As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2022
Registration No. 333-264523
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 2 to
FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
MOBILICOM LIMITED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Australia | 3721 | Not Applicable | ||
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization) |
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
1 Rakefet Street, Shoham, Israel 6083705
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Puglisi & Associates
850 Library Avenue
Newark, Delaware 19711
(302) 738-6680
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Gregory Sichenzia, Esq. Avital Perlman, Esq. Jeff Cahlon, Esq. Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP 1185 Avenue of the Americas, 31st Floor New
York, New York 10036 |
Patrick Gowans QR Lawyers Level 6, 400 Collins Street Melbourne,
VIC 3000, Australia |
David Huberman, Esq. Gary Emmanuel, Esq. McDermott Will & Emery LLP One Vanderbilt Avenue New York, New York Tel: (312) 372-2000
|
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earliest effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards † provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
† | The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012. |
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS | SUBJECT TO COMPLETION | DATED JUNE 6, 2022 |
2,150,538 American Depositary Shares
Representing 322,580,700 Ordinary Shares
Mobilicom Limited
This is a firm commitment initial public offering of 2,150,538 American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, representing 322,580,700 ordinary shares of Mobilicom Limited. Each ADS represents 150 ordinary shares, no par value.
We have applied to have the ADSs listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “MOB”. No assurance can be given that our application will be approved.
Our ordinary shares are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, or ASX under the symbol “MOB.” On May 31, 2022, the closing price of our ordinary shares on the ASX was AUD$0.043 per ordinary share, equivalent to $4.65 per ADS based on an exchange rate of AUD$1.00 to $0.72 (as published by the Reserve Bank of Australia as of May 31, 2022). Our share price on the ASX may not be indicative of actual offering price. The actual offering price will be determined between us and the underwriters at the time of pricing and may be at a discount to the current market price.
We are both an “emerging growth company,” as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or JOBS Act, and a “foreign private issuer” as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws, and, as such, we have elected to comply with certain reduced public company disclosure and reporting requirements. See “Prospectus Summary— Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company” and “Prospectus Summary— Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer”.
Investing in our ordinary shares and the ADSs involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this prospectus for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in these securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Per ADS | Total | |||||||
Initial public offering price | $ | $ | ||||||
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) | $ | $ | ||||||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us | $ | $ |
(1) | Underwriting discounts and commissions do not include a non-accountable expense allowance equal to 1.0% of the initial public offering price payable to the underwriters. We refer you to “Underwriting” beginning on page 90 for additional information regarding underwriters’ compensation. |
We have granted a 45-day option to the representative of the underwriters to purchase up to 322,580 ADSs solely to cover over-allotments, if any.
The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs to the purchasers on or about , 2022.
ThinkEquity
The
date of this prospectus is , 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You may rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in any free-writing prospectus. Neither we nor any of the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide information different from that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf or to which we have referred you. When you make a decision about whether to invest in our ADSs, you should not rely upon any information other than the information in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any information that others may give you. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor the sale of ADSs means that information contained in this prospectus is correct after the date of this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy our ADSs in any circumstances under which the offer of solicitation is unlawful.
Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus and any applicable free writing prospectus must inform themselves about and observe any restrictions relating to the offering of our ADSs and the distribution of this prospectus outside of the United States. See “Underwriting” for additional information on these restrictions.
Until and including , 2022, 25 days after the date of this prospectus, all dealers that buy, sell or trade our ADSs, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to unsold allotments or subscriptions.
For investors outside of the United States: Neither we nor the underwriters have done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. You are required to inform yourselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus.
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CONVENTIONS THAT APPLY TO THIS PROSPECTUS
Unless otherwise indicated or the context implies otherwise:
● | “we,” “us,” “our” or “Mobilicom” refers to Mobilicom Limited, an Australian corporation, and to Mobilicom Ltd., our Israeli subsidiary; |
● | “shares” or “ordinary shares” refers to our ordinary shares; |
● | “ADSs” refers to American Depositary Shares, each of which represents ordinary shares; and |
● | “ADRs” refers to American Depositary Receipts, which evidence ADSs. |
Our reporting and functional currency is the Australian dollar. Our Israeli subsidiary’s functional currency is the Israeli New Shekel, or NIS. Solely for the convenience of the reader, this prospectus contains translations of some Australian dollar amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates on the date indicated. No representation is made that the Australian dollar amounts referred to in this prospectus could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars at such rate.
Unless otherwise noted, all industry and market data in this prospectus, including information provided by independent industry analysts, is presented in U.S. dollars. Unless otherwise noted, all other financial and other data related to Mobilicom Limited in this prospectus is presented in Australian dollars. All references to “$” (other than in our audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements) or “USD$” in this prospectus refer to U.S. dollars. All references to “AUD$” or “AUD” in this prospectus mean Australian dollars. All references to “NIS” in this prospectus mean Israeli New Shekels.
Our fiscal year end is December 31. References to a particular “fiscal year” are to our fiscal year ended December 31 of that calendar year.
Unless otherwise indicated, the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this prospectus have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards (IAS) and also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IASB, which differ in certain significant respects from Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States, or GAAP.
Certain figures included in this prospectus have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them.
INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA
This prospectus includes statistical, market and industry data and forecasts which we obtained from publicly available information and independent industry publications and reports that we believe to be reliable sources. These publicly available industry publications and reports generally state that they obtain their information from sources that they believe to be reliable, but they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information. Although we are responsible for all of the disclosures contained in this prospectus, including such statistical, market and industry data, we have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources, nor have we ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon therein. In addition, while we believe the market opportunity information included in this prospectus is generally reliable and is based on reasonable assumptions, such data involves risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors.”
TRADEMARKS AND TRADENAMES
MOBILICOM and our other registered or common law trademarks, trade names or service marks appearing in this prospectus are owned by us. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus appear without the “®” or “™” symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies. Each trademark, trade name or service mark of any other company appearing in this prospectus is the property of its respective holder.
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This summary provides a brief overview of information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and the financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our ADSs. You should read the entire prospectus carefully before making an investment decision, including the information presented under the headings “Risk Factors,” “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the historical consolidated financial statements and the related notes to those financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Overview
We are a provider of hardware products and software and cybersecurity solutions that we design, develop and manufacture and that are embedded into small drones or small unmanned aerial vehicles, which we refer to as SUAVS, and into robotic systems, or robotics. We hold both patented technology and unique know-how. We are aiming to further develop our global customer base by increasing our number of design wins and targeted pilot projects and ultimately cross-sell our other solutions to those same customers in order to become a leading end-to-end provider to SUAV and robotics systems manufacturers, or OEMs, who, in turn, sell their systems into the security and surveillance, process industry (processing of bulk resources into other products), infrastructure inspection, first responders, homeland security and courier market segments. By “design win” we are referring to the large-scale and exclusive adoption of our component products by our OEM customers on an-ongoing basis. The “pilot projects” refer to initial small scale sales and implementation. As an “end-to-end” provider is one that provides all of the key components its customers need for their products.
We aim to penetrate the commercial segment of our markets by leveraging the experience we have gained in the defense segment of our markets. We believe that our key competitive advantage is our ability to provide a near end-to-end solution to our customers, which enables us to have an insider’s view of our customers’ needs. This is evidenced by our recent design wins and pilot projects, such as the integration of our technology into the unmanned systems of a leading designer and producer of thermal imaging cameras and sensors, and our partnership with a U.S.-based designer and manufacturer of RF/microwave amplifiers and integrated radio systems to incorporate our multi-function radios into its high-power radio solutions. We further believe our products have performed well in harsh environmental conditions. Our solutions have been deployed by our various customers worldwide, including in the United States, Europe, Israel, Japan and other Asian countries. Historically we have generated most of our revenues from sales of our hardware products and have recently commenced sales of our cloud-based software and cybersecurity solutions.
Smart Technology Solutions
SUAVs and robotic platforms are built from hundreds of components, yet there are only several key critical technology components that make the drone or robot “smart”, and capable of performing its mission. We design, develop and deliver the “smart” part of the solution to our customers. These “smart” solutions include cybersecurity, cloud management software, datalink and mobile mesh networking terminals, handheld control terminals and professional services and support. These solutions can be “off-the-shelf” or tailored to each customer.
Market Opportunity
SUAVs, which weigh under 150 kilograms, have rapidly evolved from a military origin to have commercial and civil government applications. Some of the leading factors for the recent upsurge in SUAV usage are (a) increased automation of SUAVs providing additional value to existing workflows, (b) an overall easing of regulatory restrictions, and (c) recent advances in technology that have enabled the use of SUAVs in small-scale, localized environments, whether by police or defense forces in urban neighborhoods or for commercial applications such as surveying, aerial remote sensing, monitoring, mapping, precision agriculture, and product distribution. According to the Global Drone Market Report 2021-2026, published in August 2021, or the Global Drone Market Report, the SUAV drone market is set to grow at a 9.4% compound annual growth rate, and is expected to reach $41.3 billion by 2026. According to our estimates, our total addressable market is set to reach $8.5 billion of this $41.3 billion. We calculated our total addressable market based on the data from Global Drone Market Report and Drone Industry Insight’s conclusion that 16.4% and 4.3%, respectively (and in total 20.7%), of the total $41.3 billion market will be allocated to the types of hardware products and software products, respectively, that we produce.
We do not seek to profit from conflict. We expect the current situation in the Ukraine to accelerate demand for our products. In late February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale military attack on Ukraine. The war includes reliance by both sides on drone warfare, including the use of small drones by ground forces either for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), or loitering, drones which are also known as Kamikaze drones. These drones are used to find, track, and kill or damage targets with strikes beyond the front lines. Although the conflict has not yet had an immediate impact on our business, we have seen a rise in inquiries that may result in orders from new customers and increased orders from current customers. In the Ukraine conflict, we are also seeing cyber-attacks which target drones and other platforms, rendering them ineffective. Therefore, we witness and expect increased interest from our customers and potential customers in the need for cybersecurity products to protect drone platforms, communications channels, data transmissions and weapons carried on the small drones. We expect to continue to sell to OEM customers mainly located in Israel, the U.S. and Western Europe that are leaders in the supply of small drones for ISR and loitering missions.
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Our Products and Services
As per ResearchGate’s conclusion, SUAVs have nine key smart components, which are ground control systems, cybersecurity, cloud management software, datalink/networking hardware, flight missions, safety systems, flight computers, GPU/Edge computing processes, and payloads. We aim to provide our customers, who are SUAV and robotic systems OEMs, an end-to-end suite of smart solutions and services that include cybersecurity, cloud management software, datalink and networking, control systems and professional and support services. Our product portfolio is completely designed and developed in-house and based on our extensive know-how and experience gained over a decade. This enables us to design and develop every component of our solutions and technology while constantly adjusting to the ever-changing needs and challenges in the SUAVs and robotics industry. Each of our products is designed to allow utmost flexibility and scalability. Our current customers include five of the nine leading manufacturers of SUAVs, as identified by ResearchGate.
Key Growth Strategies
Key components of our growth strategy include the following:
(1) | Achieving greater market penetration through increasing the number of our design wins and pilot projects. This is a crucial element of our strategy because they help deepen our working relationship with a customer, understand their overall needs and, in turn, allow us to better cross-sell other products and solutions. Most importantly, we have a stronger base from which to build additional revenue once our design win, which is built into our customers’ products, is certified by local regulators and marketed onwards to their customers, all with the expectation of increasing both the volume and value of customer orders. Finally, our customers continue to act as important references for future potential customers. |
(2) | Achieving greater market exposure to potential customers in the markets that we serve. We are currently a leader in the Israeli market for the products we sell and intend to expand our marketing and sales activities in the U.S., Europe and Asia, including increasing our in-house sales force, sponsoring trade shows, conferences, webinars and other online marketing campaigns. Our goal is to ensure that we are aware of every potential bidding process and request for proposal that exists in the markets that we serve. |
(3) | In our aim to become an end-to-end solutions provider, we plan to either acquire or form strategic partnerships with other drone-related manufacturers, service providers, or re-sellers that service our markets and who can complement our product offering. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not entered into any such binding or non-binding agreements. |
(4) | Our research and development efforts are at the foundation of our Company and we intend to continue investing in our own innovations in order to pioneer new and enhanced products and solutions that enable us to satisfy the ever-evolving needs of the markets we serve with a focus on identifying opportunities where we can develop technology that can be sold in a SaaS software model. |
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Competition
The smart solutions market for SUAVs and robotics is characterized by intense competition, rapid change and constant innovation.
We believe that we face three different types of competition:
● | Companies, who, like us, seek to become an end-to-end provider of technology components and systems to the SUAV and robotics market. We consider UXV Technologies to be a key competitor in this segment. |
● | Companies that only provide, and thus only compete with us in, one portion of our product offering. We consider such competitors to include SkyGrid (in cybersecurity), Elsight Limited, MicroHard Systems, Inc. and Auterion AG (in cloud networking management software), Aran Research & Development (1982), Ltd. and Tomahawk Robotics, Ltd. (in mobile handheld controllers), Silvus Technologies, Inc., Microhard Communications, Ltd., Domo Tactical Communications, Inc., Comtact Systems and Rjant and Persistent Systems (in datalinks and networking). |
● | Our customers’ in-house capabilities that compete with our offerings. We consider AeroVironment, Inc., Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Ltd. and Elbit Systems, Ltd to have such in-house capabilities. |
Key Strengths
We believe the following key attributes and capabilities provide us with long-term competitive advantages:
● | We aim to provide a wide range of end-to-end smart solutions |
● | Our products are used and “field proven” by the Israel Ministry of Defense |
● | We have design wins with top tier SUAV manufacturers |
● | Our products are certified and validated by applicable authorities |
● | We have proprietary technologies, in-house capabilities and industry experience |
● | Our seasoned leadership team has deep industry expertise and a proven track record of innovation |
Dual Listing - Australian Securities Exchange and the Nasdaq Capital Market
Our ordinary shares are currently listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, or ASX under the symbol “MOB”, and we have applied for a listing of our ADSs on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “MOB”. No assurance can be given that our application will be approved.
Corporate History
We were incorporated as an Australian unlisted public corporation on 2 February 2017, with the purpose of acting as the entity to acquire our current subsidiary, Mobilicom Limited, domiciled in Israel, or Mobilicom Israel, in connection with an initial public offering on the ASX. We completed the acquisition of Mobilicom Israel and were thereafter admitted to the Official List of the ASX on April 28, 2017 following completion of our initial public offering and commenced trading on the ASX on May 2, 2017.
Summary of Risk Factors
Investing in our securities entails a high degree of risk as more fully described herein. You should carefully consider the risks described under the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 11. Some of these risks include but are not limited to:
Risks Related to Our Financial Condition
● | We have a history of losses. |
● | We expect that we will need to invest significant time and raise substantial additional capital before we can expect to become profitable from sales of our products. This additional capital may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Failure to obtain this necessary capital when needed may force us to delay, limit or terminate our product development efforts or other operations. |
● | Shortfalls in available external research and development funding could adversely affect us. |
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● | We may not accurately forecast revenues, profitability and appropriately plan our expenses. |
● | Exchange rate fluctuations between multiple foreign currencies may negatively affect our earnings, operating cash flow. |
● | We have recently commenced sales of our cloud-based software and cybersecurity solutions, which may be marketed and sold to customers using different sales models, including annual or monthly license or software as a service, any of which may not be profitable to us. |
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
● | We expect to incur substantial research and development costs and devote significant resources to identifying and commercializing new products and services, which could significantly reduce our profitabfility and may never result in revenue to us. |
● | The COVID-19 pandemic had some negative effect on our business, operations and financial performance, and could continue to have a negative effect on our business, operations and future financial performance. |
● | The COVID-19 outbreak or similar global health crises could affect our ability to access sources of capital and our ability to complete reporting obligations |
● | We will be affected by operational risks and may not be adequately insured for certain risks. |
● | The markets in which we compete are characterized by rapid technological change, which requires us to develop new products and product enhancements, and could render our existing products and technologies obsolete. |
● | Failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals may prevent us from selling our hardware products. |
● | We could be prohibited from shipping our products to certain countries if we are unable to obtain Israeli or US government authorization regarding the export of our products, or if current or future export laws limit or otherwise restrict our business. |
● | Our inability to retain management and key employees could impair our future success. |
● | A significant growth in the number of personnel would place a strain upon our management and resources. |
● | We are subject to the risks associated with foreign operations in other countries. |
● | If critical components or raw materials used to manufacture our products become scarce or unavailable, then we may incur delays in manufacturing and delivery of our products, which could damage our business. |
● | Our products may be subject to the recall or return. |
● | If we release defective products or services, our operating results could suffer. |
● | Our products and services are complex and could have unknown defects or errors, which may give rise to legal claims against us, diminish our brand or divert our resources from other purposes. |
● | We are a supplier for government programs, which subjects us to risks including early termination, audits, investigations, sanctions penalties and delayed sales. |
● | Negative customer perception regarding our products could have a material adverse effect on the demand for our products and the business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. |
● | If we fail to successfully promote our product and brand, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. |
● | We may be subject to cybersecurity attacks or electronic communication security risks. |
● | Our senior management team has limited experience managing a public company listed on a U.S. exchange, and regulatory compliance may divert its attention from the day to day management of our business |
● | Failure to adhere to our financial reporting obligations and other public company requirements could adversely affect the market price of our ADSs. |
● | If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate financial statements would be impaired, which could adversely affect our operating results, our ability to operate our business and our stock price. |
● | We are subject to certain Israeli, U.S. and foreign anticorruption, anti-money laundering, export control, sanctions and other trade laws and regulations. We can face serious consequences for violations. |
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Risks Related to our Intellectual Property
● | If we fail to protect, or incur significant costs in defending, our intellectual property and other know-how or proprietary rights, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially harmed. |
● | Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment, and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements. |
● | We may be sued by third parties for alleged infringement of their proprietary rights, which could be costly, time-consuming and limit our ability to use certain technologies in the future. |
● | We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world. |
Risks Related to Israeli Law and our Operations in Israel
● | Political, economic and military instability in Israel may impede our ability to operate and harm our financial results. |
● | 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. |
● | We received Israeli government grants, from the Israeli Innovation Authorization, or IIA, for certain of our research and development activities, the terms of which may require us to pay royalties and to satisfy specified conditions in order to manufacture products and transfer technologies outside of Israel. If we fail to satisfy these conditions, we may be required to pay penalties and refund some grants previously received. |
● | We may be subject to the risks associated with the Israeli Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development 5744-1984, or R&D Law. |
Risks Related to our ADSs and this Offering
● | We will have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds of this Offering and may not use them to effectively manage our business. |
● | The market price and trading volume of our ADSs may be volatile and may be affected by economic conditions beyond our control. |
● | An active trading market for our ADSs may not develop or be liquid enough for you to sell your ADSs quickly or at market price. |
● | Investors purchasing our ADSs will suffer immediate and substantial dilution. |
● | You may be subject to limitations on transfer of our ADSs. |
● | The dual listing of our ordinary shares and our ADSs following this offering may adversely affect the liquidity and value of our ADSs. |
● | As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted and we expect to follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain Nasdaq requirements applicable to domestic issuers. This may afford less protection to holders of our ADSs. |
● | As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to file less information with the SEC than a company incorporated in the United States. Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information concerning us than there is for companies incorporated in the United States. |
● | We are an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make our ADSs less attractive to investors and, as a result, adversely affect the price of our ADSs and result in a less active trading market for our ADSs. |
● | If we fail to establish and maintain proper internal financial reporting controls, our ability to produce accurate consolidated financial statements or comply with applicable regulations could be impaired. |
● | ADS holders may be subject to additional risks related to holding ADSs rather than ordinary shares. |
● | If we are classified as a “passive foreign investment company,” then our U.S. shareholders could suffer adverse tax consequences as a result. |
● | Our Constitution and Australian laws and regulations applicable to us may adversely affect our ability to take actions that could be beneficial to our shareholders. |
● | You will have limited ability to bring an action against us or against our directors and officers, or to enforce a judgment against us or them, because we are incorporated in Australia and certain of our directors and officers reside outside the United States. |
● | Australian companies may not be able to initiate shareholder derivative actions, thereby depriving shareholders of the ability to protect their interests. |
These and other risks described in this prospectus could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flow, which could cause the trading price of our ADSs to decline and could result in a loss of your investment.
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Corporate Information
Mobilicom Limited was incorporated under the laws of Australia in 2017 and has been listed on the ASX, since April 28, 2017.
Our operational headquarters are located at 1 Rakefet Street, Shoham, Israel 6083705. We also have an office at Level 21, 459 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 3000. Our telephone number is +61 3 8630 3321. Our website address is https://mobilicom-ltd.com.au/. Information on our website and the websites linked to it do not constitute part of this prospectus or the registration statement to which this prospectus forms a part. Our agent for service of process in the United States is:
Puglisi & Associates
850 Library Avenue
Newark, Delaware 19711
(302) 738-6680
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
As a company with less than $1.07 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, with less than $1 billion in non-convertible debt securities issued in the past three years, and that is pursuing a first registered equity offering in the United States, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may avail itself of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. For example, we have elected to rely on an exemption from the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, relating to internal control over financial reporting, and we will not provide such an attestation from our auditors for as long as we qualify as an emerging growth company.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of:
● | the end of the fiscal year in which the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering occurs; |
● | the end of the first fiscal year in which the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds US $700 million as of the end of the second quarter of such fiscal year; |
● | the end of the first fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of at least US $1.07 billion; and |
● | the date on which we have issued more than US $1 billion in non-convertible debt securities in any rolling three-year period. |
Once we cease to be an emerging growth company, we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided for by the JOBS Act.
Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer
Upon consummation of this offering, we will report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, as a non-U.S. company with foreign private issuer status. Even after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, as long as we continue to qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we will be exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act that are applicable to U.S. domestic public companies, including:
● | the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations with respect to a security registered under the Exchange Act; |
● | the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their share ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and |
● | the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial statements and other specified information, and current reports on Form 8-K upon the occurrence of specified significant events. |
We will be required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we intend to publish our results on a quarterly basis through press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Exchange. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information, which would be made available to you, were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.
We may take advantage of these exemptions until such time as we are no longer a foreign private issuer. We would cease to be a foreign private issuer at such time as more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are held by U.S. residents and any of the following three circumstances applies: (1) the majority of our executive officers or directors are U.S. citizens or residents; (2) more than 50% of our assets are located in the United States; or (3) our business is administered principally in the United States. We are required to determine our status as a foreign private issuer on an annual basis at the end of our second fiscal quarter.
Both foreign private issuers and emerging growth companies are also exempt from certain more stringent executive compensation disclosure rules. Thus, even if we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, but remain a foreign private issuer, we will continue to be exempt from the more stringent compensation disclosures required of companies that are neither an emerging growth company nor a foreign private issuer. As a result, we do not know if some investors will find our ADSs less attractive, which may result in a less active trading market for our ADSs or more volatility in the price of our ADSs.
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THE OFFERING
ADSs offered by us | 2,150,538 ADSs, representing 322,580,700 ordinary shares (or 2,473,118 ADSs, representing 370,967,700 ordinary shares, if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional ADSs in full). | |
Ordinary shares to be outstanding immediately after this offering |
644,517,415 ordinary shares, including ordinary shares represented by outstanding ADSs (or 692,904,415 ordinary shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full). | |
Underwriters’ option to purchase additional ADSs | We have granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 322,580 ADSs, representing 48,387,000 ordinary shares, to cover overallotments, if any. | |
The ADSs | Each ADS represents 150 ordinary shares. | |
The depositary (as identified below) will be the holder of the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs and you will have the rights of an ADS holder as provided in the deposit agreement among us, the depositary and holders and beneficial owners of ADSs from time to time. | ||
You may surrender your ADSs to the depositary to withdraw the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. The depositary will charge you a fee for such an exchange. | ||
We may amend or terminate the deposit agreement for any reason without your consent. Any amendment that imposes or increases fees or charges or which materially prejudices any substantial existing right you have as an ADS holder will not become effective as to outstanding ADSs until 30 days after notice of the amendment is given to ADS holders. If an amendment becomes effective, you will be bound by the deposit agreement as amended if you continue to hold your ADSs. | ||
To better understand the terms of the ADSs, you should carefully read the section in this prospectus entitled “Description of American Depositary Shares.” We also encourage you to read the deposit agreement, which is an exhibit to the registration statement to which this prospectus forms a part. | ||
Depositary | The Bank of New York Mellon. | |
Shareholder approval of offering | Under Australian law, certain steps necessary for the consummation of this offering require the approval of our shareholders voting at a general meeting of shareholders. We have received all such required approvals from our shareholders. |
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Use of proceeds | We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and remaining estimated offering expenses payable by us, will be approximately $8.7 million . We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to provide funding for expansion of our sales and marketing activities, research and development, and working capital. See “Use of Proceeds” for a description of the intended use of proceeds from this offering. | |
Risk factors | You should carefully read and consider the information in this prospectus under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 and other information included in this prospectus before deciding to invest in the ADSs. | |
Nasdaq Capital Market | We have applied for the listing of ADSs on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “MOB”. | |
Australian Stock Exchange | Our shares are currently traded on the ASX under the symbol “MOB”. | |
Lock-up Agreements | We and our directors and executive officers have agreed with the underwriter, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell or transfer any ordinary shares, ADSs or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for ordinary shares or ADSs for a period of (i) 180 days after the date of this prospectus in the case of our directors and officers and (ii) three months after the date of this prospectus in the case of us, without the prior written consent of the representative of the underwriters. Further, we have agreed that for a period of 12 months following this offering, we will not directly or indirectly in any “at-the-market”, continuous equity or variable rate transaction, offer to sell, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of shares of capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock, without the prior written consent of the underwriter See “Underwriting.” |
The number of ordinary shares shown above that will be outstanding immediately following the completion of this offering is based on 321,936,715 ordinary shares outstanding as of May 31, 2022 and excludes:
● | 38,735,379 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options granted to employees, directors and consultants under our employee share option plan, or ESOP, at May 31, 2022, at a weighted average exercise price of AUD$0.09 (approximately $0.06); |
● | 64,000,000 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of options granted to investors, outstanding as of May 31, 2022, at an exercise price of AUD$0.09 (approximately $0.06); |
● | 50,000,000 shares reserved for issuance under our ESOP as of May 31, 2022.
The conversion from Australian dollars (AUD$) into U.S. dollars ($) was made at the exchange rate as of May 31, 2022, on which AUD$1.00 equaled $0.72. The use of $ is solely for the convenience of the reader. |
Except as otherwise indicated herein, all information in this prospectus assumes or gives effect to:
● | no exercise of the options, as described above |
● | an assumed initial public offering price of $4.65 per ADS, which is the U.S. dollar equivalent of the closing price of our ordinary shares on the ASX on May 31, 2022 giving effect to a ratio of 150 ordinary shares for each ADS; |
● | no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to 322,580 additional ADSs; and |
● | no exercise of the Representative’s Warrants. |
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SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables set forth summary historical consolidated financial data for the periods indicated.
The consolidated statement of loss data for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and consolidated statement of financial position data as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus.
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in Australian dollars and in accordance with IAS and IFRS, as issued by the IASB.
You should read the summary historical consolidated financial data in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our historical results do not necessarily indicate our expected results for any future periods. Financial results for the year ended December 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2022.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the conversion from AUD$ into $ was made at the exchange rate as of December 31, 2021, on which $1.00 equaled AUD$1.376. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the conversion from AUD$ into $ was made at the exchange rate as of December 31, 2020, on which $1.00 equaled AUD$1.295. The use of $ is solely for the convenience of the reader.
For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
$ | $ | AUD$ | AUD$ | |||||||||||||
Consolidated Statement of Loss: | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue | 2,600,729 | 1,595,736 | 3,578,603 | 2,066,478 | ||||||||||||
Cost of sales | (866,614 | ) | (560,149 | ) | (1,192,461 | ) | (725,394 | ) | ||||||||
Government grants | 572,343 | 745,150 | 787,544 | 964,970 | ||||||||||||
Interest received | 1,148 | 8,138 | 1,580 | 10,539 | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange gains | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||||||
Selling and marketing expenses | (1,204,911 | ) | (859,378 | ) | (1,657,958 | ) | (1,112,895 | ) | ||||||||
Research and development | (1,725,799 | ) | (1,867,431 | ) | (2,374,700 | ) | (2,418,322 | ) | ||||||||
General and administration expenses | (1,000,602 | ) | (928,163 | ) | (1,376,829 | ) | (1,201,971 | ) | ||||||||
Share based payments | (162,188 | ) | (133,694 | ) | (223,171 | ) | (173,134 | ) | ||||||||
Finance costs | (38,913 | ) | (9,450 | ) | (53,544 | ) | (12,238 | ) | ||||||||
Foreign exchange losses | (134,262 | ) | (138,944 | ) | (184,743 | ) | (179,932 | ) | ||||||||
Loss before income tax expense | (1,959,069 | ) | (2,148,185 | ) | (2,695,679 | ) | (2,781,899 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax expense | (6,661 | ) | - | (9,166 | ) | |||||||||||
Loss for the period | (1,965,730 | ) | (2,148,185 | ) | (2,704,845 | ) | (2,781,899 | ) | ||||||||
Other Comprehensive Income / (Losses) | 125,121 | 140,761 | 172,166 | 182,286 | ||||||||||||
Total Comprehensive Loss for the Period | (1,840,609 | ) | (2,007,424 | ) | (2,532,679 | ) | (2,599,613 | ) | ||||||||
Loss per share, basic and diluted (cent per share) | (0.66 | ) | (0.83 | ) | (0.91 | ) | (1.08 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 297,914,797 | 257,936,715 | 297,914,797 | 257,936,715 |
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As of December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | As Adjusted (1) | |||||||||||||||
$ | AUD$ | $ | AUD$ | |||||||||||||
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Data: | ||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 2,904,287 | 3,996,300 | 11,451,563 | 15,757,355 | ||||||||||||
Total current assets | 3,766,591 | 5,182,831 | 12,313,867 | 16,943,887 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | 4,320,928 | 5,945,599 | 12,868,204 | 17,706,655 | ||||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 1,058,771 | 1,456,869 | 1,058,771 | 1,456,869 | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities | 1,901,511 | 2,616,480 | 1,901,511 | 2,616,480 | ||||||||||||
Total equity | 2,419,417 | 3,329,119 | 10,966,693 | 15,090,175 |
(1) | A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $4.65 per ADS (which is the U.S. dollar equivalent of the closing price of our ordinary shares on the ASX on May 31, 2022 giving effect to a ratio of 150 ordinary shares for each ADS), would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted amount of each of cash and cash equivalents, total equity and total capitalization by approximately $1,978,495, assuming that the number of ADSs offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Each increase (decrease) of 500,000 in the number of ADSs we are offering would increase (decrease) each of our pro forma as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, total equity and total capitalization by approximately $2,139,000, assuming no change in the assumed initial public offering price per ADS, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. |
The as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only and will be adjusted based on the actual public offering price, the actual number of ADSs offered by us, and other terms of the offering determined at pricing.
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An investment in our ADSs involves significant risks. You should carefully consider the risks described below and the other information in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before you decide to invest in our ADSs. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected, the trading price of our ADSs could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Financial Condition
We have a history of losses.
We have incurred net losses since our inception on February 2, 2017. Our net losses were AUD$2.7 million (approximately $2.0 million) and AUD$2.8 million (approximately $2.2 million) for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We cannot assure that we can become profitable or avoid net losses in the future or that there will be any earnings or revenues in any future quarterly or other periods. We expect that our operating expenses will increase as we grow our business, including expending substantial resources for research, development, sales and marketing. As a result, any decrease or delay in generating revenues could result in material operating losses.
We expect that we will need to invest significant time and raise substantial additional capital before we can expect to become profitable from sales of our products. This additional capital may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Failure to obtain this necessary capital when needed may force us to delay, limit or terminate our product development efforts or other operations.
We expect that we will need to invest significant time and require substantial additional capital to commercialize our products. In addition, our operating plans may change as a result of many factors that may currently be unknown to us, and we may need to seek additional funds sooner than planned. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including but not limited to production and manufacturing costs (which are dependent on the costs of mechanical and electronic components of our products), research and development activities, sales activities including compensation for salespersons, development of additional software and hardware products for our current smart solution offerings, and marketing costs related to expansion into the commercial drone and robotics markets in the United States and Europe.
Shortfalls in available external research and development funding could adversely affect us.
We depend on our research and development activities to develop the core technologies used in our cybersecurity and smart solutions and for the research and development of our future products. A portion of our research and development activities depends on funding from the IIA; in the future, we may seek additional funding from the IIA and other governmental organizations. These government organizations’ spending levels can be impacted by a number of variables, including general economic conditions, specific companies’ financial performance and competition for Israeli government funding with other Israeli government-sponsored programs in the budget formulation and appropriation processes. Any reductions in available research and development funding could harm our business, financial condition and operating results.
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We may not accurately forecast revenues, profitability and appropriately plan our expenses.
We base our current and future expense levels on our operating forecasts and estimates of future income and operating results. Income and operating results are difficult to forecast because they generally depend on the volume sales and timing, which are uncertain. Additionally, our business is affected by general economic and business conditions around the world. A softening in income, whether caused by changes in customer preferences in the drones and robotics platform markets, or a weakening in global economies, may result in decreased net revenue levels, and we may be unable to adjust our expenses in a timely manner to compensate for any unexpected shortfall in income. This inability could cause our (loss)/income after tax in a given quarter to be (higher)/lower than expected. We also make certain assumptions when forecasting the amount of expense we expect related to our share-based payments, which includes the expected volatility of our share price, and the expected life of share options granted. These assumptions are partly based on historical results. If actual results differ from our estimates, our operating results in a given period may be lower than expected.
Exchange rate fluctuations between multiple foreign currencies may negatively affect our earnings, operating cash flow.
Our reporting and functional currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD). Our Israeli subsidiary’s functional currency is the NIS. Our key expenses and revenues are currently primarily payable in NIS and U.S. Certain amounts of our revenues and expenses are also in Euros. In addition, our recent equity raises were received in AUD, and our research and development support program and grants are received in NIS.
As a result, we are exposed to the currency fluctuation risks relating to the recording of our expenses and revenues in U.S. dollars, and potential cash flow shortage. We may, in the future, decide to enter into currency hedging transactions. These measures, however, may not adequately protect us from material adverse effects.
We have recently commenced sales of our cloud-based software and cybersecurity solutions, which may be marketed and sold to customers using different sales models, including annual or monthly license or software as a service, any of which may not be profitable to us.
Historically our revenues have been derived from the sales of our hardware products. We have recently commenced selling cloud based software and cybersecurity solutions. As our cloud based software and cybersecurity solutions are newly released, we have not definitely determined the sales model for how we plan to market and sell these products. Forecasting our revenues and profitability for these product offerings is inherently uncertain and volatile. Our actual revenues and profits for these new products may be significantly less than our forecasts. Additionally, the new business models could fail for one or more of our products and/or services, resulting in the loss our investment in the development and infrastructure needed to support the new business models, and the opportunity cost of diverting management and financial resources away from more successful businesses.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
We expect to incur substantial research and development costs and devote significant resources to identifying and commercializing new products and services, which could significantly reduce its profitability and may never result in revenue to us.
Our future growth depends on penetrating new markets, expansion in current markets, adapting existing products to new applications, and introducing new products and services that achieve market acceptance. We plan to incur substantial research and development costs as part of our efforts to design, develop and commercialize new products for cybersecurity and cloud based software and enhance our existing products and technology. Because we account for research and development costs as operating expenses, these expenditures will adversely affect our earnings in the future. Further, our research and development programs may not produce successful results, and our new products and services may not achieve market acceptance, create any additional revenue or become profitable, which could materially harm our business, prospects, financial results and liquidity.
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The COVID-19 pandemic had some negative effect on our business, operations and future financial performance, and could continue to have a negative effect on our business, operations and future financial performance.
At the beginning of the year 2020 the outbreak of the novel strain of coronavirus, specifically identified as COVID-19, resulted in governments worldwide enacting emergency measures to combat the spread of the virus. These measures, which include the implementation of travel bans, self-imposed quarantine periods and physical distancing, have caused material disruption to businesses globally resulting in an economic slowdown. Global equity markets have experienced significant volatility and weakness. Governments and central banks have reacted with significant monetary and fiscal interventions designed to stabilize economic conditions. The duration and impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is unknown at this time, as is the efficacy of the government and central bank interventions.
At the middle of 2020, we implemented a plan covering both temporary and ongoing mitigation efforts to address the impacts of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic on our business.
Temporary steps included among others:
- | Instituting unpaid leave for a period of up to six months for certain employees, as well as employee terminations. All unpaid leaves and terminations were accomplished by the end of 2020. |
- | Up to 20% compensation reduction to non-founder employees. The reduction was ended in March 2021. |
Ongoing mitigation efforts include, among others:
- | 35% compensation reduction to our founders |
- | Ongoing review of scope and value of services by subcontractors and service providers, to minimize monthly burn rate. | |
- | Continuing emphasis on improving timely manner of collections from our accounts receivables and fulfillment of existing purchase orders. |
These ongoing mitigation efforts can be terminated at any time at our management’s discretion.
The electronics components shortage crisis, a unique result of the COVID-19 pandemic, negatively affected our market segment by increased delivery lead time and increased purchase prices of components used under certain of our products, which resulted in delay in delivery time of our products to our customers, and had negative effect on our revenues and profitability. Further, delivery times and purchase prices have been affected by reductions in workforces, reductions in workers’ salaries and/or benefits, and other human resources related issues. As long as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the components’ lead time may be longer than normal and shortages in components may continue or get worse.
Due to the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak, other material uncertainties may come into existence that could materially and adversely affect us, our sales, could increase the time it takes to receive payments from customers, the sales cycle and increase collections efforts. We cannot accurately predict the future impact COVID-19 may have on, among others, the: (i) manufacturing and assembly costs, availability of production facilities, and length of production time, which affects our ability to timely deliver our products, (ii) demand for drone systems and services, (iii) severity and the length of potential measures taken by governments to manage the spread of the virus and their effect on labor availability and supply lines, (iv) availability of essential supplies, (v) purchasing power of the NIS, Australian dollar, and US dollar, or (vi) our ability to obtain necessary financing. Despite global vaccination efforts, it is not possible to reliably estimate the length and severity of these developments and the impact on our future financial results and condition.
The COVID-19 outbreak or similar global health crises could affect our ability to access sources of capital and our ability to complete reporting obligations
The extent to which COVID-19 could impact our operations, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, and cash flows is highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. Negative financial results, uncertainties in the market, and a tightening of credit markets, caused by COVID-19, or a recession, negatively affected our liquidity and could have a further material adverse effect on our liquidity and ability to obtain financing in the future. Further, if a pandemic, epidemic, or outbreak of an infectious disease including COVID-19 or other public health crisis were to affect our facilities, staff, accountants or advisors, our business could be adversely and materially affected. Such a pandemic could result in mandatory social distancing, travel bans, and quarantine restrictions, and this may limit access to our employees and professional advisors. These factors may hamper our efforts to comply with our filing obligations with the ASX and the SEC or as required under Australian and U.S. Securities Laws.
We will be affected by operational risks and may not be adequately insured for certain risks.
We will be affected by a number of operational risks and we may not be adequately insured for certain risks, including: product liability litigation, as we do not have product liability insurance; labor disputes; further workforce reductions; catastrophic accidents; fires; blockades or other acts of social activism; changes in the regulatory environment; impact of non-compliance with laws and regulations; cyber-attacks and ransom requests; natural phenomena, such as inclement weather conditions, floods, earthquakes and ground movements. There is no assurance that the foregoing risks and hazards will not result in damage to, or destruction of, our technologies, personal injury or death, environmental damage, adverse impacts on our operation, costs, monetary losses, potential legal liability and adverse governmental action, any of which could have an adverse impact on our future cash flows, earnings and financial condition. Also, we may be subject to or affected by liability or sustain loss for certain risks and hazards against which we cannot insure or which we may elect not to insure because of the cost. This lack of insurance coverage could have an adverse impact on our future cash flows, earnings, results of operations and financial condition.
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We operate in evolving markets, which makes it difficult to our business and future prospects.
Our cybersecurity, smart solutions and services are sold in rapidly evolving markets. The commercial drones and robotics market is in early stages of customer adoption. Accordingly, our business and future prospects may be difficult to evaluate. We cannot accurately predict the extent to which demand for our products and services will increase, if at all. The challenges, risks and uncertainties frequently encountered by companies in rapidly evolving markets could impact our ability to do the following:
- | generate sufficient revenue to reach and maintain profitability; |
- | acquire and maintain market share; |
- | achieve or manage growth in operations; |
- | develop and renew contracts; |
- | attract and retain research and engineering personal and other highly-qualified personnel; |
- | successfully develop and commercially market new products and services; |
- | adapt to new or changing policies and spending priorities of governments and commercial enterprises; and |
- | access additional capital when required and on reasonable terms. |
If we fail to address these and other challenges, risks and uncertainties successfully, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially harmed.
We operate in a competitive market.
We face competition from companies such as UXV Technologies, Skygrid, Persistent Systems and others and new competitors will continue to emerge throughout the world. Services offered by our competitors may take a larger share of our customers’ spending than anticipated, which could cause revenue generated from our products to fall below expectations. It is expected that competition in these markets will intensify
If our competitors develop and market more successful products or offer competitive products at lower price points, or if we do not produce consistently high-quality and well-received products our revenues, margins, and profitability will decline.
Our ability to compete effectively will depend on, among other things, our pricing of products and equipment, quality of customer service, development of new and enhanced products and services in response to customer demands and changing technology, reach and quality of sales and any potential resale or distribution channels, and capital resources. Competition could lead to a reduction in the rate at which we add new customers, a decrease in the size of our market share and a decline in our customers. Examples include but are not limited to competition from other companies in our industry as well as providers of hardware and software technology components to the industry.
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The markets in which we compete are characterized by rapid technological change, which requires us to develop new products and product enhancements, and could render our existing products and technologies obsolete.
Continuing technological changes in the market for our products could make our products less competitive or obsolete, either generally or for particular applications. Our future success will depend upon our ability to develop and introduce a variety of new technologies, innovations, capabilities and enhancements to our existing product and service offerings, as well as introduce a variety of new product offerings, to address the changing needs of the markets in which we offer products. Delays in introducing new products, technologies and enhancements, the failure to choose correctly among technical alternatives or the failure to offer innovative products or enhancements at competitive prices may cause existing and potential customers to purchase our competitors’ products.
If we are unable to devote adequate resources to develop new products or cannot otherwise successfully develop new products or enhancements that meet customer requirements on a timely basis, our products could lose market share, our revenue and profits could decline, and we could experience operating losses.
Failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals from the United States Federal Communication Commission, or FCC, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, or ETSI, Japan’s Telecom Engineering Center, or Telec, or other governmental agencies or the inability to obtain CE certification from the European Commission or certifications from various environmental organizations, electronics laboratories, software inspections organization, or aviation or vehicles and robotics authorities may prevent us from selling our hardware products.
The FCC, ETSI, Telec and other regulatory organization worldwide are responsible for establishing, managing, and developing safety and operation standards and regulations for electronics equipment usage in commercial and government market segments.
Failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals from the FCC, ETSI and other regulatory organization worldwide may prevent us from marketing, demonstrating and selling our products in North America, Europe and other global markets which could have an adverse impact on our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.
Aviation, vehicular, government and militaries organizations and enterprises set certification standards and requirements for the use of products within their systems or organizations. Some of these requirements are based on internal testing and certification processes and other may requires formal verification and testing laboratories to ensure that products meet those requirements. Failure to pass such testing procedures or obtain necessary laboratories certificates or approval may prevent our products from being chosen, integrated, and sold to or used by government and enterprises customers, which could have an adverse impact on our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.
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We could be prohibited from shipping our products to certain countries if we are unable to obtain Israeli or US government authorization regarding the export of our products, or if current or future export laws limit or otherwise restrict our business.
We may be required to comply with Israeli government laws regulating the export of our products from Israel and US federal regulation regulating the export of our products from the US or Israel. The export regulations and the governing policies applicable to our business are subject to change. In some cases, explicit authorization from the US or Israeli government may be needed to export our products. We have received International Traffic in Arms Regulations, or ITAR, and CJ certifications to allow exports from the US, and, when exporting to certain countries from Israel, the Defense Export Controls Association, or DECA, regulations may apply, even though to date the DECA has determined that these regulations do not apply to our currently sold products. We cannot provide assurance that such export authorizations will be available in the future for our existing and newly developed products. Compliance with these laws has not significantly limited our operations or sales in the recent past, but could significantly limit them in the future. If and when our operations expand into other markets, we may have to comply with other governments’ regulations regarding the export of our products. Non-compliance with applicable export regulations could potentially expose us to fines, penalties and sanctions. If we cannot obtain required government approvals under applicable regulations, we may not be able to sell our products in certain international jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We may be subject to the risks associated with future acquisitions or strategic partnerships, which may increase our capital requirements, dilute our shareholders, cause us to incur debt or assume contingent liabilities, and subject us to other risks.
As part of our overall business strategy, we may in the future pursue select strategic acquisitions or strategic partnership that would provide additional product or service offerings, additional industry expertise, and a stronger industry presence in both existing and new jurisdictions. As of the date of this prospectus we have no such agreement or understanding. Any such future acquisitions or strategic partnership, if completed, may expose us to additional potential risks, including risks associated with:
● | increased operating expenses and cash requirements; |
● | the assumption of additional indebtedness or contingent liabilities; |
● | the issuance of our equity securities; |
● | assimilation of operations, intellectual property and products of an acquired company, including difficulties associated with integrating new personnel; |
● | the diversion of our management’s attention from our existing product programs and initiatives in pursuing such a strategic merger or acquisition; |
● | retention of key employees, the loss of key personnel and uncertainties in our ability to maintain key business relationships; |
● | risks and uncertainties associated with the other party to such a transaction, including the prospects of that party and their existing products; and |
● | our inability to generate revenue from acquired technology and/or products sufficient to meet our objectives in undertaking the acquisition or even to offset the associated acquisition and maintenance costs. |
Our inability to retain management and key employees could impair our future success.
Our future success depends substantially on the continued services of our executive officers and our key development, business and operation personnel; in particular Oren Elkayam our Chairman, Managing Director and the CEO of Mobilicom Ltd. (Israel). If one or more of our executive officers or key development personnel were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we might not be able to replace them easily or at all. In addition, if any of our executive officers or key employees joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose experience, know-how, key professionals and staff members as well as business partners. These executive officers and key employees could develop drone and robotics cybersecurity and smart solutions technology components and services that could compete with and take customers and market share away from us.
A significant growth in the number of personnel would place a strain upon our management and resources.
We may experience a period of significant growth in the number of personnel that could place a strain upon our management systems and resources. Our future will depend in part on the ability of our officers and other key employees to implement and improve financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures on a timely basis and to expand, train, motivate and manage our workforce. Our current and planned personnel, systems, procedures and controls may be inadequate to support our future operations.
We face uncertainty and adverse changes in the economy.
Adverse changes in the economy could negatively impact our business. Future economic distress may result in a decrease in demand for our products, which could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition. Uncertainty and adverse changes in the economy could also increase costs associated with developing and producing products, increase the cost and decrease the availability of sources of financing, and increase our exposure to material losses from bad debts, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and operating results.
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We are subject to the risks associated with foreign operations in other countries.
Our primary revenues are expected to be achieved in Israel, US and Europe. However, we may expand to additional markets and become subject to risks normally associated with conducting business and manufacturing in other countries. As a result of such expansion, we may be subject to the legal, political, social and regulatory requirements and economic conditions of foreign jurisdictions. We cannot predict government positions on such matters as foreign investment, intellectual property rights or taxation. A change in government positions on these issues could adversely affect our business.
If we expand our business and production to foreign markets, we will need to respond to rapid changes in market conditions, including differing legal, regulatory, economic, social and political conditions in these countries. If we are not able to develop and implement policies and strategies that are effective in each location in which we do business, then our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
There are tax risks we may be subject to in carrying on business in Israel and Australia.
We are incorporated in Australia, with a fully owned subsidiary in Israel. Since we are operating in a new and developing industry there is a risk that foreign governments may look to increase their tax revenues or levy additional taxes to level the playing field for perceived disadvantages to traditional brick and mortar businesses. There is no guarantee that governments will not impose such additional adverse taxes in the future.
If critical components or raw materials used to manufacture our products become scarce or unavailable, then we may incur delays in manufacturing and delivery of our products, which could damage our business.
We obtain materials, mechanical parts, hardware and electronics components, various subsystems and manufacturing and assembly services from a limited group of suppliers and sub-contractors. We do not have long-term agreements with any of these suppliers or sub-contractors that obligate them to continue to sell materials, components, subsystems, or provide manufacturing services to us. Our reliance on these suppliers or sub-contractors involves significant risks and uncertainties, including whether our suppliers or sub-contractors will provide an adequate supply of required components, subsystems, or services of sufficient quality, will increase prices for the components, subsystems or services and will perform their obligations on a timely basis.
In addition, certain raw materials and components used in the manufacture of our products are periodically subject to supply shortages, and our business is subject to the risk of price increases and periodic delays in delivery. Specifically, the electronics components shortage crisis, a unique result of the COVID-19 pandemic, negatively affected our market segment by increased delivery lead time and increased purchase prices of components used under certain of our products, which resulted in delay in delivery time of our products to our customers, and had negative effect on our revenues and profitability. Please see Risk Factors – Risks Related to our Business and Industry – The COVID-19 pandemic had some negative effect on our business, operations and future financial performance, and could continue to have a negative effect on our business, operations and future financial performance. Similarly, the market for electronic components is subject to cyclical reductions in supply, outside of COVID-19. If we are unable to obtain components from third-party suppliers in the quantities and of the quality that we require, on a timely basis and at acceptable prices, then we may not be able to deliver our products on a timely or cost-effective basis to our customers, which could cause customers to terminate their contracts with us, increase our costs and seriously harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, if any of our suppliers or sub-contractors become financially unstable, then we may have to find new suppliers or sub-contractors. It may take several months to locate alternative suppliers or sub-contractors, if required, or to redesign our products to accommodate components from different suppliers. We may experience significant delays in manufacturing and shipping our products to customers and incur additional development, manufacturing and other costs to establish alternative sources of supply if we lose any of these sources or are required to redesign our products. We cannot predict if we will be able to obtain replacement components within the time frames that we require at an affordable cost, if at all.
Our products may be subject to the recall or return.
Manufacturers and distributors of products are sometimes subject to the recall or return of their products for a variety of reasons, including product defects, safety concerns, packaging issues and inadequate or inaccurate labeling disclosure. If any of our products were to be recalled due to an alleged product defect, safety concern or for any other reason, we could be required to incur unexpected expenses of the recall and any legal proceedings that might arise in connection with the recall. We may lose a significant amount of sales and may not be able to replace those sales at an acceptable margin or at all. In addition, a product recall may require significant management time and attention. Additionally, product recalls may lead to increased scrutiny of our products by our customers and regulators, requiring further management time and attention and potential legal fees, costs and other expenses.
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If we release defective products or services, our operating results could suffer.
Products designed and released by us involve extremely complex software programs, hardware testing and verification, assembly processes, and quality and functionality inspection and are difficult to develop and manufacture. While we have quality controls in place to detect and prevent defects in our products and services before they are released, these quality controls are subject to human error, overriding, and reasonable resource constraints. Therefore, these quality controls and preventative measures may not be effective in detecting and preventing defects in our products before they have been released into the marketplace. In such an event, we could be required, or decide voluntarily, to suspend the availability of the product or services, which could significantly harm our business and operating results.
Our products and services are complex and could have unknown defects or errors, which may give rise to legal claims against us, diminish our brand or divert our resources from other purposes.
Our products are comprised of and rely on complex and sensitive electronic hardware, algorithms, software, user-friendly interfaces and tightly integrated, electromechanical designs. Despite testing, our products have contained defects and errors and may in the future contain defects, errors or performance problems when first introduced, when new versions or enhancements are released, or even after these products have been used by our customers for a period of time. These problems could result in expensive and time-consuming design modifications or warranty charges, delays in the introduction of new products or enhancements, significant increases in our service and maintenance costs, exposure to liability for damages, damaged customer relationships and harm to our reputation, any of which could materially harm our results of operations and ability to achieve market acceptance. In addition, increased development and warranty costs could be substantial and could significantly reduce tour operating margins.
The existence of any defects, errors, or failures in our products or the misuse of our products could also lead to product liability claims or lawsuits against it. A defect, error or failure in one of our products could result in failure or damage to the products it is embedded in, or property damage, injury, death and/or significant damage our reputation and support for our services in general. We anticipate this risk will grow as more and more products using our products are deployed
We cannot provide any assurance that we have or will have insurance adequate to protect us from material judgments and expenses related to potential future claims or that such insurance will be available in the future at economical prices or at all. Even if we are fully insured as it relates to a particular claim, the claim could nevertheless diminish our brand and divert management’s attention and resources, which could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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We are a supplier for government programs, which subjects us to risks including early termination, audits, investigations, sanctions, penalties and delayed sales.
We have entered into contracts with governments and government contractors, either directly or indirectly. As a result, we are and may in the future be subject to statutes and regulations applicable to companies doing business with the relevant government. Government contracts may contain provisions that give the government substantial rights and remedies, many of which are not typically found in commercial contracts with private sector counterparts and which are unfavorable to the contractors. For example, many government agencies include provisions that allow the government to unilaterally terminate or modify contracts for convenience, and in that event, the counterparty to the contract may generally recover only its incurred or committed costs and settlement expenses and profit on work completed prior to the termination.
In addition, government contracts typically contain additional requirements that may increase our costs of doing business, reduce our profits, and expose us to liability for failure to comply with these terms and conditions. These requirements may include, for example:
● | specialized disclosure and accounting requirements unique to government contracts; |
● | financial and compliance audits that may result in potential liability for price adjustments, recoupment of government funds after such funds have been spent, civil and criminal penalties, or administrative sanctions such as suspension or debarment from doing business with government; |
● | public disclosures of certain contract and company information; |
● | mandatory socioeconomic compliance requirements, including labor requirements, non-discrimination and affirmative action programs and environmental compliance requirements. |
If we fail to comply with government contracting laws, regulations and contract requirements, our government contracts may be subject to termination, and we may become subject to financial and/or other liability under our contracts or criminal law. Any penalties, damages, fines, suspension, or damages could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our financial results.
We are also vulnerable to delayed sales to the Israeli government and related contractors as a result of the Israeli government’s repeated failures to timely approve its annual budgets.
Negative customer perception regarding our products could have a material adverse effect on the demand for our products and the business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We believe that our success is highly dependent upon perception regarding the security, effectiveness and quality of our products’ technology components and products used. Customer perception of these components and products can be significantly influenced by testing results or findings, regulatory investigations, litigation, media attention, and other publicity. There can be no assurance that future testing results, findings, regulatory proceedings, litigation, media attention, or other research findings will be favorable to our technology components and products or the drone and robotics market in general. Future testing reports, findings, regulatory proceedings, litigation, or media attention that are perceived as less favorable than, or that question, earlier testing reports, findings or publicity could have a material adverse effect on the demand for our products and the business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. The dependence upon customer perceptions means that adverse testing reports, findings, regulatory proceedings, litigation, or media attention, whether or not accurate or with merit, could have a material adverse effect on us, the demand for our products, and the business, our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
If we fail to successfully promote our product and brand, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
We believe that brand recognition is an important factor to our success. If we fail to promote our brands successfully, or if the expenses of doing so are disproportionate to any increased net sales we achieve, it would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. This will depend largely on our ability to maintain trust, be a technology leader, and continue to provide high-quality and secure technologies, products and services. Any negative publicity about us or our industry, the quality and reliability of our technologies, products and services, our risk management processes, changes to our technologies, products and services, our ability to effectively manage and resolve customer complaints, our privacy and security practices, litigation, regulatory activity, and the experience of sellers and buyers with our products or services, could adversely affect our reputation and the confidence in and use of our technologies, products and services. Harm to our brand can arise from many sources, including; failure by us or our partners to satisfy expectations of service and quality; inadequate protection of sensitive information; compliance failures and claims; litigation and other claims; employee misconduct; and misconduct by our partners, service providers, or other counterparties. If we do not successfully maintain a strong and trusted brand, our business could be materially and adversely affected.
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We may be subject to cybersecurity attacks or electronic communication security risks.
A significant potential vulnerability of electronic communications is the security of transmission of confidential information over public networks, including information pertaining to the identity of our customers, customer orders, customer fleet operations and information managed under our CONTROLiT cloud management software. Anyone who is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in our operations. We may be required to expend capital and other resources to protect against such security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by such breaches, as well as the exposure of our sites, networks, computers and digital data assets to different cybersecurity attacks
In addition, a significant invasion, interruption, destruction or breakdown of our information technology systems and/or infrastructure by persons with authorized or unauthorized access, or exposure to different cybersecurity attacks could negatively impact our business and operations. We could also experience business interruption, information theft and reputational damage from cyber-attacks, which may compromise our systems and lead to data leakage either internally or at our third party providers. Our systems may be the target of malware and other cyber-attacks. Although we have invested in measures to reduce these risks, we cannot assure you that these measures will be successful in preventing compromise or disruption of our information technology systems a data which could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our senior management team has limited experience managing a public company listed on a U.S. exchange, and regulatory compliance may divert its attention from the day to day management of our business
The individuals who now constitute our senior management team have relatively limited experience managing a publicly traded company listed on a U.S. exchange and limited experience complying with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies compared to senior management of other publicly traded companies listed on a U.S. exchange. Our senior management team may not successfully or efficiently manage our transition as a recently listed public company subject to significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations under both Australian and U.S. Securities Laws. In particular, these new obligations will require substantial attention from our senior management and could divert their attention away from the day to day management of our business.
Failure to adhere to our financial reporting obligations and other public company requirements could adversely affect the market price of our ADSs.
The reporting and other obligations related to being a public company will place significant demands on our management, administrative, operational and accounting resources. If we are unable to meet such demands in a timely and effective manner, our ability to comply with our financial reporting obligations and other rules applicable to reporting issuers could be impaired. Moreover, any failure to maintain effective internal controls could cause us to fail to satisfy our reporting obligations or result in material misstatements in our financial statements. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our reputation and operating results could be materially adversely affected which could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could result in a reduction in the trading price of our ADSs.
In addition, we do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting will prevent all errors or fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and implemented, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Due to the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues within an organization are detected. The inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Controls can also be circumvented by individual acts of certain persons, by collusion of two or more people or by management override of the controls. Due to the inherent limitations in a control system, misstatements due to errors or fraud may occur and may not be detected in a timely manner or at all.
We may experience adverse effects on our reported results of operations as a result of adopting new accounting standards or interpretations.
Our implementation of and compliance with changes in accounting rules, including new accounting rules and interpretations, could adversely affect our reported financial position or operating results or cause unanticipated fluctuations in our reported operating results in future periods.
If securities or industry analysts either do not publish research about us or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about us, our business or our market, or if they change their recommendations regarding our securities, the trading price or trading volume of our securities could decline.
The trading market for our securities will be influenced in part by the research and reports that securities or industry analysts may publish about us, our business, our market or our competitors. If one or more of the analysts initiate research with an unfavorable rating or downgrade our securities, provide a more favorable recommendation about our competitors or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market prices of our securities would likely decline. If any analyst who may cover us were to cease coverage of us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the trading price or trading volume of our securities to decline.
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Possible force majeure events could impact our operations and the market price of our ADSs.
Events may occur within or outside the United States, Australia and Israel that could impact the American and/or Australian and/or Israeli economy, our operations and the market price of our ADSs. These events include acts of terrorism, an outbreak of international hostilities, such as the hostilities in Eastern Europe and Ukraine, fires, floods, earthquakes, labor strikes, civil wars, natural disasters, outbreaks of disease or other natural or manmade events or occurrences that can have an adverse effect on the demand for our products and our ability to conduct business. While we seek to maintain insurance in accordance with industry practice to insure against the risks we consider appropriate after consideration of our needs and circumstances, no assurance can be given as to our ability to obtain such insurance coverage in the future at reasonable rates or that any coverage arranged will be adequate and available to cover any and all potential claims. The occurrence of an event that is not covered or fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are currently operating in a period of economic uncertainty and capital markets disruption, which has been significantly impacted by geopolitical instability due to the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected by any negative impact on the global economy and capital markets resulting from the conflict in Ukraine or any other geopolitical tensions.
U.S. and global markets are experiencing volatility and disruption following the escalation of geopolitical tensions and the start of the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. On February 24, 2022, a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops was reported. Although the length and impact of the ongoing military conflict is highly unpredictable, the conflict in Ukraine could lead to market disruptions, including significant volatility in credit and capital markets.
Additionally, Russia’s prior annexation of Crimea, recent recognition of two separatist republics in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine and subsequent military interventions in Ukraine have led to sanctions and other penalties being levied by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russia, Belarus, the Crimea Region of Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, and the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic, including agreement to remove certain Russian financial institutions from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, or SWIFT, payment system. Additional potential sanctions and penalties have also been proposed and/or threatened. Russian military actions and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect the global economy and financial markets.
Any of the abovementioned factors could affect our business, prospects, financial condition, and operating results. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial. Any such disruptions may also magnify the impact of other risks described in this prospectus.
We are subject to certain Israeli, U.S. and foreign anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, export control, sanctions and other trade laws and regulations. We can face serious consequences for violations.
Among other matters, Israeli, U.S. and foreign anticorruption, anti-money laundering, export control, sanctions and other trade laws and regulations, which are collectively referred to as Trade Laws, prohibit companies and their employees, agents, legal counsel, accountants, consultants, contractors and other partners from authorizing, promising, offering, providing, soliciting or receiving, directly or indirectly, corrupt or improper payments or anything else of value to or from recipients in the public or private sector. Violations of Trade Laws can result in substantial criminal fines and civil penalties, imprisonment, the loss of trade privileges, debarment, tax reassessments, breach of contract and fraud litigation, reputational harm, and other consequences. We have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or government-affiliated entities. We can be held liable for the corrupt or other illegal activities of our personnel, agents or partners, even if we do not explicitly authorize or have prior knowledge of such activities.
From time to time, we may become involved in legal proceedings, which could adversely affect us.
We may, from time to time in the future, become subject to legal proceedings, claims, litigation and government investigations or inquiries, which could be expensive, lengthy, and disruptive to normal business operations. In addition, the outcome of any legal proceedings, claims, litigation, investigations or inquiries may be difficult to predict and could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, or financial condition.
Our directors and officers may have conflicts of interest in conducting their duties.
Because our directors and officers are or may become directors or officers of other reporting companies or have significant shareholdings in other technology companies, our directors and officers may have conflicts of interest in conducting their duties. We and our directors and officers will attempt to minimize such conflicts. In the event that such a conflict of interest arises at a meeting of the directors, a director who has such a conflict will abstain from voting for or against a particular matter in which the director has the conflict. In appropriate cases, we will establish a special committee of independent directors to review a particular matter in which several directors, or officers, may have a conflict. In determining whether or not we will participate in a particular program and the interest therein to be acquired by us, the directors will primarily consider the potential benefits to us, the degree of risk to which we may be exposed and our financial position at that time. Other than as indicated, we have no other procedures or mechanisms to deal with conflicts of interest.
Executive officers and directors may have rights to indemnification from us, including pursuant to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies that will survive termination of their agreements.
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Risks Related to our Intellectual Property
If we fail to protect, or incur significant costs in defending, our intellectual property and other know-how or proprietary rights, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially harmed.
Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to protect our intellectual property, know-how and other proprietary rights. We rely primarily on patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets other contractual provisions, to protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights. However, a portion of our technology and know-how is not patented, and we may be unable or may not seek to obtain patent protection for this technology. Moreover, existing US legal standards relating to the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property rights offer only limited protection, may not provide us with any competitive advantages, and may be challenged by third parties. The laws of countries other than US may be even less protective of intellectual property rights. Accordingly, despite our efforts, we may be unable to prevent third parties from infringing upon or misappropriating our intellectual property or otherwise gaining access to our technology. Unauthorized third parties may try to copy or reverse engineer our products or portions of our products or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property. Moreover, many of our employees have access to our trade secrets and other intellectual property. If one or more of these employees leave to work for one of our competitors, then they may disseminate this proprietary information, which may as a result damage our competitive position. If we fail to protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights, then our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially harmed. From time to time, we may have to initiate lawsuits to protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights. Pursuing these claims is time consuming and expensive and could adversely impact our results of operations.
In addition, affirmatively defending our intellectual property rights and investigating whether we are pursuing a product or service development that may violate the rights of others may entail significant expense. Any of our intellectual property rights may be challenged by others or invalidated through administrative processes or litigation. If we resort to legal proceedings to enforce our intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of the intellectual property or other proprietary rights of others, then the proceedings could result in significant expense to us and divert the attention and efforts of our management and technical employees, even if we prevail.
Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment, and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (the “USPTO”) and various foreign national or international patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment, and other similar provisions during the patent application process. Periodic maintenance fees on any issued patent are due to be paid to the USPTO and various foreign national or international patent agencies in several stages over the lifetime of the patent. While an inadvertent lapse can in many cases be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules, there are situations in which non-compliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. Non-compliance events that could result in abandonment or lapse of patent rights include, but are not limited to, failure to timely file national and regional stage patent applications based on our international patent application, failure to respond to official actions within prescribed time limits, non-payment of fees, and failure to properly legalize and submit formal documents. If we fail to maintain the patents and patent applications covering our products, our competitors might be able to enter the market, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.
While a patent may be granted by a national patent office, there is no guarantee that the granted patent is valid. Options exist to challenge the validity of a patent which, depending upon the jurisdiction, may include re-examination, opposition proceedings before the patent office, and/or invalidation proceedings before the relevant court. Patent validity may also be the subject of a counterclaim to an allegation of patent infringement.
Pending patent applications may be challenged by third parties in protest or similar proceedings. Third parties can typically submit prior art material to patentability for review by the patent examiner. Regarding Patent Cooperation Treaty applications, a positive opinion regarding patentability issued by the International
Searching Authority does not guarantee allowance of a national application derived from the Patent Cooperation Treaty application. The coverage claimed in a patent application can be significantly reduced before the patent is issued, and the patent’s scope can be modified after issuance. It is also possible that the scope of claims granted may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
The grant of a patent does not have any bearing on whether the invention described in the patent application would infringe the rights of earlier filed patents. It is possible to both obtain patent protection for an invention and yet still infringe the rights of an earlier granted patent.
