScoutCam is unable to establish sales, marketing and distribution capabilities or enter into successful relationships with third parties to perform these services, it may not be successful in commercializing our ScoutCam^™.

ScoutCam is currently a B2B company, and its business is reliant on its ability to successfully attract potential business targets. Furthermore, ScoutCam has a limited sales and marketing infrastructure and has limited experience in the sale, marketing or distribution of its technologies beyond the B2B model. To achieve commercial success for its technologies or any future developed product, it will need to establish a sales and marketing infrastructure or to out-license such future products.

In the future, ScoutCam may consider building a focused sales and marketing infrastructure to market any future developed products and potentially other product in the United States or elsewhere in the world. Similarly, ScoutCam may consider evolving its business model in the future and adopting a business-to-consumer approach, or B2C. There are risks involved with establishing its own sales, marketing and distribution capabilities. For example, recruiting and training a sales force could be expensive and time consuming and could delay any product launch. This may be costly, and ScoutCam’s investment would be lost if it cannot retain or reposition its sales and marketing personnel.

Factors that may inhibit ScoutCam’s efforts to commercialize its products on its own include:

If ScoutCam is unable to establish its own sales, marketing and distribution capabilities or enter into successful arrangements with third parties to perform these services, its revenues and its profitability may be materially adversely affected.

In addition, ScoutCam may not be successful in entering into arrangements with third parties to sell, market and distribute its ScoutCam^™ or other products inside or outside of the United States or may be unable to do so on terms that are favorable to it. ScoutCam likely will have little control over such third parties, and any of them may fail to devote the necessary resources and attention to sell and market its products effectively. If ScoutCam does not establish sales, marketing and distribution capabilities successfully, either on its own or in collaboration with third parties, it will not be successful in commercializing its technologies or any future products ScoutCam may develop.

ScoutCam depends on the success of micro ScoutCam^™ for ScoutCam’s revenue, which could impair ScoutCam’s ability to achieve profitability.

ScoutCam plans to derive most of its future revenue from the development services of its imaging equipment and its flagship micro ScoutCam^™ and through the engagement with target businesses that are interested in the commissioning of certain products using ScoutCam’s technology. ScoutCam’s future growth and success is largely dependent on the successful commercialization of the micro ScoutCam^™ technology. If ScoutCam is unable to achieve increased commercial acceptance of the micro ScoutCam^™ technology, or experience a decrease in the utilization of its product line or procedure volume, ScoutCam’s revenue would be adversely affected.

ScoutCam may be subject to product liability claims, product actions, including product recalls, and other field or regulatory actions that could be expensive, divert management’s attention and harm ScoutCam’s. business.

ScoutCam’s business exposes it to potential liability risks, product actions and other field or regulatory actions that are inherent in the manufacturing, marketing and sale of medical device products that it may have commissioned for a target business. ScoutCam may be held liable if its products cause injury or death or is found otherwise unsuitable or defective during usage. ScoutCam’s products incorporate mechanical and electrical parts, complex computer software and other sophisticated components, any of which can contain errors or failures. Complex computer software is particularly vulnerable to errors and failures, especially when first introduced. In addition, new products or enhancements to ScoutCam’s existing products may contain undetected errors or performance problems that, despite testing, are discovered only after installation.

If any of ScoutCam’s commissioned products are defective, whether due to design or manufacturing defects, improper use of the product, or other reasons, it may voluntarily or involuntarily undertake an action to remove, repair, or replace the product at its own expense. In some circumstances, ScoutCam will be required to notify regulatory authorities of an action pursuant to a product failure.

ScoutCam may require substantial additional funding, which may not be available to ScoutCam on acceptable terms, or at all.

ScoutCam’s cash balance as of December 31, 2020 was $3.4 million. ScoutCam may require additional funding to fund and grow our operations and to develop certain products. There can be no assurance that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to ScoutCam, if at all. In the event ScoutCam required additional capital, the inability to obtain additional capital will restrict its ability to grow and may reduce its ability to continue to conduct business operations. If ScoutCam’s require and is unable to obtain additional financing, ScoutCam’s will likely be required to curtail its development plans. In that event, current stockholders, including Medigus, would likely experience a loss of most or all of their investment. Additional funding that we do obtain may be dilutive to the interests of existing stockholders, including Medigus.

ScoutCam’s failure to effectively manage growth could impair ScoutCam’s business.

ScoutCam’s business strategy contemplates a period of rapid growth which may put a strain on ScoutCam’s administrative and operational resources, and its funding requirements. ScoutCam’s ability to effectively manage growth will require ScoutCam to successfully expand the capabilities of its operational and management systems, and to attract, train, manage, and retain qualified personnel. There can be no assurance that we will be able to do so, particularly if losses continue and ScoutCam is unable to obtain sufficient financing. If ScoutCam is unable to appropriately manage growth, ScoutCam’s business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.

ScoutCam may not be able to manage its strategic partners effectively.

ScoutCam’s growth strategy may include strategic partners. The process to bring on, train and assist strategic partners is time-consuming and costly. ScoutCam expects to expend significant resources to undertake business, financial and legal due diligence on both existing and potential partners, and there is no guarantee that these will be successful in ultimately increasing ScoutCam’s business.

Failure to manage ScoutCam’s partners effectively may affect its success in executing its business plan and may adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operation. ScoutCam may not realize the anticipated benefits of any or all partnerships, or may not realize them in the time frame expected.

ScoutCam may not have sufficient manufacturing capabilities to satisfy any growing demand for ScoutCam’s commissioned products. ScoutCam may be unable to control the availability or cost of producing such products.

ScoutCam’s current manufacturing capabilities may not reach the required production levels necessary in order to meet growing demands for any products ScoutCam may commission or future products it may develop. While ScoutCam do intend to purchase a manufacturing facility in Israel in the future, such an engagement has not yet materialized and it is not clear at what point ScoutCam will execute such an acquisition. In the interim, and prior to the purchase of a manufacturing facility by ScoutCam, there can be no assurance that ScoutCam’s commissioned products can be manufactured at its desired commercial quantities, in compliance with its requirements and at an acceptable cost. Any such failure could delay or prevent ScoutCam from shipping said products and marketing its technologies in accordance with its target growth strategies.

Testing of ScoutCam’s technologies potential applications for its products will be required and there is no assurance of regulatory approval.

The effect of government regulation and the need for approval may delay marketing of ScoutCam’s technologies and future potentially developed products for a considerable period of time, impose costly procedures upon ScoutCam’s activities and provide an advantage to larger companies that compete with ScoutCam. There can be no assurance that regulatory approval for any products developed by ScoutCam will be granted on a timely basis or at all. Any such delay in obtaining, or failure to obtain, such approvals would materially and adversely affect the marketing of any contemplated products and the ability to earn product revenue. Further, regulation of manufacturing facilities by state, local, and other authorities is subject to change. Any additional regulation could result in limitations or restrictions on ScoutCam’s ability to utilize any of its technologies, thereby adversely affecting ScoutCam’s operations. Various federal and foreign statutes and regulations also govern or influence the manufacturing, safety, labeling, storage, record keeping and marketing of food products. The process of obtaining these approvals and the subsequent compliance with appropriate U.S. and foreign statutes and regulations are time-consuming and require the expenditure of substantial resources. In addition, these requirements and processes vary widely from country to country.

ScoutCam’s suppliers may not be able to always supply components or products to us on a timely basis and on favorable terms, and as a result, ScoutCam’s dependency on third party suppliers can adversely affect ScoutCam’s revenue.

ScoutCam will rely on ScoutCam’s third-party suppliers for components and depend on obtaining adequate supplies of quality components on a timely basis with favorable terms to manufacture ScoutCam’s commissioned products. Some of those components that ScoutCam sell are provided by a limited number of suppliers. ScoutCam’s will be subject to disruptions in its operations if its sole or limited supply contract manufacturers decrease or stop production of components or do not produce components and products of sufficient quantity. Alternative sources for ScoutCam’s components will not always be available. Many of ScoutCam’s components are manufactured overseas, so they have long lead times, and events such as local disruptions, natural disasters or political conflict may cause unexpected interruptions to the supply of our products or components.

It is ScoutCam’s intention, as mentioned in its use of proceeds, to allocate financial resources to improve ScoutCam’s inventory management, including establishing an inventory buffer of components appropriate to ScoutCam’s business. However, ScoutCam cannot assure that its attempt will be successful or that product or component shortages will not occur in the future. If ScoutCam cannot supply commissioned products or future potentially developed products due to a lack of components, or are unable to utilize other components in a timely manner, ScoutCam’s business will be significantly harmed. If inventory shortages continue, they could be expected to have a material and adverse effect on ScoutCam’s future revenues and ability to effectively project future sales and operating results.

ScoutCam relies on highly skilled personnel, and, if ScoutCam is unable to attract, retain or motivate qualified personnel, it may not be able to operate its business effectively.

ScoutCam’s success depends in large part on continued employment of senior management and key personnel who can effectively operate its business, as well as its ability to attract and retain skilled employees. Competition for highly skilled management, technical, research and development and other employees is intense and ScoutCam may not be able to attract or retain highly qualified personnel in the future. In making employment decisions, particularly in the job candidates often consider the value of the equity awards they would receive in connection with their employment. ScoutCam’s long-term incentive programs may not be attractive enough or perform sufficiently to attract or retain qualified personnel.

If any of ScoutCam’s employees leaves ScoutCam, and ScoutCam fails to effectively manage a transition to new personnel, or if ScoutCam fails to attract and retain qualified and experienced professionals on acceptable terms, ScoutCam business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

ScoutCam’s success also depends on having highly trained financial, technical, recruiting, sales and marketing personnel. ScoutCam will need to continue to hire additional personnel as ScoutCam’s business grows. A shortage in the number of people with these skills or ScoutCam’s failure to attract them could impede ScoutCam’s ability to increase revenues from its existing technology and services, ensure full compliance with international and federal regulations, or launch new product offerings and would have an adverse effect on ScoutCam’s business and financial results.

ScouCam may have difficulty in entering into and maintaining strategic alliances with third parties.

