As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 22, 2024

Registration No. 333-276830

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

________________

Amendment No. 1

to

FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

________________

Fly-E Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

________________

Delaware

 

3711

 

92-0981080

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

136-40 39th Avenue
Flushing, NY 11354
(929) 410-2770
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

________________

Zhou Ou
Chief Executive Officer
136-40 39
th Avenue
Flushing, NY 11354
(929) 410-2770

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

________________

Copies to:

Richard Aftanas, Esq.
Hogan Lovells US LLP
390 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(212) 918-3000

 

Joseph M. Lucosky, Esq.
Scott Linsky, Esq.
Lucosky Brookman LLP
101 Wood Avenue South, 5
th Floor
Woodbridge, NJ 08830
(732) 395
-4400

_____________

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 earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

 

Large accelerated filer

 

     

Accelerated filer

 

   

Non-accelerated filer

 

     

Smaller reporting company

 

               

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, 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 registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell, nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion Dated _______, 2024

PROSPECTUS

3,000,000 Shares

Fly-E Group, Inc.

Common Stock

This is the initial public offering of Fly E-Group, Inc. We are offering 3,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for shares of our common stock. We anticipate the initial public offering price will be between $4.00 and $5.00 per share.

We have applied to have shares of our common stock listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FLYE.” There can be no assurance that such application will be approved. If shares of our common stock are not approved for listing on Nasdaq, we will not consummate this offering.

We are an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. See “Prospectus Summary — Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company” and “Prospectus Summary — Implications of Being a Smaller Reporting Company.”

After the completion of this offering, our directors and executive officers will continue to control a majority of the voting power of our common stock. As a result, although we do not expect to rely on the “controlled company” exemption, we will be a “controlled company” under the listing rules of Nasdaq, and we will qualify for exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. See “Management — Controlled Company Exemption.”

An investment in shares of our common stock is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk and should be considered only by persons who can afford the loss of their entire investment, See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 of this prospectus before you make your decision to invest in our common stock.

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

 

Per Share

 

Total

Initial public offering price

 

$

   

$

 

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)

 

$

   

$

 

Proceeds to us, before expenses(2)

 

$

   

$

 

____________

(1)     Represents underwriting discounts equal to (i) 7% per share, which is the underwriting discounts we have agreed to pay on investors in this offering introduced by the underwriters; and (ii) 5.5% per share, which is the underwriting discounts we have agreed to pay on investors in this offering introduced by us. For purpose of the calculation only, we assume 100% investors in this offering are introduced by the underwriters. We have also agreed to issue a warrant or warrants to the representative of the underwriters exercisable in the aggregate for up to such number of shares equal to 5% of the number of shares sold in this offering (the “Representative Warrants”), to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses and to provide the representative a non-accountable expense allowance equal to 1% of the gross proceeds of this offering, payable at the closing of the offering. See “Underwriting”.

(2)      The proceeds to us presented in this table does not give effect to the exercise of (i) the option we have granted to the underwriters as described below and (ii) the Representative’s Warrants.

We have granted the underwriters an option exercisable for a period of 30 days from the date of this prospectus to purchase up to 450,000 additional shares of our common stock from us from time to time and in whole or in part at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If the underwriters exercise their option in full, the total initial public offering price will be $_____, underwriting discounts and commissions will be $_____ (assuming all investors in the offering are introduced by the underwriters) and proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $_____.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock to investors on or about ________________, 2024.

The Benchmark Company

The date of this prospectus is ___________________, 2024.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the shares offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its date.

Market data and certain industry data and forecasts used throughout this prospectus were obtained from internal company surveys, market research, consultant surveys, publicly available information, reports of governmental agencies and industry publications and surveys. Although we are responsible for all of the disclosures contained in this prospectus and we believe the market and industry data included in this prospectus is reliable, we have not independently verified any of the data from third party sources, nor have we ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon therein. Similarly, we believe our internal surveys, industry forecasts and market research are reliable, even though such surveys, forecasts and research have not been independently verified. The market and industry data and forecasts included in this prospectus involve a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such information. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the market and industry data and forecasts presented in this prospectus, such data and forecasts involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the headings entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this prospectus.

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains forward-looking statements. In addition, from time to time, we or our representatives may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events, which we derive from the information currently available to us. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance, including: our financial performance and projections; our growth in revenue and earnings; and our business prospects and opportunities. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical in nature, particularly those that use terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “contemplates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “plans,” “projected,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “hopes” or the negative of these or similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should consider various factors, including: our ability to change the direction of the Company; our ability to keep pace with new technology and changing market needs; and the competitive environment of our business. These and other factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are only predictions. The forward-looking events discussed in this document and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives, may not occur, and actual events and results may differ materially and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us. We are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this document and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives might not occur.

While we believe we have identified material risks, these risks and uncertainties are not exhaustive. Other sections of this prospectus describe additional factors that could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We are under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations, and we do not intend to do so.

Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

        our ability to obtain additional funding to market our vehicles and develop new products;

        our ability to produce our vehicles with sufficient volume and quality to satisfy customers;

        the inability of our principal vendors to deliver the necessary components for our vehicles at prices and volumes acceptable to us;

        our principal vendors failing to perform quality control on our products;

        the inability to obtain sufficient intellectual property protection for our brand and technologies;

        our vehicles failing to perform as expected;

        our facing product warranty claims or product recalls;

        our facing adverse determinations in significant product liability claims;

        customers not adopting electric vehicles;

        the development of alternative technology that adversely affects our business;

        the lingering impact of COVID-19 on our business;

        increased government regulation of our industry; and

        tariffs and currency exchange rates.

We caution you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus in the case of forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus.

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Prospectus Summary

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding to invest in our common stock. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the “Risk Factors” section, our historical consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, each included elsewhere in this prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise, the words “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” or “our Company,” and “Fly-E Group” refer to Fly-E Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Overview

We are an electric vehicle (“EV”) company that is principally engaged in designing, installing and selling smart electric motorcycles (“E-motorcycles”), electric bikes (“E-bikes”), electric scooters (“E-scooters”) and related accessories under the brand “Fly E-Bike.” At Fly E-Bike, our commitment is to encourage people to incorporate eco-friendly transportation into their active lifestyles, ultimately contributing towards building a more environmentally friendly future.

Fly E-Bike was established in 2018 with its first store opened in New York. Our business has grown rapidly since then and we are now one of the leading providers of E-bikes for food delivery workers in New York City. As of April 22, 2024, we have 39 retail stores, including 38 stores in the United States and one store in Canada. We plan to expand our presence in the United States and extend our business into South America and Europe in the future. We also sell our products through our online store at flyebike.com.

We have a diversified product portfolio that is designed to satisfy the various demands of our customers and address different urban travel scenarios. Additionally, we aim to refresh our product offerings continuously to align with evolving market trends. As of April 22, 2024, we offered 21 E-motorcycle products, 21 E-bike products and 34 E-scooter products.

We are currently developing the Fly E-Bike app, which is a management service mobile software for our EVs.  We aim to design an app that will bring users a comprehensive intelligent experience to create a safer and more satisfying riding life. The development of the app is still in its preliminary stage. We have launched a testing version of the app, which is currently unavailable to our customers.

We source a significant portion of our vehicle components from China and the United States, and then assemble them into our vehicles in a leased facility located in Brooklyn, New York. In the year ended March 31, 2023, we produced 2,039 E-motorcycles, 5,953 E-bikes and 2,279 E-scooters in this facility. For the nine months ended December 31, 2023, we produced 6,663 E-motorcycles, 6,119 E-bikes and 2,880 E-scooters at the same facility. In response to the increasing demand for our products, we are currently looking to lease a larger assembling facility to replace our current facility in the near future.

Our Industry

The EV industry has been experiencing significant growth and innovation in recent years. With the advancement of technology and the increasing demand for environmentally friendly transportation options, E-bikes, E-motorcycles and E-scooters have become popular choices for commuting, leisure and sports. As the demand for sustainable transportation options continues to grow, the EV industry is poised for further growth and development.

Some of the major trends driving the growth of the EV industry include the increasing demand for sustainable transportation options, advancements in battery and motor technology, and the growing popularity of E-bike sharing services. Government incentives and regulations, such as tax credits and subsidies for the purchase of EVs, are also driving the growth of the industry.

City bikes and city E-bikes are popular in big cities in the United States, such as New York City, Miami and Dallas. There is also a growing popularity of E-scooters as an increasing number of EV merchants are launching their businesses in these cities.

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New York City is a major commercial hub and the largest metropolitan area in the United States. As a result, the volume of small package deliveries in New York City is remarkably high, and it has continued to grow over the years. With the rise of E-commerce and online shopping, more and more people in New York City are relying on package deliveries for their everyday needs, leading to a significant increase in small package delivery volume. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated this trend as more people have turned to online shopping.

The high volume of package deliveries in New York City has led to concerns about traffic congestion and delivery vehicle emissions, which the city is working to address through initiatives such as congestion pricing and EV incentives. For short-distance deliveries within urban areas, E-bike delivery can be a more efficient and environmentally friendly option compared to truck delivery. E-bikes can navigate through congested city streets, often taking shorter routes that trucks cannot access, and deliver packages quickly without contributing to traffic congestion or air pollution. Additionally, E-bikes are often cheaper to operate and maintain than trucks. We expect that other large densely populated cities in the United States, such as Miami and Dallas, face similar challenges and will continue to adopt the use of E-bikes, E-motorcycles and E-scooters to meet their delivery needs.

Our Products

We offer a diverse product portfolio that satisfies various demands of our customers and addresses different urban travel scenarios. Following market trends and technological updates, we continuously develop and add new products into our portfolio to meet our customers’ needs. We also aim to continuously introduce upgrades and refreshes to our existing models.

E-motorcycles

Our E-motorcycle category consists of 21 different products, which include a range of E-moped, E-motorcycle and E-tricycle.

E-moped

Our E-moped product line is one of our most popular, featuring a range of eight different models. Our E-mopeds can run an average of 20-70 miles on a single charge, with a top speed of 20-38 miles per hour. Additionally, our E-mopeds are capable of holding a payload of 185-400 pounds. Each E-moped offer several standard features, including a remote key fob, alarm system, lockable under-seat storage, front and rear suspension, and a complete lighting package. Some models also offer a USB phone charging port for added convenience. These features make them an ideal choice for delivery workers.

All of our E-mopeds feature a low seat height and large tires, providing excellent stability at all speeds and on all surfaces. Moreover, their electric drivetrain requires no clutch or gears, making them easy to operate for almost anyone.

E-motorcycle

We also offer E-motorcycles that are designed for urban commuting and city riding, offering a range of 25-80 miles on a single charge and a top speed of 30-59 miles per hour. They have a payload capacity of 160-400 pounds and feature a powerful electric motor with multiple riding modes to choose from. Additionally, our E-motorcycles are equipped with advanced safety features, including anti-lock brakes and a high-performance suspension system, ensuring optimal handling and rider safety.

E-tricycle

The Fly-Tricycle is an electric three-wheel vehicle that offers three seats. The interior of this vehicle is crafted with high-quality automotive-grade materials, ensuring long-lasting durability. This vehicle can run a range of 43-62 miles on a single charge, with a top speed of 30 miles per hour. Additionally, the Fly-Tricycle is capable of holding a payload of 1,239 pounds.

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E-bikes

We currently offer 34 different E-bike products, which include City E-bikes, foldable E-bikes and standard E-bikes.

City E-bike

Our City E-Bike has a range of 15-20 miles on a single charge and a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour. It has a payload capacity of 200 pounds and an under-seat storage area.

Foldable E-bike

Our foldable E-bikes, including the Dolphin E-Bike and the Air-2, are versatile and convenient for folding. They are capable of running 20-25 miles on a single charge with a top speed of 23 miles per hour. In addition, our foldable E-bikes have a payload capacity of 250 pounds. They are compact, portable and easy to store, making them a good choice for people who are conscious of space limitations, such as those who live in small apartments in big cities.

Standard E-bike

Our standard E-bikes are designed to be lightweight and come in a variety of different outlook designs, with multiple speed options to choose from. They offer a range of 20-60 miles on a single charge, with a top speed range of 15-32 miles per hour, and have a payload capacity of 180-250 pounds.

E-scooters

Our E-scooter segment currently offers 12 different products, which the Insurgent E-Scooter, Flytron, H-Max and H-1 models.

Our E-scooters offer a range of 15-45 miles on a single charge and a top speed range of 15-40 miles per hour. They are also capable of holding a weight range of 250-330 pounds. Additionally, our smart E-scooters are equipped with hydraulic disc brakes made from special alloys. The brake discs are slotted to extend the life of the system. The hardware of the brakes is complemented by the electronic braking system, which provides for intelligent braking and recycling kinetic energy. Certain of our models also employ the combined braking system, which intelligently splits braking force between the front and rear discs to shorten the braking distance at higher speeds.

Accessories and spare parts

We offer a comprehensive line of Fly E-Bike branded accessories and spare parts. We also sell traditional bikes.

Risks Relating to Our Business

Our business and ability to execute our business strategy are subject to a number of risks of which you should be aware before you decide to buy our securities. In particular, you should consider the following risks, which are discussed more fully in the section entitled “Risk Factors”:

        We may be unable to meet our growing production plans and delivery plans, any of which could harm our business and prospects.

        We are dependent on certain principal vendors in China for a significant portion of our vehicle components, and the inability of these vendors to deliver necessary components of our products according to our schedule and at prices, quality levels and volumes acceptable to us, or our inability to efficiently manage these components, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.

        We rely on third parties for quality control on the parts sourced from China.

        Our success will depend on our ability to economically produce our vehicles at scale, and our ability to produce vehicles of sufficient quality and appeal to customers on schedule and at scale is unproven.

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        Changes in our supply chain may result in increased cost. If we are unsuccessful in our efforts to control and reduce supplier costs and manage inventory at optimal levels, our operating results will suffer.

        Increases in costs, disruption of supply, or shortage of materials used to manufacture the component parts used in our vehicles, including potential risks stemming from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, could harm our business.

        Our vehicles may not perform in line with customer expectations.

        Our future growth is dependent on the demand for, and upon consumers’ willingness to adopt electric vehicles.

        The electric mobility industry is subject to rapidly changing and often complex regulatory environments.

        We may be unable to adequately control the costs associated with our operations.

        We may not succeed in establishing, maintaining and strengthening our brand, which could materially and adversely affect customer acceptance of our products, which could in turn materially affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

        We have a relatively short operating history, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects, forecast financial results, and assess the risks and challenges we may face.

        We identified material weaknesses and significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting.

        The markets in which we operate are in their infancy and highly competitive, and we may not be successful in competing in this industry.

        An adverse determination in any significant product liability claim against us could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

        We are dependent upon our executives for their services and any interruption in their ability to provide their services could cause us to cease operations.

        Our management team does not have any experience in operating a publicly traded company.

        We may need to defend ourselves against patent or trademark infringement claims, which may be time-consuming and would cause us to incur substantial costs.

        If we are unable to adequately establish, maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property and proprietary rights, our reputation may be harmed, we may be subject to litigation, and our business may be adversely affected.

        Improper activities by third parties, exploitation of encryption technology, new data-hacking tools and discoveries and other events or developments may result in future intrusions into or compromise of our networks and technology systems.

        Potential tariffs or a global trade war could increase our costs and could further increase the cost of our products, which could adversely impact the competitiveness of our products and our financial results.

        We may be unable to improve our existing products and develop and market new products that respond to customer needs and preferences and achieve market acceptance.

        We have limited experience servicing our vehicles, and if we are unable to address the service requirements of our customers, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

        Significant product repair and/or replacement due to product warranty claims or product recalls could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

        If our vehicle owners customize our vehicles or change the charging infrastructure with aftermarket products, the vehicle may not operate properly, which may create negative publicity and could harm our business.

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Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the federal securities laws and, therefore, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various public company reporting requirements, including:

        a requirement to only have two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related selected financial data and management’s discussion and analysis;

        exemption from the auditor attestation requirement on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting;

        reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation; and

        exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory stockholder vote on executive compensation and any golden parachute payments.

We may take advantage of these provisions for up to five years or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would cease to be an emerging growth company if we have more than $1.235 billion in total annual growth revenues, have issued more than $1 billion of non-convertible debt in the past three years, or if we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). We may choose to take advantage of some, but not all, of the available benefits available to emerging growth companies. We have taken advantage of some of the reduced reporting requirements in this prospectus. Accordingly, the information contained herein may be different than the information you receive from other public companies in which you hold stock. In addition, an emerging growth company may delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have elected to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, we will not be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.

Implications of Being a Smaller Reporting Company

We are a smaller reporting company as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We may take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies and will be able to take advantage of these scaled disclosures for so long as (i) the market value of our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter or (ii) our annual revenue is less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter. Specifically, as a smaller reporting company, we may choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation and, if we are a smaller reporting company with less than $100 million in annual revenue, we would not be required to obtain an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting issued by our independent registered public accounting firm.

Implication of Being a Controlled Company

As of the date of this prospectus, our directors and executive officers beneficially own approximately 76.5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Upon closing of this offering, we expect that our directors and executive officers will beneficially own approximately 67.3% of our common stock (or approximately 66.1% if the underwriters exercise in full their overallotment to purchase additional shares of our common stock). Therefore, our directors and executive officers will be able to have a significant influence over fundamental and significant corporate matters and transactions. As such, we will be a “controlled company” under the listing rules of Nasdaq and we will qualify for exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements afforded to controlled companies. However, we do not expect to rely on these exceptions. See “Management — Controlled Company Exemption” and “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Common Stock and this Offering — Our directors and executive officers will continue to exercise significant control over us after this offering, which will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could delay or prevent a change in corporate control.

Company Information

Our principal executive office is located at 136-40 39th Avenue, Flushing, NY11354. Our website address is flyebike.com. The information on or accessible through our website is not part of this prospectus.

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The Offering

Securities we are offering

 

3,000,000 shares of common stock.

Initial public offering price

 

We anticipate the initial public offering price will be between $4.00 and $5.00 per share.

Shares of common stock outstanding immediately before this offering

 


22,000,000 shares.

Shares of common stock outstanding immediately after this offering

 


25,000,000 shares.

Over-allotment option

 

We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 450,000 shares of our common stock at the initial public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions, solely to cover over-allotments, if any.

Use of proceeds

 

We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to cover the purchase of inventory and production costs of our vehicles, the expansion of our retail stores, our technology, research and development initiatives, and for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds”.

Risk Factors

 

See “Risk Factors” on page 10 of this prospectus and other information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding whether to invest in our securities.

Lock-up

 

We, our directors, executive officers, and holders of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock have agreed not to offer, issue, sell, contract to sell, encumber, grant any option for the sale of or otherwise dispose of any of our securities for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. See “Underwriting”.

Representative’s Warrants

 

We have agreed to issue to the representative of the underwriters or its designees at the closing of this offering, warrants to purchase the number of shares of our common stock equal to 5% of the aggregate number of shares sold in this offering (the “Representative’s Warrants”). The Representative’s Warrants will be exercisable at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the four-and-a-half-year period commencing six months after the commencement of sales in this offering. The exercise price of the Representative’s Warrants will equal 100% of the initial public offering price per share, subject to adjustments. See “Underwriting”.

Nasdaq listing and symbol

 

We have applied to have shares of our common stock listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “FLYE”. No assurance can be given that our application for listing will be approved by Nasdaq or that a trading market will develop for our common stock. We will not proceed with this offering in the event shares of our common stock are not approved for listing on Nasdaq.

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In this prospectus, the number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 22,000,000 shares outstanding as of the date of this prospectus and does not include the 2,500,000 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the FLY-E Group Inc. 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which will become effective immediately before the effectiveness of this registration statement.

Unless otherwise indicated, this prospectus reflects and assumes:

        no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option or the Representative’s Warrants;

        An initial public offering price of $4.50 per share of common stock, which is the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus;

        the 1-for-110,000 stock split of our common stock effected on April 2, 2024; and

        the filing and effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the adoption of our amended and restated bylaws immediately prior to the consummation of this offering.

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Summary Consolidated Financial Data

The following tables set forth a summary of our consolidated financial data as of the dates and for the periods presented. We have derived the summary statement of consolidated operations data for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, and the consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the summary consolidated statement of operations data for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2023, from our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Share and per share data in the table below have been retroactively adjusted to give effect to the 1-for-110,000 stock split effected on April 2, 2024.

You should read this data together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and the sections in this prospectus entitled “Capitalization” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Our historical results for any prior period are not necessarily indicative of our future results.

Statement of Consolidated Operations data:

 

For the Nine Months ended
December 31,

 

For the Years Ended
March 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

Revenues

 

$

24,034,397

 

 

$

16,458,002

 

 

$

21,774,937

 

 

$

17,192,659

 

Cost of Revenues

 

 

14,577,570

 

 

 

9,914,056

 

 

 

13,485,405

 

 

 

13,950,620

 

Gross Profit

 

 

9,456,827

 

 

 

6,543,946

 

 

 

8,289,532

 

 

 

3,242,039

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling Expenses

 

 

4,637,043

 

 

 

2,592,312

 

 

 

3,667,227

 

 

 

2,042,668

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

 

2,773,626

 

 

 

1,901,954

 

 

 

2,309,927

 

 

 

571,639

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

7,410,669

 

 

 

4,494,266

 

 

 

5,977,154

 

 

 

2,614,307

 

Income from Operations

 

 

2,046,158

 

 

 

2,049,680

 

 

 

2,312,378

 

 

 

627,732

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Expenses, net

 

 

(24,123

)

 

 

(17,463

)

 

 

(11,574

)

 

 

(48,503

)

Interest Expenses, net

 

 

(82,150

)

 

 

(34,017

)

 

 

(100,341

)

 

 

 

Income Before Income Taxes

 

 

1,939,885

 

 

 

1,998,200

 

 

 

2,200,463

 

 

 

579,229

 

Income Tax Expense

 

 

(731,997

)

 

 

(654,654

)

 

 

(821,892

)

 

 

(171,208

)

Net Income

 

 

1,207,888

 

 

 

1,343,546

 

 

 

1,378,571

 

 

 

408,021

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

3,101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Comprehensive Income

 

$

1,210,989

 

 

$

1,343,546

 

 

$

1,378,571

 

 

$

408,021

 

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Consolidated Balance Sheet data:

 

December 31, 2023

 

March 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2022

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

1,173,228

 

 

$

358,894

 

 

$

395,034

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

587,797

 

 

 

389,077

 

 

 

54,325

 

Accounts receivable – related parties

 

 

366,714

 

 

 

136,565

 

 

 

 

Inventories, net

 

 

5,378,351

 

 

 

3,838,754

 

 

 

4,605,526

 

Prepayments and other receivables

 

 

1,093,546

 

 

 

782,819

 

 

 

145,189

 

Prepayments and Other receivables – related parties

 

 

461,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

9,061,136

 

 

 

5,506,109

 

 

 

5,200,074

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

1,120,243

 

 

 

785,285

 

 

 

424,480

 

Security deposits

 

 

820,809

 

 

 

424,942

 

 

 

294,262

 

Deferred IPO costs

 

 

202,307

 

 

 

75,819

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets, net

 

 

7,794

 

 

 

211,100

 

 

 

659,900

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

12,042,292

 

 

 

10,261,556

 

 

 

8,083,920

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

108,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

 

23,363,331

 

 

$

17,264,811

 

 

$

14,662,636

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

979,331

 

 

$

1,005,401

 

 

$

1,076,329

 

Current portion of long-term loan payables

 

 

1,210,507

 

 

 

412,224

 

 

 

 

Accrued expenses and other payables

 

 

598,744

 

 

 

365,662

 

 

 

470,759

 

Other payables – related parties

 

 

182,232

 

 

 

332,481

 

 

 

2,828,804

 

Operating lease liabilities – current

 

 

2,400,008

 

 

 

1,836,737

 

 

 

1,312,549

 

Taxes payable

 

 

1,072,070

 

 

 

959,456

 

 

 

734,429

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

6,442,892

 

 

 

4,911,961

 

 

 

6,422,870

 

Long-term loan payables

 

 

442,336

 

 

 

723,228

 

 

 

 

Long-term loan payables – related parties

 

 

 

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities – non-current

 

 

10,344,485

 

 

 

8,979,193

 

 

 

7,117,908

 

Deferred tax liabilities, net

 

 

22,200

 

 

 

— 

 

 

 

— 

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

17,251,913

 

 

 

14,764,382

 

 

 

13,540,778

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 4,400,000 shares authorized and nil outstanding as of December 31, 2023, March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 44,000,000 shares authorized and 22,000,000 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023, March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022*

 

 

220,000

 

 

 

220,000

 

 

 

220,000

 

Additional Paid-in Capital

 

 

2,400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares Subscription Receivable

 

 

(219,998

)

 

 

(219,998

)

 

 

(219,998

)

Retained Earnings

 

 

3,708,315

 

 

 

2,500,427

 

 

 

1,121,856

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

3,101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

6,111,418

 

 

 

2,500,429

 

 

 

1,121,858

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

23,363,331

 

 

$

17,264,811

 

 

$

14,662,636

 

____________

*        Shares and per share data are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the nominal share issuance on December 21, 2022 and to give effect to the stock split completed on April 2, 2024.

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Risk Factors

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider each of the following risks, together with all other information set forth in this prospectus, including the financial statements and the related notes, before making a decision to buy shares of our common stock. If any of the following risks materializes, our business could be harmed. In that case, the trading price of shares of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to the Company’s Business, Operations, and Industry

We may be unable to meet our growing production plans and delivery plans, any of which could harm our business and prospects.

In order to meet the increasing demand of our products, we plan to open more stores in the future. Our plans call for achieving and sustaining increases in vehicles production and deliveries. Our ability to achieve these plans will depend upon a number of factors, including our suppliers’ ability to support our needs and our ability to utilize our current assembling capacity, achieve the planned production yield and further increase capacity as planned while maintaining our desired quality levels and optimize design and production changes. If we are unable to realize our plans, our brand, business, prospects, financial condition and operating results could be materially damaged.

We are dependent on certain principal vendors in China for a significant portion of our vehicle components, and the inability of these vendors to deliver necessary components of our products according to our schedule and at prices, quality levels and volumes acceptable to us, or our inability to efficiently manage these components, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.

We source a significant portion of our vehicle components from China and then assemble these parts into our products in the United States. We rely on certain principal vendors who help us source parts used in our vehicles from various suppliers in China.

If our principal vendors decide to terminate their partnership with us, experience sourcing failures, or otherwise become unable to provide us with the necessary components in sufficient quantities, in a timely manner, and on acceptable terms, we may have to delay the production and sale of our products or find an alternative vendor. Any significant unanticipated demand would require us to procure additional components in a short amount of time. While we believe that we will be able to secure additional or alternate sources of supply for most of our components in a relatively short time frame, there is no assurance that we will be able to do so or develop our own replacements for certain highly customized components of our products.

In addition, as a result of COVID-19, normal economic life throughout China was sharply curtailed and there were disruptions to normal operation of businesses in various areas. For example, in 2022, when China rigorously enforced its “Zero-COVID” policy, some manufacturing facilities were closed and work at other facilities was curtailed in many places where we sourced our vehicle components. Some of our vendors had to temporarily close a facility for disinfecting after employees tested positive for COVID-19, and others faced staffing shortages from employees who were sick or apprehensive about coming to work. Further, the ability of our vendors to ship their goods to us became difficult as transportation networks and distribution facilities reduced capacity, all of which caused an increase in shipping costs and time and affected the availability of inventories to meet our sales demand.

Although the anti-pandemic policies have been eased in China since the beginning of 2023, it is uncertain whether the Chinese government will tighten its restrictive policies and measures again in the future. Furthermore, the lingering impacts of the global pandemic may continue adversely affecting our supply chain, which in turn may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. Although our business operations were not materially impacted because of measures we took during the lockdown period in 2022, which included increasing order quantities for vehicle components and maintaining higher inventory levels, as well as avoiding heavy reliance on a single vendor, there can be no assurance as to whether and to what extent these mitigation measures will be effective in the event of future supply chain disruptions. Maintenance of high inventories can increase our costs and involve other risks. See “Changes in our supply chain may result in increased cost. If we are unsuccessful in our efforts to control and reduce supplier costs and manage inventory at optimal levels, our operating results will suffer.” In addition, if we encounter unexpected difficulties with our principal vendors, and if we are unable to fill these needs from other vendors in a timely manner, we could experience production delays and potential loss of access to important

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technology and parts for producing, servicing and supporting our vehicles. The loss of any vendors or the disruption in the supply of components from these vendors could lead to design changes and delays in product deliveries to our customers, which could hurt our relationships with our customers and result in negative publicity, damage to our brand and a material and adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

We rely on third parties for quality control on the parts sourced from China.

We rely on one of our principal vendors in China to monitor the factories manufacturing the parts sourced from China for use in our vehicles. We have limited control over the ability of third-party manufacturers to maintain adequate quality control, quality assurance and qualified personnel. If our principal vendor fails to perform its duties, including proper inspections on sample products before mass production, the third-party manufacturers may fail to manufacture our product components according to our schedule and requirements or at all. The quality of our products is crucial to our continued growth. If our principal vendor fails to perform its supervising and inspecting duties properly, our final products could have quality issues, which could result in product recall, return of products and potential lawsuits against us if our products cause any injuries or damages due to the quality issues. Any occurrence of the foregoing could hurt our relationship with our customers and result in negative publicity, damage to our brand and a material and adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

Our success will depend on our ability to economically produce our vehicles at scale, and our ability to produce vehicles of sufficient quality and appeal to customers on schedule and at scale is unproven.

Our business success will depend in large part on our ability to economically produce, market and sell our vehicles at sufficient capacity to meet the demands of our customers. We will need to scale our production capacity in order to successfully implement our growth strategy.

We currently have one facility in which we assemble all of our products in Brooklyn, New York. We have no experience in large-scale production of our vehicles, and we do not know whether we will be able to develop efficient, automated, low-cost production capabilities and processes, such that we will be able to meet the quality, price and production standards, as well as the production volumes, required to successfully market our vehicles and meet our business objectives and customer needs. Any failure to develop and scale our production capability and processes could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

Changes in our supply chain may result in increased cost. If we are unsuccessful in our efforts to control and reduce supplier costs and manage inventory at optimal levels, our operating results will suffer.

As we plan to continue expanding our business, we expect to include more products and their components in our inventory, which will make it more challenging for us to manage our inventory effectively and will put more pressure on our warehousing system. Maintaining excessive inventory levels beyond customer demand can lead to higher inventory carrying costs. High inventory levels may also require us to commit substantial capital resources, preventing us from using that capital for other important purposes. On the other hand, if we underestimate customer demand or encounter delays from our vendors in supplying vehicle components promptly, we may face inventory shortages. This could potentially compel us to procure vehicle components at higher costs, leading to a backorder situation or unfulfilled customer orders, which could lead to potential cancellations or loss of customers to competitors and negatively impact our brand image and reputation.

There is no assurance that our suppliers will ultimately be able to meet our cost, quality and volume needs, or do so on a timely basis. Furthermore, as the volume of our sales increases, we will need to accurately forecast, purchase and warehouse components at much higher volumes than we have experience with. If we are unable to accurately match the timing and quantities of component purchases to our actual needs, or successfully implement automation, inventory management and other systems to accommodate the increased complexity in our supply chain, we may incur unexpected production disruption, or storage, transportation and write-off costs. Any of the above could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

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Increases in costs, disruption of supply, or shortage of materials used to manufacture the component parts used in our vehicles, including potential risks stemming from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, could harm our business.

We may experience increases in the cost or a sustained interruption in the supply or shortage of materials. Any such increase, supply interruption or shortage could materially and negatively impact our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results. The prices for these materials fluctuate, and their available supply may be unstable, depending on market conditions and global demand for these materials, including as a result of increased production of similar products by our competitors, and could adversely affect our business and operating results. These risks include:

        an increase in the cost, or decrease in the available supply, of materials used in the battery packs;

        tariffs on the materials we source in China; and

        fluctuations in the value of the Chinese Renminbi against the U.S. dollar as our purchases for the components of our products are denominated in Chinese Renminbi.

Disruption in our supply chain and rising prices of raw materials as a result of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine may also negatively impact our businesses. In February 2022, Russian military forces launched a military action in Ukraine. The ongoing military action between Russia and Ukraine, sanctions and other measures imposed against Russia, Belarus, the Crimea Region of Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic by the U.S. and other countries and bodies around the world, as well as the existing and potential further responses from Russia or other countries to such sanctions, tensions and military actions, has in the past and in the future could continue to adversely affect the global economy and financial markets and could adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results. Additional potential sanctions and penalties have also been proposed and/or threatened. Although our operations have not experienced a material adverse impact on supply chain or other aspects of our business from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, during times of war and other major conflicts, we and the third parties upon which we rely may be vulnerable to a heightened risk of these attacks that could materially disrupt our operations, supply chain, and ability to produce, sell and distribute our products. We cannot predict the progress or outcome of the conflict in Ukraine or its impacts in Ukraine, Russia or Belarus as the conflict, and any resulting government reactions, are rapidly developing and beyond our control. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions could be significant, could result in increases in commodity, freight, logistics and input costs and could potentially have substantial impact on the global economy and our business for an unknown period of time.

Substantial increases in the prices for our materials or prices charged to us would increase our operating costs, and could reduce our margins if we cannot recoup the increased costs through increased prices. Any attempts to increase prices in response to increased material costs could result in cancellations of vehicle orders and therefore materially and adversely affect our brand, business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

Our vehicles may not perform in line with customer expectations.

Our vehicles may not perform in line with customers’ expectations. For example, our vehicles may not have the durability or longevity of other vehicles in the market, and may not be as easy and convenient to repair as other vehicles on the market. Any product defects or any other failure of our vehicles to perform as expected could harm our reputation and result in adverse publicity, lost revenue, delivery delays, product recalls, product liability claims, harm to our brand and reputation, and significant warranty and other expenses, and could have a material adverse impact on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

In addition, the range of our vehicles on a single charge declines principally as a function of usage, time and charging patterns as well as other factors. For example, a customer’s use of his or her electric vehicle as well as the frequency with which he or she charges the battery can result in additional deterioration of the battery’s ability to hold a charge. Furthermore, our vehicles may contain defects in design and manufacture that may cause them not to perform as expected or that may require repair. If any of our vehicles fail to perform as expected, we may need to delay deliveries, initiate product recalls and provide servicing or updates under warranty at our expenses, which could materially and adversely affect our brand, business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

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Our future growth is dependent on the demand for, and upon consumers’ willingness to adopt electric vehicles.

Demand for our products depends to a large extent on general, economic, political and social conditions in a given market and the introduction of new electric vehicles and technologies. As our business grows, economic conditions and trends will impact our business, prospects and operating results as well.

Demand for our electric vehicles may also be affected by factors directly impacting the price or the cost of purchasing and operating electric vehicles such as sales and financing incentives, prices of raw materials, parts and components and governmental regulations, including tariffs, import regulation and other taxes. Volatility in demand may lead to lower vehicle unit sales, which may result in further downward price pressure and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

In addition, the demand for our vehicles and services will highly depend upon the adoption by consumers of new energy vehicles in general and electric vehicles in particular. The market for new energy vehicles is still rapidly evolving, characterized by rapidly changing technologies, price and other competition, evolving government regulation and industry standards and changing consumer demands and behaviors.

Other factors that may influence the adoption of new energy vehicles, and specifically electric vehicles, include:

        perceptions about electric vehicle quality, safety, design, performance and cost, especially if adverse events or accidents occur that are linked to the quality or safety of electric vehicles, whether or not such vehicles are produced by us or other companies;

        perceptions about vehicle safety in general;

        the limited range over which electric vehicles may be driven on a single battery charge and the speed at which batteries can be recharged;

        the decline of an electric vehicle’s range resulting from deterioration over time in the battery’s ability to hold a charge;

        the availability of service for electric vehicles;

        the environmental consciousness of consumers;

        the availability of tax and other governmental incentives to purchase and operate electric vehicles or future regulation requiring increased use of nonpolluting vehicles; and

        macroeconomic factors.

Any of the factors described above may cause current or potential customers not to purchase our electric vehicles and use our services. If the market for electric vehicles does not develop as we expect or develops more slowly than we expect, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results will be affected.

The electric mobility industry is subject to rapidly changing and often complex regulatory environments.

The electric mobility industry is subject to rapidly changing and often complex regulatory environments at local, state, national, and international levels. Evolving regulations related to safety standards, emissions, licensing, and operational requirements can have a substantial impact on our business operations and profitability. Compliance with these changing regulations may necessitate costly modifications to our products, business processes, or market strategies, which could lead to increased expenses and delays in product development and market entry. Failure to navigate and adhere to evolving regulations adequately could result in legal and financial liabilities, damage to our reputation, and potential market restrictions. Furthermore, inconsistency in regulations between different jurisdictions may create challenges in maintaining uniform business practices and product offerings, increasing our exposure to regulatory risks. Furthermore, a significant portion of our customer base comprises food delivery workers, and if leading food delivery platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash impose new requirements on the type of electric vehicles they allow, non-compliance on our part could result in the loss of these customers. While we believe we are presently in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in our operating regions, there can be no assurance that we can always promptly adapt to the rapidly changing regulatory environment. If we fail to effectively adjust to the changing regulatory landscape and comply with applicable laws and regulations in our operating regions, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results would be materially and adversely affected.

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We may be unable to adequately control the costs associated with our operations.

We expect to incur significant costs which will impact our profitability, including research and development expenses as we roll out new models and improve existing models, raw material procurement costs and selling and distribution expenses as we build our brand and market our vehicles. Our ability to remain profitable in the future will not only depend on our ability to successfully market our vehicles and other products and services but also to control our costs. If we are unable to cost efficiently design, manufacture, market, sell and distribute and service our vehicles and services, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results would be materially and adversely affected.

We may not succeed in establishing, maintaining and strengthening our brand, which could materially and adversely affect customer acceptance of our products, which could in turn materially affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our business and prospects heavily depend on our ability to develop, maintain and strengthen the Fly E-Bike brand. If we are unable to establish, maintain and strengthen our brand, we may lose the opportunity to build and maintain a critical mass of customers. Our ability to develop, maintain and strengthen our brand will depend heavily on the success of our marketing efforts. Failure to develop and maintain a strong brand could materially and adversely affect customer acceptance of our vehicles, could result in suppliers and other third parties being less likely to invest time and resources in developing business relationships with us, and could materially adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

We have a relatively short operating history, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects, forecast financial results, and assess the risks and challenges we may face.

Our business is relatively new and rapidly evolving. We first launched our business in 2018 and have a limited operating history. We have encountered in the past, and will encounter in the future, risks and uncertainties frequently experienced by growing companies with limited operating histories in rapidly changing industries. Risks and challenges we have faced or expect to face as a result of our relatively limited operating history and evolving business model include our ability to:

        make operating decisions and evaluate our future prospects and the risks and challenges we may encounter;

        forecast our revenue and budget for and manage our expenses;

        attract new customers and retain existing customers in a cost-effective manner;

        comply with existing and new or modified laws and regulations applicable to our business;

        manage our business assets and expenses;

        plan for and manage capital expenditures for our current and future offerings and manage our supply chain and supplier relationships related to our current and future offerings;

        anticipate and respond to macroeconomic changes and changes in the markets in which we operate;

        maintain and enhance the value of our reputation and brand;

        effectively manage our growth and business operations;

        successfully expand our geographic reach;

        hire, integrate and retain talented people at all levels of our organization; and

        successfully develop new features, offerings and services to enhance the experience of customers.

If our assumptions regarding these risks and uncertainties, which we use to plan and operate our business, are incorrect or change, or if we do not address these risks successfully, our results of operations could differ materially from our expectations and our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.

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We identified material weaknesses and significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. If we are unable to remediate these material weaknesses and significant deficiencies, or identify additional material weaknesses and significant deficiencies in the future or otherwise fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately or timely report our financial condition or results of operations, which may adversely affect our business and stock price.

In connection with the preparation and audit of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2023, we identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weaknesses that have been identified included our lack of (i) sufficient financial reporting and accounting personnel with appropriate knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (the “U.S. GAAP”) and SEC reporting requirements to properly address complex U.S. GAAP accounting issues and to prepare and review our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures to fulfill U.S. GAAP and SEC financial reporting requirements, (ii) formal internal control policies and internal independent supervision functions to establish formal risk assessment process and internal control framework, and (iii) sufficient controls designed and implemented in IT environment and IT general control activities, which are mainly associated with areas of logical access security, computer operation and service organization control monitoring activities. We have also identified significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting during the review of our internal control.

In response to the material weaknesses and significant deficiencies identified prior to this offering, we are in the process of implementing a number of measures to address the material weaknesses and significant deficiencies identified, including but not limited to (i) hiring additional qualified accounting and financial personnel with appropriate knowledge and experience in U.S. GAAP accounting and SEC reporting; (ii) organizing regular training for our accounting staff, especially training related to U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements; and (iii) regularly conducting checks on the IT software we utilize to ensure its proper functionality, and arranging training sessions for our IT staff. We also plan to adopt additional measures to improve our internal control over financial reporting, including, among others, creating a U.S. GAAP accounting policies and procedures manual, which will be maintained, reviewed and updated, on a regular basis, to the latest U.S. GAAP accounting standards, and establishing an audit committee and strengthening corporate governance as well as general control over our information technology. While we believe these efforts will remediate the material weaknesses and significant deficiencies, we may not be able to complete our evaluation, testing or any required remediation in a timely fashion, or at all. We cannot assure you that the measures we have taken to date and may take in the future, will be sufficient to remediate the control deficiencies that led to our material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, to prevent the identification of new significant deficiencies in the future or that they will prevent or avoid potential future material weaknesses. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting is subject to various inherent limitations, including cost limitations, judgments used in decision making, assumptions about the likelihood of future events, the possibility of human error and the risk of fraud. If we are unable to remediate the material weaknesses and significant deficiencies, our ability to record, process and report financial information accurately, and to prepare financial statements within the time periods required of public companies could be adversely affected which, in turn, may adversely affect our reputation and business and the market price of our common stock. In addition, any such failures could result in litigation or regulatory actions by the SEC or other regulatory authorities, loss of investor confidence, delisting of our securities and harm our reputation and financial condition, or diversion of financial and management resources from the operation of our business.

The markets in which we operate are in their infancy and highly competitive, and we may not be successful in competing in this industry.

The market of electric two-wheel vehicles is in its infancy, and we expect it will become more competitive in the future. There is no assurance that our vehicles will be successful in the respective markets in which they compete. A significant and growing number of established and new companies, as well as other companies, have entered or are reported to have plans to enter the electric vehicle market. Most of our current and potential competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, manufacturing, marketing, sales networks and other resources than we do and may be able to devote greater resources to the design, development, manufacturing, distribution, promotion, sale and support of their products. Increased competition could result in lower vehicles sales, price reductions, revenue shortfalls, loss of customers and loss of market share, which could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

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An adverse determination in any significant product liability claim against us could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

The development, production, marketing, sale and usage of our vehicles will expose us to significant risks associated with product liability claims. Our business is vulnerable to product liability claims, and we may face inherent risk of exposure to claims in the event our vehicles do not perform or are claimed to not have performed as expected. If our products are defective, malfunction or are used incorrectly by our customers, it may result in bodily injury, property damage or other injury, including death, which could give rise to product liability claims against us. For example, our certain EVs use lithium-ion batteries, which, if not appropriately managed and controlled, can rapidly release energy by venting smoke and flames that can ignite nearby materials. Furthermore, there is some risk of electrocution if individuals who attempt to repair battery packs do not follow applicable maintenance and repair protocols. Any such damage or injury would likely lead to product liability claims against us and potentially a safety recall. Any losses that we may suffer from any liability claims and the effect that any product liability litigation may have upon the brand image, reputation and marketability of our products could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations or financial condition. No assurance can be given that material product liability claims will not be made in the future against us, or that claims will not arise in the future in excess or outside of our insurance coverage and contractual indemnities with suppliers and manufacturers. We may not be able to obtain adequate product liability insurance for our existing or new products or the cost of doing so may be prohibitive. Adverse determinations of material product liability claims made against us could also harm our reputation and cause us to lose customers and could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

We are dependent upon our executives for their services and any interruption in their ability to provide their services could cause us to cease operations.

The loss of the services of our CEO could have a material adverse effect on us. We do not maintain any key man life insurance on our executives, including our CEO. The loss of the services of any of our executive management could impair our ability to execute our business plan and growth strategy, as we may not be able to find suitable individuals to replace such personnel on a timely basis or without incurring increased costs, or at all. Our future success will also depend on our ability to attract, retain and motivate other highly skilled employees. Competition for personnel in our industry is intense. We may not be able to retain our key employees or attract, assimilate or retain other highly qualified employees in the future. If we do not succeed in attracting new personnel or retaining and motivating our current personnel, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results will be adversely affected.