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We may be sued by third parties for alleged infringement of their proprietary rights, which could be costly, time-consuming and limit our ability to use certain technologies in the future.
We may become subject to claims that our technologies infringe upon the intellectual property or other proprietary rights of third parties. Any claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming and expensive, and could divert our management’s attention away from the execution of our business plan. Moreover, any settlement or adverse judgment resulting from these claims could require us to pay substantial amounts or obtain a license to continue to use the disputed technology, or otherwise restrict or prohibit our use of the technology. We cannot assure that we would be able to obtain a license from the third party asserting the claim on commercially reasonable terms, if at all, that we would be able to develop alternative technology on a timely basis, if at all, or that we would be able to obtain a license to use a suitable alternative technology to permit us to continue offering, and our customers to continue using, our affected product. An adverse determination also could prevent us from offering our products to others. Infringement claims asserted against us may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world.
Filing, prosecuting, and defending patents on all of our products throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive. Therefore, we have filed applications and/or obtained patents only in the United States. Competitors may use our technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained patent protection to develop their own products and their products may compete with our products.
Risks Related to Israeli Law and our Operations in Israel
Political, economic and military instability in Israel may impede our ability to operate and harm our financial results.
Although we are an Australian company, our fully owned subsidiary and main operational site and most of the management team are located in 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 that controls the Gaza Strip, with Hezbollah that controls large portions of southern Lebanon, and with Iranian-backed military forces in Syria. Further, Iran has threatened to attack Israel. Additionally there may be other political and other conflicts that might evolve with other nations or organizations. Some of these hostilities were accompanied by missiles being fired against civilian targets in various parts of Israel, including areas in which our employees and some of our subcontractors and 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 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 related companies have been subjected to economic boycotts. Several countries and organization might restrict business with the State of Israel and with Israeli related companies. These restrictive laws and policies may have an 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 conflict 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 key personnel. Such disruption could materially adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
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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 and know-how has been developed by our employees in the course of their employment for us. Under the Israeli Patent Law, 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 have entered into assignment-of-invention agreements with our current and former 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 still face claims demanding remuneration in consideration for assigned inventions. If such claims are found to have merit despite our assignment of invention agreements, 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.
We received Israeli government grants, from the IIA for certain of our research and development activities, the terms of which may require us to pay royalties and to satisfy specified conditions in order to manufacture products and transfer technologies outside of Israel. If we fail to satisfy these conditions, we may be required to pay penalties and refund some grants previously received.
Our research and development efforts were financed in part through royalty-bearing grants from the IIA. With respect to such grants, we are committed to pay royalties at a rate of 3% to 5% on sales proceeds from our products that were developed under IIA programs up to the total amount of grants received, linked to the U.S. dollar and bearing interest at an annual rate of LIBOR applicable to U.S. dollar deposits.
Regardless of any royalty payment, we are further required to comply with the requirements of the Israeli Encouragement of Industrial Research, Development and Technological Innovation Law, 1984, as amended, and related regulations, or the Research Law, with respect to those past grants. When a company develops know-how, technology or products using IIA grants, the terms of these grants and the Research Law restrict the transfer of such know-how, and the transfer of manufacturing or manufacturing rights of such products, technologies or know-how outside of Israel, without the prior approval of the IIA. We may not receive those approvals. Furthermore, the IIA may impose certain conditions on any arrangement under which it permits us to transfer technology or development. This may restrict our ability to move the production of our products outside of Israel, or to sell intellectual property and other know-how.
We may be subject to the risks associated with the Israeli Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development 5744-1984 (R&D Law).
While our products currently are not required to comply with any regulatory obligations in Israel, the R&D Law, as amended, and related regulations, may restrict our ability to move the production of products developed using grants received from the IIA. We received Israeli government grants from the IIA for certain of our research and development activities, the terms of which may require us to pay royalties and to satisfy specified conditions in order to manufacture products and transfer technologies outside of Israel. If we fail to satisfy these conditions, we may be required to pay penalties and refund grants previously received. As of December 31, 2021, we have received grants of $1.67 million (gross of $1.73 million net of royalties paid).
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Risks Related to our ADSs and this Offering
We will have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds of this Offering and may not use them to effectively manage our business.
We will have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from this offering. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of such proceeds, our ultimate use might vary substantially from our planned use. Investors may not agree with how we allocate or spend the proceeds from this offering. We may pursue acquisitions, collaborations or other strategic transactions that do not result in an increase in the market value of our ADSs and may result in losses.
The market price and trading volume of our ADSs may be volatile and may be affected by economic conditions beyond our control.
The market price of our ADSs may be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations. In addition, the trading volume of our ADSs may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. If the market price of our ADSs declines significantly, you may be unable to resell your ADSs at or above the purchase price, if at all. We cannot assure you that the market price of our ADSs will not fluctuate or significantly decline in the future.
Some specific factors that could negatively affect the price of our ADSs or result in fluctuations in their price and trading volume include:
● | actual or expected fluctuations in our operating results; |
● | changes in market valuations of similar companies; |
● | changes in our key personnel; |
● | changes in financial estimates or recommendations by securities analysts; |
● | trading prices of our ordinary shares on the ASX; |
● | changes in trading volume of ADSs on The Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq, and of our ordinary shares on the ASX; |
● | sales of our ADSs or ordinary shares by us, our executive officers or our shareholders in the future; and |
● | conditions in the financial markets or changes in general economic conditions. |
An active trading market for our ADSs may not develop or be liquid enough for you to sell your ADSs quickly or at market price.
While our ordinary shares are traded on the ASX, prior to this offering, there has not been any public market in the United States for our ADSs. If an active public market in the United States for our ADSs does not develop after this offering, the market price and liquidity of the ADSs may be adversely affected. While we have applied for the listing of our ADSs on Nasdaq, a liquid public market in the United States for the ADSs may not develop or be sustained after this offering. The public offering price for our ADSs will be determined by negotiation among us and the underwriters, and the price at which our ADSs are traded after this offering may decline below the initial public offering price, which means you may experience a decrease in the value of your ADSs regardless of our operating performance or prospects. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, shareholders often instituted securities class action litigation against that company. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert the attention of senior management and, if adversely determined, could have cause us significant financial harm.
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Investors purchasing our ADSs will suffer immediate and substantial dilution.
The initial public offering price for our ADSs will be substantially higher than the net tangible book value per ADS of the underlying ordinary shares immediately after this offering. If you purchase ADSs in this offering, you will incur substantial and immediate dilution in the net tangible book value of your investment. Net tangible book value per ADS represents the amount of total tangible assets less total liabilities, divided by the number of ordinary shares then outstanding, multiplied by the number of ordinary shares underlying each ADS. To the extent that options or any convertible securities that are currently outstanding are exercised or converted, there will be further dilution to your investment. We may also issue additional ordinary shares, ADSs, performance rights, options and other securities in the future that may result in further dilution of your ADSs. See “Dilution” for a calculation of the extent to which your investment will be diluted.
You may be subject to limitations on transfer of our ADSs.
Our ADSs are only transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deem it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason.
The dual listing of our ordinary shares and our ADSs following this offering may adversely affect the liquidity and value of our ADSs.
Following this offering and after our ADSs are listed on Nasdaq, our ordinary shares will continue to be listed on the ASX. We cannot predict the effect of this dual listing on the value of our ordinary shares and ADSs. However, the dual listing of our ordinary shares and ADSs may dilute the liquidity of these securities in one or both markets and may impair the development of an active trading market for our ADSs in the United States. The trading price of our ADSs could also be adversely affected by trading in our ordinary shares on the ASX
Future sales of our ordinary shares or the ADSs, or the perception that such sales may occur, could depress the trading price of our ordinary shares and the ADSs.
After the completion of this offering, based on an assumed public offering price of $4.65 per ADS, we expect to have outstanding 644,517,415 ordinary shares (or 692,904,415 ordinary shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full). We and all of our directors and executive officers have signed lock-up agreements for a period of (i) 180 days after the date of this prospectus in the case of our directors and officers and (ii) three months after the date of this prospectus in our case, without the prior written consent of the representative of the underwriters subject to specified exceptions. See “Underwriting.”
The underwriters may, in their sole discretion and without notice, release all or any portion of the ordinary shares or ADSs subject to lock-up agreements. As restrictions on resale end, the market price of our ADSs and ordinary shares could drop significantly if the holders of these ADSs or ordinary shares sell them or are perceived by the market as intending to sell them. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to raise additional funds through future offerings of our ordinary shares, ADSs or other securities.
A shareholder’s holding may be diluted if we issue additional shares or other securities in the future.
We may issue additional ordinary shares or other securities in the future, which may dilute your holding in us. Our Constitution permits the issuance of an unlimited number of securities, subject to certain capacity restrictions (See Description of Share Capital – Issues of Shares and Change in Capital) and security-holders have no pre-emptive rights in connection with further issuances of any securities. Our directors have the discretion to determine if an issuance of ordinary shares or other securities is warranted, the price at which any such securities are issued and the other terms of issue of such securities. In addition, we may issue additional ordinary shares upon the exercise of warrants to acquire ordinary shares under our share incentive plan, which will result in further dilution. In addition, the issuance of ordinary shares or other securities in any potential future acquisitions, if any, may also result in further dilution to your interests.
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As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted and we expect to follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain Nasdaq requirements applicable to domestic issuers. This may afford less protection to holders of ordinary shares and ADSs.
As a foreign private issuer with ADSs listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we will be permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain Nasdaq requirements. We intend to follow home country practice with regard to the composition of the board of directors, quorum requirements applicable to shareholder meetings, shareholder approval prior to the issuance of securities in connection with certain acquisitions, private placements of securities, or the establishment or amendment of certain stock option, purchase or other compensation plans and the requirement that issuers must maintain charters for certain board committees. A foreign private issuer must disclose in our annual reports filed with the SEC the requirements with which it does not comply followed by a description of our applicable home country practice. The Australian home country practices described above may afford less protection to holders of ordinary shares and ADSs than that provided under Nasdaq rules. See “Description of Share Capital—Exemptions from Certain Nasdaq Corporate Governance Rules.”
As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to file less information with the SEC than a company incorporated in the United States. Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information concerning us than there is for companies incorporated in the United States.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act that impose disclosure requirements as well as procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as a company that files as a U.S. company whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, nor are we required to comply with the SEC’s Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material non-public information. Accordingly, there may be less information publicly available concerning us than there is for a company that files as a domestic issuer.
We are an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make our ADSs less attractive to investors and, as a result, adversely affect the price of our ADSs and result in a less active trading market for our ADSs.
We are an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. For example, we have elected to rely on an exemption from the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act relating to internal control over financial reporting, and we will not provide such an attestation from our auditors for so long as we qualify as an emerging growth company.
We may avail ourselves of these disclosure exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We cannot predict whether investors will find our ADSs less attractive because of our reliance on some or all of these exemptions. If investors find our ADSs less attractive, it may cause the trading price of the ADSs to decline and there may be a less active trading market for our ADSs.
We will cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest of:
● | the end of the fiscal year in which the fifth anniversary of completion of this offering occurs; |
● | the end of the first fiscal year in which the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the second quarter of such fiscal year; |
● | the end of the first fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of at least $1.07 billion; and |
● | the date on which we have issued more than $1.07 billion in non-convertible debt securities in any rolling three-year period. |
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If we fail to establish and maintain proper internal financial reporting controls, our ability to produce accurate consolidated financial statements or comply with applicable regulations could be impaired.
Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that, beginning with our second annual report after the completion of this offering, our management assess and report annually on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and identify any material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting. Although Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires our independent registered public accounting firm to issue an annual report that addresses the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, we have opted to rely on the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act, and consequently will not be required to comply with SEC rules that implement Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act until such time as we are no longer an emerging growth company.
Our first Section 404(a) assessment will take place beginning with our second annual report after the completion of this offering. The presence of material weaknesses could result in financial statement errors which, in turn, could lead to errors in our financial reports and/or delays in our financial reporting, which could require us to restate our operating results. We might not identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal controls in connection with evaluating our compliance with Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In order to maintain and improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting, we will need to expend significant resources and provide significant management oversight. Implementing any appropriate changes to our internal controls may require specific compliance training of our directors and employees, entail substantial costs in order to modify our existing accounting systems, take a significant period of time to complete and divert management’s attention from other business concerns. These changes may not, however, be effective in maintaining the adequacy of our internal control.
If we are unable to conclude that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in our operating results, the price of our ADSs could decline and we may be subject to litigation or regulatory enforcement actions. In addition, if we are unable to meet the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our ADSs may not be able to remain listed on Nasdaq.
ADS holders may be subject to additional risks related to holding ADSs rather than ordinary shares.
ADS holders do not hold ordinary shares directly and, as such, are subject to, among others, the following additional risks:
● | As an ADS holder, we will not treat you as one of our shareholders and you will not be able to exercise shareholder rights, except through the depositary as permitted by the deposit agreement. |
● | distributions on the ordinary shares represented by your ADSs will be paid to the depositary, and before the depositary makes a distribution to you in respect of your ADSs, any withholding taxes that must be paid will be deducted. Additionally, if the exchange rate fluctuates during a time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some or all of the value of the distribution. |
● | We and the depositary may amend or terminate the deposit agreement without ADS holders’ consent in a manner that could prejudice ADS holders. |
You must act through the depositary to exercise your voting rights and, as a result, you may be unable to exercise your voting rights on a timely basis.
As a holder of ADSs (and not the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs), we will not treat you as one of our shareholders, and you will not be able to exercise shareholder rights. The depositary will be the holder of the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs, and ADS holders will be able to exercise voting rights with respect to the ordinary shares represented by their ADSs only in accordance with the deposit agreement. There are practical limitations on the ability of ADS holders to exercise their voting rights due to the additional procedural steps involved in communicating with these holders. For example, holders of our ordinary shares will receive notice of shareholders’ meetings by mail and will be able to exercise their voting rights by either attending the shareholders meeting in person or voting by proxy. ADS holders, by comparison, will not receive notice directly from us. Instead, in accordance with the deposit agreement, we will provide notice to the depositary of any such shareholders meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted upon at least 45 days in advance of the meeting date. If we so instruct, the depositary will mail to holders of ADSs the notice of the meeting and a statement as to the manner in which voting instructions may be given by holders as soon as practicable after receiving notice from us of any such meeting. To exercise their voting rights, ADS holders must then instruct the depositary as to voting the ordinary shares represented by their ADSs. Due to these procedural steps involving the depositary, the process for exercising voting rights may take longer for ADS holders than for holders of ordinary shares. The ordinary shares represented by ADSs with to which the depositary receives no timely voting instructions will not be voted.
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The deposit agreement expressly limits our obligations, the obligations of the depositary, and limits liability.
The deposit agreement relating to the ADSs limits the obligations and liability as we and the depositary are only obligated to take the actions specifically set forth in the deposit agreement, and we are not liable if performance of those obligations are prevented or delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. Neither we nor the depositary are liable if we or it exercise discretion as permitted under the deposit agreement. Further, we and the depositary are not liable for the inability of any holder of ADSs to benefit from any distribution or deposited securities that is not made available to holders of ADSs under the terms of the deposit agreement, or for any special consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the deposit agreement. Neither we nor the depositary have any obligation to become involved in a lawsuit or other proceeding relating to the ADSs or the deposit agreement on your behalf. We are not liable for the acts or omissions of any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system and we may rely upon any documents we believe to be genuine and duly executed. As a holder of ADSs, your ability to take action, seek damages or otherwise make a claim against us or the depositary are limited.
ADS holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.
The deposit agreement governing the ADSs provides that holders and beneficial owners of ADSs, including those holders and owners who acquired ADSs in secondary transactions, irrevocably waive the right to a trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including in respect of claims under federal securities laws, against us or the depositary to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. If this jury trial waiver provision is prohibited by applicable law, an action could nevertheless proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a jury trial waiver under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by a federal court. However, we believe that a jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement, by a court of the State of New York or a federal court, which have non-exclusive jurisdiction over matters arising under the deposit agreement, applying such law. In determining whether to enforce a jury trial waiver provision, New York courts and federal courts will consider whether the visibility of the jury trial waiver provision within the agreement is sufficiently prominent such that a party has knowingly waived any right to trial by jury. We believe that this is the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. In addition, New York courts will not enforce a jury trial waiver provision in order to bar a viable setoff or counterclaim sounding in fraud or one which is based upon a creditor’s negligence in failing to liquidate collateral upon a guarantor’s demand, or in the case of an intentional tort claim (as opposed to a contract dispute), none of which we believe are applicable in the case of the deposit agreement or the ADSs.
No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or ADSs serves as a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs or by us or the depositary of compliance with any provision of the federal securities laws. If you or any other holder or beneficial owner of ADSs brings a claim against us or the depositary in connection with such matters, you or such other holder or beneficial owner may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us and/or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us and/or the depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have had, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in any such action, depending on, among other things, the nature of the claims, the judge or justice hearing such claims, and the venue of the hearing.
As the jury trial waiver relates to claims arising out of or relating to the ADSs or the deposit agreement, we believe that the waiver would likely continue to apply to ADS holders or beneficial owners who withdraw the ordinary shares from the ADS facility with respect to claims arising before the cancellation of the ADSs and the withdrawal of the ordinary shares, and the waiver would likely not apply to ADS holders or beneficial owners who subsequently withdraw the ordinary shares represented by ADSs from the ADS facility with respect to claims arising after the withdrawal. However, to our knowledge, there has been no case law on the applicability of the jury trial waiver to ADS holders or beneficial owners who withdraw the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs from the ADS facility.
If we are classified as a “passive foreign investment company,” then our U.S. shareholders could suffer adverse tax consequences as a result.
Generally, if, for any taxable year, at least 75% of our gross income is passive income (including our pro rata share of the gross income of our 25% or more owned corporate subsidiaries) or at least 50% of the average quarterly value of our gross assets (including our pro rata share of the gross assets of our 25% or more owned corporate subsidiaries) is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income, including cash, we would be characterized as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For purposes of these tests, passive income includes dividends, interest, and gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties which are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. Based primarily on the composition of our assets, it is possible that we will be a PFIC for our tax year ending December 31, 2022, and for subsequent tax years . If we are characterized as a PFIC, a U.S. holder of our ordinary shares or ADSs may suffer adverse tax consequences, including having gains recognized on the sale of our ordinary shares or ADSs treated as ordinary income, rather than capital gain, the loss of the preferential rate applicable to dividends received on our ordinary shares or ADSs by individuals who are U.S. holders, and having interest charges added to their tax on distributions from us and on gains from the sale of our ordinary shares or ADSs. See “Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company.”
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Currency fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our ordinary shares, ADSs.
Our ordinary shares are quoted in Australian dollars on the ASX and our ADSs will be quoted in U.S. dollars on Nasdaq. Movements in the Australian dollar/U.S. dollar exchange rate may adversely affect the U.S. dollar price of our ADSs. In the past year the Australian dollar has generally weakened against the U.S. dollar. However, this trend may not continue and may be reversed. If the Australian dollar weakens against the U.S. dollar, the U.S. dollar price of our ADSs could decline, even if the price of our ordinary shares in Australian dollars increases or remains unchanged.
We have never declared or paid dividends on our ordinary shares and we do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our ordinary shares. For the foreseeable future, we currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support our operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Any future determination to declare cash dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to compliance with applicable laws and covenants under current or future credit facilities, which may restrict or limit our ability to pay dividends, and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. As a result, a return on your investment will only occur if the ADS price increases.
You may not receive distributions on our ordinary shares represented by ADSs or any value for such distribution if it is illegal or impractical to make it available to holders of ADSs.
While we do not anticipate paying any dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future, if such a dividend is declared, the depositary for our ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our ordinary shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of our ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, in accordance with the limitations set forth in the deposit agreement, it may be unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to holders of ADSs. We have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of our ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of our ADSs. This means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our ordinary shares or any value from them if it is unlawful or impractical to make them available to you. These restrictions may have a material adverse effect on the value of your ADSs.
Australian takeover laws may discourage takeover offers being made for us or may discourage the acquisition of a significant position in our ordinary shares.
We are incorporated in Australia and are subject to the takeover laws of Australia. Among other things, we are subject to the Australian Corporations Act 2001, or the Corporations Act. Subject to a range of exceptions, the Corporations Act prohibits the acquisition of a direct or indirect interest in our issued voting shares if the acquisition of that interest will lead to a person’s voting power (either alone or in combination with their ‘associates’ as that term is defined in the Corporations Act) in us increasing to more than 20%, or increasing from a starting point that is above 20% and below 90%. Australian takeover laws may discourage takeover offers being made for us or may discourage the acquisition of a significant position in our ordinary shares. This may have the ancillary effect of entrenching our board of directors and may deprive or limit our shareholders’ or ADS holders’ opportunity to sell their ordinary shares or ADSs and may further restrict the ability of our shareholders and ADS holders’ ability to obtain a premium from such transactions. Our Constitution, which is included as an exhibit to this registration statement to which this prospectus forms a part, also contains a requirement for our shareholders to approve any proportionate takeover bid (i.e. a bid for a specified proportion of a class of securities in us) without the approval of a majority of our shareholders voting at a general meeting. This may have the effect of discouraging proportionate takeover bids and limit our shareholders’ and ADS holders’ opportunity to obtain a premium for their securities from such a transaction. See “Description of Share Capital—Change of Control.”
Anti-takeover provisions in our Constitution and our right to issue preference shares could make a third-party acquisition of us difficult.
Some provisions of our Constitution may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that only require one-third of our board of directors to be elected annually and authorize our board of directors, subject to compliance with the Corporations Act and the limitations imposed by the ASX Listing Rules, to issue an unlimited number of shares of capital stock and preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares by amending the Constitution (although it should be noted that the amendment of the Constitution requires the approval of shareholders by a majority of not less than 75% of votes cast (directly or by proxy) at a shareholder meeting).
Our Constitution and Australian laws and regulations applicable to us may adversely affect our ability to take actions that could be beneficial to our shareholders.
As an Australian company, we are subject to different corporate requirements than a corporation organized under the laws of the states of the United States. Our Constitution, as well as the Australian Corporations Act, set forth various rights and obligations that are unique to us as an Australian company. These requirements may operate differently than those of many U.S. companies. You should carefully review the summary of these matters set forth under the section entitled, “Description of Share Capital” as well as our Constitution, which is included as an exhibit to this registration statement to which this prospectus forms a part, prior to investing in our ADSs.
You will have limited ability to bring an action against us or against our directors and officers, or to enforce a judgment against us or them, because we are incorporated in Australia and certain of our directors and officers reside outside the United States.
We are incorporated in Australia, all of our directors and officers reside outside the United States and substantially all of the assets of those persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be impracticable or at least more expensive for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in Australia in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the applicable securities laws or otherwise. In addition, as a company incorporated in Australia, the provisions of the Corporations Act regulate the circumstances in which shareholder derivative actions may be commenced, which may be different to the circumstances for companies incorporated in the United States.
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Further, it may not be possible or practicable for you to effect service of process within the United States upon our officers or directors or to enforce against them or against us judgments obtained in U.S. courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States. Even if you are successful in bringing such an action, there is doubt as to whether Australian courts would enforce certain civil liabilities under U.S. securities laws in original actions or judgments of U.S. courts based upon these civil liability provisions. In addition, awards of punitive damages in actions brought in the United States or elsewhere may be unenforceable in Australia or elsewhere outside the United States. An award for monetary damages under U.S. securities laws would be considered punitive if it does not seek to compensate the claimant for loss or damage suffered and is intended to punish the defendant. The enforceability of any judgment in Australia will depend on the particular facts of the case as well as the laws and treaties in effect at the time. The United States and Australia do not currently have a treaty or statute providing for recognition and enforcement of the judgments of the other country (other than arbitration awards) in civil and commercial matters. As a result, ADS holders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against us, our management or our directors than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States.
You may not be able to participate in rights offerings and may experience dilution of your holdings as a result.
We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we may not, and under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not, offer those rights to ADS holders unless both the rights and the underlying securities to be distributed to ADS holders are registered under the Securities Act, or the distribution of them to ADS holders is exempted from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective. In addition, we may not be able to rely on an exemption from registration under the Securities Act to distribute such rights and securities. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in their holdings as a result.
Australian companies may not be able to initiate shareholder derivative actions, thereby depriving shareholders of the ability to protect their interests.
Australian companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States. The circumstances in which any such action may be brought, and the procedures and defenses that may be available in respect to any such action, may result in the rights of shareholders of an Australian company being more limited than those of shareholders of a company organized in the United States. Accordingly, shareholders may have fewer alternatives available to them if they believe that corporate wrongdoing has occurred. Australian courts are also unlikely to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts in the United States based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities law and to impose liabilities against us, in original actions brought in Australia, based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in nature. There is no statutory recognition in Australia of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of Australia may recognize and enforce the non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits, upon being satisfied about all the relevant circumstances in which that judgment was obtained.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains certain “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this prospectus, regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus, the words “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “continue,” “predict,” “potential,” “project,” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this prospectus, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and important factors currently known by us and our expectations of the future, about which we cannot be certain.
Forward-looking statements may include statements about:
● | our intentions, plans and future actions; | |
● | statements relating to our business and future activities; | |
● | anticipated developments in our operations; | |
● | our market position, ability to compete and future financial or operating performance; | |
● | the timing and amount of funding required to execute our business plans; | |
● | capital expenditures; | |
● | the effect on us of any changes to existing or new legislation or policy or government regulation | |
● | the availability of labor; | |
● | requirements for additional capital; | |
● | goals, strategies and future growth; | |
● | the adequacy of financial resources; | |
● | expectations regarding revenues, expenses and anticipated cash needs; and | |
● | the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and operations. |
All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements we make in this prospectus are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these plans, objectives, expectations or intentions will be achieved.
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The material expectations, assumptions, and other factors used in developing the forward-looking statements set out in this prospectus include or relate to the following:
● | our ability to implement our growth strategies; | |
● | our competitive advantages; | |
● | the development of new products and services; | |
● | our ability to obtain and maintain financing on acceptable terms; | |
● | the impact of competition; | |
● | changes in laws, rules and regulations; | |
● | our ability to maintain our software licenses and product certifications; |
● | our ability to maintain good business relationships with our customers, suppliers and other strategic partners; | |
● | our ability to protect intellectual property; | |
● | our ability to retain key personnel; and | |
● | the absence of material adverse changes in the industry or global economy, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Although our management believes that the forward-looking statements herein or incorporated herein by reference are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent in our business, including the those discussed in the “Prospectus Summary—Summary of Risk Factors,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business,” “Regulation” and other sections in this prospectus. You should read thoroughly this prospectus and the documents that we refer to with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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We estimate that our net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $8.7 million (after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and remaining estimated offering expenses payable by us) or approximately $10.1million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $4.65 would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $2.0 million, or approximately $2.3 million if the underwriter exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full, assuming the number of ADSs offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
We currently estimate that we will use the net proceeds from this offering to provide funding for expansion of our sales and marketing activities, research and development, and working capital:
● | approximately $4.4 million for expansion of our sales and marketing efforts, including increasing our footprint in the commercial segments of the drone and robotics markets in the United States and Europe. |
● | approximately $3.3 million for research and development of our ICE Cybersecurity product and 5G network solutions to the commercial segment, as well as our miniaturized handheld mobile controllers; | |
● | approximately $1.0 million for working capital. |
We believe that the net proceeds from this offering and our existing cash will be sufficient to fund our current operations for at least 12 months from the date of this prospectus. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could use our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect.
This expected use of the net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based upon our current plans and business conditions. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to in-license, acquire, or invest in additional businesses, technologies, products or assets, although currently we have no specific agreements, commitments or understandings in this regard. As of the date of this prospectus, we cannot predict with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the closing of this offering or the amounts that we will actually spend on the uses set forth above. Accordingly, we will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds from this offering and we reserve the right to change the allocation of the net proceeds described above.
Pending our use of the net proceeds from this offering, we intend to invest the net proceeds from this offering in investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments and U.S. government securities or certificates of deposit.
We have not declared or paid any dividends on our ordinary shares, and we do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. Our board of directors presently intends to reinvest all earnings in the continued development and operation of our business.
Payment of dividends in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors. If our board of directors elects to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial conditions, contractual restrictions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.
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The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization as of December 31, 2021 presented in U.S. dollars:
● | on an actual basis; and |
● | on an as adjusted basis to also give effect to our sale of 2,150,538 ADSs in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $4.65 per ADS. You should read this table in conjunction with “Selected Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. |
The amounts have been translated into U.S. Dollars from Australian Dollars based upon the exchange rate as published by the Reserve Bank of Australia as of December 31, 2021. These translations are merely for the convenience of the reader and should not be construed as representations that the Australian Dollar amounts actually represent such U.S. Dollar amounts or could be converted into U.S. Dollars at such rate.
As of December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
Actual | As Adjusted | |||||||||||||||
AUD$ | USD | AUD$ | USD | |||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 3,996,300 | 2,904,287 | 15,757,355 | 11,451,563 | ||||||||||||
Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||
Issued capital | 26,504,136 | 19,261,727 | 38,265,192 | 27,809,003 | ||||||||||||
Reserves | 943,297 | 685,536 | 943,297 | 685,536 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated losses | (24,118,314 | ) | (17,527,846 | ) | (24,118,314 | ) | (17,527,846 | ) | ||||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | 3,329,119 | 2,419,417 | 15,090,175 | 10,966,693 | ||||||||||||
Total capitalization | 7,325,419 | 5,323,704 | 30,847,530 | 22,418,256 |
A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed aggregate public offering price of $4.65 per ADS, would increase (decrease) the as adjusted amount of each of cash and cash equivalents and total shareholders’ equity by approximately $2.0 million , assuming that the number of ADSs offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
The number of ordinary shares that will be outstanding immediately after this offering is based on 321,936,715 ordinary shares outstanding as of December 31, 2021. This number excludes, as of such date:
● |
64,000,000 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of options issued to investors at July 2021, at an exercise price of AUD$ 0.09 (approximately $0.06); | |
● | an aggregate of 31,231,701 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of options under our ESOP granted to employees, directors and consultants, at a weighted average exercise price of AUD$0.10 (approximately $0.08), of which 10,331,701 ordinary shares were vested at a weighted average exercise price of AUD$0.15 (approximately $0.11); and |
● | 8,593,157 shares reserved for issuance under our ESOP. |
Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus assumes or gives effect to no exercise of outstanding options described above and the underwriters’ option to purchase additional ADSs.
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If you purchase ADSs in this offering, your ownership interest in us will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per ADS you will pay in this offering and the pro forma net tangible book value per ADS after this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the initial public offering price per ordinary share is substantially in excess of the book value per ordinary share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding ordinary shares.
Our historical net tangible book value as of December 31, 2021, was approximately AUD$2,718,922, or $1,975,961, corresponding to a net tangible book value of AUD $0.008 or $0.006 per ordinary share or $0.90 per ADS (using the ratio of 150 ordinary shares to one ADS), as of such date. We calculate our historical net tangible book value per share or per ADS by taking the amount of our total tangible assets, subtracting the amount of our total liabilities, and then dividing the difference by the actual total number of ordinary shares (as adjusted for the ratio of 150 ordinary shares per ADS outstanding, as applicable).
The as adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share as of December 31, 2021 was AUD$0.022 or $0.016 per ordinary share or $2.40 per ADS (using the ratio of 150 ordinary shares to one ADS). The pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share gives effect to the sale and issuance of our ADSs in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $4.65 per ADS, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
The as adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering is calculated by dividing the as adjusted net tangible book value of AUD$14,479,978 or $10,523,240, by 644,517,415, which is equal to our as adjusted issued and outstanding ordinary shares. The difference between the initial public offering price and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share represents an immediate increase in the net tangible book value of AUD$0.014, or $0.010 per ordinary share or $1.5 per ADS to existing shareholders and immediate dilution of AUD$0.021, or $0.015 per ordinary share, or $2.25 per ADS to new investors purchasing our ADSs in this offering.
The following table illustrates this dilution on an ADS basis:
AUD$* | USD$ | |||||||
Assumed initial public offering price | 6.40 | 4.65 | ||||||
Actual net tangible book value per ADS as at December 31, 2021 | 1.24 | 0.90 | ||||||
Increase in net tangible book value per ADS attributable to purchasers purchasing ADSs in this offering | 2.06 | 1.5 | ||||||
Net tangible book value per ADS, as adjusted to give effect to this offering | 3.30 | 2.40 | ||||||
Dilution per ADS to purchasers in this offering | 3.10 | 2.25 |
* | For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the conversion from AUD$ into $ was made at the exchange rate as of December 31, 2021, on which $1.00 equaled AUD$1.376. |
A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $4.65 per ADS would increase (decrease) our pro forma net tangible book value per ADS after this offering by AUD$0.6192, or $0.453, and the dilution per ADS to new investors by AUD$0.62, or $0.45, assuming the number of ADSs offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase or decrease the number of ADSs we are offering.
The following table summarizes, on a pro forma as adjusted basis as of December 31, 2021, the differences between the number of ordinary shares purchased from us (treating each ADS as 150 ordinary shares), the total consideration paid to us and the average price per ordinary share paid by existing holders of our ordinary shares and by investors in this offering (treating each ADS as 150 ordinary shares) in purchases of our ADSs from us and by purchasers in this offering.
The table below is based on 644,936,715 ordinary shares outstanding immediately after the consummation of this offering (including those represented by our ADSs).
The table below is based upon an assumed public offering price of $4.65 per ADS, excluding estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional ADSs:
Shares Purchased | Total Consideration | Average Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number | Actual % | Pro forma % (1) | Amount (USD$)* | Actual % | Pro forma % (1) | Per Share (USD$) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Existing shareholders | 321,936,715 | 50 | 56 | $ | 20,040,681 | 67 | 73 | $ | 0.062 | |||||||||||||||||||
Purchasers in this offering | 322,580,700 | 50 | 44 | $ | 10,000,000 | 33 | 27 | $ | 0.031 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | 644,517,415 | 100.00 | 100.00 | $ | 30,040,681 | 100.00 | 100.00 | $ | 0.047 |
(1) | Pro forma assuming exercise of outstanding options as of December 31, 2021. |
* | The conversion from AUD$ into $ was made at the exchange rate as of December 31, 2021, on which $1.00 equaled AUD$1.376. |
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.
Our financial statements have been prepared in Australian dollars and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Our financial statements comply with IFRS, as issued by the IASB. Our fiscal year end is December 31. References to a particular “fiscal year” are to our fiscal year ended December 31 of that year.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the conversion from Australian dollars (AUD$) into U.S. dollars ($) was made at the exchange rate as of December 31, 2021, on which $1.00 equaled AUD$1.376(1). The use of $ is solely for the convenience of the reader.
(1) | Based on Bank of Israel quoted end-of-trading currency rates. |
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Overview
Mobilicom is a provider of hardware products, software and cybersecurity solutions that we design, develop and manufacture and that are embedded in Small Drones (or, Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – SUAVs) and robotics. We hold both patented technology and unique know-how. We are aiming to further develop our global customer base by increasing the number of system design wins pilot projects and ultimately cross-sell our other solutions to those same customers in order to become a leading end-to-end provider to SUAV and robotics system manufacturers who, in turn, sell their systems into the security and surveillance, process industry, infrastructure inspection, first responders, homeland security and courier market segments. We aim to penetrate the commercial segment of our markets by leveraging the experience we have gained in defense segment of our markets. We believe that our key competitive advantage is our ability to provide a near end-to-end solution which enables us to get a “birds-eye” view of our customer’s needs. This is evidenced by our recent design wins and pilot projects, such as the integration of our technology into the unmanned systems of a leading designer and producer of thermal imaging cameras and sensors, and our partnership with a U.S.-based designer and manufacturer of RF/microwave amplifiers and integrated radio systems to incorporate our multi-function radios into its high-power radio solutions. We further believe our products have performed well in harsh environmental conditions. Our solutions have been deployed by our various customers worldwide, including in the United States, Europe and Israel. We generate our revenue from the sale of our hardware and from licensing fees and professional support services related to our software and cyber security solutions.
We have funded our operations primarily from public offerings on the ASX where our shares are currently listed for trading under the trading symbol “MOB”, private placements of ordinary shares, and sales of our products. We have also been awarded research and development grants for pre-approved research and development expenditure from the IIA and COVID-19 related grants by the Israeli Tax Authority (referred to as tax incentives) totaling approximately AUD$788,000 (approximately $572,000) and AUD$1.1 million, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
We have incurred losses from operations in each year since inception. Our net losses were AUD$2.7 million (approximately $2.0 million) and AUD$2.8 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The majority of our net losses resulted from costs incurred in connection with our research and development programs, sales and marketing activities, and from general and administrative costs associated with our operations. We expect to continue to incur additional expenses and operating losses over the next few years.
We generated AUD$3.6 million (approximately $2.6 million) and AUD$2.1 million of revenue from the sale of our hardware and software solutions and services (all referred together as “sales of goods”) for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We expect to continue to generate revenues in the future from our existing hardware and software solutions and services. We expect to generate future revenue, from our recently launched new cybersecurity and cloud software solutions, as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, which would represent “recurring revenue” to us.
We expect that the net proceeds from this Offering, as well as our existing cash and cash equivalents, will be sufficient to support our sales and marketing expansion, research and development of additional cybersecurity, smart solutions and service offerings, and working capital necessary to fund for growth, for at least the next twelve months. See “Use of Proceeds.”
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Recent Developments
Share issuance
On May 17, 2021, we issued 64,000,000 shares at AUD$0.06 (approximately $0.04) per share, raising gross proceeds of AUD$3.8 million (approximately $2.8 million). The investors received an equal number of options (i.e., on a 1:1 basis) exercisable at AUD$0.09 (approximately $0.07) per share for a period of two years from the issuance date.
Investor’s options issuance & ESOP
On July 9, 2021, we issued 11,500,000 options to directors. The options have a vesting period of 3 years, exercise price of AUD$0.08 (approximately $0.06) and will expire on July 8, 2026.
On July 15, 2021, we issued 64,000,000 options to investors under May 2021 capital raising. The options have an exercise price of AUD$0.09 (approximately $0.07) and will expire on July 15, 2023.
On April 13, 2022, we issued 400,000 options to directors. The options are fully vested at the date of grant, exercise price of AUD$0.08 (approximately $0.06) and will expire on April 13, 2027.
On April 13, 2022, we issued 573,678 options to consultants. The options have a vesting period of 18 months, exercise price of AUD$0.07 (approximately $0.05) and will expire on April 13, 2027.
On April 13, 2022, we issued 6,530,000 options to employees, directors and consultants. 980,000 are fully vested at the date of grant; 2,000,000 options have a vesting period of 3 years; and 3,550,000 options have a vesting period of 4 years. The options have an exercise price of AUD$0.05 (approximately $0.04) and will expire on April 13, 2027.
New product release
On October 27, 2020, we released the SkyHopper Combo device and ControliT secured server solution, a broadband communication datalink device that provides connectivity and operation of our products’ platforms. This enables operation of these platforms in any environment with or without network infrastructure.
We believe that the SkyHopper Combo device is a highly secured solution that works in tandem with our secure cloud-based ControliT software, and enables device configuration, network management, fleet management, tracking, operation logs and statistics
On August 16, 2021, we launched our AI-based Immunity Cybersecurity and Encryption (ICE) cybersecurity suite to provide, what we believe to be, industry-leading 360° protection for commercial drones and robotics platforms against a wide variety of malicious attacks.
We believe that the ICE cybersecurity suite is the world’s first AI-based 360° system that can detect, prevent, and respond to multiple drone/robotics cyber-attacks in real-time without requiring intervention by an operator. The ICE multi-faceted and multi-layered suite protects the platform, safeguards communication channels, and encrypts the data that is transmitted and collected.
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Recent Pilot Projects
On January 21, 2021, Teledyne FLIR LLC (f/k/a FLIR Systems, Inc.), a leading designer and producer of thermal imaging cameras and sensors, placed its second order for our SkyHopper PRO, having successfully integrated our technology into its unmanned systems after its initial purchase order in November 2020. These recurring orders support the strengthening of Flir’s strategic position in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle market.
On May 24, 2021, we announced several significant initial purchase orders placed by industry-leading companies:
- | ST Engineering, a Singapore-based engineering conglomerate chose to integrate, and have already taken initial order of our secured datalink units and controller solutions into its cutting-edge robotics solutions for the Asia-Pacific market, |
- | Israel-based vehicle systems specialist Plasan Sasa Ltd. integrated our secured datalink units and controller solutions into its Stinger autonomous tactical vehicle, allowing the teleoperation of the vehicle and ability to remotely control its weapon stations. |
- | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, leading unmanned platforms provider, placed an initial purchase order of AUD$150,000 (approximately $109,000). |
On August 13, 2021, we announced our partnership with Triad RF Systems, a U.S.-based designer and manufacturer of RF/microwave amplifiers and integrated radio systems. The partnership will provide a new product line for both Triad whereby we will integrate our multi-function radios with Triad’s high-power radio solutions.
On September 27, 2021, we announced that Israel Aerospace Industries placed an AUD$400,000 (approximately $291,000) order for our SkyHopper PRO dual datalink units and 10” Touch mobile ground station controller for use in its Aerial Vehicle tactical drone system.
On October 7, 2021, we successfully fulfilled our AUD$2.3 million (approximately $1.7 million), multi-year contract with a leading global drone supplier, and delivered the final payment installment for more than 200 Ground Controller Stations (GCS). The contract was valued at AUD$470,000 (approximately $342,000).
On November 3, 2021, we executed the first sale of our ICE cybersecurity suite with the Israel Ministry of Defense under a contract worth AUD$270,000 (approximately $196,000).
In March 2022, we received a repeat order of AUD$560,000 (approximately $407,000) from a leading U.S. commercial drone manufacturer for our SkyHopper ProV to be integrated within its unmanned systems for long range and N-LOS communication with built-in high-definition video processing capabilities.
Research and Development
Research and development
Costs incurred in connection with research and development activities are expensed as incurred
Development expenses are recognized as an intangible asset when we can demonstrate that:
● | The product is technically and commercially feasible; |
● | We intend to complete the product so that it will be available for use or sale; | |
● | We have the ability to use or sell the product; | |
● | We have the technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the product; | |
● | We can demonstrate that the product will generate future economic benefits; and | |
● | We are able to reliably measure the expenses attributable to the product during the development |
During the reported periods the expenses were not capitalized, as they do not meet the criteria set forth in IAS 38.
We recognized AUD$2.4 million (approximately $1.7 million) and AUD$2.4 million of research and development expenses for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
On December 13, 2021, we have been awarded two additional government grants for existing research and development programs, valued at AUD$917,000 (approximately $666,000), expected to be realized predominantly during 2022.
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Impact of the Continuing COVID-19 Pandemic
The global spread of COVID-19 led many countries, including Israel, to impose stringent limitations on movement, gatherings, transit of passengers and goods and to close the borders between countries. The responses of governments have notably impacted many economies as well as capital markets worldwide.
At the middle of 2020, we implemented a plan covering both temporary and ongoing mitigation efforts to address the impacts of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic on our business.
Temporary steps included among others:
- | Instituting unpaid leave for a period of up to six months for certain employees, as well as employee terminations. All unpaid leaves and terminations were accomplished by the end of 2020. | |
- | Up to 20% compensation reduction to non-founder employees. The reduction was ended in March 2021. |
Ongoing mitigation efforts include, among others:
- | 35% compensation reduction to our founders |
- | Ongoing review of scope and value of services by subcontractors and service providers, to minimize monthly burn rate. |
- | Continuing emphasis on improving timely manner of collections from our accounts receivables and fulfillment of existing purchase orders. |
These ongoing mitigation efforts can be terminated at any time at our management’s discretion.
The effect of implementation of the above plan resulted in a decrease in periodic net loss, as well as reduction in net cash used in operating activities that cannot be specifically quantified. For a full picture of our net loss and reduction in cash flow, please review the Financial Statements that begin on page F-1.
Our business was impacted by supply chain disruptions in the following manners:
- | A slowdown in production, purchasing cost increase of material and components, along with a delay in hardware products delivery to customers. These conditions commenced in March 2020 and continue through the date of this prospectus. At this time, we cannot predict when these conditions will improve. |
- | Government lockdowns and restrictions which limited our workforce’s availability and delayed production and order fulfillments, as well as limited our sales force from meeting customers and postponed the execution of new contracts and consummation of deals. These lockdowns and restrictions commenced in March 2020 and continued through December 2021. |
- | Increased cost and time for international delivery impacted cost structure and schedules. Commencing in March 2020, these market conditions continue as of the date of this prospectus. Although commercial international deliveries have greatly improved over the prior 12 months, deliveries durations are much longer, and costs are significantly higher than those in the pre-COVID-19 period. |
Slowdown in production, purchasing cost increase, delay in product delivery to customers and increased cost and time for international delivery affected and continue to affect our cost of sales. From March 2020 through December 2021, the impact on cost of sales was minor since we held large amounts of both components and finished product inventories, and manufacturing and production costs were based on confirmed orders with lower, pre-COVID prices. The estimated impact was an increase of few hundred thousand AUD$ of our cost of sales.
Since the supply chain crisis worsened at the end of 2021, with increasing components costs, together with our utilization of major portions of our inventories, we expect a higher impact on our costs of sales at an estimated increase of approximately AUD$500,000 for 2022. This estimate depends on variety of factors outside of our control, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Business and Industry” in this prospectus.
Government lockdowns and restrictions limited our sales efforts and capabilities resulting in decrease in sales volumes and reflected in our revenues. We believe that our decrease in revenues from AUD$3.4 million in 2019 to AUD$2.1 million in 2020 can be mostly attributed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We likewise believe that the pandemic had a similar impact on our 2021 revenues of AUD$3.6 million, which while higher than our 2020 revenues, reflect only a moderate recovery compared to pre-COVID-19 levels..
In addition, the existing electronics components shortage crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic affected our market segment, and has increased the lead time required and the prices to purchase the component parts necessary to manufacture certain of our products, which has, in turn, negatively impacted the delivery time of our products to customers and, in turn, affected our ability to recognize revenue. As part of our efforts to mitigate the effect of this crisis on our business and financial results, we continually focus on efficient planning and management of component parts and materials, along with leveraging our ability to outsource manufacturing such as our recently established manufacturing capability in the Asia-Pacific region through subcontractor arrangement with a third party manufacturer. This subcontractor arrangement expands our manufacturing capabilities and is intended to enable us to deliver larger quantities of products upon demand and in a timely manner, on schedule, thus allowing for more consistent product delivery.
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The future possible impact of COVID-19 will depend on future developments with the pandemic which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning new strains, the severity of COVID-19 and the actions by governments around the world to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others.
Emerging Growth Company
Upon the completion of this offering, we will qualify as an “Emerging Growth Company” under the JOBS Act. As a result, we will be permitted to, and intend to, rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of at least $1.07 billion; (ii) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering; (iii) the date on which we have, during the preceding three year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the Exchange Act, which could occur if the market value of our common shares that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
Once we cease to be an emerging growth company, we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act discussed above.
The following discussion relates to our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, and capital resources. You should read this discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this prospectus. All figures presented are in AUD$, unless otherwise indicated.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Revenue and Other income
For the twelve months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
Revenue: | 2021 | 2020 | Increase/Decrease | |||||||||
Revenue | AUD$ | 3,578,603 | AUD$ | 2,066,478 | AUD$ | 1,512,125 | ||||||
Other income: | ||||||||||||
Government grants from IIA | 787,544 | 964,970 | (177,426 | ) | ||||||||
Interest income | 1,580 | 10,539 | (8,959 | ) | ||||||||
Total Revenue and Other income | AUD$ | 4,367,727 | AUD$ | 3,041,987 | AUD$ | 1,325,740 |
Revenue
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021, were AUD$3,578,603 (approximately $2,600,729), compared to AUD$2,066,478 for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of AUD$1,512,125 or 73%. The increase is mainly attributed to business with new customers, as well as increased revenue from existing customers.
Government grants from IIA
Grants received under IIA research and development supported programs for the year ended December 31, 2021, were AUD$787,544 (approximately $572,343), compared to AUD$964,970 for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of AUD$177,426 or 18%.
Interest income
Interest income from short-term bank deposits, for the year ended December 31, 2021, were AUD$1,580 (approximately $1,148), compared to AUD$10,539 for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of AUD$8,959 or 85%.
Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit
For the twelve months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Increase/Decrease | ||||||||||
Revenue | AUD$ | 3,578,603 | AUD$ | 2,066,478 | AUD$ | 1,512,125 | ||||||
Cost of Goods Sold | (1,192,461 | ) | (725,394 | ) | (467,067 | ) | ||||||
Gross Profit | AUD$ | 2,386,142 | AUD$ | 1,341,084 | AUD$ | (1,045,058 | ) |
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Cost of goods sold increased at the same pace as the increase in revenue. Gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2021, was 67%, compared to 65% for the year ended December 31, 2020. The highly gross margin is mostly as a result of our strategic planning, which included purchasing components and materials in advance to prepare for future orders and increased new production capacity through a third-party manufacturing facility in an Asian-Pacific country we believe is friendly to U.S. diplomatic interests.
Expenses
For the twelve months ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
Expenses: | 2021 | 2020 | Increase/Decrease | |||||||||
Selling and Marketing | AUD$ | 1,657,958 | AUD$ | 1,112,895 | AUD$ | 545,063 | ||||||
Research and Development | 2,374,400 | 2,418,322 | (43,922 | ) | ||||||||
General and Administration | 1,376,829 | 1,201,971 | 174,858 | |||||||||
Share Based Payments | 223,171 | 173,134 | 50,037 | |||||||||
Finance Expenses | 53,544 | 12,238 | 41,306 | |||||||||
Foreign exchange costs | 184,743 | 179,932 | 4,811 | |||||||||
Total expenses | AUD$ | 5,870,645 | AUD$ | 5,098,492 | AUD$ | 772,153 |
Sales and Marketing expenses.
Sales and marketing expenses were AUD$1,657,958 (approximately $1,204,911) for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to AUD$1,112,895 for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of AUD$545,063 or 49%. The increase is primarily due to additional headcount, and increased sale and marketing activities mainly in Europe and USA to support the sales and marketing of our cybersecurity and cloud-based products, and future business growth.
Research and Development expenses.
Research and development expenses were AUD$2,374,400 (approximately $1,725,799) for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to AUD$2,418,322 for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of AUD$43,922 or 2%. The decrease is primarily due shift of the majority of our resources to support the sales and marketing activities, while maintaining a lower level of research and development activities mainly for customer support needs.
General and Administrative expenses.
General and administrative expenses were AUD$1,376,829 (approximately $1,000,602) for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to AUD$1,201,971 for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of AUD$174,858 or 14%. The increase is primarily due to additional headcount, and increase in certain costs related with the company being publicly traded.
Share Based Payments.
Share based payments were AUD$223,171 (approximately $162,188) for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to AUD$173,134 for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of AUD$50,037 or 29%. The increase is largely due to higher recognized share-based compensation related with December 2020 options grant.
Financial expenses.
Financial expenses, mostly related with lease liability, were AUD$53,544 (approximately $38,913) for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to AUD$12,238 for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of AUD$41,306 or 338%.
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Foreign Exchange.
Foreign exchange costs were AUD$184,743 (approximately $134,262) for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to AUD$179,932 for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of AUD$4,811 or 3%. Foreign exchange costs are mainly due to the effect of changes in currency exchange rates between the New Israeli Shekel (NIS) and the AUD$.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the assumption that we will continue as a going concern, meaning we will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize assets and discharge liabilities in the ordinary course of operations. As of December 31, 2021, we have not achieved positive cash flow from operations and incurred a net loss of AUD$2,704,845 (approximately $1,965,730) for the period ended December 31, 2021, and generated AUD$24.1 million (approximately $17.5 million) of accumulated losses since inception. We estimate that we have adequate financial resources for at least 12 months from December 31, 2021 based on our current cash and trade receivable balances and our ongoing operations. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
We have incurred cumulative losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception, and as of December 31, 2021, we had accumulated losses of AUD$24.1 million (approximately $17.5 million). We anticipate for the foreseeable future that we will continue to incur losses for at least the next several years. We expect that as we expand our sales and marketing efforts, continue research efforts and the development of new or additional solutions under our product families, hire additional staff, including sales and marketing and customer success personnel, and incur additional costs associated with being both an Australian and Nasdaq public company and, as a result, we will need additional capital to fund our operations, which we may raise through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, other third-party funding and other collaborations, strategic alliances and commercial arrangements.
We plan to continue to fund losses from operations and our capital expenditure requirements from future debt and equity financing, as well as through non-dilutive financing (i.e., potential strategic partnerships and other collaborations with other companies). The sale of additional equity or convertible debt could result in additional dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations. We can provide no assurance that financing will be available in the amounts we need or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we are not able to secure adequate additional funding, we may be forced to make reductions in spending, extend payment terms with suppliers, liquidate assets where possible, and/or suspend or curtail planned programs. Any of these actions could materially harm our business.
We do not currently have any credit facilities in place.
As of December 31, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of AUD$4.0 million (approximately $2.9 million). Additionally, we also recognized a total of AUD$695,541 (approximately $505,480) in receivables.
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Cash flows
The following table sets forth the primary sources and uses of cash for each of the periods set forth below:
For
the twelve months ended December, 31 | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | AUD$ | (1,806,179) | AUD$ | (2,120,171 | ) | |||
Net cash used in investing activities | (30,534) | - | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 3,368,358 | (125,435 | ) |
Comparison of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Net cash used in operating activities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, was AUD$1.8 million (approximately $1.3 million) as compared to AUD $2.1 million in 2020. Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended 2021 and 2020 also included inflows of AUD$787,544 (approximately $572,343) and AUD$1.1 million, respectively in connection with grants received through the Israeli Innovation Authority Research and Development programs for pre-approved expenditure and tax incentives.
Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2021 and 2020 was AUD$30,534 (approximately $22,190) and AUD$nil, which solely pertains to purchases of computers and electronic equipment, and office equipment.
Financing activities. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, net cash provided by financing activities was AUD$3.4 million (approximately $2.4 million), which comprised of (i) proceeds from issue of securities of AUD$3.6 million (approximately $2.6 million), net of capital raising costs, and (ii) repayments of lease liabilities of AUD$250,983 (approximately $182,400). For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, net cash used in financing activities related to repayments of lease liabilities. The issue of securities of AUD$3.6 million, net (approximately $2.6 million) referenced above refers to our sale of 64,000,000 shares issued in May 2021 to investors.
Critical accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements. Management continually evaluates its judgements and estimates in relation to assets, liabilities, contingent liabilities, revenue, and expenses. Management bases its judgements, estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on other various factors, including expectations of future events, management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The resulting accounting judgements and estimates will seldom equal the related actual results.
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The critical judgments and significant estimates in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements are:
Share-based payments
We have a share-based remuneration scheme for employees. The fair value of share options is estimated by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, on the date of grant based on certain assumptions. Those assumptions are described in the share-based payments note and include, among others, the dividend growth rate, expected share price volatility and expected life of the options. The fair value of the equity settled options granted is charged to statement of comprehensive income over the vesting period of each tranche and the credit is taken to equity, based on our estimate of shares that will eventually vest.
Governmental liabilities on grants received
The Company measures the value of its governmental liabilities on grants received, each period, based on discounted cash flows derived from the Company's future anticipated revenues.
Employee benefits provision
As discussed in Note 2 to our financial statements, the liability for employee benefits expected to be settled more than 12 months from the reporting date is recognized and measured at the present value of the estimated future cash flows to be made in respect of all employees at the reporting date. In determining the present value of the liability, estimates of attrition rates and pay increases through promotion, whereas applicable, and inflation have been taken into account.
Lease term
The lease term is a significant component in the measurement of both the right-of-use asset and lease liability. Judgement is exercised in determining whether there is reasonable certainty that an option to extend the lease or purchase the underlying asset will be exercised, or an option to terminate the lease will not be exercised, when ascertaining the periods to be included in the lease term. In determining the lease term, all facts and circumstances that create an economical incentive to exercise an extension option, or not to exercise a termination option, are considered at the lease commencement date. Factors considered may include the importance of the asset to the Company’s operations; comparison of terms and conditions to prevailing market rates; incurrence of significant penalties; existence of significant leasehold improvements; and the costs and disruption to replace the asset. The Company reassesses whether it is reasonably certain to exercise an extension option, or not exercise a termination option, if there is a significant event or significant change in circumstances.
Basis of preparation
These general-purpose financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the IASB.
Historical cost convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for, where applicable, the revaluation of financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
Critical Accounting Policies
Fair value measurement
Due to the nature of our operating profile, the directors and management do not consider that the fair values of our financial assets and liabilities are materially different from their carrying amounts at December 31, 2021.
Defined benefit plans
We operate a defined benefit plan in respect of severance pay pursuant to Israel’s Severance Pay Law, or the Severance Pay Law. According to the Severance Pay Law, employees are entitled to severance pay upon dismissal retirement and several other events prescribed by that Severance Pay Law. The liability for termination of employee-employer relationship is measured using the projected unit credit method.
The actuarial assumptions include rates of employee turnover and future salary increases based on the estimated timing of payment. The amounts are presented based on discounted expected future cash flows using a discount rate determined by reference to yields on corporate bonds with a term that matches the estimated term of the benefit plan. In respect of our severance pay obligation to certain of our employees, we make current deposits in pension funds and insurance companies, or plan assets.
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Plan assets comprise assets held by a Long-term employee benefits fund or qualifying insurance policies. Plan assets are not available to our own creditors and cannot be returned directly to us. The liability for employee benefits presented in the statement of financial position presents the present value of the defined benefit obligation less the fair value of the plan assets.
Remeasurements, comprising of actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the asset ceiling, excluding amounts included in net interest on the net defined benefit liability and the return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest on the net defined benefit liability), are recognized immediately in the statement of financial position with a corresponding debit or credit to retained earnings through OCI in the period in which they occur. Remeasurements are not reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods. Past service costs are recognized in profit or loss.
Segments
We operate in one segment. Management does not segregate our business for internal reporting. Our chief operating decision maker, or CODM, evaluates the performance of our business based on financial data consistent with the presentation in the accompanying financial statements. We concluded that our unified business is conducted globally and accordingly represents one operating segment.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
We have not engaged in any off-balance sheet.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2021:
Payment due by period | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Less than 1 year | 2-3 years | 4-5 years | More than 5 years | ||||||||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | ||||||||||||||||
Operating Leases (1) | $ | 709,337 | $ | 347,750 | $ | 361,587 | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||||
Employee benefits (2) | $ | 818,190 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 818,190 | ||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,527,527 | $ | 347,750 | $ | 361,587 | $ | - | $ | 818,190 |
(1) | Operating leases relating to office rent and leased vehicles. |
(2) | We operate a defined benefit plan in respect of severance pay pursuant to the Severance Pay Law. According to the law, employees are entitled to severance pay upon dismissal retirement and several other events prescribed by that law. The liability for termination of employee-employer relationship is measured using the projected unit credit method. The actuarial assumptions include rates of employee turnover and future salary increases based on the estimated timing of payment. The amounts are presented based on discounted expected future cash flows using a discount rate determined by reference to yields on corporate bonds with a term that matches the estimated term of the benefit plan. In respect of our severance pay obligation to certain of our employees, we make current deposits in pension funds and insurance companies, or Plan assets. |
Plan assets comprise assets held by a long-term employee benefits fund or qualifying insurance policies. Plan assets are not available to our own creditors and cannot be returned directly to us.
The employee benefits contractual obligation reflects the value of the defined benefit obligation less the fair value of the plan assets.
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Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks
We are exposed to market risk related mainly to changes in exchange rates.
As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of AUD$4.0 million (approximately $2.9 million) and AUD$2.5 million, respectively, primarily held in bank accounts and short-term bank deposits.
We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currencies that arise from foreign currencies held in bank accounts and the translation of results from our operations outside Australia. Our foreign exchange exposure is primarily the AUD, U.S. dollar and NIS. Foreign currency risks arising from commitments in foreign currencies are managed by holding cash in that currency. We have not entered into any foreign currency hedging transactions.
Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
On November 11, 2021, our board approved the engagement of BDO Ziv Haft as our independent registered public accounting firm as of and for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 in connection with this prospectus and offering. BDO Audit Pty Ltd. remains as our auditor for purposes of our Australian filings.
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 , neither we nor anyone on our behalf consulted with BDO Ziv Haft regarding either: (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements, and neither was a written report provided to us nor was oral advice provided to us that BDO Australia concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement or reportable event as defined in Regulation S-K, Item 304(a)(1)(iv) and Item 304(a)(1)(v), respectively.
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Overview
We are a provider of hardware products and software and cybersecurity solutions that we design, develop and manufacture and that are embedded into small drones or small unmanned aerial vehicles, which we refer to as SUAVS, and into robotic systems, or robotics. We hold both patented technology and unique know-how. We are aiming to further develop our global customer base by increasing our number of design wins and targeted pilot projects and ultimately cross-sell our other solutions to those same customers in order to become a leading end-to-end provider to SUAV and robotics systems manufacturers, or OEMs, who, in turn, sell their systems into the security and surveillance, process industry (processing of bulk resources into other products), infrastructure inspection, first responders, homeland security and courier market segments. By “design win” we are referring to the large-scale and exclusive adoption of our component products by our OEM customers on an-ongoing basis. The “pilot projects” refer to initial small scale sales and implementation. An “end-to-end” provider is one that provides all of the key components its customers need for their products.
We aim to penetrate the commercial segment of our markets by leveraging the experience we have gained in the defense segment of our markets. We believe that our key competitive advantage is our ability to provide a near end-to-end solution to our customers, which enables us to have an insider’s view of our customers’ needs. This is evidenced by our recent design wins and pilot projects, such as the integration of our technology into the unmanned systems of a leading designer and producer of thermal imaging cameras and sensors, and our partnership with a U.S.-based designer and manufacturer of RF/microwave amplifiers and integrated radio systems to incorporate our multi-function radios into its high-power radio solutions. We further believe our products have performed well in harsh environmental conditions. Our solutions have been deployed by our various customers worldwide, including in the United States, Europe, Israel, Japan and other Asian countries. Historically we have generated most of our revenues from sales of our hardware products and have recently commenced sales of our cloud-based software and cybersecurity solutions.
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Smart Technology Solutions
SUAVs and robotic platforms are built from hundreds of components, yet there are only several key critical technology components that make the drone or robot “smart”, and capable of performing its mission. We design, develop and deliver the “smart” part of the solution to our customers. These “smart” solutions include cybersecurity, cloud management software, datalink and mobile mesh networking terminals, handheld control terminals and professional services and support. These solutions can be “off-the-shelf” or tailored to each customer.
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Market Opportunity
SUAVs, which weigh under 150 kilograms, have rapidly evolved from a military origin to have commercial and civil government applications. Some of the leading factors for the recent upsurge in SUAV usage are (a) increased automation of SUAVs providing additional value to existing workflows, (b) an overall easing of regulatory restrictions, and (c) recent advances in technology that have enabled the use of SUAVs in small-scale, localized environments, whether by police or defense forces in urban neighborhoods or for commercial applications such as surveying, aerial remote sensing, monitoring, mapping, precision agriculture, and product distribution. According to the Global Drone Market Report 2021-2026, published in August 2021, or the Global Drone Market Report, the SUAV drone market is set to grow at a 9.4% compound annual growth rate, and is expected to reach $41.3 billion by 2026. According to our estimates, our total addressable market is set to reach $8.5 billion of this $41.3 billion. We calculated our total addressable market based on data from Global Drone Market Report and Drone Industry Insights’ conclusion that 16.4% and 4.3%, respectively (and in total 20.7%), of the total $41.3 billion market will be allocated to the types of hardware products and software products, respectively, that we produce.
We do not seek to profit from conflict. We expect the current situation in the Ukraine to accelerate demand for our products. In late February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale military attack on Ukraine. The war includes reliance by both sides on drone warfare, including the use of small drones by ground forces either for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), or loitering, drones which are also known as Kamikaze drones. These drones are used to find, track, and kill or damage targets with strikes beyond the front lines. Although the conflict has not yet had an immediate impact on our business, we have seen a rise in inquiries that may result in orders from new customers and increased orders from current customers. In the Ukraine conflict, we are also seeing cyber-attacks which target drones and other platforms, rendering them ineffective. Therefore, we witness and expect increased interest from our customers and potential customers in the need for cybersecurity products to protect drone platforms, communications channels, data transmissions and weapons carried on the small drones. We expect to continue to sell to OEM customers mainly located in Israel, the U.S. and Western Europe that are leaders in the supply of small drones for ISR and loitering missions.
Our Products and Services
As per ResearchGate’s conclusion, SUAVs have nine key smart components, which are ground control systems, cybersecurity, cloud management software, datalink/networking hardware, flight missions, safety systems, flight computers, GPU/Edge computing processes, and payloads. We aim to provide our customers, who are SUAV and robotic systems OEMs, an end-to-end suite of smart solutions and services that include cybersecurity, cloud management software, datalink and networking, control systems and professional and support services. Our product portfolio is completely designed and developed in-house and based on our extensive know-how and experience gained over a decade. This enables us to design and develop every component of our solutions and technology while constantly adjusting to the ever-changing needs and challenges in the SUAVs and robotics industry. Each of our products is designed to allow utmost flexibility and scalability. Our current customers include five of the nine leading manufacturers of SUAVs, as identified by ResearchGate.
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ICE Cybersecurity
The ICE Cybersecurity Suite is our automated software designed to provide a “holistic” solution to prevent, detect, and respond in real-time to one or more cyber-attacks. Its ability to provide several multilayered tiers of protection (including, protecting the small drone platform itself, safeguarding its communication channels, and encrypting data shared during operations) is what we believe to be our key competitive advantage in our ability to provide a leading cybersecurity solution in the markets that we serve. To date, the ICE Cybersecurity Suite has been integrated into more than seventy different types of SUAVs and robotics systems and integrates into the other solutions that we provide.
CONTROLiT Cloud Management Software
CONTROLiT is our cloud-based network management software solution for operators of SUAVs. We sell it as a stand-alone solution or it can be bundled with our SkyHopper family of devices. We believe that our key competitive advantage over other management solutions is the ability to consolidate all relevant data into a single powerful software platform, thereby improving the configuration and real-time management and monitoring of devices, networks and operations, such as real-time flight logs and live mapping of operational devices and networks.