ScoutCame has entered into, and may continue to enter into, strategic alliances with third parties to gain access to new and innovative technologies and markets. These parties are often large, established companies. Negotiating and performing under these arrangements involves significant time and expense, and ScoutCam may not have sufficient resources to devote to strategic alliances, particularly those with companies that have significantly greater financial and other resources than ScoutCam do. The anticipated benefits of these arrangements may never materialize, and performing under these arrangements may adversely affect ScoutCam’s results of operations.

ScoutCam may not be able to obtain patents or other intellectual property rights necessary to protect its proprietary technology and business.

ScoutCam may seek to patent concepts, components, processes, designs and methods, and other inventions and technologies that it considers to have commercial value or that will likely give it a technological advantage. Despite devoting resources to the research and development of proprietary technology, ScoutCam may not be able to develop technology that is patentable or protectable. Patents may not be issued in connection with pending patent applications, and claims allowed may not be sufficient to allow them to use the inventions that they create exclusively. Furthermore, any patents issued could be challenged, re-examined, held invalid or unenforceable or circumvented and may not provide sufficient protection or a competitive advantage. In addition, despite efforts to protect and maintain patents, competitors and other third parties may be able to design around their patents or develop products similar to ScoutCam work products that are not within the scope of their patents. Finally, patents provide certain statutory protection only for a limited period of time that varies depending on the jurisdiction and type of patent.

Prosecution and protection of the rights sought in patent applications and patents can be costly and uncertain, often involve complex legal and factual issues and consume significant time and resources. In addition, the breadth of claims allowed in its patents, their enforceability and its ability to protect and maintain them cannot be predicted with any certainty. The laws of certain countries may not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Even if ScoutCam’s patents are held to be valid and enforceable in a certain jurisdiction, any legal proceedings that it may initiate against third parties to enforce such patents will likely be expensive, take significant time and divert management’s attention from other business matters. ScoutCam cannot assure that any of its issued patents or pending patent applications provide any protectable, maintainable or enforceable rights or competitive advantages to it.

In addition to patents, ScoutCam will rely on a combination of copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and other related laws and confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect, maintain and enforce its proprietary technology and intellectual property rights in the United States and other countries. However, its ability to protect its brands by registering certain trademarks may be limited. In addition, while it will generally enter into confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements with its employees, consultants, contract manufacturers, distributors and resellers and with others to attempt to limit access to and distribution of its proprietary and confidential information, it is possible that:

ScoutCam cannot assure that it will be successful in protecting, maintaining or enforcing its intellectual property rights. If ScoutCam is unsuccessful in protecting, maintaining or enforcing its intellectual property rights, then its business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected, which could:

If it is determined that ScoutCam has infringed, violated or is infringing or violating a patent or other intellectual property right of any other person or if it is found liable in respect of any other related claim, then, in addition to being liable for potentially substantial damages, ScoutCam may be prohibited from developing, using, distributing, selling or commercializing certain of its technologies unless it obtains a license from the holder of the patent or other intellectual property right. ScoutCam cannot assure that it will be able to obtain any such license on a timely basis or on commercially favorable terms, or that any such licenses will be available, or that workarounds will be feasible and cost-efficient. If ScoutCam do not obtain such a license or find a cost-efficient workaround, its business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected and it could be required to cease related business operations in some markets and restructure ScoutCam’ business to focus on its continuing operations in other markets.

ScoutCam may be unable to keep pace with changes in technology as ScoutCam’s business and market strategy evolves.

ScoutCam will need to respond to technological advances in a cost-effective and timely manner in order to remain competitive. The need to respond to technological changes may require ScoutCam to make substantial, unanticipated expenditures. There can be no assurance that ScoutCam will be able to respond successfully to technological change.

Risks Related to Pro and Purex’s Business

Our e-commerce operations are reliant on the Amazon marketplace and fulfillment by Amazon and changes to the marketplace, Amazon services and their terms of use may harm Pro and Purex business.

Pro and Purex products are sold predominantly on the Amazon marketplace, with the fulfillment aspect of the operations carried out entirely by Amazon utilizing the fulfilled by Amazon, or FBA, model. In order to continue to utilize the Amazon Marketplace and FBA, Pro and Purex must comply with the applicable policies and terms of use relating to these services. Such policies and terms of use may be altered or amended at Amazon’s sole discretion, including changes regarding the cost of securing these services, and changes that increase the burden of compliance and requirements, may cause Pro and Purex to alter their business model in order to comply, cause us to incur additional costs, and the results of Pro and Purex business can be negatively impacted. Non-compliance with applicable terms of use and policies can result in the removal of one or more products from the market place and suspension of fulfillment services which would have an adverse effect on Pro and Purex results of operations. Although Pro and Purex exert efforts in order to ensure ongoing compliance and no notices of non-compliance have been received to date, we cannot assure that events of this kind will not occur in the future.

Certain aspects of Pro and Purex business is reliant on foreign manufacturing and international sales, which expose us to risks that could impede plans of expansion and growth.

The manufacturers or the products sold on Pro and Purex online stores are located in China. As such, Pro and Purex business is affected by inter-country trade agreements and tariffs. There may be additional, changes to existing trade agreements, greater restrictions on free trade and significant increases in tariffs on goods imported into the United States, particularly those manufactured in China, Mexico and Canada. Future actions of the U.S. administration and that of foreign governments, including China, with respect to tariffs or international trade agreements and policies remains currently unclear. The escalation of a trade war, tariffs, retaliatory tariffs or other trade restrictions on products and materials imported by Pro and Purex from China may impede their supply chain and ability to provide products which could adversely affect their business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

Potential growth of Pro and Purex is based on international expansion, making us susceptible to risks associated with international sales and operations.

Pro and Purex currently sell products exclusively in the U.S. and they intend to expand their operations to reach new markets and localities. For example, Pro has completed the requisite processes in order to offer its products through the Amazon marketplace to the United Kingdom, major European countries, Singapore and Australia. Conducting international operations subjects us to certain risks which include localization of solutions and products and adapting them to local practices and regulatory requirements, exchange rate fluctuations and unexpected changes in tax, trade laws, tariffs, governmental controls and other trade restriction. To the extent that Pro and Purex do not succeed in expanding their operations internationally and managing the associated legal and operational risks, their results of operations may be adversely affected.

Pro and Purex operating results are subject to seasonal fluctuations.

The e-commerce business is seasonal in nature and the fourth quarter is a significant period for Pro and Purex operating results due to the holiday season. As a result, revenue and income (loss) from operations generally decline (increase) in the first quarter sequentially from the fourth quarter of the previous year. Any disruption in Pro and Purex ability to process and fulfill customer orders during the fourth quarter could have a negative effect on their quarterly and annual operating results. For example, if a large number of customers purchase Pro and Purex products in a short period of time due to increased holiday demand, inefficient management of Pro and Purex inventory may prevent them from efficiently fulfilling orders, which may reduce sales and harm their brands.

Risks Related to of Eventer’s Business

If Eventer fails to maintain and improve the quality of its platform, it may not be able to attract clients seeking to manage their online and offline events or facilitate ticket sales for events.

To satisfy both clients seeking to manage online and offline events through Eventer’s platform, Eventer needs to continue to improve the user experience and innovate and introduce features and services that both event managers and ticket purchasers find useful cause them to use Eventer’s platform more frequently. In addition, Eventer needs to adapt, expand and improve its platform and user interfaces to keep up with changing user preferences. Eventer invests substantial resources in researching and developing new features and enhancing its platform by incorporating these new features, improving the functionality, and adding other improvements to meet users’ evolving demands. The success of any enhancements or improvements to Eventer’s platform or any new features depends on several factors, including timely completion, adequate quality testing, integration with technologies on the platform and overall market acceptance. Because further development of Eventer’s platform is complex, challenging, and dependent upon an array of factors, the timetable for the release of new features and enhancements to Eventer’s platform is difficult to predict, and it may not offer new features as rapidly as users of its platform require or expect.

It is difficult to predict the problems Eventer may encounter in introducing new features to its platform. Eventer may need to devote significant resources to creating, supporting, and maintaining these features. Eventer provides no assurance that its initiatives to improve the user experience will be successful. Eventer also cannot predict whether users will well receive any new features or whether improving its platform will be successful or sufficient to offset the costs incurred to offer these new features. If Eventer is unable to improve or maintain its platform’s quality, its business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Eventer’s business is highly sensitive to public tastes. It is dependent on its ability to secure popular artists and other live music events. Eventer’s ticketing clients may be unable to anticipate or respond to consumer preferences changes, which may result in decreased demand for its services.

Eventer’s business is highly sensitive to rapidly changing public tastes and is dependent on the availability of popular artists and events. Eventer’s live entertainment business depends on its ability to anticipate the tastes of consumers and offer events that appeal to them. Since Eventer relies on unrelated parties to create and perform at live music events as well as online events, any lack of availability of popular artists could limit its ability to generate revenue. If artists do not choose to perform, or if Eventer cannot secure performances and events to be managed and ticketed through its platform, Eventer’s business would be adversely affected. Furthermore, Eventer’s business could be adversely affected if artists utilizing its platform do not tour or perform as frequently as anticipated, or if such tours or performances are not as widely attended by fans as anticipated due to changing tastes, general economic conditions or otherwise.

Eventer faces intense competition in the online and offline event and ticketing industries. It may not be able to maintain or increase its current revenue, which could adversely affect its business, financial condition, and operations results.

Eventer is active in highly competitive industries, and it may not be able to maintain or increase its current revenue due to such competition. Online and offline leisure events compete with other entertainment forms for consumers’ discretionary spending and within this industry, Eventer faces competition from other promoters and venue operators. Eventer’s competitors compete for relationships with popular music artists and other service providers who have a history of being able to book artists for concerts and events. These competitors may engage in more extensive development efforts, undertake more far-reaching marketing campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies and make more attractive offers to existing and potential artists. Due to increasing artist influence and competition to attract and maintain artist clients for events managed on Eventer’s platform, it may enter into agreements on terms that are less favorable to it, which could negatively impact the number of commissions collected from ticket sales which may adversely affect its financial results. Eventer’s competitors may develop services and advertising options equivalent to or superior to those they provide or achieve greater market acceptance and brand recognition than it achieves. Across the live music and entertainment industry, it is possible that new competitors may emerge and rapidly acquire significant market share.