Our management team does not have any experience in operating a publicly traded company.

While our management team has a wide breadth of business experience, none of our executive officers have held an executive position at a publicly traded company. Given the onerous compliance requirements to which public companies are subject, there is a chance our executive officers will fail to perform at a level expected of public company officers. In such an event, the Company’s share price could be adversely effected. The management team’s limited experience in dealing with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies could be a significant disadvantage in that it is likely that an increasing amount of their time may be devoted to these activities which will result in less time being devoted to the management and growth of the company. We may not have adequate personnel with the appropriate level of knowledge, experience and training in the accounting policies, practices or internal control over financial reporting required of public companies in the United States. In addition, the development and implementation of the standards and controls necessary for us to achieve the level of accounting standards required of a public company in the United States may require costs greater than expected. It is possible that we will be required to expand our employee base and hire additional employees to support our operations as a public company which will increase our operating costs in future periods.

We may need to defend ourselves against patent or trademark infringement claims, which may be time-consuming and would cause us to incur substantial costs.

Companies, organizations or individuals, including our competitors, may hold or obtain patents, trademarks or other proprietary rights that would prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use, develop, sell or market our vehicles, which could make it more difficult for us to operate our business. From time to time, we may receive communications from holders of patents or trademarks regarding their proprietary rights. Companies holding patents

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or other intellectual property rights may bring suits alleging infringement of such rights or otherwise assert their rights. If we are determined to have infringed upon a third party’s intellectual property rights, we may be required to do one or more of the following:

        cease selling, incorporating certain components into, or using vehicles or offering goods or services that incorporate or use the challenged intellectual property;

        pay substantial damages;

        seek a license from the holder of the infringed intellectual property right, which license may not be available on reasonable terms or at all;

        redesign our vehicles or other goods or services; or

        establish and maintain alternative branding for our products and services.

In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us and our failure or inability to obtain a license to the infringed technology or other intellectual property right, our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, any litigation or claims, whether or not valid, could result in substantial costs, negative publicity and diversion of resources and management attention.

If we are unable to adequately establish, maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property and proprietary rights, our reputation may be harmed, we may be subject to litigation, and our business may be adversely affected.

Our future success and competitive position depend on our ability to establish, maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property and proprietary rights. We currently hold one trademark in the United States. Other than that, we do not own any issued patents, copyright nor other intellectual property registrations in the United States. We also seek to protect our trade secrets and other proprietary information through common law copyright and trademark principles, but these actions may be inadequate. The steps we have taken and will take may not prevent unauthorized use, reverse engineering or misappropriation of our technologies and we may be unable to detect any of the foregoing. Our lack of intellectual property protection in the United States may restrict our ability to protect our technologies and processes from competition. Defending and enforcing our intellectual property rights may result in litigation, which can be costly and divert management attention and resources. We plan to apply for patents, additional trademarks and other intellectual property registrations in the United States in the future to protect our brand and technologies. However, the intellectual property application process is complex and can be time-consuming. Even after investing significant resources in preparing and filing an application, there is no guarantee that it will be granted. If our efforts to protect our technologies and intellectual property are inadequate, the value of our brand and other intangible assets may be diminished and competitors may be able to mimic our cloud services. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

Improper activities by third parties, exploitation of encryption technology, new data-hacking tools and discoveries and other events or developments may result in future intrusions into or compromise of our networks and technology systems.

Our systems, website, data (wherever stored), software or networks and those of third-party suppliers and service providers, are vulnerable to security breaches, including unauthorized access, computer viruses or other malicious code and other cyber threats that could have a security impact. We, our third-party suppliers and service providers may not be able to anticipate evolving techniques used to effect security breaches (which change frequently and may not be known until launched), or prevent attacks by hackers, including phishing or other cyber-attacks, or prevent breaches due to employee error or malfeasance, in a timely manner or at all. Cyber-attacks have become far more prevalent in the past few years, potentially leading to the theft or manipulation of confidential and proprietary information or loss of access to, or destruction of, data on our or third-party systems, as well as interruptions or malfunctions in our or third parties’ operations. If a breach occurs within the supply chain, disjointed or delayed response efforts can exacerbate the impact, prolong recovery time, and increase potential damage to our operations and reputation. In addition, at present, there are no existing contractual agreements delineating cybersecurity responsibilities between our company and our suppliers or service providers. This absence of clear terms poses a risk wherein disputes regarding liability and accountability in the event of a security breach may emerge. Such disputes could potentially result in legal complexities, financial losses, and impeded incident resolution within our supply chain.

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We have taken and are taking steps to monitor and enhance the security of our information technology systems. Furthermore, our board of directors schedules periodic discussions with management regarding significant risk exposures, including risks related to data privacy and cybersecurity, and assists in taking steps to mitigate the risk of cyberattacks on us. However, the techniques used by cyber criminals change frequently and often cannot be recognized until launched against a target; accordingly, we may not be able to anticipate these frequently changing techniques, implement adequate preventive measures for all of them or remediate any unauthorized access on a timely basis. All preventive measures, as well as additional measures that may be required to comply with rapidly evolving security standards and protocols imposed by law, regulation, industry standards or contractual obligations, may cause us to incur substantial expenses. Any unauthorized access into our customers’ sensitive information, data belonging to us or our vendors or employee data, even if we are compliant with industry security standards, could put us at a competitive disadvantage, result in deterioration of our customers’, vendors’ and employees’ confidence in us and subject us to investigations, required notifications, potential litigation, liability, fines and penalties and consent decrees, resulting in a possible material adverse impact on our brand, business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

Potential tariffs and other restrictions on trade could increase our costs and could further increase the cost of our products, which could adversely impact the competitiveness of our products and our financial results.

We source a significant portion of our vehicle components from China. We cannot predict what actions may be taken with respect to tariffs or trade relations between the United States and China, what products may be subject to such actions, or what actions may be taken by the China in retaliation. The adoption and expansion of trade restrictions, the occurrence of a trade war, or other governmental action related to tariffs, trade agreements or related policies have the potential to adversely impact our supply chain and access to equipment, our costs and our product margins. Any such cost increases or decreases in availability could slow our growth and cause our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results to suffer.

We may be unable to improve our existing products and develop and market new products that respond to customer needs and preferences and achieve market acceptance.

We may not be able to compete as effectively with our competitors, and ultimately satisfy the needs and preferences of our customers unless we can successfully enhance existing products, develop new innovative products and distinguish our products from our competitors’ products through innovation and design. Product development requires significant financial, technological and other resources. There can be no assurance that we will be able to incur a level of investment in research and development that will be sufficient to successfully make us competitive in product innovation and design. In addition, even if we are able to successfully enhance existing products and develop new products, there is no guarantee that the markets for our existing products and new products will progress as anticipated. If any of the markets in which our existing products compete do not develop as expected, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected.

We have limited experience servicing our vehicles, and if we are unable to address the service requirements of our customers, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

We have limited experience servicing or repairing our vehicles. Servicing electric vehicles is different than servicing traditional vehicles and requires specialized skills, including training and servicing techniques for electric vehicles. If we are unable to successfully address the servicing requirements of our customers or establish a market perception that we maintain high-quality support, our reputation could be harmed, we may be subject to claims from our customers, and our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.

Significant product repair and/or replacement due to product warranty claims or product recalls could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

We provide a three-month warranty against defects for our EVs and three-month warranty on the battery. Our warranty will generally require us to repair or replace defective products during such warranty periods at no cost to the consumer. We will record provisions based on an estimate of product warranty claims, but there is the possibility that actual claims may exceed these provisions and therefore negatively impact our results of operations of financial condition.

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In addition, we may in the future be required to make product recalls or could be held liable in the event that some of our products do not meet safety standards or statutory requirements on product safety, even if the defects related to any such recall or liability are not covered by our limited warranty. The repair and replacement costs that we could incur in connection with a recall could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. Product recalls could also harm our reputation and cause us to lose customers, particularly if recalls cause consumers to question the safety or reliability of our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

If our vehicle owners customize our vehicles or change the charging infrastructure with aftermarket products, the vehicle may not operate properly, which may create negative publicity and could harm our business.

Electric vehicle enthusiasts may seek to “hack” our vehicles to modify their performance, which could compromise vehicle safety systems. Also, customers may customize their vehicles with after-market parts that can compromise driver safety. We do not test, nor do we endorse, such changes or products. In addition, the use of improper external cabling or unsafe charging outlets can expose our customers to injury from high voltage electricity. Such unauthorized modifications could reduce the safety of our vehicles and any injuries resulting from such modifications could result in adverse publicity which would negatively affect our brand and harm our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock and this Offering

Prior to this offering, we had no public market for our common stock and you may not be able to resell our common stock at or above the price you paid, or at all.

There has been no public market for our common stock prior to this offering. The initial public offering price for our common stock will be determined through negotiations between us and the underwriters, and may vary from the market price of our common stock following the completion of this offering. An active or liquid market in our common stock may not develop upon completion of this offering or, if it does develop, it may not be sustainable. In the absence of an active trading market for our common stock, you may not be able to resell any shares you hold at or above the initial public offering price or at all. We cannot predict the prices at which our common stock will trade.

If a limited number of participants in this offering purchase a significant percentage of the offering, the effective public float may be smaller than anticipated and the price of our common stock may be volatile.

As a company conducting a relatively small public offering, we are subject to the risk that a small number of investors will purchase a high percentage of the offering. If this were to happen, investors could find the market price of our common stock to be more volatile than they might otherwise anticipate. Companies that experience such volatility in their stock price may be more likely to be the subject of securities litigation. In addition, if a large portion of our public float were to be held by a few investors, smaller investors may find it more difficult to sell their common stock.

Our directors and executive officers will continue to exercise significant control over us after this offering, which will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could delay or prevent a change in corporate control.

Immediately following the completion of this offering, the existing holdings of our directors and executive officers will be, in the aggregate, approximately 67.3% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, these stockholders will be able to influence our management and affairs and control the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of directors and any sale, merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets.

These stockholders acquired their shares of common stock for substantially less than the price of the shares of common stock being acquired in this offering, and these stockholders may have interests, with respect to their common stock, that are different from those of investors in this offering and the concentration of voting power among one or more of these stockholders may have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.

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In addition, this concentration of ownership might adversely affect the market price of our common stock by: (1) delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of our company; (2) impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving our company; or (3) discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company.

If you purchase our common stock sold in this offering, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution.

If you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, you will experience substantial and immediate dilution in the as adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering of $3.78 per share, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $4.50 per share, because the price that you pay will be substantially greater than the as adjusted net tangible book value per share that you acquire. This dilution is due in large part to the fact that our earlier investors paid substantially less than the initial public offering price per share when they purchased shares of our common stock. You will experience additional dilution when we issue additional shares of common stock. See “Dilution.”

Our management will have broad discretion in application of the net proceeds of this offering and may not use these proceeds effectively.

Our management will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds of this offering. As a result, investors will be relying upon management’s judgment with only limited information about our specific intentions for the use of the net proceeds of this offering. We may use the net proceeds for purposes that do not yield a significant return or any return at all for our stockholders. In addition, pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value. See “Use of Proceeds.”

As an emerging growth company, we are exempt from the requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that a public accounting firm attest as to internal controls, and we lack the financial controls and safeguards required of public companies.

We do not have the internal infrastructure necessary, and are not required, to complete an attestation about our financial controls that would be required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. There can be no assurance that there are no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the quality of our financial controls. We expect to incur additional expenses and diversion of management’s time if and when it becomes necessary to perform the system and process evaluation, testing and remediation required in order to comply with the management certification and auditor attestation requirements.

If we are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and our financial condition deteriorates, we may not meet continued listing standards on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

The Nasdaq Capital Market also requires companies to fulfill specific requirements in order for their shares to continue to be listed. In order to qualify for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we must meet certain criteria, including the following:

        Our shareholders’ equity must be at least $2,500,000; or the market value of our listed securities must be at least $35,000,000; or our net income from continuing operations in our last fiscal year (or two of the last three fiscal years) must have been at least $500,000;

        The market value of our publicly held shares must be at least $1,000,000;

        The minimum bid price for our shares must be at least $1.00 per share;

        We must have at least 300 shareholders;

        We must have at least 500,000 publicly held shares;

        We must have at least 2 market makers; and

        We must have adopted Nasdaq-mandated corporate governance measures, including a board of directors comprised of a majority of independent directors, an Audit Committee comprised solely of independent directors and the adoption of a code of ethics among other items.

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If our shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market but are delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market at some later date, our shareholders could find it difficult to sell our shares. In addition, if our common stock is delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market at some later date, we may apply to have our common stock quoted on the Bulletin Board or in the “pink sheets” maintained by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc. The Bulletin Board and the “pink sheets” are generally considered to be less efficient markets than the Nasdaq Capital Market. In addition, if our common stock is not so listed or are delisted at some later date, our common stock may be subject to the “penny stock” regulations. These rules impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that sell low-priced securities to persons other than established customers and institutional accredited investors and require the delivery of a disclosure schedule explaining the nature and risks of the penny stock market. As a result, the ability or willingness of broker-dealers to sell or make a market in our common stock might decline. If our common stock is not so listed or is delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market at some later date or become subject to the penny stock regulations, it is likely that the price of our shares would decline and that our shareholders would find it difficult to sell their shares.

The price of our common stock may be volatile and fluctuate substantially and rapidly, which could result in the loss of a significant part of your investment.

The market price of our common stock following this offering may fluctuate substantially and rapidly and may be higher or lower than the public offering price. The stock market, in general, and the market for smaller companies such as ours, in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. Such volatility, including any stock-run up, may be unrelated or disproportionate to the actual or expected operating performance and financial condition or prospects of those companies, making it difficult for the investors to assess the rapidly changing value of our common stock. These fluctuations may be even more pronounced in the trading market for our common stock shortly following the listing of our common stock on Nasdaq as a result of the limited public float available following the offering. The market price for our common stock may be influenced by many factors, including:

        limited trading volume;

        our success in commercializing our products;

        developments with respect to competitive products or technologies;

        developments or disputes concerning patent applications, issued patents or other intellectual property or proprietary rights;

        the recruitment or departure of key personnel;

        actual or anticipated changes in estimates as to financial results, commercialization timelines or recommendations by securities analysts;

        variations in our financial results or the financial results of companies that are perceived to be similar to us;

        sales of common stock by us, our executive officers, directors or principal stockholders or others;

        general economic, industry and market conditions, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our industry;

        the publication of unfavorable research reports and updates thereto by financial analysts; and

        the other factors described in this “Risk Factors” section.

In the past, many companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. We may be the target of this type of litigation in the future. Securities litigation against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention from other business concerns, which could seriously harm our business.

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We will incur increased costs as a result of being a publicly traded company.

As a company with publicly traded securities, we will incur additional legal, accounting and other expenses not presently incurred. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as well as rules promulgated by the SEC and the national securities exchange on which we list, requires us to adopt corporate governance practices applicable to U.S. public companies. These rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about us, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our common stock, then our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us, our industry and our market. If no analyst elects to cover us and publish research or reports about us, the market for our common stock could be severely limited and our stock price could be adversely affected. As a small-cap company, we are more likely than our larger competitors to lack coverage from securities analysts. In addition, even if we receive analyst coverage, if one or more analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. If one or more analysts who elect to cover us issue negative reports or adversely change their recommendations regarding our common stock, our stock price could decline.

We are an “emerging growth company” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to “emerging growth companies” will make our common stock less attractive to investors.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the federal securities laws, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions and relief from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.” In particular, while we are an “emerging growth company”, (1) we will not be required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (2) we will be exempt from any rules that may be adopted by the PCAOB requiring mandatory audit firm rotations or a supplement to the auditor’s report on financial statements, (3) we will be subject to reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and (4) we will not be required to hold nonbinding advisory votes on executive compensation or shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We currently intend to take advantage of these exemptions. In addition, an emerging growth company may take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) for complying with new or revised accounting standards, meaning that the company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, we will not be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.

We may remain an “emerging growth company” until the fiscal year-end following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this initial public offering, though we may cease to be an “emerging growth company” earlier under certain circumstances, including (1) if we become a large accelerated filer, (2) if our gross revenue exceeds $1.235 billion in any fiscal year, or (3) if we issue more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible notes in any three year period. We cannot assure you that we will be able to take advantage of all of the benefits of the available to emerging growth companies.

We are a “smaller reporting company” and, even if we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, we may still be subject to reduced reporting requirements.

We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Smaller reporting companies may choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in their annual reports on Form 10-K and have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation and, if a smaller reporting company has less than $100 million in annual revenue, it would not be required to obtain an

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attestation report on internal control over financial reporting issued by its independent registered public accounting firm. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of any fiscal year for so long as either: (i) the market value of our shares of common stock held by non-affiliates does not equal or exceed $250 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter; or (ii) our annual revenues is less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter. To the extent we take advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may make the comparison of our financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible.

We may issue shares of preferred stock in the future, which could make it difficult for another company to acquire us or could otherwise adversely affect holders of our common stock, which could depress the price of our common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue one or more series of preferred stock. Our board of directors will have the authority to determine the preferences, limitations and relative rights of the shares of preferred stock and to fix the number of shares constituting any series and the designation of such series, without any further vote or action by our shareholders. Our preferred stock could be issued with voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to the rights of our common stock. The potential issuance of preferred stock may delay or prevent a change in control of us, discouraging bids for our common stock at a premium to the market price, and materially adversely affect the market price and the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock.

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends or distributions on our capital stock. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends or distributions on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, to support operations and to finance expansion and therefore we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.

The declaration, payment and amount of any future dividends will be made at the discretion of the board of directors, and will depend upon, among other things, the results of our operations, cash flows and financial condition, operating and capital requirements, and other factors as the board of directors considers relevant. There is no assurance that future dividends will be paid, and, if dividends are paid, there is no assurance with respect to the amount of any such dividend. As a result, investors will be reliant upon capital appreciation for any returns on their investment in the shares of our common stock.

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Use of Proceeds

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock in this offering of approximately $11.5 million (or approximately $13.4 million if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common stock from us is exercised in full), based upon an assumed initial public offering price of $4.50 per share, the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering as follows: (i) approximately $3 million for purchase of inventory and production costs of our vehicles; (ii) approximately $2 million for the expansion of our retail stores; (iii) approximately $3 million for our technology, research and development efforts, and (iv) and the reminder for working capital.

To the extent the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of common stock from us, we intend to use any additional net proceeds from exercise for working capital.

Pending the use of proceeds from this offering as described above, we plan to invest the net proceeds that we receive in this offering in short-term and intermediate-term interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade securities, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering and investors will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the proceeds.

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Dividend Policy

We have never declared or paid any cash or other dividends or distributions on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. We do not expect to pay any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Payment of future dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, restrictions contained in any financing instruments, provisions of applicable law and other factors the board deems relevant.

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Capitalization

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of December 31, 2023 on:

        an actual basis; and

        a pro forma basis after giving effect to the sale of 3,000,000 shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $4.50 per share (the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), and our receipt of the estimated $11,529,110 in net proceeds from this offering, after deducting underwriting commissions, the underwriter’s non-accountable expense allowance and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

You should read this capitalization table together with “Use of Proceeds,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

At December 31, 2023

   

Actual

 

Pro Forma

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,173,228

 

 

$

12,904,645

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term loan payables

 

 

1,210,507

 

 

 

1,210,507

 

Long-term loan payables

 

 

442,336

 

 

 

442,336

 

Total debt

 

 

1,652,843

 

 

 

1,652,843

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock: 44,000,000 shares authorized and 22,000,000 shares outstanding; 100,000,000 shares authorized, and 25,000,000 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma

 

 

220,000

 

 

 

250,000

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

2,400,000

 

 

 

13,899,110

 

Shares Subscription Receivable

 

 

(219,998

)

 

 

(219,998

)

Retained earnings

 

 

3,708,315

 

 

 

3,708,315

 

Accumulated Other comprehensive loss

 

 

3,101

 

 

 

3,101

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

6,111,418

 

 

 

17,640,528

 

Total capitalization

 

$

7,764,261

 

 

$

19,293,371

 

The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 22,000,000 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023.

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Table of Contents

Dilution

Our net tangible book value as of December 31, 2023 was approximately $6,517,000 or $0.30 per share of common stock based upon 22,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding on that date. Net tangible book value per share represents the amount of our total tangible assets reduced by the amount of our total liabilities, divided by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding.

Our as adjusted net tangible book value will be approximately $18,046,000 or $0.72 per share. As adjusted net tangible book value per share represents as adjusted net tangible book value divided by the total number of shares outstanding after giving effect to the sale of the shares in this offering at the assumed initial public offering price of $4.50 per share, the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses payable by us. This represents an immediate increase in as adjusted net tangible book value of $0.42 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $3.78 per share to investors purchasing shares of common stock in this offering at the assumed public offering price.

The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis to new investors:

 

Offering with
no exercise of
overallotment
option

 

Offering with
full exercise of
overallotment
option

Assumed initial public offering price per share

 

$

4.50

 

$

4.50

Net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2023

 

 

0.30

 

 

0.30

Increase in net tangible book value per share to the existing stockholders attributable to this offering

 

 

0.42

 

 

0.49

Pro forma net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering

 

 

0.72

 

 

0.79

Dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors

 

$

3.78

 

$

3.71 

The following tables set forth, as of December 31, 2023, the number of shares of common stock purchased from us, the total consideration paid to us and the average price per share paid by the existing holders of our common stock and the price to be paid by new investors at the public offering price.

 

Shares Purchased

 

Total Consideration

 

Average Price Per Share

   

Number

 

Percent

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Existing stockholders

 

22,000,000

 

88.00

%

 

$

2,620,000

 

16.25

%

 

$

0.12

Investors purchasing shares in this offering

 

3,000,000

 

12.00

%

 

$

13,500,000

 

83.75

%

 

 

4.50

Total

 

25,000,000

 

100.00

%

 

$

16,120,000

 

100.00

%

 

$

0.64

The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 22,000,000 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023.

If the underwriters exercise their overallotment option, our as pro forma net tangible book value following the offering will be $0.79 per share, and the dilution to new investors in the offering will be $3.71 per share.

A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed public offering price per share would increase or decrease our as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering by approximately $2.76 million, and dilution per share to new investors by approximately $0.11.

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Table of Contents

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in this prospectus. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. See “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”.

Overview

We are an electric vehicle (“EV”) company that is principally engaged in designing, installing and selling smart electric motorcycles (“E-motorcycles”), electric bikes (“E-bikes”), electric scooters (“E-scooters”) and related accessories under the brand “Fly E-Bike.” At Fly E-Bike, our commitment is to encourage people to incorporate eco-friendly transportation into their active lifestyles, ultimately contributing towards building a more environmentally friendly future.

Fly E-Bike was established in 2018 with its first store opened in New York. Our business has grown rapidly since then and we are now one of the leading providers of E-bikes for food delivery workers in New York City. As of April 22, 2024, we have 39 retail stores, including 38 stores in the U.S. and one store in Canada. We plan to expand our presence in the United States and extend our business into South America and Europe in the future. We also sell our products through our online store at flyebike.com.

We have a diversified product portfolio that is designed to satisfy the various demands of our customers and address different urban travel scenarios. Additionally, we aim to refresh our product offerings continuously to align with evolving market trends. As of April 22, 2024, we offered 21 E-motorcycle products, 21 E-bike products and 34 E-scooter products.

We are currently in the process of developing a Fly E-Bike app, which is a management service mobile software for our EVs. We aim to design an app that will bring users a comprehensive intelligent experience to create a safer and more satisfying riding life. The development of the app is still in its preliminary stage. We have launched a testing version of the app, which is currently unavailable to our customers.

We source a significant portion of our vehicle components from China and the United States, and then assemble them into our vehicles in a facility located in Brooklyn, New York. For the year ended March 31, 2023, we produced 2,039 E-motorcycles, 5,953 E-bikes and 2,279 E-scooters at this facility. For the nine months ended December 31, 2023, we produced 6,663 E-motorcycles, 6,119 E-bikes and 2,880 E-scooters at the same facility. In response to the increasing demand for our products, we are currently looking to lease a larger assembling facility to replace our current facility in the near future.

Key Factors that Affect Operating Results

Our results of operations and financial condition are affected by the general factors driving the U.S.’s electric two-wheeled vehicles industry, including, among others, the U.S.’s overall economic growth, the increase in per capita disposable income, the expansion of urbanization, the growth in consumer spending and consumption upgrades, the competitive environment, governmental policies and initiatives towards electric two-wheeled vehicles, as well as the general factors affecting the electric two-wheeled vehicles industry in overseas markets. Unfavorable changes in any of these general industry conditions could negatively affect demand for our products and materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

While our business is influenced by these general factors, our results of operations are more directly affected by company specific factors, including the following major factors:

New Customers

Our growth will depend on our ability to achieve sales targets, including our ability to attract new customers, which in turn depends in part on our ability to execute on our retail strategy and produce effective marketing initiatives to expand our brand perception with prospective customers. As of April 22, 2024, we have 38 retail stores in the United States and one in Canada. It is critical for us to successfully manage production ramp-up and quality control to deliver to customers in adequate volume and quality.

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Table of Contents

With respect to branding and marketing, we plan to raise brand awareness through both traditional and social media channels and connect with customers through physical touchpoints such as our retail stores and distributors. We believe that effective marketing can boost our brand awareness and contribute to increased sales. In addition, we intend to provide superior customer experience through our trained technicians who will provide after-sale maintenance and repair services at our retail stores. An inability to attract new customers would substantially impact our ability to grow revenue or improve our financial results.

Product Sales Price and Volume

The increase in our product sales price was a key driver of our revenue growth during the year ended March 31, 2023. Our net revenues increased by 26.7% from $17.2 million for the year ended March 31, 2022 to $21.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, primarily attributable to the increase of the average sale price for our EVs by $297, or 46.1%, from $644 in the year ended March 31, 2022 to $941 in the year ended March 31, 2023, while our sales volume slightly decreased by 1,118 units, from 12,381 units in the year ended March 31, 2022 to 11,263 units in the year ended March 31, 2023.

For the nine months ended December 31, 2023, our net revenues increased by 46.0% to $24.0 million, compared to $16.5 million for the same period in 2022, which was primarily driven by increased product sales volume and higher average sales price. In particular, the number of EVs sold increased by 5,071, or 59.6%, from 8,509 in the nine months ended December 31, 2022 to 13,580 in nine months ended December 31, 2023. The average sales price per EV increased by $59, or 6.5%, from $913 in the nine months ended December 31, 2022 to $972 in nine months ended December 31, 2023.

In the future, our ability to increase our product sales price and volume will depend on our ability to innovate in design and technology and offer products that meet the customers’ demand. We currently have a streamlined product portfolio consisting of three categories, with multiple models and specifications for each category. Moreover, our ability to increase the sales price and volume will depend on our ability to continually enhance our brand to attract customers, as well as our ability to successfully execute our retail stores and expand our sales network both domestically and globally. However, our product sales price is influenced by various factors such as market demand and competitors’ pricing, and although we continue working on product improvements and retail expansion, there can be no guarantee of sustained sales price increase or improved sales volume. If our prices remain stable, increasing sales volume would become important for continued revenue growth, and failure to do so would significantly impact our ability to grow revenue or improve our financial results.

Employees

Our payroll expenses were $1.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to $1.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2022. For the nine months ended December 31, 2023, our payroll expenses were $3.0 million, compared to $1.4 million for the same period in 2022. As our business expands, we expect increased payroll expenses due to hiring more employees for our retail stores and corporate office. Each of our retail stores has a minimum of two employees, and additional office employees will be hired to support retail stores in customer service and marketing. In addition, to maintain excellent customer service in our retail stores, each store will have at least one trained repair professional, further contributing to the increase in payroll expenses. An inability to effectively manage payroll expenses while expanding the business would significantly impact our ability to grow revenue or improve our financial results.

Vendor and Supply Management

During the year ended March 31, 2023, we worked with three principal vendors, Transpro US Inc., Anhui Ineo International Trading Co., Ltd. and Fly Wing E-Bike Inc., each of which respectively supplied approximately 33%, 21% and 12% accessories and components used in all our products for the year ended March 31, 2023. During the year ended March 31, 2022, Anhui Ineo International Trading Co., Ltd. supplied approximately 70% of our accessories and components.

During the nine months ended December 31, 2023, we worked with three principal vendors, Fly Wing E-Bike Inc., Xiamen Finely Technology Co., Ltd. and Anhui Ineo International Trading Co., Ltd., each of which respectively supplied approximately 35%, 20% and 13% of our accessories and components. During the nine months ended

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December 31, 2022, we worked with three principal vendors, Transpro US Inc., Anhui Ineo International Trading Co., Ltd. and Nanrobot Technology Co., Limited, each of which respectively supplied approximately 36%, 26% and 11% of our accessories and components.

We have implemented a centralized vendor management system that streamlines purchasing, enhances our negotiating power and maintains strong vendor relationships. We believe this approach delivers cost savings, improved risk management and increased negotiating power, ultimately benefiting our operating results. Changes in costs related to our major vendors can significantly affect our financial condition and operating results.

Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic and conflict between Russia and Ukraine have caused supply chain disruptions and challenges for many companies. For example, following the launch of a military action in Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, commodity prices, including the price of oil, gas, nickel, copper and aluminum increased. Our results of operations have not been materially impacted by either COVID-19-related supply chain constraints or the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, the extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions could be significant, could result in increases in commodity, freight, logistics and input costs and could potentially have substantial impact on the global economy and our business for an unknown period of time.

Market Trends and Competition

We operate in a rapidly growing EV market with a special focus on E-motorcycles, E-bikes and E-scooters. However, increased competition may pressure prices and margins, reducing sales volume, revenues, and sales margin for us. Additionally, marketing and advertising costs may rise as we differentiate ourselves and maintain our market position. Moreover, competitors may impact customer acquisition and retention, satisfaction and loyalty. While we believe we maintain competitive advantages in several areas, including brand, product design and quality, smart features, omnichannel retail model, customer satisfaction and loyalty, we must continuously innovate, invest in research and development and marketing to maintain our competitive edge and unique selling points.

Regulatory Landscape

We operate in an industry that is subject to extensive environmental, safety and other laws and regulations, which include products safety and testing, as well as battery safety and disposal. These requirements create additional costs and possible production delay in connection with the testing and manufacturing of our products. We also benefit from environmental regulations in our target markets which include economic incentives to purchasers of EVs and tax credits for EV manufacturers. As such, while we expect environmental regulations to provide a tailwind to our growth, it is possible for other regulations to result in margin pressures.

How to Assess Our Performance

In assessing performance, management considers a variety of performance and financial measures, including principal growth in net sales, gross profit, gross margin, selling, general and administrative expenses and EBITDA. The key measures that we use to evaluate the performance of our business are set forth below.

Net Sales

We generate revenue from sales of our EVs, their accessories and spare parts, and provision of repair services at our retail stores. Our net sales comprise gross sales net of discounts and return allowances. We do not record sales taxes as a component of retail revenues as we consider it a pass-through conduit for collecting and remitting sales taxes. Return allowances, which reduce net revenues, are estimated based on historical experience.

E-bikes, E-motorcycles and E-scooters sales.    We generate a substantial majority of our revenues from sales of E-bikes, E-motorcycles and E-scooters directly to customers through our online store and retail stores, and to our distributors.

Accessories and spare parts sales.    We also sell accessories and spare parts for our EVs, such as rear storage boxes and front baskets. In addition, we offer Fly E-Bike branded accessories and general merchandise, such as decorative car plates, key chains and apparel.

Service revenues.    We also provide repair services at our retail stores for a fee.

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Table of Contents

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales includes product costs, warehouse rent expenses, payroll costs, depreciation costs, inventory reserves, warranty costs, and logistic costs. The logistic costs incurred to receive products from our vendors are included in our inventory and recognized as cost of sales upon sale of products to our customers.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

We calculate gross profit as net sales and less cost of revenue. Gross margin represents gross profit as a percentage of its net sales.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of retail operational expenses, salaries and benefits costs, marketing, advertising, and corporate overhead.

Marketing costs primarily consist of advertising and payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in marketing and selling activities.

We expect that our selling and marketing expenses will continue to increase in the foreseeable future, as we plan to further expand our sales network and retail channels, and engage in more selling and marketing activities to enhance our brand and attract more purchases from new and existing customers.

General and administrative expenses primarily consist of costs for corporate functions, including payroll and related expenses, facilities and equipment expenses, such as depreciation and amortization expense and rent, and professional fees. We expect that our general and administrative will increase in the foreseeable future, as we hire additional personnel and incur additional expenses related to the anticipated growth of our business and our operation as a public company after the completion of this offering.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (the “U.S. GAAP”), management periodically uses certain “non-GAAP financial measures,” as such term is defined under the rules of the SEC, to clarify and enhance understanding of past performance and prospects for the future. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s operating performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are included in or excluded from the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For example, non-GAAP measures may exclude the impact of certain items such as acquisitions, divestitures, gains, losses and impairments, or items outside of management’s control. Management believes that the following non-GAAP financial measure provides investors and analysts useful insight into our financial position and operating performance. Any non-GAAP measure provided should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative to, the most directly comparable measure determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Further, the calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the calculation of similarly titled financial measures presented by other companies and therefore may not be comparable among companies.

We use EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) to evaluate our operating performance. We believe EBITDA provides additional insight into our underlying, ongoing operating performance and facilitates year-to-year comparisons by excluding the earnings impact of interest, tax, depreciation and amortization and that presenting EBITDA is more representative of our operational performance and may be more useful for investors.

We reconcile our non-GAAP financial measure to our net income, which is its most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. EBITDA includes adjustments for provision for income taxes, as applicable, interest income and expense, depreciation, and amortization. EBITDA does not represent and should not be considered an alternative to net income as determined by U.S. GAAP, and our calculations thereof may not be comparable to those reported by other companies. We believe EBITDA is an important measure of operating performance and provides useful information to investors because it highlights trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on U.S. GAAP measures and because it eliminates items that have less bearing on our operating performance. EBITDA, as presented herein, is a supplemental measure

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Table of Contents

of our performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, U.S. GAAP. We use non-GAAP financial measures as supplements to our U.S. GAAP results in order to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business. EBITDA is a measure of operating performance that is not defined by U.S. GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for net (loss) income as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

EBITDA along with a reconciliation to net income is shown within the Results of Operations below.

Results of Operations for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

The following table sets forth the components of our results of operations for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

For the nine months ended December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

Change

 

Percentage Change

Net Revenues

 

$

24,034,397

 

 

$

16,458,002

 

 

$

7,576,395

 

 

46.0

%

Cost of Revenues

 

 

14,577,570

 

 

 

9,914,056

 

 

 

4,663,514

 

 

47.0

%

Gross Profit

 

 

9,456,827

 

 

 

6,543,946

 

 

 

2,912,881

 

 

44.5

%

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Selling Expenses

 

 

4,637,043

 

 

 

2,592,312

 

 

 

2,044,731

 

 

78.9

%

General and Administrative Expenses

 

 

2,773,626

 

 

 

1,901,954

 

 

 

871,672

 

 

45.8

%

Total Operating Expenses

 

 

7,410,669

 

 

 

4,494,266

 

 

 

2,916,403

 

 

64.9

%

Income from Operations

 

 

2,046,158

 

 

 

2,049,680

 

 

 

(3,522

)

 

(0.2

)%

Other Expenses, net

 

 

(24,123

)

 

 

(17,463

)

 

 

(6,660

)

 

38.1

%

Interest Expenses, net

 

 

(82,150

)

 

 

(34,017

)

 

 

(48,133

)

 

141.5

%

Provision for Income Taxes

 

 

(731,997

)

 

 

(654,654

)

 

 

(77,343

)

 

11.8

%

Net Income

 

$

1,207,888

 

 

$

1,343,546

 

 

$

(135,658

)

 

(10.1

)%

Net Revenues

The following table sets forth our net revenues by retail and whole sales for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

For the nine months ended December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

Change

 

Percentage Change

Sales-Retail

 

$

19,229,491

 

$

14,214,290

 

$

5,015,201

 

35.3

%

Sales-Wholesale

 

$

4,804,906

 

$

2,243,712

 

$

2,561,194

 

114.1

%

Net Revenues

 

$

24,034,397

 

$

16,458,002

 

$

7,576,395

 

46.0

%

Our net revenues were $24.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $7.6 million, or 46.0%, from $16.5 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2022. Our net revenue increase was driven primarily by higher sales volume and an increase in the average per unit sales price of our EVs. The number of EVs sold increased by 5,071, or 59.6%, from 8,509 in the nine months ended December 31, 2022 to 13,580 in the nine months ended December 31, 2023. The average per unit sales price of our EVs increased 6.5% from $913 in the nine months ended December 31, 2022 to $972 in the nine months ended December 31, 2023.

Our retail sales revenue increased $5.0 million, or 35.3%, from $14.2 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2022 to $19.2 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2023. Our wholesale revenue increased $2.6 million, or 114.1%, from $2.2 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2022 to $4.8 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2023. The increase in wholesale revenue was primarily attributable to the addition of two new distributors we worked with, both of which experienced rapid growth during the nine months ended December 31, 2023.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues increased $4.7 million, or 47.0%, from $9.9 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2022, to $14.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2023. The increase in cost of revenues was primarily attributable to the increase in the number of EVs sold in the nine months ended December 31, 2023.

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Gross Margin

The following table shows our gross profit and gross margin for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

For the nine months ended December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

Change

 

Percentage
Change

Gross Profit

 

$

9,456,827

 

 

6,543,946

 

 

2,912,878

 

44.5

%

Gross Margin

 

 

39.3

%

 

39.8

%

       

 

Gross profit was $9.5 million and $6.5 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Gross margin was 39.3% and 39.8% of the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Total Operating Expenses

The following table sets forth the components of our total operating expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

For the nine months ended December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

Change

 

Percentage
Change

Selling Expenses

 

$

4,637,043

 

 

2,592,312

 

 

2,044,731

 

78.9

%

General and Administrative Expenses

 

 

2,773,626

 

 

1,901,954

 

 

871,672

 

45.8

%

Total Operating Expenses

 

$

7,410,669

 

 

4,494,266

 

 

2,916,403

 

64.9

%

Percentage of Net Revenue

 

 

30.8

%

 

27.3

%

       

 

Total operating expenses were $7.4 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $2.9 million, or 64.9%, compared to $4.5 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2022. The increase in operating expenses was primarily attributable to the increase in our payroll expenses, rent expenses, meals and entertainment expenses, and professional fees.

Selling Expenses

For the nine months ended December 31, 2023, the total payroll expenses were $1.3 million, compared to $1.0 million for the same period in 2022; rent expenses were $1.7 million, compared to $1.3 million for the same period in 2022; marketing referral expenses were $1.1 million, compared to $0.03 million for the same period in 2022; and depreciation expenses were $0.2 million, compared to $0.07 million for the same period in 2022. The increase in these expenses was primarily due to the increase in the number of new stores and new employees hired for these new stores in the nine months ended December 31, 2023.

General and Administrative Expenses

Various general and administrative expenses increased during the nine months ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period of the previous year. For the nine months ended December 31, 2023, meals and entertainment expenses increased to $0.3 million, compared to $0.2 million for the same period in 2022, primarily due to increased meal expenses for employees who worked overtime; payroll expenses increased to $0.7 million from $0.4 million for the same period in 2022 primarily due to additional hires in operation and accounting departments; rent expenses increased to $0.2 million, compared to $0.1 million for the same period of the prior year, primarily due to the additional leasing of corporate office space in the nine months ended December 31, 2023.

Other Expenses, net

Other expenses were $24,123 for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 an increase of $6,660 or 38.1%, from $17,463 for the nine months ended December 31, 2022. The increase in other expenses was primarily due to a settlement payment of $43,701 related to an incident at one of our retail stores, offset by the Company’s receipt of the New York State Seed Funding for small business of $15,202 and a one-time promotion bonus of $4,655 from an online sales platform we use during the nine months ended December 31, 2023.

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Table of Contents

Income Tax Provisions

Provisions for income taxes were $0.73 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $0.08 million from $0.65 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2022. This increase was due mainly to our increased taxable income and tax penalty paid for the late payment of our 2022 annual income tax during the nine months ended December 31, 2023.

Net Income

Net income was $1.2 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $0.1 million or 8.3%, from $1.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2022, which was mainly attributable to the reasons discussed above.

EBITDA

The following table sets forth the components of our EBITDA for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

For the nine months ended December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

Change

 

Percentage Change

Net Income from Operations

 

$

1,207,888

 

 

$

1,343,546

 

 

$

(135,658

)

 

(10.1

)%

Income Tax Provision

 

 

731,997

 

 

 

654,654

 

 

 

77,343

 

 

11.8

%

Depreciation

 

 

203,788

 

 

 

93,231

 

 

 

110,557

 

 

118.6

%

Interest Expenses

 

 

82,150

 

 

 

34,017

 

 

 

48,133

 

 

141.5

%

Amortization

 

 

782

 

 

 

 

 

 

782

 

 

100.0

%

EBITDA

 

$

2,225,823

 

 

$

2,125,448

 

 

$

100,375

 

 

4.7

%

Percentage of Net Revenue

 

 

9.3

%

 

 

12.9

%

 

 

 

 

   

 

Before interest expenses, income tax, depreciation, and amortization, for the nine months ended December 31, 2023, our net income was $2.2 million, an increase of $0.1 million, compared to $2.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2022, which was mainly attributable to the increase in sales described above. The ratio of EBITDA to revenue was 9.3% and 12.9% for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in the ratio of EBITDA was mainly due to the increase in our marketing referral expenses as a result of increased marketing activities.

Results of Operations for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

The following table sets forth the components of our results of operations for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

For the years ended March 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

Change

 

Percentage
Change

Revenues, net

 

$

21,774,937

 

 

$

17,192,659

 

 

$

4,582,278

 

 

26.7

%

Cost of Revenues

 

 

13,485,405

 

 

 

13,950,620

 

 

 

(465,215

)

 

(3.3

)%

Gross Profit

 

 

8,289,532

 

 

 

3,242,039

 

 

 

5,047,493

 

 

155.7

%

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Selling Expenses

 

 

3,667,227

 

 

 

2,042,668

 

 

 

1,624,559

 

 

79.5

%

General and Administrative Expenses

 

 

2,309,927

 

 

 

571,639

 

 

 

1,738,288

 

 

304.1

%

Total Operating Expenses

 

 

5,977,154

 

 

 

2,614,307

 

 

 

3,362,847

 

 

128.6

%

Income from Operations

 

 

2,312,378

 

 

 

627,732

 

 

 

1,684,646

 

 

268.4

%

Other Expenses, net

 

 

(11,574

)

 

 

(48,503

)

 

 

(36,929

)

 

71.6

%

Interest Expenses, net

 

 

(100,341

)

 

 

 

 

 

100,341

 

 

100.0

%

Provision for Income Taxes

 

 

(821,892

)

 

 

(171,208

)

 

 

(650,684

)

 

380.1

%

Net income

 

$

1,378,571

 

 

$

408,021

 

 

$

970,550

 

 

237.9

%

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Table of Contents

Revenues

 

For the years ended March 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

Change

 

Percentage
Change

Sales-Retail

 

$

18,844,921

 

$

12,804,757

 

$

6,040,164

 

 

47.2

%

Sales-Wholesale

 

$

2,930,016

 

$

4,387,902

 

$

(1,457,886

)

 

(33.2

)%

Total Net Revenues

 

$

21,774,937

 

$

17,192,659

 

$

4,582,278

 

 

26.7

%

Our net revenues were $21.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $4.6 million, or 26.7%, from $17.2 million for the year ended March 31, 2022. The increase in our net revenues was driven primarily by the increase of the average sale price of our EVs by $297, or 46.1%, from $644 in the year ended March 31, 2022 to $941 in the year ended March 31, 2023, despite that our sales volume slightly decreased by 1,118 units, from 12,381 units in the year ended March 31, 2022 to 11,263 units in the year ended March 31, 2023.

Our retail sales revenue increased $6.0 million, or 47.2%, from $12.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2022 to $18.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2023. Our wholesale revenue decreased $1.5 million, or 33.2%, from $4.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2022 to $2.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in wholesale revenue primarily resulted from management’s focus shift towards expanding our retail stores during the year ended March 31, 2023.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues decreased $0.5 million, or 3.3%, from $14.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2022, to $13.5 million for the year ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in cost of revenues was primarily attributable to the decrease in logistics costs as the Company sourced more EV parts and accessories within the United States rather than importing from overseas during the year ended March 31, 2023.