SkyHopper Datalinks
Our SkyHopper datalink family of products provides bi-directional data links that supports multiple transmission modes. Because of its communication capabilities through line of sight (LOS), non-line of sight (N-LOS) and urban areas we believe that the SkyHopper is uniquely positioned to provide high-end performance at a smaller size, lighter weight, and at a more attractive price point than our competitors. The SkyHopper datalinks provide superior communication through LOS, N-LOS and carry a clear and solid radio signal in urban areas. The SkyHopper datalink family of products includes our SkyHopper ONE, SkyHopper PRO, SkyHopper PROV, SkyHopper COMBO and SkyHopper lite.
Mobile Mesh Networking
Our Mobile Mesh Communication Unit, or MCU, family of products connects and acts as a relay to, and between, all units within the network. The MCU enables each unit to provide redundancy to all of the other units such that a failure in one unit will not affect the operation of other units within the network, strengthening our market position as a provider of superior connectivity performance in harsh conditions in the SUAV market. Configurations of the MCU can also be changed according to mesh network topology and surroundings. The MCU networking family includes the MCU-lite, MCU-30, MCU-200 and High-Power Amplifier:
Mobile Controller Systems
Our all-in-one ground control systems are responsible for controlling and transmitting video and data from the SUAV to the ground control.
We provide a wide range of handheld ruggedized controllers with multiple functionalities designed to support drone and robotics operation with variety of payloads. The controllers are compact, unified and rugged to operate with either an internal or external datalink unit, offer battery charging, an advanced tablet feature HD low-latency viewer and are designed to operate with a variety of payloads. The Mobile Controller System product portfolio includes: 7’’ mini-Controller, 7’’ min-Controller PRO, 7’’ RVT, 10’’ Maxi-Controller PRO, 10’’ Extremer, 10’’ Touch-P and 10’’ Touch-G.
Professional Services and Support
We provide Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) services for SUAVs such as ILS operation (qualification and test flights), logistics (documentation, policy and procedure, training, procurement, stock levels and management), maintenance (concept, preventive, predictive, breakdown), and safety. Our services are available either onsite at the customer’s location or available remotely.
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Key Growth Strategies
Key components of our growth strategy include the following:
(1) | Achieving greater market penetration through increasing the number of our design wins and pilot projects. This is a crucial element of our strategy because they help deepen our working relationship with a customer, understand their overall needs and, in turn, allow us to better cross-sell other products and solutions. Most importantly, we have a stronger base from which to build additional revenue once our design win, which is built into our customers’ products, is certified by local regulators and marketed onwards to their customers, all with the expectation of increasing both the volume and value of customer orders. Finally, our customers continue to act as important references for future potential customers. |
(2) | Achieving greater market exposure to potential customers in the markets that we serve. We are currently a leader in the Israeli market for the products we sell and intend to expand our marketing and sales activities in the U.S., Europe and Asia, including increasing our in-house sales force, sponsoring trade shows, conferences, webinars and other online marketing campaigns. Our goal is to ensure that we are aware of every potential bidding process and request for proposal that exists in the markets that we serve. |
(3) | In our aim to become an end-to-end solutions provider, we plan to either acquire or form strategic partnerships with other drone-related manufacturers, service providers, or re-sellers that service our markets and who can complement our product offering. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not entered into any such binding or non-binding agreements. |
(4) | Our research and development efforts are at the foundation of our Company and we intend to continue investing in our own innovations in order to pioneer new and enhanced products and solutions that enable us to satisfy the ever-evolving needs of the markets we serve with a focus on identifying opportunities where we can develop technology that can be sold in a SaaS software model. |
Supply
We purchase electronics component kits required in the manufacturing of our products through authorized dealers who, in turn, buy them from component manufacturers. We are not reliant on any one authorized dealer or single source supplier such that we have alternative sources of supply if a specific component is “out of stock” or has a long lead-time to delivery.
Manufacturing and Assembly
We outsource the manufacturing of our products to third parties who receive our design plans together with the relevant electronic component kits which we purchase from our suppliers. Thereafter, we assemble the finished product in-house or through outsourced contractors. We are responsible for quality control.
We consistently monitor our inventory levels, our outsourced manufacturing and distribution capabilities, and maintain recovery plans to address potential disruptions that we may encounter. We have leveraged our manufacturing capabilities through our recently established subcontracting arrangement with a third-party manufacturer in the Asia-Pacific region. This subcontracting arrangement expands our manufacturing capabilities and is intended to enable us to deliver larger quantities of products upon demand and in a timely manner, on schedule, thus allowing for more consistent product delivery, by enabling us to utilize the manufacturer’s manpower and production equipment. We do not have a written agreement with this manufacturer and work with them on a statement-of-work and purchase order basis. We have trained the manufacturer to produce our materials and provide it with technical materials and support.
In the future, as we scale up our sales and production further, we may implement a turnkey operation with select manufacturers for our products. We enter into agreements with our contractors. Pursuant to such agreements, the contractors will provide the components and/or perform the assembly of such components and/or service in accordance with specific terms of the mutually agreed work instructions and purchase orders. The agreements define the responsibilities of each party and the regulatory and compliance requirements that apply and contain industry-standard terms and guidelines.
Competition
The smart solutions market for SUAVs and robotics is characterized by intense competition, rapid change and constant innovation.
We believe that we face three different types of competition:
● | Companies, who, like us, seek to become an end-to-end provider of technology components and systems to the SUAV and robotics market. We consider UXV Technologies to be a key competitor in this segment. |
● | Companies that only provide, and thus only compete with us in, one portion of our product offering. We consider such competitors to include SkyGrid (in cybersecurity), Elsight Limited, MicroHard Systems, Inc. and Auterion AG (in cloud networking management software), Aran Research & Development (1982), Ltd. and Tomahawk Robotics, Ltd. (in mobile handheld controllers) , Silvus Technologies, Inc., Microhard Communications, Ltd., Domo Tactical Communications, Inc., Comtact Systems and Rjant and Persistent Systems (in datalinks and networking). |
● | Our customers’ in-house capabilities that compete with our offerings. We consider AeroVironment, Inc., Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Ltd. and Elbit Systems, Ltd to have such in-house capabilities. |
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Key Strengths
We believe the following key attributes and capabilities provide us with long-term competitive advantages:
End-to-end smart solutions provider – We continue to develop our end-to-end smart solutions offerings in order to better serve the SUAV and robotics market:
● | Bundle together our solutions to organically provide better system performance, shorter time to market and cost-effective pricing for our customers. | |
● | Enables us to cross-sell other smart solutions to our customers as part of their next design projects. | |
● | Deeper customer relationships with SUAV manufacturers give us an insider’s view of current and future solutions requirements. |
● | Expand our contribution of software revenue thereby improving our overall margins. |
In Use and “Field Proven” by the Israel Ministry of Defense – Our solutions have been chosen by large well-known Israeli defense contractors including Elbit Systems, Ltd. and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Ltd. in design wins where our systems and solutions are embedded into their SUAVs and are currently in use “in the field” by the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
Design win with Top Tier SUAV Manufacturers – Recent design wins and pilot projects where our systems and solutions are embedded into SUAVs manufacturers across the U.S., Europe and Israel and are currently in use “in the field” and have performed well in harsh environmental conditions. These important customer references form the building blocks of future customer wins.
Certified and Validated Solutions – We have obtained multiple permits and certifications for our products and solutions for both the civil and defense markets that we serve.
Proprietary technologies, in-house capabilities and industry experience - We believe our decade of experience in providing solutions to the drone industry; in-house advanced research and development expertise across different fields and team members; our deep portfolio of innovative core proprietary technologies, intellectual property and know-how; our internal manufacturing, assembly and testing capabilities, together with international manufacturing capabilities based on subcontractors; all serve as high barrier of entry to our competitors and provide us with important competitive advantage.
Seasoned Leadership Team with Deep Industry Expertise and Proven Track Record of Innovation
Intellectual Property
We strive to protect the proprietary technology that we believe is important to our business, including seeking and maintaining intellectual property know-how intended to cover our methods of use and processes for their manufacture and any other inventions that are commercially important to the development of our business. We also rely on trade secrets to protect aspects of our business that are not amenable to, or that we do not consider appropriate for, patent protection.
Our approach to intellectual property has been to adopt a strategy of trade secrecy in relation to our know-how and software systems. We have, however, also applied, and been granted two patents in the US and may, in the future, file for additional patents in other jurisdictions or in respect of other aspects of our technology. The granted patents are related to our mesh networking modem technology. Our granted patents hold 34 claims that were approved and granted.
The key technology aspects covered by those patents are:
■ | The 2013 patent relates to the method through which our modem technology can coordinate disparate signals and reassemble those signals into a more efficient and useable communication, a process described as ‘joint beam formation and synchronization’. |
■ | The 2020 patent encompasses intellectual property that is part of the algorithm for the networking layer of our mobile mesh technology. |
Filing Date | Status | Issue Date | Application No. | Patent No. | No. of Claims | Country/ Jurisdiction |
Owner/ Applicant |
Title | ||||||||
2008-12-30 | Granted | 2013-07-02 | 12/810,844 | US8477874B2 | 16 | USA | Mobilicom Ltd | Method, device and system of wireless communication | ||||||||
2016-11-28 | Granted | 2020-02-25 | 15/779,541 | US10575339B2 | 18 | USA | Mobilicom Ltd | SCALABLE MOBILE AD HOC NETWORKS |
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Despite the patent strategy described above, we are largely reliant on know-how and trade-secrets which are not the subject of formal intellectual property registration. We have implemented various protective measures in connection with our strategy of trade secrecy in respect of our know-how and software systems. These measures include limiting knowledge and access to key aspects of our know-how and software systems to key management personnel, ensuring employees are engaged on terms that include provisions relating to confidentiality and postemployment restraints and the execution of nondisclosure and intellectual property ownership agreements with third-party contractors.
There can be no guarantee that the current, or any future, patent application will be granted or that third parties will not seek to claim an interest in the intellectual property. Nor can we be sure that any of our existing patents or any patents that may be granted to us in the future will be commercially useful in protecting our technology. There is also a risk that measures in place to protect our know-how and trade-secrets may not be adequate to protect against third parties obtaining the intellectual property (or parts of it) which may adversely affect our business.
Regulation
The FCC in the US, ETSI in Europe and Telec in Japan are the key regulatory organization worldwide which are responsible for establishing, managing, and developing safety and operation standards and regulations for electronics equipment usage in commercial market. Our products have a number of existing certifications, including FCC, ETSI, Telec and other safety and environmental certifications relating to shock, vibration and temperature ranges which are anticipated to provide us with a basis from which to meet the regulatory and certification requirements for our target markets. In some cases, explicit authorization from the US or Israeli government may be needed to export our products. We have received ITAR and CJ certifications to allow exports from the US, and, when exporting to certain countries from Israel, DECA regulations may apply, even though to date the DECA has determined that these regulations do not apply to our currently sold products. We cannot provide assurance that such export authorizations will be available in the future for our existing and newly developed products.
In the event we make sales to defense and other mission critical markets, the products may be required to pass certain testing or certifications including, radiofrequency emission, environmental conditions (IP67, low/high temperature, shocks, vibrations, etc.), as required in each individual instance. Additionally, we have obtained a license issued by Israel’s Ministry of Communication that is required for us to act as a radiofrequency communication equipment developer in Israel.
We are also subject to the provisions of the Research Law, which may restrict our ability to move the production of products or sell the intellectual property or know-how developed using grants received from the IIA (see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Israeli Law and our Operations in Israel — We received Israeli government grants from IIA for certain of our research and development activities, the terms of which may require us to pay royalties and to satisfy specified conditions in order to manufacture products and transfer technologies outside of Israel. If we fail to satisfy these conditions, we may be required to pay penalties and refund grants previously received” for further information).
Employees
We currently employ 23 full time and 5 part-time employees across Israel, the United States, Europe and Australia. In addition, we retain third-party contractors and consultants.
Legal Proceedings
We are not party to any material legal proceedings.
Properties
We do not own any real estate. Our registered office in Australia is located at Level 21, 459 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 3000, for which we pay a nominal fee. Our operational headquarters in Israel are located at 1 Rakefet Street, Shoham, Israel 6083705.
We lease approximately 620 square meters of office premises in Shoham, pursuant to a lease that expires in October 2023, with an early termination option after October 2022, subject to a four-month advance notice, and a two months of lease fee as early termination fee. We also hold an option to renew the lease for three consecutive lease periods, each of 24 months, subject to a four-month advance notice per period.
Our monthly lease and facility management fees are approximately AUD$21,543 (approximately $15,656), based on December 31, 2021, exchange currency rates, as published by the Bank of Israel.
We believe our leased business locations are sufficient to meet our current needs.
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Directors and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth information covering our current directors and executive officers.
Name | Age | Position | ||
Oren Elkayam | 48 | Chairman and Managing Director of the Company and Chief Executive Officer of Mobilicom Ltd. (Israel) | ||
Yossi Segal | 48 | Director of the Company and Vice President, Research and Development of Mobilicom Ltd. (Israel) | ||
Ofer Laufer | 55 | Chief Operating Officer of Mobilicom Ltd. (Israel) | ||
Liad Gelfer | 48 | Director of Finance of Mobilicom Ltd. (Israel); Chief Accounting Officer | ||
Campbell McComb | 46 | Director | ||
Jonathan Brett | 65 | Director |
Oren Elkayam, Chairman, Managing Director of the Company and Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Mobilicom Israel. Mr. Elkayam founded Mobilicom in 2006, but has previously worked extensively within the wireless communications sector. From 2002 to 2003, Mr. Elkayam was CEO of Sortech Ltd, a nano-powder materials technology company. From 2004 to 2006 Mr. Elkayam was the VP of Business Development of Runcom Ltd, a fabless silicon company that develops and sold solutions for broadband mobile communications industry. During his tenure he initiated and negotiated contracts with top carrier companies such as Alcatel-Lucent, Nortel, KDDI, Mitsubishi and Motorola and led investment rounds with international based venture capital funds. Additionally, he served as an Officer in the Israeli Air Force in an elite R&D unit, leading large cutting edge technology projects. Mr. Elkayam holds B.Sc in Electrical Engineering and an MBA (magna cum laude) from Ben-Gurion University, Israel.
Yossi Segal, Director of the Company, Vice President of Research and Development and Co-Founder of Mobilicom Israel. Before joining us in December of 2006, Mr. Segal was the Chief Technology Officer and a founding member of Runcom Ltd. from August 2000 to August 2006. Mr. Segal is a worldwide expert in OFDM/A and has written essential patents for OFDM/A technology, being the first to implement OFDM/A in a working product. He has also previously led the design and development groups of three mobile integrated circuits (IC chip) and eight wireless broadband systems which are currently in operation and sold worldwide. Mr. Segal has taken a leading role in several international wireless standards (IEEE and ETSI) as a committee voting member, and served in the Israeli Army as an officer in an elite electronic warfare research and development unit. Mr. Segal holds a B.Sc (magna cum lauda) and M.Sc in Electrical Engineering and an MBA all from Ben-Gurion University, Israel.
Ofer Laufer, Chief Operating Officer of Mobilicom Israel since October 2020. Mr. Laufer brings 25 years of experience in rapidly growing hi-tech enterprises. From December 2019 to September 2020, Mr. Laufer was the Chief Executive Officer of Blue I Water Technologies. From November 2017 to January 2020, he also served as the General Manager of Robomow Friendly Robotics. During his 10 years of leadership the company grew 7X both in sales and production units, developed many new robotic models, IOT infrastructure and an APP, as well as expanded R&D capacity 3X. Mr. Laufer also managed several OEM deals and oversaw a successful acquisition. Previous to that, Mr. Laufer led operations in several companies, including Powerpaper, Alvarion and Avaya; in that capacity he established production sites in China, the Philippines and Ireland, transferred new technologies into mass production, improved quality, productivity and production excellence, as well as built highly effective teams. Mr. Laufer is an electronic engineer and has an MBA from the Hebrew University.
Liad Gelfer, Director of Finance of Mobilicom Israel since July 2021. Mr. Gelfer brings vast experience and background in various emerging and publicly-traded companies. He has extensive knowledge in financial reporting, financial modelling and forecasting, M&A and IPO procedures and internal controls. From January 2020 to June 2021, Mr. Gelfer served as the Chief Financial Officer of Schindler. From January 2018 to December 2019, he was the Chief Financial Officer at Safend. From June 2009 to December 2017, Mr. Gelfer was the Senior Corporate Controller at Compugen Ltd. a dual listed (TASE & Nasdaq: CGEN) biotech company. He also served as Director of Finance of Supercom (NASADQ: SPCB) a hi-tech company. Mr. Gelfer holds a BA in Business management and Accounting, and MBA in Accounting and Finance, both from the College of Management Academic Studies.
Campbell McComb, Director since February 2017. Mr. McComb has over 20 years’ experience in funds management and investment banking and has overseen or been actively involved in the development of a number of successful funds management businesses. Mr. McComb is currently the Managing Director of Auctus Investment Group Limited (ASX: AVC), an alternative investment manager. Mr McComb previously served as Managing Director of Easton Investments, an ASX-listed investment company, where he was responsible for overseeing the growth of the advisory business to approximately AUD$1bn of funds under advice and management. Mr. McComb holds a Bachelor of Economics from La Trobe University and a post-graduate diploma in Applied Finance & Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia. In 2013 he completed the Asialink Leaders Program through the University of Melbourne. He is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company.
Jonathan Brett, Director since 2018. Mr. Brett is a highly strategic senior director with a strong track record of driving transformational business performance and profitability across multiple geographies. He currently serves (i) as the Executive Chairman of Stridecorp Equity Partners (since March 2016), (ii) as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of Audit and Risk at Corporate Travel Management Limited (Since January 2020), and (iii) as Non-Executive Director at Soho Property App (since March 2018). From September 2018 to July 2019, he was the Non- Executive Chairman for Indoor Skydive Australia Group Ltd. From July 2010 to August 2018, Mr. Brett served as a Non-Executive Director of Vocus Group Limited. He received his Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Accountancy and Masters of Commerce from the University of Witwatersrand and is a Chartered Accountant (South Africa).
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Board of Directors
Our board of directors currently consists of four members.
Directors may be elected at each annual general meeting of our shareholders and, subject to any express contractual terms which may apply to executive Directors, serve until they retire or are removed by a majority vote of shareholders. In addition, our Constitution (and the ASX Listing Rules) require that the number nearest to but not more than one-third of the Directors (excluding the Managing Director/CEO) must retire at each annual general meeting – Directors who retire in this manner are eligible for re-election at the same annual general meeting. We believe that each of our directors has relevant industry experience. The membership of our board of directors is directed by the following requirements:
● | Our Constitution specifies that the number of directors must not be lower than that required by Australian law (being three Directors) and not greater than twelve Directors and our board of directors may determine the number of directors within those limits; |
● | as set forth in our Board Charter, it is recommended that the membership of the board of directors should consist of a majority of independent directors who satisfy the independence criteria guidelines recommended by the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations 4th Edition ; |
● | it is recommended by the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations that the Chairman of our Board should be an independent director who satisfies the independence criteria guidelines recommended by the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations; and |
● | our board of directors should, collectively, have the appropriate level of personal qualities, skills, experience, and time commitment to properly fulfill its responsibilities or have ready access to such skills where they are not available. |
Our board of directors has delegated responsibility for the conduct of our businesses to the Chief Executive Officer, but remains responsible for overseeing the performance of management. Our board of directors has established delegated limits of authority, which define the matters that are delegated to management and those that require board of directors’ approval. Under the Corporations Act, at least two of our directors must be resident Australians.
Committees
To assist our board of directors with the effective discharge of its duties, we have established a Remuneration and Nomination Committee and an Audit and Risk Committee, which committees operate under a specific charter approved by our board of directors.
Remuneration and Nomination Committee
The members of our Remuneration and Nomination Committee are Jonathan Brett and Campbell McComb. Mr. Brett acts as chairman of the committee. The committee’s role involves:
● | identifying, evaluating and recommending qualified nominees to serve on our board of directors; |
● | evaluating, adopting and administering our compensation plans and similar programs advisable for us, as well as modifying or terminating existing plans and programs; |
● | establishing policies with respect to equity compensation arrangements; and |
● | overseeing, reviewing and reporting on various remuneration matters to our board of directors. |
Audit and Risk Committee
We intend to establish an Audit and Risk Committee prior to commencement of this offering, whose members will consist of Campbell McComb and Jonathan Brett. Subject to applicable phase-in requirements, the members of the committee will meet the criteria for independence of audit committee members set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the applicable rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market. Each member of our audit committee will meet the financial literacy requirements of the listing standards of the Nasdaq Capital Market. The principal duties and responsibilities of our audit committee will include, among other things:
● | overseeing and reporting on various auditing and accounting matters to our board of directors, including the selection of our independent accountants, the scope of our annual audits, fees to be paid to the independent accountants, the performance of our independent accountants and our accounting practices; |
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● | overseeing and reporting on various risk management matters to our board of directors; |
● | considering and approving or disapproving all related-party transactions; |
● | reviewing our annual and semi-annual financial statements and reports and discussing the statements and reports with our independent registered public accounting firm and management; |
● | reviewing and pre-approving the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm to perform audit services and any permissible non-audit services; |
● | evaluating the performance of our independent registered public accounting firm and deciding whether to retain their services; and |
● | establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding financial controls, accounting or auditing matters. |
Code of Conduct
We have established a Corporate Governance Statement, which includes a code of conduct. Our Corporate Governance Statement, sets out the standards of behavior that apply to every aspect of our dealings and relationships, both within and outside Mobilicom. The following standards of behavior apply to all directors, executive officers and employees of Mobilicom:
● | comply with all laws that govern us and our operations; |
● | act honestly and with integrity and fairness in all dealings with others and each other; |
● | avoid or manage conflicts of interest; |
● | use our assets responsibly and in the best interests of Mobilicom; and |
● | be responsible and accountable for our actions. |
The Code of Conduct is available on our website at https://mobilicom-ltd.com.au/.
Remuneration
Principles used to determine the nature and amount of remuneration
The objective of our reward framework is to ensure reward for performance is competitive and appropriate for the results delivered. The framework aligns executive reward with the achievement of strategic objectives and the creation of value for shareholders, and it is considered to conform to the market best practice for the delivery of reward. The Board ensures that executive reward satisfies the following key criteria for good reward governance practices:
● | competitiveness and reasonableness |
● | acceptability to shareholders |
● | performance linkage / alignment of executive compensation |
● | Transparency |
The Board is responsible for determining and reviewing remuneration arrangements for its directors and executives. The performance of the company depends on the quality of its directors and executives. The remuneration philosophy is to attract, motivate and retain high performance and high quality personnel.
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The reward framework is designed to align executive reward to shareholders’ interests. The Board has considered that it should seek to enhance shareholders’ interests by:
● | having economic profit as a core component of plan design |
● | focusing on sustained growth in shareholder wealth, consisting of dividends and growth in share price, and delivering constant or increasing return on assets as well as focusing the executive on key non-financial drivers of value |
● | attracting and retaining high calibre executives |
Additionally, the reward framework should seek to enhance executives’ interests by:
● | rewarding capability and experience |
● | reflecting competitive reward for contribution to growth in shareholder wealth |
● | providing a clear structure for earning rewards |
In accordance with best practice corporate governance, the structure of non-executive director and executive director remuneration is separate.
Non-executive directors remuneration
Fees and payments to non-executive directors reflect the demands and responsibilities of their role. Non-executive directors’ fees and payments are reviewed annually by the Board. The Board may, from time to time, receive advice from independent remuneration consultants to ensure non-executive directors’ fees and payments are appropriate and in line with the market.
ASX listing rules require the aggregate non-executive directors’ remuneration be determined periodically by a general meeting. The most recent determination by shareholders, following the ASX listing in April 2017, set the maximum annual aggregate remuneration of AUD$40,000.
Executive remuneration
We aim to reward executives based on their position and responsibility, with a level and mix of remuneration which has both fixed and variable components.
The executive remuneration and reward framework has four components:
● | base pay and non-monetary benefits |
● | short-term performance incentives |
● | share-based payments |
● | other remuneration such as superannuation and long service leave |
The combination of these comprises the executive’s total remuneration.
Fixed remuneration, consisting of base salary, superannuation and non-monetary benefits, are reviewed annually by the Board based on individual and business unit performance, our overall performance and comparable market remunerations.
Executives may receive their fixed remuneration in the form of cash or other fringe benefits (for example motor vehicle benefits) where it does not create any additional costs to us and provides additional value to the executive.
The short-term incentives, or STI program is designed to align the targets of the business units with the performance hurdles of executives. STI payments are granted to executives based on specific annual targets and key performance indicators, or KPI’s being achieved. KPI’s include profit contribution, customer satisfaction, leadership contribution and product management.
The long-term incentives (‘LTI’) include long service leave and share-based payments. Shares may be awarded to executives over a period of three years based on long-term incentive measures. These include increase in shareholders’ value relative to the entire market and the increase compared to our direct competitors.
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Details of Remuneration for fiscal 2021
(in AUD$’s)
Short-term benefits | Post-employment benefits | Long-term benefits | Share-based payments(8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash salary | Cash | Non- | Super- | Long service | Equity- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
and fees | bonus | monetary | annuation | leave | settled | Total | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-Executive Directors: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Campbell McComb(1) | 40,000 | - | - | - | - | 7,345 | 47,345 | 34,408 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jonathan Brett(2) | 40,000 | - | - | - | - | 9,793 | 49,793 | 36,187 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Theo Psaros(9) | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Directors and Officers: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oren Elkayam(3)(6) | 259,478 | - | 15,596 | 78,899 | - | 14,690 | 368,663 | 267,924 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yossi Segal(3)(7) | 259,478 | - | 15,596 | 78,899 | - | 14,690 | 368,663 | 267,924 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ofer Laufer(4) | 184,927 | - | 210 | 48,665 | - | 26,715 | 260,517 | 189,329 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liad Gelfer(5) | 77,332 | - | 2,012 | 19,924 | - | 99,268 | 72,142 |
(1) | Mr. McComb received his remuneration through Camac Investments Pty Ltd (an entity associated with him). On July 9, 2021, Mr. McComb was granted 1,500,000 options exercisable to ordinary shares, at an exercise price of AUD$0.08, vesting over 3 years. |
(2) | As at the date of this prospectus, AUD$100,000 was owed to Mr. Brett, who has agreed to receive this payment in ordinary shares at his request. On July 9, 2021, Mr. Brett was granted 2,000,000 options exercisable to ordinary shares, at an exercise price of AUD$0.08, vesting over 3 years. |
(3) | In 2020 the Executive Directors agreed to reduce their salaries by 35% during the COVID-19 pandemic. During 2021, this reduction remained in place. Superannuation payments refer to payments paid towards pension funds. |
(4) | On December 29, 2020, Mr. Laufer was granted 2,000,000 options exercisable to ordinary shares, at an exercise price of AUD$0.08, vesting over 48 months. |
(5) | Mr. Gelfer’s employment started on July 4, 2021. Superannuation payments refer to payments paid towards pension funds. |
(6) | On July 9, 2021, Mr. Elkayam was granted 3,000,000 options exercisable to ordinary shares, at an exercise price of AUD$0.08, vesting over 3 years.
|
(7) | On July 9, 2021, Mr. Segal was granted 3,000,000 options exercisable to ordinary shares, at an exercise price of AUD$0.08, vesting over 3 years.
|
(8) | This column represents the grant date fair value of the award estimated by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, on the date of grant based on certain assumptions. Those assumptions are described in the share based payments note and include, among others, the dividend growth rate, expected share price volatility and expected life of the options. The fair value of the equity settled options granted is charged to statement of comprehensive income over the vesting period of each tranche and the credit is taken to equity, based on our estimate of shares that will eventually vest. |
(9) | Mr. Psaros was appointed as Non-executive Director on January 20, 2021 and resigned July 5, 2021. |
Employment Agreements with Executive Officers
Oren Elkayam is the Managing Director and Chairman of the Company, and Chief Executive Officer of its subsidiary, Mobilicom Ltd. (Israel), and entered into a written employment agreement with us on November 2, 2016 and an addendum to the Employment Agreement with our subsidiary, Mobilicom, Ltd on February 28, 2017 for $250,000 per annum, payable in NIS at the conversion rate in effect on November 2, 2016. Mr. Elkayam is also entitled to annual bonus payments. Mr. Elkayam’s employment with us may be terminated upon 60 days’ written notice, or immediately by us “for cause” which includes situations including a breach of trust or fiduciary duty (conviction of a criminal offense and negligence causing harm to our business or reputation. If terminated for any reason other than for cause, Mr. Elkayam will be entitled to a paid salary, together with other benefits detailed in the employment agreement, for a period of 6 months following termination.
Yossi Segal is an Executive director of the Company, and Vice President, Research and Development of its subsidiary, Mobilicom Ltd. (Israel), and entered into a written agreement with us on November 2, 2016 and an addendum to the Employment Agreement with our subsidiary on February 28, 2017 for $250,000 per annum, payable in NIS at the conversion rate in effect on November 2, 2016. Mr. Segal is also entitled to annual bonus payments. Segal’s employment with us may be terminated upon 60 days’ written notice, or immediately by us “for cause” which include a breach of trust or fiduciary duty, conviction of a criminal offense and negligence causing harm to our business or reputation. If terminated for any reason other than for cause, Mr. Segal will be entitled to a paid salary, together with other benefits detailed in the employment agreement, for a period of 6 months following termination.
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Offer Laufer is the Chief Operating Officer of our subsidiary, Mobilicom Ltd. (Israel), and entered into a written agreement with the subsidiary on September 17, 2020 for NIS 40,000 (approximately $11,680) per month, inclusive of a NIS 2,800 (approximately $851) car allowance. Mr. Laufer is entitled to annual bonus payments upon our achievement of certain targets. Mr. Laufer’s employment with us may be terminated upon 60 days’ written notice, or immediately by us for cause which include a breach of trust or fiduciary duty, conviction of a criminal offense and negligence causing harm to our business or reputation. If terminated for any reason other than for cause, Mr. Laufer will be entitled to a paid salary, together with other benefits detailed in the employment agreement, for a period of 60 days following termination.
Liad Gelfer is the Director of Finance of our subsidiary, Mobilicom Ltd. (Israel), and entered into a written agreement with the subsidiary on June 1, 2021 for NIS 30,000 (approximately $8,760) per month. Mr. Gelfer’s employment with us may be terminated upon 60 days’ written notice, or immediately by us for cause which include a breach of trust or fiduciary duty, conviction of a criminal offense and negligence causing harm to our business or reputation. If terminated for any reason other than for cause, Mr. Gelfer will be entitled to a paid salary, together with other benefits detailed in the employment agreement, for a period of 60 days following termination.
The conversion from New Israeli Shekel (NIS) into U.S. dollars ($) was made at the exchange rate as of May 11, 2022, on which NIS1.00 equaled $0.292. The use of $ is solely for the convenience of the reader
Employee Share Option Plan
Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP)
At the 2021 Annual General Meeting of shareholders held on July 9, 2021 shareholders approved the rules of the ESOP (and authorized directors to issue options at their discretion in accordance with the rules, up to limits approved for the purposes of the ASX Listing Rules, from time to time. Under the rules of the ESOP the Board may offer options to our employees and consultants (and our group entities). A summary of the ESOP is set out below.
Eligible Employees | Means any of our full or part time employees or consultants or those of our associated bodies corporate, or other such persons that the Directors see fit, excluding Directors (unless separate shareholder approval is obtained). |
Option | Means an option to acquire a Share issued in accordance with the ESOP. |
Purpose | The ESOP is intended to provide mechanisms through which we can incentivize key management, staff and contractors. |
ESOP administration |
The ESOP shall be administered by the Directors who shall have power to: (i) determine appropriate procedures for administration of the ESOP consistent with the ESOP Terms and Conditions; (ii) resolve conclusively all questions of fact or interpretation or dispute in connection with the ESOP and settle, as the Directors in their absolute discretion determine expedient, any difficulties or anomalies howsoever arising with or by reason of the operation of the ESOP; and (iii) delegate to any one or more persons for such period and on such conditions as it may determine the exercise of any of the Directors’ powers or discretions arising under the ESOP. |
Eligibility | Eligible Employees entitled to participate in the ESOP shall be determined by the Directors in their absolute discretion taking into account a person’s skills, experience, length of service, remuneration level and such other criteria as the Directors consider appropriate in the circumstance. |
Offer and application | An application to be issued Options may be made by Eligible Employees invited to participate in the ESOP using the acceptance form which will accompany the invitation to participate in the ESOP. The invitation to an Eligible Employee to participate in the ESOP will include: (i) whether the Options issued may incorporate performance related factors; (ii) the number of Options to be issued to an Eligible Employee under the ESOP; (iii) the exercise price of the Options, subject to applicable laws; and (iv) the periods during which the Options may be exercised or will vest. |
Options not transferrable | An Option may not be transferred or assigned except that a legal personal representative of a holder of an Option who has died or whose estate is liable to be dealt under the laws relating to mental health will be entitled to be registered as the holder of that Option after the production to the Directors of such documents or other evidence as the Directors may reasonably require to establish that entitlement. |
Acquisition Price | Options will be issued free of charge to Eligible Employees. |
Maximum Number of Options and Shares |
The total number of securities that can be issued pursuant to the Plan on and from the Meeting is limited to 5% of the total number of Shares on issue from time to time by us. We propose issuing the 8,000,000 Options the subject of Resolutions 5 to 7 under the Plan, as well as 1,500,000 Options with the same terms to an unrelated member of the key management personnel of our subsidiary domiciled in Israel. These Options, although being issued under the Plan, are in addition to the 5% noted above.
Subject to compliance with the ‘5% issue limit’ set out in ASIC Class Order 14/1000 as applicable, Options may be offered under this ESOP without the issue of a disclosure document in accordance with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. We may also issue Options (whether under this ESOP or otherwise) without the issue of a disclosure document in reliance on other exceptions to the disclosure requirement of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) including issued that did not need disclosure to investors because of section 708 of the Corporations Act. |
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The aggregate number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of the ESOP options shall not at any time exceed 5% of the total number of our ordinary shares on issue however excluded from this calculation are the 9.5 million options issued to directors and key management pursuant to shareholder approvals obtained at our 2021 Annual General Meeting. The number of ESOP options able to be issued under the ESOP may be varied by majority shareholder resolution.
The assessed fair value of options granted to personnel at their grant date is allocated equally over the period from grant date to vesting date, and the amount for the 2021 financial year is included in the remuneration table as set out above. Fair values at grant date are determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that takes into account the exercise price, the term of the option, the impact of dilution, the share price at grant date and expected price volatility of the underlying share, the expected dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate for the term of the option. The expected price volatility is based on the historic volatility (based on the remaining life of the options), adjusted for any expected changes to future volatility due to publically available information.
All options granted under the ESOP are deemed to be granted for no consideration.
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The following table and accompanying footnotes present certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares based on 321,936,715 ordinary shares outstanding as of May 31, 2022 by:
● | each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our ordinary shares; |
● | each of our directors and executive officers individually; and |
● | all of our directors and executive officers as a group. |
Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC and generally means that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power of that security, including options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2022. Information with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished to us by each director, executive officer, or 5% or more shareholder, as the case may be. Ordinary shares subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of May 311, 2022 are deemed to be outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of the person holding these options and the percentage ownership of any group of which the holder is a member, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.
Ordinary shares subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2022 are deemed to be outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of the person holding these options and the percentage ownership of any group of which the holder is a member, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.
Based on information known to us, as of May 31, 2022, we had shareholders in the United States. These shareholders held an aggregate of 30,071,181 of our outstanding ordinary shares, or approximately 9.3 % of our outstanding ordinary shares. A large number of our ordinary shares are held by nominee companies so we cannot be certain of the identity of those beneficial owners.
Unless otherwise indicated, to our knowledge each shareholder possesses sole voting and investment power over the ordinary shares listed subject to community property laws, where applicable. None of our shareholders have different voting rights from other shareholders. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each of the persons listed in the table below is Level 21, 459 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 3000.
Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to Offering | Ordinary
Shares Beneficially Owned After the Offering(12) | |||||||||||||||
Shareholder Name and Address | Number | Percent | Number | Percent | ||||||||||||
5% Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||
Psagot Provident Funds & Pension Ltd. (1) | 64,000,000 | (2) | 18.1 | % | 64,000,000 | 9.5 | % | |||||||||
Pareto Equity Limited Partnership (3) | 28,800,000 | (4) | 8.6 | % | 28,800,000 | 4.4 | % | |||||||||
Pareto Optimum LP (5) | 28,800,000 | (6) | 8.6 | % | 28,800,000 | 4.4 | % | |||||||||
Zelwer Superannuation PTY Ltd <Zelwer Super Benefit A/C> (7) | 16,102,282 | 5.0 | % | 16,102,282 | 2.5 | % | ||||||||||
Executive Officers and Directors | ||||||||||||||||
Oren Elkayam | 38,929,775 | (8) | 12.1 | % | 38,929,775 | 6.0 | % | |||||||||
Yossi Segal | 31,092,158 | (9) | 9.7 | % | 31,092,158 | 4.8 | % | |||||||||
Campbell McComb | 4,145,120 | (10) | 1.3 | % | 4,145,120 | * | ||||||||||
Jonathan Brett | 2,500,000 | (11) | * | 2,500,000 | * | |||||||||||
Ofer Laufer | - | - | % | - | * | |||||||||||
Liad Gelfer | - | - | % | - | * | |||||||||||
Officers and directors as a group (6 persons) | 76,667,053 | 23.8 | % | 76,667,053 | 11.9 | % |
* | Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of our outstanding ordinary shares. |
(1) | The address of this shareholder is 19a HaBarzel St., Tel Aviv, Israel. Psagot Provident Funds & Pension Ltd. is a subsidiary of Altshuler Shaham Financial Ltd., which is controlled by Altshuler Shaham Ltd. Gilad Altshuler, as the owner and Joint CEO of Altshuler Shaham Ltd., Kalman Shaham, as the owner and Active Director of Altshuler Shaham Ltd. and Yair Lowenstein, as the CEO & Director of Altshuler Shaham Financial Ltd. have voting and dispositive control over our securities held by this shareholder. |
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(2) | Includes 32,000,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants. |
(3) | The address of this shareholder is 14 Ahad Ha’am street, Tel Aviv, Israel. Pareto Equity Limited Partnership is part of Psagot Securities Ltd., which is a subsidiary of Value Capital One Ltd. Rani Zim, as the owner and chairman of board of directors of Value Capital One Ltd. has voting and dispositive control over our securities held by this shareholder. |
(4) | Includes 14,400,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants. |
(5) | The address of this shareholder is 14 Ahad Ha’am street, Tel Aviv, Israel. Pareto Optimum LP is part of Psagot Securities Ltd., which is a subsidiary of Value Capital One Ltd. Rani Zim, as the owner and chairman of board of directors of Value Capital One Ltd. has voting and dispositive control over our securities held by this shareholder. |
(6) | Includes 14,400,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants. |
(7) | The address of this shareholder is 25 Howit Road, Caulfield North Victoria, Australia 3161. Abe Zelwer, as the owner of this shareholder, has voting and dispositive control over our securities held by this shareholder |
(8) | Includes 925,000 shares held directly by Mr. Elkayam, 36,404,775 shares held by trustee and 1,600,000 shares held by Elkayam 101 Ltd. an entity controlled by Mr. Elkayam. Mr. Elkayam has voting and dispositive control over all of these securities of the Company. |
(9) | Includes 925,000 shares held directly by Mr. Segal and 30,167,158 shares held by trustee. Mr. Segal has voting and dispositive control over all of these securities of the Company. |
(10) | Includes 1,000,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options, 100,000 shares held by CM2 INVESTMENTS PTY LTD <MCCOMB SUPER FUND A/C>, 1,330,000 shares held by CM2 INVESTMENTS PTY LIMITED <MCCOMB SUPER FUND A/C> and 1,715,120 shares held by AUCTUS INVESTMENT HOLDINGS PTY LTD. Mr. McComb has voting and dispositive control over our securities held by CM2 INVESTMENTS PTY LTD <MCCOMB SUPER FUND A/C>, CM2 INVESTMENTS PTY LIMITED <MCCOMB SUPER FUND A/C and AUCTUS INVESTMENT HOLDINGS PTY LTD. |
(11) | Includes 1,000,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options, 1,250,000 shares held by DALESAM PTY LTD <JON BRETT SUPER FUND A/C> and 250,000 shares held by DALESAM PTY LIMITED. Mr. Brett has voting and dispositive control over our securities held by DALESAM PTY LTD <JON BRETT SUPER FUND A/C>. |
(12) | Assumes no purchases of shares by such shareholders in the offering. Assumes the sale of 2,150,538 ADSs at assumed public offering price of $4.65 per ADS. |
To our knowledge, there have not been any significant changes in the ownership of our ordinary shares by major shareholders over the past three years (which is based upon substantial shareholder notices filed with the ASX).
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Other than transactions related to compensation of our executive officers and directors as described under “Remuneration” and “Employment Agreements with Executive Officers” sections above, we have not entered into any related party transaction.
Pursuant to our Constitution and deed of indemnity, insurance and access agreements, we have agreed to indemnify directors to the full extent permitted by law, and to maintain director and office insurance for our officers and directors. policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
General
The following description of our ordinary shares is only a summary. We encourage you to read our Constitution, which is included as an exhibit to this registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.
We are a public company limited by shares registered under the Corporations Act by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, or ASIC. Our corporate affairs are principally governed by our Constitution, the common law applicable to Australia, the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules. Our ordinary shares trade on the ASX, and we are applying to list our ADSs on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
In general, our Constitution addresses similar matters to those typically addressed in a U.S. company’s charter documents. Notably, however, we do not have a limit on our authorized share capital, the concept of par value is not recognized under Australian law and we may at any time convert an ordinary share into a preference share and may convert a preference share into an ordinary share, as further discussed under “—Our Constitution.”
Subject to restrictions on the issue of securities in our Constitution, the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules and any other applicable law, we may at any time issue shares and grant options or warrants on any terms, with the rights and restrictions and for the consideration that our board of directors determine.
The rights and restrictions attaching to ordinary shares are derived through a combination of our Constitution, the common law applicable to Australia, the ASX Listing Rules, the Corporations Act and other applicable law. A general summary of some of the rights and restrictions attaching to our ordinary shares are summarized below. Each ordinary shareholder is entitled to receive notice of, and to be present, vote and speak at, general meetings.
Changes to Our Share Capital
As of the date of this prospectus, we had (i) 321,936,715 ordinary shares outstanding, and (ii) outstanding options granted to employees, directors and consultants to purchase an aggregate of 38,735,379ordinary shares, at a weighted average exercise price of AUD$0.09 (approximately $0.07).
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020 we had (i) 321,936,715 and 257,936,715 ordinary shares outstanding, respectively and (ii) outstanding options granted to employees, directors and consultants to purchase an aggregate of 31,231,701 and 24,948,262 ordinary shares, respectively, at a weighted average exercise price of AUD$0.10 (approximately $0.08) and AUD$0.11, respectively.
During the last three and a half years, the following changes have been made to our ordinary share capital:
● | On October 24, 2018, we issued 250,000 ordinary shares to a board member, at AUD$0.08 per share; |
● | On April 26, 2019, we issued 250,000 ordinary shares to a board member, at AUD$0.08 per share; |
● | On April 26, 2019, we issued 26,975,000 ordinary shares to investors, at AUD$0.10 per share; |
● | On April 29, 2019, we issued 12,085,000 ordinary shares to investors, at AUD$0.10 per share; |
● | On June 27, 2019, we issued 1,000,000 ordinary shares to a board member in his capacity as an investor in a share placement, at AUD$0.10 per share |
● | On May 17, 2021, we issued 64,000,000 ordinary shares to investors, at AUD$0.06 (approximately $0.04) per share |
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Our Constitution
Our Constitution is similar in nature to the bylaws of a U.S. corporation. It does not provide for or prescribe any specific objectives or purposes of Mobilicom. Our Constitution is subject to the terms of the ASX Listing Rules and the Corporations Act. It may be amended or repealed and replaced by special resolution of shareholders, which is a resolution passed by at least 75% of the votes cast by shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution.
Under Australian law, a company has the legal capacity and powers of an individual both within and outside Australia. The material provisions of our Constitution are summarized below. This summary is not intended to be complete nor to constitute a definitive statement of the rights and liabilities of our shareholders. Our Constitution is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.
Interested Directors
A director may not vote in respect of any contract, matter or arrangement in which the director has, directly or indirectly, any material interest according to our Constitution. Such director must not be counted in a quorum, must not vote on the matter and must not be present at the meeting while the matter is being considered. However, that director may execute or otherwise act in respect of that contract or arrangement notwithstanding any material personal interest.
Unless a relevant exception applies, the Corporations Act requires our directors to provide disclosure of certain interests or conflicts of interests and prohibits directors from voting on matters in which they have a material personal interest and from being present at the meeting while the matter is being considered. In addition, subject to certain exceptions, the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules require shareholder approval of any provision of related party benefits to our directors.
Borrowing Powers Exercisable by Directors
Pursuant to our Constitution, the management and control of our business affairs are vested in our board of directors. Our board of directors has the power to raise or borrow money, and charge any of our property or business or any uncalled capital, and may issue debentures or give any other security for any of our debts, liabilities or obligations or of any other person, in each case, in the manner and on terms it deems fit subject in all cases to the ASX Listing Rules and Corporations Act.
Retirement of Directors
Pursuant to our Constitution and the ASX Listing Rules, at each annual general meeting the number closest to (but not exceeding) one-third of the directors, other than the managing director, must retire. In addition, any director appointed by other directors in the year preceding the annual general meeting (and is not counted in determining the number of directors who must retire by rotation). The director/s who retire by rotation will be the longest in office since their last election/re-election or, in the case of directors appointed on the same date, the person agreed between them or determined by lot. A director, other than the director who is the Chief Executive Officer, must retire from office at the conclusion of the third annual general meeting after which the director was elected. Retired directors are eligible for a re-election to the board of directors unless disqualified from acting as a director under the Corporations Act or our Constitution.
Rights and Restrictions on Classes of Shares
The rights attaching to our ordinary shares are detailed in our Constitution. Our Constitution provides that our directors may issue shares with preferred, deferred or other special rights, whether in relation to dividends, voting, return of share capital, or otherwise as our board of directors may determine. Subject to any approval which is required from our shareholders under the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules (see “—Exemptions from Certain Nasdaq Corporate Governance Rules” and “—Change of Control”), any rights and restrictions attached to a class of shares, we may issue further shares on such terms and conditions as our board of directors resolve. Currently, our outstanding share capital consists of only one class of ordinary shares.
Our Constitution allows us at any time convert an ordinary share into a preference share and to convert a preference share into an ordinary share; however, the Corporations Act requires that we obtain shareholder approval in connection with such a conversion.
Dividend Rights
Our board of directors may from time to time determine to pay dividends to shareholders. All dividends unclaimed for one year after having been declared may be invested or otherwise made use of by our board of directors for our benefit until claimed or otherwise disposed of in accordance with our Constitution. There have been no dividends paid to ordinary shareholders to date.
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Voting Rights
Under our Constitution, and subject to any voting exclusions imposed under the ASX Listing Rules (which typically exclude parties from voting on resolutions in which they have an interest), the rights and restrictions attaching to a class of shares, each shareholder has one vote on a show of hands at a meeting of the shareholders unless a poll is demanded under the Constitution or the Corporations Act. On a poll vote, each shareholder shall have one vote for each fully paid share and a fractional vote for each share held by that shareholder that is not fully paid, such fraction being equivalent to the proportion of the amount that has been paid to such date on that share. The current ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations recommend that voting by ASX-listed entities on all substantive matters be conducted by poll. Shareholders may vote in person or by proxy, attorney or representative. Under Australian law, shareholders of a public company are not permitted to approve corporate matters by written consent. Our Constitution does not provide for cumulative voting.
Note that ADS holders may not directly vote at a meeting of the shareholders but may instruct the depositary to vote the number of deposited ordinary shares their ADSs represent.
Right to Share in Our Profits
Pursuant to our Constitution, our shareholders are entitled to participate in our profits only by payment of dividends. Our board of directors may from time to time determine to pay dividends to the shareholders; however, no dividend is payable except in accordance with the thresholds set out in the Corporations Act.
Rights to Share in the Surplus in the Event of Liquidation
Our Constitution provides for the right of shareholders to participate in a surplus in the event of our liquidation, subject to the rights attaching to a class of shares.
No Redemption Provision for Ordinary Shares
There are no redemption provisions in our Constitution in relation to ordinary shares. Under our Constitution, any preference shares may be issued on the terms that they are, or may at our option be, liable to be redeemed.
Variation or Cancellation of Share Rights
Subject to the terms of issue of shares of that class, the rights attached to shares in a class of shares may only be varied or cancelled by a special resolution of Mobilicom together with either:
● | a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of members holding shares in the class; or |
● | the written consent of members with at least 75% of the shares in the class. |
Directors May Make Calls
Our Constitution provides that subject to the terms on which the shares have been issued directors may make calls on a shareholder for amounts unpaid on shares held by that shareholder, other than monies payable at fixed times under the conditions of allotment. Shares represented by our ADSs issued in this offering will be fully paid and will not be subject to calls by directors. We do not currently have any partly paid shares on issue, all shares are fully paid ordinary shares.
General Meetings of Shareholders
General meetings of shareholders may be called by our board of directors. Except as permitted under the Corporations Act, shareholders may not convene a meeting. The Corporations Act requires the directors to call and arrange to hold a general meeting on the request of shareholders with at least 5% of the votes that may be cast at a general meeting. Notice of the proposed meeting of our shareholders is required at least 28 clear days prior to such meeting under the Corporations Act.
We must hold an annual general meeting within five months of the end of each fiscal year. Our end of fiscal year is currently 31 December each year. At the annual general meeting, shareholders typically consider the annual financial report, directors’ report and auditor’s report and vote on matters, including the election of directors. We may also hold other meetings of shareholders from time to time. The annual general meeting must be held in addition to any other meetings which we may hold.
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Unless the law (including the Corporations Law and ASX Listing Rules) or our Constitution require a special resolution, a resolution of shareholders is passed if more than 50% of the votes at the meeting are cast in favour of the resolution by shareholders in person or proxy who are entitled to vote. A special resolution is passed if the notice of meeting sets out the intention to propose the special resolution and it is passed if at least 75% of the votes at the meeting are cast by shareholders in person or proxy entitled to vote upon the relevant resolution. A special resolution usually involves more important matters affecting us or the rights of some or all of our shareholders. Special resolutions are required in a variety of circumstances under our Constitution and the Corporations Act, including without limitation:
● | to change our name; |
● | to change our company type; |
● | to amend or replace our Constitution; |
● | to approve the terms of issue of preference shares; |
● | to approve the variation of class rights of any class of shareholders; |
● | to convert one class of shares into another class of shares; |
● | to approve certain buy backs of shares; |
● | to approve a selective capital reduction of our shares; |
● | to approve financially assisting a person to acquire our shares; and |
● | with the leave of an authorized Australian court, to approve our voluntary winding up. |
Foreign Ownership Regulation
There are no limitations on the rights of non-Australian entities to own securities imposed by our Constitution. However, acquisitions and proposed acquisitions of securities in Australian companies may be subject to review and approval by the Australian Federal Treasurer under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 and the Foreign Acquisition and Takeovers Regulations 2015, or the FATA, which generally applies to acquisitions or proposed acquisitions:
● | by a foreign person or their associates (as defined in the FATA) of a direct interest (generally constituted by an interest of 10% or more) in a company which operates a business that meets the criteria of a ‘national security business’ regardless of value; |
● | by ‘foreign government investors’ (as defined in the FATA) acquiring a direct interest (generally constituted by an interest of 10% or more) in a company regardless of value; |
● | by a foreign person (as defined in the FATA) or associated foreign persons that would result in such persons having an interest in 20% or more of the issued shares of, or control of 20% or more of the voting power in, an Australian company; and |
● | by two or more non-associated foreign persons that would result in such foreign person having an interest in 40% or more of the issued shares of, or control of 40% or more of the voting power in, an Australian company, where the Australian company is valued above the monetary threshold prescribed by FATA (as set out above). |
However, no such review or approval under the FATA is required if the foreign acquirer is a U.S. entity and the value of the target is less than AUD$1,216 million.
The above should be considered an overview only. The application of the FATA is complex and requires an assessment of the circumstances and nature of a particular investment. For example, varying rules exist for acquisitions in agricultural land or businesses deemed to be ‘sensitive businesses’.
The Australian Federal Treasurer may prevent a proposed acquisition in the above categories or impose conditions on such acquisition if the Treasurer is satisfied that the acquisition would be contrary to the national interest. If a foreign person acquires shares or an interest in shares in an Australian company in contravention of the FATA, the Australian Federal Treasurer may order the divestiture of such person’s shares or interest in shares in that Australian company. There are also civil and criminal penalties which may apply to breaches of the FATA.
In addition, if we were to become a ‘foreign person’ for the purposes of the FATA we would be required to obtain the approval of the Australian Treasurer to undertake certain acquisitions of Australian entities or businesses.
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Ownership Threshold
There are no provisions in our Constitution that require a shareholder to disclose ownership above a certain threshold. The Corporations Act, however, requires a shareholder to notify us and the ASX once it, together with its associates, acquires a 5% interest in our ordinary shares, at which point the shareholder will be considered to be a “substantial” shareholder. Further, once a shareholder owns a 5% interest in us, such shareholder must notify us and the ASX of any increase or decrease of 1% or more in its holding of our ordinary shares, and must also notify us and the ASX on its ceasing to be a “substantial” shareholder. Upon becoming a U.S. public company, our shareholders will also be subject to disclosure requirements under U.S. securities laws.
Issues of Shares and Change in Capital
Subject to our Constitution, the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and any other applicable law, we may at any time issue shares and grant options or warrants on any terms, with preferred, deferred or other special rights and restrictions and for the consideration and other terms that the directors determine. Pursuant to the ASX Listing Rules, our Board may (at its discretion) issue securities to persons or entities who are not ‘related parties’ (as defined in detail in the ASX Listing Rules, however includes directors, their parents and children and other associated companies) without approval from shareholders if such issue, when aggregated with securities issued within the past twelve months, would be an amount that would exceed 15% of our issued ordinary share capital at the commencement of that 12-month period, or Placement Capacity. Certain issues are excluded from the calculation of issues which reduce the Placement Capacity, including any approval made with shareholder approval or issues under an approved ESOP. Certain ASX listed entities can seek shareholder approval to increase the Placement Capacity by a further 10% (i.e. to 25% of the company’s issued ordinary share capital) at annual general meetings, or Additional Capacity. The Additional Capacity is subject to certain further restrictions (including a requirement that securities issued under the Additional Capacity must be quoted securities and must be issued for cash at not more than a 25% market discount). We obtained approval for the Additional Capacity at our 2021 Annual General Meeting. Other allotments of securities require approval by our shareholders subject to certain exemptions existing under the ASX Listing Rules.
Subject to the requirements of our Constitution, the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and any other applicable law, including relevant shareholder approvals, we may consolidate or divide our share capital into a larger or smaller number by resolution, reduce our share capital (provided that the reduction is fair and reasonable to our shareholders as a whole and does not materially prejudice our ability to pay creditors) or buy back our ordinary shares whether under an equal access buy-back or on a selective basis.
Change of Control
Takeovers of listed Australian public companies, such as Mobilicom are regulated by the Corporations Act, which prohibits the acquisition of a “relevant interest” in issued voting shares in a listed company if the acquisition will lead to that person’s or someone else’s voting power in Mobilicom (when aggregated with their “associates”) increasing from 20% or below to more than 20% or increasing from a starting point that is above 20% and below 90%, subject to a range of exceptions.
Generally, a person will have a relevant interest in securities if the person:
● | is the holder of the securities; |
● | has power to exercise, or control the exercise of, a right to vote attached to the securities; or |
● | has the power to dispose of, or control the exercise of a power to dispose of, the securities, including any indirect or direct power or control. |
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If, at a particular time, a person has a relevant interest in issued securities and the person:
● | has entered or enters into an agreement with another person with respect to the securities; |
● | has given or gives another person an enforceable right, or has been or is given an enforceable right by another person, in relation to the securities (whether the right is enforceable presently or in the future and whether or not on the fulfillment of a condition); |
● | has granted or grants an option to, or has been or is granted an option by, another person with respect to the securities; or |
● | the other person would have a relevant interest in the securities if the agreement were performed, the right enforced or the option exercised; |
the other person is taken to already have a relevant interest in the securities.
There are a number of exceptions to the above prohibition on acquiring a relevant interest in issued voting shares above 20%. In general terms, some of the more significant exceptions include:
● | when the acquisition results from the acceptance of an offer under a formal takeover bid; |
● | when the acquisition is conducted on market by or on behalf of the bidder under a takeover bid, the acquisition occurs during the bid period, the bid is for all the voting shares in a bid class and the bid is unconditional or only conditioned on prescribed matters set out in the Corporations Act; |
● | when shareholders of Mobilicom approve the takeover by resolution passed at general meeting; |
● | an acquisition by a person if, throughout the six months before the acquisition, that person or any other person has had voting power in Mobilicom of at least 19% and, as a result of the acquisition, none of the relevant persons would have voting power in Mobilicom more than three percentage points higher than they had six months before the acquisition; |
● | when the acquisition results from the issue of securities under a rights issue; |
● | when the acquisition results from the issue of securities under dividend reinvestment schemes; |
● | when the acquisition results from the issue of securities under underwriting arrangements; |
● | when the acquisition results from the issue of securities through operation of law; |
● | an acquisition that arises through the acquisition of a relevant interest in another listed company which is listed on a prescribed financial market or a financial market approved by ASIC; |
● | an acquisition arising from an auction of forfeited shares conducted on-market; or |
● | an acquisition arising through a compromise, arrangement, liquidation or buy-back. |
Breaches of the takeovers provisions of the Corporations Act are criminal offenses. ASIC and the Australian Takeover Panel have a wide range of powers relating to breaches of takeover provisions, including the ability to make orders canceling contracts, freezing transfers of, and rights attached to, securities, and forcing a party to dispose of securities. There are certain defenses to breaches of the takeover provisions provided in the Corporations Act. Our Constitution, which is included as an exhibit to this registration statement to which this prospectus forms a part, also contains a requirement for our shareholders to approve any proportionate takeover bid (i.e., a bid for a specified proportion of a class of securities) without the approval of a majority of our shareholders voting at a general meeting (refer Article 28 of the Constitution). For these provisions to be effective they must be approved by shareholders at a general meeting at least every three years. Article 28 of the Constitution was approved by shareholders at the 2021 Annual General Meeting and therefore is operative until July 2024 unless re-approved for a longer period. The existence of these provisions may have the effect of discouraging proportionate takeover bids and limit our shareholders’ and ADS holders’ opportunity to obtain a premium for their securities from such a transaction.
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Access to and Inspection of Documents
Inspection of our records is governed by the Corporations Act. Any member of the public has the right to inspect or obtain copies of our registers on the payment of a prescribed fee provided that the inspection is for a prescribed purpose. Shareholders are not required to pay a fee for inspection of our registers or minute books of the meetings of shareholders. Other corporate records, including minutes of directors’ meetings, financial records and other documents, are not open for inspection by shareholders. Where a shareholder is acting in good faith and an inspection is deemed to be made for a proper purpose, a shareholder may apply to the court to make an order for inspection of our books.
Exemptions from Certain Nasdaq Corporate Governance Rules
The Nasdaq listing rules allow for a foreign private issuer, such as us, to follow its home country practices in lieu of certain of the Nasdaq’s corporate governance standards. In connection with our Nasdaq Listing Application, we expect to rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance standards that are contrary to the laws, rules, regulations or generally accepted business practices in Australia. These exemptions being sought are described below:
● | We expect to rely on an exemption from the requirement that our independent directors meet regularly in executive sessions under Nasdaq Listing Rules. The ASX Listing Rules and the Corporations Act do not require the independent directors of an Australian company to have such executive sessions and, accordingly, we seek to claim this exemption. |
● | We expect to rely on an exemption from the quorum requirements applicable to meetings of shareholders under Nasdaq Listing Rules. In compliance with Australian law, our Constitution provides that three shareholders present, in person or by proxy, attorney or a representative, shall constitute a quorum for a general meeting. Nasdaq Listing Rules require that an issuer provide for a quorum as specified in its by-laws for any meeting of the holders of ordinary shares, which quorum may not be less than 33% (1/3) of the outstanding shares of an issuer’s voting ordinary shares. Accordingly, because applicable Australian law and rules governing quorums at shareholder meetings differ from Nasdaq’s quorum requirements, we seek to claim this exemption. |
● | We expect to rely on an exemption from the requirement prescribed by Nasdaq Listing Rules that issuers obtain shareholder approval prior to the issuance of securities in connection with certain acquisitions, private placements of securities, or the establishment or amendment of certain stock option, purchase or other compensation plans. Applicable Australian law and the ASX Listing Rules differ from Nasdaq requirements, with the ASX Listing Rules providing generally for prior shareholder approval in numerous circumstances, including (i) issuance of equity securities exceeding 15% of our issued share capital in any 12-month period (but, in determining the 15% limit, securities issued under an exception to the rule or with shareholder approval are not counted), (ii) issuance of equity securities to related parties (as defined in the ASX Listing Rules) and (iii) issuances of securities to directors or their associates under an employee incentive plan. Due to differences between Australian law and rules and the Nasdaq shareholder approval requirements, we seek to claim this exemption. |
● | We expect to rely on an exemption from the requirement that issuers must maintain charters for each of the following committees in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rules: audit committee, nomination committee and compensation committee. In addition, we expect to rely on an exemption from the requirement that issuers must maintain a code of conduct in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rules. Applicable Australian law does not require us to maintain any charters for their committees nor does such law require us to maintain a code of conduct. |
We expect to rely on an exemption for the requirement that a majority of the board of directors be independent. Applicable Australian law does not require that a majority of the board of directors be independent.
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DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
American Depositary Shares
The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, will register and deliver ADSs. Each ADS will represent shares (or a right to receive shares) deposited with the HSBC Bank Australia Limited, as custodian for the depositary in Australia. Each ADS will also represent any other securities, cash or other property which may be held by the depositary under the deposit agreement. The depositary’s office at which the ADSs will be and its principal executive office are located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.
You may hold ADSs either (A) directly (i) by having an American Depositary Receipt, also referred to as an ADR, which is a certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs, registered in your name, or (ii) by having uncertificated ADSs registered in your name, or (B) indirectly by holding a security entitlement in ADSs through your broker or other financial institution that is a direct or indirect participant in The Depository Trust Company, also called DTC. If you hold ADSs directly, you are a registered ADS holder, also referred to as an ADS holder. This description assumes you are an ADS holder. If you hold the ADSs indirectly, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or other financial institution to assert the rights of ADS holders described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.
Registered holders of uncertificated ADSs will receive statements from the depositary confirming their holdings.
As an ADS holder, we will not treat you as one of our shareholders and you will not have shareholder rights. Australian law governs shareholder rights. The depositary will be the holder of the shares underlying your ADSs. As a registered holder of ADSs, you will have ADS holder rights. A deposit agreement among us, the depositary, ADS holders and all other persons indirectly or beneficially holding ADSs sets out ADS holder rights as well as the rights and obligations of the depositary. New York law governs the deposit agreement and the ADSs.
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the deposit agreement. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of ADR. Directions on how to obtain copies of those documents are provided on page 99.
Dividends and Other Distributions
How will you receive dividends and other distributions on the shares?
The depositary has agreed to pay or distribute to ADS holders the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on shares or other deposited securities, upon payment or deduction of its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of shares your ADSs represent.
Cash. The depositary will convert any cash dividend or other cash distribution we pay on the shares into U.S. dollars, if it can do so on a reasonable basis and can transfer the U.S. dollars to the United States. If that is not possible or if any government approval is needed and cannot be obtained, the deposit agreement allows the depositary to distribute the foreign currency only to those ADS holders to whom it is possible to do so. It will hold the foreign currency it cannot convert for the account of the ADS holders who have not been paid. It will not invest the foreign currency and it will not be liable for any interest.
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Before making a distribution, any withholding taxes, or other governmental charges that must be paid will be deducted. See “Taxation.” . The depositary will distribute only whole U.S. dollars and cents and will round fractional cents to the nearest whole cent. If the exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some of the value of the distribution.
Shares. The depositary may distribute additional ADSs representing any shares we distribute as a dividend or free distribution. The depositary will only distribute whole ADSs. It will sell shares which would require it to deliver a fraction of an ADS (or ADSs representing those shares) and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash. If the depositary does not distribute additional ADSs, the outstanding ADSs will also represent the new shares. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed shares (or ADSs representing those shares) sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in connection with that distribution.
Rights to purchase additional shares. If we offer holders of our securities any rights to subscribe for additional shares or any other rights, the depositary may (i) exercise those rights on behalf of ADS holders, (ii) distribute those rights to ADS holders or (iii) sell those rights and distribute the net proceeds to ADS holders, in each case after deduction or upon payment of its fees and expenses. To the extent the depositary does not do any of those things, it will allow the rights to lapse. In that case, you will receive no value for them. The depositary will exercise or distribute rights only if we ask it to and provide satisfactory assurances to the depositary that it is legal to do so. If the depositary will exercise rights, it will purchase the securities to which the rights relate and distribute those securities or, in the case of shares, new ADSs representing the new shares, to subscribing ADS holders, but only if ADS holders have paid the exercise price to the depositary. U.S. securities laws may restrict the ability of the depositary to distribute rights or ADSs or other securities issued on exercise of rights to all or certain ADS holders, and the securities distributed may be subject to restrictions on transfer.
Other Distributions. The depositary will send to ADS holders anything else we distribute on deposited securities by any means it thinks is legal, fair and practical. If it cannot make the distribution in that way, the depositary has a choice. It may decide to sell what we distributed and distribute the net proceeds, in the same way as it does with cash. Or, it may decide to hold what we distributed, in which case ADSs will also represent the newly distributed property. However, the depositary is not required to distribute any securities (other than ADSs) to ADS holders unless it receives satisfactory evidence from us that it is legal to make that distribution. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed securities or property sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in connection with that distribution. U.S. securities laws may restrict the ability of the depositary to distribute securities to all or certain ADS holders, and the securities distributed may be subject to restrictions on transfer.
The depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any ADS holders. We have no obligation to register ADSs, shares, rights or other securities under the Securities Act. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, shares, rights or anything else to ADS holders. This means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you.
Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation
How are ADSs issued?
The depositary will deliver ADSs if you or your broker deposits shares or evidence of rights to receive shares with the custodian. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will register the appropriate number of ADSs in the names you request and will deliver the ADSs to or upon the order of the person or persons that made the deposit.
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How can ADS holders withdraw the deposited securities?
You may surrender your ADSs to the depositary for the purpose of withdrawal. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will deliver the shares and any other deposited securities underlying the ADSs to the ADS holder or a person the ADS holder designates at the office of the custodian. Or, at your request, risk and expense, the depositary will deliver the deposited securities at its office, if feasible. However, the depositary is not required to accept surrender of ADSs to the extent it would require delivery of a fraction of a deposited share or other security. The depositary may charge you a fee and its expenses for instructing the custodian regarding delivery of deposited securities.
How do ADS holders interchange between certificated ADSs and uncertificated ADSs?
You may surrender your ADR to the depositary for the purpose of exchanging your ADR for uncertificated ADSs. The depositary will cancel that ADR and will send to the ADS holder a statement confirming that the ADS holder is the registered holder of uncertificated ADSs. Upon receipt by the depositary of a proper instruction from a registered holder of uncertificated ADSs requesting the exchange of uncertificated ADSs for certificated ADSs, the depositary will execute and deliver to the ADS holder an ADR evidencing those ADSs.
Voting Rights
How do you vote?
ADS holders may instruct the depositary how to vote the number of deposited shares their ADSs represent. If we request the depositary to solicit your voting instructions (and we are not required to do so), the depositary will notify you of a shareholders’ meeting and send or make voting materials available to you. Those materials will describe the matters to be voted on and explain how ADS holders may instruct the depositary how to vote. For instructions to be valid, they must reach the depositary by a date set by the depositary. The depositary will try, as far as practical, subject to the laws of Australia and the provisions of our articles of association or similar documents, to vote or to have its agents vote the shares or other deposited securities as instructed by ADS holders. If we do not request the depositary to solicit your voting instructions, you can still send voting instructions, and, in that case, the depositary may try to vote as you instruct, but it is not required to do so.
Except by instructing the depositary as described above, you won’t be able to exercise voting rights unless you surrender your ADSs and withdraw the shares. However, you may not know about the meeting enough in advance to withdraw the shares. In any event, the depositary will not exercise any discretion in voting deposited securities and it will only vote or attempt to vote as instructed.
We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the shares represented by your ADSs. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise voting rights and there may be nothing you can do if the shares represented by your ADSs are not voted as you requested.
In order to give you a reasonable opportunity to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to Deposited Securities, if we request the Depositary to act, we agree to give the depositary notice of any such meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted upon at least [45] days in advance of the meeting date.
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Fees and Expenses
Persons depositing or withdrawing shares or ADS holders must pay: | For: |
$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs) | Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates |
$.05 (or less) per ADS | Any cash distribution to ADS holders |
A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs | Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities (including rights) that are distributed by the depositary to ADS holders |
$.05 (or less) per ADS per calendar year | Depositary services |
Registration or transfer fees | Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares |
Expenses of the depositary | Cable (including SWIFT) and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement) Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars |
Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian has to pay on any ADSs or shares underlying ADSs, such as stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes | As necessary
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Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities | As necessary |
The depositary collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable (or by selling a portion of securities or other property distributable) to ADS holders that are obligated to pay those fees. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.
From time to time, the depositary may make payments to us to reimburse us for costs and expenses generally arising out of establishment and maintenance of the ADS program, waive fees and expenses for services provided to us by the depositary or share revenue from the fees collected from ADS holders. In performing its duties under the deposit agreement, the depositary may use brokers, dealers, foreign currency dealers or other service providers that are owned by or affiliated with the depositary and that may earn or share fees, spreads or commissions.
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The depositary may convert currency itself or through any of its affiliates, or the custodian or we may convert currency and pay U.S. dollars to the depositary. Where the depositary converts currency itself or through any of its affiliates, the depositary acts as principal for its own account and not as agent, advisor, broker or fiduciary on behalf of any other person and earns revenue, including, without limitation, transaction spreads, that it will retain for its own account. The revenue is based on, among other things, the difference between the exchange rate assigned to the currency conversion made under the deposit agreement and the rate that the depositary or its affiliate receives when buying or selling foreign currency for its own account. The depositary makes no representation that the exchange rate used or obtained by it or its affiliate in any currency conversion under the deposit agreement will be the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to ADS holders, subject to the depositary’s obligation to act without negligence or bad faith. The methodology used to determine exchange rates used in currency conversions made by the depositary is available upon request. Where the custodian converts currency, the custodian has no obligation to obtain the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or to ensure that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to ADS holders, and the depositary makes no representation that the rate is the most favorable rate and will not be liable for any direct or indirect losses associated with the rate. In certain instances, the depositary may receive dividends or other distributions from us in U.S. dollars that represent the proceeds of a conversion of foreign currency or translation from foreign currency at a rate that was obtained or determined by us and, in such cases, the depositary will not engage in, or be responsible for, any foreign currency transactions and neither it nor we make any representation that the rate obtained or determined by us is the most favorable rate and neither it nor we will be liable for any direct or indirect losses associated with the rate.
Payment of Taxes
You will be responsible for any taxes or other governmental charges payable on your ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs. The depositary may refuse to register any transfer of your ADSs or allow you to withdraw the deposited securities represented by your ADSs until those taxes or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to you or sell deposited securities represented by your ADSs to pay any taxes owed and you will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to ADS holders any proceeds, or send to ADS holders any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes.
Tender and Exchange Offers; Redemption, Replacement or Cancellation of Deposited Securities
The depositary will not tender deposited securities in any voluntary tender or exchange offer unless instructed to do so by an ADS holder surrendering ADSs and subject to any conditions or procedures the depositary may establish.
If deposited securities are redeemed for cash in a transaction that is mandatory for the depositary as a holder of deposited securities, the depositary will call for surrender of a corresponding number of ADSs and distribute the net redemption money to the holders of called ADSs upon surrender of those ADSs.
If there is any change in the deposited securities such as a sub-division, combination or other reclassification, or any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization affecting the issuer of deposited securities in which the depositary receives new securities in exchange for or in lieu of the old deposited securities, the depositary will hold those replacement securities as deposited securities under the deposit agreement. However, if the depositary decides it would not be lawful and practical to hold the replacement securities because those securities could not be distributed to ADS holders or for any other reason, the depositary may instead sell the replacement securities and distribute the net proceeds upon surrender of the ADSs.
If there is a replacement of the deposited securities and the depositary will continue to hold the replacement securities, the depositary may distribute new ADSs representing the new deposited securities or ask you to surrender your outstanding ADSs in exchange for new ADSs identifying the new deposited securities.
If there are no deposited securities underlying ADSs, including if the deposited securities are cancelled, or if the deposited securities underlying ADSs have become apparently worthless, the depositary may call for surrender of those ADSs or cancel those ADSs upon notice to the ADS holders.
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Amendment and Termination
How may the deposit agreement be amended?
We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADRs without your consent for any reason. If an amendment adds or increases fees or charges, except for taxes and other governmental charges or expenses of the depositary for registration fees, facsimile costs, delivery charges or similar items, or prejudices a substantial right of ADS holders, it will not become effective for outstanding ADSs until 30 days after the depositary notifies ADS holders of the amendment. At the time an amendment becomes effective, you are considered, by continuing to hold your ADSs, to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the ADRs and the deposit agreement as amended.
How may the deposit agreement be terminated?
The depositary will initiate termination of the deposit agreement if we instruct it to do so. The depositary may initiate termination of the deposit agreement if
● | 60 days have passed since the depositary told us it wants to resign but a successor depositary has not been appointed and accepted its appointment; |
● | we delist the ADSs from an exchange in the United States on which they were listed and do not list the ADSs on another exchange in the United States or make arrangements for trading of ADSs on the U.S. over-the-counter market; |
● | we delist our shares from an exchange outside the United States on which they were listed and do not list the shares on another exchange outside the United States; |
● | the depositary has reason to believe the ADSs have become, or will become, ineligible for registration on Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933; |
● | we appear to be insolvent or enter insolvency proceedings; |
● | all or substantially all the value of the deposited securities has been distributed either in cash or in the form of securities; |
● | there are no deposited securities underlying the ADSs or the underlying deposited securities have become apparently worthless; or |
● | there has been a replacement of deposited securities. |
If the deposit agreement will terminate, the depositary will notify ADS holders at least 90 days before the termination date. At any time after the termination date, the depositary may sell the deposited securities. After that, the depositary will hold the money it received on the sale, as well as any other cash it is holding under the deposit agreement, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the ADS holders that have not surrendered their ADSs. Normally, the depositary will sell as soon as practicable after the termination date.
After the termination date and before the depositary sells, ADS holders can still surrender their ADSs and receive delivery of deposited securities, except that the depositary may refuse to accept a surrender for the purpose of withdrawing deposited securities or reverse previously accepted surrenders of that kind that have not settled if it would interfere with the selling process. The depositary may refuse to accept a surrender for the purpose of withdrawing sale proceeds until all the deposited securities have been sold. The depositary will continue to collect distributions on deposited securities, but, after the termination date, the depositary is not required to register any transfer of ADSs or distribute any dividends or other distributions on deposited securities to the ADSs holder (until they surrender their ADSs) or give any notices or perform any other duties under the deposit agreement except as described in this paragraph.
Limitations on Obligations and Liability
Limits on our Obligations and the Obligations of the Depositary; Limits on Liability to Holders of ADSs
The deposit agreement expressly limits our obligations and the obligations of the depositary. It also limits our liability and the liability of the depositary. We and the depositary:
● | are only obligated to take the actions specifically set forth in the deposit agreement without negligence or bad faith, and the depositary will not be a fiduciary or have any fiduciary duty to holders of ADSs; |
● | are not liable if we are or it is prevented or delayed by law or by events or circumstances beyond our or its ability to prevent or counteract with reasonable care or effort from performing our or its obligations under the deposit agreement; |
● | are not liable if we or it exercises discretion permitted under the deposit agreement; |
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● | are not liable for the inability of any holder of ADSs to benefit from any distribution on deposited securities that is not made available to holders of ADSs under the terms of the deposit agreement, or for any special, consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the deposit agreement; |
● | have no obligation to become involved in a lawsuit or other proceeding related to the ADSs or the deposit agreement on your behalf or on behalf of any other person; |
● | may rely upon any documents we believe or it believes in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person; |
● | are not liable for the acts or omissions of any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system; and |
● | the depositary has no duty to make any determination or provide any information as to our tax status, or any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by ADS holders as a result of owning or holding ADSs or be liable for the inability or failure of an ADS holder to obtain the benefit of a foreign tax credit, reduced rate of withholding or refund of amounts withheld in respect of tax or any other tax benefit. |
In the deposit agreement, we and the depositary agree to indemnify each other under certain circumstances.
Requirements for Depositary Actions
Before the depositary will deliver or register a transfer of ADSs, make a distribution on ADSs, or permit withdrawal of shares, the depositary may require:
● | payment of stock transfer or other taxes or other governmental charges and transfer or registration fees charged by third parties for the transfer of any shares or other deposited securities; |
● | satisfactory proof of the identity and genuineness of any signature or other information it deems necessary; and |
● | compliance with regulations it may establish, from time to time, consistent with the deposit agreement, including presentation of transfer documents. |
The depositary may refuse to deliver ADSs or register transfers of ADSs when the transfer books of the depositary or our transfer books are closed or at any time if the depositary or we think it advisable to do so.
Your Right to Receive the Shares Underlying your ADSs
ADS holders have the right to cancel their ADSs and withdraw the underlying shares at any time except:
● | when temporary delays arise because: (i) the depositary has closed its transfer books or we have closed our transfer books; (ii) the transfer of shares is blocked to permit voting at a shareholders' meeting; or (iii) we are paying a dividend on our shares; |
● | when you owe money to pay fees, taxes and similar charges; or |
● | when it is necessary to prohibit withdrawals in order to comply with any laws or governmental regulations that apply to ADSs or to the withdrawal of shares or other deposited securities. |
This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.
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Direct Registration System
In the deposit agreement, all parties to the deposit agreement acknowledge that
the Direct Registration System, also referred to as DRS, and Profile Modification System, also referred to as Profile, will apply to the ADSs. DRS is a system administered by DTC that facilitates interchange between registered holding of uncertificated ADSs and holding of security entitlements in ADSs through DTC and a DTC participant. Profile is a feature of DRS that allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of a registered holder of uncertificated ADSs, to direct the depositary to register a transfer of those ADSs to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those ADSs to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the depositary of prior authorization from the ADS holder to register that transfer.
In connection with and in accordance with the arrangements and procedures relating to DRS/Profile, the parties to the deposit agreement understand that the depositary will not determine whether the DTC participant that is claiming to be acting on behalf of an ADS holder in requesting registration of transfer and delivery as described in the paragraph above has the actual authority to act on behalf of the ADS holder (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). In the deposit agreement, the parties agree that the depositary’s reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the depositary through the DRS/Profile system and in accordance with the deposit agreement will not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the depositary.
Shareholder Communications; Inspection of Register of Holders of ADSs
The depositary will make available for your inspection at its office all communications that it receives from us as a holder of deposited securities that we make generally available to holders of deposited securities. The depositary will send you copies of those communications or otherwise make those communications available to you if we ask it to. You have a right to inspect the register of holders of ADSs, but not for the purpose of contacting those holders about a matter unrelated to our business or the ADSs.
Jury Trial Waiver
The deposit agreement provides that, to the extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws. If we or the depositary opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable in the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with applicable case law.
You will not, by agreeing to the terms of the deposit agreement, be deemed to have waived our or the depositary’s compliance with U.S. federal securities laws or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Assuming the ADSs are offered at $4.65, upon completion of this offering, there will be 644,517,415 outstanding ordinary shares, including shares underlying ADSs, and the ADSs will represent approximately 50.0% of our outstanding ordinary shares.
Future sales of substantial amounts of our ordinary shares or ADSs in the public market in the United States or in Australia, including ordinary shares issued upon exercise of outstanding options, or the possibility of such sales, could negatively affect the market price in the United States of our ADSs and our ability to raise equity capital in the future.
All of the ADSs and ordinary shares sold in the offering will be freely transferable in the United States by persons other than our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. As defined in Rule 144, an “affiliate” of an issuer is a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the issuer. ADSs purchased by one of our affiliates may not be resold, except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an exemption from registration, including Rule 144 under the Securities Act (as described below).
Lock-up Agreements
We and all of our directors and executive officers have signed lock-up agreements for a period of (i) 180 days after the date of this prospectus in the case of our directors and officers and (ii) 90 days after the date of this prospectus in the case of us, without the prior written consent of the representative of the underwriters subject to specified exceptions. Specifically, we and these other persons have agreed, with certain limited exceptions, not to directly or indirectly:
● | offer to sell, sell, pledge, contract to sell, purchase any option to sell, grant any option for the purchase of, lend, or otherwise dispose of directly or indirectly, including the filing or participation in a filing with the SEC of a registration statement under the Securities Act to register, any of our ordinary shares or ADSs or any securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for our ordinary shares, ADSs, options or warrants or other rights to acquire ordinary shares or ADSs; or |
● | enter into any swap or other agreement, arrangement, hedge or transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic benefits or risks of ownership of any ordinary shares, ADSs or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares, ADSs or other capital stock. |
For more detail on the lock-up agreements, see “Underwriting.”
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Rule 144
In general, under Rule 144 of the Securities Act and beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a person who is not deemed to have been our affiliate at any time during the three months preceding a sale and who has beneficially owned “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 for more than six months would be entitled to sell an unlimited number of shares, subject only to the availability of current public information about us. A non-affiliate who has beneficially owned “restricted securities” for at least one year from the later of the date these shares were acquired from us or from our affiliate would be entitled to freely sell those shares.
A person who is deemed to be an affiliate of ours and who has beneficially owned “restricted securities” for at least six months would be entitled to sell, within any three-month period, a number of shares that is not more than the greater of:
● | 1.0% of the number of our ordinary shares then outstanding; or |
● | the average weekly reported trading volume of our ordinary shares on Nasdaq during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which a notice of the sale on Form 144 is filed with the SEC by such person. |
Sales under Rule 144 of the Securities Act by persons who are deemed to be our affiliates are also subject to manner-of-sale provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us as specified in Rule 144. In addition, in each case, these shares would remain subject to lock-up arrangements and would only become eligible for sale when the lock-up period expires.
Regulation S
Regulation S provides generally that sales made in offshore transactions are not subject to the registration or prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
Rule 701
In general, under Rule 701 of the Securities Act, each of our employees, consultants or advisors who purchases our ordinary shares from us in connection with a compensatory stock plan or other written agreement executed prior to the completion of this offering is eligible to resell such ordinary shares in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance with some of the restrictions, including the holding period, contained in Rule 144.
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The following is a summary of material U.S. federal and Australian income tax considerations to U.S. holders, as defined below, of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares and ADSs. This discussion is based on the laws in force as of the date of this registration statement, and is subject to changes in the relevant income tax law, including changes that could have retroactive effect. The following summary does not take into account or discuss the tax laws of any country or other taxing jurisdiction other than the United States and Australia. Holders are advised to consult their tax advisors concerning the overall tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares and ADSs in their particular circumstances. This discussion is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal or professional tax advice.
This summary does not address the effects of U.S. federal estate and gift tax laws, the alternative minimum tax, or any state and local tax considerations within the United States, and is not a comprehensive description of all U.S. federal or Australian income tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to acquire or dispose of ordinary shares or ADSs. Furthermore, this summary does not address U.S. federal or Australian income tax considerations relevant to holders subject to taxing jurisdictions other than, or in addition to, the United States and Australia, and does not address all possible categories of holders, some of which may be subject to special tax rules.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders (as defined below) of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares and ADSs as of the date hereof. Except where noted, this summary deals only with ordinary shares or ADSs acquired in the initial offering and held as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Code. We have not sought a ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the descriptions set forth herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions will not adversely affect the accuracy of the statements in this discussion.
This section does not discuss the tax consequences to any particular holder, nor any tax considerations that may apply to holders subject to special tax rules, such as:
● | insurance companies; |
● | financial institutions; |
● | individual retirement and other tax-deferred accounts; |
● | regulated investment companies; |
● | real estate investment trusts; |
● | individuals who are former U.S. citizens or former long-term U.S. residents; |
● | brokers or dealers in securities or currencies; |
● | traders that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting; |
● | investors in pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
● | tax-exempt entities; |
● | persons that hold ordinary shares or ADSs as a position in a straddle or as part of a hedging, constructive sale, conversion or other integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
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● | persons that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar; |
● | persons that own (directly, indirectly or constructively) 10% or more of our equity; or |
● | persons that are not U.S. holders (as defined below). |
In this section, a “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of ordinary shares or ADSs that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
● | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
● | a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
● | an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
● | a trust (i) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a court in the United States and for which one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions or (ii) that has an election in effect under applicable income tax regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes acquires, owns or disposes of ordinary shares or ADSs, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners of partnerships that acquire, own or dispose of ordinary shares or ADSs should consult their tax advisors.
The discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code, and the U.S. Treasury regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof: such authorities may be replaced, revoked or modified, possibly with retroactive effect, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. In addition, this summary is based, in part, upon representations made by the depositary to us and assumes that the deposit agreement, and all other related agreements, will be performed in accordance with their terms.
You are urged to consult your own tax advisor with respect to the U.S. federal, as well as state, local and non-U.S., tax consequences to you of acquiring, owning and disposing of ordinary shares or ADSs in light of your particular circumstances, including the possible effects of changes in U.S. federal and other tax laws.
ADSs
If you hold ADSs, you generally will be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as the owner of the underlying ordinary shares that are represented by such ADSs. Accordingly, deposits or withdrawals of ordinary shares for ADSs will not be treated as transactions subject to U.S. federal income tax.
Distributions
Subject to the passive foreign investment company, or PFIC rules discussed below, U.S. holders generally will include as dividend income the U.S. dollar value of the gross amount of any distributions of cash or property (without deduction for any withholding tax), other than certain pro rata distributions of ordinary shares, with respect to ordinary shares to the extent the distributions are made from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. holder will include the dividend income on the day actually or constructively received by the holder, in the case of ordinary shares, or by the depositary, in the case of ADSs. To the extent, if any, that the amount of any distribution by us exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as so determined, the excess will be treated first as a tax-free return of the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs and thereafter as capital gain. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we do not intend to maintain calculations of earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Consequently, any distributions generally will be reported as dividend income for U.S. information reporting purposes. See “Backup Withholding Tax and Information Reporting Requirements” below. Dividends paid by us will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to U.S. corporate shareholders.
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Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, the U.S. dollar amount of dividends received by an individual, trust or estate with respect to the ordinary shares or ADSs will be subject to taxation at a maximum rate of 20% if the dividends are “qualified dividends.” Dividends will be treated as qualified dividends if (a) certain holding period requirements are satisfied, (b) we are eligible for benefits under the Convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Australia for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, as amended (the “Treaty”) or our ordinary shares or ADSs are readily tradable on a U.S. securities market, and (c) we were not, in the taxable year prior to the year in which the dividend was paid, and are not, in the taxable year in which the dividend is paid, a PFIC. The Treaty has been approved for the purposes of the qualified dividend rules and we have applied to list our ADSs on Nasdaq. It is unclear as to whether we will be a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2022, Our status as a PFIC for 2022 (and future years) will depend in part upon our use of the funds from the offering, as well as our income and assets (which for this purpose depends in part on the market value of our shares) in those years. See the discussion below under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company”. Dividends included by U.S. Holders in the amount of their net investment income when calculating limitations on the deductibility of interest income are not treated as qualified dividends. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the availability of the reduced tax rate on any dividends paid with respect to our ordinary shares or ADSs.
Dividends received by an individual, trust or estate will be counted as investment income that is subject to the 3.8% surtax on net investment income. You should consult your tax advisor to determine whether, based on all your investment income, you are subject to this tax.
Includible distributions paid in Australian dollars, including any Australian withholding taxes, will be included in the gross income of a U.S. holder in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the spot exchange rate in effect on the date of actual or constructive receipt, regardless of whether the Australian dollars are converted into U.S. dollars at that time. If Australian dollars are converted into U.S. dollars on the date of actual or constructive receipt, the tax basis of the U.S. holder in those Australian dollars will be equal to their U.S. dollar value on that date and, as a result, a U.S. holder generally should not be required to recognize any foreign exchange gain or loss.
If Australian dollars so received are not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, the U.S. holder will have a basis in the Australian dollars equal to their U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Any gain or loss on a subsequent conversion or other disposition of the Australian dollars generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss to such U.S. holder and generally will be income or loss from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.
Dividends received by a U.S. holder with respect to ordinary shares or ADSs will be treated as foreign source income, which may be relevant in calculating the holder’s foreign tax credit limitation. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For these purposes, dividends generally will be categorized as “passive” or “general” income depending on a U.S. holder’s circumstance.
Subject to certain complex limitations, a U.S. holder generally will be entitled, at its option, to claim either a credit against its U.S. federal income tax liability or a deduction in computing its U.S. federal taxable income in respect of any Australian taxes withheld. If a U.S. holder elects to claim a deduction, rather than a foreign tax credit, for Australian taxes withheld for a particular taxable year, the election will apply to all foreign taxes paid or accrued by or on behalf of the U.S. holder in the particular taxable year.
You may not be able to claim a foreign tax credit (and instead may claim a deduction) for non-U.S. taxes imposed on dividends paid on the ordinary shares or ADSs if you (i) have held the ordinary shares or ADSs for less than a specified minimum period during which you are not protected from risk of loss with respect to such shares, or (ii) are obligated to make payments related to the dividends (for example, pursuant to a short sale).
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The availability of the foreign tax credit and the application of the limitations on its availability are fact specific and are subject to complex rules. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor as to the consequences of Australian withholding taxes and the availability of a foreign tax credit or deduction. See “Australian Tax Considerations—Taxation of Dividends.”
Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Ordinary Shares or ADSs
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. holder generally will, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, recognize capital gain or loss on a sale, exchange or other disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs equal to the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and the U.S. holder’s tax basis (in U.S. dollars) in the ordinary shares or ADSs. This recognized gain or loss will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder has held the ordinary shares or ADSs for more than one year. Generally, for U.S. holders who are individuals (as well as certain trusts and estates), long-term capital gains are subject to U.S. federal income tax at preferential rates. For foreign tax credit limitation purposes, gain or loss recognized upon a disposition generally will be treated as from sources within the United States. However, in limited circumstances, the Treaty can re-source U.S. source income as Australian source income. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the availability of a foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of any Australian tax imposed on a sale or other disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs. See “Australian Tax Considerations—Tax on Sales or other Dispositions of Shares.”
Passive Foreign Investment Company
The Code provides special, generally adverse, rules regarding certain distributions received by U.S. holders with respect to, and sales, exchanges and other dispositions, including pledges, of, shares of stock of a PFIC. A foreign corporation will be a PFIC for any taxable year if at least 75% of its gross income for the taxable year is passive income or at least 50% of its gross assets during the taxable year, based on a quarterly average and generally determined by value, produce or are held for the production of passive income. Passive income for this purpose generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, gains from commodities and securities transactions and gains from the disposition of assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. In determining whether a foreign corporation is a PFIC, a pro-rata portion 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.
Based primarily on the composition of our assets, it is possible that we will be a PFIC for our tax year ending December 31, 2022, and for subsequent tax years. However, the determination of PFIC status is a factual determination that must be made annually at the close of each taxable year and therefore, there can be no certainty as to our PFIC status for a taxable year until the close of that taxable year. Our PFIC status could change depending upon, among other things, a decrease in the trading price of our ordinary shares or ADSs and how quickly we make use of the proceeds from the offering, as well as changes in the composition and relative values of our assets and the composition of our income. Moreover, the rules governing whether certain assets are active or passive are complex and in some cases their application can be uncertain. If we were a PFIC in any year during a U.S. holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares or ADSs, we generally would continue to be treated as a PFIC for each subsequent year during which the U.S. holder owned the ordinary shares or ADSs.
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If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. holder holds ordinary shares or ADSs, any “excess distribution” that the holder receives and any gain recognized from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of such ordinary shares or ADSs will be subject to special tax rules, unless the holder makes a mark-to-market election or “qualified electing fund election”, as discussed below. An “excess distribution” is any distribution in a taxable year that is greater than 125% of the average annual distribution received by a U.S. holder during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or such holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares or ADSs. It is taxed as follows under the PFIC rules:
● | the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over the U.S. holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares or ADSs; |
● | the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC in the U.S. holder’s holding period, will be treated as ordinary income arising in the current taxable year; and |
● | the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to income tax at the highest rate in effect for that year and applicable to the U.S. holder and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year. |
If we are a PFIC, the tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition or excess distribution cannot be offset by any net operating loss, and gains (but not losses) recognized on the transfer of the ordinary shares or ADSs cannot be treated as capital gains, even if the ordinary shares or ADSs are held as capital assets. In addition, non-corporate U.S. holders will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any dividends that we pay if we are a PFIC for either the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding year.
Furthermore, unless subject to an exception contained in regulations issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, each U.S. holder of a PFIC is required to file an annual report (currently Form 8621) describing the holder’s interest in the PFIC, making an election on how to report PFIC income, and providing other information about the holder’s share of the PFIC’s income.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries is also a PFIC, a U.S. holder of ordinary shares or ADSs during such year would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the application of these rules to such subsidiary. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences if the PFIC rules apply to any of our subsidiaries.
In certain circumstances, in lieu of being subject to the special tax rules discussed above, you may make an election – the “mark-to-market election” to include in your income each year the unrealized appreciation of your PFIC stock during the year. The mark-to-market election is available only if our stock is regularly traded on a qualified exchange. Under current law, the mark-to-market election may be available to U.S. holders of ADSs if our ADSs are listed on Nasdaq, which constitutes a qualified exchange, although there can be no assurance that our ADSs will be “regularly traded” for purposes of the mark-to-market election. It should also be noted that it is intended that only our ADSs and not the ordinary shares will be listed on Nasdaq. While we would expect the ASX, on which the ordinary shares are listed, to be considered a qualified exchange, no assurance can be given as to whether the ASX is a qualified exchange, or that the ordinary shares would be traded in sufficient frequency to be considered regularly traded for these purposes. Additionally, because a mark-to-market election cannot be made for equity interests in any lower-tier PFIC that we may own, a U.S. holder that makes a mark-to-mark election with respect to us may continue to be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to any indirect investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If you make an effective mark-to-market election, you will include in each year that we are a PFIC as ordinary income the excess of the fair market value of your ordinary shares or ADSs at the end of your taxable year over your adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs. You will be entitled to deduct as an ordinary loss in each such year the excess of your adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs over their fair market value at the end of the year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. If you make an effective mark-to-market election, any gain you recognize upon the subsequent sale or other disposition of your ordinary shares or ADSs in a year that we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as ordinary loss, but your basis in your shares will have been adjusted, as described below, to reflect the amount of ordinary gain or loss that you realized as a result of each mark-to-market election. Any gain or loss you recognize upon the sale or other disposition of your ordinary shares or ADSs in a year when we are not a PFIC will be a capital gain or loss. See “—Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Ordinary Shares or ADSs” above for the treatment of capital gains and losses.
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Your adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs will be increased by the amount of any income inclusion and decreased by the amount of any losses under the mark-to-market rules. If you make a mark-to-market election, it will be effective for the taxable year for which the election is made and all subsequent taxable years unless the ordinary shares or ADSs are no longer regularly traded on a qualified exchange or the IRS consents to the revocation of the election. You are urged to consult your tax advisors about the availability of the mark-to-market election, and whether making the election would be advisable in your particular circumstances.
Alternatively, you can sometimes avoid the PFIC rules described above by electing to treat us as a “qualified electing fund” under Section 1295 of the Code. Under this election, you agree to pay tax each year on your share of our net income for the year. However, this option would be available to you only if we provided you with an Annual Information Statement that (in a manner required by the IRS) advises you of your share of our earnings for the year or provides you with information that enables you to make this determination yourself (and that provides you with other information, as well). While we will make an effort to provide such information, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so. If we are unable to provide this information, the election will not be available to you.
U.S. holders are urged to contact their own tax advisors regarding the determination of whether we are a PFIC and the tax consequences of such status.
Backup Withholding Tax and Information Reporting Requirements
Payments of dividends with respect to the ordinary shares or ADSs and proceeds from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the ordinary shares or ADSs, by a U.S. paying agent or other U.S. intermediary, or made into the United States, will be reported to the IRS and to the U.S. holder as may be required under applicable Treasury regulations. Backup withholding may apply to these payments if the U.S. holder fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number or certification of exempt status or fails to comply with applicable certification requirements. Certain U.S. holders (including, among others, corporations) are not subject to backup withholding and information reporting. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a U.S. holder will be refunded (or credited against such U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any), provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors as to their qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for establishing an exemption.
Certain individual U.S. holders (and under Treasury regulations, certain entities) may be required to report to the IRS (on Form 8938), and/or on FinCEN Form 114 (Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)) information with respect to their investment in the ordinary shares or ADSs not held through an account with a U.S. financial institution. U.S. holders who fail to report required information could become subject to substantial penalties. U.S. holders are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding foreign financial asset reporting requirements with respect to their investment in the ordinary shares or ADSs.
U.S. holders who acquire any of the ordinary shares or ADSs for cash may be required to file an IRS Form 926 (Return by a U.S. Transferor of Property to a Foreign Corporation) with the IRS and to supply certain additional information to the IRS if (i) immediately after the transfer, the U.S. holder owns directly or indirectly (or by attribution) at least 10% of our total voting power or value or (ii) the amount of cash transferred to us in exchange for the ordinary shares or ADSs when aggregated with all related transfers under applicable regulations, exceeds U.S.$100,000. Substantial penalties may be imposed on a U.S. holder that fails to comply with this reporting requirement. Each U.S. holder is urged to consult with its own tax advisor regarding this reporting obligation.
The discussion above is not intended to constitute a complete analysis of all tax considerations applicable to an investment in ordinary shares or ADSs. You should consult with your own tax advisor concerning the tax consequences to you in your particular situation.
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Australian Tax Considerations
In this section, we discuss the material Australian income tax, stamp duty and goods and services tax considerations related to the acquisition, ownership and disposal by the absolute beneficial owners of the ordinary shares or ADSs. This discussion represents the opinion of, Australian counsel to Mobilicom.
It is based upon existing Australian tax law as of the date of this registration statement, which is subject to change, possibly retrospectively. This discussion does not address all aspects of Australian tax law which may be important to particular investors in light of their individual investment circumstances, such as shares held by investors subject to special tax rules (for example, financial institutions, insurance companies or tax exempt organizations). In addition, this summary does not discuss any foreign or state tax considerations, other than stamp duty and goods and services tax.
Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the Australian and foreign income and other tax considerations of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the shares. As used in this summary a “Non-Australian Shareholder” is a holder that is not an Australian tax resident and is not carrying on business in Australia through a permanent establishment.
Nature of ADSs for Australian Taxation Purposes
Ordinary shares represented by ADSs held by a U.S. holder will be treated for Australian taxation purposes as held under a “bare trust” for such holder. Consequently, the underlying ordinary shares will be regarded as owned by our ADS holder for Australian income tax and capital gains tax purposes. Dividends paid on the underlying ordinary shares will also be treated as dividends paid to our ADS holder, as the person beneficially entitled to those dividends. Therefore, in the following analysis we discuss the tax consequences to Non-Australian Shareholders of ordinary shares for Australian taxation purposes. We note that the holder of an ADS will be treated for Australian tax purposes as the owner of the underlying ordinary shares that are represented by such ADSs.
Taxation of Dividends
Australia operates a dividend imputation system under which dividends may be declared to be “franked” to the extent of tax paid on company profits. Fully franked dividends are not subject to dividend withholding tax. An exemption for dividend withholding tax can also apply to unfranked dividends that are declared to be conduit foreign income, or CFI, and paid to Non-Australian Shareholders. Dividend withholding tax will be imposed at 30%, unless a shareholder is a resident of a country with which Australia has a double taxation agreement and qualifies for the benefits of the treaty. Under the provisions of the current Treaty, the Australian tax withheld on unfranked dividends that are not declared to be CFI paid by us to a resident of the United States which is beneficially entitled to that dividend is limited to 15% where that resident is a qualified person for the purposes of the Treaty.
If a Non-Australian Shareholder is a company and owns a 10% or more interest, the Australian tax withheld on dividends paid by us to which a resident of the United States is beneficially entitled is limited to 5%. In limited circumstances the rate of withholding can be reduced to zero.
Tax on Sales or other Dispositions of Shares—Capital gains tax
Non-Australian Shareholders will not be subject to Australian capital gains tax on the gain made on a sale or other disposal of ordinary shares, unless they, together with associates, hold 10% or more of our issued capital, at the time of disposal or for 12 months of the last 2 years prior to disposal.
Non-Australian Shareholders who own a 10% or more interest would be subject to Australian capital gains tax if more than 50% of our direct or indirect assets, determined by reference to market value, consists of Australian land, leasehold interests or Australian mining, quarrying or prospecting rights. The Treaty is unlikely to limit Australia’s right to tax any gain in these circumstances. Net capital gains are calculated after reduction for capital losses, which may only be offset against capital gains.
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Tax on Sales or other Dispositions of Shares—Shareholders Holding Shares on Revenue Account
Some Non-Australian Shareholders may hold shares on revenue rather than on capital account for example, share traders. These shareholders may have the gains made on the sale or other disposal of the shares included in their assessable income under the ordinary income taxing provisions of the income tax law, if the gains are sourced in Australia.
Non-Australian Shareholders assessable under these ordinary income provisions in respect of gains made on shares held on revenue account would be assessed for such gains at the Australian tax rates for non-Australian residents, which start at a marginal rate of 32.5%. This rate does not include the Temporary Budget Repair Levy of 2% that applies in certain circumstances. Some relief from Australian income tax may be available to Non-Australian Shareholders under the Treaty.
To the extent an amount would be included in a Non-Australian Shareholder’s assessable income under both the capital gains tax provisions and the ordinary income provisions, the capital gain amount would generally be reduced, so that the shareholder would not be subject to double tax on any part of the income gain or capital gain.
Dual Residency
If a shareholder is a resident of both Australia and the United States under those countries’ domestic taxation laws, that shareholder may be subject to tax as an Australian resident. If, however, the shareholder is determined to be a U.S. resident for the purposes of the Treaty, the Australian tax would be subject to limitation by the Treaty. Shareholders should obtain specialist taxation advice in these circumstances.
Stamp Duty
No stamp duty is payable by Australian residents or non-Australian residents on the issue and trading of shares that are quoted on the ASX or Nasdaq at all relevant times and the shares do not represent 90% or more of all of our issued shares.
Australian Death Duty
Australia does not have estate or death duties. As a general rule, no capital gains tax liability is realized upon the inheritance of a deceased person’s shares. The disposal of inherited shares by beneficiaries may, however, give rise to a capital gains tax liability if the gain falls within the scope of Australia’s jurisdiction to tax.
Goods and Services Tax
The issue or transfer of shares to a non-Australian resident investor will not incur Australian goods and services tax.
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ThinkEquity is acting as representative of the underwriters, or the Representative. On , 2022 we entered into an underwriting agreement with the Representative, or the “Underwriting Agreement”. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, we have agreed to sell, and each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, the number of ADSs listed next to each underwriter’s name in the following table, at the initial public offering price less the estimated underwriting discounts set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
Underwriters | Number of ADSs | |||
ThinkEquity LLC | ||||
Total |
The underwriters have committed to purchase all of the ADSs offered by us in this offering other than those covered by the option to purchase additional ADSs described below. The obligations of the underwriters may be terminated upon the occurrence of certain events specified in the Underwriting Agreement. Furthermore, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the underwriters’ obligations are subject to customary conditions, representations, and warranties, such as receipt by the underwriters of officers’ certificates and legal opinions.
The underwriters are offering our ADSs subject to prior sale when, as, and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel and other conditions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel, or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.
The underwriters propose to offer our ADSs to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of the prospectus. After our ADSs are released for sale to the public, the underwriters may from time to time change the offering price and other selling terms.
Option to purchase additional ADSs
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to additional ADSs (15% of our ADSs sold in this offering) at the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters may exercise the option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent that the option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase additional ADSs in an amount that is approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment (set forth in the table above). Any ADSs issued or sold under the option will be issued and sold on the same terms and conditions as the other ADSs that are the subject of this offering. If this option is exercised in full, the total offering price to the public will be $ million and the total net proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $ million.
Discounts and Commissions
The Representative has advised that the underwriters propose to offer our ADSs to the public at the initial public offering price per ADS set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The underwriters may offer our ADSs to securities dealers at that price less a concession of not more than per ADS, of which up to may be re-allowed to other dealers.
The following table summarizes the initial public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions, and proceeds to us before expenses, assuming both no exercise and full exercise by the underwriters of the over-allotment option.
Total | ||||||||||||
Per ADS | Without Over- Allotment | With Over- Allotment | ||||||||||
Initial public offering price | $ | |||||||||||
Underwriting discount (7%) (1) | $ | |||||||||||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us | $ |
(1) | Such amount does not include a non-accountable expense allowance we have agreed to pay to the Representative equal to 1% of the gross proceeds received in this offering (excluding proceeds received from exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) which is not included in the underwriting discounts and commission. |
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We have paid an expense deposit of $35,000 to the Representative, which will be applied against the Representative’s accountable out-of-pocket expenses (in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(4)(A)) that are payable by us in connection with this offering. We have agreed to reimburse the Representative for the fees and expenses of its legal counsel in connection with the offering in an amount not to exceed $125,000, the fees and expenses related to the use of Ipero’s book building, prospectus tracking and compliance software for the offering in the amount of $29,500, up to $15,000 for background checks of our officers and directors, the costs associated with bound volumes of the offering materials as well as commemorative mementos and lucite tombstones in an amount not to exceed $3,000, data services and communications expenses up to $10,000, and the actual accountable “road show” expenses up to $10,000. The total reimbursement to Representative shall not exceed an aggregate of $175,000, including the expense deposit, and subject to certain terms and conditions as agreed between us and the Representative.
We expect that the expenses of this offering payable by us, not including underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately .
Representative’s Warrants
We have agreed to issue to the Representative, upon the closing of this offering, warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of ADSs (5% of the ADSs sold in this offering), or the Representative’s Warrants. The Representative’s Warrants are exercisable at a per share price equal to 125% of the initial public offering price per ADS in this offering. The Representative’s Warrants are exercisable at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, commencing on the six month anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and expiring on the date that is five years following the commencement of sales of ADSs in this offering. The Representative’s Warrants and underlying ADSs are included in this prospectus.
The Representative’s Warrants are deemed underwriter compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a 180-day lock-up pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1). The Representative (or permitted assignees under Rule 5110(e)(2)) will not sell, transfer, assign, pledge, or hypothecate these warrants or the securities underlying these warrants, nor will they engage in any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the warrants or the underlying securities for a period of 180 days from the effective date of this offering. In addition, the Representative’s Warrants provide for registration rights upon request, in certain cases. The demand registration right provided will not be greater than five years from the effective date of this offering in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8)(c). The piggyback registration right provided will not be greater than five years from the effective date of this offering in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8)(D) . We will bear all fees and expenses attendant to registering the securities issuable on exercise of the Representative’s Warrants other than underwriting commissions incurred and payable by the holders. The exercise price and number of ADSs issuable upon exercise of the Representative’s Warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger, or consolidation. However, neither the Representative Warrant exercise price, nor the number of ADSs underlying such warrants, will be adjusted for issuances of ADSs by us at a price below the exercise price of the Representative’s Warrants.
Discretionary Accounts
The underwriters do not intend to confirm sales of the securities offered hereby to any accounts over which they have discretionary authority.
Lock-Up Agreements
Pursuant to certain “lock-up” agreements, we and our executive officers and directors have agreed, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus in the case of directors and officers, and three months from the date of this prospectus in the case of us, not to engage in any of the following, whether directly or indirectly, without the Representative’s consent: offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, our ordinary shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our ordinary shares, or the Lock-Up Securities; enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Lock-Up Securities; make any demand for or exercise any right or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any Lock-Up Securities; enter into any transaction, swap, hedge, or other arrangement relating to any Lock-Up Securities, subject to customary exceptions; or publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing.
Right of First Refusal
For 12 months from the closing date of this offering, the Representative will have an irrevocable right of first refusal to act as sole investment banker, sole book-runner, and/or sole placement agent, at the Representative’s sole discretion, for each and every future public and private equity and debt offering, including all equity linked financings, during such 12 month period, for us, or any successor to or any subsidiary of us, on terms customary for the Representative. The Representative will have the sole right to determine whether any other broker-dealer shall have the right to participate in any such offering and the economic terms of any such participation.
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Pricing of the Offering
Prior to the completion of this offering, there has been no public market for ADSs. The initial public offering price was negotiated between us and the underwriters. In determining the price, we considered our trading price on the ASX, our history and prospects, our business potential and earnings prospects, an assessment of our management, general securities market conditions at the time of the offering, and such other factors that we deemed relevant.
An active trading market for our ADSs may not develop. It is also possible that our ADS will not trade in the public market or above the initial public offering price following the closing of this offering.
Indemnification
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against liabilities relating to this offering that may arise under the Securities Act and from any breach of the representations and warranties contained in the Underwriting Agreement. We have further agreed to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make for these liabilities.
Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares
This prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites or through other online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters, or by their affiliates. Other than this prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s website and any information contained in any other website maintained by an underwriter is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved or endorsed by us or any underwriter in its capacity as underwriter, and should not be relied upon by investors.
Offer Restrictions Outside of the United States
Other than in the United States, no action has been taken that would permit a public offering of ADSs in any jurisdiction where action for the purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that country or jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.
Australia
This prospectus is not a disclosure document under Chapter 6D of the Australian Corporations Act, has not been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and does not purport to include the information required of a disclosure document under Chapter 6D of the Australian Corporations Act. Accordingly, (i) the offer of the securities under this prospectus is only made to persons to whom it is lawful to offer the securities without disclosure under Chapter 6D of the Australian Corporations Act under one or more exemptions set out in section 708 of the Australian Corporations Act, (ii) this prospectus is made available in Australia only to those persons as set forth in clause (i) above, and (iii) the offeree must be sent a notice stating in substance that by accepting this offer, the offeree represents that the offeree is such a person as set forth in clause (i) above, and, unless permitted under the Australian Corporations Act, agrees not to sell or offer for sale within Australia any of the securities sold to the offeree within 12 months after its transfer to the offeree under this prospectus.
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Canada
Our ADSs may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the securities must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
China
The information in this document does not constitute a public offer of the securities, whether by way of sale or subscription, in the People’s Republic of China (excluding, for purposes of this paragraph, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan). The securities may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly in the PRC to legal or natural persons other than directly to “qualified domestic institutional investors.”
European Economic Area—Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and Netherlands
The information in this document has been prepared on the basis that all offers of securities will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Directive 2003/71/EC, or Prospectus Directive, as implemented in Member States of the European Economic Area (each, a “Relevant Member State”), from the requirement to produce a prospectus for offers of securities. An offer to the public of securities has not been made, and may not be made, in a Relevant Member State except pursuant to one of the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive as implemented in that Relevant Member State:
● | to legal entities that are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities; | |
● | to any legal entity that has two or more of (i) an average of at least 250 employees during its last fiscal year; (ii) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 (as shown on its last annual unconsolidated or consolidated financial statements) and (iii) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000 (as shown on its last annual unconsolidated or consolidated financial statements); | |
● | to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining our prior consent or any underwriter for any such offer; or | |
● | in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of securities shall result in a requirement for the publication by us of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive. |
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France
This document is not being distributed in the context of a public offering of financial securities (offre au public de titres financiers) in France within the meaning of Article L.411-1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code (Code Monétaire et Financier) and Articles 211-1 et seq. of the General Regulation of the French Autorité des marchés financiers, or AMF. The securities have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France.
This document and any other offering material relating to the securities have not been, and will not be, submitted to the AMF for approval in France and, accordingly, may not be distributed or caused to distributed, directly or indirectly, to the public in France.
Such offers, sales and distributions have been and shall only be made in France to (i) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) acting for their own account, as defined in and in accordance with Articles L.411-2-II-2° and D.411-1 to D.411-3, D.744-1, D.754-1 ;and D.764-1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code and any implementing regulation and/or (ii) a restricted number of non-qualified investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs) acting for their own account, as defined in and in accordance with Articles L.411-2-II-2° and D.411-4, D.744-1, D.754-1; and D.764-1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code and any implementing regulation.
Pursuant to Article 211-3 of the General Regulation of the AMF, investors in France are informed that the securities cannot be distributed (directly or indirectly) to the public by the investors otherwise than in accordance with Articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 to L.621-8-3 of the French Monetary and Financial Code.
Ireland
The information in this document does not constitute a prospectus under any Irish laws or regulations and this document has not been filed with or approved by any Irish regulatory authority as the information has not been prepared in the context of a public offering of securities in Ireland within the meaning of the Irish Prospectus (Directive 2003/71/EC) Regulations 2005 (the “Prospectus Regulations”). The securities have not been offered or sold, and will not be offered, sold or delivered directly or indirectly in Ireland by way of a public offering, except to (i) qualified investors as defined in Regulation 2(l) of the Prospectus Regulations and (ii) fewer than 100 natural or legal persons who are not qualified investors.
Israel
The securities offered by this prospectus have not been approved or disapproved by the Israeli Securities Authority (the ISA), nor have such securities been registered for sale in Israel. Our ADSs may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in Israel, absent the publication of a prospectus. The ISA has not issued permits, approvals or licenses in connection with the offering or publishing the prospectus; nor has it authenticated the details included herein, confirmed their reliability or completeness, or rendered an opinion as to the quality of the securities being offered. Any resale in Israel, directly or indirectly, to the public of the securities offered by this prospectus is subject to restrictions on transferability and must be effected only in compliance with the Israeli securities laws and regulations.
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Italy
The offering of the securities in the Republic of Italy has not been authorized by the Italian Securities and Exchange Commission (Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa, or “CONSOB”) pursuant to the Italian securities legislation and, accordingly, no offering material relating to the securities may be distributed in Italy and such securities may not be offered or sold in Italy in a public offer within the meaning of Article 1.1(t) of Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, or Decree No. 58, other than:
● | to Italian qualified investors, as defined in Article 100 of Decree no.58 by reference to Article 34-ter of CONSOB Regulation no. 11971 of 14 May 1999, or Regulation no. 1197l, as amended, or Qualified Investors; and | |
● | in other circumstances that are exempt from the rules on public offer pursuant to Article 100 of Decree No. 58 and Article 34-ter of Regulation No. 11971 as amended. | |
● | Any offer, sale or delivery of the securities or distribution of any offer document relating to the securities in Italy (excluding placements where a Qualified Investor solicits an offer from the issuer) under the paragraphs above must be: | |
● | made by investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993 (as amended), Decree No. 58, CONSOB Regulation No. 16190 of 29 October 2007 and any other applicable laws; and | |
● | in compliance with all relevant Italian securities, tax and exchange controls and any other applicable laws. |
Any subsequent distribution of the securities in Italy must be made in compliance with the public offer and prospectus requirement rules provided under Decree No. 58 and the Regulation No. 11971 as amended, unless an exception from those rules applies. Failure to comply with such rules may result in the sale of such securities being declared null and void and in the liability of the entity transferring the securities for any damages suffered by the investors.
Japan
The securities have not been and will not be registered under Article 4, paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948), as amended (the “FIEL”) pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements applicable to a private placement of securities to Qualified Institutional Investors (as defined in and in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 3 of the FIEL and the regulations promulgated thereunder). Accordingly, the securities may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan other than Qualified Institutional Investors. Any Qualified Institutional Investor who acquires securities may not resell them to any person in Japan that is not a Qualified Institutional Investor, and acquisition by any such person of securities is conditional upon the execution of an agreement to that effect.
Portugal
This document is not being distributed in the context of a public offer of financial securities (oferta pública de valores mobiliários) in Portugal, within the meaning of Article 109 of the Portuguese Securities Code (Código dos Valores Mobiliários). The securities have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in Portugal. This document and any other offering material relating to the securities have not been, and will not be, submitted to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (Comissăo do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários) for approval in Portugal and, accordingly, may not be distributed or caused to distributed, directly or indirectly, to the public in Portugal, other than under circumstances that are deemed not to qualify as a public offer under the Portuguese Securities Code. Such offers, sales and distributions of securities in Portugal are limited to persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Portuguese Securities Code). Only such investors may receive this document and they may not distribute it or the information contained in it to any other person.
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Sweden
This document has not been, and will not be, registered with or approved by Finansinspektionen (the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority). Accordingly, this document may not be made available, nor may the securities be offered for sale in Sweden, other than under circumstances that are deemed not to require a prospectus under the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act (1991:980) (Sw. lag (1991:980) om handel med finansiella instrument). Any offering of securities in Sweden is limited to persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Financial Instruments Trading Act). Only such investors may receive this document and they may not distribute it or the information contained in it to any other person.
Switzerland
The securities may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, orSIX, or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering material relating to the securities may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this document nor any other offering material relating to the securities have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, or FINMA.
This document is personal to the recipient only and not for general circulation in Switzerland.
United Kingdom
Neither the information in this document nor any other document relating to the offer has been delivered for approval to the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom and no prospectus (within the meaning of section 85 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended, or FSMA has been published or is intended to be published in respect of the securities. This document is issued on a confidential basis to “qualified investors” (within the meaning of section 86(7) of FSMA) in the United Kingdom, and the securities may not be offered or sold in the United Kingdom by means of this document, any accompanying letter or any other document, except in circumstances which do not require the publication of a prospectus pursuant to section 86(1) FSMA. This document should not be distributed, published or reproduced, in whole or in part, nor may its contents be disclosed by recipients to any other person in the United Kingdom.
Any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of FSMA) received in connection with the issue or sale of the securities has only been communicated or caused to be communicated and will only be communicated or caused to be communicated in the United Kingdom in circumstances in which section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply to us.
In the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed at, persons (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) (investment professionals) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotions) Order 2005, or FPO, (ii) who fall within the categories of persons referred to in Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) of the FPO or (iii) to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated (together “relevant persons”). The investments to which this document relates are available only to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to purchase will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts, or NI 33-105, the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
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Stabilization
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate-covering transactions, penalty bids, and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase shares so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum and are engaged in for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the shares while the offering is in progress.
Over-allotment transactions involve sales by the underwriters of shares in excess of the number of shares that the underwriters are obligated to purchase. This creates a syndicate short position which may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of shares over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater than the number of shares that the underwriters purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of shares involved is greater than the number of shares that the underwriters purchase in the over-allotment option. The underwriters may close out any short position by exercising their over-allotment option and/or purchasing shares in the open market.
Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of shares to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared with the price at which they may purchase shares through exercise of the over-allotment option. If the underwriters sell more shares than could be covered by exercise of the over-allotment option and, therefore, have a naked short position, the position can be closed out only by buying shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that after pricing there could be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.
Penalty bids permit the representative to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the shares originally sold by that syndicate member are purchased in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions to cover syndicate short positions.
These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our ADS or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our ADSs. As a result, the price of our ADSs in the open market may be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of these transactions. Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our ADSs. These transactions may be affected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
Other Relationships
The underwriters and their affiliates may in the future provide various advisory, investment and commercial banking and other services for us in the ordinary course of business, for which they may receive customary fees and commissions. However, we have not yet had, and have no present arrangements with any of the underwriters for any further services.
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EXPENSES RELATING TO THIS OFFERING
Set forth below is an itemization of the estimated expenses, excluding estimated underwriting discounts that are expected to be incurred in connection with our offer and sale of our ADSs. Expenses for the offering will be borne by us. All amounts shown are estimates except for the SEC registration fee, the Nasdaq listing fee, and the FINRA filing fee.
SEC registration fee | $ | 1,699 | ||
Nasdaq listing fee | $ | 50,000 | ||
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. filing fee | $ | 2,225 | ||
Printing expenses | $ | 10,000 | ||
Legal fees and expenses | $ | 292,900 | ||
Accounting fees and expenses | $ | 150,000 | ||
Roadshow expenses | $ | 30,000 | ||
Other fees and expenses | $ | 200,900 | ||
Total | $ | 737,724 |
The validity of the ordinary shares represented by our ADSs to be issued in this offering will be passed upon for us by QR Lawyers, our Australian counsel. Certain matters as to U.S. federal law and New York state law will be passed upon for us by Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP, New York, New York, our U.S. counsel. Certain legal matters concerning this offering relating to U.S. federal law will be passed upon for the underwriters by McDermott Will & Emery LLP, New York, New York.
The audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 included in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement, have been so included in reliance upon the report of Ziv Haft (BDO Member Firm), independent registered public accounting firm, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Australia. Certain of our directors are non-residents of the United States and substantially all of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for you to:
● | effect service of process within the United States upon our non-U.S. resident directors or on us; |
● | enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained against our non-U.S. resident directors or us in the United States courts in any action, including actions under the civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; |
● | enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained against our non-U.S. resident directors or us in courts of jurisdictions outside the United States in any action, including actions under the civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; or |
● | bring an original action in an Australian court to enforce liabilities against our non-U.S. resident directors or us based solely upon U.S. securities laws. |
You may also have difficulties enforcing in courts outside the United States judgments that are obtained in U.S. courts against any of our non-U.S. resident directors or us, including actions under the civil liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws.
With that noted, there are no treaties between Australia and the United States that would affect the recognition or enforcement of foreign judgments in Australia. We also note that investors may be able to bring an original action in an Australian court against us to enforce liabilities based in part upon U.S. federal securities laws.
We have appointed Puglisi & Associates, 850 Library Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19711, as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York under the federal securities laws of the United States or any action brought against us in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the County of New York under the securities laws of the State of New York.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1, including relevant exhibits and schedules, under the Securities Act with respect to the ordinary shares to be sold in this offering. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, summarizes material provisions of contracts and other documents that we refer to in this prospectus. Since this prospectus does not contain all of the information contained in the registration statement, you should read the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules for further information with respect to us and our ordinary shares represented by ADSs. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any agreement, contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and reference is made in each instance to the copy of the contract or document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. All information we file with the SEC is available through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Immediately upon completion of this offering, we will become subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Our annual reports on Form 20-F for the year ending December 31, 2022, and subsequent years will be due within four months following the fiscal year end. We are not required to disclose certain other information that is required from U.S. domestic issuers. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act and Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure), which was adopted to ensure that select groups of investors are not privy to specific information about an issuer before other investors.
We are, however, still subject to the anti-fraud and anti-manipulation rules of the SEC, such as Rule 10b-5. Since many of the disclosure obligations required of us as a foreign private issuer are different than those required by companies filing as a domestic issuer, our shareholders, potential shareholders and the investing public in general should not expect to receive information about us in the same amount and at the same time as information is received from, or provided by, companies filing as a domestic issuer. We are liable for violations of the rules and regulations of the SEC, which do apply to us as a foreign private issuer.
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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-1
Mobilicom
Limited |
![]() |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Shareholders and Board of Directors of Mobilicom Limited
Level 7, 90 Collins Street
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Australia
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Mobilicom Limited (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related consolidated statements of profit and loss and other comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2021.
/s/ Ziv haft | |
Tel-Aviv, Israel | Ziv haft |
March 23, 2022 | Certified Public Accountants (Isr.) |
BDO Member Firm |
F-2
Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income For the year ended 31 December 2021 |
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Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||||
Note | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | |||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $* | ||||||||||||
Revenue | 4 | 3,578,603 | 2,066,478 | 2,600,729 | ||||||||||
Cost of sales | 5 | (1,192,461 | ) | (725,394 | ) | (866,614 | ) | |||||||
Government grants | 787,544 | 964,970 | 572,343 | |||||||||||
Interest received | 1,580 | 10,539 | 1,148 | |||||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||||
Selling and marketing expenses | 6 | (1,657,958 | ) | (1,112,895 | ) | (1,204,911 | ) | |||||||
Research and development | 7 | (2,374,700 | ) | (2,418,322 | ) | (1,725,799 | ) | |||||||
General and administration expenses | 8 | (1,376,829 | ) | (1,201,971 | ) | (1,000,602 | ) | |||||||
Share based payments | (223,171 | ) | (173,134 | ) | (162,188 | ) | ||||||||
Finance costs | (53,544 | ) | (12,238 | ) | (38,913 | ) | ||||||||
Foreign exchange losses | (184,743 | ) | (179,932 | ) | (134,262 | ) | ||||||||
Loss before income tax expense | (2,695,679 | ) | (2,781,899 | ) | (1,959,069 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax expense | 9 | (9,166 | ) | - | (6,661 | ) | ||||||||
Loss after income tax expense for the year attributable to the owners of Mobilicom Limited | (2,704,845 | ) | (2,781,899 | ) | (1,965,730 | ) |
* $ numbers presented solely for convenience of the reader
The above consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes
F-3
Mobilicom Limited Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income For the year ended 31 December 2021 |
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Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||||
Note | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | |||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $* | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss | ||||||||||||||
Re-measurement of defined benefit plans | (34,197 | ) | 6,450 | (24,852 | ) | |||||||||
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss | ||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation | 206,363 | 175,836 | 149,973 | |||||||||||
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax | 172,166 | 182,286 | 125,121 | |||||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to the owners of Mobilicom Limited | (2,532,679 | ) | (2,599,613 | ) | (1,840,609 | ) | ||||||||
Basic earnings per share | 31 | (0.91 | ) | (1.08 | ) | (0.66 | ) | |||||||
Diluted earnings per share | 31 | (0.91 | ) | (1.08 | ) | (0.66 | ) |
* $ numbers presented solely for convenience of the reader
The above consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes
F-4
Consolidated statement of financial position As at 31 December 2021 |
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Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||||
Note | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | |||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $* | ||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 10 | 3,996,300 | 2,464,655 | 2,904,287 | ||||||||||
Trade and other receivables | 11 | 695,541 | 385,156 | 505,480 | ||||||||||
Inventories | 12 | 490,990 | 803,004 | 356,824 | ||||||||||
Total current assets | 5,182,831 | 3,652,815 | 3,766,591 | |||||||||||
Non-current assets | ||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 13 | 152,571 | 143,483 | 110,880 | ||||||||||
Right-of-use assets | 14 | 610,197 | 770,448 | 443,457 | ||||||||||
Total non-current assets | 762,768 | 913,931 | 554,337 | |||||||||||
Total assets | 5,945,599 | 4,566,746 | 4,320,928 | |||||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
Trade and other payables | 15 | 1,151,455 | 1,019,194 | 836,813 | ||||||||||
Lease liabilities | 16 | 305,414 | 271,284 | 221,958 | ||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 1,456,869 | 1,290,478 | 1,058,771 | |||||||||||
Non-current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
Lease liabilities | 17 | 336,246 | 547,115 | 244,365 | ||||||||||
Employee benefits | 18 | 818,190 | 703,113 | 594,615 | ||||||||||
Governmental liabilities on grants received | 19 | 5,175 | 6,754 | 3,760 | ||||||||||
Total non-current liabilities | 1,159,611 | 1,256,982 | 842,740 | |||||||||||
Total liabilities | 2,616,480 | 2,547,460 | 1,901,511 | |||||||||||
Net assets | 3,329,119 | 2,019,286 | 2,419,417 | |||||||||||
Equity | ||||||||||||||
Issued capital | 20 | 26,504,136 | 22,884,795 | 19,261,727 | ||||||||||
Reserves | 21 | 943,297 | 770,277 | 685,536 | ||||||||||
Accumulated losses | (24,118,314 | ) | (21,635,786 | ) | (17,527,846 | ) | ||||||||
Total equity | 3,329,119 | 2,019,286 | 2,419,417 |
* $ numbers presented solely for convenience of the reader
The above consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes
F-5
Consolidated statement of changes in equity For the year ended 31 December 2021 |
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Issued | Share based payments | Foreign currency translation | Re-measurement | Accumulated | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated | capital | reserve | reserves | reserves | losses | equity | ||||||||||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at 1 January 2020 | 22,884,795 | 1,318,853 | 22,324 | (481,202 | ) | (19,299,005 | ) | 4,445,765 | ||||||||||||||||
Loss after income tax expense for the year | - | - | - | - | (2,781,899 | ) | (2,781,899 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax | - | - | 175,836 | 6,450 | - | 182,286 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the year | - | - | 175,836 | 6,450 | (2,781,899 | ) | (2,599,613 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Share-based payments (note 32) | - | 173,134 | - | - | - | 173,134 | ||||||||||||||||||
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Expiry of options | - | (424,416 | ) | - | - | 424,416 | - | |||||||||||||||||
Cancellation of options | - | (20,702 | ) | - | - | 20,702 | - | |||||||||||||||||
Balance at 31 December 2020 | 22,884,795 | 1,046,869 | 198,160 | (474,752 | ) | (21,635,786 | ) | 2,019,286 |
The above consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes
F-6
Mobilicom Limited Consolidated statement of changes in equity For the year ended 31 December 2021 |
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Issued | Share based payments | Foreign currency translation | Re-measurement | Accumulated | Total | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated | capital | reserve | reserves | reserves | losses | equity | equity | |||||||||||||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | $* | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at 1 January 2021 | 22,884,795 | 1,046,869 | 198,160 | (474,752 | ) | (21,635,786 | ) | 2,019,286 | 1,467,504 | |||||||||||||||||||
Loss after income tax expense for the year | - | - | - | - | (2,704,845 | ) | (2,704,845 | ) | (1,965,730 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax | - | - | 206,363 | (34,197 | ) | - | 172,166 | 125,121 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the year | - | - | 206,363 | (34,197 | ) | (2,704,845 | ) | (2,532,679 | ) | (1,840,609 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Share-based payments (note 32) | - | 223,171 | - | - | - | 223,171 | 162,188 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contributions of equity, net of transaction costs (note 20) | 3,619,341 | - | - | - | - | 3,619,341 | 2,630,334 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Expiry and cancellation of options | - | (55,231 | ) | - | - | 55,231 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||
Re-allocation between accumulated losses and foreign currency reserve | - | - | (167,086 | ) | - | 167,086 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at 31 December 2021 | 26,504,136 | 1,214,809 | 237,437 | (508,949 | ) | (24,118,314 | ) | 3,329,119 | 2,419,417 |
* $ numbers presented solely for convenience of the reader
The above consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes
F-7
Consolidated statement of cash flows For the year ended 31 December 2021 |
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Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||||
Note | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | |||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $* | ||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||||||||
Receipts from customers (inclusive of VAT) | 3,977,275 | 3,149,498 | 2,890,461 | |||||||||||
Interest received | 1,580 | 10,539 | 1,148 | |||||||||||
Lease liabilities interest payments | (31,916 | ) | (42,327 | ) | (23,195 | ) | ||||||||
Payments to suppliers and employees (inclusive of VAT) | (6,540,662 | ) | (6,301,673 | ) | (4,753,388 | ) | ||||||||
Government grants received and tax incentives | 787,544 | 1,063,792 | 572,343 | |||||||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | 30 | (1,806,179 | ) | (2,120,171 | ) | (1,312,631 | ) | |||||||
Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||||||||
Payments for property, plant and equipment | (30,534 | ) | - | (22,190 | ) | |||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (30,534 | ) | - | (22,190 | ) | |||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||||||||
Proceeds from issue of shares | 20 | 3,840,000 | - | 2,790,697 | ||||||||||
Share issue transaction costs | (220,659 | ) | - | (160,363 | ) | |||||||||
Repayment of lease liabilities | (250,983 | ) | (125,435 | ) | (182,400 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash from/ (used in) financing activities | 3,368,358 | (125,435 | ) | 2,447,934 | ||||||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | 1,531,645 | (2,245,606 | ) | 1,113,113 | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year | 2,464,655 | 4,710,261 | 1,791,174 | |||||||||||
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | - | - | - | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year | 10 | 3,996,300 | 2,464,655 | 2,904,287 |
* $ numbers presented solely for convenience of the reader
The above consolidated statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes
F-8
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 1. General information
The financial statements cover Mobilicom Limited as a Group consisting of Mobilicom Limited and the entities it controlled at the end of, or during, the year. The financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, which is Mobilicom Limited's functional and presentation currency.