Eventer’s business faces significant competition from other ticketing service providers to continuously secure new and retain existing clients. Additionally, it faces significant and increasing challenges from companies that sell self-ticketing systems and clients who choose to self-ticket by integrating such systems into their existing operations or the acquisition of primary ticket services providers. The advent of new technology, particularly as it relates to online ticketing, has amplified this competition. The intense competition that Eventer faces in the ticketing industry could cause the volume of ticketing services to decline.

If our Eventer subsidiary fails to offer high-quality customer service, their brand and reputation could suffer.

Eventer’s clients rely on the platform to plan and manage online and offline events and expect a high level of user experience and customer service relating to both the event management functions of the platform as well as ticket sales. Providing such quality service is imperative for ensuring customer success, sustaining sales growth, and developing Eventer’s business. To the extent that Eventer cannot provide real-time support for users of its platforms, the platform may become less attractive to potential users, and its results of operations may be harmed.

The success of Eventer’s event management and ticketing solutions and other operations depends, in part, on the integrity of its systems and infrastructure, as well as affiliate and third-party computer systems, Wi-Fi, and other communication systems. System interruption and the lack of integration and redundancy in these systems and infrastructure may have an adverse impact on its business, financial condition, and operations results.

System interruption and the lack of integration and redundancy in the information systems and infrastructure, utilized for Eventer’s platform as well as other computer systems and third-party software, Wi-Fi and other communications systems service providers on which Eventer relies, may adversely affect its ability to operate the platform, process and fulfill transactions, respond to customer inquiries and generally maintain cost-efficient operations. Such interruptions could occur by virtue of natural disasters, malicious actions such as hacking or acts of terrorism or war, or human error. In addition, the loss of some or all of certain key personnel could require Eventer to expend additional resources to continue to maintain its software and systems and could subject it to systems interruptions. The infrastructure required to operate Eventer’s platform requires an ongoing investment of time, money, and effort to maintain or refresh hardware and software and ensure it remains at a level capable of servicing the demand and volume of business it receives. Failure to do so may result in system instability, degradation in performance, or unfixable security vulnerabilities that could adversely impact both the business and the consumers utilizing Eventer’s services.

While Eventer has backup systems for certain aspects of its operations, disaster recovery planning by its nature cannot be sufficient for all eventualities. In addition, Eventer may not have adequate insurance coverage to compensate for losses from a major interruption. If any of these adverse events were to occur, it could adversely affect Eventer’s business, financial condition, and operations results.

Eventer’s success depends, in significant part, on entertainment and leisure events and economic and other factors adversely affecting such events could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

A decline in attendance at or reduction in the number of entertainment and leisure events may have an adverse effect on Eventer’s revenue and operating income. In addition, during periods of economic slowdown and recession, many consumers have historically reduced their discretionary spending and advertisers have reduced their advertising expenditures. The impact of economic slowdowns on Eventer’s business is difficult to predict, but they may result in reductions in ticket sales and the ability to generate revenue. The risks associated with Eventer’s businesses may become more acute in periods of a slowing economy or recession, which may be accompanied by a decrease in attendance at entertainment and leisure events. Many of the factors affecting the number and availability of entertainment and leisure events are beyond Eventer’s control. For example, COVID-19 has led to lockdowns and governmental restrictions on live entertainment and leisure events as well as restrictions regarding the attendance of such events. Although Eventer’s platform supports the management and ticketing of online events, there is no assurance that online events will generate demand on par with live events, which could adversely affect Eventer’s operations results.

Eventer’s business depends on discretionary consumer and enterprise spending. Many factors related to corporate spending and discretionary consumer spending, including economic conditions affecting disposable consumer income such as unemployment levels, fuel prices, interest rates, changes in tax rates and tax laws that impact companies or individuals, and inflation can significantly impact Eventer’s operating results. Business conditions, as well as various industry conditions, including corporate marketing and promotional spending and interest levels, can also significantly impact Eventer’s operating results. These factors can affect attendance at online and offline events, advertising, and spending, as well as the financial results of venues, events, and the industry. Negative factors such as challenging economic conditions and public concerns over terrorism and security incidents, particularly when combined, can impact corporate and consumer spending and one negative factor can result in more than another. There can be no assurance that consumer and corporate spending will not be adversely impacted by current economic conditions or by any future deterioration in economic conditions, thereby possibly impacting Eventer’s operating results and growth.

Errors, defects, or disruptions in Eventer’s platform could diminish its brand, subject it to liability, and materially and adversely affect its business, prospects, financial condition, and operations results.

Any errors, defects, or disruptions in Eventer’s platform or other performance problems with its platform could harm its brand and may damage the businesses of artists and clients that manage events on its platform. Eventer’s online systems, including its website and mobile apps, could contain undetected errors, or “bugs,” that could adversely affect their performance. Additionally, Eventer regularly updates and enhances its website, platform, and other online systems and introduces new versions of its software products and apps. These updates may contain undetected errors when first introduced or released, which may cause disruptions in its services and may, as a result, cause Eventer to lose market share, and its brand, business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Eventer is subject to escrow, payment services, and money transmitter regulations that may materially and adversely affect its business.

Eventer relies on third-party to collect funds from ticket purchasers, remit payments to clients that manage events on its platform, and hold funds in connection with ticket purchases. Although Eventer believes that by working with third parties, its operations comply with existing applicable laws and regulatory requirements related to escrow, money transmission, handling or moving of money, existing laws or regulations may change, and interpretations of existing laws regulations may also change.

As a result, Eventer could be required to be licensed as an escrow agent or a money transmitter (or other similar licensees) in jurisdictions in which it is active or may choose to obtain such a license even if not required. As a result, Eventer may be required to register as a money services business under applicable laws and regulations. It is also possible that Eventer could become subject to regulatory enforcement or other proceedings in those jurisdictions with escrow, money transmission, or other similar statutes or regulatory requirements related to the handling or moving of money, which could, in turn, have a significant impact on its business, even if we were to ultimately prevail in such proceedings. Any developments in the laws or regulations related to escrow, money transmission, or the handling or moving of money or increased scrutiny of its business may lead to additional compliance costs and administrative overhead.

Eventer faces payment and fraud risks that could materially and adversely affect its business.

Requirements applicable to Eventer’s platform relating to user authentication and fraud detection are complex. If Eventer’s security measures do not succeed, Eventer’s business may be adversely affected. In addition, bad actors worldwide use increasingly sophisticated methods to engage in illegal activities involving personal data, such as unauthorized use of another’s identity or payment information, unauthorized acquisition or use of credit or debit card details, and other fraudulent use of another’s identity or information. This could result in any of the following, each of which could adversely affect Eventer’s business:

Despite measures taken by Eventer to detect and reduce the risk of this kind of conduct, it cannot ensure that any of its measures will stop illegal or improper uses of its platform. Eventer may receive complaints from users and other third parties concerning misuse of its platform in the future. Even if these claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in Eventer’s favor, these claims, and the time and resources necessary to resolve them, could divert the resources of Eventer’s management and materially and adversely affect its business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Eventer uses open source software, which could negatively affect its ability to offer its platform and subject it to litigation or other actions.

Eventer uses substantial amounts of open source software in its platform and may use more open source software in the future. From time to time, there have been claims challenging both the ownership of open source software against companies that incorporate open source software into their products and whether such incorporation is permissible under various open source licenses. U.S. and Israeli courts have not interpreted the terms of many open source licenses, and there is a risk that these licenses could be construed in a way that could impose unanticipated conditions or restrictions on its ability to commercialize its platform. As a result, Eventer could be subject to lawsuits by parties claiming ownership of what we believe to be open source software, or breach of open source licenses. Litigation could be costly for Eventer to defend, have a negative effect on its results of operations and financial condition, or require it to devote additional research and development resources to change its platform. In addition, if Eventer were to combine its proprietary source code or software with open source software in a certain manner, it could, under certain of the open source licenses, be required to release the source code of its proprietary software to the public. This would allow its competitors to create similar products with less development effort and time. If Eventer inappropriately uses open source software or the license terms for open source software that its uses change, Eventer may be required to re-engineer its platform, or certain aspects of it, incur additional costs, discontinue the availability of certain features, or take other remedial actions.

In addition to risks related to license requirements, open source software usage can lead to greater risks than use of third-party commercial software, as open source licensors generally do not provide warranties or assurance of title or controls on origin of the software. In addition, many of the risks associated with usage of open source software, such as the lack of warranties or assurances of title, cannot be eliminated and could, if not properly addressed, negatively affect Eventer’s business. Eventer has established processes to help alleviate these risks, but it cannot be sure that all of its use of open source software is in a manner that is consistent with its current policies and procedures or will not subject Eventer to liability.

To the extent Eventer’s security measures are compromised, its platform may be perceived as not being secure. This may result in customers curtailing or ceasing their use of Eventer’s platform, its reputation being harmed, Eventer incurring significant liabilities, and adverse effects on its results of operations and growth prospects.

Eventer’s operations involve the storage and transmission of artist and ticket purchaser data or information. Cyberattacks and other malicious internet-based activity continue to increase, and cloud-based platform providers of services are expected to continue to be targeted. Threats include traditional computer “hackers,” malicious code (such as viruses and worms), employee theft or misuse and denial-of-service attacks. Sophisticated nation-states and nation-state supported actors now engage in such attacks, including advanced persistent threat intrusions. The ticket sales solution included in Eventer’s platform stores credit card data and other customer personal information. Hackers and malicious actors may target Eventer in order to obtain credit card information. Despite significant efforts to create security barriers to such threats, it is virtually impossible for Eventer to entirely mitigate these risks. If Eventer’s security measures are compromised as a result of third-party action, employee or customer error, malfeasance, stolen or fraudulently obtained log-in credentials, or otherwise, Eventer’s reputation could be damaged, its business may be harmed, and it could incur significant liability. Eventer may be unable to anticipate or prevent techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or to compromise its systems because they change frequently and are generally not detected until after an incident has occurred. As Eventer relies on third-party and public-cloud infrastructure, it will depend in part on third-party security measures to protect against unauthorized access, cyberattacks, and the mishandling of customer data. A cybersecurity event could have significant costs, including regulatory enforcement actions, litigation, litigation indemnity obligations, remediation costs, network downtime, increases in insurance premiums, and reputational damage. Many companies that provide cloud-based services have reported a significant increase in cyberattack activity since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Risks Related to Gix’s Business and Industry

Gix’s advertising customers as well as exchanges through which ad inventory is sold may reduce or terminate their business relationship with Gix at any time. If customers or exchanges representing a significant portion of Gix’s revenue reduce or terminate their relationship with Gix, it could have a material adverse effect on Gix’s business, its results of operations and financial condition.