Gross Margin

The following table shows our gross profit and gross margin for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

For the years ended March 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

Change

 

Percentage Change

Gross Profit

 

$

8,289,532

 

 

3,242,039

 

 

5,047,493

 

155.7

%

Gross Margin

 

 

38.1

%

 

18.9

%

     

   

 

Gross profit was $8.3 million and $3.2 million for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Gross margin was 38.1% and 18.9% for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The significant increase in gross profit and gross margin was a result of higher average per unit selling price, increasing from $644 for the year ended March 31, 2022 to $941 for the year ended March 31, 2023. These improvements were driven by product upgrades, enhanced sales channels, and an improved brand image in the market.

Total Operating Expenses

The following table sets for the components of our total operating expenses for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

For the years ended March 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

Change

 

Percentage
Change

Selling Expenses

 

$

3,667,227

 

 

2,042,668

 

 

1,624,559

 

79.5

%

General and Administrative Expenses

 

 

2,309,927

 

 

571,639

 

 

1,738,288

 

304.1

%

Total Operating Expenses

 

$

5,977,154

 

 

2,614,307

 

 

3,362,847

 

128.6

%

Percentage of Revenue

 

 

27.4

%

 

15.2

%

     

   

 

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Table of Contents

Total operating expenses were $6.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $3.4 million, or 128.6%, compared to $2.6 million for the year ended March 31, 2022. The increase in operating expenses was attributable to the increase in our payroll expenses, rent expenses, meals and entertainment expenses, professional fees, and development expenses as we expanded our business.

Selling Expenses

Total payroll expenses were $1.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to $0.7 million for the year ended March 31, 2022. Rent expenses were $1.7 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to $1.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2022. Utilities expenses were $0.13 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to $0.06 million for the year ended March 31, 2022. The increase in these expenses was primarily due to the increase in the number of new stores and new employees hired for these new stores in the year ended March 31, 2023.

General and Administrative Expenses

Various general and administrative expenses increased during the year ended March 31, 2023 compared to the previous year. Meals and entertainment expenses increased to $0.3 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to $0.04 million for the year ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to increased meal expenses for employees who worked overtime. Professional fees increased to $0.6 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to $0.1 million for the year ended March 31, 2022, primarily attributable to the increase in audit fee, consulting, and legal counsel expenses associated with our proposed IPO. Payroll expenses increased to $0.5 million for the year ended March 31, 2023 from $0.2 million for the year ended March 31, 2022 primarily due to additional hires in operation and accounting departments. Rent expenses increased to $0.1 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to $0.05 million for the prior year as a result of office space expansion in the year ended March 31, 2023.

Other Expenses, net

Other expenses were $11,915 for the year ended March 31, 2023, and $48,503 for the year ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in other expenses was primarily attributable to absence of foreign exchange losses recorded in the year ended March 31, 2023. During the year ended March 31, 2022, we conducted transactions with vendors in China using China’s currency Renminbi (RMB). However, in the year ended March 31, 2023, we switched to using U.S. dollar for inventory purchases, resulting in no foreign exchange loss recorded in the year ended March 31, 2023.

Income Tax Provisions

Provisions for income taxes were $0.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $0.6 million from $0.2 million for the year ended March 31, 2022. This increase was due to our increased taxable income for the year ended March 31, 2023.

Net Income

Net income was $1.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $1.0 million, or 238%, from $0.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2022, which was mainly attributable to the reasons discussed above.

EBITDA

The following table set forth the components of our EBITDA for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

For the years ended March 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

Change

 

Percentage
Change

Net Income from Operations

 

$

1,378,571

 

 

$

408,021

 

 

$

970,550

 

237.9

%

Income Tax Provision

 

 

821,892

 

 

 

171,208

 

 

 

650,684

 

380.1

%

Depreciation

 

 

145,783

 

 

 

95,162

 

 

 

50,621

 

53.2

%

Interest Expenses

 

 

100,341

 

 

 

 

 

 

100,341

 

100

%

Amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

EBITDA

 

$

2,466,587

 

 

$

674,391

 

 

$

1,772,196

 

262.8

%

Percentage of Revenue

 

 

11.2

%

 

 

3.9

%

 

 

     

 

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Table of Contents

Before interest expenses, income tax, depreciation, and amortization, for the year ended March 31, 2023, our net income was $2.5 million, an increase of $1.8 million, compared to $0.7 million for the year ended March 31, 2022, which was mainly attributable to the increase in sales described above. The ratio of EBITDA to revenue was 11.2% and 3.9% for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2023, we had cash of $1.2 million. We had working capital of 2.6 million and $0.6 million as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively. We had net income of $1.2 million and $1.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

We had funded our working capital and other capital requirements in the past primarily by equity contributions from our stockholders, cash flow from operations, and bank loans. Our ability to repay our current obligation will depend on the future realization of our current assets. Management has considered the historical experience, the economy, trends in the retail industry, the expected collectability of the accounts receivables and the realization of the inventories as of December 31, 2023. Our ability to continue to fund these items may be affected by general economic, competitive and other factors, many of which are outside of our control.

We believe our cash on hand will be sufficient to meet our current and anticipated needs for general corporate purposes for at least the next 12 months. We may, however, need additional cash resources in the future if we experience changes in business conditions or other developments. We may also need additional cash resources in the future if we find and wish to pursue opportunities for investment, acquisition, capital expenditure or similar actions. If we determine that our cash requirements exceed the amount of cash we have on hand, we may seek to issue equity or equity linked securities or obtain debt financing. The issuance and sale of additional equity would result in further dilution to our stockholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed obligations and could result in operating covenants that would restrict our operations. We cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

Our accounts receivable represents primarily accounts receivable from the distributors that purchased our EVs and other products. As of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, our accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, was $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Our accounts receivable turnover period decreased from 68 days in the year ended March 31, 2023 to 54 days in the nine months ended December 31, 2023, which was mainly attributable to a stricter credit policy implemented towards our U.S. distributors.

Our accounts payable represents primarily accounts payable to suppliers from whom we purchased accessories and components for our products. As of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, our accounts payable was $1.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Our accounts payable turnover period decreased to 26 days in the nine months ended December 31, 2023 from 49 days for the year ended March 31, 2023, which was primarily the result of the Company’s switch to a new vendor and the clearance of one vendor’s balance during this period.

Our inventories primarily include our EVs, their accessories and spare parts. As of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, our inventories, net of allowance, were $5.4 million and $3.8 million, respectively. The increase in inventory was primarily due to our anticipation of future sales growth. Our inventory turnover days decreased to 86 days in the nine months ended December 31, 2023 from 114 days in the year ended March 31, 2023, which was primarily due to our enhanced supply chain management, allowing us to convert our inventory into sales more efficiently.

For the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the interest expenses on our outstanding loans amounted to $82,150 and $34,017, respectively. Refer to Note 7 of the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included within this prospectus for further information on details of our outstanding loans.

The following table summarizes our cash flow data for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

For the nine months ended
December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

$

1,743,987

 

 

$

1,289,941

 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

 

(963,304

)

 

 

(269,006

)

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities

 

 

30,550

 

 

 

(1,066,311

)

Net Change in Cash

 

$

811,233

 

 

$

(45,375

)

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Table of Contents

The following table summarizes our cash flow data for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

For the years ended
March 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

$

1,757,139

 

 

$

11,688

 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

 

(442,915

)

 

 

(323,544

)

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities

 

 

(1,350,364

)

 

 

534,536

 

Net Change in Cash

 

$

(36,140

)

 

$

222,680

 

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 was $1.7 million, which was mainly comprised of net income of $1.2 million, an increase in accounts payable of $2.3 million, a noncash item of amortization of right-of-use assets of $1.8 million, offset by an increase in inventories of $1.8 million and a decrease in operating lease liabilities of $1.7 million.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2022 was $1.3 million, which was mainly comprised of net income of $1.3 million, noncash item of an increase in inventories of $0.6 million, and a noncash item of amortization of right-of-use assets of $1.6 million, offset by an increase in account receivable of $0.7 million, and a decrease in operating lease liabilities of $1.4 million.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended March 31, 2023 was $1.8 million, which was mainly comprised of net income of $1.4 million, deferred income tax expenses of $0.4 million, amortization of right-of-use assets of $1.9 million and provision for inventories of $0.8 million, offset by an increase in account receivable of $0.5 million, an increase in prepayments of $0.6 million and a decrease in operating lease liabilities of $1.7 million.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended March 31, 2022 was $11,688, which was mainly comprised of net income of $0.4 million, an increase in accounts payable of $1.1 million, an increase in taxes payable of $0.6 million and noncash item of depreciation and amortization of right-of-use assets of $1.2 million, offset by noncash item of deferred income taxes expense of $0.5 million, an increase in inventories of $2.1 million as we stocked up our inventories to ensure we have sufficient products for sales, and a decrease in operating lease liabilities of $0.7 million.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $1.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2023, which was due to the purchase of equipment of $0.5 million, payment of intangible assets of $0.1 million and the prepayment to related parties for software development of $0.4 million.

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2022, which was due to the purchase of equipment of $0.3 million.

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, which was due to the purchase of equipment of $0.4 million.

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.3 million for the year ended March 31, 2022, which was due to the purchase of equipment of $0.3 million.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $30,550 for the nine months ended December 31, 2023, which consisted of repayment of the related party’s loan of $0.2 million, repayments of loan payables of $0.4 million, repayments of other payables of related party of $0.2 million, payments of deferred IPO cost of $0.1 million, and payments of related-party receivable of $0.1 million, offset by borrowing from loan payables of $0.8 million and capital contribution from shareholders of $0.1 million.

Net cash used in financing activities was $1.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2022, which consisted of repayments of other payables of related parties of $1.6 million, offset by borrowing from loan payables of $0.7 million.

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Table of Contents

Net cash used in financing activities was $1.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, which consisted of repayments to related parties and loan payable of $2.8 million, deferred IPO cost of $0.1 million, offset by borrowings from loan payable of $1.5 million.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $0.5 million for the year ended March 31, 2022, which consisted of borrowings from related parties of $0.5 million.

Commitments and Contractual Obligations

The following table presents our material contractual obligations as of December 31, 2023:

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

Less than
1 year

 

1 – 2 
years

 

3 – 5 
years

 

Thereafter

Operating Lease Obligations and others

 

$

12,744,493

 

2,400,008

 

4,548,532

 

2,788,380

 

3,007,573

Loan Payable

 

 

1,652,843

 

1,210,507

 

263,783

 

178,553

 

Total Contractual Obligations

 

$

14,397,336

 

3,610,515

 

4,812,315

 

2,966,933

 

3,007,573

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not entered into any transactions, agreements or other contractual arrangements that would result in off-balance sheet liabilities.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Foreign exchange risk

A substantial majority of all of our revenues and expenses are denominated in U.S. dollars. We do not believe that we currently have any significant direct foreign exchange risk and have not used any derivative financial instruments to hedge exposure to such risk. In addition, as our business and operation expand in European and other overseas markets in the future, we may be exposed to increased foreign exchange risks for other currencies.

Interest rate risk

Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to the interest expenses on our short-term and long-term bank borrowings. Our short-term and long-term bank borrowing bears interests at fixed rates. We have not been exposed to, nor do we anticipate being exposed to, material risks due to changes in market interest rates. However, our future interest expenses may exceed expectations due to changes in market interest rates. If we were to renew these short-term and long-term bank borrowings, we might be subject to interest rate risk.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Estimated allowance for inventories

Our estimated allowance for the inventory obsolescence reserves is based on our assessment of realization of inventory. Any excess of the cost over the realizable value of each items of inventories recognized as a provision for diminution in the value of inventories. As of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, we recorded inventory allowance balance of $403,031 and $431,363, respectively.

Estimated useful lives of long-lived assets

The judgment that the long-lived assets, which include property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets, are being amortized over their useful lives and are not impaired are significant accounting estimates. We have estimated the useful life and residual value and concluded that no impairment loss was recognized as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023.

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Table of Contents

Estimated of the valuation allowance of deferred tax assets

We recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that we believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. We have not assessed a valuation allowance as we determine it is more likely than not that all deferred tax assets will be realized before expiration.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with the U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting periods.

Revenue recognition

We follow the revenue accounting requirements of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606”). The core principle underlying the revenue recognized that was included in the contract liabilities of this ASU allows us to recognize — revenue that represents the transfer of goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in such exchange. This will require us to identify contractual performance obligations and determine whether revenue should be recognized at a point in time or over time, based on when control of goods and services transfers to a customer.

Revenue from sales of products is recognized when the products are accepted by our customers or distributors. Acceptance of the products is evidenced by goods receipt notes signed by the distributors, which generally take place at our warehouse. No further obligations remain upon acceptance, and the risks and rewards of ownership of the products are transferred to the distributors. The distributors have no rights to return the products. For overseas sales to distributors, risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the distributors when the products are delivered to and accepted by distributors at the named port of shipment. When selling products to customers through our online store and retail stores, we are responsible for delivery. Acceptance of the products is evidenced by delivery notes signed by the customers, signifying the transfer of ownership risks and rewards. For online purchases, we offer a seven-day return-and-refund policy to customers.

Revenue is recognized net of return allowances, and sales tax. Return allowances, which reduce net revenues, are estimated based on historical experience. Historically, the Company has not experienced any significant returns.

Product warranties

We provide a three-month warranty on our vehicles and the battery pack. We accrue warranty reserves at the time a vehicle is delivered to the customer. Warranty reserves include our best estimate of the projected cost to repair or to replace any items under warranty, based on actual warranty experience as it becomes available and other known factors that may impact our evaluation of historical data. We review our reserves regularly to ensure that our accruals are adequate in meeting expected future warranty obligations, and we will adjust our estimates as needed. Factors that could have an impact on the warranty reserve include the following: changes in manufacturing quality, shifts in product mix, changes in warranty coverage periods, product recalls and changes in sales volume. Warranty expense is recorded as a component of cost of revenues in the statement of operations. The portion of the warranty provision which is expected to be incurred within three months from the balance sheet date will be classified as current and classified as short-term liabilities.

Income taxes

We provide current income tax expenses in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities. As part of the process of preparing financial statements, we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which we operate, including New York State, New York City, New Jersey, Texas, California, Washington, D.C. and Florida.

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Table of Contents

We account for income taxes using the asset and liability approach. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for tax consequences in future years based on differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements at each year-end and tax loss carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates applicable for the differences that are expected to reverse.

A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to the extent that we consider it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized in the foreseeable future.

We record uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) we determines if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, and (2) measures the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. An uncertain income tax provision will not be recognized if it has less than a 50 percent likelihood of being sustained.

We consider many factors when evaluating our tax positions and estimating its tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments, and which may not accurately forecast actual outcomes. We will include interest and fines arising from the underpayment of income taxes as a component of the provision for income taxes (if anticipated). Penalties and interest incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as penalties in the period incurred.

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Table of Contents

BUSINESS

Overview

We are an electric vehicle (“EV”) company that is principally engaged in designing, installing and selling smart electric motorcycles (“E-motorcycles”), electric bikes (“E-bikes”), electric scooters (“E-scooters”) and related accessories under the brand “Fly E-Bike.” At Fly E-Bike, our commitment is to encourage people to incorporate eco-friendly transportation into their active lifestyles, ultimately contributing towards building a more environmentally friendly future.

Fly E-Bike was established in 2018 with its first store opened in New York. Our business has grown rapidly since then and we are now one of the leading providers of E-bikes for food delivery workers in New York City. As of April 22, 2024, we have 39 retail stores, including 38 stores in the United States and one store in Canada. We plan to expand our presence in the United States and extend our business into South America and Europe. We also sell our products through our online store at flyebike.com.

We have a diversified product portfolio that is designed to satisfy the various demands of our customers and address different urban travel scenarios. Additionally, we aim to refresh our product offerings continuously to align with evolving market trends. As of April 22, 2024, we offered 21 E-motorcycle products, 21 E-bike products and 34 E-scooter products.

We build our smart E-bikes based on advanced and innovative technologies, including smart technologies, powertrain and battery technologies and automotive inspired functionalities. Adhering to our user-centric philosophy in product design, we collect user feedback and product performance data to develop new products or functionalities to satisfy unmet demand. All our products are designed to embody themes of style, freedom and technology. Some of our E-bikes are specifically designed for food delivery workers and are featured with longer battery life and stable backseat for holding a basket. In addition, we designed an easy battery swap system for these E-bikes, allowing food delivery workers to easily replace a fully charged battery at any of our stores within a minute.

Our History and Corporate Structure

We initially started our business in 2018 as Ctate Inc. (“Ctate”), a New York corporation. Our business has experienced rapid growth since then and we opened multiple retail stores within a short period of time. In the interest of efficient management, each retail store was managed by a separate company wholly owned by Ctate.

Fly E-Bike, Inc. (“Fly E-Bike”), a Delaware corporation, was a wholly owned subsidiary of Ctate incorporated on August 22, 2022. On September 12, 2022, Ctate and Fly E-Bike entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, pursuant to which Ctate merged into and with Fly E-Bike, with Fly E-Bike being the surviving corporation.

Fly-E Group, Inc. (“Fly-E Group” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, was incorporated on November 1, 2022. On December 21, 2022, Fly E-Bike, the stockholders of Fly E-Bike and Fly-E Group entered into a Share Exchange Agreement, pursuant to which Fly-E Group acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Fly E-Bike by issuing its shares to the stockholders of Fly E-Bike on a one-for-one basis (the “Share Exchange”). As a result of the Share Exchange, Fly E-Bike became a wholly owned subsidiary of Fly-E Group. Fly-E Group has no substantive operations other than holding all of the issued and outstanding shares of Fly E-Bike and Fly EV, Inc. Our business is primarily conducted through Fly E-Bike and its subsidiaries. Fly EV. Inc. is a Delaware corporation incorporated on November 1, 2022 and currently has no substantive operations.

Our Industry

E-motorcycles, E-bikes and E-scooters are the two-wheelers that run on electric energy that is converted into mechanical energy rather than running on fuel. They are chargeable and eco-friendly automotive solutions. E-motorcycles and E-bikes are built with solid metal and fiber frames that are combined with mechanical and electronic components. An E-scooter is a plug-in EV powered by electric power. These scooters offer additional advantages such as agility, flexibility, versatility and ease of maneuver in high traffic congestion areas.

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The EV industry has been experiencing significant growth and innovation in recent years. With the advancement of technology and the increasing demand for environmentally friendly transportation options, E-bikes, E-motorcycles and E-scooters have become popular choices for commuting, leisure and sports. As the demand for sustainable transportation options continues to grow, the EV industry is poised for further growth and development.

Some of the major trends driving the growth of the EV industry include the increasing demand for sustainable transportation options, advancements in battery and motor technology, and the growing popularity of E-bike sharing services. Government incentives and regulations, such as tax credits and subsidies for the purchase of EVs, are also driving the growth of the industry.

The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for the electric two-wheelers due to the growing awareness about the benefits of electric vehicles, rising personal disposable income, growing demand for affordable electric vehicles for short-distance commuting and increasing adoption of smart technologies. We believe that North America is expected to experience significant growth in the future due to growing government initiatives to raise awareness of such products among individuals.

City bikes and city E-bikes are popular in big cities in the United States, such as New York City, Miami and Dallas. There is also a growing popularity of E-scooters as an increasing number of EV merchants are launching their businesses in these cities.

The growth of the EV industry is further accelerated by the rise in small package deliveries in big cities. New York City is a major commercial hub and the largest metropolitan area in the United States. As a result, the volume of small package deliveries in New York City is remarkably high, and it has continued to grow over the years. With the rise of E-commerce and online shopping, more and more people in New York City are relying on package deliveries for their everyday needs, leading to a significant increase in small package delivery volume. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated this trend as more people have turned to online shopping.

The high volume of package deliveries in New York City has led to concerns about traffic congestion and delivery vehicle emissions, which the city is working to address through initiatives such as congestion pricing and EV incentives. For short-distance deliveries within urban areas, E-bike delivery can be a more efficient and environmentally friendly option compared to truck delivery. E-bikes can navigate through congested city streets, often taking shorter routes that trucks cannot access, and deliver packages quickly without contributing to traffic congestion or air pollution. Additionally, E-bikes are often cheaper to operate and maintain than trucks. We expect that other large densely populated cities in the United States, such as Miami and Dallas, face similar challenges and will continue to adopt the use of E-bikes, E-motorcycles, and E-scooters to meet their delivery needs.

Our Strengths

Early Entry into the Market:    We entered the EV market early and were able to seize the market opportunities to experience rapid growth. We started our business in 2018 and were able to leverage the potential created by the thriving E-commerce industry. Additionally, the COVID-19 lockdown further amplified the demand for online food and essential item deliveries, creating a favorable environment for the expansion and utilization of EVs, particularly E-bikes, which further accelerated our business growth.

Brand Reputation:    We have a strong brand reputation for consistent delivery of high-quality EV products and excellent customer service. Our brand and retail stores have become reliable business partners for most food delivery workers, especially in New York City. As a result, they have come to recognize our name and trust our services, establishing a loyal customer base for us.

Innovative Products and Services:    We continue to offer innovative, differentiated products and services that help set us apart from our competitors. Since 2018, we have launched over 67 new products and introduced new versions to our existing products with upgrades to design, motor and battery technology. Additionally, we are developing the Fly E-Bike app, which will be designed for customers to better manage and enjoy their riding experience. We are also developing the Fly E-Bike Care, an extended warranty program that will provide value-added options for our customers in the near future.

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Our Strategies

Our plan to grow our business using the following key strategies:

Enhance our position as a leader in urban mobility:    We are one of the leading providers of urban mobility solutions for New York City, particularly for food and package delivery workers. We intend to leverage this first mover advantage to continue to solidify our market leadership, by enhancing our brand, continuing to innovate, growing our product and service portfolio and expanding our sales network.

Improve brand recognition:    We will maintain our commitment to providing exceptional customer service as a means of further enhancing our brand. We will provide an enhanced shopping experience by effectively managing and upgrading our retail stores. In addition, we plan to open more flagship stores in high-traffic retail locations in New York City and other major cities in the United States to further elevate the quality of our brand messaging. Furthermore, we plan to increase our offerings of accessories, such as introducing more style options to our branded apparel, to further strengthen our customers’ connection to Fly E-Bike. We also intend to collaborate with other lifestyle brands across different industries to further promote our brand image.

Continue our innovation:    We will persist in advancing our product line by incorporating cutting-edge design, optimizing user experience and delivering optimal performance. We are developing our Fly E-Bike app, which we plan to include functions to improve the communication between our customers and our products. Additionally, we plan to launch Fly E-Bike Care in the near future, a service designed to function as an insurance policy and provide customers with continuous maintenance services beyond the manufacturer and battery warranty period.

Expand our sales network:    We plan to further expand our sales network in United States and internationally. As of April 22, 2024, we operate one store in Canada and 38 retail stores in the United States, spanning across the states of New York, Texas, Florida, Washington D.C., California and New Jersey. We plan to significantly increase our footprint in the United States by opening our stores in additional states. In addition, we intend to enter selected overseas markets that offer identified growth opportunities and favorable government policies, such as South America and Europe.

Diversify our service offerings:    We are planning to broaden our business by leveraging our existing retail stores as logistics hubs for small package delivery. We are currently in the process of seeking business partners, assembling a delivery team and developing an app for the delivery business.

Our Products

We offer a diverse product portfolio that satisfies various demands of our customers and addresses different urban travel scenarios. Following market trends and technological updates, we continuously develop and add new products into our portfolio to meet our customers’ needs. We also regularly introduce upgrades and refreshes to our existing models.

E-motorcycles

Our E-motorcycle category consists of 21 different products, which include a range of E-moped, E-motorcycle and E-tricycle.

E-moped

 

 

(Fly-7)

 

(Fly-10)

 

(Fly-Pro)

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Our E-moped product line is one of our most popular, featuring a range of eight different models. Our E-mopeds can run an average of 20-70 miles on a single charge, with a top speed of 20-38 miles per hour. Additionally, our E-mopeds are capable of holding a payload of 185-400 pounds. Each E-moped offer several standard features, including a remote key fob, alarm system, lockable under-seat storage, front and rear suspension, and a complete lighting package. Some models also offer a USB phone charging port for added convenience. These features make them an ideal choice for delivery workers.

All of our E-mopeds feature a low seat height and large tires, providing excellent stability at all speeds and on all surfaces. Moreover, their electric drivetrain requires no clutch or gears, making them easy to operate for almost anyone.

E-motorcycle

 

 

(RZ)

 

(FTC)

 

(DY-VNM SL)

We also offer E-motorcycles that are designed for urban commuting and city riding, offering a range of 25-80 miles on a single charge and a top speed of 30-59 miles per hour. They have a payload capacity of 160-400 pounds and feature a powerful electric motor with multiple riding modes to choose from. Additionally, our E-motorcycles are equipped with advanced safety features, including anti-lock brakes and a high-performance suspension system, ensuring optimal handling and rider safety.

E-tricycle

(Fly-Tricycle)

The Fly-Tricycle is an electric three-wheel vehicle that offers three seats. The interior of this vehicle is crafted with high-quality automotive-grade materials, ensuring long-lasting durability. This vehicle can run a range of 43-62 miles on a single charge, with a top speed of 30 miles per hour. Additionally, the Fly-Tricycle is capable of holding a payload of 1,239 pounds.

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E-bikes

We currently offer 34 different E-bike products, which include a range of City E-bike, foldable E-bike and standard E-bike.

City E-bike

(City E-Bike)

Our City E-Bike has a range of 15-20 miles on a single charge and a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour. It has a payload capacity of 200 pounds and an under-seat storage area.

Foldable E-bike

 

(Dolphin E-Bike)

 

(Air-2)

Our foldable E-bikes, including the Dolphin E-Bike and the Air-2, are versatile and convenient for folding. They are capable of running 20-25 miles on a single charge with a top speed of 23 miles per hour. In addition, our foldable E-bikes have a payload capacity of 250 pounds. They are compact, portable and easy to store, making them a good choice for people who are conscious of space limitations, such as those who live in small apartments in big cities.

Standard E-bike

 

(Sword Fish E-Bike)

 

(Rhino)

Our standard E-bikes are designed to be lightweight and come in a variety of different outlook designs, with multiple speed options to choose from. They offer a range of 20-60 miles on a single charge, with a top speed range of 15-32 miles per hour, and have a payload capacity of 180-250 pounds.

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E-scooters

Our E-scooter segment currently offers 12 different products, which include the Insurgent E-Scooter, Flytron, H-Max and H-1 models.

 

 

 

(Insurgent E-Scooter)

 

(Flytron)

 

(H-Max)

 

(H-1)

Our E-scooters offer a range of 15-45 miles on a single charge and a top speed range of 15-40 miles per hour. They are also capable of holding a weight range of 250-330 pounds. Additionally, our smart E-scooters are equipped with hydraulic disc brakes made from special alloys. The brake discs are slotted to extend the life of the system. The hardware of the brakes is complemented by the electronic braking system, which provides for intelligent braking and recycling kinetic energy. Certain of our models also employ the combined braking system, which splits braking force between the front and rear discs to shorten the braking distance at higher speeds.

Accessories and spare parts

We offer a comprehensive line of Fly E-Bike branded accessories and spare parts. We also sell traditional bikes.

For accessories, we offer riding gear, such as raincoats, gloves and knee pads, and accessories that can be installed on our products to enhance their functionality, such as storage baskets and tail boxes, smart phone holders, backrests and locks, among others. We also sell branded apparel.

In addition, we provide performance upgrades, including high-performance upgrade components for wheels, shock absorbers, brake calipers and carbon fiber body panels, among others.

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Fly E-Bike App

We are currently developing the Fly E-Bike app, which is a management service mobile software for our EVs. We aim to design an app that will bring users a comprehensive intelligent experience to create a safer and more satisfying riding life. The development of the app is still in its preliminary stage. We have launched a testing version of the app, which is currently unavailable to our customers. Once development is completed, the app is expected to include functions such as GPS, navigation, battery and tire pressure management, online shopping, and anti-theft features.

After Sales Services

Our EVs are primarily serviced through our retail stores, which provide repair, maintenance and bodywork services. Our regular maintenance services include exterior check, mechanical structure service, motor system check, electrification service, battery maintenance service, tire pressure check and cleaning services. We also provide other value-added services through our retail stores, including GPS add-on and installation, and theft reporting.

Warranty Policy

Manufacturer Warranty

We offer a three-month limited manufacturer’s warranty on all models of our E-bikes, E-motorcycles and E-scooters. The warranty period starts on the day the product is delivered to the customer. This warranty only covers limited factory defects and minor cosmetic damages. It does not cover misuse or broken parts caused by the user or by any other events.

Battery Warranty

We also offer a three-month warranty on battery for any manufacturer defect in material or workmanship. If a battery becomes faulty within the specified warranty period, we will replace it free of charge.

Fly E-Bike Care

We plan to launch our value-added Fly E-Bike Care program in the near future, which will function as an insurance policy to provide customers with continuous maintenance services beyond the warranty period mentioned above. This program will be designed to offer a wider range of coverage than the manufacturer and battery warranties, including accidental damages caused by customers. Additionally, we intend to add a “Fly E-Bike Care” feature to our app, which will send maintenance reminders to users based on their driving behavior and mileage.

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Manufacturing and Assembly

We source a significant portion of our vehicle components from China and the United States. For the nine months ended December 31, 2023, 51% and 49% of the parts were from China and the United States, respectively. For the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, over 40% and 80% of the parts were sourced from China, respectively. For the year ended March 31, 2023, we sourced over 50% of our vehicle components from the United States. Although we rely on certain principal vendors in China and the United States for most of our components, we believe there are multiple sources for each of our critical components.

To ensure a secure and reliable supply chain, we have implemented a centralized vendor management system that consolidates all vendor management activities under a centralized team. This approach enables us to streamline our purchasing process, enhance our negotiating power and maintain better relationships with our vendors.

We are currently working with three principal vendors, Fly Wing E-Bike Inc., Xiamen Finely Technology Co., Ltd. (“XFT”), and Anhui Ineo International Trading Co., Ltd., each of which respectively supplied approximately 35%, 20% and 13% of our accessories and components during the nine months ended December 31, 2023. During the year ended March 31, 2023, our top three principal vendors included Transpro US Inc., Anhui Ineo International Trading Co., Ltd. and Fly Wing E-Bike Inc., each of which respectively supplied approximately 33%, 21% and 12% accessories and components. During the year ended March 31, 2022, Anhui Ineo International Trading Co., Ltd. supplied approximately 70% of our accessories and components. Our principal vendors are responsible for sourcing all the parts used in our vehicles from various suppliers, and they also oversee the quality control process. We maintain close relationships with our principal vendors to ensure that we have access to high-quality accessories and components for our EVs at competitive prices and receive reliable and timely deliveries. We work closely with them to improve our supply chain efficiency and reduce costs.

Our centralized vendor management system also helps us to manage risk more effectively by identifying potential risks and developing strategies to mitigate them. Rather than dealing with the original suppliers, we monitor the performance of our principal vendors, which enables us to quickly identify and address any problems and manage the supply resources more efficiently. This approach helps us to reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions, which can have a significant impact on our business operations.

After importing the accessories and components, we assemble them into our vehicles in a leased facility located in Brooklyn, New York. In the year ended March 31, 2023, we produced 2,039 E-motorcycles, 5,953 E-bikes and 2,279 E-scooters in this facility. For the nine months ended December 31, 2023, we produced 6,663 E-motorcycles, 6,119 E-bikes and 2,880 E-scooters at the same facility. In response to the increasing demand for our products, we are currently looking to lease a larger assembling facility to replace our current facility in the near future.

Quality Control

We believe that the quality of our products is crucial to our continued growth. We place great emphasis on quality control and have implemented stringent monitoring and quality control systems to manage our operations.

For the parts sourced from China, we rely on our one of our principal vendors in China, XFT, to monitor the factories responsible for manufacturing these parts used in our vehicles. Its duties include the following:

Factory check:    XFT is responsible for confirming the size, production capacity and certification qualifications of a factory, confirming whether the equipment required for the production line is complete and whether the testing equipment is complete, checking the factory’s quality assurance process and other quality control procedures.

Proofing:    After the samples that meet the requirements are confirmed by XFT and us, they will be sealed as golden samples, and mass production is required to follow the golden sample standard.

Mass production:    Before the start of mass production, the factory is required to develop and review standard operating procedures and quality assurance standards that are acceptable to XFT and us. XFT will closely follow the production process, ensuring that strict quality control measures are implemented at every stage of production. After the mass production starts, XFT will perform the first article inspection to confirm whether the mass production meets the required standards.

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Inspection:    After mass production, in addition to requiring the factory to submit a quality control report, XFT will send its own quality control personnel to conduct random inspections on the products according to the corresponding standards of acceptable quality level.

We also source certain parts used in our vehicles from the United States. For these parts, our U.S. principal vendors and our quality control team perform quality control procedures similar to those discussed above for our China-sourced parts. This includes ensuring that the parts meet our quality standards and specifications, as well as conducting regular factory audits and inspections to identify any potential issues, and ensure ongoing compliance with our requirements.

We have not experienced any significant product recall, refunds or other quality control outbreak since we commenced operations.

Sales and Marketing

We have established an omnichannel retail model network to sell our products and provide services to our customers. We currently operate 39 retail stores and work with 80 distributors in the United States to sell our products. In addition, we have our own online store and Fly E-Bike app. We also leverage our omnichannel retail network to deliver maintenance and repair services at our retail stores and to collect data for business insights.

We focus on promoting awareness of our brand as a lifestyle brand with high-quality smart E-bikes, E-motorcycles and E-scooters. Our brand and products are marketed to retail customers through digital and experiential activities as well as through more traditional promotional and advertising activities. We aim to engage in cost-effective marketing activities by taking advantage of social media and to build an online and offline ecosystem of users that will promote awareness of our brand.

One key component of our strategy is to expand our presence on social media platforms. We currently have accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and WeChat, on which we frequently post guides, videos and tutorials that educate people on how to use and maintain E-bikes, E-scooters and E-motorcycles, as well as benefits of E-mobility.

In terms of offline marketing, we prioritize in-store promotions and targeted advertising. This includes offering discounts and special deals in our retail stores, as well as using targeted advertising to reach potential customers who are likely to be interested in our products. We also place ads in local newspapers and magazines and distribute flyers on the streets to promote the opening of new stores. Additionally, our products have gained significant visibility among food delivery workers in New York City, who make up the majority of our customer base. The increasing trend of people ordering food delivery, particularly during and after the COVID-19 lockdown, has contributed to the widespread visibility of our products in the cities.

Our Distribution Channels

Retail Distribution Network

Our sales are conducted through both retail stores and distributors.

Out of our 38 retail stores in the United States, 28 are situated in New York, while four are in New Jersey, two in Florida, two in Texas, one in California and one in Washington, D.C. We also operate one retail store in Canada. Our retail stores adopt a consistent design and layout and provide a consistent shopping experience. We closely monitor the sales performance, service level and activities within our retail stores. We will continue to collect store operation data such as consumer traffic flow and traffic flow sources, test drive frequencies and sales conversion rate. This information helps us adjust store-specific retailing and marketing strategies, thereby increasing per store sales.

In terms of our distributors, most of them are located in the United States. Our distributors purchase products from us at a wholesale price, and are responsible for the logistics, warehousing and distribution to other retail stores. We do not charge any initial fees or continuing fees to our distributors. The majority of our distributors make full payments upfront for their orders, which helps us improve cash flow management.

We intend to expand our overseas market and are currently working with one distributor in the Dominican Republic.

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Online Distribution Network

All of our products can be purchased on our website, flyebike.com, and Fly E-Bike app.

We have adopted an online to offline model that enables us to seamlessly integrate the online and offline networks to provide a cohesive and consistent experience to our customers. The online platform acts as a conduit for influencing customers and directing sales to our retail stores. Our customers can conveniently place orders online and pick up their products at our retail stores.

Our Customers

We acquire customers through multiple channels, including (i) referrals from our existing customers, (ii) our distributors, and (iii) our marketing and promotional activities. Due to our strong brand image, loyal customer base and evolving product portfolio, we believe there are significant growth opportunities across these channels. No customers account for more than 10% of our revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2023, and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. The majority of our customers are food delivery workers in New York City. This group constitutes approximately 70% of our customer base for the year ended March 31, 2023.

Environmental Matters

We are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that impose limitations on the discharge of pollutants into the environment and establish standards for the handling, generation, emission, release, discharge, treatment, storage and disposal of certain materials, substances and wastes and the remediation of environmental contaminants (collectively, “Environmental Laws”). In the ordinary course of our assembling processes, we may use materials or generate waste that are subject to these Environmental Laws.

We endeavor to adhere to all applicable Environmental Laws and act as necessary to comply with these laws. We maintain an environmental and safety program at our facilities. The environmental and safety program includes obtaining environmental permits as required, capturing and appropriately disposing of any waste by-products, tracking hazardous waste generation and disposal, air emissions, safety situations, material safety data sheet management, storm water management and recycling, and auditing and reporting on its compliance.

Intellectual Property

We currently hold one trademark in the United States, which covers our logo. We also hold four trademarks in China, which cover the names “FLY E-BIKE”, “FLY EBIKE”, “FLYEBIKE” and our logo. Additionally, we have two trademarks in the Dominican Republic covering the name “FLY E-BIKE” and our logo, and one trademark in Panama covering the name “FLY E-BIKE”. All these trademarks are effective from 2022 to 2033. In addition, we have applied for trademark rights for the name “FLY E-BIKE” in Canada, and the application is currently pending.

Other than the trademarks mentioned above, we do not own any patents, copyrights or other intellectual property registrations in the United States. We plan to seek further intellectual property registrations in the United States in the future. We currently also seek to protect our trade secrets and other proprietary information through common law copyright and trademark principles.

Competition

There are numerous companies that sell E-bikes, E-motorcycles and E-scooters in the United States and even more globally. The markets for EVs are highly competitive based on a number of factors, including innovation, performance, price, technology, product features, styling, fit and finish, brand recognition, quality and distribution. We believe our ability to compete successfully in these markets depends on our ability to capitalize on our competitive strengths and build brand recognition.

Many companies, which have greater financial and marketing resources than us, make electric two-wheelers, including Trek Bicycle Corporation, Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc., Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. and Rad Power Bikes Inc. While we believe we are well positioned in this competitive market, there is no assurance that our vehicles will be successful in the respective markets in which they compete. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to the Company’s Business, Operations, and Industry — The markets in which we operate are in their infancy and highly competitive, and we may not be successful in competing in this industry.”

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Regulation

We are subject to a wide variety of laws and regulations in the United States. These laws and regulations govern various items directly or indirectly related to our business, such as labor and employment, anti-discrimination, product liability, vehicle defects, vehicle maintenance and repairs, personal injury, rider text messaging, service payments, consumer protection, taxation, privacy, data security, intellectual property, competition, terms of service, mobile application accessibility, insurance, money transmittal, and environmental, health and safety. They are often complex and subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity. As a result, their application in practice may change or develop over time through judicial decisions or as new guidance or interpretations are provided by regulatory and governing bodies, such as federal, state, and local administrative agencies.

The micromobility industry is relatively nascent and rapidly evolving. New laws and regulations continue to be adopted, implemented, interpreted and iterated upon in response to our growing industry and associated technology. As we expand our business into new markets or introduce new offerings into existing markets, regulatory bodies or courts may claim that (i) we are subject to additional requirements or (ii) we are prohibited from conducting our business in certain jurisdictions.

Our products may also be subject to various environmental, health, and safety regulations, including, but not limited to, those regarding product safety and waste management. For example, we are subject to environmental laws and regulations regarding the handling and disposal of hazardous substances and solid wastes, including electronic wastes and batteries. These laws regulate the generation, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of solid and hazardous waste, and may impose strict, joint and several liability for the investigation and remediation of areas where hazardous substances may have been released or disposed. For instance, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”) and comparable state laws impose liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of persons that contributed to the release of a hazardous substance into the environment. These persons include current and prior owners or operators of the site where the release of the hazardous substance occurred as well as companies that disposed or arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances found at the site. Under CERCLA, these persons may be subject to joint and several strict liability for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances that have been released into the environment, for damages to natural resources, and for the costs of certain health studies. CERCLA also authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and, in some instances, third parties to act in response to threats to the public health or the environment and seek to recover costs incurred from the responsible classes of persons. In the course of ordinary operations, we, through third parties and contractors, may handle hazardous substances within the meaning of CERCLA and similar state statutes and, as a result, may be jointly and severally liable for all or part of the costs required to clean up sites at which these hazardous substances have been released into the environment.

We may also be subject to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) and comparable state statutes for the generation, storage, or disposal of solid wastes, which may include hazardous wastes. RCRA regulates both solid and hazardous wastes, but, in particular, imposes strict requirements on the generation, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of hazardous wastes. In addition, federal and state laws may require or otherwise regulate the reuse and recycling of batteries, including lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries, used in our products.

Certain of our products are also regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) pursuant to various federal laws. CPSC can require the manufacturer of products containing a safety defect to recall or repurchase such products and may also impose fines or penalties on the manufacturer. Similar laws exist in some states, cities, and other countries in which we sell our products.

Certain of our products are also regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) pursuant to various federal laws and regulations. NHTSA can require the manufacturer of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment containing a safety defect to recall or repurchase such products and may also impose fines or penalties on the manufacturer. Certain of our products are also regulated by EPA, and the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) for products sold in California. EPA and CARB can require the manufacturer to recall or repurchase vehicles that are uncertified or that contain an emission-related defect and may also impose fines or penalties on the manufacturer.

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In addition, some of our products may be subject to local laws and regulations. For instance, in March 2023, the New York City Council amended its administrative code to require that all powered bicycles, powered mobility devices including electric scooters, and storage batteries for such mobility devices distributed, sold, leased, rented, or offered for sale, lease, or rental in New York City must be certified as compliant with the applicable Underwriter Laboratories (UL) standard, which is a widely recognized standard for safety in electrical products in the United States. The law became effective in September 2023.

Additionally, because we receive, use, transmit, disclose, and store personally identifiable information and other data relating to users on our platform, we are subject to numerous local, municipal, state, federal, and international laws and regulations that address privacy, data protection, and the collection, storing, sharing, use, transfer, disclosure, and protection of certain types of data. Such regulations include the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, the U.S. Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and Section 5(a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914.

We plan to sell and distribute our vehicles internationally through international distributors. As such, we will be subject to the local laws of each jurisdiction in which we sell our vehicles. These regulations may result in increased costs and expenses, which may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Employees

As of March 31, 2024, we had 84 employees, consisting of 57 full-time employees and 27 part-time employees.

Our employees are not represented by a labor organization or covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with our employees and to date, we have not experienced any significant labor disputes.

Legal Proceedings

We may be subject to legal proceedings, investigations and claims incidental to the conduct of our business from time to time. We are not currently a party to, nor are we aware of, any legal proceedings, investigations or claims which, in the opinion of our management, are likely to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Properties

Our corporate and executive offices are located in a leased facility in 136-40 39th Avenue, Flushing, NY 11354, where we lease approximately 2,500 square feet of under a lease that is due to expire on October 31, 2024. In addition, we lease a warehouse in Brooklyn, New York, where we assemble all of our vehicles. The warehouse, which comprises three areas in one location totaling approximately 27,000 square feet, is under three separate leases that are due to expire on December 14, 2025, May 30, 2026 and May 14, 2027, respectively. While we believe our facilities are sufficient to meet our needs in the near term, as we expand our operations, we may require additional space in which to assemble our vehicles and we do not have any commitments for such space. All of our retail stores are leased. We do not own any real property.

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Management

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth the names and ages of all of our directors and executive officers as of April 22, 2024:

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Zhou (Andy) Ou

 

35

 

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Ruifeng (Steven) Guo

 

36

 

Director and Chief Financial Officer

Rui (Ricky) Feng

 

39

 

Chief Operating Officer

Ke (Simon) Zhang

 

37

 

Chief Human Resource Officer

Bin Wang

 

66

 

Director Nominee

Lun Feng

 

64

 

Director Nominee

Alan Jacobs

 

82

 

Director Nominee

Set forth below is biographical information about each of the individuals named in the tables above:

Zhou (Andy) Ou, Founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.    Mr. Ou founded Fly E-Bike in 2018 and has since served as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). Before founding Fly E-Bike, Mr. Ou operated a motorcycle repair business for over eight years, and previously held a managerial position at a food delivery company. We believe that Mr. Ou’s prior experience in the motorcycle industry and his understanding of the delivery industry, combined with his tenure at our company, qualifies him to serve as our Chairman of the Board.