The conversion from Australian dollars (AUD$) into U.S. dollars ($) was made at the exchange rate as of December 31, 2021, on which $ 1.00 equaled AUD$ 1.376. The use of $ is solely for the convenience of the reader.
The functional currency of Mobilicom Limited's subsidiary, Mobilicom Ltd ("Mobilicom Israel"), is Israeli New Shekels.
Mobilicom Limited is a listed public company limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in Australia. Its registered office and principal place of business are:
Registered office | Principal place of business | |
C/- JM Corporate Services | Level 21, 459 Collins Street | |
Level 21, 459 Collins Street | Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 | |
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 | Australia | |
Australia |
The company’s principal activities are design, develop and deliver of cybersecurity and smart solutions for drone, robotics and autonomous platforms.
The financial statements were authorized for issue, in accordance with a resolution of directors, on March 21,2022. The directors have the power to amend and reissue the financial statements.
Liquidity analysis
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the assumption that the company will continue as a going concern, meaning it will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize assets and discharge liabilities in the ordinary course of operations. As of December 31, 2021, the company has not achieved positive cash flow from operations and incurred a net loss of AUD$2,704,845 ($1,965,730) for the year ended December 31, 2021, and generated AUD$24,118,314 ($17,527,846) of accumulated losses since inception. The company estimates that it has adequate financial resources for at least 12 months from the balance sheet date based on its current cash and trade receivable balances and its ongoing operations. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Note 2. Significant accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out either in the respective notes or below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
New or amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations adopted
There was no new or amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ('IASB') that are relevant to the company's current reporting period.
Any new or amended Accounting Standards or Interpretations that are not yet mandatory have not been early adopted.
The company has not yet assessed the impact of these new or amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations.
Basis of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ('IASB').
Historical cost convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for, where applicable, the revaluation of financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
F-9
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 2. Significant accounting policies (continued)
Critical accounting estimates
The preparation of the financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the company's accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements, are disclosed in note 3.
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets and liabilities of all subsidiaries of Mobilicom Limited ('Company' or 'parent entity') as at 31 December 2021 and the results of all subsidiaries for the year then ended. Mobilicom Limited and its subsidiaries together are referred to in these financial statements as the 'the company'.
Subsidiaries are all those entities over which the company has control. The company controls an entity when the company is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the company. They are de-consolidated from the date that control ceases.
Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between entities in the company are eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of the impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the company.
The acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. A change in ownership interest, without the loss of control, is accounted for as an equity transaction, where the difference between the consideration transferred and the book value of the share of the non-controlling interest acquired is recognised directly in equity attributable to the parent.
Where the company loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognises the assets including goodwill, liabilities and non-controlling interest in the subsidiary together with any cumulative translation differences recognised in equity. The company recognises the fair value of the consideration received and the fair value of any investment retained together with any gain or loss in profit or loss.
Foreign currency translation
The financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, which is Mobilicom Limited's presentation currency. The use of $ is solely for the convenience of the reader.
Foreign currency transactions
Foreign currency transactions are translated into Australian dollars using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at financial year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in profit or loss. Non-monetary items are converted at the rate of exchange used to convert the related consolidated statements of financial position items, i.e., at the time of the transaction.
Foreign operations
The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into Australian dollars using the exchange rates at the reporting date. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated into Australian dollars using the average exchange rates, which approximate the rates at the dates of the transactions, for the period. All resulting foreign exchange differences are recognised in other comprehensive income through the foreign currency reserve in equity.
The foreign currency reserve is recognised in profit or loss when the foreign operation or net investment is disposed of.
Current and non-current classification
Assets and liabilities are presented in the statement of financial position based on current and non-current classification.
An asset is classified as current when: it is either expected to be realised or intended to be sold or consumed in the company's normal operating cycle; it is held primarily for the purpose of trading; it is expected to be realised within 12 months after the reporting period; or the asset is cash or cash equivalent unless restricted from being exchanged or used to settle a liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. All other assets are classified as non-current.
F-10
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 2. Significant accounting policies (continued)
Research and development
Expenditure during the research phase of a project is recognised as an expense when incurred.
Development costs are capitalised only when technical feasibility studies identify that the project will develop an intangible asset that will be completed and available for use or sale, that there are adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development, that it will deliver future economic benefits and these benefits can be measured reliably.
Impairment of financial assets
The company assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there is any objective evidence of impairment of financial assets carried at amortized cost.
Impairment of non-financial assets
Non-financial assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount.
Recoverable amount is the higher of an asset's fair value less costs of disposal and value-in-use. The value-in-use is the present value of the estimated future cash flows relating to the asset using a pre-tax discount rate specific to the asset or cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. Assets that do not have independent cash flows are grouped together to form a cash-generating unit.
Defined benefit plans
The Company operates a defined benefit plan in respect of severance pay pursuant to the Severance Pay Law. According to the Law, employees are entitled to severance pay upon dismissal retirement and several other events prescribed by that Law. The liability for termination of employee-employer relationship is measured using the projected unit credit method.
The actuarial assumptions include rates of employee turnover and future salary increases based on the estimated timing of payment. The amounts are presented based on discounted expected future cash flows using a discount rate determined by reference to yields on corporate bonds with a term that matches the estimated term of the benefit plan. In respect of its severance pay obligation to certain of its employees, the Company makes current deposits in pension funds and insurance companies ("plan assets").
Plan assets comprise assets held by a Long-term employee benefits fund or qualifying insurance policies. Plan assets are not available to the Company's own creditors and cannot be returned directly to the Company. The liability for employee benefits presented in the statement of financial position presents the present value of the defined benefit obligation less the fair value of the plan assets.
Remeasurements, comprising of actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the asset ceiling, excluding amounts included in net interest on the net defined benefit liability and the return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest on the net defined benefit liability), are recognized immediately in the statement of financial position with a corresponding debit or credit to retained earnings through OCI in the period in which they occur. Remeasurements are not reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods. Past service costs are recognised in profit or loss.
Goods and Services Tax ('GST') and other similar taxes
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of associated GST, unless the GST incurred is not recoverable from the tax authority. In this case it is recognised as part of the cost of the acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense.
Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount of GST receivable or payable. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the tax authority is included in other receivables or other payables in the statement of financial position.
Cash flows are presented on a gross basis. The GST components of cash flows arising from investing or financing activities which are recoverable from, or payable to the tax authority, are presented as operating cash flows.
Commitments and contingencies are disclosed net of the amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the tax authority.
F-11
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 2. Significant accounting policies (continued)
Segments
The company operates in one segment. Management does not segregate its business for internal reporting. The company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) evaluates the performance of its business based on financial data consistent with the presentation in the accompanying financial statements. The company concluded that its unified business is conducted globally and accordingly represents one operating segment.
Note 3. Critical accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements. Management continually evaluates its judgements and estimates in relation to assets, liabilities, contingent liabilities, revenue and expenses. Management bases its judgements, estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on other various factors, including expectations of future events, management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The resulting accounting judgements and estimates will seldom equal the related actual results. The judgements, estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities (refer to the respective notes) within the next financial year are discussed below.
Share-based payments
The company has a share based remuneration scheme for employees. The fair value of share options is estimated by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, on the date of grant based on certain assumptions. Those assumptions are described in the share based payments note and include, among others, the dividend growth rate, expected share price volatility and expected life of the options. The fair value of the equity settled options granted is charged to statement of comprehensive income over the vesting period of each tranche and the credit is taken to equity, based on the company's estimate of shares that will eventually vest.
Governmental liabilities on grants received
The Company measures the value of its governmental liabilities on grants received, each period, based on discounted cash flows derived from the Company's future anticipated revenues.
Employee benefits provision
As discussed in note 2, the liability for employee benefits expected to be settled more than 12 months from the reporting date is recognised and measured at the present value of the estimated future cash flows to be made in respect of all employees at the reporting date. In determining the present value of the liability, estimates of attrition rates and pay increases through promotion, whereas applicable, and inflation have been taken into account.
Lease term
The lease term is a significant component in the measurement of both the right-of-use asset and lease liability. Judgement is exercised in determining whether there is reasonable certainty that an option to extend the lease or purchase the underlying asset will be exercised, or an option to terminate the lease will not be exercised, when ascertaining the periods to be included in the lease term. In determining the lease term, all facts and circumstances that create an economical incentive to exercise an extension option, or not to exercise a termination option, are considered at the lease commencement date. Factors considered may include the importance of the asset to the Company’s operations; comparison of terms and conditions to prevailing market rates; incurrence of significant penalties; existence of significant leasehold improvements; and the costs and disruption to replace the asset. The Company reassesses whether it is reasonably certain to exercise an extension option, or not exercise a termination option, if there is a significant event or significant change in circumstances.
Note 4. Revenue
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Sale of goods | 3,578,603 | 2,066,478 | 2,600,729 |
F-12
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 4. Revenue (continued)
Revenue from contracts with customers
Revenue is recognised at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company is expected to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. For each contract with a customer, the company: identifies the contract with a customer; identifies the performance obligations in the contract; determines the transaction price which takes into account estimates of variable consideration and the time value of money; allocates the transaction price to the separate performance obligations on the basis of the relative stand-alone selling price of each distinct good or service to be delivered; and recognises revenue when or as each performance obligation is satisfied in a manner that depicts the transfer to the customer of the goods or services promised.
Interest
Interest revenue is recognised as interest accrues using the effective interest method. This is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset and allocating the interest income over the relevant period using the effective interest rate, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to the net carrying amount of the financial asset.
Government Grant income
The Company receives government grant income from the Israeli Innovation Authority (formerly the Office of the Chief Scientist) (Innovation Authority), as support for participation in sponsored programs for research and development projects. Grants are received for eligible research and development expenses, upon submission and acceptance of periodic project performance reports. Grant income is accounted for in the period in which it is received.
Major customers
Out of the total income in the year ended 2021, 45% (2020: 47%) was attributed to client A, and 14% (2020: 7%) was attributed to client B.
Note 5. Cost of sales
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Salaries and benefits | 125,665 | 230,722 | 91,326 | |||||||||
Cost of materials | 991,959 | 414,778 | 720,900 | |||||||||
Occupancy and office expenses | 14,193 | 17,282 | 10,315 | |||||||||
Other | 43,832 | 36,382 | 31,855 | |||||||||
Depreciation | 16,812 | 26,230 | 12,218 | |||||||||
1,192,461 | 725,394 | 866,614 |
F-13
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 6. Selling and marketing expenses
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Salaries and benefits | 1,287,439 | 843,691 | 935,639 | |||||||||
Marketing services | 158,706 | 69,783 | 115,337 | |||||||||
Travel expenses | 38,077 | 13,463 | 27,672 | |||||||||
Depreciation | 61,642 | 92,097 | 44,798 | |||||||||
Occupancy and office expenses | 21,608 | 25,772 | 15,703 | |||||||||
Other | 90,486 | 68,089 | 65,762 | |||||||||
1,657,958 | 1,112,895 | 1,204,911 |
Note 7. Research and development
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Salaries and benefits | 1,604,508 | 1,604,187 | 1,166,067 | |||||||||
Materials | 247,948 | 129,834 | 180,195 | |||||||||
Royalties to the OCS | (1,924 | ) | (155,896 | ) | (1,398 | ) | ||||||
Subcontractors | 275,087 | 571,730 | 199,918 | |||||||||
Depreciation | 112,077 | 140,720 | 81,451 | |||||||||
Other | 137,004 | 127,747 | 99,566 | |||||||||
2,374,700 | 2,418,322 | 1,725,799 |
F-14
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 8. General and administration expenses
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Salaries and benefits | 678,814 | 475,134 | 493,324 | |||||||||
Professional fees | 419,056 | 474,214 | 304,547 | |||||||||
Insurance | 153,687 | 138,746 | 111,691 | |||||||||
Travel expenses | 231 | 2,338 | 168 | |||||||||
Depreciation | 33,623 | 26,229 | 24,435 | |||||||||
Occupancy and office expenses | 20,112 | 15,574 | 14,616 | |||||||||
Other | 71,306 | 69,736 | 51,821 | |||||||||
1,376,829 | 1,201,971 | 1,000,602 |
Note 9. Income tax expense
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Numerical reconciliation of income tax expense and tax at the statutory rate | ||||||||||||
Loss before income tax expense | (2,695,679 | ) | (2,781,899 | ) | (1,959,069 | ) | ||||||
Tax at the statutory tax rate of 27.5% | (741,312 | ) | (765,022 | ) | (538,744 | ) | ||||||
Tax effect amounts which are not deductible/(taxable) in calculating taxable income: | ||||||||||||
Share-based payments | 61,372 | 43,978 | 44,602 | |||||||||
Other temporary differences not recognized | 689,106 | 721,044 | 500,803 | |||||||||
Income tax expense | 9,166 | - | 6,661 |
Deferred tax assets relating to temporary differences and unused tax losses are recognised only to the extent that is it probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the benefits of the deferred tax asset can be utilised
F-15
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 10. Current assets - cash and cash equivalents
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Cash at bank | 3,996,300 | 2,464,655 | 2,904,287 |
Accounting policy for cash and cash equivalents
Cash
and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits held at call with financial institutions, other short-term, highly liquid investments
with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant
risk of changes in value.
Note 11. Current assets - trade and other receivables
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Trade receivables | 338,859 | 259,999 | 246,264 | |||||||||
Other receivables | 356,682 | 125,157 | 259,216 | |||||||||
695,541 | 385,156 | 505,480 |
Accounting policy for trade and other receivables
Trade receivables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any allowance for expected credit losses. Trade receivables are generally due for settlement within 30 days.
The company has applied the simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses, which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance. To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables have been grouped based on days overdue.
Other receivables are recognised at amortised cost, less any allowance for expected credit losses.
No allowance for expected credit losses or overdue balances are accounted for in the financial statements.
Note 12. Current assets - inventories
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Finished goods - at cost | 490,990 | 803,004 | 356,824 |
Accounting policy for inventories
Inventories are recognised at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
F-16
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 13. Non-current assets - property, plant and equipment
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Computer equipment - at cost | 253,564 | 223,473 | 184,276 | |||||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation | (220,715 | ) | (211,332 | ) | (160,403 | ) | ||||||
32,849 | 12,141 | 23,873 | ||||||||||
Office furniture & equipment - at cost | 129,538 | 129,095 | 94,141 | |||||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation | (28,956 | ) | (22,522 | ) | (21,044 | ) | ||||||
100,582 | 106,573 | 73,097 | ||||||||||
Machinery & equipment - at cost | 82,889 | 82,889 | 60,239 | |||||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation | (63,749 | ) | (58,120 | ) | (46,329 | ) | ||||||
19,140 | 24,769 | 13,910 | ||||||||||
152,571 | 143,483 | 110,880 |
Reconciliations
Reconciliations of the written down values at the beginning and end of the current and previous financial year are set out below:
Computer | Office furniture & | Machinery & | ||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated | equipment | equipment | equipment | Total | Total | |||||||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at 1 January 2020 | 34,260 | 117,674 | 28,074 | 180,008 | ||||||||||||||||
Additions | 403 | - | 1,208 | 1,611 | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation expense | (22,522 | ) | (11,101 | ) | (4,513 | ) | (38,136 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance at 31 December 2020 | 12,141 | 106,573 | 24,769 | 143,483 | ||||||||||||||||
Additions | 30,091 | 443 | - | 30,534 | 22,190 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation expense | (9,383 | ) | (6,434 | ) | (5,629 | ) | (21,446 | ) | (15,586 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance at 31 December 2021 | 32,849 | 100,582 | 19,140 | 152,571 | 110,880 |
Accounting policy for property, plant and equipment
Plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.
Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis to write off the net cost of each item of property, plant and equipment (excluding land) over their expected useful lives as follows:
Computer equipment | 3 years | |
Machinery and equipment | 6-7 years | |
Office furniture and equipment | 10-14 years |
The residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each reporting date.
An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when there is no future economic benefit to the company. Gains and losses between the carrying amount and the disposal proceeds are taken to profit or loss.
F-17
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 14. Non-current assets - right-of-use assets
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Land and buildings - right-of-use | 517,719 | 697,234 | 376,249 | |||||||||
Motor vehicles - right-of-use | 92,478 | 73,214 | 67,208 | |||||||||
610,197 | 770,448 | 443,457 |
Additions to the right-of-use assets during the financial year were $42,457 ($30,855) (2020: $87,557).
During the 2021 financial year the company leased new car for the Israeli company under agreement for 3 years.
The company leases land and buildings for its offices in Israel under agreements for 5 years and in some cases, options to extend. On renewal, the terms of the leases are renegotiated.
Reconciliations
Reconciliations of the written down values at the beginning and end of the current and previous financial year are set out below:
Land and | Motor | |||||||||||||||
Consolidated | Buildings | Vehicle | Total | Total | ||||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | |||||||||||||
Balance at 1 January 2020 | 946,342 | - | 946,342 | - | ||||||||||||
Additions | - | 87,557 | 87,557 | |||||||||||||
Depreciation expense | (249,108 | ) | (14,343 | ) | (263,451 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance at 31 December 2020 | 697,234 | 73,214 | 770,448 | |||||||||||||
Additions | - | 42,457 | 42,457 | 30,855 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation expense | (179,515 | ) | (23,193 | ) | (202,708 | ) | (147,317 | ) | ||||||||
Balance at 31 December 2021 | 517,719 | 92,478 | 610,197 | 443,457 |
Accounting policy for right-of-use assets
A right-of-use asset is recognised at the commencement date of a lease. The right-of-use asset is measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability, adjusted for, as applicable, any lease payments made at or before the commencement date net of any lease incentives received, any initial direct costs incurred, and, except where included in the cost of inventories, an estimate of costs expected to be incurred for dismantling and removing the underlying asset, and restoring the site or asset.
Right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the unexpired period of the lease or the estimated useful life of the asset, whichever is the shorter. Where the company expects to obtain ownership of the leased asset at the end of the lease term, the depreciation is over its estimated useful life. Right-of use assets are subject to impairment or adjusted for any remeasurement of lease liabilities.
The company has elected not to recognise a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability for short-term leases with terms of 12 months or less and leases of low-value assets. Lease payments on these assets are expensed to profit or loss as incurred.
F-18
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 15. Current liabilities - trade and other payables
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Trade payables | 214,778 | 251,678 | 156,089 | |||||||||
Other payables | 936,677 | 767,516 | 680,724 | |||||||||
1,151,455 | 1,019,194 | 836,813 |
Refer to note 24 for further information on financial instruments.
Amounts noted above in other payables include amounts payable to Directors for wages payable.
Accounting policy for trade and other payables
These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the company prior to the end of the financial year and which are unpaid. Due to their short-term nature, they are measured at amortised cost and are not discounted. The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 days of recognition.
Note 16. Current liabilities - lease liabilities
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Lease liability | 305,414 | 271,284 | 221,958 |
Refer to note 24 for further information on financial instruments.
Note 17. Non-current liabilities - lease liabilities
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Lease liability | 336,246 | 547,115 | 244,365 |
Refer to note 24 for further information on financial instruments.
Accounting policy for lease liabilities
A lease liability is recognised at the commencement date of a lease. The lease liability is initially recognised at the present value of the lease payments to be made over the term of the lease, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the company's incremental borrowing rate. Lease payments comprise of fixed payments less any lease incentives receivable, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, amounts expected to be paid under residual value guarantees, exercise price of a purchase option when the exercise of the option is reasonably certain to occur, and any anticipated termination penalties. The variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.
Lease liabilities are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. The carrying amounts are remeasured if there is a change in the following: future lease payments arising from a change in an index, or a rate used; residual guarantee; lease term; certainty of a purchase option and termination penalties. When a lease liability is remeasured, an adjustment is made to the corresponding right-of use asset, or to profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset is fully written down.
F-19
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 18. Non-current liabilities - employee benefits
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Employee benefits | 818,190 | 703,113 | 594,615 |
The
company's liabilities for severance pay retirement and pension pursuant to Israeli law and employment agreements are recognized by full
- in part by managers' insurance policies, for which the company makes monthly payments and accrued amounts in severance pay funds and
the rest by the liabilities which are included in the financial statements.
The amounts funded displayed above include amounts deposited in severance pay funds with the addition of accrued income. According to
the Severance Pay Law, the aforementioned amounts may not be withdrawn or mortgaged as long as the employer’s obligations have
not been fulfilled in compliance with Israeli law.
Statement of financial position amounts
The amounts recognized in the statement of financial position are determined as follows:
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Present value of the defined benefit obligation | 1,026,565 | 869,550 | 746,050 | |||||||||
Fair value of defined benefit plan assets | (208,375 | ) | (166,437 | ) | (151,435 | ) | ||||||
Net liability in the statement of financial position | 818,190 | 703,113 | 594,615 |
Movement in plan assets:
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Balance at the beginning of the year | 166,437 | 150,297 | 120,957 | |||||||||
Interest income | 2,472 | 2,945 | 1,796 | |||||||||
Contributions | 20,591 | 21,030 | 14,964 | |||||||||
Re measurements gain/(loss) | ||||||||||||
Return on plan assets (excluding interest) | 824 | 2,945 | 599 | |||||||||
Foreign exchanges differences | 18,051 | (10,780 | ) | 13,119 | ||||||||
Balance at the end of the year | 208,375 | 166,437 | 151,435 |
Reconciliations
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Reconciliation of the present value of the defined benefit obligation | ||||||||||||
Balance at the beginning of the year | 869,550 | 811,629 | 631,940 | |||||||||
Interest cost | 14,831 | 15,568 | 10,778 | |||||||||
Current service cost | 65,917 | 62,695 | 47,905 | |||||||||
Actuarial loss/(gains) from financial assumptions | (14,419 | ) | (3,505 | ) | (10,479 | ) | ||||||
Foreign exchanges differences | 90,686 | (16,837 | ) | 65,906 | ||||||||
Balance at the end of the year | 1,026,565 | 869,550 | 746,050 |
F-20
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 19. Non-current liabilities - Governmental liabilities on grants received
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Governmental liabilities on grants received | 5,175 | 6,754 | 3,760 |
Accounting policy for Government liabilities on grants received
The Company measured the value of its governmental liabilities on grants received, each period, based on discounted cash flows derived from Company's future anticipated revenues.
The Company participates in programs sponsored by the Israeli Innovation Authority- Office of Chief Scientist ("OCS"), for the support of research and development projects. Several programs are subjected to royalties, while others are not (the company is committed to pay royalties for the R&D programs, while the research programs do not require repayment). In exchange for the Chief Scientist's participation in the programs, the Company is required to pay royalties to the Chief Scientist at a rate between 3% and 3.5% of sales of developed products linked to U.S dollars, until repayment of 100% of the amount of grants received, plus annual interest at the LIBOR rate. The company is required to pay royalties, to the OCS, of sales to end customers of products developed with funds provided by the Chief Scientist, if and when such sales are recognized. The obligation to pay these royalties is contingent on actual sales of the products. Changes in the liability are recognized in research and development expenses. The exceptions of the Company to pay the grants are based on its estimation at the end of each year.
Note 20. Equity - issued capital
Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
Shares | Shares | AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Ordinary shares - fully paid | 321,936,715 | 257,936,715 | 26,504,136 | 22,884,795 | 19,261,727 |
Movements in ordinary share capital
Details | Date | Shares | Issue price | AUD$ | $ | |||||||||||||
Balance | 1 January 2020 | 257,936,715 | 22,884,795 | |||||||||||||||
Balance | 31 December 2020 | 257,936,715 | 22,884,795 | |||||||||||||||
Placement (*) | 17 May 2021 | 64,000,000 | $ | 0.06 | 3,840,000 | 2,790,697 | ||||||||||||
Capital raising costs | - | - | (220,659 | ) | (160,363 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance | 31 December 2021 | 321,936,715 | 26,504,136 | 19,261,727 |
(*) | On 15 July 2021, the Company issued 64,000,000 options to investors in the Company’s May 2021 capital raising. The options have an exercise price of AUD$0.09 ($0.07), expire July 15, 2023. |
Ordinary shares
Ordinary shares entitle the holder to participate in dividends and the proceeds on the winding up of the company in proportion to the number of and amounts paid on the shares held. The fully paid ordinary shares have no par value and the Company does not have a limited amount of authorised capital.
On a show of hands every member present at a meeting in person or by proxy shall have one vote and upon a poll each share shall have one vote.
F-21
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 20. Equity - issued capital (continued)
Capital risk management
The company's objectives when managing capital is to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimum capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.
Capital is regarded as total equity, as recognised in the statement of financial position, plus net debt. Net debt is calculated as total borrowings less cash and cash equivalents.
In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the company may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.
The company would look to raise capital when an opportunity to invest in a business or company was seen as value adding relative to the current Company's share price at the time of the investment. The company is not actively pursuing additional investments in the short term as it continues to integrate and grow its existing businesses in order to maximise synergies.
Accounting policy for issued capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity.
Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.
F-22
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 21. Equity - reserves
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Foreign currency reserve | 237,437 | 198,160 | 172,556 | |||||||||
Share-based payments reserve | 1,214,809 | 1,046,869 | 882,855 | |||||||||
Re-measurements of defined benefit plans reserve | (508,949 | ) | (474,752 | ) | (369,875 | ) | ||||||
943,297 | 770,277 | 685,536 |
Foreign currency reserve
The reserve is used to recognise exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign operations to Australian dollars.
Share-based payments reserve
The reserve is used to recognise the value of equity benefits provided to employees and directors as part of their remuneration, and other parties as part of their compensation for services.
Re-measurements of defined benefit plans reserves
The reserve is used for remeasurements comprising actuarial gains and losses on the net defined benefit liability.
F-23
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 21. Equity - reserves (continued)
Movements in reserves
Movements in each class of reserve during the current and previous financial year are set out below:
Re-measurement of defined benefit plans | Share based | Foreign currency | ||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated | reserve | payments | reserve | Total | Total | |||||||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at 1 January 2020 | (481,202 | ) | 1,318,853 | 22,324 | 859,975 | |||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation | - | - | 175,836 | 175,836 | ||||||||||||||||
Re-measurement of defined benefit plans | 6,450 | 6,450 | ||||||||||||||||||
Share based payments | - | 173,134 | - | 173,134 | ||||||||||||||||
Expiry of options | - | (20,702 | ) | - | (20,702 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Cancellation of options | - | (424,416 | ) | - | (424,416 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Balance at 31 December 2020 | (474,752 | ) | 1,046,869 | 198,160 | 770,277 | |||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation | - | - | 206,363 | 206,363 | 149,973 | |||||||||||||||
Re-measurement of defined benefit plans | (34,197 | ) | (34,197 | ) | (24,852 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Share based payments | - | 223,171 | - | 223,171 | 162,188 | |||||||||||||||
Expiry and cancellation of options | - | (55,231 | ) | - | (55,231 | ) | (40,139 | ) | ||||||||||||
Re-allocation between accumulated losses and foreign currency reserve | - | - | (167,086 | ) | (167,086 | ) | (121,429 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance at 31 December 2021 | (508,949 | ) | 1,214,809 | 237,437 | 943,297 | 685,536 |
Note 22. Equity - dividends
There were no dividends paid, recommended or declared during the current or previous financial year.
F-24
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 23. Equity – share-based compensation and share-based payment reserve
The Company has adopted a share incentive plan (the “Plan”) under which it is authorized to grant options to officers, directors, employees and consultants enabling them to acquire up to 5% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company. The options expiration and vesting schedule are as determined by the Board of Directors. The exercise price of each option granted may not be less than the fair market value of the common shares at the time of grant.
A summary of changes in stock options for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is presented below:
Number
of options outstanding | Weighted average exercise price | Weighted average exercise price | ||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2020 | 21,162,717 | AUD$ | 0.15 | $ | ||||||||
Granted (i) | 12,650,000 | 0.08 | ||||||||||
Expired (ii) | (3,400,000 | ) | 0.20 | |||||||||
Cancelled (iii) | (5,464,475 | ) | 0.11 | |||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2020 | 24,948,242 | AUD$ | 0.11 | |||||||||
Granted (iv) | 11,500,000 | 0.08 | 0.06 | |||||||||
Expired (v) | (921,116 | ) | 0.05 | 0.04 | ||||||||
Cancelled (vi) | (4,295,425 | ) | 0.10 | 0.08 | ||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2020 | 31,231,701 | AUD$ | 0.10 | $ | 0.08 |
F-25
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 23. Equity – share-based compensation and share-based payment reserve (continued)
i. | During the year ended December 31,2020, the Company issued a total of 12,650,000 options, as follows: |
a. | On December 29, 2020, the Company issued 6,450,000 options to employees, which vest over three years (33% each year) The total fair value of the options was AUD$290,103. The fair value was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: share price - AUD$0.08; exercise price - AUD$0.08; expected life - 3.5 year; annualized volatility 77.81%; dividend yield - 0%; risk free rate - 0.1%. |
b. | On December 29, 2020, the Company issued 6,200,000 options to employees, which vest over four years (25% each year) The total fair value of the options was AUD$287,623. The fair value was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: share price - AUD$0.08; exercise price - AUD$0.08; expected life – 3.75 years; annualized volatility 77.81%; dividend yield - 0%; risk free rate - 0.22%. |
ii. | During the year ended December 31, 2020, 3,400,000 options with a fair value of AUD$424,413 expired and the Company recorded a charge to the share-based payment reserve with a corresponding credit to accumulated deficit. |
iii. | During the year ended December 31, 2020, 5,464,455 options were cancelled with a total fair value of AUD$870,246 and the Company recorded a charge to the share-based payment reserve with a corresponding credit to accumulated deficit. |
iv. | On July 9, 2021, the Company issued 11,500,000 options to directors of the Company, which vest over three years (33% each year). The total fair value of the options was AUD$337,870 ($245,545). The fair value was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: share price - AUD$0.057; exercise price - AUD$0.08; expected life - 5 year; annualized volatility 73.13%; dividend yield - 0%; risk free rate - 0.04%. |
v. | During the year ended December 31, 2021, 921,116 options with a fair value of AUD$44,359 ($32,238) expired and the Company recorded a charge to the share-based payment reserve with a corresponding credit to accumulated deficit. |
vi. | During the year ended December 31, 2021, 4,295,425 options were cancelled with a total fair value of AUD$206,504 ($150,076) and the Company recorded a charge to the share-based payment reserve with a corresponding credit to accumulated deficit. |
vii. | The Company recognized share-based compensation expense of AUD$223,171 ($162,188) for the year ended December 31, 2021, (Year ended December 31, 2020 - AUD$173,134) in relation to the vesting of options issued in previous years. |
viii. | As at December 31, 2021, stock options were outstanding for the purchase of common shares as follows: |
F-26
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 23. Equity – share-based compensation and share-based payment reserve (continued)
Number of Options | Exercise Price | Exercisable At December 31,2021 | Expiry Date | |||||||
1,850,000 | AUD$ | 0.20 | 1,850,000 | April 27, 2024 | ||||||
614,090 | AUD$ | 0.12 | 614,090 | October 20, 2026 | ||||||
767,611 | AUD$ | 0.12 | 767,611 | November 5, 2025 | ||||||
2,200,000 | AUD$ | 0.15 | 2,200,000 | April 16, 2023 | ||||||
400,000 | AUD$ | 0.15 | 400,000 | May 29, 2024 | ||||||
3,000,000 | AUD$ | 0.15 | 3,000,000 | June 25, 2025 | ||||||
1,500,000 | AUD$ | 0.15 | 1,500,000 | August 5, 2022 | ||||||
9,400,000 | AUD$ | 0.08 | - | December 29, 2025 | ||||||
11,500,000 | AUD$ | 0.08 | - | July 8, 2026 | ||||||
31,231,701 | 10,331,701 |
As at December 31, 2021, options outstanding have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 3.56 years (December 31, 2020 – 3.97 years).
F-27
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 24. Financial instruments
Financial risk management objectives
The company's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including foreign currency risk, price risk and interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The company's overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the financial performance of the company. The company uses different methods to measure different types of risk to which it is exposed. These methods include sensitivity analysis in the case of interest rate, foreign exchange and other price risks, ageing analysis for credit risk and beta analysis in respect of investment portfolios to determine market risk.
Risk management is carried out by senior finance executives ('finance') under policies approved by the Board of Directors ('the Board'). These policies include identification and analysis of the risk exposure of the company and appropriate procedures, controls and risk limits. Finance identifies, evaluates and hedges financial risks within the company's operating units. Finance reports to the Board on a monthly basis.
Market risk
Foreign currency risk
The company undertakes certain transactions denominated in foreign currency and is exposed to foreign currency risk through foreign exchange rate fluctuations.
Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions and recognised financial assets and financial liabilities denominated in a currency that is not the entity's functional currency. The risk is measured using sensitivity analysis and cash flow forecasting.
The carrying amount of the company's foreign currency denominated financial assets and financial liabilities at the reporting date were as follows (holdings are shown in AUD equivalents):
Assets | Liabilities | Assets | Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
US dollars | 548,764 | 443,223 | 39,979 | 6,237 | 398,811 | 29,055 | ||||||||||||||||||
Euros | 2,272 | 1,319 | - | 64 | 1,651 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Israeli New Shekel | 1,535,738 | 1,913,156 | - | - | 1,116,089 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
2,086,774 | 2,357,698 | 39,979 | 6,301 | 1,516,551 | 29,055 |
Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions and recognised financial assets and financial liabilities denominated in a currency that is not the entity's functional currency. The risk is measured using sensitivity analysis.
F-28
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 24. Financial instruments (continued)
Price risk
Price risk is the risk that future cashflows derived from financial instruments will be changed as a result of a market price movement, other than foreign currency rates and interest rates. The company is not exposed to any significant price risk.
Interest rate risk
The company’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the company’s cash deposits with floating interest rates. These financial assets with variable rates expose the company to interest rate risk.
Credit risk
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the company. The company has a strict code of credit, including obtaining agency credit information, confirming references and setting appropriate credit limits. The company obtains guarantees where appropriate to mitigate credit risk. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date to recognised financial assets is the carrying amount, net of any provisions for impairment of those assets, as disclosed in the statement of financial position and notes to the financial statements. The company does not hold any collateral.
The company has adopted a lifetime expected loss allowance in estimating expected credit losses to trade receivables through the use of a provisions matrix using fixed rates of credit loss provisioning. These provisions are considered representative across all customers of the company based on recent sales experience, historical collection rates and forward-looking information that is available.
Generally, trade receivables are written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery. Indicators of this include the failure of a debtor to engage in a repayment plan, no active enforcement activity and a failure to make contractual payments for a period greater than 1 year.
Liquidity risk
Vigilant liquidity risk management requires the company to maintain sufficient liquid assets (mainly cash and cash equivalents) and available borrowing facilities to be able to pay debts as and when they become due and payable.
The company manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate cash reserves and available borrowing facilities by continuously monitoring actual and forecast cash flows and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities.
Remaining contractual maturities
The following tables detail the company's remaining contractual maturity for its financial instrument liabilities. The tables have been drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the financial liabilities are required to be paid. The tables include both interest and principal cash flows disclosed as remaining contractual maturities and therefore these totals may differ from their carrying amount in the statement of financial position.
F-29
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 24. Financial instruments (continued)
Consolidated - 2021 | Weighted average interest rate | 1 year or less | Between 1 and 2 years | Between 2 and 5 years | Over 5 years | Remaining contractual maturities | Remaining contractual maturities | |||||||||||||||||||||
% | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-interest bearing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trade payables | - | 214,778 | - | - | - | 214,778 | 156,089 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other payables | - | 936,677 | - | - | - | 936,677 | 680,724 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Government liabilities | - | - | - | - | 5,175 | 5,175 | 3,760 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total non-derivatives | 1,151,455 | - | - | 5,175 | 1,156,630 | 840,573 |
Consolidated – 2020 | Weighted average interest rate | 1 year or less | Between 1 and 2 years | Between 2 and 5 years | Over 5 years | Remaining contractual maturities | ||||||||||||||||||
% | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | AUD$ | |||||||||||||||||||
Non-derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-interest bearing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trade payables | - | 251,678 | - | - | - | 251,678 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other payables | - | 767,516 | - | - | - | 767,516 | ||||||||||||||||||
Government liabilities | - | - | - | - | 6,754 | 6,754 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total non-derivatives | 1,019,194 | - | - | 6,754 | 1,025,948 |
The cash flows in the maturity analysis above are not expected to occur significantly earlier than contractually disclosed above.
Fair value of financial instruments
Unless otherwise stated, the carrying amounts of financial instruments reflect their fair value.
F-30
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 25. Key management personnel disclosures
Directors
The following persons were directors of Mobilicom Limited during the financial year:
Mr Oren Elkayam (Chairman and Managing Director) | ||
Mr Yossi Segal (Executive Director) | ||
Mr Campbell McComb (Non-executive director) | ||
Mr Jon Brett (Non-executive director) | ||
Mr Theo Psaros (Non-executive Director) | (appointed 20 January 2021 and resigned 5 July 2021) |
Compensation
The aggregate compensation made to directors and other members of key management personnel of the company is set out below:
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Short-term employee benefits | 647,248 | 711,300 | 470,384 | |||||||||
Post-employment benefits | 157,798 | 176,850 | 114,679 | |||||||||
Share-based payments | 46,518 | 63,162 | 33,806 | |||||||||
851,564 | 951,312 | 618,869 |
Note 26. Contingent liabilities
The
Company participates in programs sponsored by the Chief Scientist ("OCS"), for the support of research and development projects.
Several programs are subjected to royalties, while others are not (the company is committed to pay royalties for the R&D programs,
while the research programs do not require repayment).
In exchange for the Chief Scientist's participation in the programs, the Company is required to pay royalties to the Chief Scientist
at a rate between 3% and 3.5% of sales of developed products linked to U.S dollars, until repayment of 100% of the amount of grants received,
plus annual interest at the LIBOR rate. The company is required to pay royalties, to the OCS, of sales to end customers of products developed
with funds provided by the Chief Scientist, if and when such sales are recognised.
The obligation to pay these royalties is contingent on actual sales of the products. Changes in the liability are recognised in research and development expenses. The exceptions of the Company to pay the grants are based on its estimation at the end of each year.
Note 27. Commitments
There were no commitments for the current or previous financial year.
F-31
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 28. Related party transactions
Parent entity
Mobilicom Limited is the parent entity.
Subsidiaries
Interests in subsidiaries are set out in note 29.
Key management personnel
Disclosures relating to key management personnel are set out in note 25.
Transactions with related parties
The following transactions occurred with related parties:
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Payment for other expenses: | ||||||||||||
Corporate secretarial fees paid to Mertons Corporate Services Pty Ltd (an entity related to Mark Licciardo) | - | 51,678 | - | |||||||||
Consulting fees paid to Camac Investments Pty Ltd (an entity related to Campbell McComb) | - | 9,500 | - |
Receivable from and payable to related parties
The following balances are outstanding at the reporting date in relation to transactions with related parties:
Consolidated | Consolidated | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Current payables: | ||||||||||||
Payables to related parties | 3,667 | 12,795 | 2,665 |
Terms and conditions
All transactions were made on normal commercial terms and conditions and at market rates.
F-32
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 29. Interests in subsidiaries
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and results of the following subsidiary in accordance with the accounting policy described in note 2:
Ownership interest | ||||||||||
Principal place of business / | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
Name | Country of incorporation | % | % | |||||||
Mobilicom Ltd ("Mobilicom Israel") | Israel | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % |
Note 30. Reconciliation of loss after income tax to net cash used in operating activities
Consolidated | ||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Loss after income tax expense for the year | (2,704,845 | ) | (2,781,899 | ) | (1,965,730 | ) | ||||||
Adjustments for: | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 224,154 | 285,276 | 162,903 | |||||||||
Share-based payments | 223,171 | 173,134 | 162,188 | |||||||||
Foreign exchange differences | 172,573 | 179,932 | 125,416 | |||||||||
Lease interest | 31,382 | 12,238 | 22,807 | |||||||||
Change in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables | (239,623 | ) | 797,104 | (174,145 | ) | |||||||
Increase in inventories | 312,014 | (277,957 | ) | 226,754 | ||||||||
Decrease/(increase) in prepayments | (70,763 | ) | 5,943 | (51,427 | ) | |||||||
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables | 132,260 | (412,547 | ) | 96,119 | ||||||||
Increase in employee benefits | 115,077 | 41,783 | 83,632 | |||||||||
Increase in Government liabilities | (1,579 | ) | (143,178 | ) | (1,148 | ) | ||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (1,806,179 | ) | (2,120,171 | ) | (1,312,631 | ) |
Note 31. Earnings per share
Consolidated | ||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||
AUD$ | AUD$ | $ | ||||||||||
Loss after income tax attributable to the owners of Mobilicom Limited | (2,704,845 | ) | (2,781,899 | ) | (1,965,730 | ) |
F-33
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 31. Earnings per share (continued)
Number | Number | |||||||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating basic earnings per share | 297,914,797 | 257,936,715 | ||||||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share | 297,914,797 | 257,936,715 |
AUD$ Cents | AUD$ Cents | $ Cents | ||||||||||
Basic earnings per share | (0.91 | ) | (1.08 | ) | (0.66 | ) | ||||||
Diluted earnings per share | (0.91 | ) | (1.08 | ) | (0.66 | ) |
The rights to options held by option holders have not been included in the weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of calculating diluted EPS as they do not meet the requirements for inclusion in IASB 133 “Earnings per Share”. The rights to options are non-dilutive as the company is loss generating.
Accounting policy for earnings per share
Basic earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to the owners of Mobilicom Limited, excluding any costs of servicing equity other than ordinary shares, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year, adjusted for bonus elements in ordinary shares issued during the financial year.
Diluted earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic earnings per share to take into account the after-income tax effect of interest and other financing costs associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares and the weighted average number of shares assumed to have been issued for no consideration in relation to dilutive potential ordinary shares.
F-34
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 32. Share-based payments
Set out below is a summary of options granted and on issue at the end of the year.
2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at | Expired/ | Balance at | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise | the start of | forfeited/ | the end of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Grant date | Expiry date | price | the year | Granted | Exercised | other | the year | ||||||||||||||||||||
27/04/2017 | 27/04/2022 | AUD$ | 0.20 | 1,850,000 | - | - | - | 1,850,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
21/09/2011 | 21/09/2021 | AUD$ | 0.05 | 921,116 | - | - | (921,116 | ) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
20/10/2016 | 20/10/2026 | AUD$ | 0.12 | 614,090 | - | - | - | 614,090 | |||||||||||||||||||
05/11/2015 | 05/11/2025 | AUD$ | 0.12 | 1,113,036 | - | - | (345,425 | ) | 767,611 | ||||||||||||||||||
17/04/2018 | 16/04/2023 | AUD$ | 0.15 | 2,900,000 | - | - | (700,000 | ) | 2,200,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
30/05/2018 | 29/05/2024 | AUD$ | 0.15 | 400,000 | - | - | - | 400,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
30/05/2019 | 25/06/2025 | AUD$ | 0.15 | 3,000,000 | - | - | - | 3,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
05/08/2019 | 05/08/2022 | AUD$ | 0.15 | 1,500,000 | - | - | - | 1,500,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
29/12/2020 | 29/12/2025 | AUD$ | 0.08 | 12,650,000 | - | - | (3,250,000 | ) | 9,400,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
09/07/2021 | 08/07/2026 | AUD$ | 0.08 | - | 11,500,000 | - | - | 11,500,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
24,948,242 | 11,500,000 | - | (5,216,541 | ) | 31,231,701 |
During the year, the company granted 11,500,000 unlisted options to directors of the Company. All the options are vested after 3 years.
For the options granted during the current financial year, the valuation model inputs used to determine the fair value at the grant date, are as follows:
Share price | Exercise | Expected | Dividend | Risk-free interest | Fair value | |||||||||||||||||||||
Grant date | Expiry date | at grant date | price | volatility | yield | rate | at grant date | |||||||||||||||||||
09/07/2021 | 08/07/2026 | $ | 0.057 | $ | 0.080 | 73.13 | % | - | 0.04 | % | $ | 0.0294 |
Accounting policy for share-based payments
Equity-settled and cash-settled share-based compensation benefits are provided to employees.
Equity-settled transactions are awards of shares, or options over shares, that are provided to employees in exchange for the rendering of services. Cash-settled transactions are awards of cash for the exchange of services, where the amount of cash is determined by reference to the share price.
The cost of equity-settled transactions is measured at fair value on grant date. Fair value is independently determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that takes into account the exercise price, the term of the option, the impact of dilution, the share price at grant date and expected price volatility of the underlying share, the expected dividend yield and the risk free interest rate for the term of the option, together with non-vesting conditions that do not determine whether the company receives the services that entitle the employees to receive payment. No account is taken of any other vesting conditions.
The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised as an expense with a corresponding increase in equity over the vesting period. The cumulative charge to profit or loss is calculated based on the grant date fair value of the award, the best estimate of the number of awards that are likely to vest and the expired portion of the vesting period. The amount recognised in profit or loss for the period is the cumulative amount calculated at each reporting date less amounts already recognised in previous periods.
The cost of cash-settled transactions is initially, and at each reporting date until vested, determined by applying either the Black-Scholes option pricing model, taking into consideration the terms and conditions on which the award was granted. The cumulative charge to profit or loss until settlement of the liability is calculated as follows:
● | during the vesting period, the liability at each reporting date is the fair value of the award at that date multiplied by the expired portion of the vesting period. | |
● | from the end of the vesting period until settlement of the award, the liability is the full fair value of the liability at the reporting date. |
F-35
Mobilicom Limited Notes to the consolidated financial statements 31 December 2021 |
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Note 32. Share-based payments (continued)
All changes in the liability are recognised in profit or loss. The ultimate cost of cash-settled transactions is the cash paid to settle the liability.
Market conditions are taken into consideration in determining fair value. Therefore, any awards subject to market conditions are considered to vest irrespective of whether or not that market condition has been met, provided all other conditions are satisfied.
If equity-settled awards are modified, as a minimum an expense is recognised as if the modification has not been made. An additional expense is recognised, over the remaining vesting period, for any modification that increases the total fair value of the share-based compensation benefit as at the date of modification.
If the non-vesting condition is within the control of the company or employee, the failure to satisfy the condition is treated as a cancellation. If the condition is not within the control of the company or employee and is not satisfied during the vesting period, any remaining expense for the award is recognised over the remaining vesting period, unless the award is forfeited.
If equity-settled awards are cancelled, it is treated as if it has vested on the date of cancellation, and any remaining expense is recognised immediately. If a new replacement award is substituted for the cancelled award, the cancelled and new award is treated as if they were a modification.
F-36
2,150,538 American Depositary Shares
Representing 322,580,700 Ordinary Shares
Mobilicom Limited
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS |
ThinkEquity
, 2022
Until , 2022 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Australian law. Australian law provides that a company or a related body corporate of the company may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent of any of the following liabilities incurred as an officer or director of the company:
● | a liability owed to the company or a related body corporate of the company; |
● | a liability for a pecuniary penalty order made under section 1317G or a compensation order under section 961M, 1317H, 1317HA or 1317HB of the Australian Corporations Act 2001; |
● | a liability that is owed to someone other than the company or a related body corporate of the company and did not arise out of conduct in good faith; or |
● | legal costs incurred in defending an action for a liability incurred as an officer or director of the company if the costs are incurred: |
● | in defending or resisting proceedings in which the officer or director is found to have a liability for which they cannot be indemnified as set out above; | |
● | in defending or resisting criminal proceedings in which the officer or director is found guilty; |
● | in defending or resisting proceedings brought by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission or a liquidator for a court order if the grounds for making the order are found by the court to have been established (except costs incurred in responding to actions taken by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission or a liquidator as part of an investigation before commencing proceedings for a court order); or |
● | in connection with proceedings for relief to the officer or a director under the Corporations Act, in which the court denies the relief. |
Constitution. Our Constitution provides, except to the extent prohibited by the law and the Corporations Act, for the indemnification of every person who is or has been an officer or a director of the company or related entities (and in certain instances, subject to approval by the Board, employees, former employees, auditors and former auditors) against liability incurred by that person as an officer or director excluding:
- | in defending or resisting criminal proceedings in which the relevant person is found guilty; |
- | in defending or resisting proceedings bought by the Australian Securities Investments Commission or a liquidator for a Court order if the grounds for making the order are found by a Court to be established; or |
- | in connection with proceedings for relief by the relevant person under the Corporations Act in which the Court denies relief. |
This includes any liability incurred by that person in their capacity as an officer or director of a subsidiary of the company where the company requested that person to accept that appointment.
Indemnification Agreements. Pursuant to Deeds of Access, Insurance and Indemnity, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.10 to this registration statement, we have agreed to indemnify our directors against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director.
SEC Position. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
II-1
Pursuant to the underwriting agreement for this offering, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement, the underwriters will agree to indemnify our directors and officers and persons controlling us, within the meaning of the Securities Act, against certain liabilities that might arise out of or are based upon certain information furnished to us by any such underwriter.
Item 7. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
During the prior three years, we issued and sold to third parties the securities listed below without registering the securities under the Securities Act. None of these transactions involved any public offering. All our securities were sold through private placement either (i) outside the United States or (ii) in the United States to a limited number of investors in transactions not involving any public offering. As discussed below, we believe that each issuance of these securities was exempt from, or not subject to, registration under the Securities Act.
Date | Details | No. | Issue AUD$ | Total AUD$ | ||||||||||
October 24, 2018 | Board member | 250,000 | 0.08 | 20,000 | ||||||||||
April 26, 2019 | Board member | 250,000 | 0.08 | 20,000 | ||||||||||
April 26, 2019 | Investors under share placement | 26,975,000 | 0.1 | 2,697,500 | ||||||||||
April 29, 2019 | Investors under share placement | 12,085,000 | 0.1 | 1,208,500 | ||||||||||
June 27, 2019 | Board member in his capacity as an investor in a share placement | 1,000,000 | 0.1 | 100,000 | ||||||||||
December 29, 2020 | Options issued to employees under ESOP, with a five year term and exercise price of AUD$0.08 (approximately $0.06). | 12,650,000 | ||||||||||||
May 17, 2021 | Strategic institutional investors share placement | 64,000,000 | 0.06 | 3,840,000 | ||||||||||
July 9, 2021 | Options issued to board members as compensation, with a five year term and exercise price of AUD$0.08 (approximately $0.06) | 11,500,000 | ||||||||||||
July 15, 2021 | Options issued to investors in a share placement, with a two year term and exercise price of AUD$0.09 (approximately $0.07) | 64,000,000 | ||||||||||||
April 13, 2022 | Options issued to board member as compensation, with a five year term and exercise price of AUD$0.08 (approximately $0.06). | 400,000 | ||||||||||||
April 13, 2022 | Options issued to consultant with a five year term and exercise price of AUD$0.07(approximately $0.05). | 573,678 | ||||||||||||
April 13, 2022 | Options issued to employees under ESOP and board member as compensation, with a five year term and exercise price of AUD$0.05(approximately $0.04). | 6,530,000 |
II-2
Item 8. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) | Exhibits |
EXHIBIT INDEX
* | Previously filed |
** | To be filed by amendment. |
(b) | Financial Statement Schedules |
Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the Notes thereto.
II-3
Item 9. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement; and
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
(2) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this Registration Statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;
(iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(d) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) | for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective. |
(2) | for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
II-4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Shoham, Israel, on June 6, 2022.
MOBILICOM LIMITED | |||
By: | /s/ Oren Elkayam | ||
Name: | Oren Elkayam | ||
Title: | Managing Director and Chairman |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/ Oren Elkayam | Chairman and Managing Director, | June 6, 2022 | ||
Name: Oren Elkayam | Chief Executive Officer of Mobilicom Ltd. (Israel) (principal executive officer) |
|||
/s/ Yossi Segal* | Director | June 6, 2022 | ||
Name: Yossi Segal | ||||
/s/ Liad Gelfer | Director of Finance of Mobilicom Ltd. (Israel) | June 6, 2022 | ||
Name: Liad Gelfer | (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) | |||
/s/ Campbell McComb* | Director | June 6, 2022 | ||
Name: Campbell McComb | ||||
/s/ Jonathan Brett* | Director | June 6, 2022 | ||
Name: Jonathan Brett | ||||
*By: | ||||
/s/ Oren Elkayam | ||||
Name: Oren Elkayam | Attorney in Fact | June 6, 2022 |
II-5
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES
Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of Mobilicom Limited, has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto in New York, New York on June 6, 2022.
Puglisi & Associates | ||
By: | /s/ Donald J. Puglisi | |
Donald J. Puglisi, Authorized Representative |
II-6
Exhibit 3.1
Corporations Act 2001
CONSTITUTION
of
MOBILICOM LIMITED
ACN 617155 978
A COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
CONSTITUTION OF
MOBILICOM LIMITED
[ACN 617 155 978]
(“THE COMPANY”)
INDEX
Contents | Page No. | |
PRELIMINARY | 1 | |
1. | INTRODUCTION | 1 |
2. | DEFINITIONS | 1 |
3. | INTERPRETATION | 2 |
ASX LISTING RULES | 3 | |
4. | LISTING RULES | 3 |
SHARES | 3 | |
5. | ISSUE OF SHARES | 3 |
6. | RIGHTS | 4 |
7. | VARIATION OF CLASS RIGHTS | 4 |
8. | COMMISSION AND BROKERAGE | 4 |
9. | BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES | 4 |
10. | JOINT HOLDERS | 5 |
11. | SHARE CERTIFICATES | 5 |
12. | SALE OF NON-MARKETABLE PARCELS | 6 |
CALLS | 7 | |
13. | GENERAL | 7 |
14. | INSTALMENTS AND AMOUNTS WHICH BECOME PAYABLE | 8 |
15. | INTEREST AND EXPENSES | 8 |
16. | RECOVERY OF AMOUNTS DUE | 8 |
17. | DIFFERENTIATION | 8 |
18. | PAYMENT OF CALLS IN ADVANCE | 8 |
LIEN AND FORFEITURE | 9 | |
19. | LIEN | 9 |
20. | LIEN SALE | 9 |
21. | FORFEITURE NOTICE | 10 |
22. | FORFEITURE | 10 |
23. | LIABILITY OF FORMER MEMBER | 10 |
24. | DISPOSAL OF FORFEITED SHARES | 11 |
TRANSFER OF SHARES | 11 | |
25. | GENERAL | 11 |
26. | TRANSFER PROCEDURE | 12 |
27. | RIGHT TO REFUSE REGISTRATION | 12 |
28. | PROPORTIONAL TAKEOVER BIDS | 13 |
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES | 15 | |
29. | TITLE & TRANSMISSION ON DEATH | 15 |
CHANGES TO SHARE CAPITAL | 15 | |
30. | CONSOLIDATION OR SUBDIVISION | 15 |
GENERAL MEETINGS | 16 | |
31. | CONVENING | 16 |
32. | NOTICE | 16 |
33. | BUSINESS | 16 |
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS | 17 |
i
ii
iii
CORPORATIONS ACT 2001
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
CONSTITUTION OF
MOBILICOM LIMITED
[ACN 617155 978]
(“THE COMPANY”)
PRELIMINARY
1. | INTRODUCTION |
The name of the Company upon the adoption of this Constitution is Mobilicom limited,
The Company is a public company limited by shares,
The replaceable rules contained in the Corporations Act do not apply to the Company,
2. | DEFINITIONS |
In this Constitution-
“Act” means the Corporations Act and includes a reference to the Corporations Regulations;
“Alternate Director” means a person appointed as an alternate director under Article 68;
“ASX” means ASX Limited [ABN 98 008 624 691];
“Auditor” means the Company’s auditor;
“Board” means the Directors for the time being of the Company or those of them who are present at a meeting at which there is a quorum;
“Business Day” means a day which is a business day for the purposes of the Listing Rules;
“Company” means the entity whose name upon the adoption of this Constitution is Mobilicom Limited. and shall be taken to mean the same entity by whatever name from time to time it may be called;
“Constitution” means the constitution of the Company as amended from time to time;
“CS Facility” has the same meaning as prescribed CS Facility in the Act;
“CS Facility Operator” means the operator of a CS Facility;
“Director” means a person appointed to and acting in the position of a director of the Company;
“Directors” means all or some of the Directors acting as a Board;
“Listed Period” means that period of time during which the Company is admitted to the Official List of the ASX;
“Listing Rules” means the listing Rules of ASX and any other rules of ASX which are applicable during the Listed Period, each as amended or replaced from time to time, except to the extent of any express written waiver by ASX;
“Managing Director” means a Director appointed as Managing Director under Article 75(1)(a);
“Marketable Parcel” has the same meaning as in the Operating Rules;
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“Member” means a person whose name is entered for the time being on the Register as the holder of one (1) or more Shares;
“Non-Marketable Parcel” means a parcel of securities which is less than a Marketable Parcel;
“Office” means the Company’s registered office;
“Operating Rules” means the operating rules of a CS Facility regulating the settlement, clearing and registration of uncertificated shares as amended, varied or waived (whether in respect of the Company or generally) from time to time which shall only apply to the Company during the Listed Period;
“Person” and words importing persons include partnerships, associations and corporations, unincorporated and incorporated by Ordinance, act of Parliament or registration as well as individuals;
“Register” means the register of Members of the Company;
“Registered Address” means the address of a Member specified on a transfer or any other address of which the Member notifies the Company as a place at which the Member is willing to accept service of notices;
“Representative” means a person appointed by a Member to act as its representative under Article 53(1) or under Section 250D of the Act;
“Restricted Securities” has the same meaning as in the Listing Rules;
“Seal” means the common seal of the Company (if any);
“Secretary” means any person appointed by the Directors to perform any of the duties of a secretary of the Company and if there are joint secretaries, any one (1) or more of such joint secretaries;
“Securities” includes shares, rights to shares, options to acquire shares and other securities with rights of conversion to equity and debentures, debenture stock, notes and other obligations of the Company;
“Shares” means shares in the share capital of the Company;
“Uncertificated Holding” means a holding of Shares which is not held on any certificated sub-register maintained by or on behalf of the Company; and
“Writing” and “written” includes printing, typing, lithography, facsimile and other modes of reproducing words in a visible form.
3. | INTERPRETATION |
(1) | In this Constitution, unless the contrary intention appears: |
(a) | the singular includes the plural and vice versa and words importing a gender include other genders; |
(b) | words importing natural persons include corporations: |
(c) | a reference to the Act is a reference to the Corporations Act as modified or amended from time to time; |
(d) | words and expressions defined in the Act have the same meaning in this Constitution; and |
(e) | headings are for ease of reference only and do not affect the construction of this Constitution. |
(2) | Unless the contrary intention appears in this Constitution, an expression in an Article of this Constitution has the same meaning as in a provision of the Act which deals with the same matter as the Article. |
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(3) | For the purposes of this Constitution and only during the Listed Period, if the provisions of:- |
(a) | the Act and the Listing Rules; or |
(b) | the Act and the Operating Rules, |
conflict on the same matter, the provisions of the Act prevail.
ASX LISTING RULES
4. | LISTING RULES |
During the Listed Period, the following provisions shall apply:-
(1) | notwithstanding anything contained in this Constitution, if the Listing Rules prohibit an act being done, the act shall not be done; |
(2) | nothing contained in this Constitution prevents an act being done that the Listing Rules require to be done; |
(3) | if the Listing Rules require an act to be done or not to be done, authority is given for that to be done or not to be done (as the case may be); |
(4) | if the Listing Rules require this Constitution to contain a provision and it does not contain such a provision, this Constitution is deemed to contain that provision; |
(5) | if the Listing Rules require this Constitution not to contain a provision and it contains such a provision, this Constitution is deemed not to contain that provision; and |
(6) | if any provision of this Constitution is or becomes inconsistent with the Listing Rules, this Constitution is deemed not to contain that provisions to the extent of the inconsistency. |
SHARES
5. | ISSUE OF SHARES |
(1) | Subject to the Act, the Listing Rules and this Constitution, and without affecting any special rights conferred on the holders of any shares, any shares or other securities may be issued with preferred, deferred or other special rights, obligations or restrictions, whether in regard to dividends, voting, return of share capital, payment of calls or otherwise, as the Board may determine and on any terms the Board considers appropriate. |
(2) | Subject to the Act, any preference shares may, with the sanction of a resolution, be issued on the terms that they are, or at the option of the Company are liable, to be redeemed. |
(3) | Without limiting the foregoing, subject to the Act, the Listing Rules (during the Listed Period) and the general law, the Directors may:- |
(a) | establish one or more Employee Share Schemes; |
(b) | establish one or more schemes or plans (known by any name or description) providing for the acquisition or receipt of other securities or of rights or benefits attributable or calculated in a manner consistent with or representative of having acquired, received or held Shares or other securities: |
in each case on such terms as the Directors think fit, and in each case which may permit participation by any officer (including but not only any Director) of the Company or a related body corporate or a relative of an officer or an entity in which the officer or relative of an officer has an interest;
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(c) | vary, suspend or terminate any plan or scheme established under Article 5(3)(a) or 5(3)(b); |
(d) | give financial assistance in connection with the acquisition of Shares or other securities of the Company or of a related body corporate under any plan or scheme established under Article 5(3)(a) or 5(3)(b) in any manner permitted by the Act the Listing Rules (during the Listed Period) and the general law. |
6. | RIGHTS |
Subject to Articles 5 and 7, the Act, this Constitution and to the terms of issue of Shares, all Shares entitle the holders thereof:-
(1) | to receive notice of and to attend and vote at all general meetings of the Company; |
(2) | to receive dividends; and |
(3) | in a winding up to participate equally in the distribution of the assets of the Company (both capital and surplus), subject only to any amounts unpaid on the Share. |
7. | VARIATION OF CLASS RIGHTS |
(1) | If at any time the share capital is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attached to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class) may be varied or cancelled:- |
(a) | with the consent in writing of the holders of the issued shares of that class who are entitled to at least 75% of the votes that may be cast in respect of shares of that class; or |
(b) | or by a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of \he shares of that class. |
(2) | The provisions of this Constitution relating to meetings of the Company’s Members (with the necessary changes) apply to a meeting held under Article 7(1). |
(3) | The rights conferred on the holders of the shares of any class (the “Existing Shares”) are not deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares which confer rights that rank equally with the Existing Shares unless otherwise: |
(a) | expressly provided by the terms of issue of the Existing Shares; or |
(b) | required by the Act. |
8. | COMMISSION AND BROKERAGE |
(1) | The Company may pay brokerage or commission to a person in respect of that person or another person agreeing to take up shares in the Company. |
(2) | Payments of brokerage or commission may include any or all of:- |
(a) | the payment of cash; or |
(b) | the issue of shares; or |
(c) | the grant of options; or |
(d) | the issue of debentures; or |
(e) | a combination of any of the above methods. |
9. | BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES |
Except as required by law, the Operating Rules or as otherwise provided by this Constitution:-
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(1) | the Company shall not recognise any person as holding a Share on any trust; and |
(2) | the Company is not bound by or compelled in any way to recognise (whether or not it has notice of the interest or rights concerned) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest or any other right in respect of any Share or any other rights in respect of a Share except an absolute right of ownership in the registered holder. |
10. | JOINT HOLDERS |
If two (2) or more persons are registered as the holders of any Shares, they are considered to hold the Shares as joint tenants with benefit of survivorship subject to the following provisions:-
(1) | the Company is not bound to register more than three (3) persons as the holders of the shares (except in the case of personal representatives of a deceased Member); |
(2) | the joint holders of the shares are liable severally as well as jointly in respect of all payments which ought to be made in respect of the shares; |
(3) | on the death of any one (1) of the joint holders, the survivor is the only person recognised by the Company as having any title to the shares but the Board may require evidence of death and the estate of the deceased joint holder is not released from any liability in respect of the shares; |
(4) | any one (1) of the joint holders may give a receipt for any dividend, bonus or return of capital payable to the joint holders; |
(5) | the person whose name appears first on the Register is the only joint holder entitled to receive notices from the Company and any notice given to that person is considered to be notice to all the joint holders; |
(6) | the person whose name appears first on the Register is the only joint holder entitled to delivery of any certificate relating to the shares From the Company; and |
(7) | any one (1) of the joint holder may vote at any meeting of the Company either personally or by properly authorised representative, proxy or attorney, in respect of the shares as if that joint holder was solely entitled to the shares. If more than one (1) of the joint holders are present personally or by properly authorised representative, proxy or attorney, on the vote of the joint holder whose name appears first in the Register counts. |
11. | SHARE CERTIFICATES |
(1) | The Directors may in their absolute discretion issue a certificate to a Member for Shares or other securities of the Company registered in the name of the Member. |
(2) | During the Listed Period, if the Company participates, or to enable the Company to participate, in any computerised or electronic share transfer system introduced by or acceptable to ASX, the Directors may:- |
(a) | provide that shares may be held in certificated or uncertificated form and make any provision they think fit, including for the issue or cancellation of certificates, to enable Members to hold shares in uncertificated form and to convert between certificated and uncertificated holdings; |
(b) | provide that some or all Members are not to be entitled to receive a share certificate in respect of some or all of the shares which the Members hold in the Company; |
(3) | The Directors may in their absolute discretion elect whether to maintain a certificated sub-register for any class of Shares. |
(4) | Subject to the Listing Rules and the Operating Rules, Shares may be held on any sub-register maintained by or on behalf of the Company. |
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(5) | Subject to the Listing Rules and the Operating Rules, the Directors may (and must if the Company is listed) order lost, worn out or defaced certificates to be cancelled and, if necessary (unless the securities are held as an uncertified holding), replaced by new certificates. |
(6) | The Company must comply with the Act, and during the Listed Period with the Listing Rules and the Operating Rules (if the Company is bound by those Operating Rules), in issuing certificates, statements of holdings or other documents. |
(7) | Despite any other provision in this Constitution, the Board must do all things it considers necessary, required or authorised by the law, the Listing Rules or the Operating Rules in connection with any computerised or electronic share transfer system. |
12. | SALE OF NON-MARKETABLE PARCELS |
(1) | Subject to Article 12(4) and during the Listed Period, a Member must not hold less than a Marketable Parcel of shares in the Company unless exempted from this provision by Directors. |
(2) | In this Article:- |
“Applicable Member” means a Member holding less than a Marketable Parcel of shares in the Company;
the “Notice Date” means the date on which the Company sends to an Applicable Member notification of Company’s Plan;
the “Notice of Sale” means the notice sent to all Applicable Members on the Notice Date;
the “Plan” means the provisions contained in this Article by which the Directors intend to sell the shares of any Applicable Member who does not wish to be exempted from the Plan;
the “Specified Date” means the date upon which the Directors are entitled to offer for sale the shares held by the non-exempted Applicable Members, being a date not less than six (6) weeks after the Notice Date;
(3) | If the Directors determine to invoke the provisions contained in Article 12, then the Directors shall be required to send a Notice of Sale to all Applicable Members to advise that the Company intends to invoke the Plan on the Specified Date mentioned in the Notice of Sale to sell the Shares registered in the name of each such Applicable Member on behalf of each such Applicable Member. |
(4) | If an Applicable Member does not wish to have its shares sold in accordance with this Article 12, such an Applicable Member must advise in writing delivered to the Office prior to the Specified Date that:- |
(a) | the Applicable Member wishes to be exempted from the provisions of this Article; or |
(b) | the Applicable Member has purchased sufficient additional shares in the capital of the Company so as to increase its holding to least a Marketable Parcel. |
(5) | If an Applicable Member has given written notice to the Company that the Applicable Member wishes its shares to be exempted from this Plan, the Applicable Member may at any time revoke or withdraw that notice and the provisions of this Article 12 shall apply thereafter to that Member. |
(6) | If an Applicable Member does not advise the Company by the Specified Date that the provisions of this Article are not to apply to the Shares registered in the name of the Applicable Member referred to in the Notice of Sale, any of those Shares may be sold by the Company. |
(7) | Any Shares which may be sold pursuant to this Article may be sold on the terms, in the manner and at the time determined by the Directors (which may include by being bought back by the Company) and for the purposes of a sale pursuant to this Article each Applicable Member:- |
(a) | appoints the Company the Applicable Member's agent for the sale of the Shares held by the Applicable Member; |
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(b) | authorises the Company to effect on behalf of the Applicable Member a transfer of the Shares sold; |
(c) | appoints the Company and its Directors jointly and severally as the attorneys for the Applicable Member in the name of the Applicable Member and on behalf of the Applicable Member to execute any instrument or take any other steps as they or any of them may consider appropriate to transfer the Shares sold. |
(8) | The title of the transferee to Shares acquired pursuant to this Article is not affected by any irregularity or invalidity in connection with the sale of Shares to the transferee. |
(9) | The proceeds of any sale of Shares pursuant to this Article less any unpaid calls and interest (“Sale Consideration”) will be paid to the relevant Applicable Member or as that Applicable Member may direct. |
(10) | The Sale Consideration received by the Company in respect of all Shares sold pursuant to this Article (or payable by the Company in the case of the Shares being bought back by the Company under this Article) will be paid into a bank account opened and maintained by the Company for the purposes of this Article. |
(11) | The Company will hold the Sale Consideration in trust for the Applicable Member whose Shares are sold or bought back pursuant to this Article and will forthwith notify the Applicable Member in writing that the Sale Consideration in respect of the Applicable Member’s Shares has been received by the Company and is being held by the Company pending instructions from the Applicable Member as to how it is to be dealt with. Unless the Applicable Member has waived any entitlement it may have to a share certificate or certificates, the Member’s instruction, to be effective, must be accompanied by the share certificate or certificates to which the Sale Consideration relates or, if the certificate or certificates has or have been lost or destroyed, by a statement and undertaking. |
(12) | Subject to the Act, the Company will bear all stamp duty, brokerage and government taxes and charges (except for tax on income or capital gains of the Applicable Member) associated with the sale of any Shares pursuant to this Article.] |
(13) | The Plan may only be invoked once in any 12 month period after its adoption or renewal. |
(14) | If the Plan has been invoked and there is an announcement of a takeover offer or takeover announcement for Shares, no more sales of Shares may be made pursuant to this Article 12 until after the close of the offers made under the takeover offer or takeover announcement. The Plan may then be invoked again. |
CALLS
13. | GENERAL |
(1) | Subject to the Act and terms on which partly paid Shares are issued, the Directors may make calls on the Members in respect of any money unpaid on their Shares. Each Member is liable to pay the amount of each call in the manner, at the time and at the place specified by the Board. Joint holders of Shares are jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect of their Shares. |
(2) | A call is taken to have been made when the resolution of the Directors authorising the call is passed. The call may be revoked or postponed at the discretion of the Board at any time prior to the date on which payment of the call is due. The non-receipt of a notice of any call by, or the accidental omission to give notice of any call to, any Member does not invalidate the call. |
(3) | The Directors may require a call to be paid by instalments as provided in Article 14. |
(4) | The Company must comply with the Act and the Listing Rules in relation to the dispatch and content of notices to Members on whom a call is made. |
(5) | A Member to whom notice of a call is given in accordance with this Article 13 must pay to the Company the amount called in accordance with the notice. |
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14. | INSTALMENTS AND AMOUNTS WHICH BECOME PAYABLE |
If:-
(1) | the Directors require a call to be paid by instalments; or |
(2) | an amount becomes payable by the terms of issue of Shares on allotment, or at a time or in circumstances specified in the terms of issue, |
then:- |
(3) | the amount is payable as if it were a call made by the Directors and as if they had given notice of it; and |
(4) | the consequences of late payment or non-payment of the amount are the same as the consequences of late payment or non-payment of a call. |
15. | INTEREST AND EXPENSES |
If an amount called is not paid on or before the due date, the Member liable to pay the amount must also pay:-
(1) | interest on the amount from the due date to the time of actual payment at a rate determined by the Directors (not exceeding 15% per annum); and |
(2) | all expenses incurred by the Company as a consequence of the non-payment, |
but the Directors may waive payment of the interest and expenses in whole or in part.