Gix generally does not enter into long-term contracts with its advertising customers, and such customers do business with Gix on a non-exclusive basis. In most cases, Gix’s customers may terminate or reduce the scope of their agreements with little or no penalty or notice. Accordingly, Gix’s business is highly vulnerable to adverse economic conditions, market evolution, development of new or more compelling offerings by Gix’s competitors and development by Gix’s advertising customers of in-house replacement services. Any reduction in spending by, or loss of, existing or potential advertisers by Gix would negatively impact Gix’s revenue and operating results.

Due to rapid changes in the Internet and the nature of services, it is difficult to accurately predict Gix’s future performance and may be difficult to increase revenue or profitability.

As the digital advertising ecosystem is dynamic, seasonal and challenging, it is hard to predict Gix’s future performance and make predictions, particularly regarding the effect of Gix’s efforts to aggressively increase the distribution and profitability of its services and products. If Gix is unable to continuously improve its systems and processes, adapt to the changing and dynamic needs of its customers and align its expenses with the revenue level, it will impair Gix’s ability to structure its offerings to be compelling and profitable.

Increased availability of advertisement-blocking technologies could limit or block the delivery or display of advertisements by Gix solutions, which could undermine Gix’s business’s viability.

Advertisement-blocking technologies, such as mobile apps, anti-virus software or browser extensions that limit or block the delivery or display of advertisements, are currently available for desktop and mobile users. Furthermore, new browsers and operating systems, or updates to current browsers or operating systems, offer native advertisement-blocking technologies to their users. The more such technologies become widespread, Gix’s ability to serve advertisements to users may be impeded, and its business financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

Large and established internet and technology companies, such as Google and Facebook, play a substantial role in the digital advertising market and may significantly impair Gix’s ability to operate in this industry.

Google and Facebook are substantial players in the digital advertising market and account for a large portion of the digital advertising budgets, along with other smaller players. Such high concentration subjects Gix to unilateral changes with respect to advertising on their respective platforms, which may be more lucrative than alternative methods of advertising or partnerships with other publishers that are not subject to such changes. Furthermore, Gix could have limited ability to respond to, and adjust for, changes implemented by such players.

These companies, along with other large and established Internet and technology companies, may also leverage their power to make changes to their web browsers, operating systems, platforms, networks or other products or services in a way that impacts the entire digital advertising marketplace.

The consolidation among participants within the digital advertising market could have a material adverse impact on Gix and accordingly, its business and results of operations.

The digital advertising industry has experienced substantial evolution and consolidation in recent years and Gix expects this trend to continue, increasing the capabilities and competitive posture of larger companies, particularly those that are already dominant in various ways, and enabling new or stronger competitors to emerge. This consolidation could adversely affect Gix’s business in a number of ways, including: (i) Gix’s customers or partners could acquire or be acquired by Gix’s competitors causing them to terminate their relationship with Gix; (ii) Gix’s competitors could improve their competitive position or broaden their offerings through strategic acquisitions or mergers.

The advertising industry is highly competitive. If Gix cannot compete effectively in this market, Gix’s revenues are likely to decline.

Gix faces intense competition in the marketplace. Gix operates in a dynamic market that is subject to rapid development and introduction of new technologies, products and solutions, changing branding objectives, evolving customer demands and industry guidelines, all of which affect Gix’s ability to remain competitive. There are a large number of digital media companies and advertising technology companies that offer products or services similar to Gix’s and that compete with Gix for finite advertising budgets and for limited inventory from publishers. There is also a large number of niche companies that are competitive with Gix, as they provide a subset of the services that Gix provides. Some of Gix’s existing and potential competitors may be better established, benefit from greater name recognition may offer solutions and technologies that Gix does not offer or that are more evolved than Gix, and may have significantly more financial, technical, sales, and marketing resources than Gix does. In addition, some competitors, particularly those with a larger and more diversified revenue base and a broader offering, may have greater flexibility than Gix does to compete aggressively on the basis of price and other contract terms as well as respond to market changes. Additionally, companies that do not currently compete with Gix in this space may change their services to be competitive if there is a revenue opportunity, and new or stronger competitors may emerge through consolidations or acquisitions. If Gix’s digital advertising platform and solutions are not perceived as competitively differentiated or Gix fails to develop adequately to meet market evolution, Gix could lose customers and market share or be compelled to reduce Gix’s prices and harm Gix’s operational results.

If the demand for digital advertising does not continue to grow or customers do not embrace Gix’s solutions, this could have a material adverse effect on Gix’s business and financial condition.

If customers do not embrace Gix’s solutions, or if Gix’s integration with advertising networks is not successful, or if there is a reduction in general demand for digital advertising, in spend for certain channels or solutions, or the demand for Gix’s specific solutions and offerings is decreased, Gix’s revenues could decline or otherwise, Gix’s business may be adversely affected.

Gix’s business is susceptible to seasonality, unexpected changes in campaign size, and prolonged cycle time, which could affect its business, results of operations and ability to repay indebtedness when due.

The revenue of Gix’s advertising business is affected by a number of factors, and, as a result, Gix’s profit from these operations is seasonal, including:

Gix’s advertising business depends on Gix’s ability to collect and use data, and any limitation on the collection and use of this data could significantly diminish the value of Gix’s solutions and cause Gix to lose customers, revenue and profit.

In most cases, when Gix delivers an advertisement, Gix is often able to collect certain information about the content and placement of the ad, the relevancy of such ad to a user, and the interaction of the user with the ad, such as whether the user viewed or clicked on the ad or watched a video. As Gix collects and aggregates data provided by billions of ad impressions and third-party providers, Gix analyzes the data in order to measure and optimize the placement and delivery of Gix’s advertising inventory and provide cross-channel advertising capabilities.

Gix publishers or advertisers might decide not to allow Gix to collect some or all of this data or might limit Gix’s use of this data. Gix’s ability to either collect or use data could be restricted by new laws or regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”), in the European Union, which entered into effect in May 2018, and presumably broaden the definition of personal data to include location data and online identifiers, which are commonly used and collected parameters in digital advertising, and impose more stringent user consent requirements, changes in technology, operating system restrictions, requests to discontinue using certain data, restrictions imposed by advertisers and publishers, industry standards or consumer choice.

If this happens, Gix may not be able to optimize ad placement for the benefit of Gix’s advertisers and publishers, which could render Gix’s solutions less valuable and potentially result in loss of clients and a decline in revenues. For more information on privacy regulation and compliance, see also – “We are subject to stringent and changing laws, regulations, standards, and contractual obligations related to privacy, data protection, and data security. Our or our subsidiaries’ actual or perceived failure to comply with such obligations could harm our business”.

Risks related to our MUSE^™ Technology Business

We are currently proposing our MUSE^™ system business for sale or grant of license. If we are unable to sell or license our MUSE^™ business or unable to sell or license it in terms acceptable to us, we will have to write off our investment in the MUSE^™ system, which will adversely affect our business.

We are currently proposing our MUSE^™ system business for sale or license. If we are unable to sell or license our MUSE™ business or unable to sell or license it in terms acceptable to us, we could not derive any value from the sale and will lose significant cash flow, which, in turn, will adversely affect our financial results.

Several factors may delay or prevent us from selling or granting license to our MUSE^™ system business:

Further, we have only limited clinical data to support the value of the MUSE^™ system, which may make patients, physicians and hospitals reluctant to accept or purchase our products, and as such a potential purchaser may be reluctant to purchase our MUSE^™ business or such lack of data will be reflected in the purchase price.

Moreover, various modifications to our MUSE^™ system regulator-cleared products may require new regulatory clearances or approvals or require a recall or cease marketing of the MUSE^™ system until clearances or approvals are obtained. Clearances and approvals by the applicable regulator are subject to continual review, and the later discovery of previously unknown problems can result in product labeling restrictions or withdrawal of the product from the market. The potential loss of previously received approvals or clearances, or the failure to comply with existing or future regulatory requirements could reduce the potential sales, profitability and future growth prospects of the MUSE^™.

We have entered into a Licensing and Sale Agreement with Shanghai Golden Grand-Medical Instruments Ltd. (Golden Grand) for the know-how licensing and sale of goods relating to the Medigus Ultrasonic Surgical Endostapler (MUSE^™) system in China with a substantial amount of the consideration subject to milestone achievements.

We entered into a Licensing and Sale Agreement with Shanghai Golden Grand-Medical Instruments Ltd., or Golden Grand, for the know-how licensing and sale of goods relating to the Medigus Ultrasonic Surgical Endostapler (MUSE^™) system in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao. The payment of a substantial amount of the consideration is contingent on achievement of certain milestones such as establishing a MUSE^™ assembly line in China. In the event that we are not able to meet such milestones, due to various factors including natural disasters, public health crises, political crises and trade wars which are not under our control, our entitlement to the aggregate consideration under the agreement may be impaired.

Due to COVID-19, our personnel’s access to China, our ability to transport the materials and equipment required in order to set up our MUSE^™ assembly line is severely limited. To the extent the coronavirus outbreak persists, it may have an adverse impact on our revenues associated with MUSE^™.

Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property

If we are unable to secure and maintain patent or other intellectual property protection for the intellectual property used in our products, our ability to compete will be harmed.