Ruifeng (Steven) Guo, Director and Chief Financial Officer.    Mr. Guo joined our company as a tax and financial advisor in March 2020 and has been serving as our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) since December 2022. Upon effectiveness of this registration statement, Mr. Guo will serve as our full-time CFO. He is currently a partner at DGLG Accounting and Tax LLC, a U.S. financial consulting firm, where he has been working since May 2020. Mr. Guo was appointed as our director on September 1, 2023. Additionally, he is the managing partner at SJ International Development, a New York based real estate management company, since October 2020. Mr. Guo is also the managing partner at PJMG LLC, a New York based consulting company, since June 2019. Prior to that, Mr. Guo worked as a senior business manager at Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd. from April 2018 to April 2020. Between 2013 and 2017, Mr. Guo worked as an associate and senior auditor at three auditing firms, including Friedman LLP, Marcum LLP and Janover LLC. Mr. Guo obtained his Bachelor of Economy from Beijing International Studies University in 2010 and his MBA in Accounting from Hofstra University in 2012. Mr. Guo was selected to serve as a member of our board of directors because of his senior-level experience in the financial services industry and his extensive knowledge of our business and industry.

Rui (Ricky) Feng, Chief Operating Officer.    Mr. Feng joined us as a retail store manager in 2018 and was responsible for overseeing our supply chain, implementing effective customer strategies, and ensuring legal compliance. He has served as our Chief Operating Officer since December 2022. Prior to joining us, Mr. Feng owned and operated a restaurant for four years, which provided him with valuable experience in managing a business.

Ke (Simon) Zhang, Chief Human Resource Officer.    Mr. Zhang has also been serving as our Chief Human Resource Officer since December 2022. Mr. Zhang previously served as our director and resigned from this position on September 1, 2023. He joined us as a retail store manager in 2018, where he was responsible for overseeing various HR functions, including recruiting, employee training and development and managing our benefits system.

Bin Wang, Director Nominee.    Mr. Wang has been nominated to serve as a director upon effectiveness of this registration statement. Mr. Wang has over 30 years of management experience in the financial industry. He currently serves as the Managing Director of Eon Capital International Ltd, a Hong Kong corporate advisory service company. He has also been a member of the board of directors of Maison Solutions Inc., a Nasdaq-listed company, since 2023. Previously, from 2018 to 2020, Mr. Wang was the Chairman and CEO of Alberton Acquisition Corp., a Nasdaq-listed company. From 2007 to 2018, he provided financial advisory services to dozens of corporate clients in the United States and Asia. Mr. Wang graduated from Northwestern Polytechnic University in 1980, obtained his Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University in 1983, and earned his Master of Arts degree in economics from Illinois State University in 1992. Mr. Wang was nominated to serve as a member of our board of directors because of his extensive senior-level experience in the financial services industry and his profound knowledge of our business and the industry as a whole.

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Lun Feng, Director Nominee.    Mr. Feng has been nominated to serve as a director upon effectiveness of this registration statement. Since August 2015, Mr. Feng has held the position of executive director at Si Fang Yu Feng Investment Co., Ltd., a Chinese investment management company. From June 2009 to June 2021, he served as the chairman of the board of directors at Beijing Wan Tong Li Ti Zhi Cheng Investment Co., Ltd., a Chinese investment management company. Additionally, Mr. Feng currently holds the position of an independent director at three public companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange. These companies include Bank of Xi’an Co., Ltd., Shanghai Xinnanyang Only Education and Technology Co., Ltd., and Bona Film Group Co., Ltd. Mr. Feng received his bachelor’s degree in political economy from Northwest University (China) in 1982. Mr. Feng was nominated to serve as a member of our board of directors because of his extensive senior-level management experience of public companies, his board experience and his extensive knowledge of our business and industry.

Alan Jacobs, Director Nominee.    Mr. Jacobs has been nominated to serve as a director upon effectiveness of this registration statement. Mr. Jacobs has over 40 years of experience as a corporate and securities attorney, investment banker, business and financial advisor and senior executive of both private and public companies. Since August 2018, Mr. Jacobs has been serving as President at Worthy Lending, LLC. In addition, he has been serving as Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Strategy Officer of Worthy Financial, Inc. since January 2016. Mr. Jacobs currently serves as President of the Worthy Lending V subsidiary. He currently also serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and a member of the board of directors of Worthy Financial, Inc.’s wholly owned subsidiaries, including Worthy Peer Capital, Inc., Worthy Peer Capital II, Inc., Worthy Community Bonds, Inc., Worthy Community Bonds II, Inc. and Worthy Property Bonds, Inc., and as President of their respective wholly owned loan and investment subsidiaries, all since their respective dates of organization. From 2016 to 2018 Mr. Jacobs was the Founder and President of CorpFin Management Group where he was focused on business development, strategic planning, and corporate development. From September 2014 to December 2015, Mr. Jacobs was associated with ViewTrade Securities, a FINRA registered broker-dealer where he was focused on advisory and corporate services. Prior to that time and for more than 30 years, Mr. Jacobs was associated with several FINRA registered broker-dealers including Ladenburg Thalman & Co.. Inc., Josephthal & Company, and Capital Growth Securities. Mr. Jacobs received his bachelor’s degree from Franklin and Marshall College in 1963 and his law degree from Columbia University in 1966. Mr. Jacobs was nominated to serve as a member of our board of directors because of his extensive experience in the investment and financial services industry.

Director Independence

The rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, or the Nasdaq Rules, require a majority of a listed company’s board of directors to be composed of independent directors within one year of listing. In addition, the Nasdaq Rules require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit, compensation and nominating and governance committees be independent. Under the Nasdaq Rules, a director will only qualify as an independent director if, in the opinion of our board of directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The Nasdaq Rules also require that audit committee members satisfy independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. In order to be considered independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3, a member of an audit committee of a listed company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the board of directors, or any other board committee, accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the listed company or any of its subsidiaries or otherwise be an affiliated person of the listed company or any of its subsidiaries. In considering the independence of compensation committee members, the Nasdaq Rules require that our board of directors must consider additional factors relevant to the duties of a compensation committee member, including the source of any compensation we pay to the director and any affiliations with the Company.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Upon effectiveness of this registration statement, our board of directors will establish an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and governance committee. Each of these committees will operate under a charter that will be approved by our board of directors prior to the effectiveness of this registration statement.

Audit Committee.    Our audit committee will consist of three independent directors. The members of the audit committee will be Bin Wang, Lun Feng and Alan Jacobs. The audit committee shall consist exclusively of directors who are financially literate. In addition, upon effectiveness of this registration statement, Mr. Wang will be considered an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the SEC’s rules and regulations.

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The audit committee responsibilities include:

        overseeing the compensation and work of and performance by our independent auditor and any other registered public accounting firm performing audit, review or attestation services for us;

        engaging, retaining and terminating our independent auditor and determining the terms thereof;

        assessing the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent auditor;

        evaluating whether the provision of permitted non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence;

        reviewing and discussing the audit results, including any comments and recommendations of the independent auditor and the responses of management to such recommendations;

        reviewing and discussing the annual and quarterly financial statements with management and the independent auditor;

        producing a committee report for inclusion in applicable SEC filings;

        reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls and procedures;

        establishing procedures regarding the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received regarding the accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and conducting or authorizing investigations into any matters within the scope of the responsibility of the audit committee; and

        reviewing transactions with related persons for potential conflict of interest situations.

Compensation Committee.    Our compensation committee will consist of three independent directors. The members of the Compensation Committee will be Lun Feng, Bin Wang and Alan Jacobs. The committee has primary responsibility for:

        reviewing and recommending all elements and amounts of compensation for each executive officer, including any performance goals applicable to those executive officers;

        reviewing and recommending for approval the adoption, any amendment and termination of all cash and equity-based incentive compensation plans;

        once required by applicable law, causing to be prepared a committee report for inclusion in applicable SEC filings;

        approving any employment agreements, severance agreements or change of control agreements that are entered into with the CEO and certain executive officers; and

        reviewing and recommending the level and form of non-employee director compensation and benefits.

Nominating and Governance Committee.    The Nominating and Governance Committee will consist of three independent directors. The members of the Nominating and Governance Committee will be Alan Jacobs, Bin Wang and Lun Feng. The Nominating and Governance Committee’s responsibilities include:

        recommending persons for election as directors by the stockholders;

        recommending persons for appointment as directors to the extent necessary to fill any vacancies or newly created directorships;

        reviewing annually the skills and characteristics required of directors and each incumbent director’s continued service on the board;

        reviewing any stockholder proposals and nominations for directors;

        advising the board of directors on the appropriate structure and operations of the board and its committees;

        reviewing and recommending standing board committee assignments;

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        developing and recommending to the board Corporate Governance Guidelines, a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and other corporate governance policies and programs and reviewing such guidelines, code and any other policies and programs at least annually;

        making recommendations to the board as to determinations of director independence; and

        making recommendations to the board regarding corporate governance based upon developments, trends, and best practices.

The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider stockholder recommendations for candidates for the board of directors.

Board Diversity

Our Nominating and Governance Committee will be responsible for reviewing with the board of directors, on an annual basis, the appropriate characteristics, skills, and experience required for the board of directors as a whole and its individual members. Although our board of directors does not have a formal written diversity policy with respect to the evaluation of director candidates, in its evaluation of director candidates, our Nominating and Governance Committee will consider factors including, without limitation, issues of character, integrity, judgment, potential conflicts of interest, other commitments, and diversity, and with respect to diversity, such factors as gender, race, ethnicity, experience, and area of expertise, as well as other individual qualities and attributes that contribute to the total diversity of viewpoints and experience represented on the board of directors.

The Nominating and Governance Committee will ensure compliance with the new rule by Nasdaq for board diversity (the “Nasdaq Diversity Rule”), on or before the date required under the Nasdaq Diversity Rule. The Nasdaq Diversity Rule requires, assuming our shares of common stock are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and that we are a smaller reporting company, that we will have at least two directors serving on our board of directors, at least one of which identifies as female and the second of which identifies as female, underrepresented minority or LGBTQ+, by December 31, 2026, unless our board of directors is comprised of five or less directors.

Controlled Company Exemptions

Because our directors and executive officers will continue to control a majority of the voting power of our common stock after the completion of this offering, we will be a “controlled company” for purposes of the listing standards of Nasdaq and the rules of the SEC. As a “controlled company”, exemptions under the listing standards of Nasdaq will exempt us from certain of Nasdaq’s corporate governance requirements, including the following requirements:

        that our board of directors be composed of a majority of “independent directors,” as defined under the rules of Nasdaq,

        that our compensation committee be composed entirely of independent directors, and

        that our nominating and governance committee be composed entirely of independent directors.

Although we do not currently expect to rely on the exemptions afforded by Nasdaq to controlled companies, we may elect to do so in the future. Accordingly, for so long as we are a “controlled company” and to the extent we elect to take advantage of these exemptions, holders of our common stock may not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of Nasdaq’s corporate governance requirements. If we cease to be a “controlled company”, we will be required to comply with these provisions within the transition periods specified in the rules of Nasdaq.

These exemptions do not modify the independence requirements for our audit committee.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Prior to this offering, we will adopt a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. Following this offering, a copy of the code will be made available on the Corporate Governance section of our website, which is located at flyebike.com. If we make

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any substantive amendments to, or grant any waivers from, the code of business conduct and ethics for any officer or director, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website or in a current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.

Compensation of Executive Officers

Summary Compensation Table

The following table shows the compensation awarded to or earned during the years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 by our chief executive officer. Other than as listed below, we did not have any officers that received more than $100,000 in compensation during the years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The person listed in the following table is referred to herein as the “named executive officer.”

Summary Compensation Table

Name and principal position

 

Year

 

Salary

 

Bonus

 

Stock
Awards

 

Option
Awards

 

All Other
Compensation

 

Total
($)

Zhou Ou

 

2024

 

$

100,000

 

 

 

 

 

$

100,000

Chief Executive Officer

 

2023

 

$

100,000

 

 

 

 

 

$

100,000

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table

Zhou Ou, Chief Executive Officer

We plan to enter into an employment agreement with Mr. Ou in the near future. In order to support our operations and allocate more resources towards our development, Mr. Ou received compensation at the level of a store manager for the years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

As of March 31, 2024, there were no option or stock awards outstanding.

Director Compensation

Our employee directors do not currently receive any compensation for serving as directors. The appointment of our independent directors will take effect upon the effectiveness of this registration statement. Each independent director is entitled to an annual cash compensation of $50,000.

Policies on Clawback and Recovery of Compensation

In connection with this offering, we are required to adopt and we will adopt, prior to the listing of our shares on Nasdaq, a clawback policy to address the recovery of erroneously-awarded incentive compensation in compliance with the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act, final SEC rules and applicable listing standards.

2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan

Before the effectiveness of this registration statement, we plan to adopt the FLY-E Group Inc. 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2024 Plan”) in order to grant equity-based and other incentive awards to our officers, employees, directors, consultants and advisers. The purpose of the 2024 Plan is to help us attract, motivate and retain such persons with awards under the 2024 Plan and thereby enhance shareholder value. The 2024 Plan will be effective upon our shareholders’ approval (the “Effective Date”). The following is a summary of the material terms of the 2024 Plan.

Plan Administration

The 2024 Plan will be administered by our Compensation Committee. Our board of directors will retain the authority under the 2024 Plan to exercise any or all of the powers and authorities related to the administration and implementation of the 2024 Plan.

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Award Eligibility

Awards under the 2024 Plan may be made to our or any of our affiliates’ employees, officers and directors, as well as to consultants and advisors currently providing services to us or any of our affiliates at the time of such award.

Shares Subject to the 2024 Plan

The number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the 2024 Plan is 2,500,000 (the “Share Limit”).

Reversion of Shares

If any shares covered by an award are not purchased or are forfeited or expire, or if any award otherwise terminates without delivery of any shares subject to the award or is settled in cash in lieu of shares, then the number of shares counted against the Share Limit with respect to such award will, to the extent of any such forfeiture, termination, expiration or settlement, again be available for issuance under the 2024 Plan.

Awards

The 2024 Plan provides for the grant of awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, unrestricted stock, dividend equivalent rights, and other equity-based awards.

Stock Options

Stock options granted under the 2024 Plan may be nonqualified stock options or incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. Each option will become vested and exercisable at such times and under such conditions as our Compensation Committee may approve consistent with the terms of the 2024 Plan. No option may be exercisable more than ten years after the option grant date. Our Compensation Committee may include in the option agreement provisions specifying the period during which an option may be exercised following termination of the grantee’s service.

The exercise price per share of our common stock for each option granted under the 2024 Plan may not be less than 100%, or 110% in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a stockholder who owns more than ten percent of our voting stock, of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the option grant date, except in the case of an option granted upon assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted under a compensatory plan by a business entity acquired or to be acquired by us or an affiliate of ours or with which we or an affiliate has combined or will combine. Payment of the exercise price for shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of an option may be made in such forms as are approved by our Compensation Committee. These forms may include, in our Compensation Committee’s discretion, cash, cash equivalents, shares of our common stock and net issuance.

Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units

Restricted stock is an award of our common stock on which vesting restrictions are imposed that subject such shares of our common stock to a substantial risk of forfeiture, as defined in Section 83 of the Code. A restricted stock unit is an award that represents a conditional right to receive shares of our common stock in the future and that may be made subject to the same types of restrictions and risk of forfeiture as restricted stock. A deferred stock unit is a restricted stock unit that may be settled at some point in the future at a time or times consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

Stock Appreciation Rights

A SAR is a right to receive upon exercise, in the form of common stock, cash or a combination of common stock and cash, the excess of the fair market value of one share of common stock on the exercise date over the grant price of the SAR. SARs may be granted in conjunction with all or a part of any option or other award granted under the 2024 Plan, or without regard to any option or other award. Upon exercise of a SAR, the holder will be entitled to receive, in the specified form of consideration, the excess of the fair market value of one share of our common stock on the exercise date over the exercise price of the SAR, as determined by our Compensation Committee. The exercise price of a SAR may not be less than the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the grant date.

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Dividend Equivalent Rights

Dividend equivalent rights entitle the grantee to receive cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of both equal to the amount of that the grantee would have received had the grantee held a specified number of shares of our common stock during the period. Dividend equivalent rights may be granted independently or in connection with the grant of any equity-based award, except that no dividend equivalent right may be granted in connection with, or related to an option or SAR.

Other Equity-Based Awards

Our Compensation Committee may grant other types of equity-based or equity-related awards in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as our Compensation Committee may determine, including unrestricted stock and dividend equivalent rights which are described in more detail in the 2024 Plan.

Changes to Capital Structure

In the event of a merger, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off combination of shares, exchange of shares, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock, or other increase or decrease in such shares effected without the receipt of consideration by us, then the number and kind of shares for which grants of options and other awards may be made under the 2024 Plan may be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by our Compensation Committee.

Change of Control

Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, upon the occurrence of a change of control of our Company in which outstanding awards are not being assumed or continued, all outstanding shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, dividend equivalent rights and performance-based awards will be deemed to have vested and any underlying shares of our common stock will be deemed delivered immediately before the change of control; and either or both of the following actions shall be taken: (i) at our Compensation Committee’s discretion, all options and SARs will become exercisable fifteen days before the change of control (with any exercise of an option or SAR during such fifteen day period to be contingent upon the consummation of the change of control) and terminate upon the change of control to the extent not exercised; and/or (ii) at our Compensation Committee’s discretion, all options, SARs, shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, dividend equivalent rights and/or performance-based awards will be canceled and cashed out in connection with the change of control. Other equity-based awards will be governed by the terms of the applicable award agreement.

If we experience a change of control in which outstanding awards that are not exercised prior to the change of control will be assumed or continued by the surviving entity, then, except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, in another agreement with the grantee, or as otherwise set forth in writing, upon the occurrence of the change of control, the 2024 Plan and the awards granted under the 2024 Plan will continue in the manner and under the terms so provided in the event of the change of control to the extent that provision is made in writing in connection with such change of control for the assumption or continuation of such awards, or for the substitution for such awards with new awards, with appropriate adjustments as to the number of shares (disregarding any consideration that is not common stock) and exercise prices of options and SARs.

Plan Amendment and Termination

The Compensation Committee may adopt, amend and rescind rules relating to the administration of the 2024 Plan, and our board of directors may amend, suspend, or terminate the 2024 Plan at any time; provided, that, no such amendment or termination will be made that materially and adversely impairs the rights of any participant with respect to any award granted under the 2024 Plan without the participant’s consent, other than amendments that are necessary to permit the granting of awards in compliance with applicable laws. The 2024 Plan will automatically terminate the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date, unless earlier terminated by our board of directors or in accordance with the terms of the 2024 Plan.

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CERTAIN Relationships and Related Party Transactions

From April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2024, our Chairman and CEO, Mr. Ou, provided financial support to the Company by advancing funds and making various payments on behalf of the Company totaling $4,198,875. These amounts payable to Mr. Ou are unsecured, bear no interest and do not have a maturity date. From April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2024, the Company repaid a total of $3,641,811 to Mr. Ou, including repayment of amounts owed to Mr. Ou prior to April 1, 2021. As of March 31, 2024, the Company transferred $2,263,630 of the payable balance along with a cash contribution of $136,370 from Mr. Ou as capital contribution. As of March 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the remaining balance of these payables was $92,229, $332,481 and $2,476,418, respectively.

From April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2024, Mr. Rui Feng, our Chief Operating Officer, advanced a total of $55,136 to the subsidiaries of the Company to support their business operations. These amounts payable to Mr. Feng are unsecured, bear no interest and do not have a maturity date. From April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2024, the Company repaid $118,760 to Mr. Feng, including repayment of amounts owed to him prior to April 1, 2021. As of March 31, 2024, the Company has paid off all amounts owed to Mr. Feng.

From April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2024, Mr. Ke Zhang, our Chief Human Resource Officer, advanced an aggregate of $158,942 to the subsidiaries of the Company to support their business operations. These amounts payable to Mr. Zhang are unsecured, bear no interest and do not have a maturity date. From April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2024, the Company repaid $340,772 to Mr. Zhang, including repayment of amounts owed to him prior to April 1, 2021. As of March 31, 2024, the Company has paid off all amount owed to Mr. Zhang.

On March 6, 2021, the Company and DGLG Accounting and Tax LLC (“DGLG”) entered into an engagement letter, wherein the Company engaged DGLG as a consultant to assist the Company in its IPO planning, financing and tax services. Mr. Guo is a partner at DGLG. In December 2022, the Company hired Mr. Guo as its CFO. Under the terms of the engagement agreement with DGLG, the Company has agreed to compensate DGLG for consulting services based on an hourly fee arrangement. For the years ended March 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, DGLG’s consulting fees were $100,000, $25,000 and nil, respectively. For the years ended March 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company paid DGLG a total of $117,550, $13,050 and $32,919, respectively, for tax services.

On February 1, 2023, PJMG LLC (“PJMG”), a company in which Mr. Guo, our CFO, holds over 50% of the equity interests, provided a loan of $150,000 to the Company (the “PJMG Loan”). The PJMG Loan was unsecured, bore no interest and was set to mature on May 31, 2024. Furthermore, the Company has agreed to retain the services of PJMG as a consultant following the completion of its IPO. To secure these services, the Company prepaid a total of $210,000 to PJMG during the year ended March 31, 2024, of which $150,000 was applied to offset the PJMG Loan.

Fly E Bike SRL, a company formed under the laws of the Dominican Republic and in which Mr. Ou holds over 50% of the equity interests, is a distributor for the Company. During the years ended March 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, Fly E Bike SRL purchased certain EV products from the Company in the amount of $326,914, $136,565 and nil, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company had accounts receivable from Fly E Bike SRL in the amounts of $384,144, $136,565 and nil, respectively. In addition, during the year ended March 31, 2024, the Company advanced a total of $653,829 to Fly E Bike SRL. Such advance is unsecured, bears no interest and does not have a maturity date. As of March 31, 2024, Fly E Bike SRL has repaid $530,804 to the Company.

In December 2023, the Company engaged DF Technology US Inc (“DFT”) for certain technology services. Mr. Guo, our CFO, owns over 50% of the equity interest in DFT. For the year ended March 31, 2024, the Company paid a total of $1,554,000 to DFT as prepayment for software development.

Policies and Procedures for Related Party Transactions

Our audit committee charter will provide that our audit committee will be responsible for reviewing and approving in advance any related party transaction. This will cover, with certain exceptions set forth in Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, any transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships in which we were or are to be a participant, where the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, including, without limitation, purchases of goods or services by or from the related person or entities in which the related person has a material interest, indebtedness, guarantees of indebtedness and employment by us of a related person. All of the transactions described in this section occurred prior to the creation of our audit committee and the adoption of this policy, and, as such, they were not conducted on an arm’s length basis.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information, as of April 22, 2024, regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock by:

        each of our directors;

        each of our executive officers;

        all directors and executive officers as a group; and

        each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own more than five percent of our shares of common stock.

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, and generally means that person has beneficial ownership of a security if he or she possesses sole or shared voting or investment power of that security, and includes options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. Each director or officer, as the case may be, has furnished us with information with respect to beneficial ownership. Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the beneficial owners of common stock listed below, based on the information each of them has given to us, have sole investment and voting power with respect to their shares, except where community property laws may apply. Except as otherwise noted below, the address for each person or entity listed in the table is c/o Fly-E Group, Inc., 136-40 39th Avenue, Flushing, NY 11354.

Name and address of beneficial owner

 

Shares beneficially owned prior to offering

 

Percentage owned prior to offering(1)

 

Percentage owned after offering(1)

Executive Officers and Directors

       

 

   

Zhou Ou

 

7,700,000

 

35.0

%

 

30.8%

Ruifeng Guo

 

 

 

 

—%

Rui Feng

 

1,760,000

 

8.0

%

 

7.0%

Ke Zhang

 

7,370,000

 

33.5

%

 

29.5%

Directors and Officers as a group (four persons)

 

16,830,000

 

76.5

%

 

67.3%

____________

(1)      Based on 22,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding as of April 22, 2024.

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Description of Securities

The following description of the material terms of our securities and the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, which will become effective prior to the consummation of this offering, are summaries and are qualified by reference to such documents. We have filed copies of these documents with the SEC as exhibits to our registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Authorized Capital Stock

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. We will have 25,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding immediately after the closing of this offering.

Common Stock

Shares of our common stock have the following rights, preferences and privileges:

Voting

Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Any action at a meeting at which a quorum is present will be decided by a majority of the voting power present in person or represented by proxy, except in the case of any election of directors, which will be decided by a plurality of votes cast. There is no cumulative voting.

Dividends

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for payment, subject to the rights of holders, if any, of any class of stock having preference over the common stock. Any decision to pay dividends on our common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors. Our board of directors may or may not determine to declare dividends in the future. See “Dividend Policy.” The board’s determination to issue dividends will depend upon our profitability and financial condition any contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and the SEC, and other factors that our board of directors deems relevant.

Liquidation Rights

In the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably on the basis of the number of shares held in any of the assets available for distribution after we have paid in full, or provided for payment of, all of our debts and after the holders of all outstanding series of any class of stock have preference over the common stock, if any, have received their liquidation preferences in full.

Other

Our issued and outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Holders of shares of our common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights. Shares of our common stock are not convertible into shares of any other class of capital stock, nor are they subject to any redemption or sinking fund provisions.

Preferred Stock

We are authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the board of directors to issue these shares in one or more series, to determine the designations and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, including the dividend rights, conversion or exchange rights, voting rights (including the number of votes per share), redemption rights and terms, liquidation preferences, sinking fund provisions and the

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number of shares constituting the series. Our board of directors could, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of common stock and which could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock.

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaw Provisions

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws include a number of anti-takeover provisions that may have the effect of encouraging persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate with our board of directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts. These provisions include:

Advance Notice Requirements.    Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures with regard to stockholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or new business to be brought before meetings of stockholders. These procedures provide that notice of stockholder proposals must be timely and given in writing to our corporate Secretary. Generally, to be timely, notice must be received at our principal executive offices not later than 90 days and not earlier than 120 calendar days prior to the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting, subject to certain exceptions. The notice must contain the information required by the bylaws, including information regarding the proposal and the proponent.

Special Meetings of Stockholders.    Our bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time by only the board of directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

No Written Consent of Stockholders.    Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.

Amendment of Bylaws.    Our bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the board of directors at any regular meeting of the stockholders or of the board of directors, at any special meeting of the stockholders or of the board of directors or by written action by the board of directors if notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new bylaws be contained in the notice of such meeting or any notice required for such written action.

Preferred Stock.    Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to create and issue rights entitling our stockholders to purchase shares of our stock or other securities. The ability of our board to establish the rights and issue substantial amounts of preferred stock without the need for stockholder approval may delay or deter a change in control of us. See “Preferred Stock” above.

Delaware Takeover Statute

Upon completion of the offering, we will not be subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). In general, Section 203 prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested shareholder” for a three-year period following the time that the person becomes an interested shareholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes, among other things, a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested shareholder. An “interested shareholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or did own within three years prior to the determination of interested shareholder status, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock.

Under Section 203 of the DGCL, a business combination between a corporation and an interested shareholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions: (1) before the shareholder became an interested shareholder, the board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder; (2) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the interested shareholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the

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voting stock outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans, in some instances; or (3) at or after the time the shareholder became an interested shareholder, the business combination was approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested shareholder.

A Delaware corporation may “opt out” of these provisions with an express provision in its original certificate of incorporation or an express provision in its certificate of incorporation or bylaws resulting from a shareholders’ amendment approved by at least a majority of the outstanding voting shares.

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws limit the liability of our officers and directors and provide that we will indemnify our officers and directors, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. We expect to obtain additional directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage prior to the completion of this offering.

Listing

We have applied to list the shares of our common stock offered hereby on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FLYE.”

Registrar and Transfer Agent

The registrar and transfer agent for our common stock is VStock Transfer, LLC. The transfer agent’s address is 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, New York 11598.

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Shares Eligible for Future Sale

Future sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the public market after this offering could adversely affect market prices prevailing from time to time and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of our equity securities. We are unable to estimate the number of shares of common stock that may be sold in the future.

Upon the closing of this offering, we will have:

        25,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding; and

        150,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants to be issued to the representative of the underwriters in connection with this offering.

All of the shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act unless purchased by one of our affiliates as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which generally includes directors, officers or 10% stockholders. None of the holders of shares of our common stock or securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of our common stock have any registration rights.

Lock-Up

Our directors, officers and holders of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock have agreed not to offer, sell, dispose of or hedge any shares of our common stock, subject to specified limited exceptions, during the period continuing through the date that is 180 days after the date of this offering.

Rule 144

Shares of common stock held by any of our affiliates, as that term is defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act, as well as shares held by our current stockholders, may be resold only pursuant to further registration under the Securities Act or in transactions that are exempt from registration under the Securities Act. In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, any person who is or has been our affiliate during the 90 days immediately preceding the sale and who has beneficially owned shares for at least six months is entitled to sell, within any three-month period commencing 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of: (i) 1% of the number of shares of common stock then outstanding, or (ii) the average weekly trading volume of the common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a Form 144 with respect to the sale.

Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates will also be subject to manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

Regulation S

Regulation S under the Securities Act provides that securities owned by any person may be sold without registration in the United States, provided that the sale is effected in an “offshore transaction” and no “directed selling efforts” are made in the United States (as these terms are defined in Regulation S) and subject to certain other conditions. In general, this means that our shares of common stock may be sold in some manner outside the United States without requiring registration in the United States.

Rule 701

In general, under Rule 701 as in effect on the date of this prospectus, any of our employees, directors, officers, consultants, or advisors who purchased shares from us in reliance on Rule 701 in connection with a compensatory stock or option plan or other written agreement before the effective date of this offering, or who purchase shares from us after that date upon the exercise of options granted before that date, are eligible to resell such shares 90 days after the effective date of this offering in reliance upon Rule 144. If such person is not an affiliate, such sale may be made subject only to current public information provisions of Rule 144. If such a person is an affiliate, such sale may be made under Rule 144 without compliance with the holding period requirement, but subject to the other Rule 144 restrictions described above.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following is a summary of material U.S. federal income tax consequences to non-U.S. holders (as defined below) of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock issued pursuant to this offering. This discussion is not a complete analysis of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences relating thereto, does not address the special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or any U.S. federal non-income tax consequences, such as estate or gift tax consequences, or any tax consequences arising under any state, local or foreign tax laws. This discussion is based on the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) all as in effect on the date hereof. These authorities are subject to differing interpretations and may change, possibly retroactively, resulting in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. We have not requested a ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will agree with such statements and conclusions.

This discussion is limited to non-U.S. holders who purchase our common stock pursuant to this offering and who hold our common stock as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a non-U.S. holder in light of such non-U.S. holder’s particular circumstances. This discussion also does not consider any specific facts or circumstances that may be relevant to non-U.S. holders subject to special rules under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including:

        certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

        partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as pass-through or disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and investors therein);

        “controlled foreign corporations” as defined in Section 957 of the Code;

        “passive foreign investment companies” as defined in Section 1297 of the Code;

        corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

        banks, financial institutions, investment funds, insurance companies, brokers, dealers or traders in securities;

        tax-exempt organizations and governmental organizations;

        tax-qualified retirement plans;

        persons who acquire our common stock through the exercise of an option or otherwise as compensation;

        “qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds;

        persons that own or have owned, actually or constructively, more than 5% of our common stock;

        persons who have elected to mark securities to market; and

        persons holding our common stock as part of a hedging or conversion transaction or straddle, or synthetic security or a constructive sale, or other risk reduction strategy or integrated investment.

If an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our common stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. Partnerships holding our common stock and the partners in such partnerships are urged to consult their tax advisors about the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences to them of holding and disposing of our common stock.

THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF ACQUIRING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF

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OUR COMMON STOCK, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS AND ANY OTHER U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

Definition of Non-U.S. Holder

For purposes of this discussion, a non-U.S. holder is any beneficial owner of our common stock that is not a “U.S. holder” or a partnership (including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. holder is any person that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as any of the following:

        an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

        a corporation created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

        an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

        a trust (1) whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and which has one or more U.S. persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

Distributions on Our Common Stock

As described under “Dividend Policy”, we do not anticipate declaring or paying, in the foreseeable future, any cash distributions on our capital stock. However, if we distribute cash or other property to holders of shares of our common stock, such distributions will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent such distribution is made from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Amounts not treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and will first be applied against and reduce a holder’s tax basis in our common stock, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of our common stock and will be treated as described under “Material U.S. federal income tax consequences for non-U.S. holders — Gain on disposition of our common stock” below.

Subject to the discussion below regarding effectively connected income, backup withholding and FATCA (as defined below), dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder of shares of our common stock generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty. To receive the benefit of a reduced treaty rate, a non-U.S. holder must furnish us or our withholding agent with a valid IRS Form W-8BEN (in the case of individuals) or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (in the case of entities), or other appropriate form, certifying such holder’s qualification for the reduced rate. This certification must be provided to us or our withholding agent before the payment of the dividends and must be updated periodically. In the case of a non-U.S. Holder that is an entity, Treasury Regulations and the relevant tax treaty provide rules to determine whether, for purposes of determining the applicability of the tax treaty, dividends will be treated as paid to the entity or to those holding an interest in the entity. If the non-U.S. holder holds our common stock through a financial institution or other agent acting on the non-U.S. holder’s behalf, the non-U.S. holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the agent, which then will be required to provide certification to us or our withholding agent, either directly or through other intermediaries.

If a non-U.S. holder holds shares of our common stock in connection with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and dividends paid on our common stock are effectively connected with such holder’s U.S. trade or business (and are attributable to such holder’s permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States if required by an applicable tax treaty), the non-U.S. holder will be exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax. To claim the exemption, the non-U.S. holder must generally furnish a valid IRS Form W-8ECI (or applicable successor form) to the applicable withholding agent.

However, any such effectively connected dividends generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular U.S. federal income tax rates in the same manner as if such holder were a resident of the United States. A non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation also may be subject to an additional branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) of its effectively connected dividends, as adjusted for certain items.

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Non-U.S. holders that do not provide the required certification on a timely basis, but that qualify for a reduced treaty rate, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Gain on Disposition of Our Common Stock

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and FATCA, a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of our common stock, unless:

        the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States;

        the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition, and certain other requirements are met; or

        our common stock constitutes a “United States real property interest” by reason of our status as a United States real property holding corporation (USRPHC) for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period for our common stock, and our common stock is not “regularly traded” on an established securities market during the calendar year in which the sale or other disposition occurs.

Gain described in the first bullet point above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular U.S. federal income tax rates in the same manner as if such holder were a resident of the United States. A non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation also may be subject to an additional branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items.

Gain described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a flat 30% rate (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), but may be offset by certain U.S.- source capital losses (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided that the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

Determining whether we are a USRPHC depends on the fair market value of our U.S. real property interests relative to the fair market value of our other trade or business assets and our foreign real property interests. We believe that we are not currently, and we do not anticipate becoming, a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, although there can be no assurance we will not in the future become a USRPHC. Even if we are treated as a USRPHC, gain realized by a non-U.S. Holder on a disposition of our common stock will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax so long as (1) the non-U.S. Holder owned, directly, indirectly and constructively, no more than 5% of our common stock at all times within the shorter of (a) the five-year period preceding the disposition or (b) the holder’s holding period and (2) our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market within the meaning of applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. There can be no assurance that our common stock qualifies as regularly traded on an established securities market. If any gain on a non-U.S. holder’s disposition of our common stock is taxable because we are a USRPHC and such holder’s ownership of our common stock exceeds 5%, such holder will be taxed on such disposition generally in the manner applicable to U.S. persons and in addition, a purchaser of such holder’s common stock may be required to withhold tax with respect to that obligation.

Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Annual reports are required to be filed with the IRS and provided to each non-U.S. holder indicating the amount of distributions on our common stock paid to such holder and the amount of any tax withheld with respect to those distributions. These information reporting requirements apply even if no withholding was required because the distributions were effectively connected with the holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, or withholding was reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty. This information also may be made available under a specific treaty or agreement with the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established. Backup withholding, currently at a 24% rate, generally will not apply to payments to a non-U.S. holder of dividends on or the gross proceeds of a disposition of our common stock provided the non-U.S. holder furnishes the required certification for its non-U.S. status, such as by providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8ECI, or otherwise establishes an exemption, and if the payor does not have actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is a U.S. person who is not an exempt recipient.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. If any amount is withheld under the backup withholding rules, the non-U.S. holder should consult with a U.S. tax advisor regarding the possibility of and procedure for obtaining a refund or a credit against the non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any.

Withholding on Foreign Entities

Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, which are commonly referred to as FATCA, impose a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on certain payments made to a “foreign financial institution” (as specially defined under these rules) unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding certain U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners) or an exemption applies. FATCA also generally imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on certain payments made to a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specially defined under these rules) unless such entity provides the withholding agent a certification that it does not have any “substantial United States owners” or provides information identifying certain direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity or an exemption applies. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. Under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. FATCA currently applies to dividends paid on our common stock and would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock. However, the U.S. Treasury Department has released proposed regulations under FATCA providing for the elimination of the federal withholding tax of 30% applicable to gross proceeds of a sale or other disposition of from property of a type that can produce U.S. source dividends or interest. Under these proposed Treasury Regulations (which may be relied upon by taxpayers prior to finalization), FATCA will not apply to gross proceeds from sales or other dispositions of our common stock.

Prospective investors are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in our common stock.

EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY RECENT AND PROPOSED CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAW, AS WELL AS TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER ANY STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR U.S. FEDERAL NON-INCOME TAX LAWS.

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UNDERWRITING

We have entered into an underwriting agreement with The Benchmark Company, LLC, as the representative of the underwriters (“Benchmark” or the “Representative”), with respect to the shares sold in this offering. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters named below, and the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us the number of shares of common stock set forth opposite the underwriter’s name in the following table at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts set forth in the cover page of this prospectus:

Underwriter

 

Number of
Shares

The Benchmark Company, LLC

 

 

TOTAL

 

3,000,000

The underwriters have committed to purchase all of the shares offered by us other than those shares covered by the over-allotment option described below, if they purchase any shares. 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 contained in the underwriting agreement, such as receipt by the underwriters of officers’ certificates and legal opinions.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters are offering the shares, 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 contained in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Over-Allotment Option

We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase from us, at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions, up to an additional 450,000 shares of our common stock, solely to cover over- allotments, if any. The underwriters may exercise this option, in whole or in part, for shares of our common stock, any time during the 30-day period from the date of this prospectus. If this option is exercised in full, the total price to the public will be $_______, underwriting discounts and commissions will be $_______ (assuming all investors in the offering are introduced by the underwriters) and the net proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $_________.

Underwriting Discount, Commissions and Expenses

The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriters and the proceeds to us before expenses. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of our common stock.

 

Total

   

Per Share

 

No Exercise

 

Full Exercise

Initial public offering price

 

$

   

$

   

$

 

Underwriting discounts and commissions (7%)(1)

 

$

   

$

   

$

 

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

 

$

   

$

   

$

 

____________

(1)      Represents underwriting discounts equal to (i) 7% per share, which is the underwriting discounts we have agreed to pay on investors in this offering introduced by the underwriters; and (ii) 5.5% per share, which is the underwriting discounts we have agreed to pay on investors in this offering introduced by us. For purpose of the calculation only, we assume 100% investors in this offering are introduced by the underwriters.

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The Representative has advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the shares to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $____ per share. After the initial public offering, the public offering price, concession and discount may be changed.

We have agreed to pay all of the expenses relating to the offering, including, but not limited to, (a) all filing fees and communication expenses relating to the registration of the shares of common stock to be sold in this offering with the SEC; (b) all fees and expenses relating to the listing of the shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market and such other exchanges as the Company and the Representative together determine, including any fees charged by DTC; (c) all filing fees and communication expenses associated with the review of the offering by FINRA; (d) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration or qualification of the shares under “blue sky” or securities laws of such states of the United States of America and other jurisdictions designated by the Representative, including the reasonable fees and expenses of the Representative’s blue sky counsel; (e) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of the shares under the securities laws of such foreign jurisdictions designated by the Representative; (f) the costs of mailing and printing the underwriting documents (including the Underwriting Agreement, any Blue Sky Surveys and, if appropriate, any Agreement Among Underwriters, Selected Dealers’ Agreement, Underwriters’ Questionnaire and Power of Attorney), registration statements, prospectuses and all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto and as many preliminary and final prospectuses as the Representative may reasonably deem necessary; (g) the costs of preparing, printing and delivering certificates representing the common stock issued in this offering; (h) transfer and/or stamp taxes, if any, payable upon our transfer of the shares to the underwriters; (i) the fees and expenses of the transfer agent for our common stock; (j) the cost associated with the Representative’s use of Ipreo’s book building, prospectus tracking and compliance software for the offering; (k) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants; (l) expenses incurred by the Underwriters for any roadshow for the offering; (n) the fees of counsel to the Underwriters in an amount not to exceed $100,000; provided that the forgoing underwriter’s out-of-pocket expenses shall not exceed $125,000. Additionally, we have agreed to pay all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to background checks of our directors and offices in an amount not to exceed $7,500.

We have paid a $25,000 expense advance to the Representative, which shall be applied against actual out-of-pocket-accountable expenses, which will be returned to us to the extent such out-of-pocket accountable expenses are not actually incurred in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(4)(A). We have agreed to pay to the Representative a non-accountable expense allowance of 1.0% of the gross proceeds of the offering at the closing of the offering.

We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding the total underwriting discounts and commissions and non-accountable expense allowance, will be approximately $890,890.

Discretionary Accounts

The underwriters do not intend to confirm sales of the shares offered hereby to any accounts over which they have discretionary authority.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters or selling group members, if any, participating in the offering. Benchmark may allocate a number of shares to the underwriters and selling group members, if any, for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Any such allocations for online distributions will be made by Benchmark on the same basis as other allocations.

Representative’s Warrants

We have agreed to issue to the Representative or its designees at the closing of this offering warrants to purchase the number of common stock equal to 5% of the aggregate number of shares sold in this offering. The warrants will be exercisable at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the four-and-a-half-year period commencing six months after the commencement of sales in this offering. The warrants will be exercisable at a per share price equal to 100% of the initial public offering price per share in the offering. The Warrants provide for registration rights (including a one-time demand registration right at our expense and unlimited piggyback rights, each expiring five (5) years from commencement of sales of the offering) and customary anti-dilution provisions, as permitted by FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8).

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The warrants have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a 180-day lock-up pursuant to Rule 5110(e)(1) of FINRA. The Representative (or permitted assignees under Rule 5110(e)(1)) 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 date of this prospectus. The warrants and the common stocks underlying the warrants are being registered as a part of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and will be freely tradable upon the declaration of the effectiveness of such registration statement by the SEC.

The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation.

Lock-Up Agreements

Our officers and directors, and holders of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock have agreed not to, without the prior written consent of the Representative, directly or indirectly, offer to sell, sell, pledge or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of our common stock (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the transfer or disposition by any person at any time in the future of shares of our common stock, enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of shares of common stock, 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 of the shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of common stock or any other of our securities or publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing, subject to customary exceptions, for periods of 180 days from the date of this prospectus.

Tail Financing

If during the twelve (12) month period that is following the closing of this initial public offering, we consummate a financing with investors with whom we have had a conference call or a meeting arranged by the Representative during the period in which we engaged the representative, we will pay the Representative a fee equal 7% of the proceeds of such financing; provided, however, if the underwriting agreement is terminated for cause by the Company, no tail financing fee shall be payable as provided in FINRA Rule 5110(g)(5)(B).

Right of First Refusal

We have granted the Representative the right to act as lead or joint-lead investment banker, lead or joint book-runner and/or lead or joint placement agent, for any of our future public and private equity and debt offerings, including all equity linked financings, during the twelve (12) month period following the completion of this initial public offering; provided, however, if the underwriting agreement is terminated for cause by the Company, the right of first refusal shall be terminated as provided in FINRA Rule 5110(g)(5)(B).

Determination of Offering Price

The public offering price was negotiated between Benchmark and us. In determining the public offering price of our common stock, Benchmark considered:

        the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete;

        our financial information;

        the ability of our management and our business potential and earning prospects;

        the prevailing securities markets at the time of this offering; and

        the recent market prices of, and the demand for, publicly traded shares of generally comparable companies, as well as the recent market price of our Company’s common stock.

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Stabilization

In connection with this offering, the underwriter 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 securities 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 securities while the offering is in progress.

        Over-allotment transactions involve sales by the underwriter of securities in excess of the number of securities the underwriter is 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 securities over-allotted by the underwriter is not greater than the number of securities that they may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of securities involved is greater than the number of securities in the over-allotment option. The underwriter may close out any short position by exercising their over-allotment option and/or purchasing securities in the open market.