16. | RECOVERY OF AMOUNTS DUE |
On the hearing of any action for the recovery of money due for any call, proof that:-
(1) | the name of the Member sued was, when the call was made, entered in the Register as a holder or the holder of the Shares in respect of which the call was made; |
(2) | the resolution making the call is duly recorded in the Directors’ minute book; and |
(3) | notice of the call was given to the Member sued, |
will be conclusive evidence of the debt.
17. | DIFFERENTIATION |
The Directors may, on the issue of Shares, differentiate between the holders as to the amount of calls to be paid and the times of payment.
18. | PAYMENT OF CALLS IN ADVANCE |
(1) | The Directors may accept from a Member the whole or part of the amount unpaid on a Share before the amount accepted has been called. |
(2) | The Company may:- |
(a) | pay interest on any amount accepted, until the amount is payable under a call and at a rate (not exceeding 15% per annum) agreed between the Member and the Directors; and |
(b) | subject to any contract between the Company and the Member, repay all or any of the amount accepted in excess of the amount called on the Share. |
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(3) | Payment of an amount in advance of a call does not entitle the paying Member to any dividend, benefit or advantage, other than the payment of interest under this Article 18, to which the Member would not have been entitled if it had paid the amount when it became due. |
LIEN AND FORFEITURE
19. | LIEN |
(1) | To the extent permitted by the Act and the Listing Rules, the Company has a first and paramount lien on each Share registered in the name of the Member and dividends payable in respect of each such Share for all money: |
(a) | due and unpaid to the Company at a fixed time, in respect of the Share; |
(b) | presently payable by a holder or the holder of the Share, or the holder’s estate, to the Company in respect of the Share; or |
(c) | which the Company is required by law to pay (and has paid) in respect of the Share. |
(2) | The lien extends to reasonable interest and expenses incurred because the amount is not paid. |
(3) | If any law for the time being of any country, state or place imposes or purports to impose an immediate or contingent liability on the Company to make any payment or authorises a taxing authority or Government official to require the Company to make payment in respect of Shares or dividends or other moneys accruing due to the Member who holds the Shares: |
(a) | the Member or, if the Member is deceased, the Member’s legal personal representative, indemnifies the Company in respect of any such payment or liability; and |
(b) | subject to the Act and the Listing Rules, the Company:- |
(i) | has a lien on the Shares and dividends and other moneys payable in respect of the Shares, whether the Shares are held by the Member solely or jointly with another person in respect of any payment made or liability incurred by the Company, together with reasonable expenses and interest on any payment made by the Company at a rate to be fixed by the Directors not exceeding 15% per annum from the date of payment by the Company to the date of repayment by the Member; |
(ii) | may set off amounts so paid by the Company against amounts payable by the Company to the Member as dividends or otherwise; and |
(iii) | may recover as a debt due from the Member or its legal personal representative the amount of all payments made by the Company together with reasonable expenses and interest at the rate and for the period referred to in Article 19(3)(b)(i). |
(4) | The Company may do all things which the Directors think necessary or appropriate to do under the Operating Rules and the Listing Rules to enforce or protect the Company’s lien. |
(5) | Unless the Directors determine otherwise, the registration of a transfer of a Share operates as a waiver of the Company’s lien on the Share. |
(6) | The Directors may declare a Share to be wholly or partly exempt from a lien. |
20. | LIEN SALE |
If:- |
(1) | the Company has a lien on a Share for money presently payable; |
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(2) | the Company has given the Member or the Member’s executors or administrators (as the case may be) holding the Share written notice demanding payment of the money; and |
(3) | that Member fails to pay all of the money demanded, |
then 14 or more days after giving the notice, the Managing Director may, if the Listing Rules permit, sell the Share in any manner determined by them. |
21. | FORFEITURE NOTICE |
(1) | The Managing Director may at any time after a call or instalment becomes payable and remain unpaid by a Member serve a notice on the Member requiring the Member to pay:- |
(a) | the unpaid amount; |
(b) | any interest that has accrued; and |
(c) | all expenses incurred by the Company as a consequence of the non-payment. |
(2) | The notice under Article 21(1) must:- |
(a) | specify a day (not earlier than 14 days after the date of the notice) on or before which the payment required by the notice must be made; and |
(b) | state that a Member does not comply with the notice, the Shares in respect of which the call was made or instalment is payable will be liable to be forfeited. |
22. | FORFEITURE |
(1) | If a Member fails to comply with a notice served under Article 21, then any or all of the Shares in respect of which the notice was given may be forfeited pursuant to a resolution of the Directors. |
(2) | Unpaid dividends in respect of forfeited Shares will also be forfeited. |
(3) | On forfeiture, Shares become the property of the Company and forfeited Shares must be:- |
(a) | disposed of, or cancelled, (subject to the Listing Rules) on terms determined by the Directors; or |
(b) | offered by public auction in accordance with any requirements of the Listing Rules. |
(4) | The Directors may, at any time before a forfeited Share is sold, disposed of or cancelled, annul the forfeiture of the Share on conditions determined by them. |
(5) | Promptly after a Share has been forfeited:- |
(a) | notice of the forfeiture must be given to the Member in whose name the Share was registered immediately before its forfeiture; and |
(b) | the forfeiture and its date must be noted in the Register. |
(6) | Omission or neglect to give notice of or to note the forfeiture as specified in Article 22(5) will not invalidate a forfeiture. |
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23. | LIABILITY OF FORMER MEMBER |
(1) | The interest of a person who held Shares which are forfeited Shares is extinguished but, subject to the Listing Rules, the former Member remains liable to pay:- |
(a) | all money (including interest and expenses) that was payable by the Member to the Company as at the date of forfeiture in respect of the forfeited Shares; and |
(b) | interest from the date of forfeiture until payment at a rate determined by the Directors (not exceeding 15% per annum). |
(2) | A former Member’s liability to the Company ceases if and when the Company receives payment in full of all money (including interest and expenses) payable by the former Member in respect of the forfeited Shares. The liability may only be released or waived in accordance with the Listing Rules. |
24. | DISPOSAL OF FORFEITED SHARES |
(1) | The Company may:- |
(a) | receive the consideration (if any) given for a forfeited Share on any sale or disposition of the Share; and |
(b) | effect a transfer of the Share in favour of a person to whom the Share is sold or disposed of. |
(2) | The purchaser of the Share:- |
(a) | is not bound to check the regularity of the sale or the application of the purchase price; |
(b) | obtains title to the Share despite any irregularity in the sale; and |
(c) | will not be subject to complaint or remedy by the former holder of the Share in respect of the purchase. |
(3) | A statement in writing signed by the Managing Director and the Secretary stating that a Share has been forfeited and sold or reissued or sold without forfeiture to enforce a lien, is prima facie evidence of the forfeiture of the Share and the right of the Company to sell, re-issue or dispose of that Share. |
(4) | The net proceeds of any sale made to enforce a lien or on forfeiture must be applied by the Company in the following order:- |
(a) | in payment of the costs of the sale; |
(b) | in payment of all amounts secured by the lien or all money that was payable in respect of the forfeited Share; and |
(c) | in payment of any surplus to the former Member whose Share was sold. |
TRANSFER OF SHARES
25. | GENERAL |
(1) | Subject to this Constitution, a Member may transfer Shares held by that Member. |
(2) | Subject to Article 25(3), Shares may be transferred by:- |
(a) | a written transfer instrument in any usual or common form; or |
(b) | any other form approved by the Directors. |
(3) | During the Listed Period and at the discretion of the Directors:- |
(a) | the Company may participate in any computerised or electronic system for market settlement, securities transfer and registration conducted in accordance with the Act, the Listing Rules and the Operating Rules. |
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(b) | if the Company participates in a system of the kind described in Article 25(3)(a), then despite any other provision of the Constitution:- |
(i) | Shares may be transferred, and transfers may be registered, in any manner required or permitted by the Listing Rules or the Operating Rules applying in relation to the system; |
(ii) | the Company must comply with and give effect to the Listing Rules or the Operating Rules; and |
(iii) | the Company may, in accordance with the Listing Rules or the Operating Rules, decline to issue certificates for holdings of Shares. |
(4) | A written transfer instrument must be:- |
(a) | executed by the transferor; |
(b) | unless the Directors decide otherwise in the case of a fully paid Share, executed by the transferee, and |
(c) | in the case of a transfer of partly paid Shares, endorsed or accompanied by an instrument executed by the transferee or by the transferee’s broker to the effect that the transferee agrees to accept the Shares subject to the terms and conditions on which the transferor held them, to become a Member and to be bound by the Constitution. |
(5) | Subject to the Act, the written transfer instrument may comprise two (2) documents. |
(6) | Except as provided by any applicable Operating Rules of a CS Facility:- |
(a) | a transferor of Shares remains the holder of the Shares transferred until the transfer is registered and the name of the transferee is entered in the Register in respect of the Shares; |
(b) | a transfer of Shares does not pass the right to any dividends on the Shares until such registration. |
26. | TRANSFER PROCEDURE |
(1) | For a transfer of Shares that is not a transfer to be effected through a prescribed CS Facility:- |
(a) | the written transfer instrument must be left at the Office or another place acceptable to the Company; |
(b) | the instrument must be accompanied by a certificate for the Shares dealt with in the transfer where a certificate has been issued, unless the Directors waive production of the certificate on receiving satisfactory evidence of the loss or destruction of the certificate; and |
(c) | the Directors may, if the Listing Rules permit, require other evidence of the transferor’s right to transfer the Shares. |
(2) | For a transfer of a Share that is a transfer to be effected through a prescribed CS Facility a Share transfer must be effected in accordance with the Listing Rules and the Operating Rules. |
27. | RIGHT TO REFUSE REGISTRATION |
(1) | At times other than during the Listed Period, the Directors may in their absolute discretion refuse to register any transfer of Shares or other securities. |
(2) | During the Listed Period, the Directors may in their absolute discretion refuse to register any transfer of Shares or other securities in any circumstances permitted by the Listing Rules. |
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(3) | If permitted to do so by the Listing Rules, the Directors may:- |
(a) | request any applicable CS Facility Operator to apply a holding lock to prevent a transfer of shares in the Company from being registered on the CS Facility’s sub-register; or |
(b) | refuse to register any transfer where the Company is, or the Directors are, required to do so by the Listing Rules; or |
(c) | refuse to register any transfer to which Article 27(3)(a) does not apply. |
(4) | Despite Articles 27(2) and 27(3), if the transfer is to be effected through a prescribed CS Facility, the Company must comply with the Operating Rules of the CS Facility in respect of that transfer and must not refuse or fail to register or give effect to, or delay or in any way interfere with it. |
(5) | The Company shall comply in all respects with the requirements of the Listing Rules with respect to Restricted Securities. Without limiting the generality of the above, at times when the Company’s shares are listed for quotation on the ASX, for so long as the Company has any Restricted Securities on issue, then despite any other provision in the Constitution: |
(a) | a holder of Restricted Securities must not dispose of, or agree or offer to dispose of, the securities during the escrow period applicable to those securities except as permitted by the Listing Rules or the ASX; |
(b) | if the securities are in the same class as quoted securities, the holder will be taken to have agreed in writing that the Restricted Securities are to be kept on the entity’s issuer sponsored sub-register and are to have a holding lock applied for the duration of the escrow period applicable to those securities; |
(c) | the Company will refuse to acknowledge any disposal (including, without limitation, to register any transfer) of Restricted Securities during the escrow period applicable to those securities except as permitted by the Listing Rules or the ASX; |
(d) | a holder of Restricted Securities will not be entitled to participate in any return of capital on those securities during the escrow period applicable to those securities except as permitted by the Listing Rules or the ASX; |
(e) | if a holder of Restricted Securities breaches a restriction deed or a provision of the Company’s constitution restricting a disposal of those securities, the holder will not be entitled to any dividend or distribution, or to exercise any voting rights, in respect of those securities for so long as the breach continues; and |
(f) | in this Article 27(5), and for the purposes of this Constitution generally when used in connection with this Article 27(5) or its subject matter, the following words and phrases have the meaning given to them in the Listing Rules; “class”; “dispose” or “disposal” (which include using an asset as collateral -see chapter 19 of the Listing Rules); “holding lock”; “issuer sponsored sub-register”; “restriction deed”; and “securities”. |
(6) | If a person has lodged a transfer which the Directors have refused to register, the Company must, within 5 Business Days after the date of lodgement, give to the lodging person written notice of the refusal and the reasons for it. |
28. | PROPORTIONAL TAKEOVER BIDS |
(1) | Definitions |
In this clause:
“approving resolution” has the same meaning as in section 648D(1) of the Act;
“approving resolution deadline” has the meaning specified in section 648D(2) of the Act;
“associate” has the meaning specified in Part 1.2 Division 2 of the Act;
“proportional takeover bid” has the meaning specified in section 9 of the Act.
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(2) | Prohibition on registration of transfer unless takeover scheme approved |
Where an offer has been made under a proportional takeover bid in respect of Shares included in a class of Shares in the Company, the registration of a transfer giving effect to a contract resulting from the acceptance of an offer made under the proportional takeover bid is prohibited unless and until a resolution to approve the proportional takeover bid is passed in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
(3) | Approving resolution |
An approving resolution is to be voted on at a meeting, convened and conducted by the Company of the persons entitled to vote on the approving resolution under section 648D(1)(b) of the Act.
(4) | Entitlement to vote on approving resolution |
A person (other than the bidder or an associate of the bidder) who, as at the end of the day on which the first offer under the proportional takeover bid was made, held Shares included in that class is entitled to vote on an approving resolution and, for the purposes of so voting, is entitled to one (1) vote for each of those Shares.
(5) | Bidder and associates not entitled to vote |
The bidder or an associate of the bidder is not entitled to vote on an approving resolution.
(6) | Approving resolution passed |
An approving resolution is taken to have been passed if the proportion that the number of votes in favour of the resolution bears to the total number of votes on the resolution is greater than 50%, and otherwise is taken to have been rejected.
(7) | General meeting provisions to apply |
The provisions of this Constitution that apply to a general meeting of the Company apply, with any modifications as the circumstances require, to a meeting that is convened pursuant to this clause and apply as if that meeting was a general meeting of the Company.
(8) | Meeting to be held before approving resolution deadline |
Where takeover offers have been made under a proportional takeover bid, then the Directors of the Company must ensure that a resolution to approve the proportional takeover bid is voted on in accordance with this clause before the approving resolution deadline in relation to the proportional takeover bid.
(9) | Notice as to whether approving resolution is passed |
Where an approving resolution to approve a proportional takeover bid is voted on, in accordance with this clause, before the approving resolution deadline in relation to the proportional takeover bid, the Company must, on or before the approving resolution deadline:
(a) | give to the bidder; and |
(b) | serve on ASX |
a notice in writing stating that an approving resolution to approve the proportional takeover bid has been voted on and that the approving resolution has been passed, or has been rejected, as the case requires.
(10) | Approving resolution deemed to have been passed |
Where, as at the end of the day before the approving resolution deadline in relation to a proportional takeover bid under which offers have been made, no resolution to approve the proportional takeover bid has been voted on in accordance with this clause, an approving resolution to approve the proportional takeover bid is, for the purposes of this clause, deemed to have been passed in accordance with this clause.
(11) | Effect of this clause |
This clause ceases to have effect on the third anniversary of the date of its adoption or of its most recent renewal.
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TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
29. | TITLE & TRANSMISSION ON DEATH |
Title
(1) | The legal personal representative of a deceased Member who was the sole holder of Shares is the only person whom the Company will recognise as having any title to the deceased Member’s Shares. |
(2) | If a deceased Member was a joint holder of Shares, the other joint holder is the only person who the Company will recognise as having any title to the deceased Member’s Shares. |
(3) | The estate of a deceased Member will not be released from any liability to the Company in respect of the Shares. |
(4) | The Company may register or give effect to a transfer to a transferee who dies before the transfer is registered. |
Entitlement to transmission
(5) | A person who becomes entitled to a Share in consequence of the death, mental illness or bankruptcy of a Member may, subject to Article 26 and to producing to the Company evidence of its entitlement which is satisfactory to the Directors, elect to:- |
(a) | be registered as the holder of the Share; or |
(b) | transfer the Share to some other person nominated by it. |
(6) | If the person who has become entitled to a Share:- |
(a) | elects to be registered as the holder, then the person must deliver or send to the Company a written notice of election signed by him or her; or |
(b) | elects to transfer the Share, then the person must effect a transfer of the Share. |
(7) | An election to be registered as a holder of a Share under Article 29(5)(a) or a transfer of a Share from a Member or deceased Member under this Article 29 is subject to the same limitations, restrictions and provisions of this Constitution as would apply if the election were a transfer or the transfer were made by the Member or deceased Member himself or herself. |
(8) | A person who:- |
(a) | has become entitled to a Share by operation of law; and |
(b) | has produced evidence of its entitlement which is satisfactory to the Directors, is entitled to the dividends and the rights of the registered holder of the Share. |
(9) | Where two (2) or more persons are jointly entitled to any Share in consequence of the death of the registered holder, they will be considered to be joint holders of the Share. |
CHANGES TO SHARE CAPITAL
30. | CONSOLIDATION OR SUBDIVISION |
For the purpose of giving effect to any consolidation or subdivision of Shares, the Directors may, subject to the Operating Rules, settle any difficulty which arises with respect to fractions of Shares in any manner that they think expedient.
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GENERAL MEETINGS
31. | CONVENING |
(1) | Any two (2) Directors may call a meeting of Members. |
(2) | The Directors must convene annual general meetings in accordance with the Act, to be held by the Company at times to be determined by the Managing Director having regard for the availability of the remaining Directors. |
(3) | Members may also requisition or convene general meetings in accordance with the procedures for Member-initiated meetings set out in the Act. |
(4) | A general meeting (which includes an annual general meeting) is permitted to be held: |
(a) | at one physical location; or |
(b) | at one or more physical locations using virtual meeting technology; or |
(c) | using virtually meeting technology only without the need for a physical location. |
32. | NOTICE |
(1) | Members must be given at least twenty-eight (28) days written notice (inclusive of the day on which the notice is served or taken to be served and exclusive of the day for which notice is given) of a general meeting. |
(2) | General meetings may be called on less than twenty-eight (28) days’ notice in accordance with the procedures set out in the Act. |
(3) | A notice convening a general meeting must:- |
(a) | Specify the date, time and, unless the meeting is to be held solely by audio/visual or other electronic means where able and/or permitted by law to be so held, the place of the meeting (and if the meeting is to be held in two (2) or more places or is to be held solely by audio, video and/or other communications technology, the technology that will be used to facilitate this); |
(b) | state the general nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting; |
(c) | specify a place and facsimile number and may specify an electronic address for the purposes of proxy appointments; |
(d) | comply with any other requirements of the Act. |
33. | BUSINESS |
(1) | The business of an annual general meeting will be to:- |
(a) | consider the annual financial report and report of the Directors and Auditor required by the Act; |
(b) | elect Directors; |
(c) | where relevant, appoint and fix the remuneration of the Auditor; and |
(d) | transact any other business which under this Constitution may be transacted at a general meeting. |
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(2) | The Chairperson of an annual general meeting must allow a reasonable opportunity for the Members as a whole at the meeting to:- |
(a) | ask questions about or make comments on the management of the Company; |
(b) | ask the Auditor or his or her representative questions relevant to the conduct of the audit and the preparation and contents of the Auditor’s report for the Company: |
(c) | the Directors may postpone or cancel any general meeting (other than a meeting convened as a result of a requisition under Article 31(3) at any time before the day of the meeting. |
(d) | the Directors must give notice of the postponement or cancellation to all persons entitled to receive notices from the Company. |
(3) | An accidental omission to send a notice of a general meeting (including a proxy appointment form) or the postponement of a general meeting to any Members or the non-receipt of a notice (or form) by any Member does not invalidate the proceedings at or any resolution passed at the general meeting. |
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS
34. | MEMBER |
In Articles 35, 36, 39 and 44, “Member” includes a Member present in person or by proxy, attorney or Representative.
35. | QUORUM |
(1) | No business may be transacted at a general meeting unless a quorum of Members is present when the meeting proceeds to business. A Member may be present in person, by proxy, by attorney or by Representative. A Member or their proxy, attorney or Representative participating in the meeting solely by audio, video and/or other communications technology is (if the meeting is able and/or permitted by law to be so held) treated as being present for all purposes including determining that a quorum is present. |
(2) | A quorum of Members is five (5) Members. |
(3) | If a quorum is not present within thirty (30) minutes after the time appointed for a meeting:- |
(a) | the meeting is automatically dissolved if il was convened by or on the requisition of Members: or |
(b) | in any other case:- |
(i) | it will stand adjourned to the same time and place seven (7) days after the meeting, or to another day, time and place determined by the Managing Director (having regard for the remaining Directors): and |
(ii) | if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within thirty (30) minutes after the time appointed for the meeting, the meeting is automatically dissolved. |
36. | CHAIRPERSON |
(1) | The Chairperson, or in the Chairperson’s absence the deputy Chairperson, of Directors’ meetings will be the Chairperson at every meeting of Members. |
(2) | If:- |
(a) | there is no Chairperson or deputy Chairperson: or |
(b) | neither the Chairperson nor deputy Chairperson is present within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting; or |
(c) | the Chairperson and deputy Chairperson are unwilling to act as Chairperson of the meeting. |
the Directors present may elect a Chairperson. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as Company’s Chief Executive Officer serves as a Director, he/she shall be the Chairperson of each meeting of Members he/she will attend.
(3) | If no election is made pursuant to Article 36(2), then:- |
(a) | the Members may elect one (1) of the Directors present as Chairperson; or |
(b) | if no Director is present or is willing to take the chair, the Members may elect one (1) of the Members present as Chairperson. |
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(4) | If there is a dispute at a general meeting about a question of procedure, the Chairperson may determine the question. |
37. | GENERAL CONDUCT |
The general conduct of each general meeting of the Company and the procedures to be adopted at the meeting will be determined by the Chairperson, including the procedure for the conduct of the election of Directors, provided that no more than one director may be elected by the passing or approval of a single resolution (unless a prior resolution approving the election of more than one director by a single resolution has been passed or approved at that meeting) and in any event cumulative voting on a resolution or resolutions to elect one or more directors will not be permitted.
38. | ADJOURNMENT |
(1) | The Chairperson of a meeting at which a quorum is present:- |
(a) | in his or her discretion may adjourn a meeting with the meeting’s consent; and |
(b) | must adjourn a meeting if the meeting directs him or her to do so. |
(2) | An adjourned meeting may take place at a different venue (or if able and/or permitted by law to be so held, solely by audio, video and/or other communications technology without requiring a physical venue), and/or by use of different technology from the initial meeting and/or at a venue instead of by communications technology. |
(3) | The only business that can be transacted at an adjourned meeting is the unfinished business of the initial meeting. |
(4) | If a general meeting has been adjourned for more than thirty (30) days, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to Members as if it were an original meeting, but otherwise it is not necessary to give notice of an adjourned meeting or the business of the adjourned meeting. |
(5) | A poll cannot be demanded on any resolution concerning the adjournment of a meeting except by the Chairperson. |
39. | DECISIONS |
(1) | Subject to the Act in relation to Special Resolutions, a resolution is carried if a majority of the votes cast on the resolution are in favour of the resolution. |
(2) | A resolution, other than a procedural resolution which shall include the election of a Chairperson, put to the vote of a meeting is decided by a poll in accordance with the Act unless otherwise determined by the Chairperson. |
(3) | Notwithstanding Article 39(2), a poll may be demanded at the times and in the circumstances permitted by the Act. The demand for a poll may be withdrawn. |
(4) | If a resolution is determined by a show of hands: |
(a) | a declaration by the Chairperson that a resolution has been carried, carried by a specified majority, or not passed; and |
(b) | an entry to that effect in the minutes of the meeting. |
is conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes in favour of or against the resolution.
(6) | A decision of a general meeting may not be impeached or invalidated on the ground that a person voting at the meeting was not entitled to do so. |
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40. | TAKING A POLL |
(1) | Subject to Article 40(5), a poll will be taken when and in the manner that the Chairperson directs. |
(2) | The result of the poll will determine whether the resolution on which the poll was demanded is carried or lost. |
(3) | The Chairperson may determine any dispute about the admission or rejection of a vote, and such determination, if made in good faith, will be final and conclusive. |
(4) | A poll cannot be demanded on any procedural resolution, including a resolution concerning the election of the Chairperson of a meeting. |
(5) | A poll demanded by the Chairperson of any resolution concerning the adjournment of a meeting must be taken immediately. |
(6) | After a poll has been demanded at a meeting, the meeting may continue for the transaction of business other than the question on which the poll was demanded. |
41. | CASTING VOTE OF CHAIRPERSON |
The Chairperson does not have a casting vote (in addition to the Chairperson's vote(s) as a Member, proxy, attorney or Representative) on a show of hands or on a poll.
42. | OFFENSIVE MATERIAL |
The Chairperson may refuse a person admission to, or require the person to leave and not return to, a meeting if the person:-
(1) | refuses to permit examination of any Article in the person's possession; or |
(2) | is in possession of any:- |
(a) | electronic or recording device; |
(b) | placard or banner; or |
(c) | other article, |
which the Chairperson considers to be dangerous, offensive or liable to cause disruption.
43. | AUDITOR’S RIGHT TO BE HEARD |
The Auditor may:-
(1) | attend any general meeting of the Company; |
(2) | be heard at any general meeting of the Company on any part of the business of the meeting that concerns the Auditor in his or her capacity as auditor, even if:- |
(a) | the Auditor retires at the meeting; |
(b) | Members pass a resolution to remove the Auditor from office; and |
(3) | authorise a person in writing to attend and speak at any general meeting as the Auditor's representative. |
VOTES OF MEMBERS
44. | ENTITLEMENT TO VOTE |
(1) | Subject to this Constitution and to any rights or restrictions attaching to any class of Shares: |
(a) | every Member may vote; |
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(b) | subject to Article 48(3) and the Act, on a show of hands every Member has one (1) vote; |
(c) | on a poll every Member has:- |
(i) | for each fully paid Share held by the Member, one (1) vote; and |
(ii) | for each partly paid Share held by the Member, a fraction of a vote equivalent to the proportion which the amount paid (not credited) is of the total amounts paid and payable (excluding amounts credited) on the Share. |
(2) | During a breach of the Listing Rules relating to Shares which are Restricted Securities, or a breach of a restriction agreement, the holder of the relevant Restricted Securities is not entitled to any voting rights in respect of those Restricted Securities. |
(3) | If a Member is of unsound mind or is a person whose estate or property had had a personal representative,trustee or other person appointed to administer it, the Member's personal representative, trustee or other person with the management of the Member's estate or property may exercise any rights of the Member in relation to a meeting of Members as if the personal representative, trustee or other person was a Member. |
(4) | The Directors may determine that, for any general meeting or class meeting, a Member who is entitled to attend and vote at that meeting may submit a direct vote, and in connection therewith:- |
(a) | The Directors may determine the Member's rights attaching to a "direct vote" for the purposes of any general meeting or class meeting. |
{b) | A "direct vote" includes a vote delivered to the Company by post, facsimile, electronic notification or any other means approved by the Directors. |
(c) | The Directors may specify the form, method and liming of giving a "direct vote" in respect of any general meeting or class meeting, and any other requirements, in order for a direct vote to be valid at that meeting. |
45. | UNPAID CALLS |
A Member is entitled to:-
(1) | vote; or |
(2) | be counted in a quorum, |
only in respect of Shares on which all calls due and payable have been paid.
46. | JOINT HOLDERS |
(1) | If two or more joint holders purport to vote, the vote of the joint holder whose name appears first in the Register will be accepted, to the exclusion of the other joint holder or holders. |
(2) | For the purposes of this Article 46, several executors or administrators of a deceased Member in whose sole name any Shares are registered will be taken to be joint holders of those Shares. |
47. | OBJECTIONS AND LISTING RULES |
(1) | An objection to the qualification of a voter may only be raised at the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the voter tendered its vote. |
(2) | An objection must be referred to the Chairperson of the meeting, whose decision made in good faith is final. |
(3) | Subject to Article 47(4), a vote which the Chairperson does not disallow pursuant to an objection is valid for all purposes. |
(4) | A vote which the Listing Rules require the Company to disregard is not valid. |
48. | VOTES BY PROXY |
(1) | Subject to Article 49(1), a Member who is entitled to vote at a meeting of the Company may appoint not more than two proxies to attend and vote at the meeting on that Member's behalf. |
(2) | If a Member appoints one (1) proxy, that proxy may, subject to the Act, vote on a show of hands. |
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(3) | If a Member appoints two proxies neither proxy may vote on a show of hands. |
(4) | A proxy may demand or join in demanding poll. |
(5) | A proxy vote which the Listing Rules (during the Listed Period) or the Act require the Company to disregard is not valid. |
49. | INSTRUMENT APPOINTING PROXY |
(1) | A Member who is entitled to vote at a meeting may appoint:- |
(a) | one (1) proxy if the Member is only entitled to one (1) vote; and |
(b) | one (1) or two proxies if the Member is entitled to more than one (1) vote. |
(2) | A Member who is a natural person may appoint a proxy by a written appointment signed by the appointer or the appointer's attorney duly authorised in writing. |
(3) | A Member which is a corporation may appoint a proxy by a written appointment executed in accordance with section 127 of the Act or the appointer's attorney duly authorised in writing. |
(4) | A proxy need not be a Member. |
(5) | If a Member appoints two proxies, the appointment may specify the proportion or number of votes that each proxy may exercise. If the appointment does not specify a proportion or number, each proxy may exercise half of the votes in which case any fraction of votes will be disregarded. |
(6) | (a) | Except as permitted by the Directors or Chairperson, a form of appointment of proxy is only valid if it complies with the requirements of the Act. |
(b) | Schedule 1 sets out a form of appointment of proxy approved by the Directors. The Directors may approve other forms of appointment of proxies, and a form of appointment of proxy accompanying a notice of meeting issued by the Company is deemed to be an approved form of appointment of proxy. |
(7) | A proxy may vote or abstain as he or she chooses except to the extent that an appointment of the proxy indicates the manner in which the proxy will vote on any resolution. The proxy must vote or abstain on a poll or show of hands in accordance with any instructions on the appointment. |
(8) | A proxy's appointment is valid at an adjourned meeting. |
(9) | The appointment of a proxy or attorney is not revoked by the appointer attending or taking part in the meeting but the proxy or attorney appointed by the appointer is not permitted to speak or vote, and must not vote, on resolutions while the appointer is in attendance or participates. |
50. | PROXY IN BLANK |
If an instrument of proxy is signed by the Member but does not name the proxy or proxies in whose favour it is given, the Chairperson may either act as proxy or complete the instrument of proxy by inserting the name of one (1) or more Directors or the Secretary.
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51. | LODGEMENT OF PROXY |
(1) | Subject to Article 51 (3), the written appointment of a proxy must be received by the Company, at least 48 hours (unless otherwise specified in the notice of meeting to which the proxy relates) before:- |
(a) | the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the appointee proposes to vote; or |
(b) | the taking of a poll on which the appointee proposes to vote. |
(2) | If the appointment purports to be executed under a power of attorney or other authority, the original document or a notarially certified copy of it must be forwarded with the appointment. |
(3) | The Company receives an appointment of a proxy and any power of attorney or other authority under which it was executed when they are received at:- |
(a) | the Office; |
(b) | a facsimile number at the Office; or |
(c) | a place, facsimile number or electronic address specified for that purpose in the notice of meeting. |
52. | VALIDITY |
A vote cast in accordance with an appointment of proxy or power of attorney is valid even if before the vote was cast the appointor:-
(1) | died; |
(2) | became of unsound mind; |
(3) | revoked the proxy or power; or |
(4) | transferred the Shares in respect of which the vote was cast, |
unless any written notification of the death, unsoundness of mind, revocation or transfer was received by the Company before the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting.
53. | REPRESENTATIVES OF CORPORATIONS |
(1) | Any Member which is a corporation may appoint an individual as its representative as provided by the Act. |
(2) | The Chairperson of a general meeting may permit a person claiming to be a Representative to exercise his or her powers even if he or she has not produced a certificate evidencing his or her appointment. |
(3) | The appointment of a Representative may set out restrictions on the Representative's powers. |
APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
54. | NUMBER OF DIRECTORS |
(1) | Subject to the Act, the Company may by resolution passed at a general meeting increase or reduce the number of Directors. |
(2) | Until the Company resolves otherwise there will be:- |
(a) | a minimum of three (3) Directors; and |
(b) | a maximum of 12 Directors. |
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(3) | The Directors and Secretary in office as at the date this Constitution is adopted by the Company continue in office subject to this Constitution. |
55. | QUALIFICATION |
Neither a Director nor an Alternate Director has to hold any Shares, but a Director (and an Alternate Director when acting as a Director) is entitled to notice of and to attend and speak at all general meetings and at every meeting of the holders of Shares of any class of Shares.
56. | POWER TO REMOVE AND APPOINT |
(1) | The Company may, subject to the Act, by resolution passed in general meeting:- |
(a) | remove any Director before the end of the Director's term of office; and |
(b) | appoint another person in the Director's place. |
(2) | A person appointed under Article 56(1)(b) will hold office for the remainder of the term for which the Director replaced would have held office if the Director had not been removed. |
(3) | Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Company may appoint a person as a Director by resolution passed in general meeting. |
(a) | If the conduct or position of any Director is such that continuance in office appears to the majority of the Directors to be prejudicial to the interests of the Company, a majority of Directors at a meeting of the Directors specifically convened for that purpose may suspend that Director. |
(b) | Within 14 days of the suspension, the Directors must call a general meeting, at which the Members may either confirm the suspension and remove the Director from office in accordance with Article 56(1)(a) or annul the suspension and reinstate the Director. |
57. | ADDITIONAL AND CASUAL DIRECTORS |
(1) | Subject to Article 54, the Directors may appoint any person as a Director to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to the existing Directors. |
(2) | A Director appointed under Article 57(1) will hold office until the next annual general meeting of the Company when the Director may be re-elected but will not be taken into account in determining the number of Directors who must retire by rotation. |
58. | FILLING VACATED OFFICE |
(1) | If a Director retires at a general meeting, the Company may by ordinary resolution elect a person to fill the vacated office. |
(2) | If the vacated office is not filled and the retiring Director has offered himself or herself for re-election, the retiring Director will be considered to have been re-elected unless, at the meeting at which he or she retires: |
(a) | it is resolved not to fill the vacated office; or |
(b) | a resolution for the re-election of the Director is put and lost. |
59. | RETIREMENT BY ROTATION |
(1) | Subject to the Listing Rules and Article 75(5), at each annual general meeting one-third of the Directors or, if their number is not a multiple of three (3), then the number nearest to but not more than one-third of the Directors must retire from office. |
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(a) | The Directors to retire by rotation at an annual general meeting are those Directors who have been longest in office since their last election or appointment. |
(b) | Directors elected or appointed on the same day may agree among themselves or determine by lot which of them must retire. |
(2) | Subject to Article 75(5), a Director must retire from office at the conclusion of the third annual general meeting after the Director was last elected, even if his or her retirement results in more than one-third of all Directors retiring from office. |
(3) | A retiring Director will be eligible for re-election. |
60. | NOMINATION OF DIRECTOR |
(1) | A person is not eligible for election as a Director at a general meeting unless:- |
(a) | the person is a Director retiring by rotation or under Article 57(2) who seeks re-election; |
(b) | the person has been nominated by the Directors for election at that meeting; or |
(c) | the person is proposed by at least fifty (50) Members, or Members holding between them at least five percent (5%) of the votes that may be cast at a general meeting and such Members serve a notice at the Office which nominates the person. |
A notice given in accordance with Article 60(1) must be left at the Office not less than thirty (30) Business Days before the relevant general meeting.
61. | VACATION OF OFFICE |
(1) | The office of a Director immediately becomes vacant if the Director:- |
(a) | ceases to be a Director by virtue of the Act; |
(b) | is prohibited by the Act from holding office or continuing as a Director; |
(c) | is prohibited from holding or is removed from the office of Director by an order made under the Act; |
(d) | becomes bankrupt or makes any general arrangement or composition with his or her creditors; |
(e) | cannot manage the Company because of his or her mental incapacity and is a person whose estate or property has had a personal representative or trustee appointed to administer it; |
(f) | resigns from his or her office as Director by notice in writing to the Company; |
(g) | is removed by a resolution of the Company; or |
(h) | not being engaged abroad on the business of the Company, is absent from Director's meetings for three (3) consecutive months without leave of absence from the Directors. |
(2) | A Director who holds any executive office in the Company (including the office of Managing Director) ceases to be a Director when he or she ceases to hold the executive office, unless otherwise determined by the Board. |
(3) | A person ceasing to be a Director by virtue of the provisions of Article 61(2) will not thereby be rendered ineligible for appointment or election as a Director under any Article other than Article 75. |
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REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS
62. | REMUNERATION OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS |
(1) | Subject to the Listing Rules, the Directors (other than an Executive Director) may collectively be paid as remuneration for their services a fixed sum not exceeding the aggregate maximum sum from time to time determined by the Company in a general meeting. |
(2) | The notice convening a general meeting at which it is proposed that Members approve an increase of the aggregate maximum sum must state the amount of the increase and the aggregate maximum sum, and any other matters required by the Listing Rules. |
(3) | Subject to the Listing Rules, the aggregate maximum sum will be divided among the Non-Executive Directors in such proportion and manner as the Directors agree and, in default of agreement, equally. |
(4) | Non-Executive Directors may not be paid a commission on or a percentage of profits or operating revenue, |
(5) | If a Non-Executive Director is required to perform services for the Company which in the opinion of the Directors are outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a Director, the Company may pay the Director a fixed sum determined by the Directors in addition to or instead of the Director's remuneration under Article 62(1). |
(6) | The Non-Executive Directors may also be paid all travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by them in attending and returning from meetings of the Directors or any committee of the Directors or general meetings of the Company or otherwise in connection with the Company's business, all as shall be approved in writing and in advance, according to Company's policy(ies) to that effect, as may be amended from time to time. |
(7) | The Company may also pay a premium in respect of a contract insuring a person who is or has been a Non-Executive Director against liability incurred by the person as a Director, except in circumstances prohibited by the Act. |
63. | REMUNERATION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS |
(1) | The remuneration of an Executive Director may from time to time be fixed by the Directors The remuneration may be by way of salary or commission or participation in profits or by all or any of these modes but may not be by commission on, or a percentage of, operating revenue. |
(2) | The Company may pay a premium in respect of a contract insuring a person who is or has been an Executive Director against liability incurred by the person as a Director, except in circumstances prohibited by the Act. |
64. | POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS |
(1) | The business of the Company is managed by or under the direction of the Directors who may exercise all powers of the Company that this Constitution, the Act or the Listing Rules do not require to be exercised by the Company in general meeting. |
(2) | Without limiting the generality of Article 64(1), the Directors may exercise all the power of the Company to:- |
(a) | borrow money; |
(b) | charge any property or business of the Company or all or any of its uncalled capital; |
(c) | issue debentures or give any other security for a debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any other person; and |
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(d) | guarantee or to become liable for the payment of money or the performance of any obligation by or of any other person. |
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
65. | DIRECTORS' MEETINGS |
(1) | The Chairperson, the deputy Chairperson, or any one Director may at any time, and the Secretary must on the request of the Chairperson, the deputy Chairperson, or any one Director, call a meeting of the Directors. |
(2) | An accidental omission to send a notice of a meeting of Directors to any Director or the non-receipt of such a notice by any Director does not invalidate the proceedings at or any resolution passed at the meeting. |
(3) | (a) | Subject to the Act, a Director's meeting may be held by the Directors communicating with each other by any technological means by which they are able simultaneously to hear each other and to participate in discussion. |
(b) | The Directors need not all be physically present in the same place for a Directors' meeting to be held. |
(c) | A Director who participates in a meeting held in accordance with this Article 65(3) ·1s taken to be present and entitled to vote at the meeting. |
(d) | A Director can only withdraw his or her consent to the means of communication between Directors proposed for a Directors' meeting if the Director does so at least 48 hours before the meeting. |
(4) | Article 65(3) applies to meetings of Directors' committees as if all committee Members were Directors. |
(5) | The Directors may meet together, adjourn and regulate their meetings as they think fit. |
(6) | Subject to the Act, a quorum for meetings of Directors may be fixed by the Directors and unless so fixed, is two. |
(7) | Where a quorum cannot be established for the consideration of a particular matter at a meeting of Directors, the Chairperson or the Managing Director may convene a general meeting of Members to deal with the matter. |
Notice of a meeting of Directors may be given in writing, or the meeting may be otherwise called using any technology consented to by all the Directors.
66. | DECISIONS |
(1) | Questions arising at a meeting of Directors are to be decided by a majority of votes of the Directors present and voting and, subject to Article 67, each Director has one (1) vote. |
(2) | The Managing Director (if present at a meeting) has a casting vote in addition to his or her deliberative vote, except where only two Directors are present and entitled to vote on the matter. |
(3) | An Alternate Director has one (1) vote for each Director for whom he or she is an alternate. |
(4) | If the Alternate Director is a Director, he or she also has a vote as a Director. |
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67. | DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS |
(1) | A Director who has a material personal interest in a matter that is to be considered at a meeting of Directors must not:- |
(a) | vote on the matter or be present while the matter is being considered at the meeting; and |
(b) | be counted in the quorum in relation to that matter |
if to do so would be contrary to the Act.
(2) | Each Director must disclose to the Company particulars of:- |
(a) | any material contract in which the Director is interested, including the names of the parties to the contract, particulars of the contract, and the Director’s interest in the contract; and |
(b) | any material personal interest in a matter that is being considered at a meeting of the board or of Directors. |
(3) | Voting by a Director contrary to this Article 67, or failure by a Director to make disclosure under this Article, does not render void or voidable a contract in which the Director has an interest. |
(4) | A Director and any firm, body or entity in which a Director has a direct or indirect interest may in any capacity:- |
(a) | enter into any contract or arrangement with the Company; |
(b) | be appointed to and hold any office or place of profit under the Company, other than the office of auditor; and |
(c) | act in a professional capacity, other than as auditor, for the Company, |
and provided that he or she makes disclosure as required by this Article 67, may receive and retain for his or her own benefit any remuneration, profits or benefits as if he or she were not a Director.
68. | ALTERNATE DIRECTORS |
(1) | A Director may, with the approval of the Directors, appoint any person as his or her alternate. |
(2) | An Alternate Director is entitled to notice of Directors’ meetings while he or she is acting in that capacity and, if the appointer is not present at a meeting, is entitled to attend, be counted in a quorum and vote as a Director. |
(3) | An Alternate Director is an officer of the Company and is not an agent of the appointer. |
(4) | The provisions of this Constitution which apply to Directors also apply to Alternate Directors. |
(5) | The appointment of an Alternate Director may be revoked at any time by the appointer or by the other Directors. |
(6) | An Alternate Directors appointment ends automatically when his or her appointer ceases to be a Director. |
(7) | Any appointment or revocation under this Article must be effected by written notice delivered to the Secretary. |
(8) | For the purposes of Article 68, an Alternate Director does not have an interest in a contract or arrangement or a material personal interest in a matter by reason only of the fact that his or her appointer has such an interest. |
69. | REMAINING DIRECTORS |
(1) | The Directors may act even if there are vacancies on the Board. |
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(2) | If the number of Directors is not sufficient to constitute a quorum at a Directors’ meeting, the Director or Directors may act only to:- |
(a) | appoint a Director; or |
(b) | convene a general meeting. |
70. | CHAIRPERSON |
(1) | The Directors may elect a Director as Chairperson of Directors’ meetings and may determine the period for which the Chairman will hold office. |
(2) | If no Chairperson is elected or if the Chairperson is not present at any Directors’ meeting within 10 minutes after the time appointed for the meeting to begin, the Managing Director will act as Chairperson or if he or she is not in attendance the Directors present must elect a Director to be Chairperson of the meeting. |
(3) | The Directors may elect a Director as deputy Chairperson to act as Chairperson in the Chairman’s absence. |
71. | DIRECTORS’ COMMITTEES |
(1) | The Directors may delegate any of their powers, other than those which by law must be dealt with by the Directors as a board, to a committee or committees. |
(2) | The Directors may at any time revoke any delegation of power to a committee. |
(3) | At least one (1) Member of each committee must be a Director. |
(4) | A committee must exercise its powers in accordance with any directions of the Directors and a power exercised in that way is taken to have been exercised by the Directors. |
(5) | A committee may be authorised by the Directors to sub-delegate all or any of the powers for the time being vested in it. |
(6) | Meetings of any committee will be governed by the provisions of this Constitution which deal with Directors’ meetings so far as they are applicable and are not inconsistent with any directions of the Directors. |
72. | WRITTEN RESOLUTIONS |
(1) | If a majority of the Directors who are eligible to vote on a resolution sign a document containing a statement that they are in favour of the resolution in terms set out in the document, then the resolution is passed when the last Director forming part of that majority signs. |
(2) | For the purposes of Article 72(1), separate copies of a document may be used for signing by the Directors if the wording of the resolution and statement is identical in each copy. |
(3) | Any document referred to in this Article may be in the form of a facsimile transmission or electronic notification, |
(4) | If a Directors’ meeting is taken to have been held in accordance with this Article, the minutes must record that fact. |
(5) | This Article applies to meetings of Directors’ committees as if all Members of the committee were Directors. |
(6) | Any document referred to in this Article 72 must be sent to every Director who is entitled to vote on the resolution (whether or not the Director signs the document). |
(7) | A facsimile transmission, an email bearing the signature of the Director or an email of the Director addressed to another officer of the Company confirming agreement with the resolution and undertaking to sign the resolution as soon as practicable shall be deemed to be a document in writing by the relevant Director for the purpose of this Article. |
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73. | VALIDITY OF ACTS OF DIRECTORS |
If it is discovered that:-
(1) | there was a defect in the appointment of a person as a Director, Alternate Director or Member of a Directors’ committee; or |
(2) | a person appointed to one (1) of those positions was disqualified; |
all acts of the Directors or the Directors’ committee before the discovery was made are as valid as if the person had been duly appointed and was not disqualified.
74. | MINUTES |
(1) | The Directors must cause minutes to be made of:- |
(a) | the names of the Directors present at all general meetings, Directors’ meetings and meetings of Directors’ committees; |
(b) | all proceedings and resolutions of general meetings, Directors’ meetings and meetings of Directors’ committees; |
(c) | all resolutions passed by Directors in accordance with Article 72; |
(d) | appointments of officers, but only if the Directors resolve that a minute of the appointment should be made; and |
(e) | all disclosures of interests made pursuant to Article 67. |
(2) | Minutes must be signed by the Chairperson of the meeting or by the Chairperson of the next meeting of the relevant body, and if so signed will as between the Directors be conclusive evidence of the matters stated in such minutes. |
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
75. | APPOINTMENT |
(1) | (a) The Directors may appoint a Director to the office of Managing Director on such terms as they think fit. |
(b) | The Directors may appoint a Director to any other full-time or substantially full-time executive position in the Company on such terms as they think fit. |
(c) | A Director appointed under 75(1)(a) or 75(1)(b), and a Director (however appointed) occupying for the time being a full-time or substantially full-time executive position in the Company or a related body corporate, is referred to in this Constitution as an Executive Director. |
(2) | The position of Chairperson of Directors may be a full-time executive position if the Directors so resolve. |
(3) | If the Managing Director or the Chairperson (if appointed to a full-time executive position) ceases to be a Director, his or her executive office terminates automatically unless otherwise agreed in his or her employment contract. |
(4) | If an Executive Director is suspended from executive office, his or her duties and obligations as Director are suspended for the same period. |
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(5) | A Managing Director is not subject to retirement by rotation and is not to be taken into account in determining the rotation of retirement of Directors. Any other Executive Directors are subject to retirement by rotation. |
76. | POWERS OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS |
(1) | The Directors may confer on an Executive Director any powers exercisable by the Directors, subject to any terms and restrictions determined by the Directors. |
(2) | The Directors may authorise an Executive Director to sub-delegate all or any of the powers vested in him or her. |
(3) | Any power conferred pursuant to this Article may be concurrent with but not to the exclusion of the Directors’ powers. |
(4) | The Directors may at any time withdraw or vary any of the powers conferred on an Executive Director. |
SECRETARY
77. | SECRETARY |
(1) | There must be at least one (1) secretary of the Company appointed by the Directors on conditions determined by them. |
(2) | The Directors may, subject to the terms of the Secretary’s employment contract, suspend, remove or dismiss the Secretary. |
INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY OF APPLICABLE PERSONS
78. | APPLICABLE PERSONS |
The provisions of Articles 79, 80, 81 and 82 shall apply to Applicable Persons, which expression shall include:-
(1) | every person who is or has been an Officer of the Company; |
(2) | every person who is or has been an Officer of a Related Body Corporate of the Company; |
(3) | if the Directors on the recommendation of the Managing Director determine, an employee or former employee of the Company or a Related Body Corporate of the Company; |
(4) | if the Directors on the recommendation of the Managing Director determine and to the extent permitted under the Act, an auditor or former auditor of the Company or a Related Body Corporate of the Company. |
79. | INSURANCE |
(1) | To the extent permitted under the Act, the Company may pay, or agree to pay, a premium in respect of a contract insuring any one (1) or more Applicable Persons against any liability incurred by the Applicable Person PROVIDED THAT the liability does not arise out of conduct involving:- |
(a) | a wilful breach of duty in relation to the Company or a Related Body Corporate of the Company; or |
(b) | a contravention of section 182 or 183 of the Act. |
(2) | To the extent permitted under the Act, the Company may pay, or agree to pay, an Applicable Person for costs and expenses incurred by that Applicable Person in defending proceedings, whatever the outcome of the proceedings. |
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80. | INDEMNITY |
(1) | The Company does not exempt an Applicable Person from a liability to the Company incurred in their capacity as an Applicable Person. |
(2) | To the extent permitted by the Act, the Company indemnifies any Applicable Person against non legal costs incurred as an Applicable Person except:- |
(a) | for a liability owed to the Company or a Related Body Corporate of the Company; |
(b) | for a liability for a pecuniary penalty order under section 1317G or compensation order under section 1317H or section 1317HA of the Act; |
(c) | for a liability owed to a third party arising out of conduct involving a lack of good faith. |
(3) | To the extent permitted by the Act, the Company indemnifies any Applicable Person against legal costs incurred in defending an action for a liability incurred as an Applicable Person except:- |
(a) | in defending or resisting proceedings in which the Applicable Person is found to have a liability for which they could not be indemnified under Article 80(2); or |
(b) | in defending or resisting criminal proceedings in which the Applicable Person is found guilty; or |
(c) | in defending or resisting proceedings brought by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (and any of its successors) or a liquidator for a court order if the grounds for making the order are found by a court to have been established; or |
(d) | in connection with proceedings for relief to the Applicable Person under the Act in which the Court denies relief. |
(4) | Where the costs and expenses incurred by an Applicable Person under Articles 80(1), 80(2) or 80(3) are recovered by the Company under an insurance policy taken out or paid for by the Company pursuant to Article 79, the extent of the indemnification of an Applicable Person shall be reduced accordingly. |
81. | LOAN TO AN APPLICABLE PERSON |
(1) | To the extent permitted by the Act, the Directors may give a loan or advance to an Applicable Person to assist with the payment of costs and expenses of the Applicable Person which may be incurred under Articles 79 and 80, where, in the opinion of the Directors, the costs and expenses are likely to become an amount for which the Company may become liable. |
(2) | If, upon a determination of the proceedings, the costs and expenses for which the loan or advance was given are not the liability of the Company, the loan or advance given to the Applicable Person shall be recoverable according to the terms of the loan or advance. |
82. | MEANING OF PROCEEDINGS |
In Articles 79, 80 and 81, the term “proceedings” means any proceedings and any appeal in relation to any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, being proceedings in which it is alleged that the Applicable Person has done or omitted to do some act, matter or thing in his capacity under which the person has become an Applicable Person (including proceedings alleging that the Applicable Person was guilty of negligence, default, breach of trust or breach of duty in relation to the Company or a Related Body Corporate) and includes any investigations by any regulatory authority.
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POWERS OF ATTORNEY
83. | POWERS OF ATTORNEY |
(1) | If a Member executes or proposes to execute any document or do any act by or through an attorney which is relevant to the Company or the Member’s shareholding in the Company, that Member must deliver the instrument appointing the attorney to the Company for notation. |
(2) | The Company may require the Member to lodge a certified copy of the instrument for retention by the Company, and ask for whatever evidence it thinks appropriate that the power of attorney is effective and continues to be in force. |
(3) | Any power of attorney granted by a Member will, as between the Company and the Member who granted the power of attorney:- |
(a) | continue in force, and |
(b) | may be acted on, |
unless express notice in writing of its revocation or of the death of the Member who granted it is lodged with the Company.
(4) | Where a Member proposes that an attorney represent the Member at a general meeting or adjourned meeting, the Member must comply with Article 51(2) of the Constitution. |
INSPECTION OF RECORDS
84. | TIMES FOR INSPECTION |
(1) | Except as otherwise required by the Act, the Directors may determine whether and to what extent, and at what time and places and under what conditions, the financial records and other documents of the Company or any of them will be open for inspection by Members other than Directors. |
(2) | A Member other than a Director does not have the right to inspect any financial records or other documents of the Company unless the Member is authorised to do so by a court order or a resolution of the Directors. |
DIVIDENDS, RESERVES AND DISTRIBUTIONS
85. | POWER TO PAY AND TO FIX TIME ETC. FOR PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS |
(1) | Despite any other provision of this Constitution, the Directors may determine, declare or procure the payment of dividends as and when permitted by the Act and during the Listed Period of the Listing Rules. |
(2) | The Directors may determine that a dividend is payable by the Company and fix:- |
(a) | the amount; |
(b) | the time for payment; and |
(c) | the method of payment. |
86. | AMEND RESOLUTION TO PAY DIVIDEND |
The Directors may amend or revoke a resolution to pay a dividend before the date which is nine (9) Business Days before the record date notified to ASX for determining entitlements to a dividend,
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87. | NO INTEREST |
The Company must not pay interest on a dividend.
88. | RESERVES |
(1) | The Directors may set aside out of profits such amounts by way of reserves as they think appropriate to pay a dividend. |
(2) | The Directors may apply the reserves for any purpose for which profits may be properly applied. |
(3) | Pending any application of the reserves, the Directors may invest or use the reserves in the business of the Company or in other investments as they think fit. |
(4) | The Directors may carry forward any undistributed profits without transferring them to a reserve. |
89. | DIVIDEND ENTITLEMENT |
(1) | The dividend to be paid to the holder of a partly paid Share must not exceed that proportion of the dividend to be paid to the holder of a fully paid Share that the amount paid up on the Share (not credited as paid up) bears to the total issue price of the Share (excluding amounts credited as paid up). |
(2) | Unless otherwise determined by the Directors, Shares rank for dividend from their date of allotment. |
(3) | Subject to the Act and the Operating Rules, a transfer of Shares registered after the record date notified to ASX for determining entitlements to a dividend paid or payable in respect of the transferred Shares, does not pass the right to that dividend. |
90. | RESTRICTED SECURITIES |
During a breach of the Listing Rules relating to Shares which are Restricted Securities, or a breach of a restriction agreement, the holder of the relevant Restricted Securities is not entitled to any dividend in respect of those Restricted Securities.
91. | DEDUCTIONS FROM DIVIDENDS |
The Managing Director may deduct from a dividend payable to a Member all sums presently payable by the Member to the Company on account of calls or otherwise in relation to Shares in the Company.
92. | DISTRIBUTIONS OF ASSETS |
(1) | The Directors may resolve that: |
(a) | without limiting paragraph (1)(b) of this Article, a dividend (interim or final) will be paid wholly or partly by the transfer or distribution of assets, including shares in, or debentures of, any other corporation or interests in a managed investment scheme or comparable foreign interests or rights; or |
(b) | without limiting paragraph (1)(a) of !his Article, distribute or return any amount of capital or income (including, without limitation of or to either, any assets including shares in, or debentures of, any other corporation or interests in a managed investment scheme or comparable interests or rights in a foreign equivalent) to Members pro rata according to the number of Shares held as at a time decided by the Directors (in accordance with the Listing Rules during the Listed Period). The distribution may be in cash, or by way of distributing assets in specie or any combination of some or all of cash or assets. |
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(2) | If a difficulty arises or may arise in making or giving effect to a transfer or distribution of assets, the Directors may:- |
(a) | deal with the difficulty as they consider expedient: |
(b) | fix the value of all or any part of the assets for the purposes of the distribution; |
(c) | determine that cash will be paid to any Members on the basis of the fixed value. In order to adjust the rights of all the Members: and |
(d) | vest any such assets in trustees as the Directors consider expedient. |
(3) | If a transfer or distribution of assets to a particular Member or Members is illegal or would be illegal or, in the Directors’ opinion, impracticable, the Directors may make a cash payment to the Member or Members on the basis of the cash amount of the dividend instead of the transfer or distribution of assets. |
(4) | If the Company distributes assets to Members each Member is deemed to have appointed the Company (and/or any Director or Secretary for the time being) as his, her or its agent to give any consent, to enter any agreement, to execute any document or to do anything necessary or desirable to give effect to the distribution, including agreeing to become a member of another body corporate or of a managed investment scheme or a comparable foreign equivalent (which such consent, agreement, execution or other thing shall be effective and binding on all Members concerned). |
(5) | The Directors may authorise any person to make, on behalf of each Member entitled to any asset as a result of a distribution, an agreement with the Company or another person which provides, as appropriate, for the distribution or issue to them of shares or other securities credited as fully paid up or for payment by the Company on their behalf of the amounts or any part of the amounts remaining unpaid on their existing Shares or other securities of the Company by applying their respective proportions of the amount resolved to be distributed. |
93. | PAYMENT |
(1) | Any dividend or other money payable in respect of Shares may be paid by cheque sent through the mail direct to:- |
(a) | the address of the Member shown in the Register or to the address of the joint holder of Shares shown first in the Register: or |
(b) | an address which the Member or joint holders has in writing notified the Company as the address to which dividends should be sent. |
(2) | Any joint holder may give an effectual receipt for any dividend or other money paid in respect of Shares held by holders jointly. |
94. | ELECTION TO REINVEST DIVIDEND |
If and to the extent authorised by resolution of the Company in general meeting, the Directors may:-
(1) | establish a plan under which Members or any class of Members may elect to reinvest cash dividends paid by the Company by subscribing for Shares; |
(2) | vary, suspend or terminate the arrangements established under Article 94(1). |
95. | ELECTION TO ACCEPT SHARES IN LIEU OF DIVIDEND |
(1) | If and to the extent authorised by resolution of the Company in general meeting, the Directors may resolve, in respect of any dividend which it is proposed to pay on any Shares, that holders of those Shares may elect to:- |
(a) | forego their right to share in the proposed dividend or part of the proposed dividend; and |
(b) | instead receive an issue of Shares credited as fully paid. |
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(2) | If the Directors resolve to allow the election provided for in Article 95(1), each holder of Shares conferring a right to share in the proposed dividend may, by notice in writing to the Company given in such form and within such period as the Directors may decide, elect to:- |
(a) | forego the dividend which otherwise would have been paid to the holder on such of the holder’s Shares conferring a right to share in the proposed dividend as the holder specified in the notice of election; and |
(b) | receive instead Shares to be issued to the holder credited as fully paid, on and subject to such terms and conditions as the Directors may determine. |
(3) | Following the receipt of duly completed notices of election under Article 95(2), the Directors must:- |
(a) | appropriate an amount equal to the aggregate issue price of the Shares to be issued credited as fully paid to those holders of Shares who have given such notices of election; and |
(b) | apply the amount in paying up in full the number of Shares required to be so issued. |
(4) | The Directors may rescind, vary or suspend a resolution of the Directors made pursuant to Article 95(1) and the arrangements implemented pursuant to the resolution. |
(5) | The powers given to the Directors by this Article 95 are additional to the provisions for capitalisation of profits provided for by this Constitution. If the Directors exercise their power to capitalise profits under Article 97 then any Member who has elected to participate in arrangements established under this Article 95 is deemed, for the purpose of determining the Member’s entitlement to share in the capitalised sum, not to have so elected. |
96. | UNCLAIMED DIVIDENDS |
All dividends unclaimed for one (1) year after the time for payment has passed may be invested by the Managing Director as he thinks fit for the benefit of the Company until claimed or until required to be dealt with in accordance with any law relating to unclaimed money.