Our commercial success depends, in part, on obtaining and maintaining patent and other intellectual property protection for the technologies used in our products. The patent positions of medical device companies, including ours, can be highly uncertain and involve complex and evolving legal and factual questions. Furthermore, we might in the future opt to license intellectual property from other parties. If we, or the other parties from whom we may license intellectual property, fail to obtain and maintain adequate patent or other intellectual property protection for intellectual property used in our products, or if any protection is reduced or eliminated, others could use the intellectual property used in our products, resulting in harm to our competitive business position. In addition, patent and other intellectual property protection may not provide us with a competitive advantage against competitors that devise ways of making competitive products without infringing any patents that we own or have rights to.

U.S. patents and patent applications may be subject to interference proceedings, and U.S. patents may be subject to re-examination proceedings in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Foreign patents may be subject to opposition or comparable proceedings in the corresponding foreign patent offices. Any of these proceedings could result in loss of the patent or denial of the patent application, or loss or reduction in the scope of one or more of the claims of the patent or patent application. Changes in either patent laws or in interpretations of patent laws may also diminish the value of our intellectual property or narrow the scope of our protection. Interference, re-examination and opposition proceedings may be costly and time consuming, and we, or the other parties from whom we might potentially license intellectual property, may be unsuccessful in defending against such proceedings. Thus, any patents that we own or might license may provide limited or no protection against competitors. In addition, our pending patent applications and those we may file in the future may have claims narrowed during prosecution or may not result in patents being issued. Even if any of our pending or future applications are issued, they may not provide us with adequate protection or any competitive advantages. Our ability to develop additional patentable technology is also uncertain. 

Non-payment or delay in payment of patent fees or annuities, whether intentional or unintentional, may also result in the loss of patents or patent rights important to our business. Many countries, including certain countries in Europe, have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner may be compelled to grant licenses to other parties. In addition, many countries limit the enforceability of patents against other parties, including government agencies or government contractors. In these countries, the patent owner may have limited remedies, which could materially diminish the value of the patent. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States, particularly in the field of medical products and procedures.

If we are unable to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of our proprietary trade secrets and unpatented know-how, our ability to compete will be harmed.

Proprietary trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks and unpatented know-how are also very important to our business. We rely on a combination of trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks, confidentiality agreements and other contractual provisions and technical security measures to protect certain aspects of our technology, especially where we do not believe that patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. We require our office holders, employees, consultants and distributers of our products and most third parties (such as contractors or clinical collaborators) to execute confidentiality agreements in connection with their relationships with us. However, these measures may not be adequate to safeguard our proprietary intellectual property and conflicts may, nonetheless, arise regarding ownership of inventions. Such conflicts may lead to the loss or impairment of our intellectual property or to expensive litigation to defend our rights against competitors who may be better funded and have superior resources. Our office holders, employees, consultants and other advisors may unintentionally or willfully disclose our confidential information to competitors. In addition, confidentiality agreements may be unenforceable or may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure. Enforcing a claim that a third party illegally obtained and is using our trade secrets is expensive and time consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. Moreover, our competitors may independently develop equivalent knowledge, methods and know-how. Unauthorized parties may also attempt to copy or reverse engineer certain aspects of our products that we consider proprietary. As a result, other parties may be able to use our proprietary technology or information, and our ability to compete in the market would be harmed.

We could become subject to patent and other intellectual property litigation that could be costly, result in the diversion of management’s attention, require us to pay damages and force us to discontinue selling our products.

Our industry is characterized by competing intellectual property and a substantial amount of litigation over patent and other intellectual property rights. Determining whether a product infringes a patent involves complex legal and factual issues, and the outcome of a patent litigation action is often uncertain. No assurance can be given that patents containing claims covering our products, parts of our products, technology or methods do not exist, have not been filed or could not be filed or issued. Furthermore, our competitors or other parties may assert that our products and the methods we employ in the use of our products are covered by U.S. or foreign patents held by them. In addition, because patent applications can take many years to issue and because publication schedules for pending applications vary by jurisdiction, there may be applications now pending of which we are unaware and which may result in issued patents which our current or future products infringe. Also, because the claims of published patent applications can change between publication and patent grant, there may be published patent applications with claims that we infringe. There could also be existing patents that one or more of our products or parts may infringe and of which we are unaware. As the number of competitors in the endoscopic procedure market grows, and as the number of patents issued in this area grows, the possibility of patent infringement claims against us increases.

Infringement actions and other intellectual property claims and proceedings brought against or by us, whether with or without merit, may cause us to incur substantial costs and could place a significant strain on our financial resources, divert the attention of management from our business and harm our reputation. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of complex patent or intellectual property litigation more effectively than we can because they have substantially greater resources. 

We cannot be certain that we will successfully defend against allegations of infringement of patents and intellectual property rights of others. In the event that we become subject to a patent infringement or other intellectual property lawsuit and if the other party’s patents or other intellectual property were upheld as valid and enforceable and we were found to infringe the other party’s patents or violate the terms of a license to which we are a party, we could be required to pay damages. We could also be prevented from selling our products unless we could obtain a license to use technology or processes covered by such patents or will be able to redesign the product to avoid infringement. A license may not be available at all or on commercially reasonable terms or we may not be able to redesign our products to avoid infringement. Modification of our products or development of new products could require us to conduct clinical trials and to revise our filings with the applicable regulatory bodies, which would be time consuming and expensive. In these circumstances, we may be unable to sell our products at competitive prices or at all, our business and operating results could be harmed.

We may be subject to claims that our employees, consultants, or independent contractors have wrongfully used or disclosed confidential information of third parties or, that our employees have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their former employers.

Certain of our employees and personnel were previously employed at universities, medical institutions, or other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies. Although we try to ensure that our employees, consultants, and independent contractors do not use the proprietary information or know-how of others in their work for us, we may be subject to claims that we or our employees, consultants, or independent contractors have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed intellectual property, including trade secrets or other proprietary information, of any of our employee’s former employer or other third parties. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights or personnel. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management and other employees. Furthermore, universities or medical institutions who employ some of our key employees and personnel in parallel to their engagement by us may claim that intellectual property developed by such person is owned by the respective academic or medical institution under the respective institution intellectual property policy or applicable law.

 We may be subject to claims challenging the inventorship or ownership of our patents and other intellectual property.

We may be subject to claims that former employees, collaborators, or other third parties have an ownership interest in our patents or other intellectual property. Ownership disputes may arise in the future, for example, from conflicting obligations of consultants or others who are involved in developing our product candidates. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these and other claims challenging inventorship or ownership. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights, such as exclusive ownership of, or right to use, valuable intellectual property. Such an outcome could have a material adverse effect on our business. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management and other employees. 

Disruptions to our information technology systems due to cyber-attacks or our failure to upgrade and adjust our information technology systems, may materially impair our operations, hinder our growth and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We believe that an appropriate information technology, or IT, infrastructure is important in order to support our daily operations and the growth of our business. If we experience difficulties in implementing new or upgraded information systems or experience significant system failures, or if we are unable to successfully modify our management information systems or respond to changes in our business needs, we may not be able to effectively manage our business, and we may fail to meet our reporting obligations. Additionally, if our current back-up storage arrangements and our disaster recovery plan are not operated as planned, we may not be able to effectively recover our information system in the event of a crisis, which may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

In the current environment, there are numerous and evolving risks to cybersecurity and privacy, including criminal hackers, hacktivists, state-sponsored intrusions, industrial espionage, employee malfeasance and human or technological error. High-profile security breaches at other companies and in government agencies have increased in recent years, and security industry experts and government officials have warned about the risks of hackers and cyber-attacks targeting businesses such as ours. Computer hackers and others routinely attempt to breach the security of technology products, services and systems, and to fraudulently induce employees, customers, or others to disclose information or unwittingly provide access to systems or data. We can provide no assurance that our current IT system or any updates or upgrades thereto and the current or future IT systems of our distributors use or may use in the future, are fully protected against third-party intrusions, viruses, hacker attacks, information or data theft or other similar threats. Legislative or regulatory action in these areas is also evolving, and we may be unable to adapt our IT systems or to manage the IT systems of third parties to accommodate these changes. We have experienced and expect to continue to experience actual or attempted cyber-attacks of our IT networks. Although none of these actual or attempted cyber-attacks has had a material adverse impact on our operations or financial condition, we cannot guarantee that any such incidents will not have such an impact in the future.

Risks Related to Regulatory Compliance

If we or our contractors or service providers fail to comply with regulatory laws and regulations, we or they could be subject to regulatory actions, which could affect our ability to develop, market and sell our products in the medical field and any other or future products that we may develop and may harm our reputation in the medical field.

If we or our manufacturers or other third-party contractors fail to comply with applicable federal, state or foreign laws or regulations, including with respect to healthcare and data privacy, we could be subject to regulatory actions, which could affect our ability to develop, market and sell our current products or any future products which we may develop in the future and could harm our reputation and lead to reduced demand for or non-acceptance of our proposed products by the market.

Regulatory reforms may adversely affect our ability to sell our products profitably.

From time to time, legislation is drafted and introduced in the United States, European Union or other countries in which we operate, that could significantly change the statutory provisions governing the clearance or approval, manufacture and marketing of our products, including in the medical devices industry. In addition, regulations and guidance may often be revised or reinterpreted by the regulatory authorities in ways that may significantly affect our business and our products. It is impossible to predict whether legislative changes will be enacted or interpretations changed, and what the impact of such changes, if any, may be.

If we fail to comply with the extensive government regulations relating to our business, we may be subject to fines, injunctions and other penalties that could harm our business.

The application of our MUSE^™ system as a medical device is subject to extensive regulation by the FDA, pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or FDCA, and various other federal, state and foreign governmental authorities. Government regulations and requirements specific to medical devices are wide ranging and govern, among other things:

We are subject to annual regulatory audits in order to maintain our quality system certifications, CE mark permissions, FDA Clearance and Canadian medical device license. We do not know whether we will be able to continue to affix the CE mark for new or modified products or that we will continue to meet the quality and safety standards required to maintain the permissions and license we have already received. If we are unable to maintain our quality system certifications and permission to affix the CE mark to our products, we will no longer be able to sell our products in member countries of the European Union or other areas of the world that require CE’s or FDA’s approval of medical devices. If we are unable to maintain our quality system certifications and Canadian medical device license, we will not be able to sell our products in Canada.