        Syndicate covering transactions involves purchases of securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of securities to close out the short position, the underwriter will consider, among other things, the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared with the price at which they may purchase securities through exercise of the over-allotment option. If the underwriter sells more securities 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 securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriter is concerned that after pricing there could be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

        Penalty bids permit the underwriter to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by that syndicate member are purchased in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions to cover syndicate short positions.

These stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions, and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our securities or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our securities. As a result, the price of our securities in the open market may be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of these transactions. Neither we nor the underwriter make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our securities. These transactions may be affected on the Nasdaq Stock Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

Passive Market Making

In connection with this offering, underwriter, and selling group members may engage in passive market making transactions in our securities on the Nasdaq Stock Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of the shares and extending through the completion of the distribution. A passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, then that bid must then be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded.

Other Relationships

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non-financial activities and services. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, a variety of these services to us and to persons and entities with relationships with us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

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SELLING RESTRICTIONS

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriter that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that 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 jurisdiction. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus 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.

European Economic Area

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the relevant implementation date), an offer of shares described in this prospectus may not be made to the public in that relevant member state other than:

        to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

        to fewer than 100 or, if the relevant member state has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant Dealer or Dealers nominated by us for any such offer; or

        in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of shares shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of securities to the public” in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the shares, as the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the relevant member state) and includes any relevant implementing measure in the relevant member state. The expression 2010 PD Amending Directive means Directive 2010/73/EU.

The sellers of the shares have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of shares through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters with a view to the final placement of the shares as contemplated in this prospectus. Accordingly, no purchaser of the shares, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of the shares on behalf of the sellers or the underwriters.

United Kingdom

This prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (each such person being referred to as a “relevant person”). This prospectus and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

Hong Kong

Our securities may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong)

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and any rules made thereunder or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the securities may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

People’s Republic of China

This prospectus has not been and will not be circulated or distributed in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), and our securities may not be offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, to any resident of the PRC except pursuant to applicable laws and regulations of the PRC.

Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of our securities may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the securities be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined under Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”) ) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to conditions set forth in the SFA.

Where our securities are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is a corporation (which is not an accredited investor as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor, the securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation shall not be transferable for six months after that corporation has acquired our securities under Section 275 except: (a) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, (b) where such transfer arises from an offer in that corporation’s securities pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (c) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; (d) where such transfer is by operation of law; or (e) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA.

Where the securities are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an accredited investor, the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferable for six months after that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 of the SFA except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, (2) where such transfer arises from an offer that is made on terms that such rights or interest are acquired at a consideration of not less than S$200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction (whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets), (3) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer, (4) where the transfer is by operation of law, or (5) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA.

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Hogan Lovells US LLP, New York, New York. Lucosky Brookman LLP has represented the underwriters in connection with this offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2023 and 2022 appearing in this prospectus have been audited by Marcum Asia CPAs LLP (“Marcum Asia”) and Friedman LLP (“Friedman”), an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of such firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The office of Marcum Asia is located at 7 Pennsylvania Plaza, Suite 830, New York, NY 10001. The office of Friedman is located at One Liberty Plaza, 165 Broadway, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10006.

CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

Effective September 1, 2022, Friedman, our then independent registered public accounting firm, combined with Marcum LLP and continued to operate as an independent registered public accounting firm. On January 5, 2023, our board of directors dismissed Friedman and engaged Marcum Asia to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm. The services previously provided by Friedman are now provided by Marcum Asia.

Friedman’s report on our consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2022 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. Furthermore, during our fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 and through January 5, 2023, there have been no disagreements with Friedman on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to Friedman’s satisfaction, would have caused Friedman to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports on our financial statements for such periods.

For our fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 and the subsequent interim period through January 5, 2023, there were no “reportable events”, as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

During our fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 and through January 5, 2023, neither our Company nor anyone acting on our behalf consulted Marcum Asia with respect to any of the matters or reportable events described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act for the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which is part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement and the exhibits. For further information about us and the common stock offered by this prospectus, you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits. References in this prospectus to any of our contracts or other documents are not necessarily complete, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract or document. You may read and copy any document that we file at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

We will be subject to the reporting and information requirements of the Exchange Act and, as a result, will file periodic and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We expect to make our periodic reports and other information filed with or furnished to the SEC, available, free of charge, through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports and other information are filed with or furnished to the SEC. Additionally, these periodic reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the public reference room and website of the SEC referred to above.

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F-1

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Fly-E Group, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Fly-E Group, Inc. (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2023, the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year ended March 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. 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 also audited adjustments to the 2022 financial statements to retroactively effect the stock split as described in Note 8. In our opinion, such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the Company’s 2022 financial statements other than with respect to the adjustments and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on the 2022 financial statements as a whole.

We conducted our audit 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 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 audit 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 audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Marcum Asia CPAs LLP

Marcum Asia CPAs LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022 (such date takes into account the acquisition of certain assets of Friedman LLP by Marcum Asia CPAs LLP effective September 1, 2022).

New York, NY
August 11, 2023, except for Note 8 as to which the date is April
22, 2024

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Fly-E Group, Inc.

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Fly-E Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2022, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year ended March 31, 2022, 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 as of March 31, 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended March 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We were not engaged to audit, review or apply any procedures to the adjustments to retroactively apply the effects of the stock split described in Note 8, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance about whether such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. Those adjustments were audited by Marcum Asia CPAs LLP.

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 audit. 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 audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with the 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 audit, 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 audit 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 audit 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 audit provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Friedman LLP

We served as the Company’s auditor during 2022

New York, New York

December 28, 2022

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FLY-E GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Expressed in U.S. dollars, except for the number of shares)

 

March 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2022

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

358,894

 

 

$

395,034

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

389,077

 

 

 

54,325

 

Accounts receivable – related parties

 

 

136,565

 

 

 

 

Inventories, net

 

 

3,838,754

 

 

 

4,605,526

 

Other receivables

 

 

782,819

 

 

 

145,189

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

5,506,109

 

 

 

5,200,074

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

785,285

 

 

 

424,480

 

Security deposits

 

 

424,942

 

 

 

294,262

 

Deferred IPO costs

 

 

75,819

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets, net

 

 

211,100

 

 

 

659,900

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

10,261,556

 

 

 

8,083,920

 

Total Assets

 

$

17,264,811

 

 

$

14,662,636

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

1,005,401

 

 

$

1,076,329

 

Current portion of long-term loan payables

 

 

412,224

 

 

 

 

Accrued expenses and other payables

 

 

365,662

 

 

 

470,759

 

Other payables – related parties

 

 

332,481

 

 

 

2,828,804

 

Operating lease liabilities – current

 

 

1,836,737

 

 

 

1,312,549

 

Taxes payable

 

 

959,456

 

 

 

734,429

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

4,911,961

 

 

 

6,422,870

 

Long-term loan payables

 

 

723,228

 

 

 

 

Long-term loan payables – related parties

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities – non-current

 

 

8,979,193

 

 

 

7,117,908

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

14,764,382

 

 

 

13,540,778

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitment and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 4,400,000 shares authorized and nil outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and 2022*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 44,000,000 shares authorized and 22,000,000 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023*

 

 

220,000

 

 

 

220,000

 

Shares Subscription Receivable

 

 

(219,998

)

 

 

(219,998

)

Retained Earnings

 

 

2,500,427

 

 

 

1,121,856

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

2,500,429

 

 

 

1,121,858

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

17,264,811

 

 

$

14,662,636

 

____________

*        Shares and per share data are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the nominal share issuance on December 21, 2022 and to give effect to the stock split completed on April 2, 2024.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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FLY-E GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Expressed in U.S. dollars, except for the number of shares)

 

For the Years Ended
March 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Revenues

 

$

21,774,937

 

 

$

17,192,659

 

Cost of Revenues

 

 

13,485,405

 

 

 

13,950,620

 

Gross Profit

 

 

8,289,532

 

 

 

3,242,039

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling Expenses

 

 

3,667,227

 

 

 

2,042,668

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

 

2,309,927

 

 

 

571,639

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

5,977,154

 

 

 

2,614,307

 

Income from Operations

 

 

2,312,378

 

 

 

627,732

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Expenses, net

 

 

(11,574

)

 

 

(48,503

)

Interest Expenses, net

 

 

(100,341

)

 

 

 

Income Before Income Taxes

 

 

2,200,463

 

 

 

579,229

 

Income Tax Expense

 

 

(821,892

)

 

 

(171,208

)

Net Income

 

$

1,378,571

 

 

$

408,021

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per Share

 

$

0.06

 

 

$

0.02

 

Weighted Average Number of Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– Basic and Diluted*

 

 

22,000,000

 

 

 

22,000,000

 

____________

*        Shares and per share data are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the nominal share issuance on December 21, 2022 and to give effect to the stock split completed on April 2, 2024.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-5

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Expressed in U.S. dollars, except for the number of shares)

 


Preferred Stock

 


Common Stock

 

Shares
Subscription
Receivable

 

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Total
Stockholders’
Equity

   

Shares*

 

Amount

 

Shares*

 

Amount

 

Balance at March 31, 2021

 

 

$

 

22,000,000

 

$

220,000

 

(219,998

)

 

$

 

$

713,835

 

$

713,837

Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

408,021

 

 

408,021

Balance at March 31, 2022

 

 

$

 

22,000,000

 

$

220,000

 

(219,998

)

 

$

 

$

1,121,856

 

$

1,121,858

Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,378,571

 

 

1,378,571

Balance at March 31, 2023

 

 

$

 

22,000,000

 

$

220,000

 

(219,998

)

 

$

 

$

2,500,427

 

$

2,500,429

____________

*        Shares and per share data are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the nominal share issuance on December 21, 2022 and to give effect to the stock split completed on April 2, 2024.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-6

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in U.S. dollars, except for the number of shares)

 

For the Years Ended
March 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1,378,571

 

 

$

408,021

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

 

145,783

 

 

 

95,162

 

Deferred income taxes expenses (benefits)

 

 

448,800

 

 

 

(484,000

)

Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

1,905,028

 

 

 

908,728

 

Inventories reserve

 

 

431,363

 

 

 

279,985

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(334,752

)

 

 

161,405

 

Accounts receivable – related parties

 

 

(136,565

)

 

 

 

Inventories

 

 

335,409

 

 

 

(2,131,637

)

Other receivables and other current assets

 

 

(637,630

)

 

 

(77,709

)

Security deposits

 

 

(130,680

)

 

 

(161,688

)

Accounts payable

 

 

(70,928

)

 

 

1,076,329

 

Accrued expenses and other payables

 

 

(105,097

)

 

 

62,929

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

(1,697,190

)

 

 

(743,811

)

Taxes payable

 

 

225,027

 

 

 

617,974

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

1,757,139

 

 

 

11,688

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments of property and equipment

 

 

(442,915

)

 

 

(323,544

)

Net cash (used in) investing activities

 

 

(442,915

)

 

 

(323,544

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred IPO Cost

 

 

(75,819

)

 

 

 

Borrowing from loan payables

 

 

1,500,000

 

 

 

 

Repayments of loan payables

 

 

(278,222

)

 

 

 

Borrowing from other payables – related parties

 

 

 

 

 

534,536

 

Repayments on other payables – related parties

 

 

(2,496,323

)

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

 

(1,350,364

)

 

 

534,536

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net changes in cash

 

 

(36,140

)

 

 

222,680

 

Cash at beginning of the year

 

 

395,034

 

 

 

172,354

 

Cash at the end of the year

 

$

358,894

 

 

$

395,034

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest expense

 

$

100,387

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

148,064

 

 

$

37,235

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial recognition of Right-Of-Use Assets and Lease Liabilities

 

$

4,082,664

 

 

$

6,311,020

 

Unpaid deferred IPO costs

 

$

11,717

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-7

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1 — DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Organization and principal activities

Fly-E Group, Inc. (the “Company” or “Fly-E Group”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on November 1, 2022. The Company has no substantive operations other than holding all of the issued and outstanding shares of Fly E-Bike Inc. (“Fly E-Bike”) and Fly EV, Inc. (“Fly EV”). Fly E-Bike and Fly EV were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on August 22, 2022 and November 1, 2022, respectively. Fly EV has no substantive operations. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is principally engaged in designing, installing and selling smart electric bikes (“E-bikes”), electric motorcycles (“E-motorcycles”), electric scooters (“E-scooters”) and related accessories under the brand name of “Fly E-Bike.” The Company’s principal operations and geographic markets are mainly in the United States of America (the “U.S.”). As of August 1, 2023, the Company has opened a total of 32 stores in the U.S.

The Company’s business was initially operated under CTATE INC. (“Ctate”), a corporation formed under the laws of the State of New York in 2018. Before merging with Fly E-Bike, Ctate owned 27 companies, each of which operated a Fly E-Bike store. On September 12, 2022, Ctate and Fly E-Bike, which was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ctate, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, pursuant to which Ctate merged into and with Fly E-Bike, with Fly E-Bike being the surviving corporation (the “Merger”). As a result of the Merger, the original shareholders of Ctate became the stockholders of Fly E-Bike and subsequently effectively controlled the combined entity.

On December 21, 2022, Fly-E Group and Fly E-Bike entered into a Share Exchange Agreement, pursuant to which Fly-E Group acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Fly E-Bike by issuing its shares to the stockholders of Fly E-Bike on a one-for-one basis (the “Share Exchange”). As a result of the Share Exchange, Fly E-Bike became a wholly owned subsidiary of Fly-E Group.

As a result of the Merger and the Share Exchange, Fly E-Bike and its subsidiaries are under common control of Fly-E Group, resulting in the consolidation of Fly E-Bike and its subsidiaries, which was accounted as a reorganization of entities under common control at carrying value. The consolidated financial statements are prepared on the basis as if the reorganization became effective as of the beginning of the first period presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Fly-E Group.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and each of the following subsidiaries as of March 31, 2023.

Name

 

Background

 

Ownership

FLY-E GROUP, INC.

 

   A Delaware corporation

   Incorporated on November 1, 2022

   A holding company

 

Parent Company

FLY EV, INC.

 

   A Delaware corporation

   Incorporated on November 1, 2022

   A holding Company

 

100% owned by Fly-E Group, Inc.

FLY E-BIKE, INC.

 

   A Delaware Company

   Incorporated on August 22, 2022

   A holding Company

 

100% owned by Fly-E Group, Inc.

UNIVERSE KING CORP

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on November 19, 2018

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

UFOTS CORP.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on May 2, 2019

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

F-8

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1 — DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (cont.)

Name

 

Background

 

Ownership

ARFY CORP.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on April 29, 2020

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

TKPGO CORP.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on July 3, 2018

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYFLS INC

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on October 13, 2020

   A retail store and corporate office

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLY37 INC

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on October 14, 2020

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FIYET INC

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on November 12, 2020

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLY GC INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on November 13, 2020

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLY MHT INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on December 15, 2020

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYAM INC

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on February 19, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

OFLYO INC

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on March 29, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYEBIKE INC

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on March 30, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYCLB INC

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on April 15, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYEBIKE NJ INC

 

   A New Jersey corporation

   Incorporated on June 8, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

ESEBIKE INC

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on October 13, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYEBIKEMIAMI INC

 

   A Florida corporation

   Incorporated on June 30, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

F-9

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1 — DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (cont.)

Name

 

Background

 

Ownership

GOFLY INC

 

   A Texas corporation

   Incorporated on July 23, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLY14 CORP.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on September 15, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

EDISONEBIKE INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on October 13, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYTRON INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on November 9, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYCYCLE INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on January 10, 2022

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYNJ2 INC.

 

   A New Jersey corporation

   Incorporated on February 10, 2022

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYBWY INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on March 2, 2022

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYCORONA INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on March 9, 2022

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

MEEBIKE

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on March 25, 2022

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLY6AVE, INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on April 16, 2022

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLY E BIKE NJ3, INC

 

   A New Jersey corporation

   Incorporated on July 18, 2022

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYEBIKE BROOKLYN, INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on November 2, 2022

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLY E-BIKE SAN ANTONIO INC

 

   A Texas corporation

   Incorporated on January 1, 2023

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

F-10

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1 — DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (cont.)

Name

 

Background

 

Ownership

FLYEBIKE WORLD INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on February 27, 2023

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLY DELIVERY INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on March 2, 2023

   A delivery store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

Liquidity

As March 31, 2023 the Company had working capital of approximately $0.6 million and cash of approximately $0.4 million. The Company had net income of $1.4 million and $0.4 million for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The management plans to increase the Company’s revenue by strengthening its sales force, providing attractive sales incentive programs, and increasing marketing and promotion activities. Management also intends to raise additional funds by way of a private or public offering, or by obtaining loans from banks, related parties or others. The working capital requirements are affected by the efficiency of operations and depend on the Company’s ability to increase its revenue. The Company anticipates that it will continue to incur net income for the foreseeable future and believes that its cash on hand and operating cash flows will be sufficient to fund its operations over at least the next 12 months from the date of issuance of these financial statements. However, the Company may need additional cash resources in the future if the Company wishes to pursue opportunities for investment, expansion of new stores, acquisition, strategic cooperation, or other similar actions. If it is determined that the cash requirements exceed the Company’s amounts of cash on hand, the Company may seek to issue debt or equity securities or obtain a credit facility.

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (the “U.S. GAAP”) and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

The accompanying consolidated financial statements contemplate the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business are dependent on, among other things, the Company’s ability to operate profitably, to generate cash flows from operations, and its ability to attract investors and to borrow funds on reasonable economic terms.

(b) Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control and, when applicable, entities for which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All transactions and balances among the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated upon consolidation.

(c) Segment Information

The Company’s chief operating decision-makers (i.e., chief executive officer and his direct reports) review financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied by disaggregated information about revenues by different revenues streams for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. The Company and its subsidiaries offer E-bikes, E-motorcycles, E-scooters and other items and services in its stores. The Company’s retail operating divisions are geographically based, have similar economic characteristics and similar expected long-term financial performance. The Company’s operating segments are reported in one reportable segment-wholesale and retail. There are no segment managers who are held accountable for operations,

F-11

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

operating results and plans for levels or components below the consolidated unit level. Based on qualitative and quantitative criteria established by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280, “Segment Reporting”, the Company considers itself to be operating within one reportable segment.

(d) Use of Estimates

In the application of the Company’s accounting policies, management is required to make judgments, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Significant accounting estimates include, but not limited to, useful lives of depreciable property and equipment, impairment of long-lived assets, the realization of deferred income tax assets, allowance for inventories, and discount rate for operating leases. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and as such, differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements.

(e) Commitments and Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to loss contingencies, such as legal proceedings and claims arising out of its business, which cover a wide range of matters, including, among others, government investigations, shareholder lawsuits, and non-income tax matters.

An accrual for a loss contingency is recognized when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. If a potential material loss contingency is not probable but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material, is disclosed.

(f)  Cash

Cash consists of cash on hand and cash deposited with banks. The Company’s cash is maintained at financial institutions in the U.S. Deposits in these financial institutions may, from time to time, exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (the “FDIC”) federally insured limits, which is $250,000. The Company has not incurred any losses during the past for amount over the FDIC limits. As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, no balance deposited with banks was uninsured.

(g) Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivables include trade account due from customers. Accounts receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount less an allowance for any uncollectible accounts and do not bear interest, which are due after 30 to 90 days, depending on the credit term with the customers. Management considers the following factors when determining the collectability of specific accounts: historical experience, credit worthiness of the clients, aging of the receivables and other specific circumstances related to the accounts. An allowance for doubtful accounts is made and recorded into general and administrative expenses based on the aging of accounts receivable and on any specifically identified accounts receivable that may become uncollectible. Accounts receivable which are deemed to be uncollectible are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. No allowance for doubtful accounts as of March 31, 2023 and 2022 was recorded.

(h) Inventories, Net

Inventories, consisting of products available for sale, are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the first-in-first-out method. Adjustments to the carrying value are recorded for estimated obsolescence or excess inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated net realizable value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Inventory cost consists of the direct cost of merchandise including freight.

F-12

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

(i)  Prepayments and Other Receivables

Prepayments and other receivables are mainly prepayments to vendors, prepaid expenses paid to service providers, prepaid taxes, advances to employees, and other deposits. Management regularly reviews the aging of such balances and changes in payment and realization trends and records allowances when management believes that the collection of amounts due is at risk. Accounts considered uncollectable are written off against allowances after exhaustive efforts at collection are made. As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, no allowance against prepayments and other receivables was recorded.

(j)  Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any recorded impairment.

The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Machinery and equipment

 

5 years

Furniture and fixtures

 

5 years

Leasehold improvements

 

3 – 10 years (shorter of lease term or useful lives)

Motor vehicles

 

5 years

Depreciation on property and equipment is calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise retired are eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in the consolidated statements of operations. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as incurred, while additions, renewals, and betterments, which are expected to extend the useful life of assets, are capitalized. The Company also re-evaluates the periods of depreciation to determine whether subsequent events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives.

(k) Impairment of Long-lived Assets

At the end of each reporting period, the Company reviews the carrying amounts of its property, plant and equipment, and right-of-use assets, to determine whether there is any indication that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company assesses the recoverability of the assets based on the undiscounted future cash flows the assets are expected to generate and recognize an impairment loss when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset plus net proceeds expected from disposition of the asset, if any, are less than the carrying value of the asset. If an impairment is identified, the Company will reduce the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flows approach or, when available and appropriate, to comparable market values. As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, no impairment of long-lived assets was recognized.

(l)  Deferred IPO Costs

The Company complies with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 340-10-S99-1, “Other Assets and Deferred Costs — SEC Materials” (“ASC 340-10-S99”) and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5A, “Expenses of Offering”. Deferred IPO costs consist of underwriting, legal, accounting and other professional expenses incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the Proposed Public Offering and that will be charged to additional paid in capital upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering. Should the Proposed Public Offering prove to be unsuccessful, these deferred costs, as well as additional expenses to be incurred, will be charged to operations.

F-13

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

(m)Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and consider assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs required to measure fair value, of which the first two are considered observable and the third is considered unobservable:

Level-1

 

 

Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level-2

 

 

Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.

Level-3

 

 

Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

The fair value for certain assets and liabilities such as cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, prepayments and other current assets, short-term loans, accounts payable, contract liabilities, accrued expenses and other payables, and tax payables have been determined to approximate carrying amounts due to the short maturities of these instruments. The Company believes that its long-term loan to a third party approximates the fair value based on current yields for debt instruments with similar terms. The Company and its subsidiaries did not have any non-financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2023 and 2022.

(n) Revenue Recognition

The Company follows the revenue accounting requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The core principle underlying the revenue recognition of this ASC allows the Company to recognize revenue that represents the transfer of products and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in such exchange. This will require the Company to identify contractual performance obligations and determine whether revenue should be recognized at a point in time or over time, based on when control of products and services transfers to a customer.

To achieve that core principle, the Company applies a five-step model to recognize revenue from customer contracts. The five-step model requires that the Company (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, including variable consideration to the extent that it is probable that a significant future reversal will not occur, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the respective performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies the performance obligation.

Product revenue — Performance obligations satisfied at point in time

The Company generates substantially all its revenues from sales of products such as smart E-bikes, E-motorcycles, E-scooters and accessories to the retail and wholesale customers through its wholly owned subsidiaries stores. In accordance with ASC 606, the Company’s performance obligations are satisfied upon the control of products being passed to the customer, which is the point in time that the customers are able to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the economic benefit of the products or services. The transfer of control typically occurs at a point in time based on consideration of when the customer has an obligation to pay for the products, and physical possession of, legal title to, and the risks and rewards of ownership of the products have been transferred, and the customer has accepted the products. Revenue is recognized net of estimates of variable consideration, including product returns, customer discounts and allowance. which occurs at the point of sale, or the services have been rendered. Historically, the Company has not experienced any significant returns nor provided significant customer discounts.

F-14

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

The Company offers an assurance-type warranty to its customers. An assurance-type warranty guarantees that the product will perform as promised and is not a performance obligation. This type of warranty promises to repair or replace a delivered good or service if it does not perform as expected. Since an assurance-type warranty guarantees the functionality of a product, the warranty is not accounted for as a separate performance obligation, and thus no transaction price is allocated to it. Rather, to account for an assurance-type warranty the vendor should estimate and accrue a warranty liability when the promised good or service is delivered to the customer (see ASC 460-10).

Since the contract price and term are fixed and enforceable, and an assurance-type warranty guarantees the functionality of a product, and the warranty is not accounted for as a separate performance obligation, no transaction price is allocated to it. The Company recognizes sales in full at the point in time when the products are delivered or accepted by the customers, in accordance with the acceptance term specified in the contract. The Company records estimated future warranty costs under ASC 460. Such estimated costs for warranties are estimated at the time of delivery and these warranties are not service warranties separately sold by the Company. Generally, the estimated claim rates of warranty are based on actual warranty experience or the Company’s best estimate. The Company accrued $22,056 and $53,541 of warranty reserves under accrued expenses and other payables as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Disaggregated information of revenues by business lines are as follows:

 

For the year ended
March 31,

   

2023

 

2022

   

USD

 

USD

Sale-retail

 

$

18,844,921

 

$

12,804,757

Sale-wholesale

 

 

2,930,016

 

 

4,387,902

Net revenues

 

$

21,774,937

 

$

17,192,659

(o) Selling and Marketing Expenses

Selling and marketing expenses mainly consist of advertising costs, promotion expenses and payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in selling and marketing activities. Advertising expenses, which consist primarily of online and offline advertisements, are expenses when the services are received. The advertising expenses were $49,420 and $51,332 for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

(p) Income Taxes

Current income taxes are provided based on net income/(loss) for financial reporting purposes and adjusted for income and expense items which are not assessable or deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the regulations of the relevant tax jurisdictions.

Deferred taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method in respect of temporary differences arising from differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and the corresponding tax basis used in the computation of assessable tax profit. In principle, deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilized.

Deferred tax is calculated using tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized, or the liability is settled. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it is related to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities.

F-15

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

An uncertain tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. No penalties and interest incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as income tax expense in the period incurred. The tax returns filed in 2018 to 2021 are subject to examination by any appropriate tax authorities.

(q) Leases

The Company accounts for leases in accordance with ASC 842. The Company leases premises for offices, warehouses, and retail stores under non-cancellable operating leases.

The Company recognizes right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all leases at the commencement date of a lease, except for short-term leases and low-value asset leases accounted for applying a recognition exemption where lease payments are recognized as expenses on a straight-line basis over the lease terms. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are short-term leases and not recognized as operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company recognizes lease expense for short-term leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Right-of-use assets are initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial measurement of lease liabilities adjusted for lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs needed to restore the underlying assets, and less any lease incentives received. Right-of-use assets are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses and adjusted for any remeasurement of the lease liabilities. Right-of-use assets are presented on a separate line in the consolidated balance sheets.

Right-of-use assets are depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement dates to the earlier of the end of the useful lives of the right-of-use assets or the end of the lease terms.

Lease liabilities are initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, which comprise fixed payments, in-substance fixed payments, variable lease payments which depend on an index or a rate. The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in a lease if that rate can be readily determined. If that rate cannot be readily determined, the Company uses the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate.

Subsequently, lease liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, with interest expense recognized over the lease terms. When there is a change in a lease term or a change in future lease payments resulting from a change in an index or a rate used to determine those payments, the Company remeasures the lease liabilities with a corresponding adjustment to the right-of-use-assets. However, if the carrying amount of the right-of-use assets is reduced to zero, any remaining amount of the remeasurement is recognized in profit or loss. Lease liabilities are presented on a separate line in the consolidated balance sheets.

Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are recognized as expenses in the periods in which they are incurred.

(r)  Concentration and Risk

Concentration of customers and suppliers

No customers individually represented greater than 10% of total net revenues of the Company for the years ended March 31, 2023, and 2022.

F-16

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

For the year ended March 31, 2023, the Company’s top three suppliers represented 33%, 21% and 12% of total purchase of the Company respectively. One supplier represented 70% of total purchases of the Company for the year ended March 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2023, three suppliers accounted for 55%, 27%, and 11% of accounts payable balance respectively. One supplier accounted for 100% of the accounts payable balance as of March 31, 2022.

Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments that are potentially subject to credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. The Company believes the concentration of credit risk in its account receivable is substantially mitigated by its ongoing credit evaluation process and relatively short collection terms. The Company does not generally require collateral from customers. The Company evaluates the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other information. Historically, the Company did not have any bad debt on its account receivable.

Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted cash, short-term investments, and accounts receivable, net. The Company’s investment policy requires cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted cash, and short-term investments to be placed with high-quality financial institutions and to limit the amount of credit risk from any one issuer. The Company regularly evaluates the credit standing of the counterparties or financial institutions.

(s)  Related Parties

A related party is generally defined as (i) any person and or their immediate family hold 10% or more of the Company’s securities (ii) the Company’s management and/or their immediate family, (iii) someone that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company, or (iv) anyone who can significantly influence the financial and operating decisions of the Company. A transaction is considered to be a related party transaction when there is a transfer of resources or obligations between related parties. Related parties may be individuals or corporate entities. Transactions involving related parties cannot be presumed to be carried out on an arm’s length basis, as the requisite conditions of competitive, free market dealings may not exist. Representations about transactions with related parties, if made, shall not imply that the related party transactions were consummated on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm’s length transactions unless such representations can be substantiated.

(t)  Earnings Per Share

The Company computes earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings per Share”. ASC 260 requires companies to present basic and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is measured as net income divided by the weighted average common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of the potential common stock (e.g., convertible securities, options, and warrants) as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance date, if later. Potential shares of common stock that have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS.

For the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no dilutive shares.

(u) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all accounting standards updates (“ASUs”). Management periodically reviews new accounting standards that are issued. Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended (the “JOBS Act”), the Company meets the definition of an emerging growth company and has elected the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, which delays the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies.

F-17

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, which is an update to ASU Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which introduced the expected credit losses methodology for the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost basis, replacing the previous incurred loss methodology. The amendments in Update 2016-13 added Topic 326, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses, and made several consequential amendments to the Codification. Update 2016-13 also modified the accounting for available-for-sale debt securities, which must be individually assessed for credit losses when fair value is less than the amortized cost basis, in accordance with Subtopic 326-30, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses — Available-for-Sale Debt Securities. The amendments in this Update address those stakeholders’ concerns by providing an option to irrevocably elect the fair value option for certain financial assets previously measured at amortized cost basis. For those entities, the targeted transition relief will increase comparability of financial statement information by providing an option to align measurement methodologies for similar financial assets. Furthermore, the targeted transition relief also may reduce the costs for some entities to comply with the amendments in Update 2016-13 while still providing financial statement users with decision-useful information. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, which to update the effective date of ASU No. 2016-13 for private companies, not-for-profit organizations and certain smaller reporting companies applying for credit losses, leases, and hedging standard. The new effective date for these preparers is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. ASU 2019-05 is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning April 1, 2023 as the Company is qualified as an emerging growth company. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2019-05 may have on its consolidated financial statements.

Except as mentioned above, the Company does not believe other recently issued but not yet effective accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, statements of income and comprehensive income and statements of cash flows.

3 — INVENTORIES, NET

Inventories, net consisted of the following:

 

March 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2022

Battery

 

$

1,370,513

 

 

$

2,224,452

 

Electric Vehicle

 

 

2,485,573

 

 

 

2,320,713

 

Tire

 

 

414,031

 

 

 

340,346

 

Inventories

 

 

4,270,117

 

 

 

4,885,511

 

Inventory reserves

 

 

(431,363

)

 

 

(279,985

)

Inventories, net

 

$

3,838,754

 

 

$

4,605,526

 

Movements of inventory reserves are as follows:

 

March 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2022

Beginning balance

 

$

279,985

 

$

242,252

Addition

 

 

151,378

 

 

37,733

Write off

 

 

 

 

Ending Balance

 

$

431,363

 

$

279,985

F-18

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

4 — PREPAYMENTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Prepayments and other current assets on March 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of the following:

 

March 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2022

Prepaid tax

 

$

 

$

5,800

Prepaid rent

 

 

26,332

 

 

44,040

Prepaid salary

 

 

 

 

6,023

Prepayments to vendor

 

 

647,746

 

 

Prepayments to DMV

 

 

500

 

 

Prepaid insurance

 

 

108,241

 

 

Other receivable-services

 

 

 

 

89,326

Total Prepayment and Other Receivables

 

$

782,819

 

$

145,189

5 — PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment on March 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of the following:

 

March 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2022

Furniture & Fixtures

 

$

113,485

 

 

$

48,143

 

Machinery & Equipment

 

 

103,684

 

 

 

58,116

 

Automobile

 

 

242,633

 

 

 

161,058

 

Leasehold improvements

 

 

575,134

 

 

 

261,030

 

Property and Equipment

 

 

1,034,936

 

 

 

528,347

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(249,651

)

 

 

(103,867

)

Property and Equipment, net

 

$

785,285

 

 

$

424,480

 

Depreciation expenses were $145,783 and $95,162 for the years ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, respectively.

6 — ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER PAYABLES

 

March 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2022

Accrued payroll

 

$

15,808

 

$

53,395

Rent payable

 

 

 

 

28,168

Advances from customers

 

 

36,396

 

 

21,626

Accrued warranty

 

 

22,056

 

 

53,541

Payroll tax and sales tax payable

 

 

155,689

 

 

114,806

Accrued store expenses

 

 

123,996

 

 

199,223

Accrued IPO offering cost

 

 

11,717

 

 

Accrued Expenses and Other Payables

 

$

365,662

 

$

470,759

F-19

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

7 — Loan Payable

A summary of the Company’s loans is listed as follows:

Lender

 

Due Date

 

March 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2022

Flushing Bank(i)

 

June 1, 2027

 

$

435,537

 

 

$

Chase Bank(ii)

 

October 25, 2027

 

 

214,529

 

 

 

Chase Bank(iii)

 

January 12, 2028

 

 

68,051

 

 

 

 

Xuper Loan(iv)(v)

 

May 01, 2023

 

 

259,072

 

 

 

Leaf Capital Funding, LLC(vi)

 

September 30, 2027

 

 

58,263

 

 

 

Sinoelite Corp(vii)

 

April 03, 2024

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

Total loan payables

     

 

1,135,452

 

 

 

Current portion of loan payables

     

 

(412,224

)

 

 

Long-term loan payables

     

$

723,228

 

 

$

____________

(i)      On June 14, 2022, Ctate (now merged into Fly E-Bike, Inc.) obtained a five-year long-term loan of $500,000 from Flushing Bank with an annual interest rate of 7%. The collateral provided includes Ctate Inc.’s all inventories, accounts, notes, machinery, equipment, fixtures and other products, and any proceeds and products generated from these items in any form. From April 1 to July 31, 2023, the Company paid off $$39,698 on principal and interest of the loan.

(ii)     On October 25, 2022, the Company’s subsidiary, Universe King Corp. obtained a five-year long-term loan of $230,000 from Chase Bank with an annual interest rate of 10.35%. Mr. Ke Zhang, a director and an original stockholder of the Company, provided a guarantee on this loan. To secure payment and performance of the liabilities, Universe King Corp. pledges, assigns and grants to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a continuing security interest in, all of its right, title and interest in all of its properties, whether now owned or hereinafter acquired and whether now existing or hereafter arising. From April 1 to July 31, 2023, the Company paid off $19,706 on principal and interest of the loan.

(iii)    On January 12, 2023, the Company’s subsidiary, Arfy Corp. obtained a five-year long-term loan of $70,000 from Chase Bank with an annual interest rate of 9.8%. Mr. Tong Chen, an original stockholder of the Company, provided a guarantee on this loan. To secure payment and performance of the liabilities, Arfy Corp. pledges, assigns and grants to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a continuing security interest in, all of its right, title and interest in all of its properties, whether now owned or hereinafter acquired and whether now existing or hereafter arising. From April 1 to July 31, 2023, the Company paid off $5,940 on principal and interest of the loan.

(iv)    On January 11, 2023, Fly E-Bike, Inc. obtained a seven-month short-term loan of $250,000 from Xuper Funding with annual interest rate of 136%. On May 1, 2023, the Company paid off this loan in full.

(v)      On February 23, 2023, Fly E-Bike, Inc. obtained a seven-month short-term loan of $100,000 from Xuper Funding with an annual interest rate of 54%. On May 1, 2023, the Company paid off this loan in full.

(vi)    On August 24, 2022, Universe King Corp. obtained a five-year long-term loan of $63,674 from Leaf Capital Funding, LLC with an annual interest rate 7.0%. The collateral provided included the Fuso trucks, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by Universe King Corp., and together with all accessories, accessions, attachments thereto, and all other substitutions, renewals, replacements and improvements and all proceeds of the foregoing, including proceeds in the form of goods, accounts, chattel paper, rentals, documents, instruments, general intangibles, investment property, deposit accounts, letter of credit rights, insurance payments, and supporting obligations. From April 1 to July 31, 2023, the Company paid off $5,047 on principal and interest of the loan.

(vii)   On January 3, 2023, Fly E-Bike, Inc. obtained a one-year and three-month long-term loan of $100,000 from Sinoelite Corp with no interest. As of July 31, 2023, the Company has not paid off any amount of the loan.

For the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the total interest expenses on the Company’s outstanding loans amounted to $100,387 and $0, respectively.

F-20

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

8 — SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY

Prior to the effectiveness of the stock split discussed below, the Company was authorized to issue 400 shares of common stock having a par value of $0.01 per share and 40 shares of preferred stock having a par value of $0.01 per share. 200 shares of common stock were issued on December 21, 2022.

On March 27, 2024, the Company’s board of directors approved a 1-for-110,000 stock split of the Company’s capital stock. The stock split became effective on April 2, 2024. The par value of the Company’s common stock remained unchanged at $0.01 per share, and the number of authorized shares of the Company’s capital stock was increased from 440 to 48,400,000, with the number of authorized shares of common stock and preferred stock being increased from 400 to 44,000,000 and from 40 to 4,400,000, respectively.

9 — INCOME TAX

(a) Current Tax

Fly-E Group, Fly EV and Fly E-Bike are Delaware companies that were incorporated on November 1, 2022, November 1, 2022 and August 22, 2022, respectively. As a result of the reorganization discussed under Note 1, all of FLY-E Groups subsidiaries would separately file the short year corporation income tax returns for the period ended December 21, 2022, and a consolidated federal tax return, as well as combined tax returns for New Jersey, New York State, Florida, Texas, and New York City for the period December 22, 2022 to March 31, 2023.

Most subsidiaries of the Company were incorporated in the State of New York and are subject to the U.S. federal corporate income taxes with a tax rate of 21.0%. The State of New York levies a corporate income tax rate of 8.45% on state-level earnings. In addition, a sum of fixed dollar minimum taxes is imposed on the taxable group members, in accordance with their gross receipts within the State of New York. The City of New York levies a 6.50% city corporate income tax, along with a sum of fixed dollar minimum taxes, applied to taxable group members based on their gross receipts within the city. One of the Company’s subsidiaries is located in Florida, which imposes a state income tax rate of 5.5%. Three subsidiaries are located in New Jersey, and the state of New Jersey imposes 9.0% state Income tax rate for one subsidiary’s 2022 short year tax return for tax income base above $100,000, 7.5% state income tax rate for the second subsidiary’s 2022 short year tax return for tax income base between $50,000 to $100,000, and 6.5% state income tax rate for the third subsidiary’s 2022 short year tax return and 2022 combined New Jersey short year tax return for tax income base below $50,000. Two subsidiaries of the Company are located in Texas, which imposes a state franchise tax rate of 0.331% on the appointed state revenue. Income tax on unappropriated earnings is accrued during the period the earnings arise and adjusted to the extent that distributions are approved by the stockholders in the following year.

Income tax expense for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 amounted to $821,892 and $171,208, respectively. Significant components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:

 

For the years ended
March 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Current

 

 

   

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

210,924

 

 

366,285

 

State

 

 

107,321

 

 

165,627

 

City

 

 

54,847

 

 

123,296

 

Deferred

 

 

   

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

236,200

 

 

(289,400

)

State

 

 

115,700

 

 

(110,900

)

City

 

 

96,900

 

 

(83,700

)

Total

 

$

821,892

 

$

171,208

 

F-21

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

9 — INCOME TAX (cont.)

The following table reconciles to the Company’s effective tax rate:

 

For the years ended
March 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Pre-tax book income

 

2,200,463

 

 

579,229

 

Federal Statutory rate

 

21.00

%

 

21.00

%

State income tax rate, net of federal income tax benefit

 

9.5

%

 

3.7

%

City income tax rate, net of federal income tax benefit

 

6.9

%

 

0.0

%

Permanent differences

 

1.6

%

 

2.2

%

Return to project adjustment

 

(1.6

)%

 

2.7

%

Total

 

37.4

%

 

29.60

%

Penalties and interest incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as penalties in the period incurred. No significant penalties or interest relating to income taxes have been incurred during the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has received no notice of audit from the IRS, States or City for the tax years ended December 31, 2018 through March 31, 2023.

(b) Deferred Tax Assets

Deferred taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method in respect of temporary differences arising from differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and the corresponding tax basis used in the computation of assessable tax profit. In principle, deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilized.

Deferred tax is calculated using tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized, or the liability is settled. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it is related to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.

Net deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2023, and 2022 amounted to $211,100 and $659,900, respectively. Significant components of deferred tax assets, net was as follows:

 

For the years ended
March 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Net operating loss carry forwards

 

$

93,800

 

 

$

584,000

 

Inventory reserve

 

 

155,400

 

 

 

119,900

 

Deferred Rent

 

 

192,500

 

 

 

 

Less: Valuation allowance

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

$

441,700

 

 

$

703,900

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(230,600

)

 

 

(44,000

)

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

 

(230,600

)

 

 

(44,000

)

Total deferred tax assets, net

 

$

211,100

 

 

$

659,900

 

As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had approximately $0.40 million and $0.70 million, respectively, in net deferred tax assets (“DTAs”). These DTAs include approximately $0.09 million and $0.58 million, respectively, related to net operating loss carry-forwards that can be used to offset taxable income in future periods, of which $0.19 million and $0 were related to deferred rent, and $0.16 million and $0.12 million were related to inventory allowance for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. At this time, management considers it more likely than not that the Company will have sufficient taxable income in the future that will allow it to realize these DTAs.

Therefore, a substantial valuation allowance to reduce the Company’s U.S. DTAs may be not required. Positive evidence could include, among other things: (a) existing firm sales backlog that will produce more than enough taxable income to realize the deferred tax asset based on existing sales price structures, (b) an excess of appreciated asset value of $0.23 million and $0.04 million, respectively for the year end for March 31, 2023 and 2022, over

F-22

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

9 — INCOME TAX (cont.)

the tax basis of the entity’s net assets in an amount sufficient to realize the DTA, and (c) a strong earnings history exclusive of the losses that created the future deductible amount (tax loss carry-forward or deductible temporary difference). As of March 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $2.2 million pre-tax book income, compared to $0.58 million pre-tax income for year end March 31, 2022, and part of previous net tax loss carryforward was used as to reduce taxable income in the current period.

In assessing the realization of DTAs, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all the DTAs will be realized. The ultimate realization of DTAs depends upon the Company’s future generation of taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences representing net future deductible amounts become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. After consideration of all the information available, management believes that there was no significant uncertainty exists with respect to future realization of the DTAs and has therefore no need for valuation allowance.

Net operating Loss

A net operating loss (“NOL”) arising in a tax year beginning after 2020 has no carryback period, but may be carried forward indefinitely until it is fully absorbed. An NOL arising in a tax year beginning in 2018, 2019, or 2020 is carried back five years and has an unlimited carryforward period. A group of corporations filing a consolidated return determines its NOL on a consolidated basis. The separate taxable income of each member of the group is determined without taking into account any separate NOL deduction. Member NOLs arising during a consolidated return year are taken into account in determining the group’s Consolidated NOL for that year. Thus, the positive net income of some members is netted against the NOLs for other members to determine whether, on net basis, the group has a Consolidated NOL.

As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, Fly-E Group’s subsidiaries had approximately $0.41 million and $1.65 million, respectively, of U.S. federal net operating loss carryovers available to offset future taxable income which do not expire but are limited to 80% of income until utilized. As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, Fly-E Group’s subsidiaries had approximately $0.06 million and $1.61 million, respectively, of New York State net operating loss which can be carried forward up to 20 years and begin to expire in 2040 to offset future taxable income.

Uncertain Tax Positions

The Company evaluates each uncertain tax position (including the potential application of interest and penalties) based on the technical merits, and measures the unrecognized benefits associated with the tax positions. As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions.