97. | CAPITALISATION OF PROFITS |
(1) | The Directors may resolve to capitalise profits. |
(2) | If the capitalisation is to be accompanied by the issue of Shares or debentures, the Directors may apply the sum capitalised:- |
(a) | in the proportions in which the Members would be entitled if the sum was distributed by way of dividend; or |
(b) | in connection with an employee share scheme adopted by the Company, by applying the sum in paying up in part or full unissued Shares and issuing them in accordance with the rules of that scheme. |
(3) | For the purposes of this Article 97, “employee share scheme” has the same meaning as in section 9 of the Act. |
(4) | To the extent necessary to adjust the rights of the Members among themselves where Article 97(2)(a) applies or is intended to apply, the Directors may adopt a rounding policy or make cash payments in cases where Shares or debentures become issuable in fractions. |
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NOTICES
98. | SERVICE OF NOTICES |
(1) | Notice may be given by the Company to any person who is entitled to notice under this Constitution by:- |
(a) | serving it on the person; |
(b) | sending it by post, facsimile transmission or electronic notification to the person's address shown in the Register or the address supplied by the person to the Company for sending notices to the person; or |
(c) | (except in the case of a notice of meeting of Members which is required to be given individually to each Member entitled to vote at the meeting and to each Director and each Alternate Director), advertising in one (1) or more of the newspapers published in Australia or as determined by the Directors, if in the opinion of the Directors extreme or unusual circumstances make it appropriate to do so. |
(2) | A notice sent by post is taken to be served:- |
(a) | by properly addressing, prepaying, and posting a letter containing the notice; and |
(b) | on the day after the day on which it was posted. |
(3) | A notice sent by facsimile transmission or electronic notification is taken to be served:- |
(a) | by properly addressing the facsimile transmission or electronic notification and transmitting it; and |
(b) | on the day of its transmission except if transmitted after 5.00 pm in which case is taken to be served on the next day. |
(4) | A notice given by advertisement is taken to be served on the date on which the advertisement first appears in a newspaper. |
(5) | A notice may be served by the Company on joint holders under Article 98(1)(a) or 98(1)(b) by giving the notice to the joint holder whose name appears first in the Register. |
(6) | Every person who is entitled to a Share by operation of law and who is not registered as the holder of the Share is taken to receive any notice served in accordance with this Article by advertisement or on the person from whom it derives title. |
(7) | A Share certificate, cheque, warrant or other document may be delivered by the Company either personally or by sending it:- |
(a) | in the case of a Member who does not have a Registered Address in Australia, by airmail post, by facsimile transmission, electronic notification or in another way that ensures that it will be received quickly, as appropriate; and |
(b) | in any other case by ordinary post. |
(8) | A Member whose Registered Address is not in Australia may specify in writing an address in Australia as the Members Registered Address within the meaning of this Article. |
(9) | A certificate in writing signed by a Director, Secretary or other officer of the Company, or by any person that the Company has engaged to maintain the Register, that a document or its envelope or wrapper was addressed and stamped and was posted is conclusive evidence of posting. |
(10) | If at least two notices sent by post, facsimile transmission or electronic notification is returned unclaimed or is not deliverable (as evidenced by notification of non-delivery or of the addressee not being at the address or facsimile number, of a facsimile number not accepting facsimile transmissions or of an electronic notification address not existing) or if the Directors believe on other reasonable grounds that the address or facsimile number is not the address or facsimile number of the Member, the Company may give notice and notice is taken to have been given to the Member if the notice is exhibited at the Company's registered office for at least two Business Days. If one or more addresses or facsimile numbers are recorded for a Member this Article will only operate in respect of a Member if it applies to all the addresses or facsimile numbers recorded for that Member. This Article will cease to operate in respect of a Member if the Member gives the Company a new address or facsimile number (unless this Article also applies to that new address or facsimile number). This Article does not oblige the Company to send any notice of meeting to a member by facsimile or email if it is only sent to other Members by post. |
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(11) | If the Act or during the Listed Period the Listing Rules provide that notices may be sent or given or documents provided to Members by other means (including but not only by being made available on the internet), sending or giving a notice or providing a document by that means is authorised by this Article and is as effective as if the notice was sent or given or document provided in accordance with any other method referred to in this Article. |
(12) | Subject to the Act, the signature (if any) to a written notice given by the Company may be written, printed or electronic. |
(13) | All notices sent by post outside Australia must be sent by prepaid airmail post. |
99. | PERSONS ENTITLED TO NOTICE |
(1) | Notices of every general meeting must be given to:- |
(a) | every Member: |
(b) | every Director and Alternate Director; |
(c) | during the Listed Period, ASX: and |
(d) | the auditor. |
(2) | No other person is entitled to receive notice of a general meeting. |
AUDIT AND FINANCIAL RECORDS
100. | COMPANY TO KEEP FINANCIAL RECORDS |
(1) | The Directors must cause the Company to keep written financial records and to prepare financial documents and reports in accordance with the requirements of the Act and the Listing Rules. |
(2) | The Directors must cause the financial records and financial documents of the Company to be audited in accordance with the requirements of the Act and the Listing Rules. |
WINDING UP
101. | WINDING UP |
(1) | Nothing in this Article prejudices the rights of the holders of shares issued on special terms and conditions. |
(2) | If the Company is wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution of the Company: |
(a) | divide among the Members in kind all or any of the Company’s assets: and |
(b) | for that purpose, determine how he or she will carry out the division between the different classes of Members, |
but may not require a Member to accept any Shares or other securities in respect of which there is any liability.
(3) | The liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution of the Company, vest all or any of any Company's assets in a trustee on trusts determined by the liquidator for the benefit of the contributories. |
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SCHEDULE 1 • FORM OF PROXY
I/We/This Company, | |
of | |
hold(s) shares in the capital of Mobilicom Limited. |
I/We/This Company appoint(s) as my/our proxy |
of | |
or failing him or her of | |
of |
or failing him or her, the Chairperson of the general meeting of the Company to be held on the _________ day of __________________________ , 20 ___ at ________ am/pm to vote for me/us at that meeting and at any adjournment of it unless this appointment is revoked by me/us in writing.
This form is to be used in accordance with the directions below. Unless the proxy is directed, he or she may vote or abstain from voting as he or she thinks fit.
RESOLUTION | FOR | AGAINST | ABSTAIN |
☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
INSTRUCTIONS
1. | To direct the proxy to cast all votes covered by this instrument in a particular manner place a lick or a cross in the relevant box. |
2. | To direct the proxy to cast some only of the votes covered by this instrument in respect of an item of business in a particular manner, place in the relevant box either the number of votes to be cast in that manner on a poll or the percentage of the total votes covered by this instrument to be cast in that manner on a poll. This direction, if given, is also an instruction to the proxy to vote according to the proxy’s discretion on a show of hands. |
3. | If two proxies are appointed and the proportion of votes which each is to exercise is not stated, each proxy may exercise one half of the appointer’s votes (fractions of votes will be disregarded). |
4. | The instrument appointing the proxy, to be valid, must be received at the registered office of the Company at least 48 hours before the meeting, in the manner prescribed by Article 49 of the Company’s Constitution. |
I/We/This Company understand(s) that if I/we have not directed my/our proxy how to vote, my/our proxy may vote or abstain from voting as he or she thinks fit.
DATED: | ||||
Signature of Member | Signature of Member |
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Exhibit 4.1
MOBILICOM LIMITED
AND
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
As Depositary
AND
OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
Deposit Agreement
__________, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS | 1 | |
SECTION 1.1. | American Depositary Shares. | 2 |
SECTION 1.2. | Commission. | 2 |
SECTION 1.3. | Company. | 2 |
SECTION 1.4. | Custodian. | 2 |
SECTION 1.5. | Deliver; Surrender. | 2 |
SECTION 1.6. | Deposit Agreement. | 3 |
SECTION 1.7. | Depositary; Depositary’s Office. | 3 |
SECTION 1.8. | Deposited Securities. | 3 |
SECTION 1.9. | Disseminate. | 3 |
SECTION 1.10. | Dollars. | 3 |
SECTION 1.11. | DTC. | 3 |
SECTION 1.12. | Foreign Registrar. | 3 |
SECTION 1.13. | Holder. | 3 |
SECTION 1.14. | Owner. | 4 |
SECTION 1.15. | Receipts. | 4 |
SECTION 1.16. | Registrar. | 4 |
SECTION 1.17. | Replacement. | 4 |
SECTION 1.18. | Restricted Securities. | 4 |
SECTION 1.19. | Securities Act of 1933. | 4 |
SECTION 1.20. | Shares. | 4 |
SECTION 1.21. | SWIFT. | 5 |
SECTION 1.22. | Termination Option Event. | 5 |
ARTICLE 2. FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES, DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES | 5 | |
SECTION 2.1. | Form of Receipts; Registration and Transferability of American Depositary Shares. | 5 |
SECTION 2.2. | Deposit of Shares. | 7 |
SECTION 2.3. | Delivery of American Depositary Shares. | 7 |
SECTION 2.4. | Registration of Transfer of American Depositary Shares; Combination and Split-up of Receipts; Interchange of Certificated and Uncertificated American Depositary Shares. | 7 |
SECTION 2.5. | Surrender of American Depositary Shares and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities. | 8 |
SECTION 2.6. | Limitations on Delivery, Registration of Transfer and Surrender of American Depositary Shares. | 9 |
SECTION 2.7. | Lost Receipts, etc. | 10 |
SECTION 2.8. | Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts. | 10 |
SECTION 2.9. | DTC Direct Registration System and Profile Modification System. | 10 |
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ARTICLE 3. CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES | 11 | |
SECTION 3.1. | Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. | 11 |
SECTION 3.2. | Liability of Owner for Taxes. | 11 |
SECTION 3.3. | Warranties on Deposit of Shares. | 12 |
SECTION 3.4. | Disclosure of Interests. | 12 |
ARTICLE 4. THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES | 12 | |
SECTION 4.1. | Cash Distributions. | 12 |
SECTION 4.2. | Distributions Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights. | 13 |
SECTION 4.3. | Distributions in Shares. | 14 |
SECTION 4.4. | Rights. | 14 |
SECTION 4.5. | Conversion of Foreign Currency. | 16 |
SECTION 4.6. | Fixing of Record Date. | 17 |
SECTION 4.7. | Voting of Deposited Shares. | 17 |
SECTION 4.8. | Tender and Exchange Offers; Redemption, Replacement or Cancellation of Deposited Securities. | 18 |
SECTION 4.9. | Reports. | 20 |
SECTION 4.10. | Lists of Owners. | 20 |
SECTION 4.11. | Withholding. | 20 |
ARTICLE 5. THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIANS AND THE COMPANY | 21 | |
SECTION 5.1. | Maintenance of Office and Register by the Depositary. | 21 |
SECTION 5.2. | Prevention or Delay of Performance by the Company or the Depositary. | 21 |
SECTION 5.3. | Obligations of the Depositary and the Company. | 22 |
SECTION 5.4. | Resignation and Removal of the Depositary. | 23 |
SECTION 5.5. | The Custodians. | 24 |
SECTION 5.6. | Notices and Reports. | 24 |
SECTION 5.7. | Distribution of Additional Shares, Rights, etc. | 25 |
SECTION 5.8. | Indemnification. | 25 |
SECTION 5.9. | Charges of Depositary. | 25 |
SECTION 5.10. | Retention of Depositary Documents. | 26 |
SECTION 5.11. | Exclusivity. | 26 |
SECTION 5.12. | Information for Regulatory Compliance. | 26 |
ARTICLE 6. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION | 26 | |
SECTION 6.1. | Amendment. | 26 |
SECTION 6.2. | Termination. | 27 |
ARTICLE 7. MISCELLANEOUS | 27 | |
SECTION 7.1. | Counterparts; Signatures; Delivery. | 27 |
SECTION 7.2. | No Third Party Beneficiaries. | 28 |
SECTION 7.3. | Severability. | 28 |
SECTION 7.4. | Owners and Holders as Parties; Binding Effect. | 28 |
SECTION 7.5. | Notices. | 28 |
SECTION 7.6. | Appointment of Agent for Service of Process; Submission to Jurisdiction; Jury Trial Waiver. | 29 |
SECTION 7.7. | Waiver of Immunities. | 30 |
SECTION 7.8. | Governing Law. | 30 |
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DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT dated as of __________, 2022 among MOBILICOM LIMITED, a company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia (herein called the Company), THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a New York banking corporation (herein called the Depositary), and all Owners and Holders (each as hereinafter defined) from time to time of American Depositary Shares issued hereunder.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide, as set forth in this Deposit Agreement, for the deposit of Shares (as hereinafter defined) of the Company from time to time with the Depositary or with the Custodian (as hereinafter defined) under this Deposit Agreement, for the creation of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited and for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares; and
WHEREAS, the American Depositary Receipts are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A annexed to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as set forth in this Deposit Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated, apply to the respective terms used in this Deposit Agreement:
SECTION 1.1. American Depositary Shares.
The term “American Depositary Shares” shall mean the securities created under this Deposit Agreement representing rights with respect to the Deposited Securities. American Depositary Shares may be certificated securities evidenced by Receipts or uncertificated securities. The form of Receipt annexed as Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement shall be the prospectus required under the Securities Act of 1933 for sales of both certificated and uncertificated American Depositary Shares. Except for those provisions of this Deposit Agreement that refer specifically to Receipts, all the provisions of this Deposit Agreement shall apply to both certificated and uncertificated American Depositary Shares.
Each American Depositary Share shall represent the number of Shares specified in Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement, except that, if there is a distribution upon Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.3, a change in Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.8 with respect to which additional American Depositary Shares are not delivered or a sale of Deposited Securities under Section 3.2 or 4.8, each American Depositary Share shall thereafter represent the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities that are then on deposit per American Depositary Share after giving effect to that distribution, change or sale.
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SECTION 1.2. Commission.
The term “Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any successor governmental agency in the United States.
SECTION 1.3. Company.
The term “Company” shall mean Mobilicom Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia, and its successors.
SECTION 1.4. Custodian.
The term “Custodian” shall mean HSBC Bank Australia Limited, as custodian for the Depositary in Australia for the purposes of this Deposit Agreement, and any other firm or corporation the Depositary appoints under Section 5.5 as a substitute or additional custodian under this Deposit Agreement, and shall also mean all of them collectively.
SECTION 1.5. Deliver; Surrender.
(a) The term “deliver”, or its noun form, when used with respect to Shares or other Deposited Securities, shall mean (i) book-entry transfer of those Shares or other Deposited Securities to an account maintained by an institution authorized under applicable law to effect transfers of such securities designated by the person entitled to that delivery or (ii) physical transfer of certificates evidencing those Shares or other Deposited Securities registered in the name of, or duly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer to, the person entitled to that delivery.
(b) The term “deliver”, or its noun form, when used with respect to American Depositary Shares, shall mean (i) registration of those American Depositary Shares in the name of DTC or its nominee and book-entry transfer of those American Depositary Shares to an account at DTC designated by the person entitled to that delivery, (ii) registration of those American Depositary Shares not evidenced by a Receipt on the books of the Depositary in the name requested by the person entitled to that delivery and mailing to that person of a statement confirming that registration or (iii) if requested by the person entitled to that delivery, execution and delivery at the Depositary’s Office to the person entitled to that delivery of one or more Receipts evidencing those American Depositary Shares registered in the name requested by that person.
(c) The term “surrender”, when used with respect to American Depositary Shares, shall mean (i) one or more book-entry transfers of American Depositary Shares to the DTC account of the Depositary, (ii) delivery to the Depositary at its Office of an instruction to surrender American Depositary Shares not evidenced by a Receipt or (iii) surrender to the Depositary at its Office of one or more Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares.
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SECTION 1.6. Deposit Agreement.
The term “Deposit Agreement” shall mean this Deposit Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 1.7. Depositary; Depositary’s Office.
The term “Depositary” shall mean The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, and any successor as depositary under this Deposit Agreement. The term “Office”, when used with respect to the Depositary, shall mean the office at which its depositary receipts business is administered, which, at the date of this Deposit Agreement, is located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.
SECTION 1.8. Deposited Securities.
The term “Deposited Securities” as of any time shall mean Shares at such time deposited or deemed to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement, including without limitation, Shares that have not been successfully delivered upon surrender of American Depositary Shares, and any and all other securities, property and cash received by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect of Deposited Securities and at that time held under this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 1.9. Disseminate.
The term “Disseminate,” when referring to a notice or other information to be sent by the Depositary to Owners, shall mean (i) sending that information to Owners in paper form by mail or another means or (ii) with the consent of Owners, another procedure that has the effect of making the information available to Owners, which may include (A) sending the information by electronic mail or electronic messaging or (B) sending in paper form or by electronic mail or messaging a statement that the information is available and may be accessed by the Owner on an Internet website and that it will be sent in paper form upon request by the Owner, when that information is so available and is sent in paper form as promptly as practicable upon request.
SECTION 1.10. Dollars.
The term “Dollars” shall mean United States dollars.
SECTION 1.11. DTC.
The term “DTC” shall mean The Depository Trust Company or its successor.
SECTION 1.12. Foreign Registrar.
The term “Foreign Registrar” shall mean the entity that carries out the duties of registrar for the Shares and any other agent of the Company for the transfer and registration of Shares, including, without limitation, any securities depository for the Shares.
SECTION 1.13. Holder.
The term “Holder” shall mean any person holding a Receipt or a security entitlement or other interest in American Depositary Shares, whether for its own account or for the account of another person, but that is not the Owner of that Receipt or those American Depositary Shares.
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SECTION 1.14. Owner.
The term “Owner” shall mean the person in whose name American Depositary Shares are registered on the books of the Depositary maintained for that purpose.
SECTION 1.15. Receipts.
The term “Receipts” shall mean the American Depositary Receipts issued under this Deposit Agreement evidencing certificated American Depositary Shares, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 1.16. Registrar.
The term “Registrar” shall mean any corporation or other entity that is appointed by the Depositary to register American Depositary Shares and transfers of American Depositary Shares as provided in this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 1.17. Replacement.
The term “Replacement” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 4.8.
SECTION 1.18. Restricted Securities.
The term “Restricted Securities” shall mean Shares that (i) are “restricted securities,” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, except for Shares that could be resold in reliance on Rule 144 without any conditions, (ii) are beneficially owned by an officer, director (or person performing similar functions) or other affiliate of the Company, (iii) otherwise would require registration under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the public offer and sale thereof in the United States or (iv) are subject to other restrictions on sale or deposit under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia, a shareholder agreement or the articles of association or similar document of the Company.
SECTION 1.19. Securities Act of 1933.
The term “Securities Act of 1933” shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended.
SECTION 1.20. Shares.
The term “Shares” shall mean ordinary shares of the Company that are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable and that were not issued in violation of any pre-emptive or similar rights of the holders of outstanding securities of the Company; provided, however, that, if there shall occur any change in nominal or par value, a split-up or consolidation or any other reclassification or, upon the occurrence of an event described in Section 4.8, an exchange or conversion in respect of the Shares of the Company, the term “Shares” shall thereafter also mean the successor securities resulting from such change in nominal value, split-up or consolidation or such other reclassification or such exchange or conversion.
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SECTION 1.21. SWIFT.
The term “SWIFT” shall mean the financial messaging network operated by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, or its successor.
SECTION 1.22. Termination Option Event.
The term “Termination Option Event” shall mean any of the following events or conditions:
(i) the Company institutes proceedings to be adjudicated as bankrupt or insolvent, consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable law in respect of bankruptcy or insolvency, consents to the filing of any petition of that kind or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian or sequestrator (or other similar official) of it or any substantial part of its property or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or if information becomes publicly available indicating that unsecured claims against the Company are not expected to be paid;
(ii) the Shares are delisted, or the Company announces its intention to delist the Shares, from a stock exchange outside the United States, and the Company has not applied to list the Shares on any other stock exchange outside the United States;
(iii) the American Depositary Shares are delisted from a stock exchange in the United States on which the American Depositary Shares were listed and, 30 days after that delisting, the American Depositary Shares have not been listed on another stock exchange in the United States, nor is there a symbol available for over-the-counter trading of the American Depositary Shares in the United States;
(iv) the Depositary has received notice of facts that indicate, or otherwise has reason to believe, that the American Depositary Shares have become, or with the passage of time will become, ineligible for registration on Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933; or
(v) an event or condition that is defined as a Termination Option Event in Section 4.1, 4.2 or 4.8.
ARTICLE 2. FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES, DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
SECTION 2.1. Form of Receipts; Registration and Transferability of American Depositary Shares.
Definitive Receipts shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as permitted under this Deposit Agreement. No Receipt shall be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless that Receipt has been (i) executed by the Depositary by the manual signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary or (ii) executed by the facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary and countersigned by the manual signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar or a co-registrar. The Depositary shall maintain books on which (x) each Receipt so executed and delivered as provided in this Deposit Agreement and each transfer of that Receipt and (y) all American Depositary Shares delivered as provided in this Deposit Agreement and all registrations of transfer of American Depositary Shares, shall be registered. A Receipt bearing the facsimile signature of a person that was at any time a proper officer of the Depositary shall, subject to the other provisions of this paragraph, bind the Depositary, even if that person was not a proper officer of the Depositary on the date of issuance of that Receipt.
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The Receipts and statements confirming registration of American Depositary Shares may have incorporated in or attached to them such legends or recitals or modifications not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement as may be required by the Depositary or required to comply with any applicable law or regulations thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange upon which American Depositary Shares may be listed or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Receipts and American Depositary Shares are subject by reason of the date of issuance of the underlying Deposited Securities or otherwise.
American Depositary Shares evidenced by a Receipt, when the Receipt is properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, shall be transferable as certificated registered securities under the laws of the State of New York. American Depositary Shares not evidenced by Receipts shall be transferable as uncertificated registered securities under the laws of the State of New York. The Depositary and the Company, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Owner of American Depositary Shares as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes, and neither the Depositary nor the Company shall have any obligation or be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any Holder of American Depositary Shares (but only to the Owner of those American Depositary Shares).
SECTION 2.2. Deposit of Shares.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, Shares or evidence of rights to receive Shares may be deposited under this Deposit Agreement by delivery thereof to any Custodian, accompanied by any appropriate instruments or instructions for transfer, or endorsement, in form satisfactory to the Custodian.
As conditions of accepting Shares for deposit, the Depositary may require (i) any certification required by the Depositary or the Custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, (ii) a written order directing the Depositary to deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in that order American Depositary Shares representing those deposited Shares, (iii) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that those Shares have been re-registered in the books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar in the name of the Depositary, a Custodian or a nominee of the Depositary or a Custodian, (iv) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that any necessary approval for the transfer or deposit has been granted by any governmental body in each applicable jurisdiction and (v) an agreement or assignment, or other instrument satisfactory to the Depositary, that provides for the prompt transfer to the Custodian of any dividend, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property, that any person in whose name those Shares are or have been recorded may thereafter receive upon or in respect of those Shares, or, in lieu thereof, such agreement of indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary.
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At the request and risk and expense of a person proposing to deposit Shares, and for the account of that person, the Depositary may receive certificates for Shares to be deposited, together with the other instruments specified in this Section, for the purpose of forwarding those Share certificates to the Custodian for deposit under this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary shall instruct each Custodian that, upon each delivery to a Custodian of a certificate or certificates for Shares to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement, together with the other documents specified in this Section, that Custodian shall, as soon as transfer and recordation can be accomplished, present that certificate or those certificates to the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, for transfer and recordation of the Shares being deposited in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or that Custodian or its nominee.
Deposited Securities shall be held by the Depositary or by a Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary or at such other place or places as the Depositary shall determine.
SECTION 2.3. Delivery of American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary shall instruct each Custodian that, upon receipt by that Custodian of any deposit pursuant to Section 2.2, together with the other documents or evidence required under that Section, that Custodian shall notify the Depositary of that deposit and the person or persons to whom or upon whose written order American Depositary Shares are deliverable in respect thereof. Upon receiving a notice of a deposit from a Custodian, or upon the receipt of Shares or evidence of the right to receive Shares by the Depositary, the Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall deliver, to or upon the order of the person or persons entitled thereto, the number of American Depositary Shares issuable in respect of that deposit, but only upon payment to the Depositary of the fees and expenses of the Depositary for the delivery of those American Depositary Shares as provided in Section 5.9, and of all taxes and governmental charges and fees payable in connection with that deposit and the transfer of the deposited Shares. However, the Depositary shall deliver only whole numbers of American Depositary Shares.
SECTION 2.4. Registration of Transfer of American Depositary Shares; Combination and Split-up of Receipts; Interchange of Certificated and Uncertificated American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall register a transfer of American Depositary Shares on its transfer books upon (i) in the case of certificated American Depositary Shares, surrender of the Receipt evidencing those American Depositary Shares, by the Owner or by a duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer or (ii) in the case of uncertificated American Depositary Shares, receipt from the Owner of a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.9), and, in either case, duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the United States of America. Upon registration of a transfer, the Depositary shall deliver the transferred American Depositary Shares to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto.
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The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
The Depositary, upon surrender of certificated American Depositary Shares for the purpose of exchanging for uncertificated American Depositary Shares, shall cancel the Receipt evidencing those certificated American Depositary Shares and send the Owner a statement confirming that the Owner is the owner of the same number of uncertificated American Depositary Shares. The Depositary, upon receipt of a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.9) from the Owner of uncertificated American Depositary Shares for the purpose of exchanging for certificated American Depositary Shares, shall cancel those uncertificated American Depositary Shares and register and deliver to the Owner a Receipt evidencing the same number of certificated American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary may appoint one or more co-transfer agents for the purpose of effecting registration of transfers of American Depositary Shares and combinations and split-ups of Receipts at designated transfer offices on behalf of the Depositary. In carrying out its functions, a co-transfer agent may require evidence of authority and compliance with applicable laws and other requirements by Owners or persons entitled to American Depositary Shares and will be entitled to protection and indemnity to the same extent as the Depositary.
SECTION 2.5. Surrender of American Depositary Shares and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities.
Upon surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby and payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares as provided in Section 5.9 and payment of all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with that surrender and withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Owner of those American Depositary Shares shall be entitled to delivery (to the extent delivery can then be lawfully and practicably made), to or as instructed by that Owner, of the amount of Deposited Securities at the time represented by those American Depositary Shares, but not any money or other property as to which a record date for distribution to Owners has passed (since money or other property of that kind will be delivered or paid on the scheduled payment date to the Owner as of that record date), and except that the Depositary shall not be required to accept surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal to the extent it would require delivery of a fraction of a Deposited Security. That delivery shall be made, as provided in this Section, without unreasonable delay.
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As a condition of accepting a surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of Deposited Securities, the Depositary may require (i) that each surrendered Receipt be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank and (ii) that the surrendering Owner execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be delivered to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in that order.
Thereupon, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to deliver, subject to Sections 2.6, 3.1 and 3.2, the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and local market rules and practices, to the surrendering Owner or to or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary as above provided, the amount of Deposited Securities represented by the surrendered American Depositary Shares, and the Depositary may charge the surrendering Owner a fee and its expenses for giving that direction by cable (including SWIFT) or facsimile transmission.
If Deposited Securities are delivered physically upon surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal, that delivery will be made at the Custodian’s office, except that, at the request, risk and expense of an Owner surrendering American Depositary Shares for withdrawal of Deposited Securities, and for the account of that Owner, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward any cash or other property comprising, and forward a certificate or certificates, if applicable, and other proper documents of title, if any, for, the Deposited Securities represented by the surrendered American Depositary Shares to the Depositary for delivery at the Depositary’s Office or to another address specified in the order received from the surrendering Owner.
SECTION 2.6. Limitations on Delivery, Registration of Transfer and Surrender of American Depositary Shares.
As a condition precedent to the delivery, registration of transfer or surrender of any American Depositary Shares or split-up or combination of any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary, Custodian or Registrar may require payment from the depositor of Shares or the presenter of the Receipt or instruction for registration of transfer or surrender of American Depositary Shares not evidenced by a Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees as provided in this Deposit Agreement, may require the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with any regulations the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, including, without limitation, this Section 2.6.
The Depositary may refuse to accept deposits of Shares for delivery of American Depositary Shares or to register transfers of American Depositary Shares in particular instances, or may suspend deposits of Shares or registration of transfer generally, whenever it or the Company considers it necessary or advisable to do so. The Depositary may refuse surrenders of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of Deposited Securities in particular instances, or may suspend surrenders for the purpose of withdrawal generally, but, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Deposit Agreement, only for (i) temporary delays caused by closing of the Depositary’s register or the register of holders of Shares maintained by the Company or the Foreign Registrar, or the deposit of Shares, in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the American Depositary Shares or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities or (iv) any other reason that, at the time, is permitted under paragraph I(A)(1) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933 or any successor to that provision.
The Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under this Deposit Agreement any Shares that, at the time of deposit, are Restricted Securities.
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SECTION 2.7. Lost Receipts, etc.
If a Receipt is mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, the Depositary shall deliver to the Owner the American Depositary Shares evidenced by that Receipt in uncertificated form or, if requested by the Owner, execute and deliver a new Receipt of like tenor in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt, upon surrender and cancellation of that mutilated Receipt, or in lieu of and in substitution for that destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt. However, before the Depositary will deliver American Depositary Shares in uncertificated form or execute and deliver a new Receipt, in substitution for a destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, the Owner must (a) file with the Depositary (i) a request for that replacement before the Depositary has notice that the Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser and (ii) a sufficient indemnity bond and (b) satisfy any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary.
SECTION 2.8. Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts.
The Depositary shall cancel all Receipts surrendered to it and is authorized to destroy Receipts so cancelled.
SECTION 2.9. DTC Direct Registration System and Profile Modification System.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.4, the parties acknowledge that DTC’s Direct Registration System (“DRS”) and Profile Modification System (“Profile”) apply to the American Depositary Shares upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC. DRS is the system administered by DTC that facilitates interchange between registered holding of uncertificated securities and holding of security entitlements in those securities through DTC and a DTC participant. Profile is a required feature of DRS that allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of an Owner of American Depositary Shares, to direct the Depositary to register a transfer of those American Depositary Shares to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those American Depositary Shares to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the Depositary of prior authorization from the Owner to register that transfer.
(b) In connection with DRS/Profile, the parties acknowledge that the Depositary will not determine whether the DTC participant that is claiming to be acting on behalf of an Owner in requesting a registration of transfer and delivery as described in paragraph (a) above has the actual authority to act on behalf of that Owner (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Sections 5.3 and 5.8 apply to the matters arising from the use of the DRS/Profile. The parties agree that the Depositary’s reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the Depositary through the DRS/Profile system and otherwise in accordance with this Deposit Agreement shall not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the Depositary.
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ARTICLE 3. CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
SECTION 3.1. Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information.
Any person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner or Holder may be required from time to time to file with the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, exchange control approval, or such information relating to the registration on the books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as the Depositary may deem necessary or proper. The Depositary may withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of American Depositary Shares, the distribution of any dividend or other distribution or of the proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until that proof or other information is filed or those certificates are executed or those representations and warranties are made.
SECTION 3.2. Liability of Owner for Taxes.
If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by the Custodian or the Depositary with respect to or in connection with any American Depositary Shares or any Deposited Securities represented by any American Depositary Shares or in connection with a transaction to which Section 4.8 applies, that tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner of those American Depositary Shares to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to register any transfer of those American Depositary Shares or any withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares until that payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other distributions or the proceeds thereof, or may sell for the account of the Owner any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares and apply those dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds of any sale of that kind in payment of that tax or other governmental charge but, even after a sale of that kind, the Owner of those American Depositary Shares shall remain liable for any deficiency. The Depositary shall distribute any net proceeds of a sale made under this Section that are not used to pay taxes or governmental charges to the Owners entitled to them in accordance with Section 4.1. If the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share decreases as a result of a sale of Deposited Securities under this Section, the Depositary, after consultation with the Company to the extent practicable, may call for surrender of the American Depositary Shares to be exchanged on a mandatory basis for a lesser number of American Depositary Shares and may sell American Depositary Shares to the extent necessary to avoid distributing fractions of American Depositary Shares in that exchange and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to the Owners entitled to them.
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SECTION 3.3. Warranties on Deposit of Shares.
Every person depositing Shares under this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that those Shares and each certificate therefor, if applicable, are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of the holders of outstanding securities of the Company and that the person making that deposit is duly authorized so to do. Every depositing person shall also be deemed to represent that the Shares, at the time of deposit, are not Restricted Securities. All representations and warranties deemed made under this Section shall survive the deposit of Shares and delivery of American Depositary Shares.
SECTION 3.4. Disclosure of Interests.
When required in order to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including those of any stock exchange on which the Shares or American Depositary Shares are, or may be, registered, traded or listed, or the Constitution or similar document of the Company, the Company may from time to time request each Owner and Holder to provide to the Depositary information relating to: (a) the capacity in which it holds American Depositary Shares, (b) the identity of any Holders or other persons or entities then or previously interested in those American Depositary Shares and the nature of those interests and (c) any other matter where disclosure of such matter is required for that compliance. Each Owner and Holder agrees to provide all information known to it in response to a request made pursuant to this Section. Each Holder consents to the disclosure by the Depositary and the Owner or any other Holder through which it holds American Depositary Shares, directly or indirectly, of all information responsive to a request made pursuant to this Section relating to that Holder that is known to that Owner or other Holder. The Depositary agrees to use reasonable efforts to comply with written instructions requesting that the Depositary forward any request authorized under this Section to the Owners and to forward to the Company any responses it receives in response to that request. Unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary, the Depositary may charge the Company a fee and its expenses for complying with requests under this Section 3.4.
ARTICLE 4. THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES
SECTION 4.1. Cash Distributions.
Whenever the Depositary receives any cash dividend or other cash distribution on Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall, subject to the provisions of Section 4.5, convert that dividend or other distribution into Dollars and distribute the amount thus received (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9) to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing those Deposited Securities held by them respectively; provided, however, that if the Custodian or the Depositary shall be required to withhold and does withhold from that cash dividend or other cash distribution an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Owners of the American Depositary Shares representing those Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. However, the Depositary will not pay any Owner a fraction of one cent, but will round each Owner’s entitlement to the nearest whole cent.
The Company or its agent will remit to the appropriate governmental agency in each applicable jurisdiction all amounts withheld and owing to such agency.
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If a cash distribution would represent a return of all or substantially all the value of the Deposited Securities underlying American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may:
(i) require payment of or deduct the fee for surrender of American Depositary Shares (whether or not it is also requiring surrender of American Depositary Shares) as a condition of making that cash distribution; or
(ii) sell all Deposited Securities other than the subject cash distribution and add any net cash proceeds of that sale to the cash distribution, call for surrender of all those American Depositary Shares and require that surrender as a condition of making that cash distribution.
If the Depositary acts under this paragraph, that action shall also be a Termination Option Event.
SECTION 4.2. Distributions Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.11 and 5.9, whenever the Depositary receives any distribution other than a distribution described in Section 4.1, 4.3 or 4.4 on Deposited Securities (but not in exchange for or in conversion or in lieu of Deposited Securities), the Depositary shall cause the securities or property received by it to be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto, after deduction or upon payment of any fees and expenses of the Depositary and any taxes or other governmental charges, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively, in any manner that the Depositary deems equitable and practicable for accomplishing that distribution (which may be a distribution of depositary shares representing the securities received); provided, however, that if in the opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners entitled thereto, or if for any other reason (including, but not limited to, any requirement that the Company or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges or that securities received must be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 in order to be distributed to Owners or Holders) the Depositary deems such distribution not to be lawful and feasible, after consultation with the Company to the extent practicable, the Depositary may adopt such other method as it may deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and distribution of the net proceeds of any such sale (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9) to the Owners entitled thereto, all in the manner and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.1. The Depositary may withhold any distribution of securities under this Section 4.2 if it has not received satisfactory assurances from the Company that the distribution does not require registration under the Securities Act of 1933. The Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, an amount of securities or other property it would otherwise distribute under this Section 4.2 that is sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in respect of that distribution.
If a distribution to be made under this Section 4.2 would represent a return of all or substantially all the value of the Deposited Securities underlying American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may:
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(i) require payment of or deduct the fee for surrender of American Depositary Shares (whether or not it is also requiring surrender of American Depositary Shares) as a condition of making that distribution; or
(ii) sell all Deposited Securities other than the subject distribution and add any net cash proceeds of that sale to the distribution, call for surrender of all those American Depositary Shares and require that surrender as a condition of making that distribution.
If the Depositary acts under this paragraph, that action shall also be a Termination Option Event.
SECTION 4.3. Distributions in Shares.
Whenever the Depositary receives any distribution on Deposited Securities consisting of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may, and shall if the Company so requests in writing, deliver to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing those Deposited Securities held by them respectively, an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of Shares received as that dividend or free distribution, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and issuance of American Depositary Shares, including withholding of any tax or governmental charge as provided in Section 4.11 and payment of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 (and the Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, an amount of the Shares received (or American Depositary Shares representing those Shares) sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in respect of that distribution). In lieu of delivering fractional American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of those fractions (or American Depositary Shares representing those Shares) and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.1. If and to the extent that additional American Depositary Shares are not delivered and Shares or American Depositary Shares are not sold, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional Shares distributed on the Deposited Securities represented thereby.
If the Company declares a distribution in which holders of Deposited Securities have a right to elect whether to receive cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of those things, or a right to elect to have a distribution sold on their behalf, the Depositary may, after consultation with the Company, make that right of election available for exercise by Owners in any manner the Depositary considers to be lawful and practical. As a condition of making a distribution election right available to Owners, the Depositary may require satisfactory assurances from the Company that doing so does not require registration of any securities under the Securities Act of 1933 that has not been effected.
SECTION 4.4. Rights.
(a) If rights are granted to the Depositary in respect of deposited Shares to purchase additional Shares or other securities, the Company and the Depositary shall endeavor to consult as to the actions, if any, the Depositary should take in connection with that grant of rights. The Depositary may, to the extent deemed by it to be lawful and practical (i) if requested in writing by the Company, grant to all or certain Owners rights to instruct the Depositary to purchase the securities to which the rights relate and deliver those securities or American Depositary Shares representing those securities to Owners, (ii) if requested in writing by the Company, deliver the rights to or to the order of certain Owners, or (iii) sell the rights to the extent practicable and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to Owners entitled to those proceeds. To the extent rights are not exercised, delivered or disposed of under (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Depositary shall permit the rights to lapse unexercised.
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(b) If the Depositary will act under (a)(i) above, the Company and the Depositary will enter into a separate agreement setting forth the conditions and procedures applicable to the particular offering. Upon instruction from an applicable Owner in the form the Depositary specified and upon payment by that Owner to the Depositary of an amount equal to the purchase price of the securities to be received upon the exercise of the rights, the Depositary shall, on behalf of that Owner, exercise the rights and purchase the securities. The purchased securities shall be delivered to, or as instructed by, the Depositary. The Depositary shall (i) deposit the purchased Shares under this Deposit Agreement and deliver American Depositary Shares representing those Shares to that Owner or (ii) deliver or cause the purchased Shares or other securities to be delivered to or to the order of that Owner. The Depositary will not act under (a)(i) above unless the offer and sale of the securities to which the rights relate are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Depositary has received an opinion of United States counsel that is satisfactory to it to the effect that those securities may be sold and delivered to the applicable Owners without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.
(c) If the Depositary will act under (a)(ii) above, the Company and the Depositary will enter into a separate agreement setting forth the conditions and procedures applicable to the particular offering. Upon (i) the request of an applicable Owner to deliver the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares of that Owner to an account specified by that Owner to which the rights can be delivered and (ii) receipt of such documents as the Company and the Depositary agreed to require to comply with applicable law, the Depositary will deliver those rights as requested by that Owner.
(d) If the Depositary will act under (a)(iii) above, the Depositary will use reasonable efforts to sell the rights in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by the applicable Owners and pay the net proceeds to the Owners otherwise entitled to the rights that were sold, upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date of delivery of any American Depositary Shares or otherwise.
(e) Payment or deduction of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 and payment or deduction of the expenses of the Depositary and any applicable taxes or other governmental charges shall be conditions of any delivery of securities or payment of cash proceeds under this Section 4.4.
(f) The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make rights available to or exercise rights on behalf of Owners in general or any Owner in particular, or to sell rights.
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SECTION 4.5. Conversion of Foreign Currency.
Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian receives foreign currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the foreign currency so received can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the United States, the Depositary or one of its agents or affiliates or the Custodian shall convert or cause to be converted by sale or in any other manner that it may determine that foreign currency into Dollars, and those Dollars shall be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto. A cash distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Owners based on exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any American Depositary Shares or otherwise and shall be net of any expenses of conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9.
If a conversion of foreign currency or the repatriation or distribution of Dollars can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary may, but will not be required to, file an application for that approval or license.
If the Depositary, after consultation with the Company to the extent practicable, determines that in its judgment any foreign currency received by the Depositary or the Custodian is not convertible on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any government or agency thereof that is required for such conversion is not filed or sought by the Depositary or is not obtained within a reasonable period as determined by the Depositary, the Depositary may distribute the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or in its discretion may hold such foreign currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to receive the same.
If any conversion of foreign currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected for distribution to some of the Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its discretion make that conversion and distribution in Dollars to the extent practicable and permissible to the Owners entitled thereto and may distribute the balance of the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or hold that balance uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the account of, the Owners entitled thereto.
The Depositary may convert currency itself or through any of its affiliates, or the Custodian or the Company may convert currency and pay Dollars to the Depositary. Where the Depositary converts currency itself or through any of its affiliates, the Depositary acts as principal for its own account and not as agent, advisor, broker or fiduciary on behalf of any other person and earns revenue, including, without limitation, transaction spreads, that it will retain for its own account. The revenue is based on, among other things, the difference between the exchange rate assigned to the currency conversion made under this Deposit Agreement and the rate that the Depositary or its affiliate receives when buying or selling foreign currency for its own account. The Depositary makes no representation that the exchange rate used or obtained by it or its affiliate in any currency conversion under this Deposit Agreement will be the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to Owners, subject to the Depositary’s obligations under Section 5.3. The methodology used to determine exchange rates used in currency conversions made by the Depositary is available upon request. Where the Custodian converts currency, the Custodian has no obligation to obtain the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or to ensure that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to Owners, and the Depositary makes no representation that the rate is the most favorable rate and will not be liable for any direct or indirect losses associated with the rate. In certain instances, the Depositary may receive dividends or other distributions from the Company in Dollars that represent the proceeds of a conversion of foreign currency or translation from foreign currency at a rate that was obtained or determined by or on behalf of the Company and, in such cases, the Depositary will not engage in, or be responsible for, any foreign currency transactions and neither it nor the Company makes any representation that the rate obtained or determined by the Company is the most favorable rate and neither it nor the Company will be liable for any direct or indirect losses associated with the rate.
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SECTION 4.6. Fixing of Record Date.
Whenever a cash dividend, cash distribution or any other distribution is made on Deposited Securities or rights to purchase Shares or other securities are issued with respect to Deposited Securities (which rights will be delivered to or exercised or sold on behalf of Owners in accordance with Section 4.4) or the Depositary receives notice that a distribution or issuance of that kind will be made, or whenever the Depositary receives notice that a meeting of holders of Shares will be held in respect of which the Company has requested the Depositary to send a notice under Section 4.7, or whenever the Depositary will assess a fee or charge against the Owners, or whenever the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary otherwise finds it necessary or convenient, the Depositary shall fix a record date, which shall be the same as, or as near as practicable to, any corresponding record date set by the Company with respect to Shares, (a) for the determination of the Owners (i) who shall be entitled to receive the benefit of that dividend or other distribution or those rights, (ii) who shall be entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at that meeting, (iii) who shall be responsible for that fee or charge or (iv) for any other purpose for which the record date was set, or (b) on or after which each American Depositary Share will represent the changed number of Shares. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.1 through 4.5 and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Owners on a record date fixed by the Depositary shall be entitled to receive the amount distributable by the Depositary with respect to that dividend or other distribution or those rights or the net proceeds of sale thereof in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively, to give voting instructions or to act in respect of the other matter for which that record date was fixed, or be responsible for that fee or charge, as the case may be.
SECTION 4.7. Voting of Deposited Shares.
(a) Upon receipt of notice of any meeting of holders of Shares at which holders of Shares will be entitled to vote, if requested in writing by the Company, the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, Disseminate to the Owners a notice, the form of which shall be in the sole discretion of the Depositary, that shall contain (i) the information contained in the notice of meeting received by the Depositary, (ii) a statement that the Owners as of the close of business on a specified record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable provision of Australian law and of the articles of association or similar documents of the Company, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of Shares represented by their respective American Depositary Shares, (iii) a statement as to the manner in which those instructions may be given and (iv) the last date on which the Depositary will accept instructions (the “Instruction Cutoff Date”).
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(b) Upon the written request of an Owner of American Depositary Shares, as of the date of the request or, if a record date was specified by the Depositary, as of that record date, received on or before any Instruction Cutoff Date established by the Depositary, the Depositary may, and if the Depositary sent a notice under the preceding paragraph shall, endeavor, in so far as practicable, to vote or cause to be voted the amount of deposited Shares represented by those American Depositary Shares in accordance with the instructions set forth in that request. The Depositary shall not vote or attempt to exercise the right to vote that attaches to the deposited Shares other than in accordance with instructions given by Owners and received by the Depositary.
(c) There can be no assurance that Owners generally or any Owner in particular will receive the notice described in paragraph (a) above in time to enable Owners to give instructions to the Depositary prior to the Instruction Cutoff Date.
(d) In order to give Owners a reasonable opportunity to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to Shares, if the Company will request the Depositary to Disseminate a notice under paragraph (a) above, the Company shall give the Depositary notice of the meeting, details concerning the matters to be voted upon and copies of materials to be made available to holders of Shares in connection with the meeting not less than 45 days prior to the meeting date.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 4.7 to the contrary, the Depositary and the Company may from time to time modify the procedures, or adopt additional procedures, relating to voting of Deposited Securities as they determine may be necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the Constitution or similar documents of the Company.
SECTION 4.8. Tender and Exchange Offers; Redemption, Replacement or Cancellation of Deposited Securities.
(a) The Depositary shall not tender any Deposited Securities in response to any voluntary cash tender offer, exchange offer or similar offer made to holders of Deposited Securities (a “Voluntary Offer”), except when instructed in writing to do so by an Owner surrendering American Depositary Shares and subject to any conditions or procedures the Depositary may require.
(b) If the Depositary receives a written notice that Deposited Securities have been redeemed for cash or otherwise purchased for cash in a transaction that is mandatory and binding on the Depositary as a holder of those Deposited Securities (a “Redemption”), the Depositary, at the expense of the Company (unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary), shall (i) if required, surrender Deposited Securities that have been redeemed to the issuer of those securities or its agent on the redemption date, (ii) Disseminate a notice to Owners (A) notifying them of that Redemption, (B) calling for surrender of a corresponding number of American Depositary Shares and (C) notifying them that the called American Depositary Shares have been converted into a right only to receive the money received by the Depositary upon that Redemption and those net proceeds shall be the Deposited Securities to which Owners of those converted American Depositary Shares shall be entitled upon surrenders of those American Depositary Shares in accordance with Section 2.5 or 6.2 and (iii) distribute the money received upon that Redemption to the Owners entitled to it upon surrender by them of called American Depositary Shares in accordance with Section 2.5 (and, for the avoidance of doubt, Owners shall not be entitled to receive that money under Section 4.1). If the Redemption affects less than all the Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall call for surrender a corresponding portion of the outstanding American Depositary Shares and only those American Depositary Shares will automatically be converted into a right to receive the net proceeds of the Redemption. The Depositary shall allocate the American Depositary Shares converted under the preceding sentence among the Owners pro-rata to their respective holdings of American Depositary Shares immediately prior to the Redemption, except that the allocations may be adjusted so that no fraction of a converted American Depositary Share is allocated to any Owner. A Redemption of all or substantially all of the Deposited Securities shall be a Termination Option Event.
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(c) If the Depositary is notified of or there occurs any change in nominal value or any subdivision, combination or any other reclassification of the Deposited Securities or any recapitalization, reorganization, sale of assets substantially as an entirety, merger or consolidation affecting the issuer of the Deposited Securities or to which it is a party that is mandatory and binding on the Depositary as a holder of Deposited Securities and, as a result, securities or other property have been or will be delivered in exchange, conversion, replacement or in lieu of, Deposited Securities (a “Replacement”), the Depositary shall, if required, surrender the old Deposited Securities affected by that Replacement of Shares and hold, as new Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement, the new securities or other property delivered to it in that Replacement. However, the Depositary, after consultation with the Company to the extent practicable, may elect to sell those new Deposited Securities if in the opinion of the Depositary it is not lawful or not practical for it to hold those new Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement because those new Deposited Securities may not be distributed to Owners without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or for any other reason, at public or private sale, at such places and on such terms as it deems proper and proceed as if those new Deposited Securities had been Redeemed under paragraph (b) above. A Replacement shall be a Termination Option Event.
(d) In the case of a Replacement where the new Deposited Securities will continue to be held under this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing the new Deposited Securities and the number of those new Deposited Securities represented by each American Depositary Share. If the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share decreases as a result of a Replacement, after consultation with the Company to the extent practicable, the Depositary may call for surrender of the American Depositary Shares to be exchanged on a mandatory basis for a lesser number of American Depositary Shares and may sell American Depositary Shares to the extent necessary to avoid distributing fractions of American Depositary Shares in that exchange and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to the Owners entitled to them.
(e) If there are no Deposited Securities with respect to American Depositary Shares, including if the Deposited Securities are cancelled, or the Deposited Securities with respect to American Depositary Shares have become apparently worthless, the Depositary may call for surrender of those American Depositary Shares or may cancel those American Depositary Shares, upon notice to Owners, and that condition shall be a Termination Option Event.
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SECTION 4.9. Reports.
The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Owners at its Office any reports and communications, including any proxy solicitation material, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of those Deposited Securities by the Company. The Company shall furnish reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting material to which this Section applies, to the Depositary in English, to the extent those materials are required to be translated into English pursuant to any regulations of the Commission.
SECTION 4.10. Lists of Owners.
As promptly as practicable upon written request by the Company, the Depositary shall, at the expense of the Company, unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary, furnish to it a list, as of a recent date, of the names, addresses and American Depositary Share holdings of all Owners.
SECTION 4.11. Withholding.
If the Depositary determines that any distribution received or to be made by the Depositary (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charge that the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, all or a portion of the distributed property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in the amounts and manner the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay those taxes or charges, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of that sale, after deduction of those taxes or charges, to the Owners entitled thereto in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively.
Services for Owners and Holders that may permit them to obtain reduced rates of tax withholding at source or reclaim excess tax withheld, and the fees and costs associated with using services of that kind, are not provided under, and are outside the scope of, this Deposit Agreement.
Each Owner and Holder agrees to indemnify the Company, the Depositary, the Custodian and their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates for, and hold each of them harmless against, any claim by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced withholding at source or other tax benefit received by it.
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ARTICLE 5. THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIANS AND THE COMPANY
SECTION 5.1. Maintenance of Office and Register by the Depositary.
Until termination of this Deposit Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Depositary shall maintain facilities for the delivery, registration of transfers and surrender of American Depositary Shares in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary shall keep a register of all Owners and all outstanding American Depositary Shares, which shall be open for inspection by the Owners at the Depositary’s Office during regular business hours, but only for the purpose of communicating with Owners regarding the business of the Company or a matter related to this Deposit Agreement or the American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary may close the register for delivery, registration of transfer or surrender for the purpose of withdrawal from time to time as provided in Section 2.6.
If any American Depositary Shares are listed on one or more stock exchanges, the Depositary shall act as Registrar or appoint a Registrar or one or more co-registrars for registration of those American Depositary Shares in accordance with any requirements of that exchange or those exchanges.
The Company shall have the right, at all reasonable times, upon written request, to inspect transfer and registration records of the Depositary, the Registrar and any co-transfer agents or co-registrars and to require such parties to supply, at the Company’s expense (unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary) copies of such portions of those records as the Company may reasonably request.
SECTION 5.2. Prevention or Delay of Performance by the Company or the Depositary.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company nor any of their respective directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall incur any liability to any Owner or Holder:
(i) if by reason of (A) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or other act of the government of the United States, any State of the United States or any other state or jurisdiction, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or stock exchange; (B) (in the case of the Depositary only) any provision, present or future, of the articles of association or similar document of the Company, or any provision of any securities issued or distributed by the Company, or any offering or distribution thereof; or (C) any event or circumstance, whether natural or caused by a person or persons, that is beyond the ability of the Depositary or the Company, as the case may be, to prevent or counteract by reasonable care or effort (including, but not limited to, earthquakes, floods, severe storms, fires, explosions, war, terrorism, civil unrest, labor disputes, criminal acts or outbreaks of infectious disease; interruptions or malfunctions of utility services, Internet or other communications lines or systems; unauthorized access to or attacks on computer systems or websites; or other failures or malfunctions of computer hardware or software or other systems or equipment), the Depositary or the Company is, directly or indirectly, prevented from, forbidden to or delayed in, or could be subject to any civil or criminal penalty on account of doing or performing and therefore does not do or perform, any act or thing that, by the terms of this Deposit Agreement or the Deposited Securities, it is provided shall be done or performed;
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(ii) for any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit Agreement (including any determination by the Depositary to take, or not take, any action that this Deposit Agreement provides the Depositary may take);
(iii) for the inability of any Owner or Holder to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit that is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, made available to Owners or Holders; or
(iv) for any special, consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of this Deposit Agreement.
Where, by the terms of a distribution to which Section 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 applies, or an offering to which Section 4.4 applies, or for any other reason, that distribution or offering may not be made available to Owners, and the Depositary may not dispose of that distribution or offering on behalf of Owners and make the net proceeds available to Owners, then the Depositary shall not make that distribution or offering available to Owners, and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse.
SECTION 5.3. Obligations of the Depositary and the Company.
The Company, its directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates assume no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any Owner or Holder, except that the Company agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith.
The Depositary, its directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates assume no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any Owner or Holder (including, without limitation, liability with respect to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities), except that the Depositary agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith, and the Depositary shall not be a fiduciary or have any fiduciary duty to Owners or Holders.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company, nor any of their directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the American Depositary Shares on behalf of any Owner or Holder or any other person.
Each of the Depositary and the Company may rely, and shall be protected in relying upon, any written notice, request, direction or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company, nor any of their directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates, shall be liable for any action or non-action by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Owner or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information.
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The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary.
The Depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system in connection with or arising out of book-entry settlement of American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or otherwise.
In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any such vote is cast or the effect of any such vote.
The Depositary shall have no duty to make any determination or provide any information as to the tax status of the Company, nor shall the Company or the Depositary have any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by Owners or Holders as a result of owning or holding American Depositary Shares. The Depositary shall not be liable for the inability or failure of an Owner or Holder to obtain the benefit of a foreign tax credit, reduced rate of withholding or refund of amounts withheld in respect of tax or any other tax benefit.
SECTION 5.4. Resignation and Removal of the Depositary.
The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of its election so to do delivered to the Company, to become effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of that appointment as provided in this Section. The effect of resignation if a successor depositary is not appointed is provided for in Section 6.2.
The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by 120 days’ prior written notice of that removal, to become effective upon the later of (i) the 120th day after delivery of the notice to the Depositary and (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of its appointment as provided in this Section.
If the Depositary resigns or is removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. Every successor depositary shall execute and deliver to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment under this Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary receives notice from the Company that a successor depositary has been appointed following its resignation or removal, the Depositary, upon payment of all sums due it from the Company, shall deliver to its successor a register listing all the Owners and their respective holdings of outstanding American Depositary Shares and shall deliver the Deposited Securities to or to the order of its successor. When the Depositary has taken the actions specified in the preceding sentence (i) the successor shall become the Depositary and shall have all the rights and shall assume all the duties of the Depositary under this Deposit Agreement and (ii) the predecessor depositary shall cease to be the Depositary and shall be discharged and released from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement, except for its duties under Section 5.8 with respect to the time before that discharge. A successor Depositary shall notify the Owners of its appointment as soon as practical after assuming the duties of Depositary.
Any corporation or other entity into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act.
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SECTION 5.5. The Custodians.
The Custodian shall be subject at all times and in all respects to the directions of the Depositary and shall be responsible solely to it. The Depositary in its discretion may at any time appoint a substitute or additional custodian or custodians, each of which shall thereafter be one of the Custodians under this Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary receives notice that a Custodian is resigning and, upon the effectiveness of that resignation there would be no Custodian acting under this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall, as promptly as practicable after receiving that notice, appoint a substitute custodian or custodians, each of which shall thereafter be a Custodian under this Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall require any Custodian that resigns or is removed to deliver all Deposited Securities held by it to another Custodian.
SECTION 5.6. Notices and Reports.
If the Company takes or decides to take any corporate action of a kind that is addressed in Sections 4.1 to 4.4, or 4.6 to 4.8, or that effects or will effect a change of the name or legal structure of the Company, or that effects or will effect a change to the Shares, the Company shall notify the Depositary and the Custodian of that action or decision as soon as it is lawful and practical to give that notice. The notice shall be in English and shall include all details that the Company is required to include in any notice to any governmental or regulatory authority or securities exchange or is required to make available generally to holders of Shares by publication or otherwise.
The Company will arrange for the translation into English, if not already in English, to the extent required pursuant to any regulations of the Commission, and the prompt transmittal by the Company to the Depositary and the Custodian of all notices and any other reports and communications which are made generally available by the Company to holders of its Shares. If requested in writing by the Company, the Depositary will Disseminate, at the Company’s expense (unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary), those notices, reports and communications to all Owners or otherwise make them available to Owners in a manner that the Company specifies as substantially equivalent to the manner in which those communications are made available to holders of Shares and compliant with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the American Depositary Shares are listed. The Company will timely provide the Depositary with the quantity of such notices, reports, and communications, as requested by the Depositary from time to time, in order for the Depositary to effect that Dissemination.
The Company represents, continuously, that the statements in Article 11 of the form of Receipt appearing as Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement or, if applicable, most recently filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the Company’s obligation to file periodic reports under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or its qualification for exemption from registration under that Act pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under that Act, as the case may be, are true and correct. The Company agrees to promptly notify the Depositary upon becoming aware of any change in the truth of any of those statements or if there is any change in the Company’s status regarding those reporting obligations or that qualification.
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SECTION 5.7. Distribution of Additional Shares, Rights, etc.
If the Company or any affiliate of the Company determines to make any issuance or distribution of (1) additional Shares, (2) rights to subscribe for Shares, (3) securities convertible into Shares, or (4) rights to subscribe for such securities (each a “Distribution”), the Company shall notify the Depositary in writing in English as promptly as practicable and in any event before the Distribution starts and, if requested in writing by the Depositary, the Company shall promptly furnish to the Depositary either (i) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that the Distribution is registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or (ii) a written opinion from U.S. counsel for the Company that is reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, stating that the Distribution does not require, or, if made in the United States, would not require, registration under the Securities Act of 1933.
The Company agrees with the Depositary that neither the Company nor any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company will at any time deposit any Shares that, at the time of deposit, are Restricted Securities.
SECTION 5.8. Indemnification.
The Company agrees to indemnify the Depositary, its directors, employees, agents and affiliates and each Custodian against, and hold each of them harmless from, any liability or expense (including, but not limited to any fees and expenses incurred in seeking, enforcing or collecting such indemnity and the fees and expenses of counsel) that may arise out of or in connection with (a) any registration with the Commission of American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or the offer or sale thereof or (b) acts performed or omitted, pursuant to the provisions of or in connection with this Deposit Agreement and the American Depositary Shares, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, (i) by either the Depositary or a Custodian or their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates, except for any liability or expense arising out of the negligence or bad faith of either of them, or (ii) by the Company or any of its directors, employees, agents and affiliates.
The Depositary agrees to indemnify the Company, its directors, employees, agents and affiliates and hold them harmless from any liability or expense that may arise out of acts performed or omitted by the Depositary or any Custodian or their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates due to their negligence or bad faith.
SECTION 5.9. Charges of Depositary.
The following charges shall be incurred by any party depositing or withdrawing Shares or by any party surrendering American Depositary Shares or to whom American Depositary Shares are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company or an exchange of stock regarding the American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or a delivery of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 4.3), or by Owners, as applicable: (1) taxes and other governmental charges, (2) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares generally on the Share register of the Company or Foreign Registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares to or from the name of the Depositary or its nominee or the Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals hereunder, (3) such cable (including SWIFT) and facsimile transmission fees and expenses as are expressly provided in this Deposit Agreement, (4) such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency pursuant to Section 4.5, (5) a fee of $5.00 or less per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion thereof) for the delivery of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 2.3, 4.3 or 4.4 and the surrender of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 2.5 or 6.2, (6) a fee of $.05 or less per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) for any cash distribution made pursuant to this Deposit Agreement, including, but not limited to Sections 4.1 through 4.4 and Section 4.8, (7) a fee for the distribution of securities pursuant to Section 4.2 or of rights pursuant to Section 4.4 (where the Depositary will not exercise or sell those rights on behalf of Owners), such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Shares referred to above which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities under this Deposit Agreement (for purposes of this item 7 treating all such securities as if they were Shares) but which securities are instead distributed by the Depositary to Owners, (8) in addition to any fee charged under item 6 above, a fee of $.05 or less per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) per annum for depositary services, which will be payable as provided in item 9 below, and (9) any other charges payable by the Depositary or the Custodian, any of the Depositary’s or Custodian’s agents or the agents of the Depositary’s or Custodian’s agents, in connection with the servicing of Shares or other Deposited Securities (which charges shall be assessed against Owners as of the date or dates set by the Depositary in accordance with Section 4.6 and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing those Owners for those charges or by deducting those charges from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions).
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The Depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable, or by selling a portion of any securities to be distributed, to Owners that are obligated to pay those fees.
In performing its duties under this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may use brokers, dealers, foreign currency dealers or other service providers that are owned by or affiliated with the Depositary and that may earn or share fees, spreads or commissions.
The Depositary may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in American Depositary Shares.
SECTION 5.10. Retention of Depositary Documents.
The Depositary is authorized to destroy those documents, records, bills and other data compiled during the term of this Deposit Agreement at the times permitted by the laws or regulations governing the Depositary.
SECTION 5.11. Exclusivity.
Without prejudice to the Company’s rights under Section 5.4, the Company agrees not to appoint any other depositary for issuance of depositary shares, depositary receipts or any similar securities or instruments so long as The Bank of New York Mellon is acting as Depositary under this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 5.12. Information for Regulatory Compliance.
Each of the Company and the Depositary shall provide to the other, as promptly as practicable, information from its records or otherwise available to it that is reasonably requested by the other to permit the other to comply with applicable law or requirements of governmental or regulatory authorities.
ARTICLE 6. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
SECTION 6.1. Amendment.
The form of the Receipts and any provisions of this Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Depositary without the consent of Owners or Holders in any respect that they may deem necessary or desirable. Any amendment that would impose or increase any fees or charges (other than taxes and other governmental charges, registration fees, cable (including SWIFT) or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or that would otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Owners, shall, however, not become effective as to outstanding American Depositary Shares until the expiration of 30 days after notice of that amendment has been Disseminated to the Owners of outstanding American Depositary Shares. Every Owner and Holder, at the time any amendment so becomes effective, shall be deemed, by continuing to hold American Depositary Shares or any interest therein, to consent and agree to that amendment and to be bound by this Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. Upon the effectiveness of an amendment to the form of Receipt, including a change in the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share, the Depositary may call for surrender of Receipts to be replaced with new Receipts in the amended form or call for surrender of American Depositary Shares to effect that change of ratio. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Owner to surrender American Depositary Shares and receive delivery of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.
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SECTION 6.2. Termination.
(a) The Company may initiate termination of this Deposit Agreement by notice to the Depositary. The Depositary may initiate termination of this Deposit Agreement if (i) at any time 90 days shall have expired after the Depositary delivered to the Company a written resignation notice and a successor depositary has not been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.4 or (ii) a Termination Option Event has occurred. If termination of this Deposit Agreement is initiated, the Depositary shall Disseminate a notice of termination to the Owners of all American Depositary Shares then outstanding setting a date for termination (the “Termination Date”), which shall be at least 90 days after the date of that notice, and this Deposit Agreement shall terminate on that Termination Date. The Depositary shall notify the Company if it initiates a termination.
(b) After the Termination Date, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary under Sections 5.8 and 5.9.
(c) At any time after the Termination Date, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held under this Deposit Agreement and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the Owners of American Depositary Shares that remain outstanding, and those Owners will be general creditors of the Depositary with respect to those net proceeds and that other cash. After making that sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement, except (i) to account for the net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such American Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges) and (ii) for its obligations under Section 5.8 and (iii) to act as provided in paragraph (d) below.
(d) After the Termination Date, the Depositary shall continue to receive dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities (that have not been sold), may sell rights and other property as provided in this Deposit Agreement and shall deliver Deposited Securities (or sale proceeds) upon surrender of American Depositary Shares (after payment or upon deduction, in each case, of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares, any expenses for the account of the Owner of those American Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). After the Termination Date, the Depositary shall not accept deposits of Shares or deliver American Depositary Shares. After the Termination Date, (i) the Depositary may refuse to accept surrenders of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of Deposited Securities (that have not been sold) or reverse previously accepted surrenders of that kind that have not settled if in its judgment the requested withdrawal would interfere with its efforts to sell the Deposited Securities, (ii) the Depositary will not be required to deliver cash proceeds of the sale of Deposited Securities until all Deposited Securities have been sold and (iii) the Depositary may discontinue the registration of transfers of American Depositary Shares and suspend the distribution of dividends and other distributions on Deposited Securities to the Owners and need not give any further notices or perform any further acts under this Deposit Agreement except as provided in this Section.
ARTICLE 7. MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.1. Counterparts; Signatures; Delivery.
This Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of those counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument. Copies of this Deposit Agreement shall be filed with the Depositary and the Custodians and shall be open to inspection by any Owner or Holder during regular business hours.
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The exchange of copies of this Deposit Agreement and manually-signed signature pages by facsimile, or email attaching a pdf or similar bit-mapped image, shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Deposit Agreement as to the parties to it; copies and signature pages so exchanged may be used in lieu of the original Deposit Agreement and signature pages for all purposes and shall have the same validity, legal effect and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature; the parties to this Deposit Agreement hereby agree not to argue to the contrary.
SECTION 7.2. No Third Party Beneficiaries.
This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the Company, the Depositary, the Owners and the Holders and their respective successors and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever to any other person.
SECTION 7.3. Severability.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in a Receipt should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or that Receipt shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.
SECTION 7.4. Owners and Holders as Parties; Binding Effect.
The Owners and Holders from time to time shall be parties to this Deposit Agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and of the Receipts by acceptance of American Depositary Shares or any interest therein.