Our medical device products and operations are also subject to regulation by the Medical Devices and Accessories Division in the Israeli Ministry of Health, or AMAR, which is responsible for the registration of medical devices in Israel, issuance of import licenses and monitoring marketing of medical equipment. We have received an AMAR approval in Israel. If we fail to comply with the extensive government regulations relating to our business, we may be subject to fines, injunctions and other penalties that could harm our business.

Risks Related to Our Operations in Israel

Our headquarters, manufacturing facilities, and administrative offices are located in Israel and, therefore, our results may be adversely affected by military instability in Israel.

Many of our employees, including certain management members operate from our offices that are located in Omer, Israel. In addition, a number of our officers and directors are residents of Israel. Accordingly, political, economic, and military conditions in Israel and the surrounding region may directly affect our business and operations. In recent years, Israel has been engaged in sporadic armed conflicts with Hamas, an Islamist terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip, with Hezbollah, an Islamist terrorist group that controls large portions of southern Lebanon, and with Iranian-backed military forces in Syria. In addition, Iran has threatened to attack Israel and may be developing nuclear weapons. Some of these hostilities were accompanied by missiles being fired from the Gaza Strip against civilian targets in various parts of Israel, including areas in which our employees and some of our consultants are located, and negatively affected business conditions in Israel. Any hostilities involving Israel or the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its trading partners could adversely affect our operations and results of operations.

Our commercial insurance does not cover losses that may occur as a result of events associated with war and terrorism. Although the Israeli government currently covers the reinstatement value of direct damages that are caused by terrorist attacks or acts of war, we cannot assure you that this government coverage will be maintained or that it will sufficiently cover our potential damages. Any losses or damages incurred by us could have a material adverse effect on our business. Any armed conflicts or political instability in the region would likely negatively affect business conditions and could harm our results of operations. Further, in the past, the State of Israel and Israeli companies have been subjected to economic boycotts. Several countries still restrict business with the State of Israel and with Israeli companies. These restrictive laws and policies may have an adverse impact on our operating results, financial condition or the expansion of our business. A campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions has been undertaken against Israel, which could also adversely impact our business.

In addition, many Israeli citizens are obligated to perform several days, and in some cases more, of annual military reserve duty each year until they reach the age of 40 (or older, for reservists who are military officers or who have certain occupations) and, in the event of a military conflict, may be called to active duty. In response to increases in terrorist activity, there have been periods of significant call-ups of military reservists. It is possible that there will be military reserve duty call-ups in the future. Our operations could be disrupted by such call-ups, which may include the call-up of members of our management. Such disruption could materially adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

There is currently a level of unprecedented political instability on Israel’s domestic front. The Israeli government has been in a transitionary phase since December 2018 when the Israeli Parliament, or the Knesset, first resolved to dissolve itself and call for new general elections. Israel held general elections twice in 2019 and once again in 2020. A fourth election tool place on March 23, 2021. The Knesset, for reasons related to this extended political turmoil, failed to pass a budget for the year 2021, and certain government ministries, certain of which are critical to the operation of our business, operated without necessary resources and, assuming the current political stalemate persists, may not receive sufficient funding moving forward. This political reality is further compounded by a budget deficit of NIS 160.3 billion ($50.4 billion) for the year 2020, which is roughly three times larger than in 2019 and the highest on record since Israel’s founding. Given the likelihood that the current situation will not be resolved during the next calendar year, our ability to conduct our business effectively may be adversely materially affected.

Exchange rate fluctuations between foreign currencies and the U.S. Dollar may negatively affect our earnings.

Our reporting and functional currency is the U.S. dollar. Our, ScoutCam, Pro and Purex revenues are currently primarily payable in U.S. dollars and we expect our future revenues to be denominated primarily in U.S. dollars. However, certain amount of our expenses are in NIS and as a result, we are exposed to the currency fluctuation risks relating to the recording of our expenses in U.S. dollars. We may, in the future, decide to enter into currency hedging transactions. These measures, however, may not adequately protect us from material adverse effects.

The government tax benefits that we currently are entitled to receive require us to meet several conditions and may be terminated or reduced in the future.

Some of our operations in Israel may entitle us to certain tax benefits under the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 5719-1959, or the Investments Law, once we begin to produce taxable income. From time to time, the government of Israel has considered reducing or eliminating the tax benefits available to Benefitted Enterprise programs such as ours. If we do not meet the requirements for maintaining these benefits, they may be reduced or cancelled and the relevant operations would be subject to Israeli corporate tax at the standard rate, which was set at 23% in 2018 and thereafter. In addition to being subject to the standard corporate tax rate, we could be required to refund any tax benefits that we have already received, plus interest and penalties thereon. Even if we continue to meet the relevant requirements, the tax benefits that our current “Benefitted Enterprise” is entitled to may not be continued in the future at their current levels, or at all. If these tax benefits were reduced or eliminated, the amount of taxes that we would have to pay if we produce revenues would likely increase, as all of our operations would consequently be subject to corporate tax at the standard rate, which could adversely affect our results of operations. Additionally, if we increase our activities outside of Israel, for example, by way of acquisitions, our increased activities may not be eligible for inclusion in Israeli tax benefits programs. See “Item 10. Additional Information - E. Taxation.” 

In the past, we received Israeli government grants for certain of our research and development activities. The terms of those grants may require us, in addition to payment of royalties, to satisfy specified conditions in order to manufacture products and transfer technologies outside of Israel, including increase of the amount of our liabilities in connection with such grants. If we fail to comply with the requirements of the Innovation Law (as defined below), we may be required to pay penalties in addition to repayment of the grants, and may impair our ability to sell our technology outside of Israel.

Some of our research and development efforts were financed in part through royalty-bearing grants, in an amount of $0.2 million that we received from the Israeli Innovation Authority of the Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry, or IIA. When know-how is developed using IIA grants, the Encouragement of Research, Development and Technological Innovation in the Industry Law 5744-1984 and the regulations thereunder, restricts our ability to manufacture products and transfer technology and know-how, developed as a result of IIA funding, outside of Israel.

Under the Innovation Law and the regulations thereunder, a recipient of IIA grants is required to return the grants by the payment of royalties of 3% to 6% on the revenues generated from the sale of products (and related services) developed (in whole or in part) under IIA program up to the total amount of the grants received from IIA, linked to the U.S. dollar and bearing interest at an annual rate of LIBOR applicable to U.S. dollar deposits, as published on the first business day of each calendar year.

The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), announced that it will no longer persuade or require banks to submit rates for LIBOR after January 1, 2022. The grants received from the IIA bear an annual interest rate based on the 12-month LIBOR. Accordingly, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the publication of LIBOR beyond 2022. While it is not currently possible to determine precisely whether, or to what extent, the withdrawal and replacement of LIBOR would affect us, the implementation of alternative benchmark rates to LIBOR may increase our financial liabilities to the IIA. To date, IIA has not published a decision regarding an alternative benchmark to be used in the LIBOR’s stead.

Transfer of IIA funded know-how and related intellectual property rights outside of Israel, including by way of license for research and development purpose requires pre-approval by IIA and imposes certain conditions, including, requirement of payment of a redemption fee calculated according to the formula provided in the Innovation Law which takes into account, among others, the consideration for such know-how paid to us in the transaction in which the technology is transferred, research and development expenses, the amount of IIA support, the time of completion of IIA supported research project and other factors, while the redemption fee will not exceed 600% of the grants amount plus interest. No assurance can be given that approval to any such transfer, if requested, will be granted and what will be the amount of the redemption fee payable.

Transfer of IIA funded know-how and related intellectual property rights to an Israeli company requires a pre-approval by IIA and may be granted if the recipient undertakes to fulfil all the liabilities to IIA and undertakes to abide by the provisions of Innovation Law, including the restrictions on the transfer of know-how and the manufacturing rights outside of Israel and the obligation to pay royalties (note that there will be an obligation to pay royalties to IIA from the income received by us in connection with such transfer transaction as part of the royalty payment obligation). No assurance can be given that approval to any such transfer, if requested, will be granted.

In addition, the products may be manufactured outside Israel by us or by another entity only if prior approval is received from IIA (such approval is not required for the transfer outside of Israel of less than 10% of the manufacturing capacity in the aggregate, and in such event only a notice to IIA is required). As a condition for obtaining approval to manufacture outside Israel, we would be required to pay increased royalties, which usually amount to 1% in addition to the standard royalties rate, and also the total amount of our liability to IIA will be increased to between 120% and 300% of the grants we received from IIA, depending on the manufacturing volume that is performed outside Israel (less royalties already paid to IIA). This restriction may impair our ability to outsource manufacturing rights abroad, however, it does not restrict export of our products that incorporate IIA funded know-how. 

A company also has the option of declaring in its IIA grant application its intention to exercise a portion of the manufacturing capacity abroad, thus avoiding the need to obtain additional approval. Such declaration may affect the increased royalties cap.

The restrictions under the Innovation Law (such as with respect to transfer of manufacturing rights abroad or the transfer of IIA funded know-how and related intellectual property rights abroad) will continue to apply even our liabilities to IIA in full and will cease to exist only upon payment of the redemption fee described above.

Furthermore, in the event that we undertake a transaction involving the transfer to a non-Israeli entity of technology developed with IIA funding pursuant to a merger or similar transaction, the consideration available to our shareholders may be reduced by the amounts we are required to pay to IIA. Any approval, if given, will generally be subject to additional financial obligations. Failure to comply with the requirements under the Innovation Law may subject us to mandatory repayment of grants received by us (together with interest and penalties), as well as expose us to criminal proceedings.

In May 2017, IIA issued new rules for licensing know how developed with IIA funding outside of Israel, or the Licensing Rules, allowing us to enter into licensing arrangements or grant other rights in know-how developed under IIA programs outside of Israel, subject to the prior consent of IIA and payment of license fees to IIA, calculated in accordance with the Licensing Rules. The payment of the license fees will not discharge us from the obligations to pay royalties or other payments to IIA.