10 — LEASES

Effective on April 1, 2019, the Company adopted Topic 842. At the inception of a contract, the Company determines if the arrangement is, or contains, a lease. The leases of the Company mainly consisted of offices, retail stores and warehouses.

The Company’s operating right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities were as follows:

 

For the years ended
March 31

   

2023

 

2022

Operating ROU:

 

 

   

 

 

ROU assets

 

$

10,261,556

 

$

8,083,920

Total operating ROU assets

 

$

10,261,556

 

$

8,083,920

F-23

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

10 — LEASES (cont.)

 

For the years ended
March 31

   

2022

 

2022

Operating lease obligations:

 

 

   

 

 

Current operating lease liabilities

 

$

1,836,737

 

$

1,312,549

Non-current operating lease liabilities

 

 

8,979,193

 

 

7,117,908

Total lease liabilities

 

$

10,815,930

 

$

8,430,457

The Company had 31 and 27 leases as of March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, respectively.

The weighted average lease term, discount rates, and remaining lease terms for the operating leases as of March 31, 2023 were as follows:

Remaining lease term and discount rate:

Weighted average discount rate

 

5%

Weighted average remaining lease term (years)

 

6.47 Years

The weighted average lease term, discount rates, and remaining lease terms for the operating lease as of March 31, 2022 were as follows:

Remaining lease term and discount rate:

Weighted average discount rate

 

4.5%

Weighted average remaining lease term (years)

 

7.06 Years

The Company leases its offices, warehouse, and retail stores under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. Lease expenses were $2,343,869, including $486,200 cost of goods-occupancy cost, $1,741,287 rent expense in selling expense, and $116,382 rent expense in general and administrative expense for the year ended March 31, 2023. Lease expenses were $1,251,531, including $226,354 cost of goods-occupancy cost, $977,924 rent expense in selling expense, and $47,262 rent expense in general and administrative expense for the year ended March 31, 2022.

As of March 31, 2023, future minimum lease liabilities, all under office and facilities non-cancelable operating lease agreements, were as follows:

Year Ending March 31,

 

Operating
Lease Liabilities

2023

 

$

2,328,360

 

2024

 

 

2,291,221

 

2025

 

 

2,100,834

 

2026

 

 

1,563,555

 

2027

 

 

1,022,656

 

Thereafter

 

 

3,495,949

 

Total lease payments

 

 

12,802,575

 

Less: interest

 

 

(1,986,645

)

Present value of lease liabilities

 

$

10,815,930

 

F-24

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

11 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments

The Company has not entered any off-balance sheet financial guarantees or other off-balance sheet commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. The Company has not entered any derivative contracts that are indexed to its shares and classified as shareholder’s equity or that are not reflected in its consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, the Company does not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. The Company does not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to itself or engages in leasing, hedging or product development services with itself.

Contingencies

Legal

From time to time, the Company is a party to certain legal proceedings, as well as certain asserted and unasserted claims. Amounts accrued, as well as the total amount of reasonably possible losses with respect to such matters, individually and in the aggregate, are not deemed to be material to the consolidated financial statements.

The Company’s products and other production facilities as well as the packaging, storage, distribution, advertising and labelling of its products, are subject to extensive legal and regulatory requirements. For example, pursuant to the DMV registration requirement, the Company must satisfy the DMV Registration requirements and conduct required testing for all of its products sold in U.S. Loss of or failure to renew or obtain necessary permits, licenses, registrations, or certificates could prevent the Company from legally selling its products in the U.S. If the Company were found to be in violation of applicable laws and regulations, it could be subject to administrative punishment, including fines, injunctions, recalls or asset seizures, as well as potential criminal sanctions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. As pf the date hereof, the Company believes it is in compliance with the relevant regulations in the U.S.

Inflation

Inflationary factors, such as increases in personnel and overhead costs, could impair the Company’s operating results. Although the Company does not believe that inflation has had a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations to date, a high rate of inflation in the future may have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to maintain current levels of gross margin and operating expenses as a percentage of sales revenue if the revenues do not increase with such increased costs.

12 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Related party balances

Accounts receivable — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Relationship

 

Nature

 

March 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2022

Fly E Bike SRL

 

Zhou Ou (CEO), owns over 50% equity interest of this entity

 

Accounts receivable

 

$

136,565

 

 

Accounts receivable-related parties

         

$

136,565

 

$

F-25

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

12 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (cont.)

As of July 31, 2023, the Company has not receive any amount of the accounts receivable.

Other payables — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Relationship

 

Nature

 

March 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2022

Zhou Ou

 

Chairman, CEO

 

Other payable

 

$

332,481

 

$

2,476,418

Xi Lin

 

Shareholder

 

Other payable

 

 

 

 

73,645

Lin Xie

 

Shareholder

 

Other payable

 

 

 

 

29,646

Tong Chen

 

Shareholder

 

Other payable

 

 

 

 

Rui Feng

 

Shareholder

 

Other payable

 

 

 

 

64,225

Ke Zhang

 

Shareholder

 

Other payable

 

 

 

 

184,870

Other Payables-related parties

         

$

332,481

 

$

2,828,804

As of March 31, 2023, the Company has paid off $2,496,323 other payable of related parties.

Loan payables — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Relationship

 

Nature

 

March 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2022

PJMG LLC

 

Ruifeng Guo (CFO), owns over 50% equity interest of this entity

 

Loan payable

 

$

150,000

 

 

Loan Payables-related parties

         

$

150,000

 

$

On January 3, 2023, Fly E-Bike, Inc. obtained a two-year long-term loan of $150,000 from PJMG LLC with no interest. As of July 31, 2023, the Company has not paid off any amount of the loan.

Related party transactions

Revenues — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Relationship

 

Nature

 

March 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2022

Fly E Bike SRL

 

Zhou Ou (CEO), owns over 50% equity interest of this entity

 

Product sales

 

$

136,565

 

 

Revenues-related parties

         

$

136,565

 

$

On March 19, 2023, Fly E Bike SRL, a distributor the Company works with and in which Mr. Ou holds over 50% of the equity interest, purchased certain EV products from the Company in the amount of $136,565.

13 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated subsequent events after March 31, 2023, up through August 11, 2023, the date at which the consolidated financial statements were issued.

On April 13, 2023, the Company opened a new store at 6788 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33141.

On May 31, 2023, the Company opened a new store at 3927 Georgia Avenue NW Washington, DC 20011.

On June 2, 2023, the Company opened a new store at 659 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10036.

F-26

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Expressed in U.S. dollars, except for the number of shares)

 

December 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2023

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

1,173,228

 

 

$

358,894

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

587,797

 

 

 

389,077

 

Accounts receivable – related parties

 

 

366,714

 

 

 

136,565

 

Inventories, net

 

 

5,378,351

 

 

 

3,838,754

 

Prepayments and other receivables

 

 

1,093,546

 

 

 

782,819

 

Prepayments and other receivables – related parties

 

 

461,500

 

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

9,061,136

 

 

 

5,506,109

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

1,120,243

 

 

 

785,285

 

Security deposits

 

 

820,809

 

 

 

424,942

 

Deferred IPO costs

 

 

202,307

 

 

 

75,819

 

Deferred tax assets, net

 

 

7,794

 

 

 

211,100

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

12,042,292

 

 

 

10,261,556

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

108,750

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

23,363,331

 

 

$

17,264,811

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

979,331

 

 

$

1,005,401

 

Current portion of long-term loan payables

 

 

1,210,507

 

 

 

412,224

 

Accrued expenses and other payables

 

 

598,744

 

 

 

365,662

 

Other payables – related parties

 

 

182,232

 

 

 

332,481

 

Operating lease liabilities – current

 

 

2,400,008

 

 

 

1,836,737

 

Taxes payable

 

 

1,072,070

 

 

 

959,456

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

6,442,892

 

 

 

4,911,961

 

Long-term loan payables

 

 

442,336

 

 

 

723,228

 

Long-term loan payables – related parties

 

 

 

 

 

150,000

 

Operating lease liabilities – non-current

 

 

10,344,485

 

 

 

8,979,193

 

Deferred tax liabilities, net

 

 

22,200

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

17,251,913

 

 

 

14,764,382

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitment and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 4,400,000 shares authorized and nil outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 44,000,000 shares authorized and 22,000,000 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023*

 

 

220,000

 

 

 

220,000

 

Additional Paid-in Capital

 

 

2,400,000

 

 

 

 

Shares Subscription Receivable

 

 

(219,998

)

 

 

(219,998

)

Retained Earnings

 

 

3,708,315

 

 

 

2,500,427

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

3,101

 

 

 

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

6,111,418

 

 

 

2,500,429

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

23,363,331

 

 

$

17,264,811

 

____________

*        Shares and per share data are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the nominal share issuance on December 21, 2022 and to give effect to the stock split completed on April 2, 2024.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-27

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Expressed in U.S. dollars, except for the number of shares)

 

For the Nine Months Ended
December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Revenues

 

$

24,034,397

 

 

$

16,458,002

 

Cost of Revenues

 

 

14,577,570

 

 

 

9,914,056

 

Gross Profit

 

 

9,456,827

 

 

 

6,543,946

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling Expenses

 

 

4,637,043

 

 

 

2,592,312

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

 

2,773,626

 

 

 

1,901,954

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

 

7,410,669

 

 

 

4,494,266

 

Income from Operations

 

 

2,046,158

 

 

 

2,049,680

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Expenses, net

 

 

(24,123

)

 

 

(17,463

)

Interest Expenses, net

 

 

(82,150

)

 

 

(34,017

)

Income Before Income Taxes

 

 

1,939,885

 

 

 

1,998,200

 

Income Tax Expense

 

 

(731,997

)

 

 

(654,654

)

Net Income

 

$

1,207,888

 

 

$

1,343,546

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

3,101

 

 

 

 

Total Comprehensive Income

 

$

1,210,989

 

 

$

1,343,546

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per Share

 

$

0.05

 

 

$

0.06

 

Weighted Average Number of Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– Basic and Diluted*

 

 

22,000,000

 

 

 

22,000,000

 

____________

*        Shares and per share data are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the nominal share issuance on December 21, 2022 and to give effect to the stock split completed on April 2, 2024.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-28

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Expressed in U.S. dollars, except for the number of shares)

 


Preferred Stock

 


Common Stock

 

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Shares
Subscription
Receivables

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Total
Stockholders’
Equity

   

Shares*

 

Amount

 

Shares*

 

Amount

 

Balance at March 31, 2023

 

 

$

 

22,000,000

 

$

220,000

 

$

 

(219,998

)

 

$

 

$

2,500,427

 

$

2,500,429

Net Income

     

 

       

 

   

 

     

 

 

 

   

 

440,443

 

 

440,443

Capital Contributions from Stockholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,400,000

Balance at June 30, 2023

 

 

$

 

22,000,000

 

$

220,000

 

$

2,400,000

 

(219,998

)

 

$

 

$

2,940,870

 

$

5,340,872

Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

746,556

 

 

746,556

Balance at September 30, 2023

 

 

$

 

22,000,000

 

$

220,000

 

$

2,400,000

 

(219,998

)

 

$

 

 

3,687,426

 

 

6,087,428

Net Income

     

 

       

 

   

 

     

 

 

 

   

 

20,889

 

 

20,889

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,101

 

 

 

 

 

3,101

Balance at December 31, 2023

 

 

$

 

22,000,000

 

$

220,000

 

$

2,400,000

 

(219,998

)

 

$

3,101

 

$

3,708,315

 

$

6,111,418

 


Preferred Stock

 


Common Stock

 

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Shares
Subscription
Receivables

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Total
Stockholders’
Equity

   

Shares*

 

Amount

 

Shares*

 

Amount

 

Balance at March 31, 2022

 

 

$

 

22,000,000

 

$

220,000

 

 

(219,998

)

 

$

 

$

1,121,856

 

$

1,121,858

Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

575,811

 

 

575,811

Balance at June 30, 2022

 

 

$

 

22,000,000

 

$

220,000

 

 

(219,998

)

 

$

 

$

1,697,667

 

$

1,697,669

Net Income

     

 

       

 

         

 

 

 

   

 

425,335

 

 

425,335

Balance at September 30, 2022

 

 

$

 

22,000,000

 

$

220,000

 

 

(219,998

)

 

$

 

$

2,123,002

 

$

2,123,004

Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

342,400

 

 

342,400

Balance at December 31, 2022

 

 

$

 

22,000,000

 

$

220,000

 

 

(219,998

)

 

$

 

$

2,465,402

 

$

2,465,404

____________

*        Shares and per share data are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the nominal share issuance on December 21, 2022 and to give effect to the stock split completed on April 2, 2024.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-29

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in U.S. dollars, except for the number of shares)

 

For the Nine Months Ended
December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1,207,888

 

 

$

1,343,545

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

 

203,788

 

 

 

93,231

 

Amortization expense

 

 

782

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes expenses

 

 

225,506

 

 

 

155,200

 

Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

1,798,832

 

 

 

1,600,986

 

Inventories reserve

 

 

287,946

 

 

 

609,264

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(198,720

)

 

 

(727,660

)

Accounts receivable – related parties

 

 

(230,149

)

 

 

 

Inventories

 

 

(1,827,543

)

 

 

(465,500

)

Prepayments and other receivables

 

 

(310,727

)

 

 

(186,100

)

Security deposits

 

 

(395,867

)

 

 

(129,545

)

Accounts payable

 

 

2,287,560

 

 

 

103,538

 

Accrued expenses and other payables

 

 

233,082

 

 

 

(147,324

)

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

(1,651,005

)

 

 

(1,414,690

)

Taxes payable

 

 

112,614

 

 

 

454,996

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

1,743,987

 

 

 

1,289,941

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments of equipment

 

 

(503,772

)

 

 

(269,006

)

Prepayment – related parties

 

 

(350,000

)

 

 

 

Payments of intangible assets

 

 

(109,532

)

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(963,304

)

 

 

(269,006

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other receivable to related parties

 

 

(111,500

)

 

 

 

Borrowing from loan payables

 

 

845,000

 

 

 

730,000

 

Repayments of loan payables

 

 

(362,583

)

 

 

(51,953

)

Repayments on related parties – other payables

 

 

(200,249

)

 

 

(1,568,623

)

Payments of related party loan

 

 

(150,000

)

 

 

 

Deferred IPO Cost

 

 

(126,488

)

 

 

(175,734

)

Capital Contributions from Shareholders

 

 

136,370

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

30,550

 

 

 

(1,066,311

)

Net changes in cash

 

 

811,233

 

 

 

(45,375

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

3,101

 

 

 

 

Cash at beginning of the period

 

 

358,894

 

 

 

395,034

 

Cash at the end of the period

 

$

1,173,228

 

 

$

349,659

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest expense

 

$

82,150

 

 

 

34,017

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

435,881

 

 

$

44,453

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlement of accounts payable by related parties

 

$

50,000

 

 

$

 

Settlement of accounts payable by capital contribution

 

$

2,263,630

 

 

$

 

Purchase of vehicle funded by financing loan

 

$

34,974

 

 

$

63,674

 

Initial recognition of Right-Of-Use Assets and Lease Liabilities

 

$

3,579,568

 

 

$

4,482,716

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-30

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1 — DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Organization and principal activities

Fly-E Group, Inc. (the “Company” or “Fly-E Group”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on November 1, 2022. The Company has no substantive operations other than holding all of the issued and outstanding shares of Fly E-Bike Inc. (“Fly E-Bike”) and Fly EV, Inc. (“Fly EV”). Fly E-Bike and Fly EV were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on August 22, 2022 and November 1, 2022, respectively. Fly EV has no substantive operations. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is principally engaged in designing, installing and selling smart electric bikes (“E-bikes”), electric motorcycles (“E-motorcycles”), electric scooters (“E-scooters”) and related accessories under the brand name of “Fly E-Bike.” The Company’s principal operations and geographic markets are mainly in the United States of America (the “U.S.”). As of April 3, 2024, the Company has opened a total of 39 stores, including 38 stores in the U.S and one store in Canada. The Company also operates an online store.

The Company’s business was initially operated under CTATE INC. (“Ctate”), a corporation formed under the laws of the State of New York in 2018. Before merging with Fly E-Bike, Ctate owned 27 companies, each of which operated a Fly E-Bike store. On September 12, 2022, Ctate and Fly E-Bike, which was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ctate, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, pursuant to which Ctate merged into and with Fly E-Bike, with Fly E-Bike being the surviving corporation (the “Merger”). As a result of the Merger, the original shareholders of Ctate became the stockholders of Fly E-Bike and subsequently effectively controlled the combined entity.

On December 21, 2022, Fly-E Group and Fly E-Bike entered into a Share Exchange Agreement, pursuant to which Fly-E Group acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Fly E-Bike by issuing its shares to the stockholders of Fly E-Bike on a one-for-one basis (the “Share Exchange”). As a result of the Share Exchange, Fly E-Bike became a wholly owned subsidiary of Fly-E Group.

As a result of the Merger and the Share Exchange, Fly E-Bike and its subsidiaries are under common control of Fly-E Group, resulting in the consolidation of Fly E-Bike and its subsidiaries, which was accounted as a reorganization of entities under common control at carrying value. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared on the basis as if the reorganization became effective as of the beginning of the first period presented in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Fly-E Group.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and each of the following subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023.

Name

 

Background

 

Ownership

FLY-E GROUP, INC.

 

   A Delaware corporation

   Incorporated on November 1, 2022

   A holding company

 

Parent Company

FLY EV, INC.

 

   A Delaware corporation

   Incorporated on November 1, 2022

   A holding Company

 

100% owned by Fly-E Group, Inc.

FLY E-BIKE, INC.

 

   A Delaware Company

   Incorporated on August 22, 2022

   A holding Company

 

100% owned by Fly-E Group, Inc.

UNIVERSE KING CORP

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on November 19, 2018

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

UFOTS CORP.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on May 2, 2019

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

F-31

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1 — DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (cont.)

Name

 

Background

 

Ownership

ARFY CORP.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on April 29, 2020

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

TKPGO CORP.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on July 3, 2018

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYFLS INC

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on October 13, 2020

   A retail store and corporate office

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLY37 INC

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on October 14, 2020

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FIYET INC

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on November 12, 2020

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLY GC INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on November 13, 2020

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLY MHT INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on December 15, 2020

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYAM INC

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on February 19, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

OFLYO INC

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on March 29, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYEBIKE INC

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on March 30, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYCLB INC

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on April 15, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYEBIKE NJ INC

 

   A New Jersey corporation

   Incorporated on June 8, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

ESEBIKE INC

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on October 13, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYEBIKEMIAMI INC

 

   A Florida corporation

   Incorporated on June 30, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

F-32

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1 — DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (cont.)

Name

 

Background

 

Ownership

GOFLY INC

 

   A Texas corporation

   Incorporated on July 23, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLY14 CORP.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on September 15, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

EDISONEBIKE INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on October 13, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYTRON INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on November 9, 2021

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYCYCLE INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on January 10, 2022

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYNJ2 INC.

 

   A New Jersey corporation

   Incorporated on February 10, 2022

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYBWY INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on March 2, 2022

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYCORONA INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on March 9, 2022

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

MEEBIKE

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on March 25, 2022

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLY6AVE, INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on April 16, 2022

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLY E BIKE NJ3, INC

 

   A New Jersey corporation

   Incorporated on July 18, 2022

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYEBIKE BROOKLYN, INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on November 2, 2022

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLY E-BIKE SAN ANTONIO INC

 

   A Texas corporation

   Incorporated on January 1, 2023

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYEBIKE WORLD INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on February 27, 2023

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

F-33

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1 — DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (cont.)

Name

 

Background

 

Ownership

FLY DELIVERY INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on March 2, 2023

   A delivery store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYEBIKE MIAMI2 INC.

 

   A Florida corporation

   Incorporated on April 13, 2023

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYDC INC.

 

   A Washington, DC corporation

   Incorporated on May 31, 2023

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYMHT659 INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on June 2, 2023

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYBX745 INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on June 15, 2023

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYJH8509 INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on August 30, 2023

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYBX2381 INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on August 30, 2023

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYNJ4 INC.

 

   A New York corporation

   Incorporated on October 4, 2023

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYTORONTO Corp.

 

   A Toronto corporation

   Incorporated on October 18, 2023

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

FLYLA INC.

 

   A California corporation

   Incorporated on December 1, 2023

   A retail store

 

100% owned by Fly E-Bike, Inc.

Liquidity

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had working capital of approximately $2.2 million and cash of approximately $1.2 million. The Company had net income of approximately $1.2 million and $1.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The management plans to increase the Company’s revenue by strengthening its sales force, providing attractive sales incentive programs, and increasing marketing and promotion activities. Management also intends to raise additional funds by way of a private or public offering, or by obtaining loans from banks, related parties or others. On September 20, 2023, Fly-E Group, Inc obtained a line of credit of $1 million from Bank of Hope with a floating annual interest rate, and the current annual interest rate is 8.5%. The working capital requirements are affected by the efficiency of operations and depend on the Company’s ability to increase its revenue. The Company anticipates that it will continue to incur net income for the foreseeable future and believes that its cash on hand and operating cash flows will be sufficient to fund its operations over at least the next 12 months from the date of issuance of these unaudited condensed consolidated

F-34

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1 — DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (cont.)

financial statements. However, the Company may need additional cash resources in the future if the Company wishes to pursue opportunities for investment, expansion of new stores, acquisition, strategic cooperation, or other similar actions. If it is determined that the cash requirements exceed the Company’s amounts of cash on hand, the Company may seek to issue debt or equity securities or obtain a credit facility.

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (the “U.S. GAAP”) and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contemplate the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business are dependent on, among other things, the Company’s ability to operate profitably, to generate cash flows from operations, and its ability to attract investors and to borrow funds on reasonable economic terms. The results of operations for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other interim period or for the full fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. Accordingly, these statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and note thereto as of and for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.

(b) Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control and, when applicable, entities for which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All transactions and balances among the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated upon consolidation.

(c) Segment Information

The Company’s chief operating decision-makers (i.e., chief executive officer and his direct reports) review financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied by disaggregated information about revenues by different revenues streams for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. The Company and its subsidiaries offer E-bikes, E-motorcycles, E-scooters and other items and services in its stores. The Company’s retail operating divisions are geographically based, have similar economic characteristics and similar expected long-term financial performance. The Company’s operating segments are reported in one reportable segment. There are no segment managers who are held accountable for operations, operating results and plans for levels or components below the consolidated unit level. Based on qualitative and quantitative criteria established by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280, “Segment Reporting”, the Company considers itself to be operating within one reportable segment.

(d) Use of Estimates

In the application of the Company’s accounting policies, management is required to make judgments, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Significant accounting estimates include, but not limited to, useful lives of depreciable property and equipment, impairment of long-lived assets, the realization of deferred income tax assets, allowance for inventories, and discount rate for operating leases. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and as such, differences may be material to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-35

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

(e) Commitments and Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to loss contingencies, such as legal proceedings and claims arising out of its business, which cover a wide range of matters, including, among others, government investigations, shareholder lawsuits, and non-income tax matters.

An accrual for a loss contingency is recognized when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. If a potential material loss contingency is not probable but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material, is disclosed.

(f) Cash

Cash consists of cash on hand and cash deposited with banks. The Company’s cash is maintained at financial institutions in the U.S. Deposits in these financial institutions may, from time to time, exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (the “FDIC”) federally insured limits, which is $250,000. The Company has not incurred any losses during the past for amount over the FDIC limits. As of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, no balance deposited with banks was uninsured.

(g) Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable includes trade account due from customers. Accounts receivable is recorded at the invoiced amount less an allowance for any uncollectible accounts and does not bear interest, which is due after 30 to 90 days, depending on the credit term with the customers. Management considers the following factors when determining the collectability of specific accounts: historical experience, credit worthiness of the clients, aging of the receivables and other specific circumstances related to the accounts. An allowance for doubtful accounts is made and recorded into general and administrative expenses based on the aging of accounts receivable and on any specifically identified accounts receivable that may become uncollectible. Accounts receivable which is deemed to be uncollectible is charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. No allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023 was recorded.

(h) Inventories, Net

Inventories, consisting of products available for sale, are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the first-in-first-out method. Adjustments to the carrying value are recorded for estimated obsolescence or excess inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated net realizable value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Inventory cost consists of the direct cost of merchandise including freight. For the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the impairment loss was $287,946 and $609,264, respectively.

(i) Prepayments and Other Receivables

Prepayments and other receivables are mainly prepayments to vendors, prepaid expenses paid to service providers, prepaid taxes, advances to employees, and other deposits. Management regularly reviews the aging of such balances and changes in payment and realization trends and records allowances when management believes that the collection of amounts due is at risk. Accounts considered uncollectable are written off against allowances after exhaustive efforts at collection are made. As of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, no allowance against prepayments and other receivables was recorded.

F-36

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

(j) Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any recorded impairment.

The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Machinery and equipment

 

5 years

Furniture and fixtures

 

5 years

Leasehold improvements

 

3 – 10 years (shorter of lease term or useful lives)

Motor vehicles

 

5 years

Depreciation on property and equipment is calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise retired are eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as incurred, while additions, renewals, and betterments, which are expected to extend the useful life of assets, are capitalized. The Company also re-evaluates the periods of depreciation to determine whether subsequent events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives.

(k) Definite-Lived Intangible Assets

The Company owns property rights of certain technologies and designs that relate to the Underwriter Laboratories certificates issued for its products. The Company capitalizes the costs associated with design, development, acquisition and maintenance of its acquired property rights and amortizes these assets over their remaining useful lives on a straight-line basis. Any further payments made to maintain or develop the property rights would be capitalized and amortized over the balance of the useful life for the property rights. The estimated useful life and amortization method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in the estimate being accounted for on a prospective basis.

The estimated useful lives of intangibles assets are as follows:

property rights

 

15-20 years

(l) Impairment of Long-lived Assets

At the end of each reporting period, the Company reviews the carrying amounts of its property, plant and equipment, intangible assets subject to amortization, and right-of-use assets, to determine whether there is any indication that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company assesses the recoverability of the assets based on the undiscounted future cash flows the assets are expected to generate and recognize an impairment loss when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset plus net proceeds expected from disposition of the asset, if any, are less than the carrying value of the asset. If an impairment is identified, the Company will reduce the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flows approach or, when available and appropriate, to comparable market values. As of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, no impairment of long-lived assets was recognized.

(m) Deferred IPO Costs

The Company complies with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 340-10-S99-1, “Other Assets and Deferred Costs — SEC Materials” (“ASC 340-10-S99”) and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5A, “Expenses of Offering”. Deferred IPO costs consist of underwriting, legal, accounting and other professional expenses incurred

F-37

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the Proposed Public Offering and that will be charged to additional paid in capital upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering. Should the Proposed Public Offering prove to be unsuccessful, these deferred costs, as well as additional expenses to be incurred, will be charged to operations.

(n) Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and consider assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs required to measure fair value, of which the first two are considered observable and the third is considered unobservable:

 

Level-1 —

 

Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level-2 —

 

Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.

Level-3 —

 

Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

The fair value for certain assets and liabilities such as cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, prepayments and other current assets, short-term loans, accounts payable, contract liabilities, accrued expenses and other payables, and tax payables have been determined to approximate carrying amounts due to the short maturities of these instruments. The Company believes that its long-term loan to a third party approximates the fair value based on current yields for debt instruments with similar terms. The Company and its subsidiaries did not have any non-financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023.

(o) Revenue Recognition

The Company follows the revenue accounting requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The core principle underlying the revenue recognition of this ASC allows the Company to recognize revenue that represents the transfer of products and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in such exchange. This will require the Company to identify contractual performance obligations and determine whether revenue should be recognized at a point in time or over time, based on when control of products and services transfers to a customer.

To achieve that core principle, the Company applies a five-step model to recognize revenue from customer contracts. The five-step model requires that the Company (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, including variable consideration to the extent that it is probable that a significant future reversal will not occur, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the respective performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies the performance obligation.

Product revenue — Performance obligation satisfied at point in time

The Company generates substantially all its revenues from sales of products such as smart E-bikes, E-motorcycles, E-scooters and accessories to the retail and wholesale customers through its wholly owned subsidiaries stores. In accordance with ASC 606, the Company’s performance obligations are satisfied upon the control of products being passed to the customer, which is the point in time that the customers are able to direct the use of and obtain

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Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

substantially all of the economic benefit of the products or services. The transfer of control typically occurs at a point in time based on consideration of when the customer has an obligation to pay for the products, and physical possession of, legal title to, and the risks and rewards of ownership of the products have been transferred, and the customer has accepted the products. Revenue is recognized net of estimates of variable consideration, including product returns, customer discounts and allowance. which occurs at the point of sale, or the services have been rendered. Historically, the Company has not experienced any significant returns nor provided significant customer discounts.

The Company offers an assurance-type warranty to its customers. An assurance-type warranty guarantees that the product will perform as promised and is not a performance obligation. This type of warranty promises to repair or replace a delivered good or service if it does not perform as expected. Since an assurance-type warranty guarantees the functionality of a product, the warranty is not accounted for as a separate performance obligation, and thus no transaction price is allocated to it. Rather, to account for an assurance-type warranty the vendor should estimate and accrue a warranty liability when the promised good or service is delivered to the customer (see ASC 460-10).

Since the contract price and term are fixed and enforceable, and an assurance-type warranty guarantees the functionality of a product, and the warranty is not accounted for as a separate performance obligation, no transaction price is allocated to it. The Company recognizes sales in full at the point in time when the products are delivered or accepted by the customers, in accordance with the acceptance term specified in the contract. The Company records estimated future warranty costs under ASC 460. Such estimated costs for warranties are estimated at the time of delivery and these warranties are not service warranties separately sold by the Company. Generally, the estimated claim rates of warranty are based on actual warranty experience or the Company’s best estimate. The Company accrued $59,961 and $22,056 of warranty reserves under accrued expenses and other payables as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively.

Disaggregated information of revenues by business lines are as follows:

 

For the nine months ended
December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Sale-retail

 

$

19,229,491

 

$

14,214,290

Sale-wholesale

 

 

4,804,906

 

 

2,243,712

Net revenues

 

$

24,034,397

 

$

16,458,002

(p) Selling and Marketing Expenses

Selling and marketing expenses mainly consist of advertising costs, promotion expenses and payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in selling and marketing activities. Advertising expenses, which consist primarily of online and offline advertisements, are expenses when the services are received. The advertising expenses were $32,695 and $24,846 for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

(q) Software Development costs

ASC Topic 985-20, Software — Costs of Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Marketed, requires companies to expense software development costs as they incur them until technological feasibility has been established, at which time those costs are capitalized until the product is available for general release to customers. The development of the Fly E-Bike app is still in its preliminary stage and the development of core functions has not yet been completed. As a result, the Company expensed the development costs of the Fly E-Bike app as they incurred. For the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, development costs amounted to $7,460 and $59,820, respectively, which were recorded under General and Administrative expenses.

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Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

(r) Income Taxes

Current income taxes are provided based on net income/(loss) for financial reporting purposes and adjusted for income and expense items which are not assessable or deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the regulations of the relevant tax jurisdictions.

Deferred taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method in respect of temporary differences arising from differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the corresponding tax basis used in the computation of assessable tax profit. In principle, deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets (the “DTAs”) are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilized.

Deferred tax is calculated using tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized, or the liability is settled. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it is related to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. DTAs are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all the DTAs will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities.

An uncertain tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. No penalties and interest incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as income tax expense in the period incurred. The tax returns filed in 2018 to 2021 are subject to examination by any appropriate tax authorities.

(s) Leases

The Company accounts for leases in accordance with ASC 842. The Company leases premises for offices, warehouses, and retail stores under non-cancellable operating leases.

The Company recognizes right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all leases at the commencement date of a lease, except for short-term leases and low-value asset leases accounted for applying a recognition exemption where lease payments are recognized as expenses on a straight-line basis over the lease terms. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are short-term leases and not recognized as operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company recognizes lease expense for short-term leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Right-of-use assets are initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial measurement of lease liabilities adjusted for lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs needed to restore the underlying assets, and less any lease incentives received. Right-of-use assets are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses and adjusted for any remeasurement of the lease liabilities. Right-of-use assets are presented on a separate line in the consolidated balance sheets.

Right-of-use assets are depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement dates to the earlier of the end of the useful lives of the right-of-use assets or the end of the lease terms.

Lease liabilities are initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, which comprise fixed payments, in-substance fixed payments, variable lease payments which depend on an index or a rate. The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in a lease if that rate can be readily determined. If that rate cannot be readily determined, the Company uses the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate.

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Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

Subsequently, lease liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, with interest expense recognized over the lease terms. When there is a change in a lease term or a change in future lease payments resulting from a change in an index or a rate used to determine those payments, the Company remeasures the lease liabilities with a corresponding adjustment to the right-of-use-assets. However, if the carrying amount of the right-of-use assets is reduced to zero, any remaining amount of the remeasurement is recognized in profit or loss. Lease liabilities are presented on a separate line in the consolidated balance sheets.

Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are recognized as expenses in the periods in which they are incurred.

(t) Concentration and Risk

Concentration of customers and suppliers

No customers individually represented greater than 10% of total net revenues of the Company for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

For the nine months ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s top three suppliers represented 35%, 20% and 13% of total purchases of the Company, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, three suppliers accounted for 38%, 33%, and 25% of accounts payable balance, respectively. As of March 31, 2023, three suppliers accounted for 55%, 27% and 11% of accounts payable balance, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, two suppliers accounted for 68% and 20% of accounts payable balance, respectively.

Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments that are potentially subject to credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. The Company believes the concentration of credit risk in its account receivable is substantially mitigated by its ongoing credit evaluation process and relatively short collection terms. The Company does not generally require collateral from customers. The Company evaluates the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other information. Historically, the Company did not have any bad debt on its account receivable.

Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted cash, short-term investments, and accounts receivable, net. The Company’s investment policy requires cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted cash, and short-term investments to be placed with high-quality financial institutions and to limit the amount of credit risk from any one issuer. The Company regularly evaluates the credit standing of the counterparties or financial institutions.

(u) Related Parties

A related party is generally defined as (i) any person and or their immediate family hold 10% or more of the Company’s securities (ii) the Company’s management and/or their immediate family, (iii) someone that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company, or (iv) anyone who can significantly influence the financial and operating decisions of the Company. A transaction is considered to be a related party transaction when there is a transfer of resources or obligations between related parties. Related parties may be individuals or corporate entities. Transactions involving related parties cannot be presumed to be carried out on an arm’s length basis, as the requisite conditions of competitive, free market dealings may not exist. Representations about transactions with related parties, if made, shall not imply that the related party transactions were consummated on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm’s length transactions unless such representations can be substantiated.

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Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

(v) Earnings Per Share

The Company computes earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings per Share”. ASC 260 requires companies to present basic and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is measured as net income divided by the weighted average common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of the potential common stock (e.g., convertible securities, options, and warrants) as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance date, if later. Potential shares of common stock that have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS.

For the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no dilutive shares.

(w) Foreign Currencies Translation

Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency using the applicable exchange rates at the balance sheet dates. The resulting exchange differences are recorded in the statement of operations. The reporting currency of the Company is United States Dollar ($). The Company’s subsidiary in Canada maintains its books and records in its local currency, Canadian dollar (CAD), which is the functional currency for this subsidiary as it is the primary currency of the economic environment in which this entity operates.

In general, for consolidation purposes, assets and liabilities of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not United States Dollar are translated into United States Dollar in accordance with ASC Topic 830-30, “Translation of Financial Statement”, using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average rates prevailing during the period. The gains and losses resulting from translation of financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income within the statement of stockholders’ equity.

(x) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all accounting standards updates (“ASUs”). Management periodically reviews new accounting standards that are issued. Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended (the “JOBS Act”), the Company meets the definition of an emerging growth company and has elected the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, which delays the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies.

In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, which is an update to ASU Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which introduced the expected credit losses methodology for the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost basis, replacing the previous incurred loss methodology. The amendments in Update 2016-13 added Topic 326, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses, and made several consequential amendments to the Codification. Update 2016-13 also modified the accounting for available-for-sale debt securities, which must be individually assessed for credit losses when fair value is less than the amortized cost basis, in accordance with Subtopic 326-30, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses — Available-for-Sale Debt Securities. The amendments in this Update address those stakeholders’ concerns by providing an option to irrevocably elect the fair value option for certain financial assets previously measured at amortized cost basis. For those entities, the targeted transition relief will increase comparability of financial statement information by providing an option to align measurement methodologies for similar financial assets. Furthermore, the targeted transition relief also may reduce the costs for some entities to comply with the amendments in Update 2016-13 while still providing financial statement users with decision-useful information. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, which to update the effective date of ASU No. 2016-13 for private companies, not-for-profit organizations and certain smaller

F-42

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

reporting companies applying for credit losses, leases, and hedging standard. The new effective date for these preparers was for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. ASU 2019-05 was effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning April 1, 2024 as the Company is qualified as an emerging growth company. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2019-05 may have on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Except as mentioned above, the Company does not believe other recently issued but not yet effective accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, statements of income and comprehensive income and statements of cash flows.

3 — INVENTORIES, NET

Inventories, net consisted of the following:

 

December 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2023

Batteries

 

$

1,284,932

 

 

$

1,370,513

 

Electric Vehicles

 

 

3,038,934

 

 

 

2,485,573

 

Tires

 

 

528,927

 

 

 

414,031

 

Accessories

 

 

928,588

 

 

 

 

Inventories

 

 

5,781,381

 

 

 

4,270,117

 

Inventory reserves

 

 

(403,031

)

 

 

(431,363

)

Inventories, net

 

$

5,378,351

 

 

$

3,838,754

 

Movements of inventory reserves are as follows:

 

December 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2023

Beginning balance

 

$

431,363

 

 

$

279,985

Addition

 

 

287,946

 

 

 

151,378

Write off

 

 

(316,278

)

 

 

Ending Balance

 

$

403,031

 

 

$

431,363

As of December 31,2023 and March 31, 2023, the inventory allowance balance was $403,031 and $431,363, respectively. For the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the impairment loss was $287,946 and $609,264, respectively.

4 — PREPAYMENTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Prepayments and other current assets on December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023 consisted of the following:

 

December 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2023

Prepaid rent

 

 

103,195

 

 

26,332

Prepayments to vendors

 

 

471,822

 

 

647,746

Prepaid iCloud Server

 

 

4,867

 

 

Prepayments to DMV

 

 

 

 

500

Prepaid insurance

 

 

246,941

 

 

108,241

Prepayments to landlord

 

 

250,000

 

 

Prepayments to other service providers

 

 

16,721

 

 

Total Prepayment and Other Receivables

 

$

1,093,546

 

$

782,819

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Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

5 — PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment on December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023 consisted of the following:

 

December 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2023

Furniture & Fixtures

 

$

356,482

 

 

$

113,485

 

Machinery & Equipment

 

 

158,779

 

 

 

103,684

 

Automobile

 

 

306,607

 

 

 

242,633

 

Leasehold improvements

 

 

751,814

 

 

 

575,134

 

Property and Equipment

 

 

1,573,682

 

 

 

1,034,936

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(453,439

)

 

 

(249,651

)

Property and Equipment, net

 

$

1,120,243

 

 

$

785,285

 

For the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the depreciation expenses were $203,788 and $93,231, respectively.

6 — INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

Intangible assets on December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023 consisted of the following:

 

December 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2023

Property rights

 

$

109,532

 

 

$

Intangible assets

 

 

109,532

 

 

 

Less: Accumulated Amortization

 

 

(782

)

 

 

Intangible assets, net

 

$

108,750

 

 

$

For the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the amortization expenses were $782 and nil, respectively.

7 — ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER PAYABLES

 

December 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2023

Accrued payroll

 

$

167,361

 

$

15,808

Advances from customers

 

 

30,705

 

 

36,396

Advances from a third party

 

 

49,000

 

 

Accrued warranty

 

 

59,961

 

 

22,056

Payroll tax and sales tax payable

 

 

192,906

 

 

155,689

Accrued store expenses

 

 

16,619

 

 

123,996

Accrued IPO offering cost

 

 

11,717

 

 

11,717

Other payable to landlord

 

 

18,000

 

 

Accrued freight in cost

 

 

52,475

 

 

Accrued Expenses and Other Payables

 

$

598,744

 

$

365,662

F-44

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

8 — Loan Payable

A summary of the Company’s loans is listed as follows:

Lender

 

Due Date

 

December 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2023

Flushing Bank(i)

 

June 1, 2027

 

$

 

 

$

435,537

 

Chase Bank(ii)

 

October 25, 2027

 

 

185,989

 

 

 

214,529

 

Chase Bank(iii)

 

January 12, 2028

 

 

59,494

 

 

 

68,051

 

Chase Bank(x)

 

September 28, 2028

 

 

230,451

 

 

 

 

Xuper Loan(iv)(v)

 

May 01, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

259,072

 

Leaf Capital Funding, LLC(vi)

 

December 31, 2027

 

 

49,783

 

 

 

58,263

 

Sinoelite Corp(vii)

 

April 03, 2024

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

100,000

 

Automobile Loan – Honda(viii)

 

June 25, 2027

 

 

30,900

 

 

 

 

Bank of Hope(ix)

 

September 15, 2024

 

 

391,226

 

 

 

 

Bank of Hope(ix)

 

September 22, 2024

 

 

400,000

 

 

 

 

Bank of Hope(ix)

 

December 12, 2024

 

 

205,000

 

 

 

 

Total loan payables

     

 

1,652,843

 

 

 

1,135,452

 

Current portion of loan payables

     

 

(1,210,507

)

 

 

(412,224

)

Long-term loan payables

     

$

442,336

 

 

$

723,228

 

____________

(i)      On June 14, 2022, Ctate (now merged into Fly E-Bike, Inc.) obtained a five-year long-term loan of $500,000 from Flushing Bank with an annual interest rate of 7%. The collateral provided includes all of Ctate’s inventory, accounts, notes, machinery, equipment, fixtures and other products, and any proceeds and products generated from these items in any form. On September 20, 2023, the Company paid off this loan in full.

(ii)     On October 25, 2022, the Company’s subsidiary, Universe King Corp. obtained a five-year long-term loan of $230,000 from JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. with an annual interest rate of 10.35%. Mr. Ke Zhang, the Company’s Chief Human Resource Officer, provided a guarantee on this loan. To secure payment and performance of the liabilities, Universe King Corp. pledged to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a continuing security interest in all of its right, title and interest in all of its properties, whether now owned or hereinafter acquired and whether now existing or hereafter arising. From January 1 to April 3, 2024, the Company paid $14,831 on principal and interest of the loan.

(iii)    On January 12, 2023, the Company’s subsidiary, Arfy Corp. obtained a five-year long-term loan of $70,000 from JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. with an annual interest rate of 9.8%. Mr. Tong Chen, an original stockholder of the Company, provided a guarantee on this loan. To secure payment and performance of the liabilities, Arfy Corp. pledged to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a continuing security interest in all of its right, title and interest in all of its properties, whether now owned or hereinafter acquired and whether now existing or hereafter arising. From January 1 to April 3, 2024, the Company paid $4,455 on principal and interest of the loan.

(iv)    On January 11, 2023, Fly E-Bike, Inc. obtained a seven-month short-term loan of $250,000 from Xuper Funding with annual interest rate of 136%. On May 1, 2023, the Company paid off this loan in full.

(v)      On February 23, 2023, Fly E-Bike, Inc. obtained a seven-month short-term loan of $100,000 from Xuper Funding with an annual interest rate of 54%. On May 1, 2023, the Company paid off this loan in full.

(vi)    On August 24, 2022, Universe King Corp. obtained a five-year long-term loan of $63,674 from Leaf Capital Funding, LLC with an annual interest rate 7.0%. The collateral provided included the Fuso trucks, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by Universe King Corp., and together with all accessories, accessions, attachments thereto, and all other substitutions, renewals, replacements and improvements and all proceeds of the foregoing. From January 1 to April 3, 2024, the Company paid $3,785 on principal and interest of the loan.

(vii)   On January 3, 2023, Fly E-Bike, Inc. obtained a one-year and three-month long-term loan of $100,000 from Sinoelite Corp with no interest.

(viii)  On June 12, 2023, Flyebikemiami Inc obtained a four-year long-term loan of $34,974 from AutoNation Honda Miami Lakes with an annual interest rate 3.98%. The collateral provided was the Honda vehicle purchased by Flyebikemiami Inc. From January 1 to April 3, 2024, the Company paid $2,368 on principal and interest of the loan.

F-45

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

8 — Loan Payable (cont.)