SECTION 7.5. Notices.
Any and all notices to be given to the Company shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by domestic first class or international air mail or air courier or sent by facsimile transmission or email attaching a pdf or similar bit-mapped image of a signed writing, addressed to Mobilicom Limited, _________________________________________, Attention: _____________, or any other place to which the Company may have transferred its principal office with notice to the Depositary.
Any and all notices to be given to the Depositary shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if in English and personally delivered or sent by first class domestic or international air mail or air courier or sent by facsimile transmission or email attaching a pdf or similar bit-mapped image of a signed writing, addressed to The Bank of New York Mellon, 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286, Attention: Depositary Receipt Administration, email: bnymdepositarynotices@bnymellon.com or any other place to which the Depositary may have transferred its Office with notice to the Company.
Delivery of a notice to the Company or Depositary by mail or air courier shall be deemed effected when deposited, postage prepaid, in a post-office letter box or received by an air courier service. Delivery of a notice to the Company or Depositary sent by facsimile transmission or email shall be deemed effected when the recipient acknowledges receipt of that notice.
A notice to be given to an Owner shall be deemed to have been duly given when Disseminated to that Owner. Dissemination in paper form will be effective when personally delivered or sent by first class domestic or international air mail or air courier, addressed to that Owner at the address of that Owner as it appears on the transfer books for American Depositary Shares of the Depositary, or, if that Owner has filed with the Depositary a written request that notices intended for that Owner be mailed to some other address, at the address designated in that request. Dissemination in electronic form will be effective when sent in the manner consented to by the Owner to the electronic address most recently provided by the Owner for that purpose.
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SECTION 7.6. Appointment of Agent for Service of Process; Submission to Jurisdiction; Jury Trial Waiver.
The Company hereby (i) designates and appoints the person named in Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement as the Company’s authorized agent in the United States upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Shares or Deposited Securities, the American Depositary Shares, the Receipts or this Deposit Agreement (a “Proceeding”), (ii) consents and submits to the jurisdiction of any state or federal court in the State of New York in which any Proceeding may be instituted and (iii) agrees that service of process upon said authorized agent shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company in any Proceeding. The Company agrees to deliver to the Depositary, upon the execution and delivery of this Deposit Agreement, a written acceptance by the agent named in Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement of its appointment as process agent. The Company further agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue that designation and appointment in full force and effect, or to appoint and maintain the appointment of another process agent located in the United States as required above, and to deliver to the Depositary a written acceptance by that agent of that appointment, for so long as any American Depositary Shares or Receipts remain outstanding or this Deposit Agreement remains in force. In the event the Company fails to maintain the designation and appointment of a process agent in the United States in full force and effect, the Company hereby waives personal service of process upon it and consents that a service of process in connection with a Proceeding may be made by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, directed to the Company at its address last specified for notices under this Deposit Agreement, and service so made shall be deemed completed five (5) days after the same shall have been so mailed.
EACH PARTY TO THIS DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH OWNER AND HOLDER) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE COMPANY AND/OR THE DEPOSITARY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES OR THE RECEIPTS, THIS DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY QUESTION REGARDING EXISTENCE, VALIDITY OR TERMINATION (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY) AND ANY CLAIM BASED ON U.S. FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS.
No disclaimer of liability under the United States federal securities laws or the rules and regulations thereunder is intended by any provision of this Deposit Agreement, inasmuch as no person is able to effectively waive the duty of any other person to comply with its obligations under those laws, rules and regulations.
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SECTION 7.7. Waiver of Immunities.
To the extent that the Company or any of its properties, assets or revenues may have or may hereafter become entitled to, or have attributed to it, any right of immunity, on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise, from any duty of performance under this Deposit Agreement, claim, legal action, suit or proceeding, from the giving of any relief in any respect thereof, from setoff or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any court, from service of process, from attachment upon or prior to judgment, from attachment in aid of execution or judgment, or from execution of judgment, or other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of any judgment, in any jurisdiction in which proceedings may at any time be commenced, with respect to its obligations, liabilities or any other matter under or arising out of or in connection with the Shares or Deposited Securities, the American Depositary Shares, the Receipts or this Deposit Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to plead or claim, any immunity of that kind and consents to relief and enforcement as provided above.
SECTION 7.8. Governing Law.
This Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall be interpreted in accordance with and all rights hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MOBILICOM LIMITED and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON have duly executed this Deposit Agreement as of the day and year first set forth above and all Owners and Holders shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of American Depositary Shares or any interest therein.
MOBILICOM LIMITED | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, | ||
as Depositary | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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EXHIBIT A
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
(Each American Depositary Share represents
______ deposited Shares)
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
FOR ORDINARY SHARES OF
MOBILICOM LIMITED
(INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF
THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA)
The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary (hereinafter called the “Depositary”), hereby certifies that_________________________________________, or registered assigns IS THE OWNER OF _____________________________
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing deposited ordinary shares (herein called “Shares”) of Mobilicom Limited, incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia (herein called the “Company”). At the date hereof, each American Depositary Share represents ______ Shares deposited or subject to deposit under the Deposit Agreement (as such term is hereinafter defined) with a custodian for the Depositary (herein called the “Custodian”) that, as of the date of the Deposit Agreement, was HSBC Bank Australia Limited located in Australia. The Depositary’s Office and its principal executive office are located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, N.Y. 10286.
THE DEPOSITARY’S OFFICE ADDRESS IS
240 GREENWICH STREET, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10286
1. THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT.
This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue (herein called “Receipts”), all issued and to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Deposit Agreement dated as of __________, 2022 (herein called the “Deposit Agreement”) among the Company, the Depositary, and all Owners and Holders from time to time of American Depositary Shares issued thereunder, each of whom by accepting American Depositary Shares agrees to become a party thereto and become bound by all the terms and conditions thereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights of Owners and Holders and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time received in respect of those Shares and held thereunder (those Shares, securities, property, and cash are herein called “Deposited Securities”). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Depositary’s Office in New York City and at the office of the Custodian.
The statements made on the face and reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made. Capitalized terms defined in the Deposit Agreement and not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
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2. SURRENDER OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES AND WITHDRAWAL OF SHARES.
Upon surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby and payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement and payment of all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with that surrender and withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Owner of those American Depositary Shares shall be entitled to delivery (to the extent delivery can then be lawfully and practicably made), to or as instructed by that Owner, of the amount of Deposited Securities at the time represented by those American Depositary Shares, but not any money or other property as to which a record date for distribution to Owners has passed (since money or other property of that kind will be delivered or paid on the scheduled payment date to the Owner as of that record date), and except that the Depositary shall not be required to accept surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal to the extent it would require delivery of a fraction of a Deposited Security. The Depositary shall direct the Custodian with respect to delivery of Deposited Securities and may charge the surrendering Owner a fee and its expenses for giving that direction by cable (including SWIFT) or facsimile transmission. If Deposited Securities are delivered physically upon surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal, that delivery will be made at the Custodian’s office, except that, at the request, risk and expense of the surrendering Owner, and for the account of that Owner, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward any cash or other property comprising, and forward a certificate or certificates, if applicable, and other proper documents of title, if any, for, the Deposited Securities represented by the surrendered American Depositary Shares to the Depositary for delivery at the Depositary’s Office or to another address specified in the order received from the surrendering Owner.
3. REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES; COMBINATION AND SPLIT-UP OF RECEIPTS; INTERCHANGE OF CERTIFICATED AND UNCERTIFICATED AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, shall register a transfer of American Depositary Shares on its transfer books upon (i) in the case of certificated American Depositary Shares, surrender of the Receipt evidencing those American Depositary Shares, by the Owner or by a duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer or (ii) in the case of uncertificated American Depositary Shares, receipt from the Owner of a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.9 of that Agreement), and, in either case, duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the United States of America. Upon registration of a transfer, the Depositary shall deliver the transferred American Depositary Shares to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, shall upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
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The Depositary, upon surrender of certificated American Depositary Shares for the purpose of exchanging for uncertificated American Depositary Shares, shall cancel the Receipt evidencing those certificated American Depositary Shares and send the Owner a statement confirming that the Owner is the owner of the same number of uncertificated American Depositary Shares. The Depositary, upon receipt of a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.9 of the Deposit Agreement) from the Owner of uncertificated American Depositary Shares for the purpose of exchanging for certificated American Depositary Shares, shall cancel those uncertificated American Depositary Shares and register and deliver to the Owner a Receipt evidencing the same number of certificated American Depositary Shares.
As a condition precedent to the delivery, registration of transfer, or surrender of any American Depositary Shares or split-up or combination of any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary, the Custodian, or Registrar may require payment from the depositor of the Shares or the presenter of the Receipt or instruction for registration of transfer or surrender of American Depositary Shares not evidenced by a Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees as provided in the Deposit Agreement, may require the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with any regulations the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary may refuse to accept deposits of Shares for delivery of American Depositary Shares or to register transfers of American Depositary Shares in particular instances, or may suspend deposits of Shares or registration of transfer generally, whenever it or the Company considers it necessary or advisable to do so. The Depositary may refuse surrenders of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of Deposited Securities in particular instances, or may suspend surrenders for the purpose of withdrawal generally, but, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Deposit Agreement, only for (i) temporary delays caused by closing of the Depositary’s register or the register of holders of Shares maintained by the Company or the Foreign Registrar, or the deposit of Shares, in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the American Depositary Shares or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities or (iv) any other reason that, at the time, is permitted under paragraph I(A)(1) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933 or any successor to that provision.
The Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under the Deposit Agreement any Shares that, at the time of deposit, are Restricted Securities.
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4. LIABILITY OF OWNER FOR TAXES.
If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by the Custodian or the Depositary with respect to or in connection with any American Depositary Shares or any Deposited Securities represented by any American Depositary Shares or in connection with a transaction to which Section 4.8 of the Deposit Agreement applies, that tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner of those American Depositary Shares to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to register any transfer of those American Depositary Shares or any withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares until that payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other distributions or the proceeds thereof, or may sell for the account of the Owner any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares, and may apply those dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds of any sale of that kind in payment of that tax or other governmental charge but, even after a sale of that kind, the Owner shall remain liable for any deficiency. The Depositary shall distribute any net proceeds of a sale made under Section 3.2 of the Deposit Agreement that are not used to pay taxes or governmental charges to the Owners entitled to them in accordance with Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement. If the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share decreases as a result of a sale of Deposited Securities under Section 3.2 of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may call for surrender of the American Depositary Shares to be exchanged on a mandatory basis for a lesser number of American Depositary Shares and may sell American Depositary Shares to the extent necessary to avoid distributing fractions of American Depositary Shares in that exchange and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to the Owners entitled to them.
5. WARRANTIES ON DEPOSIT OF SHARES.
Every person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that those Shares and each certificate therefor, if applicable, are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of the holders of outstanding securities of the Company and that the person making that deposit is duly authorized so to do. Every depositing person shall also be deemed to represent that the Shares, at the time of deposit, are not Restricted Securities. All representations and warranties deemed made under Section 3.3 of the Deposit Agreement shall survive the deposit of Shares and delivery of American Depositary Shares.
6. FILING PROOFS, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER INFORMATION.
Any person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner or Holder may be required from time to time to file with the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, exchange control approval, or such information relating to the registration on the books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as the Depositary may deem necessary or proper. The Depositary may withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of any American Depositary Shares, the distribution of any dividend or other distribution or of the proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until that proof or other information is filed or those certificates are executed or those representations and warranties are made. As conditions of accepting Shares for deposit, the Depositary may require (i) any certification required by the Depositary or the Custodian in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, (ii) a written order directing the Depositary to deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in that order, the number of American Depositary Shares representing those Deposited Shares, (iii) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that those Shares have been re-registered in the books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar in the name of the Depositary, a Custodian or a nominee of the Depositary or a Custodian, (iv) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that any necessary approval has been granted by any governmental body in each applicable jurisdiction and (v) an agreement or assignment, or other instrument satisfactory to the Depositary, that provides for the prompt transfer to the Custodian of any dividend, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property, that any person in whose name those Shares are or have been recorded may thereafter receive upon or in respect of those Shares, or, in lieu thereof, such agreement of indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary.
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7. CHARGES OF DEPOSITARY.
The following charges shall be incurred by any party depositing or withdrawing Shares or by any party surrendering American Depositary Shares or to whom American Depositary Shares are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company or an exchange of stock regarding the American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or a delivery of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement), or by Owners, as applicable: (1) taxes and other governmental charges, (2) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares generally on the Share register of the Company or Foreign Registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares to or from the name of the Depositary or its nominee or the Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals hereunder, (3) such cable (including SWIFT) and facsimile transmission fees and expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement, (4) such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency pursuant to Section 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement, (5) a fee of $5.00 or less per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion thereof) for the delivery of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 2.3, 4.3 or 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement and the surrender of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 2.5 or 6.2 of the Deposit Agreement, (6) a fee of $.05 or less per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) for any cash distribution made pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, including, but not limited to Sections 4.1 through 4.4 and 4.8 of the Deposit Agreement, (7) a fee for the distribution of securities pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Deposit Agreement or of rights pursuant to Section 4.4 of that Agreement (where the Depositary will not exercise or sell those rights on behalf of Owners), such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Shares referred to above which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities under the Deposit Agreement (for purposes of this item 7 treating all such securities as if they were Shares) but which securities are instead distributed by the Depositary to Owners, (8) in addition to any fee charged under item 6, a fee of $.05 or less per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) per annum for depositary services, which will be payable as provided in item 9 below, and (9) any other charges payable by the Depositary or the Custodian, any of the Depositary’s or Custodian’s agents or the agents of the Depositary’s or Custodian’s agents, in connection with the servicing of Shares or other Deposited Securities (which charges shall be assessed against Owners as of the date or dates set by the Depositary in accordance with Section 4.6 of the Deposit Agreement and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing those Owners for those charges or by deducting those charges from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions).
The Depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable, or by selling a portion of any securities to be distributed, to Owners that are obligated to pay those fees.
The Depositary may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in American Depositary Shares.
From time to time, the Depositary may make payments to the Company to reimburse the Company for costs and expenses generally arising out of establishment and maintenance of the American Depositary Shares program, waive fees and expenses for services provided by the Depositary or share revenue from the fees collected from Owners or Holders. In performing its duties under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may use brokers, dealers, foreign currency dealers or other service providers that are owned by or affiliated with the Depositary and that may earn or share fees, spreads or commissions.
8. DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS.
When required in order to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including those of any stock exchange on which the Shares or American Depositary Shares are, or may be, registered, traded or listed, or the Constitution or similar document of the Company, the Company may from time to time request each Owner and Holder to provide to the Depositary information relating to: (a) the capacity in which it holds American Depositary Shares, (b) the identity of any Holders or other persons or entities then or previously interested in those American Depositary Shares and the nature of those interests and (c) any other matter where disclosure of such matter is required for that compliance. Each Owner and Holder agrees to provide all information known to it in response to a request made pursuant to Section 3.4 of the Deposit Agreement. Each Holder consents to the disclosure by the Depositary and the Owner or other Holder through which it holds American Depositary Shares, directly or indirectly, of all information responsive to a request made pursuant to that Section relating to that Holder that is known to that Owner or other Holder.
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9. TITLE TO AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES.
It is a condition of the American Depositary Shares, and every successive Owner and Holder of American Depositary Shares, by accepting or holding the same, consents and agrees that American Depositary Shares evidenced by a Receipt, when the Receipt is properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, shall be transferable as certificated registered securities under the laws of the State of New York, and that American Depositary Shares not evidenced by Receipts shall be transferable as uncertificated registered securities under the laws of the State of New York. The Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Owner of American Depositary Shares as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in the Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes, and neither the Depositary nor the Company shall have any obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any Holder of American Depositary Shares, but only to the Owner.
10. VALIDITY OF RECEIPT.
This Receipt shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless this Receipt shall have been (i) executed by the Depositary by the manual signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary or (ii) executed by the facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary and countersigned by the manual signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar or a co-registrar.
11. REPORTS; INSPECTION OF TRANSFER BOOKS.
The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, accordingly, files certain reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Those reports will be available for inspection and copying through the Commission’s EDGAR system or at public reference facilities maintained by the Commission in Washington, D.C.
The Depositary will make available for inspection by Owners at its Office any reports, notices and other communications, including any proxy soliciting material, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of those Deposited Securities by the Company. The Company shall furnish reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting material to which Section 4.9 of the Deposit Agreement applies, to the Depositary in English, to the extent such materials are required to be translated into English pursuant to any regulations of the Commission.
The Depositary will maintain a register of American Depositary Shares and transfers of American Depositary Shares, which shall be open for inspection by the Owners at the Depositary’s Office during regular business hours, but only for the purpose of communicating with Owners regarding the business of the Company or a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the American Depositary Shares.
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12. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
Whenever the Depositary receives any cash dividend or other cash distribution on Deposited Securities, the Depositary will, if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a foreign currency can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, and subject to the Deposit Agreement, convert that dividend or other cash distribution into Dollars and distribute the amount thus received (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Article 7 hereof and Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement) to the Owners entitled thereto; provided, however, that if the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from that cash dividend or other cash distribution an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Owners of the American Depositary Shares representing those Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly.
If a cash distribution would represent a return of all or substantially all the value of the Deposited Securities underlying American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may:
(i) require payment of or deduct the fee for surrender of American Depositary Shares (whether or not it is also requiring surrender of American Depositary Shares) as a condition of making that cash distribution; or
(ii) sell all Deposited Securities other than the subject cash distribution and add any net cash proceeds of that sale to the cash distribution, call for surrender of all those American Depositary Shares and require that surrender as a condition of making that cash distribution.
If the Depositary acts under this paragraph, that action shall also be a Termination Option Event.
Subject to the provisions of Section 4.11 and 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement, whenever the Depositary receives any distribution other than a distribution described in Section 4.1, 4.3 or 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement on Deposited Securities (but not in exchange for or in conversion or in lieu of Deposited Securities), the Depositary will cause the securities or property received by it to be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto, after deduction or upon payment of any fees and expenses of the Depositary and any taxes or other governmental charges, in any manner that the Depositary deems equitable and practicable for accomplishing that distribution (which may be a distribution of depositary shares representing the securities received); provided, however, that if in the opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners entitled thereto, or if for any other reason the Depositary, after consultation with the Company to the extent practicable, deems such distribution not to be lawful and feasible, the Depositary may adopt such other method as it may deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and distribution of the net proceeds of any such sale (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Article 7 hereof and Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement) to the Owners entitled thereto all in the manner and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may withhold any distribution of securities under Section 4.2 of the Deposit Agreement if it has not received satisfactory assurances from the Company that the distribution does not require registration under the Securities Act of 1933. The Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, an amount of securities or other property it would otherwise distribute under this Article that is sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in respect of that distribution.
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If a distribution to be made under Section 4.2 of the Deposit Agreement would represent a return of all or substantially all the value of the Deposited Securities underlying American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may:
(i) require payment of or deduct the fee for surrender of American Depositary Shares (whether or not it is also requiring surrender of American Depositary Shares) as a condition of making that distribution; or
(ii) sell all Deposited Securities other than the subject distribution and add any net cash proceeds of that sale to the distribution, call for surrender of all those American Depositary Shares and require that surrender as a condition of making that distribution.
If the Depositary acts under this paragraph, that action shall also be a Termination Option Event.
Whenever the Depositary receives any distribution consisting of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may, and shall if the Company so requests in writing, deliver to the Owners entitled thereto, an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of Shares received as that dividend or free distribution, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and issuance of American Depositary Shares, including the withholding of any tax or other governmental charge as provided in Section 4.11 of the Deposit Agreement and the payment of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Article 7 hereof and Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement (and the Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, an amount of Shares received (or American Depositary Shares representing those Shares) sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in respect of that distribution). In lieu of delivering fractional American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of those fractions (or American Depositary Shares representing those Shares) and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement. If and to the extent that additional American Depositary Shares are not delivered and Shares or American Depositary Shares are not sold, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional Shares distributed on the Deposited Securities represented thereby.
If the Company declares a distribution in which holders of Deposited Securities have a right to elect whether to receive cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of those things, or a right to elect to have a distribution sold on their behalf, the Depositary may, after consultation with the Company, make that right of election available for exercise by Owners in any manner the Depositary considers to be lawful and practical. As a condition of making a distribution election right available to Owners, the Depositary may require satisfactory assurances from the Company that doing so does not require registration of any securities under the Securities Act of 1933 that has not been effected.
If the Depositary determines that any distribution received or to be made by the Depositary (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charge that the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, all or a portion of the distributed property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in the amounts and manner the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay those taxes or charges, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of that sale, after deduction of those taxes or charges, to the Owners entitled thereto in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively.
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Each Owner and Holder agrees to indemnify the Company, the Depositary, the Custodian and their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates for, and hold each of them harmless against, any claim by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced withholding at source or other tax benefit received by it. Services for Owners and Holders that may permit them to obtain reduced rates of tax withholding at source or reclaim excess tax withheld, and the fees and costs associated with using services of that kind, are not provided under, and are outside the scope of, the Deposit Agreement.
13. RIGHTS.
(a) If rights are granted to the Depositary in respect of deposited Shares to purchase additional Shares or other securities, the Company and the Depositary shall endeavor to consult as to the actions, if any, the Depositary should take in connection with that grant of rights. The Depositary may, to the extent deemed by it to be lawful and practical (i) if requested in writing by the Company, grant to all or certain Owners rights to instruct the Depositary to purchase the securities to which the rights relate and deliver those securities or American Depositary Shares representing those securities to Owners, (ii) if requested in writing by the Company, deliver the rights to or to the order of certain Owners, or (iii) sell the rights to the extent practicable and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to Owners entitled to those proceeds. To the extent rights are not exercised, delivered or disposed of under (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Depositary shall permit the rights to lapse unexercised.
(b) If the Depositary will act under (a)(i) above, the Company and the Depositary will enter into a separate agreement setting forth the conditions and procedures applicable to the particular offering. Upon instruction from an applicable Owner in the form the Depositary specified and upon payment by that Owner to the Depositary of an amount equal to the purchase price of the securities to be received upon the exercise of the rights, the Depositary shall, on behalf of that Owner, exercise the rights and purchase the securities. The purchased securities shall be delivered to, or as instructed by, the Depositary. The Depositary shall (i) deposit the purchased Shares under the Deposit Agreement and deliver American Depositary Shares representing those Shares to that Owner or (ii) deliver or cause the purchased Shares or other securities to be delivered to or to the order of that Owner. The Depositary will not act under (a)(i) above unless the offer and sale of the securities to which the rights relate are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Depositary has received an opinion of United States counsel that is satisfactory to it to the effect that those securities may be sold and delivered to the applicable Owners without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.
(c) If the Depositary will act under (a)(ii) above, the Company and the Depositary will enter into a separate agreement setting forth the conditions and procedures applicable to the particular offering. Upon (i) the request of an applicable Owner to deliver the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares of that Owner to an account specified by that Owner to which the rights can be delivered and (ii) receipt of such documents as the Company and the Depositary agreed to require to comply with applicable law, the Depositary will deliver those rights as requested by that Owner.
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(d) If the Depositary will act under (a)(iii) above, the Depositary will use reasonable efforts to sell the rights in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by the applicable Owners and pay the net proceeds to the Owners otherwise entitled to the rights that were sold, upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date of delivery of any American Depositary Shares or otherwise.
(e) Payment or deduction of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement and payment or deduction of the expenses of the Depositary and any applicable taxes or other governmental charges shall be conditions of any delivery of securities or payment of cash proceeds under Section 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement.
(f) The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make rights available to or exercise rights on behalf of Owners in general or any Owner in particular , or to sell rights.
14. CONVERSION OF FOREIGN CURRENCY.
Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian receives foreign currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the foreign currency so received can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the United States, the Depositary or one of its agents or affiliates or the Custodian shall convert or cause to be converted by sale or in any other manner that it may determine that foreign currency into Dollars, and those Dollars shall be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto. A cash distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Owners based on exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any American Depositary Shares or otherwise and shall be net of any expenses of conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement.
If a conversion of foreign currency or the repatriation or distribution of Dollars can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary may, but will not be required to, file an application for that approval or license.
If the Depositary, after consultation with the Company to the extent practicable, determines that in its judgment any foreign currency received by the Depositary or the Custodian is not convertible on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any government or agency thereof that is required for such conversion is not filed or sought by the Depositary or is not obtained within a reasonable period as determined by the Depositary, the Depositary may distribute the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or in its discretion may hold such foreign currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to receive the same.
If any conversion of foreign currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected for distribution to some of the Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its discretion make that conversion and distribution in Dollars to the extent practicable and permissible to the Owners entitled thereto and may distribute the balance of the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or hold that balance uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the account of, the Owners entitled thereto.
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The Depositary may convert currency itself or through any of its affiliates, or the Custodian or the Company may convert currency and pay Dollars to the Depositary. Where the Depositary converts currency itself or through any of its affiliates, the Depositary acts as principal for its own account and not as agent, advisor, broker or fiduciary on behalf of any other person and earns revenue, including, without limitation, transaction spreads, that it will retain for its own account. The revenue is based on, among other things, the difference between the exchange rate assigned to the currency conversion made under the Deposit Agreement and the rate that the Depositary or its affiliate receives when buying or selling foreign currency for its own account. The Depositary makes no representation that the exchange rate used or obtained by it or its affiliate in any currency conversion under the Deposit Agreement will be the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to Owners, subject to the Depositary’s obligations under Section 5.3 of that Agreement. The methodology used to determine exchange rates used in currency conversions made by the Depositary is available upon request. Where the Custodian converts currency, the Custodian has no obligation to obtain the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or to ensure that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to Owners, and the Depositary makes no representation that the rate is the most favorable rate and will not be liable for any direct or indirect losses associated with the rate. In certain instances, the Depositary may receive dividends or other distributions from the Company in Dollars that represent the proceeds of a conversion of foreign currency or translation from foreign currency at a rate that was obtained or determined by or on behalf of the Company and, in such cases, the Depositary will not engage in, or be responsible for, any foreign currency transactions and neither it nor the Company makes any representation that the rate obtained or determined by the Company is the most favorable rate and neither it nor the Company will be liable for any direct or indirect losses associated with the rate.
15. RECORD DATES.
Whenever a cash dividend, cash distribution or any other distribution is made on Deposited Securities or rights to purchase Shares or other securities are issued with respect to Deposited Securities (which rights will be delivered to or exercised or sold on behalf of Owners in accordance with Section 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement) or the Depositary receives notice that a distribution or issuance of that kind will be made, or whenever the Depositary receives notice that a meeting of holders of Shares will be held in respect of which the Company has requested the Depositary to send a notice under Section 4.7 of the Deposit Agreement, or whenever the Depositary will assess a fee or charge against the Owners, or whenever the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary otherwise finds it necessary or convenient, the Depositary shall fix a record date, which shall be the same as, or as near as practicable to, any corresponding record date set by the Company with respect to Shares, (a) for the determination of the Owners (i) who shall be entitled to receive the benefit of that dividend or other distribution or those rights, (ii) who shall be entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at that meeting, (iii) who shall be responsible for that fee or charge or (iv) for any other purpose for which the record date was set, or (b) on or after which each American Depositary Share will represent the changed number of Shares. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.1 through 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement and to the other terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Owners on a record date fixed by the Depositary shall be entitled to receive the amount distributable by the Depositary with respect to that dividend or other distribution or those rights or the net proceeds of sale thereof in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively, to give voting instructions or to act in respect of the other matter for which that record date was fixed, or be responsible for that fee or charge, as the case may be.
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16. VOTING OF DEPOSITED SHARES.
(a) Upon receipt of notice of any meeting of holders of Shares at which holders of Shares will be entitled to vote, if requested in writing by the Company, the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, Disseminate to the Owners a notice, the form of which shall be in the sole discretion of the Depositary, that shall contain (i) the information contained in the notice of meeting received by the Depositary, (ii) a statement that the Owners as of the close of business on a specified record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable provision of Australian law and of the articles of association or similar documents of the Company, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of Shares represented by their respective American Depositary Shares, (iii) a statement as to the manner in which those instructions may be given and (iv) the last date on which the Depositary will accept instructions (the “Instruction Cutoff Date”).
(b) Upon the written request of an Owner of American Depositary Shares, as of the date of the request or, if a record date was specified by the Depositary, as of that record date, received on or before any Instruction Cutoff Date established by the Depositary, the Depositary may, and if the Depositary sent a notice under the preceding paragraph shall, endeavor, in so far as practicable, to vote or cause to be voted the amount of deposited Shares represented by those American Depositary Shares in accordance with the instructions set forth in that request. The Depositary shall not vote or attempt to exercise the right to vote that attaches to the deposited Shares other than in accordance with instructions given by Owners and received by the Depositary.
(c) There can be no assurance that Owners generally or any Owner in particular will receive the notice described in paragraph (a) above in time to enable Owners to give instructions to the Depositary prior to the Instruction Cutoff Date.
(d) In order to give Owners a reasonable opportunity to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to Shares, if the Company will request the Depositary to Disseminate a notice under paragraph (a) above, the Company shall give the Depositary notice of the meeting, details concerning the matters to be voted upon and copies of materials to be made available to holders of Shares in connection with the meeting not less than 45 days prior to the meeting date.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in Section 4.7 of the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the Depositary and the Company may from time to time modify the procedures, or adopt additional procedures, relating to voting of Deposited Securities as they determine may be necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the Constitution or similar documents of the Company.
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17. TENDER AND EXCHANGE OFFERS; REDEMPTION, REPLACEMENT OR CANCELLATION OF DEPOSITED SECURITIES.
(a) The Depositary shall not tender any Deposited Securities in response to any voluntary cash tender offer, exchange offer or similar offer made to holders of Deposited Securities (a “Voluntary Offer”), except when instructed in writing to do so by an Owner surrendering American Depositary Shares and subject to any conditions or procedures the Depositary may require.
(b) If the Depositary receives a written notice that Deposited Securities have been redeemed for cash or otherwise purchased for cash in a transaction that is mandatory and binding on the Depositary as a holder of those Deposited Securities (a “Redemption”), the Depositary, at the expense of the Company (unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary), shall (i) if required, surrender Deposited Securities that have been redeemed to the issuer of those securities or its agent on the redemption date, (ii) Disseminate a notice to Owners (A) notifying them of that Redemption, (B) calling for surrender of a corresponding number of American Depositary Shares and (C) notifying them that the called American Depositary Shares have been converted into a right only to receive the money received by the Depositary upon that Redemption and those net proceeds shall be the Deposited Securities to which Owners of those converted American Depositary Shares shall be entitled upon surrenders of those American Depositary Shares in accordance with Section 2.5 or 6.2 of the Deposit Agreement and (iii) distribute the money received upon that Redemption to the Owners entitled to it upon surrender by them of called American Depositary Shares in accordance with Section 2.5 of that Agreement (and, for the avoidance of doubt, Owners shall not be entitled to receive that money under Section 4.1 of that Agreement). If the Redemption affects less than all the Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall call for surrender a corresponding portion of the outstanding American Depositary Shares and only those American Depositary Shares will automatically be converted into a right to receive the net proceeds of the Redemption. The Depositary shall allocate the American Depositary Shares converted under the preceding sentence among the Owners pro-rata to their respective holdings of American Depositary Shares immediately prior to the Redemption, except that the allocations may be adjusted so that no fraction of a converted American Depositary Share is allocated to any Owner. A Redemption of all or substantially all of the Deposited Securities shall be a Termination Option Event.
(c) If the Depositary is notified of or there occurs any change in nominal value or any subdivision, combination or any other reclassification of the Deposited Securities or any recapitalization, reorganization, sale of assets substantially as an entirety, merger or consolidation affecting the issuer of the Deposited Securities or to which it is a party that is mandatory and binding on the Depositary as a holder of Deposited Securities and, as a result, securities or other property have been or will be delivered in exchange, conversion, replacement or in lieu of, Deposited Securities (a “Replacement”), the Depositary shall, if required, surrender the old Deposited Securities affected by that Replacement of Shares and hold, as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, the new securities or other property delivered to it in that Replacement. However, the Depositary may elect to sell those new Deposited Securities if in the opinion of the Depositary it is not lawful or not practical for it to hold those new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement because those new Deposited Securities may not be distributed to Owners without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or for any other reason, at public or private sale, at such places and on such terms as it deems proper and proceed as if those new Deposited Securities had been Redeemed under paragraph (b) above. A Replacement shall be a Termination Option Event.
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(d) In the case of a Replacement where the new Deposited Securities will continue to be held under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing the new Deposited Securities and the number of those new Deposited Securities represented by each American Depositary Share. If the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share decreases as a result of a Replacement, the Depositary may call for surrender of the American Depositary Shares to be exchanged on a mandatory basis for a lesser number of American Depositary Shares and may sell American Depositary Shares to the extent necessary to avoid distributing fractions of American Depositary Shares in that exchange and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to the Owners entitled to them.
(e) If there are no Deposited Securities with respect to American Depositary Shares, including if the Deposited Securities are cancelled, or the Deposited Securities with respect to American Depositary Shares have become apparently worthless, the Depositary may call for surrender of those American Depositary Shares or may cancel those American Depositary Shares, upon notice to Owners, and that condition shall be a Termination Option Event.
18. LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY AND DEPOSITARY.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company nor any of their respective directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall incur any liability to any Owner or Holder:
(i) if by reason of (A) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or other act of the government of the United States, any State of the United States or any other state or jurisdiction, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or stock exchange; (B) (in the case of the Depositary only) any provision, present or future, of the articles of association or similar document of the Company, or by reason of any provision of any securities issued or distributed by the Company, or any offering or distribution thereof; or (C) any event or circumstance, whether natural or caused by a person or persons, that is beyond the ability of the Depositary or the Company, as the case may be, to prevent or counteract by reasonable care or effort (including, but not limited to earthquakes, floods, severe storms, fires, explosions, war, terrorism, civil unrest, labor disputes, criminal acts or outbreaks of infectious disease; interruptions or malfunctions of utility services, Internet or other communications lines or systems; unauthorized access to or attacks on computer systems or websites; or other failures or malfunctions of computer hardware or software or other systems or equipment), the Depositary or the Company is, directly or indirectly, prevented from, forbidden to or delayed in, or could be subject to any civil or criminal penalty on account of doing or performing and therefore does not do or perform, any act or thing that, by the terms of the Deposit Agreement or the Deposited Securities, it is provided shall be done or performed;
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(ii) for any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in the Deposit Agreement (including any determination by the Depositary to take, or not take, any action that the Deposit Agreement provides the Depositary may take);
(iii) for the inability of any Owner or Holder to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit that is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, made available to Owners or Holders; or
(iv) for any special, consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the Deposit Agreement.
Where, by the terms of a distribution to which Section 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement applies, or an offering to which Section 4.4 of that Agreement applies, or for any other reason, that distribution or offering may not be made available to Owners, and the Depositary may not dispose of that distribution or offering on behalf of Owners and make the net proceeds available to Owners, then the Depositary shall not make that distribution or offering available to Owners, and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse.
Neither the Company, nor the Depositary, nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates assumes any obligation or shall be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to Owners or Holders, except that each of the Company and the Depositary agree to perform their obligations specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith. The Depositary shall not be a fiduciary or have any fiduciary duty to Owners or Holders. The Depositary shall not be subject to any liability with respect to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities. Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit, or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the American Depositary Shares, on behalf of any Owner or Holder or other person. Neither the Depositary, nor the Company, nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates shall be liable for any action or non-action by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Owner or Holder, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information. Each of the Depositary and the Company may rely, and shall be protected in relying upon, any written notice, request, direction or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with a matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises, the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary. The Depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system in connection with or arising out of book-entry settlement of American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or otherwise. In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities or for the manner in which any such vote is cast or the effect of any such vote. The Depositary shall have no duty to make any determination or provide any information as to the tax status of the Company, nor shall the Company or the Depositary have any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by Owners or Holders as a result of owning or holding American Depositary Shares. The Depositary shall not be liable for the inability or failure of an Owner or Holder to obtain the benefit of a foreign tax credit, reduced rate of withholding or refund of amounts withheld in respect of tax or any other tax benefit.
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19. RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF THE DEPOSITARY; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN.
The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the Deposit Agreement by written notice of its election so to do delivered to the Company, to become effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by 120 days’ prior written notice of that removal, to become effective upon the later of (i) the 120th day after delivery of the notice to the Depositary and (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of its appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary in its discretion may at any time appoint a substitute or additional custodian or custodians.
20. AMENDMENT.
The form of the Receipts and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Depositary without the consent of Owners or Holders in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable. Any amendment that would impose or increase any fees or charges (other than taxes and other governmental charges, registration fees, cable (including SWIFT) or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or that would otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Owners, shall, however, not become effective as to outstanding American Depositary Shares until the expiration of 30 days after notice of that amendment has been Disseminated to the Owners of outstanding American Depositary Shares. Every Owner and Holder, at the time any amendment so becomes effective, shall be deemed, by continuing to hold American Depositary Shares or any interest therein, to consent and agree to that amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. Upon the effectiveness of an amendment to the form of Receipt, including a change in the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share, the Depositary may call for surrender of Receipts to be replaced with new Receipts in the amended form or call for surrender of American Depositary Shares to effect that change of ratio. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Owner to surrender American Depositary Shares and receive delivery of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.
21. TERMINATION OF DEPOSIT AGREEMENT.
(a) The Company may initiate termination of the Deposit Agreement by notice to the Depositary. The Depositary may initiate termination of the Deposit Agreement if (i) at any time 60 days shall have expired after the Depositary delivered to the Company a written resignation notice and a successor depositary has not been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.4 of that Agreement or (ii) a Termination Option Event has occurred. If termination of the Deposit Agreement is initiated, the Depositary shall Disseminate a notice of termination to the Owners of all American Depositary Shares then outstanding setting a date for termination (the “Termination Date”), which shall be at least 90 days after the date of that notice, and the Deposit Agreement shall terminate on that Termination Date.
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(b) After the Termination Date, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary under Sections 5.8 and 5.9 of that Agreement.
(c) At any time after the Termination Date, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held under the Deposit Agreement and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the Owners of American Depositary Shares that remain outstanding, and those Owners will be general creditors of the Depositary with respect to those net proceeds and that other cash. After making that sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement, except (i) to account for the net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such American Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges), (ii) for its obligations under Section 5.8 of that Agreement and (iii) to act as provided in paragraph (d) below.
(d) After the Termination Date, the Depositary shall continue to receive dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities (that have not been sold), may sell rights and other property as provided in the Deposit Agreement and shall deliver Deposited Securities (or sale proceeds) upon surrender of American Depositary Shares (after payment or upon deduction, in each case, of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares, any expenses for the account of the Owner of those American Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). After the Termination Date, the Depositary shall not accept deposits of Shares or deliver American Depositary Shares. After the Termination Date, (i) the Depositary may refuse to accept surrenders of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of Deposited Securities (that have not been sold) or reverse previously accepted surrenders of that kind that have not settled if in its judgment the requested withdrawal would interfere with its efforts to sell the Deposited Securities, (ii) the Depositary will not be required to deliver cash proceeds of the sale of Deposited Securities until all Deposited Securities have been sold and (iii) the Depositary may discontinue the registration of transfers of American Depositary Shares and suspend the distribution of dividends and other distributions on Deposited Securities to the Owners and need not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement except as provided in Section 6.2 of that Agreement.
22. DTC DIRECT REGISTRATION SYSTEM AND PROFILE MODIFICATION SYSTEM.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.4 of the Deposit Agreement, the parties acknowledge that DTC’s Direct Registration System (“DRS”) and Profile Modification System (“Profile”) apply to the American Depositary Shares upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC. DRS is the system administered by DTC that facilitates interchange between registered holding of uncertificated securities and holding of security entitlements in those securities through DTC and a DTC participant. Profile is a required feature of DRS that allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of an Owner of American Depositary Shares, to direct the Depositary to register a transfer of those American Depositary Shares to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those American Depositary Shares to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the Depositary of prior authorization from the Owner to register that transfer.
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(b) In connection with DRS/Profile, the parties acknowledge that the Depositary will not determine whether the DTC participant that is claiming to be acting on behalf of an Owner in requesting registration of transfer and delivery as described in paragraph (a) above has the actual authority to act on behalf of that Owner (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Sections 5.3 and 5.8 of the Deposit Agreement apply to the matters arising from the use of the DRS/Profile. The parties agree that the Depositary’s reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the Depositary through the DRS/Profile system and otherwise in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, shall not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the Depositary.
23. APPOINTMENT OF AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; JURY TRIAL WAIVER; WAIVER OF IMMUNITIES.
The Company has (i) appointed Puglisi & Associates, 850 Library Avenue, Suite 204, Newark, Delaware 19711 as the Company’s authorized agent in the United States upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Shares or Deposited Securities, the American Depositary Shares, the Receipts or the Deposit Agreement, (ii) consented and submitted to the jurisdiction of any state or federal court in the State of New York in which any such suit or proceeding may be instituted, and (iii) agreed that service of process upon said authorized agent shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company in any such suit or proceeding.
EACH PARTY TO THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH OWNER AND HOLDER) THEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE COMPANY AND/OR THE DEPOSITARY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES OR THE RECEIPTS, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY QUESTION REGARDING EXISTENCE, VALIDITY OR TERMINATION (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY) AND ANY CLAIM BASED ON U.S. FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS.
No disclaimer of liability under the United States federal securities laws or the rules and regulations thereunder is intended by any provision of the Deposit Agreement, inasmuch as no person is able to effectively waive the duty of any other person to comply with its obligations under those laws, rules and regulations.
To the extent that the Company or any of its properties, assets or revenues may have or hereafter become entitled to, or have attributed to it, any right of immunity, on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise, from any duty of performance under the Deposit Agreement, claim, legal action, suit or proceeding, from the giving of any relief in any respect thereof, from setoff or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any court, from service of process, from attachment upon or prior to judgment, from attachment in aid of execution or judgment, or other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of any judgment, in any jurisdiction in which proceedings may at any time be commenced, with respect to its obligations, liabilities or any other matter under or arising out of or in connection with the Shares or Deposited Securities, the American Depositary Shares, the Receipts or the Deposit Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to plead or claim, any such immunity and consents to such relief and enforcement.
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Exhibit 4.3
EXHIBIT A
Form of Representative’s Warrant Agreement
THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF THIS PURCHASE WARRANT BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT SELL, TRANSFER OR ASSIGN THIS PURCHASE WARRANT EXCEPT AS HEREIN PROVIDED AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF THIS PURCHASE WARRANT AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT SELL, TRANSFER, ASSIGN, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATE THIS PURCHASE WARRANT FOR A PERIOD OF ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE (DEFINED BELOW) TO ANYONE OTHER THAN (I) THINKEQUITY LLC, OR AN UNDERWRITER OR A SELECTED DEALER IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING, OR (II) A BONA FIDE OFFICER OR PARTNER OF THINKEQUITY LLC OR OF ANY SUCH UNDERWRITER OR SELECTED DEALER.
THIS PURCHASE WARRANT IS NOT EXERCISABLE PRIOR TO [________________] [DATE THAT IS [180 DAYS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE OFFERING]. VOID AFTER 5:00 P.M., EASTERN TIME, [___________________] [DATE THAT IS FIVE YEARS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE OFFERING].
WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
MOBILICOM LIMITED
Warrant Shares: _______
Initial Exercise Date: ______, 2022
THIS WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, _____________ or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after ____, 2022 (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and, in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8)(A), prior to at 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on the date that is five (5) years following the Effective Date (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Mobilicom Limited, a company organized under the laws of Australia (the “Company”), up to ______ American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), each ADS representing ___________ shares of Common Stock (“Shares”), no par value, of the Company (the “Warrant Shares”), as subject to adjustment hereunder. The purchase price of one ADS under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).
Section 1. Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section 1:
“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
Ex. A-1
“Business Day” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” means the ADSs or the Shares, as the context may require.
“Effective Date” means the effective date of the registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. [XXX-XXXXXX]), including any related prospectus or prospectuses, for the registration of the Company’s Common Stock, and the Warrant Shares under the Securities Act, that the Company has filed with the Commission.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of a share of Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on the OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for Common Stock are then reported in the “Pink Sheets” published by OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holder and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
Ex. A-2
Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice in writing to the registered Holder at the address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company) of a duly executed facsimile copy (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise Form annexed hereto. Within two (2) Trading Days following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the Warrant Shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise form be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within five (5) Trading Days of the date the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise Form within two (2) Business Days of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per ADS under this Warrant shall be $_______1, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).
c) Cashless Exercise. In lieu of exercising this Warrant by delivering the aggregate Exercise Price by wire transfer or cashier’s check, at the election of the Holder this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive the number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
(A) = as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b)(64) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day;
1 | 125% of the public offering price per ADS in this offering |
Ex. A-3
(B) = the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and
(X) = the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise.
If Warrant Shares are issued in such a “cashless exercise,” the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised, and the holding period of the Warrants being exercised may be tacked on to the holding period of the Warrant Shares. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, on the Termination Date, this Warrant shall be automatically exercised via cashless exercise pursuant to this Section 2(c), subject to compliance with applicable law.
d) Mechanics of Exercise.
i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by its transfer agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder, or (B) the Warrant Shares are eligible for resale by the Holder without volume or manner-of-sale limitations pursuant to Rule 144 and, in either case, the Warrant Shares have been sold by the Holder prior to the Warrant Share Delivery Date (as defined below), and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). If the Warrant Shares can be delivered via DWAC, the transfer agent shall have received from the Company, at the expense of the Company, any legal opinions or other documentation required by it to deliver such Warrant Shares without legend (subject to receipt by the Company of reasonable back up documentation from the Holder, including with respect to affiliate status) and, if applicable and requested by the Company prior to the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the transfer agent shall have received from the Holder a confirmation of sale of the Warrant Shares (provided the requirement of the Holder to provide a confirmation as to the sale of Warrant Shares shall not be applicable to the issuance of unlegended Warrant Shares upon a cashless exercise of this Warrant if the Warrant Shares are then eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144(b)(1)). The Warrant Shares shall be deemed to have been issued, and Holder or any other person so designated to be named therein shall be deemed to have become a holder of record of such shares for all purposes, as of the date the Warrant has been exercised, with payment to the Company of the Exercise Price (or by cashless exercise, if permitted) and all taxes required to be paid by the Holder, if any, pursuant to Section 2(d)(vi) prior to the issuance of such Warrant Shares, having been paid. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the second Trading Day following the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after the second Trading Day following such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise.
Ex. A-4
ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.
iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause its transfer agent to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise; provided, however, that the Holder shall be required to return any Warrant Shares or Common Stock subject to any such rescinded exercise notice concurrently with the return to Holder of the aggregate Exercise Price paid to the Company for such Warrant Shares and the restoration of Holder’s right to acquire such Warrant Shares pursuant to this Warrant (including, issuance of a replacement warrant certificate evidencing such restored right).
iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause its transfer agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall, subject to compliance with applicable law and in particular section 260A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
Ex. A-5
v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.
vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all transfer agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.
vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.
viii. Signature. This Section 2 and the exercise form attached hereto set forth the totality of the procedures required of the Holder in order to exercise this Purchase Warrant. Without limiting the preceding sentences, no ink-original exercise form shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any exercise form be required in order to exercise this Purchase Warrant. No additional legal opinion, other information or instructions shall be required of the Holder to exercise this Purchase Warrant. The Company shall honor exercises of this Purchase Warrant and shall deliver Shares underlying this Purchase Warrant in accordance with the terms, conditions and time periods set forth herein.
Ex. A-6
e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Company’s transfer agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within two Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant. The Beneficial Ownership Limit may not increase above 19.99% without receipt of required regulatory and shareholder approval under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
Ex. A-7
Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Consolidations and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, or (ii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification. For the purposes of clarification, the Exercise Price of this Warrant will not be adjusted in the event that the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, as applicable, sells or grants any option to purchase, or sell or grant any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, at an effective price per share less than the Exercise Price then in effect.
b) Stock Dividends and Reclassifications. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), or (ii) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then the number of Warrant Shares into which this Warrant is exercisable shall be increased by the number of Warrant Shares the Holder would have received if the Warrant was exercised at the record date for such stock dividend or reclassification. Any adjustment made pursuant to this clause 3(b) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution.
c) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Exercise Price shall be reduced in accordance with the following formula:
O’ | = O - E [P - (S + D)] | |
N + 1 |
Where:
O’ = the new Exercise Price.
O = the old Exercise Price.
E = the number of underlying Warrant Shares into which the Warrant is exercisable.
P = the volume weighted average price per Warrant Share, calculated over 5 trading days ending on the day before the ex rights date or ex entitlements date.
S = the subscription price per share under the pro rata offer.
D = the dividend due but not yet paid on the existing underlying Shares (except those to be issued under the pro rata issue).
Ex. A-8
d) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend (other than cash dividends) or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of shares or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a "Distribution"), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder's right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation). To the extent that this Warrant has not been partially or completely exercised at the time of such Distribution, such portion of the Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until the Holder has exercised this Warrant.
e) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable by holders of Common Stock as a result of such Fundamental Transaction for each share of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
Ex. A-9
f) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
g) Notice to Holder.
i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly mail to the Holder a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.
ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be mailed a notice to the Holder at its last address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to provide such notice or any defect therein shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1), neither this Warrant nor any Warrant Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant shall be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of effectiveness or commencement of sales of the offering pursuant to which this Warrant is being issued, except the transfer of any security:
i. by operation of law or by reason of reorganization of the Company;
Ex. A-10
ii. to any FINRA member firm participating in the offering and the officers or partners thereof, if all securities so transferred remain subject to the lock-up restriction in this Section 4(a) for the remainder of the time period;
iii. if the aggregate amount of securities of the Company held by the Holder or related person do not exceed 1% of the securities being offered;
iv. that is beneficially owned on a pro-rata basis by all equity owners of an investment fund, provided that no participating member manages or otherwise directs investments by the fund, and participating members in the aggregate do not own more than 10% of the equity in the fund; or
v. the exercise or conversion of any security, if all securities received remain subject to the lock-up restriction in this Section 4(a) for the remainder of the time period.
Subject to the foregoing restriction, any applicable securities laws and the conditions set forth in Section 4(d), this Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
b) New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the initial issuance date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
c) Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
d) Representation by the Holder. The Holder, by the acceptance hereof, represents and warrants that it is acquiring this Warrant and, upon any exercise hereof, will acquire the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise, for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Warrant Shares or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act.
Ex. A-11
Section 5. Registration Rights.
5.1. Demand Registration.
5.1.1 Grant of Right. The Company, upon written demand (a “Demand Notice”) of the Holder(s) of at least 51% of the Warrants and/or the underlying Warrant Shares (“Majority Holders”), agrees to register, on one occasion, all or any portion of the Warrant Shares underlying the Warrants (collectively, the “Registrable Securities”). On such occasion, the Company will file a registration statement with the Commission covering the Registrable Securities within sixty (60) days after receipt of a Demand Notice and use its reasonable best efforts to have the registration statement declared effective promptly thereafter, subject to compliance with review by the Commission; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to comply with a Demand Notice if the Company has filed a registration statement with respect to which the Holder is entitled to piggyback registration rights pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof and either: (i) the Holder has elected to participate in the offering covered by such registration statement or (ii) if such registration statement relates to an underwritten primary offering of securities of the Company, until the offering covered by such registration statement has been withdrawn or until thirty (30) days after such offering is consummated. The demand for registration may be made at any time beginning on the Initial Exercise Date and expiring on the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date. The Company covenants and agrees to give written notice of its receipt of any Demand Notice by any Holder(s) to all other registered Holders of the Warrants and/or the Registrable Securities within ten (10) days after the date of the receipt of any such Demand Notice.
5.1.2 Terms. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses attendant to the registration of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 5.1.1, but the Holders shall pay any and all underwriting commissions and the expenses of any legal counsel selected by the Holders to represent them in connection with the sale of the Registrable Securities. The Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the filing required herein to become effective promptly and to qualify or register the Registrable Securities in such States as are reasonably requested by the Holder(s); provided, however, that in no event shall the Company be required to register the Registrable Securities in a State in which such registration would cause: (i) the Company to be obligated to register or license to do business in such State or submit to general service of process in such State, or (ii) the principal shareholders of the Company to be obligated to escrow their shares of capital stock of the Company. The Company shall cause any registration statement filed pursuant to the demand right granted under Section 5.1.1 to remain effective for a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months after the date that the Holders of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement are first given the opportunity to sell all of such securities. The Holders shall only use the prospectuses provided by the Company to sell the Warrant Shares covered by such registration statement, and will immediately cease to use any prospectus furnished by the Company if the Company advises the Holder that such prospectus may no longer be used due to a material misstatement or omission. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5.1.2, the Holder shall be entitled to a demand registration under this Section 5.1.2 on only one (1) occasion and such demand registration right shall terminate on the fifth anniversary of the date of the Underwriting Agreement (as defined below) in accordance with FINRA Rules 5110(g)(8)(B) and 5110(g)(8)(C).
5.2 “Piggy-Back” Registration.
5.2.1 Grant of Right. In addition to the demand right of registration described in Section 5.1 hereof, the Holder shall have the right, for a period of no more than five (5) years from the Initial Exercise Date in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8)(D), to include the Registrable Securities as part of any other registration of securities filed by the Company (other than in connection with a transaction contemplated by Rule 145(a) promulgated under the Securities Act or pursuant to Form S-8 or any equivalent form); provided, however, that if, solely in connection with any primary underwritten public offering for the account of the Company, the managing underwriter(s) thereof shall, in its reasonable discretion, impose a limitation on the number of Shares which may be included in the Registration Statement because, in such underwriter(s)’ judgment, marketing or other factors dictate such limitation is necessary to facilitate public distribution, then the Company shall be obligated to include in such Registration Statement only such limited portion of the Registrable Securities with respect to which the Holder requested inclusion hereunder as the underwriter shall reasonably permit. Any exclusion of Registrable Securities shall be made pro rata among the Holders seeking to include Registrable Securities in proportion to the number of Registrable Securities sought to be included by such Holders; provided, however, that the Company shall not exclude any Registrable Securities unless the Company has first excluded all outstanding securities, the holders of which are not entitled to inclusion of such securities in such Registration Statement or are not entitled to pro rata inclusion with the Registrable Securities.
Ex. A-12
5.2.2 Terms. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses attendant to registering the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 5.2.1 hereof, but the Holders shall pay any and all underwriting commissions and the expenses of any legal counsel selected by the Holders to represent them in connection with the sale of the Registrable Securities. In the event of such a proposed registration, the Company shall furnish the then Holders of outstanding Registrable Securities with not less than thirty (30) days written notice prior to the proposed date of filing of such registration statement. Such notice to the Holders shall continue to be given for each registration statement filed by the Company during the two (2) year period following the Initial Exercise Date until such time as all of the Registrable Securities have been sold by the Holder. The holders of the Registrable Securities shall exercise the “piggy-back” rights provided for herein by giving written notice within ten (10) days of the receipt of the Company’s notice of its intention to file a registration statement. Except as otherwise provided in this Warrant, there shall be no limit on the number of times the Holder may request registration under this Section 5.2.2; provided, however, that such registration rights shall terminate on the second anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date.
5.3 General Terms
5.3.1 Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify the Holder(s) of the Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to any registration statement hereunder and each person, if any, who controls such Holders within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 (a) of the Exchange Act against all loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (including all reasonable attorneys’ fees and other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any claim whatsoever) to which any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, arising from such registration statement but only to the same extent and with the same effect as the provisions pursuant to which the Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters contained in Section 5.1 of the Underwriting Agreement between the Underwriters and the Company, dated as of [___], 2022. The Holder(s) of the Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to such registration statement, and their successors and assigns, shall severally, and not jointly, indemnify the Company, against all loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (including all reasonable attorneys’ fees and other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any claim whatsoever) to which they may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, arising from information furnished by or on behalf of such Holders, or their successors or assigns, in writing, for specific inclusion in such registration statement to the same extent and with the same effect as the provisions contained in Section 5.2 of the Underwriting Agreement pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to indemnify the Company.
5.3.2 Exercise of Warrants. Nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as requiring the Holder(s) to exercise their Warrants prior to or after the initial filing of any registration statement or the effectiveness thereof.
5.3.3 Documents Delivered to Holders. The Company shall furnish to each Holder participating in any of the foregoing offerings and to each underwriter of any such offering, if any, a signed counterpart, addressed to such Holder or underwriter, of: (i) an opinion of counsel to the Company, dated the effective date of such registration statement (and, if such registration includes an underwritten public offering, an opinion dated the date of the closing under any underwriting agreement related thereto), and (ii) a “cold comfort” letter dated the effective date of such registration statement (and, if such registration includes an underwritten public offering, a letter dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement) signed by the independent registered public accounting firm which has issued a report on the Company’s financial statements included in such registration statement, in each case covering substantially the same matters with respect to such registration statement (and the prospectus included therein) and, in the case of such accountants’ letter, with respect to events subsequent to the date of such financial statements, as are customarily covered in opinions of issuer’s counsel and in accountants’ letters delivered to underwriters in underwritten public offerings of securities. The Company shall also deliver promptly to each Holder participating in the offering requesting the correspondence and memoranda described below and to the managing underwriter, if any, copies of all correspondence between the Commission and the Company, its counsel or auditors and all memoranda relating to discussions with the Commission or its staff with respect to the registration statement and permit each Holder and underwriter to do such investigation, upon reasonable advance notice, with respect to information contained in or omitted from the registration statement as it deems reasonably necessary to comply with applicable securities laws or rules of FINRA. Such investigation shall include access to books, records and properties and opportunities to discuss the business of the Company with its officers and independent auditors, all to such reasonable extent and at such reasonable times as any such Holder shall reasonably request.
Ex. A-13
5.3.4 Underwriting Agreement. The Company shall enter into an underwriting agreement with the managing underwriter(s), if any, selected by any Holders whose Registrable Securities are being registered pursuant to this Section 5, which managing underwriter shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. Such agreement shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Company, each Holder and such managing underwriters, and shall contain such representations, warranties and covenants by the Company and such other terms as are customarily contained in agreements of that type used by the managing underwriter. The Holders shall be parties to any underwriting agreement relating to an underwritten sale of their Registrable Securities and may, at their option, require that any or all the representations, warranties and covenants of the Company to or for the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Holders. Such Holders shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the underwriters except as they may relate to such Holders, their Warrant Shares and their intended methods of distribution.
5.3.5 Documents to be Delivered by Holder(s). Each of the Holder(s) participating in any of the foregoing offerings shall furnish to the Company a completed and executed questionnaire provided by the Company requesting information customarily sought of selling security holders.
5.3.6 Damages. Should the registration or the effectiveness thereof required by Sections 5.1 and 5.2 hereof be delayed by the Company or the Company otherwise fails to comply with such provisions, the Holder(s) shall, in addition to any other legal or other relief available to the Holder(s), be entitled to obtain specific performance or other equitable (including injunctive) relief against the threatened breach of such provisions or the continuation of any such breach, without the necessity of proving actual damages and without the necessity of posting bond or other security.
5.3.7 Applicable law. The terms of this Warrant are subject to and conditional upon the terms of the laws applicable to the Company (including without limitation the listing rules of the Australian Securities Exchange). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Warrant, the Company shall not be required to do or not do any act under the provisions of this Warrant if the doing or not doing of such act would, or in the reasonable opinion of the Company may, result in the Company breaching applicable law.
Section 6. Miscellaneous.
a) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i).
b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Trading Day, then, such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Trading Day.
Ex. A-14
d) Authorized Shares.
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
e) Jurisdiction. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the underwriting agreement, dated ___, 2022, by and between the Company and ThinkEquity LLC as representatives of the underwriters set forth therein (the “Underwriting Agreement”).
f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant or the Underwriting Agreement, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
h) Notices. Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Holder by the Company shall be delivered in accordance with the notice provisions of the Underwriting Agreement.
Ex. A-15
i) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
j) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
k) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
l) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.
m) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
n) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
********************
(Signature Page Follows)
Ex. A-16
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
MOBILICOM LIMITED | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: |
Ex. A-17
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
TO: | MOBILICOM LIMITED | |
_________________________ |
(1) The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.
(2) Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):
☐ in lawful money of the United States; or
☐ if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).
(3) Please register and issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:
_________________________ |
The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number or by physical delivery of a certificate to:
_______________________________ | ||
_______________________________ | ||
_______________________________ |
(4) Accredited Investor. If the Warrant is being exercised via cash exercise, the undersigned is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]
Name of Investing Entity: | ___________________________________________________________________________ |
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: | ______________________________________________________ |
Name of Authorized Signatory: | ________________________________________________________________________ |
Title of Authorized Signatory: | ________________________________________________________________________ |
Date: | ____________________________________________________________________________________________ |
Ex. A-18
ASSIGNMENT FORM
(To assign the foregoing
warrant, execute
this form and supply required information.
Do not use this form to exercise the warrant.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, [____] all of or [_______] ADSs of the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to
_______________________________________________ whose address is
_______________________________________________________________.
_______________________________________________________________
Dated: ______________, _______
Holder’s Signature: _____________________________
Holder’s Address: _____________________________
_____________________________
NOTE: The signature to this Assignment Form must correspond with the name as it appears on the face of the Warrant, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever. Officers of corporations and those acting in a fiduciary or other representative capacity should file proper evidence of authority to assign the foregoing Warrant.
Ex. A-19
Exhibit 5.2
June 6, 2022
Mobilicom Limited
1 Rakefet Street, Shoham
Israel 6083705
Re: Registration Statement on Form F-1
File No. 333-264523
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We refer to the above-captioned registration statement on Form F-1 (as amended, the “Registration Statement”), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), filed by Mobilicom Limited, an Australian corporation (the “Company”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”).
The Registration Statement pertains to an underwritten offering and relates to the issuance and sale by the Company of American Depositary Shares, representing ordinary shares, no par value of the Company (the “Shares”) warrants to purchase American Depositary Shares to be issued to the representative of the underwriters thereunder (the “Underwriter Warrants”), and American Depositary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Underwriter Warrants. We understand that the Shares and Underwriter Warrants are to be sold, as described in the Registration Statement.
We are acting as U.S. securities counsel for the Company in connection with the Registration Statement. We have examined the Registration Statement and the form of Underwriter Warrants and have also examined and relied upon such other documents as we have deemed necessary for purposes of rendering the opinion hereinafter set forth.
In our examination of the foregoing documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies, the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents and the legal competence of all signatories to such documents. We are rendering this opinion as to New York law. We are admitted to practice in the State of New York, and we express no opinion as to any matters governed by any law other than the law of the State of New York. In particular, we do not purport to pass on any matter governed by the laws of Australia.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner described in the Registration Statement, the Underwriter Warrants will be valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
1185 Avenue of the Americas | 31st Floor | New York, NY | 10036
T (212) 930 9700 | F (212) 930 9725 | WWW.SRF.LAW
The opinion set forth herein is rendered as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update such opinion to reflect any facts or circumstances which may hereafter come to our attention or any changes in the law which may hereafter occur (which may have retroactive effect). In addition, the foregoing opinions are qualified to the extent that (a) enforceability may be limited by and be subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (including, without limitation, concepts of notice and materiality), and by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors’ and debtors’ rights generally (including, without limitation, any state or federal law in respect of fraudulent transfers); and (b) no opinion is expressed herein as to compliance with or the effect of federal or state securities or blue sky laws.
This opinion is rendered to you in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement. This opinion may not be relied upon for any other purpose, or furnished to, quoted or relied upon by any other person, firm or corporation for any purpose, without our prior written consent.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.2 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement and in any Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.
Very truly yours, | |
/s/ Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP | |
Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP |
1185 Avenue of the Americas | 31st Floor | New York, NY | 10036
T (212) 930 9700 | F (212) 930 9725 | WWW.SRF.LAW
Exhibit 23.3
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Mobilicom Limited
Level 7, 90 Collins Street
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 Australia
We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our report dated March 23, 2022, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Mobilicom Limited , which is contained in that Prospectus.
We also consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus.
/s/ Ziv haft | |
Tel-Aviv, Israel | Ziv haft |
June 6, 2022 | Certified Public Accountants (Isr.) |
BDO Member Firm |
Tel Aviv | Jerusalem | Haifa | Beer Sheva | Bnei Brak | Kiryat Shmona | Petah Tikva | Modiin Ilit | Nazrat Ilit |
03-6386868 | 02-6546200 | 04-8680600 | 077-7784100 | 073-7145300 | 077-5054906 | 077-7784180 | 08-9744111 | 04-6555888 |
Main office: Beit Amot BDO, 48 Menachem Begin Road, Tel Aviv, 6618001 Email: bdo@bdo,co.il Website: www.bdo.co.il
BDO Israel, an Israeli partnership, is a member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. BDO is the brand name for the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firm
Exhibit 107
Calculation of Filing Fee Tables
F-1
(Form Type)
Mobilicom Limited
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Translation of Registrant’s Name into English)
Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities
Security |
Security |
Fee Rule |
Amount |
Proposed Unit |
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (2)(3) |
Fee |
Amount
of | |
Newly Registered Securities | ||||||||
Fees to Be Paid |
Equity |
Ordinary shares, no par value, represented by American Depositary Shares |
457(o) |
$11,500,000 |
- |
$11,500,000 |
0.0000927 |
$1,066.05 |
Fees to Be Paid |
Equity |
Representative Warrants to purchase American Depositary Shares(4) |
457(o) 457(g) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Fees to Be Paid |
Equity |
Ordinary shares underlying the American Depository Shares issuable upon exercise of Representative Warrants(5) |
457(o) 457(g) |
$718,750 |
- |
$718,750 |
0.0000927 |
$66.63 |
Total Offering Amounts | $12,218,750 | $12,218,750 | $1,132.68* |
(1) | American depositary shares, or ADSs, issuable upon deposit of the ordinary shares registered hereby have been registered under a separate registration statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-265156). Each ADS represents 150 ordinary shares. |
(2) | Includes additional ordinary shares that are issuable upon the exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares to cover over-allotments, if any. |
(3) | Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933. |
(4) | No fee pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act. |
(5) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act. The Representative’s Warrants are exercisable at a per share exercise price equal to 125% of the public offering price per ADS. As estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the Representative’s Warrants is $718,750, which is equal to 125% of $525,000. |
* | $1,699.02 was previously paid. |