We were members of an IIA-related consortium, in which certain of our technologies were developed. We are required to provide licenses to the other members of the consortium to use such technologies for no consideration, which could reduce our profitability.

Certain of our miniaturized imaging equipment may be based on technological models developed as part of the Bio Medical Photonic Consortium in the framework of Magnet program of the IIA. We received $2.3 million from IIA in the framework of the Consortium. The property rights in and to “new information” (as such term is defined therein) which has been developed by a member of the Consortium, in the framework of a research and development program conducted as part of the Consortium, belongs solely to the Consortium member that developed it. The developing member is obligated to provide the other members in the Consortium a non-sublicensable license to use of the “new information” developed by such member, without consideration, provided that the other members do not transfer such “new information” to any entity which is not a member of the Consortium, without the consent of such member. No royalties from this funding are payable to the Israeli government, however, the provisions of the Innovation Law and related regulations regarding, inter alia, the restrictions on the transfer of know-how outside of Israel do apply, mutatis mutandis.

Provisions of Israeli law and our articles of association may delay, prevent or otherwise impede a merger with, or an acquisition of, our company, which could prevent a change of control, even when the terms of such a transaction are favorable to us and our shareholders.

Israeli corporate law regulates mergers, requires tender offers for acquisitions of shares above specified thresholds, requires special approvals for transactions involving directors, officers or significant shareholders and regulates other matters that may be relevant to such types of transactions. For example, a merger may not be consummated unless at least 50 days have passed from the date on which a merger proposal is filed by each merging company with the Israel Registrar of Companies and at least 30 days have passed from the date on which the shareholders of both merging companies have approved the merger. In addition, a majority of each class of securities of the target company must approve a merger. Moreover, a tender offer for all of a company’s issued and outstanding shares can only be completed if the acquirer receives positive responses from the holders of at least 95% of the issued share capital. Completion of the tender offer also requires approval of a majority of the offerees that do not have a personal interest in the tender offer, unless, following consummation of the tender offer, the acquirer would hold at least 98% of the Company’s outstanding shares. Furthermore, the shareholders, including those who indicated their acceptance of the tender offer, may, at any time within six months following the completion of the tender offer, claim that the consideration for the acquisition of the shares does not reflect their fair market value, and petition an Israeli court to alter the consideration for the acquisition accordingly, unless the acquirer stipulated in its tender offer that a shareholder that accepts the offer may not seek such appraisal rights, and the acquirer or the company published all required information with respect to the tender offer prior to the tender offer’s response date.

Furthermore, Israeli tax considerations may make potential transactions unappealing to us or to our shareholders whose country of residence does not have a tax treaty with Israel exempting such shareholders from Israeli tax.  

These and other similar provisions could delay, prevent or impede an acquisition of us or our merger with another company, even if such an acquisition or merger would be beneficial to us or to our shareholders.

It may be difficult to enforce a judgment of a U.S. court against us and our officers and directors and the Israeli experts named in this annual report on Form 20-F in Israel or the United States, to assert United States securities laws claims in Israel or to serve process on our officers and directors and these experts.

We are incorporated in Israel. Certain of our executive officers and directors reside in Israel and most of our assets and most of the assets of these persons are located outside of the United States. Therefore, a judgment obtained against us, or any of these persons in the United States, including one based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws, may not be collectible in the United States and may not necessarily be enforced by an Israeli court. It may also be difficult to affect service of process on these persons in the United States or to assert United States securities law claims in original actions instituted in Israel.

Even if an Israeli court agrees to hear such claim, it may determine that Israeli law, and not U.S. law is applicable to the claim. Under Israeli law, if U.S. law is found to be applicable to such claim, the content of applicable U.S. law must be proven as a fact by expert witnesses, which can be a time consuming and costly process, and certain matters of procedure would also be governed by Israeli law. There is little binding case law in Israel that addresses the matters.

The rights and responsibilities of a shareholder will be governed by Israeli law which differs in some material respects from the rights and responsibilities of shareholders of U.S. companies.

The rights and responsibilities of the holders of our Ordinary Shares are governed by our articles of association and by Israeli law. These rights and responsibilities differ in some material respects from the rights and responsibilities of shareholders in typical U.S.-registered corporations. In particular, a shareholder of an Israeli company has certain duties to act in good faith and fairness towards the company and other shareholders, and to refrain from abusing its power in the company. There is limited case law available to assist us in understanding the nature of this duty or the implications of these provisions. These provisions may be interpreted to impose additional obligations and liabilities on holders of our Ordinary Shares that are not typically imposed on shareholders of U.S. corporations.

The ability of any Israeli company to pay dividends is subject to Israeli law and the amount of cash dividends payable may be subject to devaluation in the Israeli currency.

The ability of an Israeli company to pay dividends is governed by Israeli law, which provides that cash dividends may be paid only out of retained earnings or earnings derived over the two most recent fiscal years, whichever is higher, as determined for statutory purposes in Israeli currency, provided that there is no reasonable concern that payment of a dividend will prevent a company from satisfying its existing and foreseeable obligations as they become due. In the event of a devaluation of the Israeli currency against the U.S. dollar, the amount in U.S. dollars available for payment of cash dividends out of prior years’ earnings will decrease.

The termination or reduction of tax and other incentives that the Israeli Government provides to domestic companies may increase the costs involved in operating a company in Israel.

The Israeli government currently provides major tax and capital investment incentives to domestic companies, as well as grant and loan programs relating to research and development and marketing and export activities. In recent years, the Israeli Government has reduced the benefits available under these programs and the Israeli Governmental authorities have indicated that the government may in the future further reduce or eliminate the benefits of those programs. We currently take advantage of these programs. There is no assurance that such benefits and programs would continue to be available in the future to us. If such benefits and programs were terminated or further reduced, it could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

We may become subject to claims for remuneration or royalties for assigned service invention rights by our employees, which could result in litigation and adversely affect our business.

A significant portion of our intellectual property has been developed by our employees in the course of their employment for us. Under the Israeli Patent Law, 5727-1967, or the Patent Law, inventions conceived by an employee in the course and as a result of or arising from his or her employment with a company are regarded as “service inventions,” which belong to the employer, absent a specific agreement between the employee and employer giving the employee service invention rights. The Patent Law also provides that if there is no such agreement between an employer and an employee, the Israeli Compensation and Royalties Committee, or the Committee, a body constituted under the Patent Law, will determine whether the employee is entitled to remuneration for his inventions. Recent case law clarifies that the right to receive consideration for “service inventions” can be waived by the employee and that in certain circumstances, such waiver does not necessarily have to be explicit. The Committee will examine, on a case-by-case basis, the general contractual framework between the parties, using interpretation rules of the general Israeli contract laws. Further, the Committee has not yet determined one specific formula for calculating this remuneration (but rather uses the criteria specified in the Patent Law). Although we generally enter into assignment-of-invention agreements with our employees pursuant to which such individuals assign to us all rights to any inventions created in the scope of their employment or engagement with us, we may face claims demanding remuneration in consideration for assigned inventions. As a consequence of such claims, we could be required to pay additional remuneration or royalties to our current and/or former employees, or be forced to litigate such claims, which could negatively affect our business.

Risks Related to an Investment Our Securities

We may be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes in 2019 or in any subsequent year. This may result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences for U.S. taxpayers that are holders of our securities.

We will be treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes in any taxable year in which either (1) at least 75% of our gross income is “passive income” or (2) on average at least 50% of our assets by value produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. Passive income for this purpose generally includes, among other things, certain dividends, interest, royalties, rents and gains from commodities and securities transactions and from the sale or exchange of property that gives rise to passive income. Passive income also includes amounts derived by reason of the temporary investment of funds, including those raised in a public offering. In determining whether a non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC, a proportionate share of the income and assets of each corporation in which it owns, directly or indirectly, at least a 25% interest (by value) is taken into account. There can be no assurance that we are not a PFIC in 2020 and will not be a PFIC in subsequent years, as our operating results for any such years may cause us to be a PFIC. If we are a PFIC in 2020, or any subsequent year, and a U.S. shareholder does not make an election to treat us as a “qualified electing fund,” or QEF, or make a “mark-to-market” election, then “excess distributions” to a U.S. shareholder, and any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of our securities will be subject to special rules. Under these rules: (1) the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the U.S. shareholder’s holding period for the securities; (2) the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any period prior to the first day of the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income; and (3) the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge for the deemed deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year. In addition, if the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, determines that we are a PFIC for a year with respect to which we have determined that we were not a PFIC, it may be too late for a U.S. shareholder to make a timely QEF or mark-to-market election. U.S. shareholders who hold or have held our securities during a period when we were or are a PFIC will be subject to the foregoing rules, even if we cease to be a PFIC in subsequent years, subject to exceptions for U.S. shareholders who made a timely QEF or mark-to-market election. A U.S. shareholder can make a QEF election by completing the relevant portions of and filing IRS Form 8621 in accordance with the instructions thereto.

The market prices of our securities are subject to fluctuation, which could result in substantial losses by our investors.

The stock market in general and the market prices of our ADSs on Nasdaq, in particular, are or will be subject to fluctuation, and changes in these prices may be unrelated to our operating performance. We anticipate that the market prices of our securities will continue to be subject to wide fluctuations. The market price of our securities is, and will be, subject to a number of factors, including:

These factors may materially and adversely affect the market price of our securities s and result in substantial losses by our investors.

We do not know whether a market for the ADSs will be sustained or what the trading price of the ADSs will be and as a result it may be difficult for you to sell your ADSs.

Although our ADSs trade on Nasdaq, an active trading market for the ADSs may not be sustained. It may be difficult for you to sell your ADSs without depressing the market price for the ADSs. As a result of these and other factors, you may not be able to sell your ADSs. Further, an inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital by selling ADSs and may impair our ability to enter into strategic partnerships or acquire companies or products by using our ADSs as consideration.

We do not know whether a market for our Series C Warrants will be sustained or what the trading price of the Series C Warrants will be and as a result it may be difficult for you to sell your Series C Warrants.

Even though our Series C Warrant are listed on Nasdaq, there is no assurance that a market will be sustained or maintain a high enough per warrant trading price to maintain the national exchange listing requirements in the future. Without an active market, the liquidity of the Series C Warrants will be limited.