(ix)    On September 20, 2023, Fly-E Group, Inc obtained a line of credit of $1,000,000 from Bank of Hope with a floating annual interest rate, currently at 8.5%. On the same date, the Company withdrew $391,226 from Bank of Hope to pay off the loan balance with Flushing Bank as of September 15, 2023. On September 22, 2023 and December 12, 2023, the Company withdrew $400,000 and $205,000, respectively, from Bank of Hope to support its business operations.

(x)      On October 2, 2023, the Company’s subsidiary, Fly14 Corp. obtained a five-year long-term loan of $240,000 from JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. with an annual interest rate of 10.40%. To secure payment and performance of the liabilities, Fly14 Corp. pledged to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a continuing security interest in all of its right, title and interest in all of its properties, whether now owned or hereinafter acquired and whether now existing or hereafter arising. From January 1 to April 3, 2024, the Company paid $15,494 on principal and interest of the loan.

For the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the total interest expenses on the Company’s outstanding loans amounted to $82,150 and $34,017, respectively.

9 — STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

Prior to the effectiveness of the stock split discussed below, the Company was authorized to issue 400 shares of common stock having a par value of $0.01 per share and 40 shares of preferred stock having a par value of $0.01 per share. There were 200 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding prior to the effectiveness of the stock split.

On March 27, 2024, the Company’s board of directors approved a 1-for-110,000 stock split of the Company’s capital stock. The stock split became effective on April 2, 2024. The par value of the Company’s common stock remained unchanged at $0.01 per share, and the number of authorized shares of the Company’s capital stock was increased from 440 to 48,400,000, with the number of authorized shares of common stock and preferred stock being increased from 400 to 44,000,000 and from 40 to 4,400,000, respectively.

During the nine months ended December 31, 2023, Mr. Ou paid certain vendors of the Company to settle certain accounts payable balance on behalf the Company. On June 30, 2023, the Company transferred $2.26 million, a portion of the accounts payable balance, along with a cash contribution of $0.14 million from Mr. Zhou Ou as capital contribution (see Note 13). As of December 31, 2023, a total of $2.4 million were transferred and recorded as capital contribution (see Note 13).

10 — INCOME TAX

(a) Current Tax

Income tax expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 amounted to $0.73 million and $0.65 million, respectively. Significant components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:

 

For the nine months ended
December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

183,589

 

 

$

294,020

State

 

 

182,860

 

 

 

128,271

City

 

 

139,904

 

 

 

77,163

Deferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

166,500

 

 

 

58,400

State

 

 

42,300

 

 

 

49,300

City

 

 

24,500

 

 

 

47,500

Foreign

 

 

(7,656

)

 

 

Total

 

$

731,997

 

 

$

654,654

F-46

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

10 — INCOME TAX (cont.)

The following table reconciles to the Company’s effective tax rate:

 

For the nine months ended
December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Pre-tax book income

 

1,939,885

 

 

1,998,200

 

Federal Statutory rate

 

21.0

%

 

21.0

%

State income tax rate, net of federal income tax benefit

 

8.0

%

 

8.5

%

City income tax rate, net of federal income tax benefit

 

5.0

%

 

5.5

%

Foreign statutory rate

 

(0.4

)%

 

 

Permanent differences

 

5.3

%

 

0.7

%

Return to project adjustment

 

(1.4

)%

 

(2.9

)%

Total

 

37.5

%

 

32.8

%

Penalties and interest incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as penalties in the period incurred. For the nine months ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred $42,141 income tax related penalty included in taxes payable in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

United States

Income tax expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 amounted to $0.74 million and $0.65 million, respectively. Significant components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:

 

For the nine months ended
December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Current

 

 

   

 

 

Federal

 

$

183,589

 

$

294,020

State

 

 

182,860

 

 

128,271

City

 

 

139,904

 

 

77,163

Deferred

 

 

   

 

 

Federal

 

 

166,500

 

 

58,400

State

 

 

42,300

 

 

49,300

City

 

 

24,500

 

 

47,500

Total

 

$

741,653

 

$

654,654

Canada

Fly Toronto Corp, a subsidiary of the Company, was formed under the laws of Canada and conducts its business primarily in Canada.

F-47

Table of Contents

FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

10 — INCOME TAX (cont.)

Income tax benefit for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 amounted to $7,656 and nil, respectively. Significant components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:

 

For the nine months ended December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

 

 

$

State

 

 

 

 

 

City

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

(4,334.00

)

 

 

State

 

 

(3,322.00

)

 

 

City

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

(7,656

)

 

$

(b) Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities)

Net DTAs as of December 31, 2023 amounted to $14,406, and as of March 31, 2023, net Deferred Tax Assets (the “DTLs”) amounted to $211,100. Significant components of DTAs (DTLs), net are as follows:

 

As of December 31,
2023

 

As of
March 31,
2023

Net operating loss carry forwards

 

$

7,958

 

 

$

93,800

 

Inventory reserve

 

 

153,100

 

 

 

155,400

 

Deferred Rent

 

 

226,200

 

 

 

192,500

 

Less: Valuation allowance

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets (DTAs)

 

$

387,258

 

 

$

441,700

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(401,664

)

 

 

(230,600

)

Total deferred tax liabilities (DTLs)

 

 

(401,664

)

 

 

(230,600

)

Total deferred tax (liabilities) assets, net

 

$

14,406

 

 

$

211,100

 

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) – U.S., net

 

$

(22,200

)

 

$

211,100

 

Deferred tax asset – Canada, net

 

$

7,794

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $0.39 million and $0.44 million, respectively, in the DTAs, which respectively included approximately $0.001 million and $0.09 million related to net operating loss carryforwards that can be used to offset taxable income in future periods, $0.23 million and $0.19 million related to deferred rent, and $0.16 million and $0.15 million related to inventory allowance.

As of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $0.40 million and $0.23 million, respectively, in the DTLs that related to accumulated depreciation.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. As of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, the Company recorded approximately $0.01 million and $0.21 million, respectively, in the net DTAs. As of December 31, 2023, management considered it more likely than not that the Company will have sufficient taxable income in the future that will allow the Company to realize these net DTAs. .

Therefore, a substantial valuation allowance to reduce the Company’s federal DTAs may not be required. Positive evidence could include, among other things: (a) existing firm sales backlog that will produce more than enough taxable income to realize the DTAs based on existing sales price structures, (b) an excess of appreciated asset value

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FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

10 — INCOME TAX (cont.)

of $0.39 million and $0.44 million, respectively as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, over the tax basis of the entity’s net assets in an amount sufficient to realize the DTA, and (c) a strong earnings history exclusive of the losses that created the future deductible amount (tax loss carry-forward or deductible temporary difference). For the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s pre-tax book income in the U.S. was approximately $1.97 million and $2.00 million, respectively, and part of previous net tax loss carry forward was used to reduce taxable income in the current period. In addition, for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s pre-tax book loss in Canada was approximately $33,146 and nil, respectively.

Uncertain Tax Positions

The Company evaluates each uncertain tax position (including the potential application of interest and penalties) based on the technical merits, and measures the unrecognized benefits associated with the tax positions. As of December 31, 2023 and March 31,2023, the Company did not have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions.

11 — LEASES

Effective on April 1, 2019, the Company adopted Topic 842. At the inception of a contract, the Company determines if the arrangement is, or contains, a lease. The leases of the Company mainly consisted of offices, retail stores and warehouses.

The Company’s operating right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities were as follows:

 

December 31, 2023

 

March 31,
2023

Operating ROU:

 

 

   

 

 

ROU assets

 

$

12,042,292

 

$

10,261,556

Total operating ROU assets

 

$

12,042,292

 

$

10,261,556

 

December 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2023

Operating lease obligations:

 

 

   

 

 

Current operating lease liabilities

 

$

2,400,008

 

$

1,836,737

Non-current operating lease liabilities

 

 

10,344,485

 

 

8,979,193

Total lease liabilities

 

$

12,744,493

 

$

10,815,930

The Company had 38 and 31 leases as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively.

The weighted average lease term, discount rates, and remaining lease terms for the operating leases as of December 31, 2023 were as follows:

Remaining lease term and discount rate:

Weighted average discount rate

 

5.5%

Weighted average remaining lease term (years)

 

5.86 years

The weighted average lease term, discount rates, and remaining lease terms for the operating lease as of March 31, 2023 were as follows:

Remaining lease term and discount rate:

Weighted average discount rate

 

5%

Weighted average remaining lease term (years)

 

6.47 years

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FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

11 — LEASES (cont.)

The Company leases its offices, warehouse, and retail stores under non-cancellable operating lease agreements. Lease expenses were $2.33 million, including $0.39 million cost of goods-occupancy cost, $1.73 million rent expense in selling expense, and $0.21 million rent expense in general and administrative expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2023. Lease expenses were $1.73 million, including $0.36 million cost of goods-occupancy cost, $1.25 million rent expense in selling expense, and $0.12 million rent expense in general and administrative expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2022.

As of December 31, 2023, future minimum lease liabilities, all under office and facilities non-cancellable operating lease agreements, were as follows:

As of December 31, 2023

 

Operating Lease Liabilities

2024

 

$

3,038,734

 

2025

 

 

2,997,897

 

2026

 

 

2,444,350

 

2027

 

 

1,911,471

 

2028

 

 

1,347,683

 

Thereafter

 

 

3,321,781

 

Total lease payments

 

 

15,061,916

 

Less: interest

 

 

(2,317,423

)

Present value of lease liabilities

 

$

12,744,493

 

12 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments

The Company has not entered any off-balance sheet financial guarantees or other off-balance sheet commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. The Company has not entered any derivative contracts that are indexed to its shares and classified as shareholder’s equity or that are not reflected in its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, the Company does not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. The Company does not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to itself or engages in leasing, hedging or product development services with itself.

Contingencies

Legal

From time to time, the Company is a party to certain legal proceedings, as well as certain asserted and unasserted claims. Amounts accrued, as well as the total amount of reasonably possible losses with respect to such matters, individually and in the aggregate, are not deemed to be material to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Company’s products and other production facilities as well as the packaging, storage, distribution, advertising and labeling of its products, are subject to extensive legal and regulatory requirements. For example, pursuant to the DMV registration requirement, the Company must satisfy the DMV Registration requirements and conduct required testing for all of its products sold in U.S. Loss of or failure to renew or obtain necessary permits, licenses, registrations, or certificates could prevent the Company from legally selling its products in the U.S. If the Company were found to be in violation of applicable laws and regulations, it could be subject to administrative punishment, including fines, injunctions, recalls or asset seizures, as well as potential criminal sanctions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. As of the date hereof, the Company believes it is in compliance with the relevant regulations in the U.S.

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FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

12 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (cont.)

Inflation

Inflationary factors, such as increases in personnel and overhead costs, could impair the Company’s operating results. Although the Company does not believe that inflation has had a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations to date, a high rate of inflation in the future may have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to maintain current levels of gross margin and operating expenses as a percentage of sales revenue if the revenues do not increase with such increased costs.

13 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

(A) Related party balances

Accounts receivable — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Relationship

 

Nature

 

December 31, 2023

 

March 31,
2023

Fly E Bike SRL

 

Zhou Ou (CEO), owns over 50% equity interest of this entity

 

Accounts receivable

 

$

366,714

 

 

136,565

Accounts receivable-related parties

         

$

366,714

 

$

136,565

Prepayments and other receivables — related parties — related party

Name of Related Party

 

Relationship

 

Nature

 

December 31, 2023

 

March 31,
2023

Fly E Bike SRL

 

Zhou Ou (CEO), owns over 50% equity interest of this entity

 

Other receivables

 

$

111,500

 

 

DF Technology US Inc

 

Ruifeng Guo (CFO), owns over 50% equity interest of this entity

 

Prepayment

 

$

350,000

 

 

Prepayments and other receivables – related parties

         

$

461,500

 

$

During the nine months ended December 31, 2023, the Company advanced $111,500 to Fly E Bike SRL, a distributor the Company works with and in which Mr. Ou holds over 50% of the equity interest. This advance is unsecured, bears no interest and does not have a maturity date. On February 29, 2024, Fly E Bike SRL repaid $111,500 to the Company.

In December 2023, the Company engaged DF Technology US Inc (“DFT”) for certain technology services. Mr. Guo, the Company’s CFO, owns over 50% of the equity interest in DFT. In December 2023, the Company paid $350,000 to DFT as prepayment for software development.

Other payables — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Relationship

 

Nature

 

December 31,
2023
(i)

 

March 31,
2023
(i)

Zhou Ou

 

Chairman, CEO

 

Other payable

 

$

182,230

 

$

332,481

Other Payables-related parties

         

$

182,230

 

$

332,481

____________

(i)      Represents the remaining balance of the advance provided by the related party to the Company’s subsidiaries for the purpose of supporting their business operations.

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FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

13 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (cont.)

All of the above payables are unsecured, non-interest bearing, and due on demand.

Loan payables — related party

Name of Related Party

 

Relationship

 

Nature

 

December 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2023

PJMG LLC

 

Ruifeng Guo (CFO), owns over 50% equity interest of this entity

 

Loan payable

 

$

 

 

150,000

Loan Payables-related parties

         

$

 

$

150,000

On January 3, 2023, Fly E-Bike, Inc. obtained a two-year long-term loan of $150,000 from PJMG LLC with no interest. Mr. Guo owns 50% of the equity interest in PJMG LLC. During the nine months ended December 31, 2023, the Company made a total prepayment of $150,000 for post-IPO service fees. This prepayment was subsequently offset against the loan payables to PJMG LLC.

(B) Related party transactions

Revenues — related party

         

For the nine months ended
December 31,

Name of Related Party

 

Relationship

 

Nature

 

2023

 

2022

Fly E Bike SRL

 

Zhou Ou (CEO), owns over 50% equity interest of this entity

 

Product sales

 

$

309,484

 

 

Revenues-related parties

         

$

309,484

 

$

During the nine months ended December 31, 2023, Fly E Bike SRL purchased certain EV products from the Company in the amount of 309,484.

(C) Other Related Party Transactions

(i) During the nine months ended December 31, 2023, Mr. Ou paid certain vendors of the Company to settle certain accounts payable balance on behalf the Company. On June 30, 2023, the Company transferred $2,263,630, a portion of the accounts payable balance, along with a cash contribution of $136,370 from Mr. Zhou Ou as capital contribution (see Note 9). As of December 31, 2023, a total of $2,400,000 were transferred and recorded as capital contribution (see Note 9).

(ii) On March 6, 2021, the Company and DGLG entered into an engagement letter, wherein the Company engaged DGLG as a consultant to assist the Company in its IPO planning, financing and tax services. Mr. Guo, the Company’s CFO, is a partner at DGLG. Under the terms of the engagement agreement with DGLG, the Company has agreed to compensate DGLG for consulting services based on an hourly fee arrangement. DGLG’s consulting fees were $100,000 and $25,000 for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. In addition, during the nine months ended December 31, 2023, the Company paid DGLG a total of $64,950 for tax services rendered by DGLG.

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FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

14 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated subsequent events after December 31, 2023, up through April 3, 2024, the date at which the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were issued.

On February 5, 2024, FLYJH8509 INC, a subsidiary of the Company, entered into an asset purchase agreement with Roobike Inc., pursuant to which FLYJH8509 INC acquired certain assets of Roobike Inc. for a cash purchase price of $108,897.80. Roobike Inc. is a retail seller of electric bikes and motorcycles.

On February 5, 2024, FLYBX2381 INC, a subsidiary of the Company, entered into an asset purchase agreement with Friendbike Inc., pursuant to which FLYBX2381 INC acquired certain assets of Friendbike Inc. for a cash purchase price of $265,297.36. Friendbike Inc. is a retail seller of electric bikes and motorcycles.

On March 27, 2024, the Company’s board of directors approved a 1-for-110,000 stock split of the Company’s stock. The stock split became effective on April 2, 2024 (see Note 9).

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3,000,000 Shares

Fly-E Group, Inc.

Common Stock

____________

Prospectus

____________

___________, 2024

The Benchmark Company

Through and including ___________________, 2024 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.

          

 

Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13.     Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the shares of common stock being registered hereby, other than underwriting discounts and commissions and non-accountable expense allowance. All amounts are estimates except the SEC registration fee and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) filing fee and the stock exchange listing fee.

The following expenses will be borne solely by the registrant:

 

Amount

SEC registration fee

 

$

2,673

FINRA filing fee

 

 

3,217

Nasdaq listing fee

 

 

50,000

Printing and engraving expenses

 

 

30,000

Underwriter out-of-pocket expenses

 

 

125,000

Legal fees and expenses

 

 

475,000

Accounting fees and expenses

 

 

100,000

Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses

 

 

5,000

Miscellaneous fees and expenses

 

 

100,000

Total

 

 

890,890

Item 14.     Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Pursuant to Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than a derivative action by or in the right of such corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or serving at the request of such corporation in such capacity for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of such corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

The DGCL also permits indemnification by a corporation under similar circumstances for expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such persons in connection with the defense or settlement of a derivative action or suit, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to such corporation unless the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

To the extent a present or former director or officer is successful in the defense of such an action, suit or proceeding referenced above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, a corporation is required by the DGCL to indemnify such person for actual and reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by such persons in defending any action, suit or proceeding may be paid in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon in the case of a current officer or director, receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be so indemnified.

The DGCL provides that the indemnification described above shall not be deemed exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation pursuant to its bylaws, disinterested directors’ vote, stockholders’ vote and agreement or otherwise.

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Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL enables a corporation, in its certificate of incorporation or an amendment thereto, to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for violations of the directors’ fiduciary duty, except (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL (providing for liability of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions) or (iv) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit. Our certificate of incorporation provides for such limitations on liability for its directors.

The DGCL also provides corporations with the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation in a similar capacity for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him or her in any such capacity or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability as described above. In connection with this offering, the registrant will obtain liability insurance for its directors and officers. Such insurance would be available to its directors and officers in accordance with its terms.

Our certificate of incorporation requires us to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person (a “covered person”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer or member of a committee, or, while a director or officer, is or was serving at our request as a director or officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgment, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with a proceeding.

In addition, under our certificate of incorporation, in certain circumstances, we are required to pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a covered person in defending a proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding; provided, however, that we are not required to advance any expenses to a person against whom we directly bring an action, suit or proceeding alleging that such person (1) committed an act or omission not in good faith or (2) committed an act of intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law. Additionally, an advancement of expenses incurred by a covered person shall be made only upon delivery to us of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such covered person, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal or otherwise in accordance with Delaware law that such covered person is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses.

In addition, we plan to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers that provide for additional indemnification protections, which form of agreement has been filed as an exhibit to this registration statement.

Item 15.     Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

Except as set forth below, in the three years preceding the filing of this registration statement, the registrant has not issued any securities that were not registered under the Securities Act:

On December 21, 2022, the Company and Fly E-Bike, Inc. (“Fly E-Bike”) entered into a Share Exchange Agreement, pursuant to which the Company acquired 200 shares of common stock of Fly E-Bike, representing all of the issued and outstanding shares of Fly E-Bike, by issuing its shares of common stock to the stockholders of Fly E-Bike on a one-for-one basis. Such share issuance was deemed to be exempt under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, by virtue of Section 4(2) thereof as transactions not involving any public offering.

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Item 16.     Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)     Exhibits

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

 


Description

1.1

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement*

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Fly-E Group, Inc.

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Fly-E Group, Inc.

4.1

 

Specimen certificate evidencing shares of common stock^

4.2

 

Form of Representative’s Warrant*

5.1

 

Opinion of Hogan Lovells US LLP

10.1

 

Form of the Independent Director’s Agreement of Fly-E Group, Inc.^

10.2

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement

10.3

 

Fly-E Group, Inc. 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan

16.1

 

Letter dated April 3, 2024 from Friedman LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission^

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of the registrant

23.1

 

Consent of Marcum Asia CPAs LLP

23.2

 

Consent of Friedman LLP

23.3

 

Consent of Hogan Lovells US LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)

24.1

 

Power of Attorney (included on signature page)^

99.1

 

Consent of Bin Wang to be named as a director nominee^

99.2

 

Consent of Lun Feng to be named as a director nominee^

99.3

 

Consent of Alan Jacobs to be named as a director nominee^

107

 

Filing Fee Table^

____________

*        To be filed by amendment.

^        Previously filed.

(b)    Financial Statement Schedules: None.

Item 17.     Undertakings

The undersigned 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 of 1933;

(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 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(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;

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(2)    That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, 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 of 1933 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 (§ 230.424 of this chapter);

(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.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions referenced in Item 14 of this Registration Statement, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 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 hereunder, 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 of 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.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1)    For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2)    For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of New York, New York, on April 22, 2024.

 

FLY-E GROUP, INC.

   

By:

 

/s/ Zhou Ou 

       

Zhou Ou

       

Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Zhou Ou as attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, to sign on his or her behalf, individually and in any and all capacities, including the capacities stated below, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statements filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 462 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting to said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

SIGNATURE

 

TITLE

 

DATE

/s/ Zhou Ou 

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors and
Chief Executive Officer

 

April 22, 2024

Zhou Ou

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

   

/s/ Ruifeng Guo 

 

Director and Chief Financial Officer

 

April 22, 2024

Ruifeng Guo

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

   

II-5

Exhibit 3.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

FLY-E GROUP, INC.

 

____________, 2024

 

Fly-E Group, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify as follows: 

 

1. The name of the Corporation is Fly-E Group, Inc. The certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was originally filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on November 1, 2022, as amended on April 2, 2024 (the “Certificate of Incorporation”).

 

2. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate”), which both restates and amends the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “DGCL”) and has been adopted by the written consent of the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL.

 

3. This Amended and Restated Certificate shall become effective on the date of filing with the Secretary of State of Delaware.

 

4. The text of the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, as heretofore amended, is hereby amended and restated by this Amended and Restated Certificate to read in its entirety as set forth in EXHIBIT A attached hereto.

 

  By:  
  Name:  Zhou Ou
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

FLY-E GROUP, INC.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

ARTICLE I: NAME

 

The name of the corporation is Fly-E Group, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE II: AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS

 

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, New Castle County. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

ARTICLE III: PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

 

ARTICLE IV: AUTHORIZED STOCK

 

1. Total Authorized. The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation has authority to issue is 110,000,000 shares, consisting of two classes: 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

 

2. Common Stock

 

2.1 Relative Rights

 

The Common Stock shall be subject to all of the rights, privileges, preferences and priorities set forth in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

2.2 Dividends

 

Except as may be provided in any resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) providing for any series of Preferred Stock outstanding at any time, whenever there shall have been paid, or declared and set aside for payment, to the holders of shares of any class or series of stock having preference over the Common Stock as to the payment of dividends, the full amount of dividends and of sinking fund or retirement payments, if any, to which such holders are respectively entitled in preference to the Common Stock, then dividends may be paid on the Common Stock and on any class or series of stock entitled to participate therewith as to dividends, out of any assets legally available for the payment of dividends thereon, but only when and as declared by the Board. Any dividends on the Common Stock will not be cumulative.

 

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2.3 Dissolution, Liquidation, Winding Up

 

In the event of any dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Common Stock, and holders of any class or series of stock entitled to participate therewith, in whole or in part, as to the distribution of assets in such event, shall be entitled to participate in the distribution of any assets of the Corporation remaining after the Corporation shall have paid, or provided for payment of, all debts and liabilities of the Corporation and after the Corporation shall have paid, or set aside for payment, to the holders of any class or series of stock having preference over the Common Stock in the event of dissolution, liquidation or winding up the full preferential amounts (if any) to which they are entitled.

 

2.4 Voting Rights

 

Each holder of shares of the Common Stock shall be entitled to attend all special and annual meetings. Except as may otherwise be required by law, and subject to the provisions of such resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by the Board pursuant to Section 3 of this Article IV granting the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock exclusive or special voting powers with respect to any matter, each holder of the Common Stock shall have one vote with respect to each share of the Common Stock held on all matters voted upon by the stockholders, provided, however, that except as otherwise required by law, holders of the Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including a certificate of designations relating to any series of the Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of the Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either voting separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including a certificate of designations relating to any series of the Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL. Each holder of shares of the Common Stock may exercise its vote either in person or by proxy.

 

3. Preferred Stock

 

The Board is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by the DGCL and the provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to provide, by resolution or resolutions from time to time and by filing certificates of designations pursuant to the DGCL, for the issuance of shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of each such series of the Preferred Stock and to fix the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.

 

The authority of the Board with respect to each series shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following: (1) the number of shares constituting that series and the distinctive designation of that series; (2) the dividend rate on the shares of that series, whether dividends shall be cumulative, and, if so, from which date or dates, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of dividends on shares of that series; (3) whether that series shall have voting rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights; (4) whether that series shall have conversion privileges, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion, including provision for adjustment of the conversion rate in such events as the Board shall determine; (5) whether or not the shares of that series shall be redeemable, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such redemption, including the dates upon or after which they shall be redeemable, and the amount per share payable in case of redemption, which amount may vary under different conditions and at different redemption dates; (6) whether that series shall have a sinking fund for the redemption or purchase of shares of that series, and, if so, the terms and amount of such sinking fund; (7) the rights of the shares of that series in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of shares of that series; and (8) any other relative powers, preferences, and rights of that series, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions on that series as the Board shall determine.

 

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Except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL.

 

Except as otherwise required by law, holders of any series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to only such voting rights, if any, as shall expressly be granted thereto by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock).

 

ARTICLE V: AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the DGCL, the Board is expressly authorized and empowered to adopt, alter, amend and repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation without the assent or vote of the stockholders in any manner not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

ARTICLE VI: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

1. Director Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon them by statute or by this Amended and Restate Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation.

 

2. Number of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the total number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be as fixed from time to time by, or in the manner provided by, the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

3. Term. Each director shall hold office until such director’s successor is elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Any director may resign at any time upon notice to the Corporation given in writing or by any electronic transmission permitted in the Corporation’s Bylaws.

 

4. Board Vacancies. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancy occurring in the Board for any cause, and any newly created directorship resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, shall, unless (a) the Board determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by the stockholders or (b) as otherwise provided by law, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office to which the director has been elected expires or until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

 

5. Vote by Ballot. Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.

 

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6. Officers. Except as otherwise expressly delegated by resolution of the Board, the Board shall have the exclusive power and authority to appoint and remove officers of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE VII: DIRECTOR LIABILITY

 

1. Limitation of Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no director of the Corporation shall be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Without limiting the effect of the preceding sentence, if the DGCL is hereafter amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of a director, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

 

2. Change in Rights. Neither any amendment nor repeal of this Article VII, nor the adoption of any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article VII, shall eliminate, reduce or otherwise adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or adoption of such an inconsistent provision.

 

ARTICLE VIII: MATTERS RELATING TO STOCKHOLDERS

 

1. No Action by Written Consent of Stockholders. Subject to the rights of any series of Preferred Stock, no action shall be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation except at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent.

 

2. Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such place, if any, on such date and at such time as fixed by the Board.

 

3. Special Meeting of Stockholders. Subject to the rights of any holders of the Preferred Stock, only a majority of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation shall be permitted to call a special meeting of stockholders, and the business permitted to be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board.

 

4. Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominations and Business Transacted at Special Meetings. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors of the Corporation and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation. Business transacted at special meetings of stockholders shall be confined to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.

 

ARTICLE IX: SECTION 203 OF THE DGCL OPT-OUT

 

The Corporation shall not be governed or subject to Section 203 of the DGCL.

 

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ARTICLE X: CREDITOR AND STOCKHOLDER COMPROMISES

 

Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between the Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between the Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of the Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of §291 of Title 8 of the DGCL or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under §279 of Title 8 of the DGCL order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of the Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of the Corporation, as the case may be, and also on the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE XI: EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION

 

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by, or other wrongdoing by, any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, (iv) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or (v) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to said Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XI.

 

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all rights conferred herein are granted subject to this reservation.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Fly-E Group, Inc. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate to be duly executed and acknowledged in its name and on its behalf by an authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

  By:  
  Name: Zhou Ou
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

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Exhibit 3.2

 

FLY-E GROUP, INC.

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AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

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ARTICLE I

 

OFFICES

 

Section 1. Offices. The registered office of Fly-E Group, Inc. (the “Corporation”) shall be in the State of Delaware. The Corporation may have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or as may be necessary or convenient to the business of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE II

 

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be held on such date, at such time, and at such place (if any) within or without the State of Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the Corporation’s notice of the meeting. In lieu of holding an annual meeting of stockholders at a designated place, the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that any annual meeting of stockholders may be held solely by means of remote communication.

 

Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders may only be called in the manner provided in the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation as then in effect (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and may be held at such place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and date as the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall determine and state in the notice of meeting. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that special meetings of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as described in Section 8 of these Amended and Restated Bylaws in accordance with Section 211(a)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any special meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3. Notice of Meetings. (a) The Corporation shall give notice of any annual or special meeting of stockholders. Notices of meetings of the stockholders shall state the place, if any, date, and hour of the meeting, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such record date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting. In the case of a special meeting, the notice shall state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. No business other than that specified in the notice thereof shall be transacted at any special meeting. Unless otherwise provided by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, notice shall be given to each stockholder entitled to receive notice of such meeting not fewer than ten (10) days or more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting.

 

 

 

(b) Notice to stockholders may be given by personal delivery, mail, or, with the consent of the stockholder entitled to receive notice, by facsimile or other means of electronic transmission. If mailed, such notice shall be delivered by postage prepaid envelope directed to each stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears in the records of the Corporation and shall be deemed given when deposited in the United States mail. Notice given by electronic transmission pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed given: (i) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a facsimile telecommunication number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (ii) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (iii) if by posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice, and (iv) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given by personal delivery, by mail, or by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

(c) Notice of any meeting of stockholders need not be given to any stockholder if waived by such stockholder either in a writing signed by such stockholder or by electronic transmission, whether such waiver is given before or after such meeting is held. If such a waiver is given by electronic transmission, the electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder.

 

Section 4. Quorum and Adjournment. Except as otherwise required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, or by these Amended and Restated Bylaws, the presence, in person or represented by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power of the stock issued and outstanding, entitled to vote thereat, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders. If such majority shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, a majority of the stockholders present, although less than a quorum, or the presiding officer of such meeting shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to another time and place.

 

Section 5. Adjourned Meetings. When a meeting is adjourned to another time and place, if any, unless otherwise provided by these Amended and Restated Bylaws, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the date, time, and place, if any, thereof and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the stockholders may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If an adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days or, if after an adjournment, a new record date is fixed for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

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Section 6. Voting. Except as may be otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these Amended and Restated Bylaws or the DGCL, each stockholder shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.

 

Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, at all duly called or convened meetings of stockholders at which a quorum is present, for the election of directors, a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect a director. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, these Amended and Restated Bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, each other matter presented to the stockholders at a duly called or convened meeting at which a quorum is present shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) on such matter.

 

Section 7. Manner of Voting; Proxies. (a) At each meeting of stockholders, each stockholder having the right to vote shall be entitled to vote in person or by proxy. Each stockholder shall be entitled to vote each share of stock having voting power and registered in such stockholder’s name on the books of the Corporation on the record date fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting.

 

(b) Each person entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only so long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. Proxies need not be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation until the meeting is called to order, but shall be filed before being voted. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy, the following shall constitute valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority:

 

(i) A stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the stockholder or the stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee, or agent signing such writing or causing such person’s signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature; and

 

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(ii) A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of a telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission to the person or persons who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization, or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission; provided, however, that any such telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the telegram, cablegram, or other electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. If it is determined that any such telegram, cablegram, or other electronic transmission is valid, the inspectors or, if there are no inspectors, such other persons making that determination, shall specify the information upon which they relied.

 

Any copy, facsimile telecommunication, or other reliable reproduction of a writing or electronic transmission authorizing a person or persons to act as proxy for a stockholder may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or electronic transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or electronic transmission could be used; provided, however, that such copy, facsimile telecommunication, or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or electronic transmission.

 

Section 8. Remote Communication. For the purposes of these Amended and Restated Bylaws, if authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt, stockholders and proxyholders may, by means of remote communication:

 

(a) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and

 

(b) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (i) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxyholder, (ii) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (iii) if any stockholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

 

Section 9. No Stockholder Action Without a Meeting. Stockholder action by written consent in lieu of a meeting is prohibited by the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

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Section 10. Presiding Officer and Secretary. (a) The Chief Executive Officer shall preside at meetings of the stockholders. In the absence of the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall preside at meetings of the stockholders. In the absence of each of the Chief Executive Officer and the President, any director or officer designated by the Board of Directors shall preside at meetings of the stockholders.

 

(b) The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary of all meetings of the stockholders, but, in the absence of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary designated in accordance with Section 11(b) of Article IV of these Amended and Restated Bylaws shall act as secretary of meetings of the stockholders. In the absence of the Secretary and any designated Assistant Secretary, the presiding officer of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 11. Conduct of Meetings. At each meeting of stockholders, the presiding officer of the meeting shall fix and announce the date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the meeting and shall determine the order of business and all other matters of procedure. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules, regulations, and procedures for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with any such rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors, the presiding officer of the meeting shall have the right and authority to convene and to adjourn the meeting and to establish rules, regulations, and procedures, which need not be in writing, for the conduct of the meeting and to maintain order and safety. Without limiting the foregoing, he or she may:

 

(a) restrict attendance at any time to bona fide stockholders of record and their proxies and other persons in attendance at the invitation of the presiding officer or Board of Directors;

 

(b) place restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof;

 

(c) restrict dissemination of solicitation materials and use of audio or visual recording devices at the meeting;

 

(d) adjourn the meeting without a vote of the stockholders, whether or not there is a quorum present; and

 

(e) make rules governing speeches and debate, including time limits and access to microphones.

 

The presiding officer of the meeting shall act in his or her absolute discretion, and his or her rulings shall not be subject to appeal.

 

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Section 12. Inspectors of Election. The Corporation may, and shall if required by law, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Corporation, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector so appointed or designated is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath to execute faithfully the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspector or inspectors so appointed or designated shall (a) ascertain the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation outstanding and the voting power of each such share, (b) determine the shares of capital stock of the Corporation represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, (c) count all votes and ballots, (d) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, and (e) certify their determination of the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation represented at the meeting and such inspectors’ count of all votes and ballots. Such certification and report shall specify such other information as may be required by law. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, the inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election.

 

Section 13. Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.

 

(A) Annual Meetings of Stockholders.

 

(1) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (a) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto), (b) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (c) by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who was a stockholder of record of the Corporation (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf such business is proposed or such nomination or nominations are made, only if such beneficial owner was the beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation) both at the time the notice provided for in Paragraphs (A)(2) and (A)(3) of this Section 13 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, (ii) who is entitled to vote at the meeting upon such election of directors or upon such business, as the case may be, and (iii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in Paragraphs (A)(2) and (A)(3) of this Section 13. Except for proposals properly made in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (as so amended and inclusive of such rules and regulations, the “Exchange Act”), and included in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, the foregoing clause (c) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to propose business to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders. In addition, for business (other than the nomination of persons for election to the Board of Directors) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such business must be a proper matter for stockholder action pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, these Amended and Restated Bylaws, and applicable law.

 

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(2) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders by a stockholder pursuant to clause (c) of Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section 13, the stockholder (a) must have given timely notice thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, and (b) must provide any updates or supplements to such notice at such times and in the forms required by this Section 13. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice relating to an annual meeting shall be delivered to, or mailed to and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day and not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day before the date of the one-year anniversary of the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting (provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day before such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day before such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement (as defined below) of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation). In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting of stockholders commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

(3) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 13, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary (whether pursuant to this Paragraph (A) or Paragraph (B) of this Section 13) must set forth:

 

(a) as to each Proposing Person (as defined below), (i) the name and address of such Proposing Person (including, if applicable, the name and address that appear on the Corporation’s books and records) and (ii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned of record or beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by such Proposing Person (provided that for purposes of this Section 13, such Proposing Person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of any class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation as to which such Proposing Person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future);

 

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(b) as to each Proposing Person, (i) any derivative, swap, or other transaction or series of transactions engaged in, directly or indirectly, by such Proposing Person, the purpose or effect of which is to give such Proposing Person economic risk similar to ownership of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, including due to the fact that the value of such derivative, swap, or other transactions are determined by reference to the price, value, or volatility of any shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, or which derivative, swap, or other transactions provide, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit from any increase in the price or value of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation (“Synthetic Equity Interests”), which Synthetic Equity Interests shall be disclosed without regard to whether (x) the derivative, swap, or other transactions convey any voting rights in such shares to such Proposing Person, (y) the derivative, swap, or other transactions are required to be, or are capable of being, settled through delivery of such shares, or (z) such Proposing Person may have entered into other transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such derivative, swap, or other transactions, (ii) any proxy (other than a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act by way of a solicitation statement filed on Schedule 14A), agreement, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which such Proposing Person has or shares a right to vote any shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation (including the number of shares and class or series of capital stock of the Corporation that are subject to such proxy, agreement, arrangement, understanding, or relationship), (iii) any agreement, arrangement, understanding, or relationship, including any repurchase or similar so-called “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement, engaged in, directly or indirectly, by such Proposing Person, the purpose or effect of which is to mitigate loss to, reduce the economic risk (of ownership or otherwise) of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation by, manage the risk of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Proposing Person with respect to the shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, or that provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit from any decrease in the price or value of the shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation (“Short Interests”), (iv) any rights to dividends on the shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation owned beneficially by such Proposing Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (v) any performance related fees (other than an asset based fee) to which such Proposing Person is entitled based on any increase or decrease in the price or value of shares of any class or series of the capital stock of the Corporation, or any Synthetic Equity Interests or Short Interests, if any, and (vi) any other information relating to such Proposing Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies or consents by such Proposing Person in support of the nominations or business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i) through (vi) are referred to as “Disclosable Interests”); provided, however, that Disclosable Interests shall not include any such disclosures with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company, or other nominee who is a Proposing Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these Amended and Restated Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner;

 

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(c) if such notice pertains to the nomination by the stockholder of a person or persons for election to the Board of Directors (each, a “nominee”), as to each nominee, (i) the name, age, business and residence address, and principal occupation or employment of the nominee, (ii) all other information relating to the nominee that would be required to be disclosed about such nominee if proxies were being solicited for the election of the nominee as a director in an election contest (whether or not such proxies are or will be solicited), or that is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, (iii) such nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected, and (iv) all information with respect to such nominee that would be required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice pursuant to this Section 13 if such nominee were a Proposing Person;

 

(d) if the notice relates to any business (other than the nomination of persons for election to the Board of Directors) that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, (i) a reasonably brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, (ii) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and if such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment), (iii) the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, and (iv) any material interest in such business of each Proposing Person;

 

(e) a representation that the stockholder giving the notice is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting, will continue to be a stockholder of record of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting through the date of such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination; and

 

(f) a representation whether any Proposing Person intends or is part of a group that intends (i) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or (ii) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination.

 

The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine (i) the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation, and (ii) whether such nominee qualifies as an “independent director” or “audit committee financial expert” under applicable law, securities exchange rule or regulation, or any publicly disclosed corporate governance guideline or committee charter of the Corporation.

 

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(4) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (A)(2) of this Section 13 to the contrary, if the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the Board of Directors’ nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least one hundred (100) days before the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 13 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to, or mailed to and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

 

(5) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in Paragraph (A) of this Section 13 (including those persons nominated by or at the direction of the Board of Directors) shall be eligible to be elected at an annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as directors. Only such business shall be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in Paragraph (A) of this Section 13. Except as otherwise provided by law, the chairman of an annual meeting of stockholders shall have the power and duty (a) if the facts warrant, to determine that a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the annual meeting was not made or was not proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Paragraph (A) of this Section 13, and (b) if any proposed nomination or business was not made or was not proposed in compliance with Paragraph (A) of this Section 13, to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted.

 

(B) Special Meetings of Stockholders.

 

(1) Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting only (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) if a purpose for such meeting as stated in the Corporation’s notice for such meeting is the election of one or more directors, by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who was a stockholder of record of the Corporation (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf such nomination or nominations are made, only if such beneficial owner was the beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation) both at the time the notice provided for in Paragraph (B)(2) of this Section 13 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting, (ii) who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election, and (iii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in Paragraph (B)(2) of this Section 13.

 

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(2) If a special meeting has been called for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, then for nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors to be properly brought before such special meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (b) of Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section 13, the stockholder (a) must have given timely notice thereof in writing and in the proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, and (b) must provide any updates or supplements to such notice at such times and in the forms required by this Section 13. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice relating to a special meeting shall be delivered to, or mailed to and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day before such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day before such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. To be in proper form for purposes of this Paragraph (B) of this Section 13, such notice shall set forth the information required by clauses (a), (b), (c), (e), and (f) of Paragraph (A)(3) of this Section 13.

 

(3) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in Paragraph (B) of this Section 13 (including those persons nominated by or at the direction of the Board of Directors) shall be eligible to be elected at a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, the chairman of a special meeting of stockholders shall have the power and duty (a) if the facts warrant, to determine that a nomination proposed to be made at the special meeting was not made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Paragraph (B) of this Section 13, and (b) if any proposed nomination was not made in compliance with Paragraph (B) of this Section 13, to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded.

 

(C) General.

 

(1) A stockholder providing notice of nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or notice of business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders shall further update and supplement such notice so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to Paragraph (A)(3)(a) through Paragraph (A)(3)(f) of this Section 13 shall be true and correct both as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such updated and supplemental information shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (a) in the case of information that is required to be updated and supplemented to be true and correct as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, not later than the later of five (5) business days after such record date or five (5) business days after the public announcement of such record date, and (b) in the case of information that is required to be updated and supplemented to be true and correct as of ten (10) business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, not later than eight (8) business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (or if not practicable to provide such updated and supplemental information not later than eight (8) business days before any adjournment or postponement, on the first practicable date before any such adjournment or postponement).

 

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(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 13, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 13, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

 

(3) For purposes of this Section 13, (a) “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and (b) “Proposing Person” shall mean (i) the stockholder giving the notice required by Paragraph (A) or Paragraph (B) of this Section 13, (ii) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf such notice is given, and (iii) any affiliates or associates (each within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act for purposes of these Amended and Restated Bylaws) of such stockholder or beneficial owner.

 

(4) Paragraph (A) of this Section 13 is expressly intended to apply to any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders other than any proposal made pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 13 shall be deemed to (a) affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereto) promulgated under the Exchange Act, (b) confer upon any stockholder a right to have a nominee or any proposed business included in the Corporation’s proxy statement, or (c) affect any rights of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation to nominate and elect directors pursuant to and to the extent provided in any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

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Section 14. Record Dates.

 

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) or fewer than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of such meeting, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of such meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to receive notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this subsection (a) of this Section 14.

 

(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution, or allotment of any rights, or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion, or exchange of capital stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, except as may otherwise be provided in these Amended and Restated Bylaws, the Board of Directors may fix a record date. Such record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing such record date is adopted, and shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

ARTICLE III

 

DIRECTORS

 

Section 1. Number. The number of directors of the corporation shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors but in no case shall the number of directors be less than one.

 

Section 2. Powers. Subject to any limitations set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and to any provision of the DGCL relating to powers or rights conferred upon or reserved to the stockholders or the holders of any class or series of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding stock, the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed, and all corporate powers shall be exercised, by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 3. Resignations and Removal. (a) Any director may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board of Directors or the Secretary; provided, however, that if such notice is given by electronic transmission, such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the director. Such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein. Acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless the resignation specifies that it will not be effective unless accepted.

 

(b) Except as otherwise may be provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of capital stock having a majority in voting power of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors.

 

(c) Without limiting the foregoing, any incumbent director who is nominated for election by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof shall, as a condition to such nomination submit, (a) in the case of a contested election, a conditional letter of resignation and, (b) in the case of an uncontested election, a conditional and irrevocable letter of resignation, in each case to the Chairman of the Board. If an incumbent director is not elected, the Nominating and Governance Committee will consider the conditional resignation of such nominee and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors on whether to accept or reject the conditional resignation, or whether other action should be taken. The Board of Directors will act on the Nominating and Governance Committee’s recommendation and publicly disclose its decision and the rationale behind it within 90 days from the date of the certification of the election results. The director whose conditional resignation is being considered will not participate in the Nominating and Governance Committee’s recommendation or the Board of Directors’ decision. In addition, if there are not at least two members of the Nominating and Governance Committee who either were elected at the meeting or did not stand for election, then each of the independent members of the Board of Directors who either were elected at the meeting or did not stand for election shall appoint a committee amongst themselves to consider the resignation offer and recommend to the Board of Directors whether to accept it (which committee of the independent members shall act in lieu of the Nominating and Governance Committee with respect to the resignation offer in such situation). Each director shall hold office for the term for which he is elected and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until death, or until he or she shall have resigned or have been removed or disqualified in accordance with these Amended and Restated Bylaws and the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 4. Annual Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet each year as soon as practicable following the annual meeting of stockholders, at the place where such meeting of stockholders has been held, or at such other place as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors (or if not previously fixed by the Board of Directors, by the person presiding over the meeting of the stockholders), for the purpose of election of officers and consideration of such other business as the Board of Directors considers relevant to the management of the Corporation.