Our Series C Warrants are speculative in nature.

The Series C Warrants do not confer any rights of ownership of ordinary shares or ADSs on their holders, such as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but only represent the right to acquire ADSs at a fixed price for a limited period of time. Holders of the Series C Warrants may exercise their right to acquire ADSs and pay the exercise price per ADS of $3.50, subject to adjustment upon certain events, prior to five years from the date of issuance, after which date any unexercised warrants will expire and have no further value.

Future sales of our securities could reduce their market price.

Substantial sales of our securities on Nasdaq, may cause the market price of our securities to decline. Sales by us or our security holders of substantial amounts of our securities, or the perception that these sales may occur in the future, could cause a reduction in the market price of our securities.

The issuance of any additional Ordinary Shares, ADSs, warrants or any securities that are exercisable for or convertible into our Ordinary Shares or ADSs, may have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities and will have a dilutive effect on our existing shareholders and holders of ADSs.

Holders of ADSs may not receive the same distributions or dividends as those we make to the holders of our Ordinary Shares, and, in some limited circumstances, you may not receive dividends or other distributions on our Ordinary Shares and you may not receive any value for them, if it is illegal or impractical to make them available to you.

The depositary for the ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on ordinary shares or other deposited securities underlying the ADSs, after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of Ordinary Shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, it would be unlawful to make a distribution to a holder of ADSs if it consists of securities that require registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, but that are not properly registered or distributed under an applicable exemption from registration. In addition, conversion into U.S. dollars from foreign currency that was part of a dividend made in respect of deposited ordinary shares may require the approval or license of, or a filing with, any government or agency thereof, which may be unobtainable. In these cases, the depositary may determine not to distribute such property and hold it as “deposited securities” or may seek to effect a substitute dividend or distribution, including net cash proceeds from the sale of the dividends that the depositary deems an equitable and practicable substitute. We have no obligation to register under U.S. securities laws any ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or other securities received through such distributions. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of ADSs. In addition, the depositary may withhold from such dividends or distributions its fees and an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges to the extent the depositary believes it is required to make such withholding. This means that you may not receive the same distributions or dividends as those we make to the holders of our ordinary shares, and, in some limited circumstances, you may not receive any value for such distributions or dividends if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you. These restrictions may cause a material decline in the value of the ADSs.

Holders of ADSs must act through the depositary to exercise their rights as shareholders of our company.

Holders of our ADSs do not have the same rights of our shareholders and may only exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying Ordinary Shares in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement. Under Israeli law and our articles of association, the minimum notice period required to convene a shareholders meeting is no less than 21 or 35 calendar days, depending on the proposals on the agenda for the shareholders meeting. When a shareholder meeting is convened, holders of ADSs may not receive sufficient notice of a shareholders’ meeting to permit them to withdraw their ordinary shares to allow them to cast their vote with respect to any specific matter. In addition, the Depositary and its agents may not be able to send voting instructions to holders of ADSs or carry out their voting instructions in a timely manner. We will make all reasonable efforts to cause the Depositary to extend voting rights to holders of the ADSs in a timely manner, but we cannot assure holders that they will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that they can instruct the Depositary to vote their Ordinary Shares underlying the ADSs. Furthermore, the Depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. As a result, holders of ADSs may not be able to exercise their right to vote and they may lack recourse if their Ordinary Shares underlying the ADSs are not voted as they requested. In addition, in the capacity as a holder of ADSs, they will not be able to call a shareholders’ meeting. 

We incur additional increased costs as a result of the listing of the ADSs for trading on Nasdaq, and our management is required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives and reporting requirements.

As a public company in the United States, we incur significant accounting, legal and other expenses as a result of the listing of the ADSs on Nasdaq. These include costs associated with corporate governance requirements of the Securities Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and the Marketplace Rules of the Nasdaq, as well as requirements under Section 404 and other provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These rules and regulations increase our legal and financial compliance costs, introduce costs such as investor relations, stock exchange listing fees and shareholder reporting, and make some activities more time consuming and costly. Any future changes in the laws and regulations affecting public companies in the United States and Israel, including Section 404 and other provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC and the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market may result in increased costs to us as we respond to such changes. These laws, rules and regulations could make it more difficult or more costly for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including director and officer liability insurance, and we may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. The impact of these requirements could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors, our board committees or as executive officers.

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of applicable SEC and Nasdaq requirements, which may result in less protection than is accorded to investors under rules applicable to domestic issuers.

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of those otherwise required under the rules of the Nasdaq for domestic issuers. Following our home country governance practices as opposed to the requirements that would otherwise apply to a U.S. company listed on the Nasdaq, may provide less protection than is accorded to investors under the rules of the Nasdaq applicable to domestic issuers. For more information, see “Item 16G. Corporate Governance - Nasdaq Stock Market Listing Rules and Home Country Practices.”

In addition, as a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules and regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, related to the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file annual, quarterly and current reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as domestic companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.

We may lose our foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses.

We are a foreign private issuer, as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, and therefore, we are not required to comply with all the periodic disclosure and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and related rules and regulations. Under Rule 405, the determination of foreign private issuer status is made annually on the last business day of an issuer’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter and, accordingly, the next determination will be made with respect to us on June 30, 2021.

In the future, we would lose our foreign private issuer status if a majority of our shareholders, directors or management are U.S. citizens or residents and we fail to meet additional requirements necessary to avoid loss of foreign private issuer status. Although we have elected to comply with certain U.S. regulatory provisions, our loss of foreign private issuer status would make such provisions mandatory. The regulatory and compliance costs to us under U.S. securities laws as a U.S. domestic issuer may be significantly higher. If we are not a foreign private issuer, we will be required to file periodic reports and registration statements on U.S. domestic issuer forms with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, which are more detailed and extensive than the forms available to a foreign private issuer. For example, the annual report on Form 10-K requires domestic issuers to disclose executive compensation information on an individual basis with specific disclosure regarding the domestic compensation philosophy, objectives, annual total compensation (base salary, bonus, equity compensation) and potential payments in connection with change in control, retirement, death or disability, while the SEC forms applicable to foreign private issuers permit them to disclose compensation information on an aggregate basis if executive compensation disclosure on an individual basis is not required or otherwise has not been provided in the issuer’s home jurisdiction. We disclose individual compensation information, but this disclosure is not as comprehensive as that required of U.S. domestic issuers since we are not required to disclose more detailed information in Israel. We intend to continue this practice as long as it is permitted under the SEC’s rules and Israel’s rules do not require more detailed disclosure. We will also have to mandatorily comply with U.S. federal proxy requirements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders will become subject to the short-swing profit disclosure and recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. We may also be required to modify certain of our policies to comply with good governance practices associated with U.S. domestic issuers. Such conversion and modifications will involve additional costs. In addition, we may lose our ability to rely upon exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements on U.S. stock exchanges that are available to foreign private issuers.

If we are unable to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act as they apply to a foreign private issuer that is listing on a U.S. exchange for the first time, or our internal control over financial reporting is not effective, the reliability of our financial statements may be questioned, and our securities price may suffer.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires a company subject to the reporting requirements of the U.S. securities laws to do a comprehensive evaluation of its and its subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting. As such, we are required to document and test our internal control procedures and our management is required to assess and issue a report concerning our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, when applicable to comply with this statute, our independent registered public accounting firm may be required to issue an opinion on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting at a later date.

The continuous process of strengthening our internal controls and complying with Section 404 is complicated and time-consuming. Furthermore, as our business continues to grow both domestically and internationally, our internal controls will become more complex and will require significantly more resources and attention to ensure our internal controls remain effective overall. During the course of its testing, our management may identify weaknesses or deficiencies, which may not be remedied in a timely manner. If our management cannot favorably assess the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, or if our independent registered public accounting firm identifies material weaknesses in our internal control, investor confidence in our financial results may weaken, and the market price of our securities may suffer.

We may not satisfy Nasdaq’s requirements for continued listing. If we cannot satisfy these requirements, Nasdaq could delist our securities. 

Our ADSs are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “MDGS”. To continue to be listed on Nasdaq, we are required to satisfy a number of conditions, including a minimum bid price of at least $1.00 per ADS, a market value of our publicly held shares of at least $1 million and shareholders’ equity of at least $2.5 million. 

If we are delisted from Nasdaq, trading in our securities may be conducted, if available, on the OTC Markets or, if available, via another market. In the event of such delisting, our shareholders would likely find it significantly more difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations as to the value of our securities, and our ability to raise future capital through the sale of our securities could be severely limited. In addition, if our securities were delisted from Nasdaq, our ADSs could be considered a “penny stock” under the U.S. federal securities laws. Additional regulatory requirements apply to trading by broker-dealers of penny stocks that could result in the loss of an effective trading market for our securities. Moreover, if our securities were delisted from Nasdaq, we will no longer be exempt from certain provision of the Israeli Securities Law, and therefore will have increased disclosure requirements. 

General Risk Factors

We do not intend to pay any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future and, therefore, any return on your investment in our securities must come from increases in the value and trading price of our securities.

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our securities and do not anticipate that we will pay any cash dividends on our securities in the foreseeable future, therefore, any return on your investment in our securities must come from increases in the value and trading price of our securities.

We intend to retain our earnings to finance the development and expenses of our business. Any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including future earnings, our financial condition, operating results, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects, applicable Israeli law and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant.

Raising additional capital by issuing securities may cause dilution to existing shareholders.

We may seek additional capital through a combination of private and public equity offerings, debt financings and collaborations and strategic and licensing arrangements. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest will be diluted, and the terms of any such offerings may include liquidation or other preferences that may adversely affect the then existing shareholders rights. Debt financing, if available, would result in increased fixed payment obligations and may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions such as incurring debt or making capital expenditures. If we raise additional funds through collaboration, strategic alliance or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams or product candidates, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our securities will depend on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. There can be no assurance that analysts will cover us, or provide favorable coverage. If one or more analysts downgrade our share or change their opinion of our securities, the price of our securities would likely decline. In addition, if one or more analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our share price or trading volume to decline.