 

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Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on such dates and at such times and places, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors, such determination to constitute the only notice of such regular meetings to which any director shall be entitled. In the absence of any such determination, such meetings shall be held, upon notice to each director in accordance with Section 7 of this Article III, at such times and places, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated by the Chairman of the Board.

 

Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the call of the Chairman of the Board at such times and places, within or without the State of Delaware, as he or she shall designate, upon notice to each director in accordance with Section 7 of this Article III. Special meetings shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer, President or Secretary on like notice at the written request of any two directors then in office.

 

Section 7. Notice. Notice of any regular (if required) or special meeting of the Board of Directors may be given by personal delivery, mail, telegram, courier service (including, without limitation, Federal Express), facsimile transmission (directed to the facsimile transmission number at which the director has consented to receive notice), electronic mail (directed to the electronic mail address at which the director has consented to receive notice), or other form of electronic transmission pursuant to which the director has consented to receive notice. If notice is given by personal delivery, by facsimile transmission, by telegram, by electronic mail, or by other form of electronic transmission pursuant to which the director has consented to receive notice, then such notice shall be given on not less than twenty-four (24) hours’ notice to each director. If written notice is delivered by mail, then it shall be given on not less than four (4) calendar days’ notice to each director. If written notice is delivered by courier service, then it shall be given on not less than two (2) calendar days’ notice to each director.

 

Section 8. Waiver of Notice. Notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, need not be given to any member if waived by him or her in writing or by electronic transmission, whether before or after such meeting is held, or if he or she shall sign the minutes of such meeting or attend the meeting, except that if such director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened, then such director shall not be deemed to have waived notice of such meeting. If waiver of notice is given by electronic transmission, such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the director.

 

Section 9. Quorum and Powers of a Majority. At all meetings of the Board of Directors and of each committee thereof, a majority of the total number of directors constituting the whole Board of Directors or such committee shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors or such committee, unless by express provision of applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Amended and Restated Bylaws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the members present at any meeting may, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, adjourn such meeting from time to time until a quorum is present.

 

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Section 10. Manner of Acting. (a) Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may participate in any meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating therein can hear each other, and participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

(b) Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or such committee; provided, however, that such electronic transmission or transmissions must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission or transmissions were authorized by the director. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

 

Section 11. Organization. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or in his or her absence by a presiding person chosen at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence the presiding person at the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 12. Committees. The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more directors, which to the extent provided in said resolution or resolutions shall have and may exercise the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation (including the power and authority to designate other committees of the Board of Directors); provided, however, that no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to the following matters: (a) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval (other than recommending the election or removal of directors) or (b) adopting, amending, or repealing any Bylaw of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee to replace any absent or disqualified member of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members present at any meeting of such committee and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in place of such absent or disqualified director.

 

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Section 13. Committee Procedure. (a) Except as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors or provided by these Amended and Restated Bylaws, each committee shall adopt its own rules governing the time, place, and method of holding its meetings and the conduct of its proceedings and shall meet as provided by such rules or by resolution of the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise provided by these Amended and Restated Bylaws or any such rules or resolutions, notice of the time and place of each meeting of a committee shall be given to each member of such committee as provided in Section 7 of this Article III with respect to notices of meetings of the Board of Directors.

 

(b) Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.

 

(c) Any member of any committee may be removed from such committee either with or without cause, at any time, by the Board of Directors at any meeting thereof. Any vacancy in any committee may be filled by the Board of Directors in the manner prescribed by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Amended and Restated Bylaws for the original appointment of the members of such committee.

 

Section 14. Vacancies and Newly-Created Directorships. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or in these Amended and Restated Bylaws, vacancies and newly-created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office (and not by stockholders), although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and directors so chosen shall serve for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office to which they have been elected expires and until such directors’ successors have been duly elected and qualified. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Amended and Restated Bylaws, when one or more directors shall resign from the Board, effective at a future date, a majority of directors then in office, including those who have resigned, shall have the power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective.

 

Section 15. Director Compensation. (a) The Board of Directors, by a resolution or resolutions, may fix, and from time to time change, the compensation of Directors.

 

(b) Each director shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Corporation for his or her reasonable expenses incurred with respect to duties as a member of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof.

 

(c) Nothing contained in these Amended and Restated Bylaws shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and from receiving compensation from the Corporation for service rendered to it in such other capacity.

 

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ARTICLE IV

 

OFFICERS

 

Section 1. Number. The officers of the Corporation shall include a President and a Secretary. The Board of Directors also shall elect a Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors also may elect a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents (who may have such additional descriptive designations as the Board of Directors may determine), one or more Assistant Secretaries, one or more Treasurers, one or more Assistant Treasurers, and such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time deem appropriate or necessary.

 

Section 2. Election of Officers, Term, and Qualifications. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected from time to time by the Board of Directors and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in this Section 2 for the regular election to such office. Except for the Chairman of the Board, none of the officers of the Corporation needs to be a director of the Corporation. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person to the extent permitted by the DGCL and other applicable law.

 

Section 3. Divisional or Departmental Vice Presidents. The Board of Directors may delegate to the President the power to appoint one or more employees of the Corporation as divisional or departmental vice presidents and fix the duties of such appointees. However, no such divisional or departmental vice president shall be considered to be an officer of the Corporation, the officers of the Corporation being limited to those officers elected by the Board of Directors in accordance with this Article IV.

 

Section 4. Removal. Any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board of Directors at any meeting thereof, or to the extent delegated to the Chairman of the Board, by the Chairman of the Board.

 

Section 5. Resignations. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board of Directors or to the Chairman of the Board, subject to any other notice requirements provided under such officer’s employment agreement with the Corporation, if applicable; provided, however, that if such notice is given by electronic transmission, such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the officer. Such resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless the resignation specifies that it will not be effective unless accepted.

 

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Section 6. Compensation of Officers. The salaries and other compensation of all officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by or in the manner directed by the Board of Directors from time to time, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by reason of the fact that he or she also is a director of the Corporation.

 

Section 7. The Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall have the powers and duties customarily and usually associated with the office of the Chairman of the Board, as well as such additional powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 8. The Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Corporation, as determined by the Board of Directors, for the general management and administration of the business affairs of the Corporation, and for the supervision of other officers, together with any other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 9. The President. The President shall have, subject to the supervision, direction, and control of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, the general powers and duties of supervision, direction, and management of the affairs and business of the Corporation customarily and usually associated with the position of President, including, without limitation, all powers necessary to direct and control the organizational and reporting relationships within the Corporation. The President shall have such additional powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence or disability of the President, his or her duties shall be performed by the Chief Executive Officer or such persons as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may designate.

 

Section 10. The Vice Presidents. Each Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President.

 

Section 11. The Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. (a) The Secretary shall attend meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of the stockholders and record all votes and minutes of all such proceedings in a book or books kept for such purpose. The Secretary shall have all such further powers and duties as are customarily and usually associated with the position of Secretary or as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President.

 

(b) Each Assistant Secretary shall have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or the Secretary. In the case of absence or disability of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary designated by the Chief Executive Officer or the President (or, in the absence of such designation, by the Secretary) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary.

 

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Section 12. The Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have all such powers and duties as are customarily and usually associated with the position of Chief Financial Officer or as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President.

 

Section 13. The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers. (a) The Treasurer shall have custody of the Corporation’s funds and securities, shall be responsible for maintaining the Corporation’s accounting records and statements, shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation, and shall deposit or cause to be deposited moneys or other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer also shall maintain adequate records of all assets, liabilities, and transactions of the Corporation and shall assure that adequate audits thereof are currently and regularly made. The Treasurer shall have all such further powers and duties as are customarily and usually associated with the position of Treasurer or as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or the Chief Financial Officer. In the absence of a designation of a Chief Financial Officer by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation unless the Board of Directors designates another person to be Treasurer.

 

(b) Each Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, or the Treasurer. In the case of absence or disability of the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer designated by the Chief Executive Officer or the President (or, in the absence of such designation, by the Treasurer) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer.

 

ARTICLE V

 

STOCK

 

Section 1. Shares With and Without Certificates. The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be uncertificated and shall not be represented by certificates, except to the extent as may be required by applicable law or as otherwise authorized by the Board of Directors. If the shares of stock of the Corporation shall be certificated, such certificates shall be in such form as is consistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Every holder of stock in the Corporation represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by any two authorized officers of the Corporation (it being understood that each of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, a President, the Chief Financial Officer, a Vice President, any Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary and an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation shall be an authorized officer for such purpose). Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile or other electronic signature. The Board of Directors shall have the power to appoint one or more transfer agents and/or registrars for the transfer or registration of certificates of stock of any class, and may require stock certificates to be countersigned or registered by one or more of such transfer agents and/or registrars.

 

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If the Board of Directors chooses to issue shares of stock without certificates, in accordance with this Section 1 of Article V, the Corporation, if required by the DGCL, shall, within a reasonable time after the issue or transfer of shares without certificates, give a notice to the registered owner thereof containing the information required to be set forth or stated on stock certificates by the applicable provisions of the DGCL. The Corporation may adopt a system of issuance, recordation and transfer of its shares of stock by electronic or other means not involving the issuance of certificates, provided the use of such system by the Corporation is permitted in accordance with applicable law.

 

Section 2. Transfers. Shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferable upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by their duly authorized attorneys or legal representatives, in the manner prescribed by law, the Certificate of Incorporation and in these Amended and Restated Bylaws, upon surrender to the Corporation by delivery thereof (to the extent evidenced by a physical stock certificate) to the person in charge of the stock and transfer books and ledgers. Certificates representing such shares, if any, shall be cancelled and new certificates, if the shares are to be certificated, shall thereupon be issued. Shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are not represented by a certificate shall be transferred in accordance with any procedures adopted by the Corporation or its agents and applicable law. A record shall be made of each transfer. Whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security, and not absolutely, it shall be so expressed in the entry of the transfer if, when the certificates are presented to the Corporation for transfer or uncertificated shares requested to be transferred, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so. The Board of Directors shall have power and authority to make such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or proper concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates representing shares of stock of the Corporation and uncertificated shares.

 

Section 3. Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed Certificates. Any person claiming a certificate of stock to be lost, stolen, or destroyed shall make an affidavit or an affirmation of that fact, and shall give the Corporation a bond of indemnity in satisfactory form and with one or more satisfactory sureties, whereupon a new certificate (if requested) may be issued of the same tenor and for the same number of shares as the one alleged to be lost, stolen, or destroyed.

 

Section 4. Registered Stockholders. The names and addresses of the holders of record of the shares of each class and series of the Corporation’s capital stock, together with the number of shares of each class and series held by each record holder and the date of issue of such shares, shall be entered on the books of the Corporation. Except as otherwise required by the DGCL or other applicable law, the Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares of capital stock of the Corporation as the person entitled to exercise the rights of a stockholder, including, without limitation, the right to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation. The Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in any such shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly required by the DGCL or other applicable law.

 

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Section 5. Fractional Shares. The Corporation may, but shall not be required to, issue fractional shares of its capital stock if necessary or appropriate to effect authorized transactions. If the Corporation does not issue fractional shares, it shall (a) arrange for the disposition of fractional interests on behalf of those that otherwise would be entitled thereto, (b) pay in cash the fair value of fractions of a share as of the time when those who otherwise would be entitled to receive such fractions are determined, or (c) issue scrip or warrants in registered form (either represented by a certificate or uncertificated) or in bearer form (represented by a certificate), which scrip or warrants shall entitle the holder to receive a full share upon surrender of such scrip or warrants aggregating a full share. Fractional shares shall, but scrip or warrants for fractional shares shall not (unless otherwise expressly provided therein), entitle the holder to exercise voting rights, to receive dividends thereon, to participate in the distribution of any assets in the event of liquidation, and otherwise to exercise rights as a holder of capital stock of the class or series to which such fractional shares belong.

 

Section 6. Additional Powers of the Board. (a) In addition to, and without limiting, those powers set forth in Section 2 of Article III, the Board of Directors shall have power and authority to make all such rules and regulations as it shall deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer, and registration of certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation, including the use of uncertificated shares of stock, subject to the provisions of the DGCL, other applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, and these Amended and Restated Bylaws.

 

(b) The Board of Directors may appoint and remove transfer agents and registrars of transfers, and may require all stock certificates to bear the signature of any such transfer agent and/or any such registrar of transfers.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 1. Indemnification. (a) Subject to Section 3 of this Article VI, the Corporation shall indemnify, to the full extent that it shall have power under applicable law to do so and in a manner permitted by such law, any person who is made or threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (as a witness or otherwise) in any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (hereinafter, a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (collectively, “Another Enterprise”), against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines (including ERISA excise taxes or penalties) and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such Proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

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(b) The Corporation may indemnify, to the full extent that it shall have power under applicable law to do so and in a manner permitted by such law, any person who is made or threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (as a witness or otherwise) in any threatened, pending, or completed Proceeding, by reason of the fact that such person is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation, or while not serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of Another Enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines (including ERISA excise taxes or penalties) and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such Proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

(c) To the extent that a present or former director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any threatened, pending, or completed Proceeding referred to in Section 145(a) or (b) of the DGCL, or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith.

 

(d) The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendre or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person seeking indemnification did not act in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

Section 2. Advancement of Expenses. (a) Subject to Section 3 of this Article VI, with respect to any person who is made or threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (as a witness or otherwise) in any threatened, pending, or completed Proceeding, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of Another Enterprise, the Corporation shall pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by such person in defending any such Proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that any advancement of expenses shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”) by such person to repay all amounts advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such person is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Article VI or otherwise.

 

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(b) With respect to any person who is made or threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (as a witness or otherwise) in any threatened, pending, or completed Proceeding, by reason of the fact that such person is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation, or while not serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of Another Enterprise, the Corporation may, in its discretion and upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Corporation deems appropriate, pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by such person in defending any such Proceeding in advance of its final disposition.

 

Section 3. Actions Initiated Against The Corporation. Anything in Section 1(a) or Section 2(a) of this Article VI to the contrary notwithstanding, except as provided in Section 5(b) of this Article VI, with respect to a Proceeding initiated against the Corporation by a person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation (whether initiated by such person in or by reason of such capacity or in or by reason of any other capacity, including as a director, officer, employee, or agent of Another Enterprise), the Corporation shall not be required to indemnify or to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees) to such person in connection with prosecuting such Proceeding (or part thereof) or in defending any counterclaim, cross-claim, affirmative defense, or like claim of the Corporation in such Proceeding (or part thereof) unless such Proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

Section 4. Contract Rights. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred upon any current or former director or officer of the Corporation pursuant to this Article VI (whether by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of Another Enterprise) shall be contract rights, shall vest when such person becomes a director or officer of the Corporation, and shall continue as vested contract rights even if such person ceases to be a director or officer of the Corporation. Any amendment, repeal, or modification of, or adoption of any provision inconsistent with, this Article VI (or any provision hereof) shall not adversely affect any right to indemnification or advancement of expenses granted to any person pursuant hereto with respect to any act or omission of such person occurring prior to the time of such amendment, repeal, modification, or adoption (regardless of whether the Proceeding relating to such acts or omissions, or any proceeding relating to such person’s rights to indemnification or to advancement of expenses, is commenced before or after the time of such amendment, repeal, modification, or adoption), and any such amendment, repeal, modification, or adoption that would adversely affect such person’s rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder shall be ineffective as to such person, except with respect to any threatened, pending, or completed Proceeding that relates to or arises from (and only to the extent such Proceeding relates to or arises from) any act or omission of such person occurring after the effective time of such amendment, repeal, modification, or adoption.

 

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Section 5. Claims. (a) If (i) a claim under Section 1(a) of this Article VI with respect to any right to indemnification is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after a written demand has been received by the Corporation or (ii) a claim under Section 2(a) of this Article VI with respect to any right to the advancement of expenses is not paid in full by the Corporation within twenty (20) days after a written demand has been received by the Corporation, then the person seeking to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses, as the case may be, may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim.

 

(b) If successful in whole or in part in any suit brought pursuant to Section 5(a) of this Article VI, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses (whether pursuant to the terms of an undertaking or otherwise), the person seeking to enforce a right to indemnification or an advancement of expenses hereunder or the person from whom the Corporation sought to recover an advancement of expenses, as the case may be, shall be entitled to be paid by the Corporation the reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) of prosecuting or defending such suit.

 

(c) In any suit brought by a person seeking to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not a suit brought by a person seeking to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses hereunder), it shall be a defense that the person seeking to enforce a right to indemnification has not met any applicable standard for indemnification under applicable law. With respect to any suit brought by a person seeking to enforce a right to indemnification or right to advancement of expenses hereunder or any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses (whether pursuant to the terms of an undertaking or otherwise), neither (i) the failure of the Corporation to have made a determination prior to commencement of such suit that indemnification of such person is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standards of conduct under applicable law, nor (ii) an actual determination by the Corporation that such person has not met such applicable standards of conduct, shall create a presumption that such person has not met the applicable standards of conduct or, in a case brought by such person seeking to enforce a right to indemnification, be a defense to such suit.

 

(d) In any suit brought by a person seeking to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses (whether pursuant to the terms of an undertaking or otherwise), the burden shall be on the Corporation to prove that the person seeking to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses or the person from whom the Corporation seeks to recover an advancement of expenses is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such an advancement of expenses, under this Article VI or otherwise.

 

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Section 6. Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification. Any indemnification required or permitted under this Article VI (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met all applicable standards of conduct set forth in this Article VI and Section 145 of the DGCL. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer of the Corporation at the time of such determination, (a) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such Proceeding, even though less than a quorum, (b) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, (c) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (d) by the stockholders. Such determination shall be made, with respect to any person who is not a director or officer of the Corporation at the time of such determination, in the manner determined by the Board of Directors (including in such manner as may be set forth in any general or specific action of the Board of Directors applicable to indemnification claims by such person) or in the manner set forth in any agreement to which such person and the Corporation are parties.

 

Section 7. Non-Exclusive Rights. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided in this Article VI shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such person.

 

Section 8. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of Another Enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article VI or otherwise.

 

Section 9. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VI shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph or clause containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph or clause containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable.

 

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Section 10. Miscellaneous. For purposes of this Article VI: (a) references to serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of Another Enterprise shall include any service as a director or officer of the Corporation that imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director or officer with respect to an employee benefit plan, (b) references to serving at the request of the Corporation as an employee or agent of Another Enterprise shall include any service as an employee or agent of the Corporation that imposes duties on, or involves services by, such employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, (c) a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and (d) references to a director of Another Enterprise shall include, in the case of any entity that is not managed by a board of directors, such other position, such as manager or trustee or member of the governing body of such entity, that entails responsibility for the management and direction of such entity’s affairs, including, without limitation, general partner of any partnership (general or limited) and manager or managing member of any limited liability company.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 1. Books and Records. (a) Any books or records maintained by the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account, and minute books, may be kept on, or by means of, or be in the form of, any information storage device or method; provided, however, that the books and records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall so convert any books or records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect such records pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, these Amended and Restated Bylaws, or the provisions of the DGCL.

 

(b) It shall be the duty of the Secretary or other officer of the Corporation who shall have charge of the stock ledger to prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of the stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the stockholder’s name; provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting is fewer than ten (10) days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date. Nothing contained in this subsection (b) shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. If the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence of the identity of the stockholders entitled to examine such list.

 

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(c) Except to the extent otherwise required by law, or by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by these Amended and Restated Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall determine from time to time whether and, if allowed, when and under what conditions and regulations the stock ledger, books, records, and accounts of the Corporation, or any of them, shall be open to inspection by the stockholders and the stockholders’ rights, if any, in respect thereof. Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence of the identity of the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the books, records, or accounts of the Corporation.

 

Section 2. Voting Shares in Other Business Entities. The Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, or any other officer or officers of the Corporation designated by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may vote, and otherwise exercise on behalf of the Corporation any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of, any and all shares of stock or other equity interest held by the Corporation in any other corporation or other business entity. The authority herein granted may be exercised either by any such officer in person or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by any such officer.

 

Section 3. Execution of Corporate Instruments.

 

(a) The Board of Directors may in its discretion determine the method and designate the signatory officer or officers, or other person or persons, to execute, sign, or endorse any corporate instrument or document, or to sign the corporate name without limitation, except where otherwise provided by law, and such execution or signature shall be binding upon the Corporation.

 

(b) Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Board of Directors or otherwise required by law, formal contracts of the Corporation, promissory notes, deeds of trust, mortgages, and other evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation, and other corporate instruments or documents requiring the corporate seal, shall be executed, signed, or endorsed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, or any Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer. All other instruments and documents requiring a corporate signature but not requiring the corporate seal may be executed as aforesaid or in such other manner and by such other person or persons as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors or the President.

 

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(c) All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to the credit of the Corporation or in special accounts of the Corporation shall be executed, signed, or endorsed by the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, or in such other manner and by such other person or persons as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

(d) Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Board of Directors or otherwise required by law, the execution, signing, or endorsement of any corporate instrument or document may be effected manually, by facsimile, or (to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to such policies and procedures as the Corporation may have in effect from time to time) by electronic signature.

 

Section 4. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be such fiscal year as the Board of Directors from time to time by resolution shall determine.

 

Section 5. Gender/Number. As used in these Amended and Restated Bylaws, the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender, and the singular and plural number, shall each include the other whenever the context so indicates.

 

Section 6. Section Titles. The titles of the sections and subsections have been inserted as a matter of reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the terms and provisions hereof.

 

Section 7. Electronic Transmission. For purposes of these Amended and Restated Bylaws, “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

 

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Section 8. Amendment. These Amended and Restated Bylaws, or any of them, may be altered, amended, or repealed, and new Bylaws may be made, (a) at any annual or regular meeting of the Board of Directors or at any special meeting of the Board of Directors if notice of the proposed alteration, amendment, or repeal be contained in written notice of such special meeting or (b) at any annual meeting of the stockholders (subject to Section 13 of Article II of these Amended and Restated Bylaws) or at any special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation if notice of the proposed alteration, amendment, or repeal is contained in the Corporation’s notice of such special meeting of stockholders. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any alteration, amendment, or repeal of these Amended and Restated Bylaws, or the making of any new Bylaw, by the stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the voting power represented by the issued and outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon. Any Bylaws altered, amended, or made by the stockholders may be altered, amended, or repealed by either the Board of Directors or the stockholders, in the manner set forth in this Section 8, except a Bylaw amendment adopted by the stockholders that specifies the votes that shall be necessary for the election of directors shall not be amended or repealed by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 9. Certificate of Incorporation. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if any provision contained in these Amended and Restated Bylaws is inconsistent with or conflicts with a provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, such provision of these Amended and Restated Bylaws shall be superseded by the inconsistent provision in the Certificate of Incorporation to the extent necessary to give effect to such provision in the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

END OF BYLAWS

 

 

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Exhibit 5.1

 

Hogan Lovells US LLP

390 Madison Ave

New York, NY 10017

T +1 212 918 3000

F +1 212 918 3100

www.hoganlovells.com

 

April 22, 2024

 

Fly-E Group, Inc.

136-40 39th Avenue

Flushing, NY 11354

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We are acting as counsel to Fly-E Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with its registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) relating to the proposed initial public offering of (i) up to 3,450,000 newly issued shares of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”) of the Company (the “Public Shares”), including up to 450,000 shares issuable upon exercise of any over-allotment option granted to the underwriters by the Company (the “Over-allotment Option”), all of which shares are to be sold by the Company, and (ii) warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase up to 172,500 shares of Common Stock (the “Warrant Shares”), including Warrants to purchase up to 22,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of any Over-allotment Option. The Warrants and the Warrant Shares are to be issued to the representative of the underwriters by the Company pursuant to the underwriting agreement to be entered into by and between the Company and the representative of the underwriters (the “Underwriting Agreement”). This opinion letter is furnished to you at your request to enable you to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. § 229.601(b)(5), in connection with the Registration Statement.

 

For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined copies of such agreements, instruments and documents as we have deemed an appropriate basis on which to render the opinions hereinafter expressed. In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us, the authenticity of all original documents, and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies (including pdfs). As to all matters of fact, we have relied on the representations and statements of fact made in the documents so reviewed, and we have not independently established the facts so relied on. This opinion letter is given, and all statements herein are made, in the context of the foregoing.

 

Hogan Lovells US LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in the state of Delaware. “Hogan Lovells” is an international legal practice that includes Hogan Lovells US LLP and Hogan Lovells International LLP, with offices in: Alicante  Amsterdam  Baltimore  Berlin  Beijing Birmingham Boston Brussels Colorado Springs Denver Dubai Dusseldorf Frankfurt Hamburg Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Hong Kong Houston Johannesburg London Los Angeles Luxembourg Madrid Mexico City Miami Milan Minneapolis Monterrey Munich New York Northern Virginia Paris Philadelphia Riyadh Rome San Francisco São Paulo Shanghai Silicon Valley Singapore Sydney Tokyo Warsaw Washington, D.C. Associated Offices: Budapest Jakarta Shanghai FTZ. Business Service Centers: Johannesburg Louisville. For more information see www.hoganlovells.com

 

 

Fly-E Group, Inc 

- 2 -April 22, 2024

 

This opinion letter is based as to matters of law solely on: (i) as to the opinions given in paragraphs 1 and 3, the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, and (ii) as to the opinion given in paragraph 2, the laws of the State of New York. We express no opinion herein as to any other statutes, rules or regulations.

 

Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

 

1.Following (i) execution and delivery by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement, (ii) effectiveness of the Registration Statement, (iii) issuance of the Public Shares pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, and (iv) receipt by the Company of the consideration for the Public Shares specified in the resolutions of the Board of Directors, the Public Shares will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

 

2.Following (i) execution and delivery by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement, (ii) effectiveness of the Registration Statement, (iii) execution and delivery by the Company of the Warrants pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, and (iv) receipt by the Company of the consideration for the Warrants specified in the resolutions of the Board of Directors, the Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.

 

3.Following (i) execution and delivery by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement, and (ii) effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Warrant Shares will be duly authorized and, when issued, delivered and paid for upon exercise in accordance with the provisions of the Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

 

The opinion expressed in paragraph 2 above with respect to the valid and binding nature of obligations may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights (including, without limitation, the effect of statutory and other law regarding fraudulent conveyances, fraudulent transfers and preferential transfers) and by the exercise of judicial discretion and the application of principles of equity, good faith, fair dealing, reasonableness, conscionability and materiality (regardless of whether the Warrants are considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

This opinion letter has been prepared for use in connection with the Registration Statement. We assume no obligation to advise of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are an “expert” within the meaning of the Act.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Hogan Lovells US LLP

 

HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This Indemnification Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of ________ __, 20__ by and between Fly-E Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and ______________ (“Indemnitee”). This Agreement supersedes and replaces any and all previous Agreements between the Company and Indemnitee covering the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) believes that highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly held corporations as [directors] [officers] or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation;

 

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The By-Laws of the Company (the “Bylaws”) require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The Bylaws and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the board of directors, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification;

 

WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification may increase the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;

 

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;

 

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent, and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Bylaws and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, as well as any rights of Indemnitees under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy, and this Agreement shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Bylaws and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve or continue to serve as an officer or director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve, and take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that Indemnitee be so indemnified.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Services to the Company. Indemnitee agrees to serve as a [director] [officer] of the Company. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company shall have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) and Indemnitee. Indemnitee specifically acknowledges that Indemnitee’s employment with the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), if any, is at will, and the Indemnitee may be discharged at any time for any reason, with or without cause, except as may be otherwise provided in any written employment contract between Indemnitee and the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), other applicable formal severance policies duly adopted by the Board, or, with respect to service as a director or officer of the Company, by the Certificate of Incorporation of Incorporation of the Company (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), the Bylaws, and the DGCL. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in force after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as an [officer] [director] of the Company, as provided in Section 16 hereof.

 

Section 2. Definitions. As used in this Agreement:

 

(a) References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer, or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or other official of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.

 

(b) A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

 

i. Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Any Person (as defined below) other than Mr. Zhou Ou or any one or more of his controlled affiliates is or becomes the Beneficial Owner (as defined below), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities unless the change in relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;

 

-2-

 

 

ii. Change in Board of Directors. During any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 2(b)(i), 2(b)(iii) or 2(b)(iv)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;

 

iii. Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Surviving Entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Surviving Entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such Surviving Entity;

 

iv. Liquidation. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; and

 

v. Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

For purposes of this Section 2(b), the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(A) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

(B) “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Person shall exclude (i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (iii) any entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

 

-3-

 

 

(C) “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Beneficial Owner shall exclude any Person otherwise becoming a Beneficial Owner by reason of the stockholders of the Company approving a merger of the Company with another entity.

 

(d) “Surviving Entity” shall mean the surviving entity in a merger or consolidation or any entity that controls, directly or indirectly, such surviving entity.

 

(c) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, trustee, partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership or joint venture, trust or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.

 

(d) “Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

(e) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, employee, agent or fiduciary.

 

(f) “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees and other costs of experts and other professionals, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with, or as a result of, prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a deponent or witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding. Expenses also shall include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, (ii) Expenses incurred in connection with recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee is ultimately determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement or Expenses or insurance recovery, as the case may be, and (iii) for purposes of Section 14(d) only, Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, by litigation or otherwise. The parties agree that for the purposes of any advancement of Expenses for which Indemnitee has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses included in such demand that are certified by affidavit of Indemnitee’s counsel as being reasonable in the good faith judgment of such counsel shall be presumed conclusively to be reasonable. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

-4-

 

 

(g) “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

 

(h) The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, claim, counterclaim, cross claim, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, regulatory or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, by reason of any action taken by Indemnitee (or a failure to take action by Indemnitee) or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting pursuant to Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement. If the Indemnitee believes in good faith that a given situation may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding, this shall be considered a Proceeding under this paragraph.

 

(i) Reference to “other enterprise” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

 

-5-

 

 

Section 3. Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. The parties hereto intend that this Agreement shall provide to the fullest extent permitted by law for indemnification in excess of that expressly permitted by statute, including, without limitation, any indemnification provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, vote of the Company’s stockholders or disinterested directors or applicable law.

 

Section 4. Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court (as hereinafter defined) or any court in which the Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification.

 

Section 5. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with or related to each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter to the fullest extent permitted by law. For purposes of this Section 5 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

-6-

 

 

Section 6. Indemnification For Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a witness, is or was made (or asked) to respond to discovery requests in any Proceeding, or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith.

 

Section 7. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

Section 8. Additional Indemnification.

 

(a) Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4, or 5, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status.

 

(b) For purposes of Section 8(a), the meaning of the phrase “to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law” shall include, but not be limited to:

 

i. to the fullest extent permitted by the provision of the DGCL that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL, and

 

ii. to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.

 

Section 9. Exclusions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification payment in connection with any claim involving Indemnitee:

 

(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision; or

 

-7-

 

 

(b) for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (as defined in Section 2(b) hereof) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by the Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by the Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) or (iii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any compensation pursuant to any compensation recoupment or clawback policy adopted by the Board or the compensation committee of the Board, including but not limited to any such policy adopted to comply with stock exchange listing requirements implementing Section 10D of the Exchange Act; or

 

(c) except as provided in Section 14(d) of this Agreement, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (ii) such payment arises in connection with any mandatory counterclaim or cross claim brought or raised by Indemnitee in any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding), or (iii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.

 

Section 10. Advances of Expenses. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary (other than Section 14(d)), the Company shall advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, the Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) not initiated by Indemnitee or any Proceeding initiated by Indemnitee with the prior approval of the Board as provided in Section 9(c), and such advancement shall be made within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement. In accordance with Section 14(d), advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. The Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery to the Company of this Agreement, which shall constitute an undertaking providing that the Indemnitee undertakes to repay the amounts advanced (without interest) by the Company pursuant to this Section 10, if and only to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. No other form of undertaking shall be required other than the execution of this Agreement. This Section 10 shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 9.

 

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Section 11. Procedure for Notification and Defense of Claim.

 

(a) Indemnitee shall notify the Company in writing of any matter with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt by Indemnitee of written notice thereof. The written notification to the Company shall include a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding. To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of such Proceeding. The omission by Indemnitee to notify the Company hereunder will not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee hereunder or otherwise than under this Agreement, and any delay in so notifying the Company shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights under this Agreement. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.

 

(b) The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.

 

(c) The Company shall not settle any Proceeding (in whole or in part) if such settlement would impose any Expense, judgment, liability, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee in respect of which Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder without Indemnitee’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

Section 12. Procedure Upon Application for Indemnification.

 

(a) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a), a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (B) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (C) if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee or (D) if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company; and, if it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied.

 

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(b) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12(b). If a Change in Control shall not have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board, and the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising Indemnitee of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If a Change in Control shall have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board, in which event the preceding sentence shall apply), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or the Delaware Court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after the later of submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof and the final disposition of the Proceeding, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by such court or by such other person as such court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

 

(c) If the Company disputes a portion of the amounts for which indemnification is requested, the undisputed portion shall be paid and only the disputed portion withheld pending resolution of any such dispute.

 

Section 13. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.

 

(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

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(b) Subject to Section 14(e), if the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such 60-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided, further, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 13(b) shall not apply (i) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement and if (A) within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of the request for such determination the Board has resolved to submit such determination to the stockholders for their consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within seventy-five (75) days after such receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special meeting of stockholders is called within fifteen (15) days after such receipt for the purpose of making such determination, such meeting is held for such purpose within sixty (60) days after having been so called and such determination is made thereat, or (ii) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement.

 

(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

(d) For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser, financial advisor or other expert selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Enterprise. The provisions of this Section 13(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

 

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(e) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

Section 14. Remedies of Indemnitee.

 

(a) Subject to Section 14(e), in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Sections 12(a) of this Agreement within ninety (90) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 5, 6 or 7 or the second to last sentence of Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3, 4 or 8 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vi) the Company or any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or Proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, the Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to the Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at Indemnitee’s option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 14(a). The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

 

(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be.

 

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(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

 

(d) The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. It is the intent of the Company that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Indemnitee not be required to incur legal fees or other Expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to the Indemnitee hereunder. The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify Indemnitee against any and all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor) advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, such Expenses to Indemnitee, which are incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company if, in the case of indemnification, Indemnitee is wholly successful on the underlying claims; if Indemnitee is not wholly successful on the underlying claims, then such indemnification shall be only to the extent Indemnitee is successful on such underlying claims or otherwise as permitted by law, whichever is greater.

 

(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement of Indemnitee to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.

 

Section 15. Non-exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.

 

(a) The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement (i) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise and (ii) shall be interpreted independently of, and without reference to, any other such rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

-13-

 

 

(b) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents of the Enterprise, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such claim or of the commencement of a Proceeding, as the case may be, to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

(c) In the event of any payment made by the Company under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

(d) The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder (or for which advancement is provided hereunder) if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

 

(e) The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

 

Section 16. Duration of Agreement. This Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the later of: (a) ten (10) years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a [director] [officer] of the Company or (b) one (1) year after the final termination of any Proceeding then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder and of any proceeding (including any appeal thereof) commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement relating thereto. The indemnification and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives. The Company shall require and shall cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company to, by written agreement, expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

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Section 17. Severability. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

 

Section 18. Enforcement.

 

(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving or continuing to serve as a director or officer of the Company.

 

(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any directors’ and officers’ insurance maintained by the Company and applicable law, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

 

Section 19. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

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Section 20. Notice by Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

Section 21. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (a) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, (b) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed, (c) mailed by reputable overnight courier and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed or (d) sent by facsimile transmission, with receipt of oral confirmation that such transmission has been received:

 

(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide to the Company.

 

(b) If to the Company to

 

Fly-E Group, Inc.
136-40 39th Avenue

Flushing, NY 11354

 

With a copy to:

 

Hogan Lovells US LLP
390 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Attn: Richard Aftanas
Email: raftanas@hoganlovells.com

 

or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company.

 

Section 22. Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

 

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Section 23. Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) appoint, to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, irrevocably The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, New Castle County as its agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process in connection with any such action or proceeding against such party with the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware, (iv) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (v) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

 

Section 24. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

Section 25. Miscellaneous. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate. The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.

 

Fly-E Group, Inc.   INDEMNITEE
     
By:        
Name:   Name:
Office:   Address:

 

 

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Exhibit 10.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FLY-E GROUP, INC.

 

2024 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
1. PURPOSE 1
2. DEFINITIONS 1
3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN 7
  3.1 Committee. 7
    3.1.1 Powers and Authorities. 7
    3.1.2 Composition of the Committee. 7
    3.1.3 Other Committees. 7
    3.1.4 Delegation by the Committee. 8
  3.2 Board. 8
  3.3 Terms of Awards. 8
    3.3.1 Committee Authority. 8
    3.3.2  Forfeiture; Recoupment. 9
  3.4 No Repricing Without Stockholder Approval. 9
  3.5 Deferral Arrangement. 9
  3.6 Registration; Share Certificates. 9
4. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN 10
  4.1 Number of Shares of Stock Available for Awards. 10
  4.2 Adjustments in Authorized Shares of Stock. 10
  4.3 Share Usage. 10
5. TERM; AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION 11
  5.1 Term. 11
  5.2 Amendment, Suspension, and Termination. 11
6. AWARD ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS 11
  6.1 Eligible Grantees. 11
  6.2 Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards. 11
7. AWARD AGREEMENT 12
8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS 12
  8.1 Option Price. 12
  8.2 Vesting and Exercisability. 12
  8.3 Term. 12
  8.4 Termination of Service. 12
  8.5 Limitations on Exercise of Option. 12
  8.6 Method of Exercise. 13
  8.7 Rights of Holders of Options. 13
  8.8 Delivery of Stock. 13
  8.9 Transferability of Options. 13
  8.10 Family Transfers. 13
  8.11 Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. 13
  8.12 Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. 14
9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS 14
  9.1 Right to Payment and SAR Price. 14
  9.2 Other Terms. 14
  9.3 Term. 14
  9.4 Rights of Holders of SARs. 14
  9.5 Transferability of SARs. 15
  9.6 Family Transfers. 15

 

i

 

 

10. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK, RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS, AND DEFERRED STOCK UNITS 15
  10.1 Grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units. 15
  10.2 Restrictions. 15
  10.3 Registration; Restricted Stock Certificates. 15
  10.4 Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock. 16
  10.5 Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units. 16
    10.5.1 Voting and Dividend Rights. 16
    10.5.2 Creditor’s Rights. 16
  10.6 Termination of Service. 16
  10.7 Purchase of Restricted Stock and Shares of Stock Subject to Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units. 17
  10.8 Delivery of Shares of Stock. 17
11. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS AND OTHER EQUITY-BASED AWARDS 17
  11.1 Unrestricted Stock Awards. 17
  11.2 Other Equity-Based Awards. 17
12. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS 18
  12.1 Dividend Equivalent Rights. 18
  12.2 Termination of Service. 18
13. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS 18
  13.1 Grant of Performance Awards. 18
  13.2 Value of Performance Awards. 18
  13.3 Earning of Performance Awards. 18
  13.4 Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Awards. 18
  13.5 Performance Conditions. 19
  13.6 Performance Measures. 19
14. FORMS OF PAYMENT 19
  14.1 General Rule. 19
  14.2 Surrender of Shares of Stock. 19
  14.3 Cashless Exercise. 19
  14.4 Other Forms of Payment. 19
15. REQUIREMENTS OF LAW 20
  15.1 General. 20
  15.2 Rule 16b-3. 20
16. EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION 21
  16.1 Changes in Stock. 21
  16.2 Transaction in Which the Company is the Surviving Entity Which Does not Constitute a Change in Control. 21
  16.3 Change in Control in which Awards are not Assumed. 22
  16.4 Change in Control in which Awards are Assumed. 22
  16.5 Adjustments. 23
  16.6 No Limitations on Company. 23
17. PARACHUTE LIMITATIONS 23
18. GENERAL PROVISIONS 24
  18.1 Disclaimer of Rights. 24
  18.2 Nonexclusivity of the Plan. 24
  18.3 Withholding Taxes. 24
  18.4 Captions. 25
  18.5 Construction. 25
  18.6 Other Provisions. 25
  18.7 Number and Gender. 25
  18.8 Severability. 25
  18.9 Governing Law. 25
  18.10 Foreign Jurisdictions. 25
  18.11 Section 409A of the Code. 26
  18.12 Limitation on Liability. 26

 

ii

 

 

FLY-E GROUP, INC.

 

2024 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1. PURPOSE

 

The Plan is intended to (a) provide eligible individuals with an incentive to contribute to the success of the Company and to operate and manage the Company’s business in a manner that will provide for the Company’s long-term growth and profitability and that will benefit its stockholders and other important stakeholders, including its employees and customers, and (b) provide a means of recruiting, rewarding, and retaining key personnel. To this end, the Plan provides for the grant of Awards of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Unrestricted Stock, Dividend Equivalent Rights, Other Equity-Based Awards, and cash bonus awards. Any of these Awards may, but need not, be made as performance incentives to reward the holders of such Awards for the achievement of performance goals in accordance with the terms of the Plan. Options granted under the Plan may be Nonqualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options.

 

2. DEFINITIONS

 

For purposes of interpreting the Plan documents, including the Plan and Award Agreements, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

 

2.1 “Affiliate” shall mean any Person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 of Regulation C under the Securities Act, including any Subsidiary. For purposes of making a grant of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, an entity shall not be considered an Affiliate unless the Company holds a Controlling Interest in such entity. The preceding sentence does not, however, apply for purposes of determining whether Service is uninterrupted for purposes of vesting, exercisability, or expiration of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

2.2 “Applicable Laws” shall mean the legal requirements relating to the Plan and the Awards under (a) applicable provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any rules or regulations thereunder, and any other laws, rules, regulations, and government orders of any jurisdiction applicable to the Company or its Affiliates, (b) applicable provisions of the corporate, securities, tax, and other laws, rules, regulations, and government orders of any jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to residents thereof, and (c) the rules of any Stock Exchange or Securities Market on which the Stock is listed or publicly traded.

 

2.3 “Award” shall mean a grant under the Plan of an Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, a Restricted Stock Unit, a Deferred Stock Unit, Unrestricted Stock, a Dividend Equivalent Right, a Performance Share or other Performance Award, an Other Equity-Based Award, or cash.

 

2.4 “Award Agreement” shall mean the written agreement, in such written, electronic, or other form as determined by the Committee, between the Company and a Grantee that evidences and sets forth the terms and conditions of an Award.

 

2.5 “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

2.6 “Benefit Arrangement” shall mean any formal or informal plan or other arrangement for the direct or indirect provision of compensation to a Grantee (including groups or classes of Grantees or beneficiaries of which the Grantee is a member), whether or not such compensation is deferred, is in cash, or is in the form of a benefit to or for the Grantee.

 

2.7 “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

2.8 “Capital Stock” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations, or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) in equity of such Person, whether outstanding on the Effective Date or issued thereafter, including, without limitation, all shares of Stock.

 

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2.9 “Cause” shall have the meaning set forth in an applicable agreement between a Grantee and the Company or an Affiliate, and in the absence of any such agreement, shall mean, with respect to any Grantee and as determined by the Committee, (a) gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the performance of duties; (b) conviction of, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, a criminal offense (other than minor traffic offenses); (c) engagement in material dishonesty which is injurious to the Company or an Affiliate; (d) engagement in misconduct or gross neglect that causes material harm to the Company or an Affiliate; (e) material violation of the Company’s or an Affiliate’s written policies relating to sexual harassment; or (f) material breach of any term of any employment, consulting or other services, confidentiality, intellectual property, or non-competition agreements, if any, between such Grantee and the Company or an Affiliate. Any determination by the Committee regarding whether an event constituting Cause shall have occurred shall be final, binding, and conclusive.

 

2.10 “Change in Control” shall mean, subject to Section 18.11, the occurrence of any of the following:

 

(a) A transaction or a series of related transactions whereby any Person or Group (other than the Company or any Affiliate) becomes the Beneficial Owner of fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, on a Fully Diluted Basis;

 

(b) Individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) (together with any new directors whose election by such Incumbent Board or whose nomination by such Incumbent Board for election by the stockholders of the Company was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the members of such Incumbent Board then in office who either were members of such Incumbent Board or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of such Board then in office;

 

(c) The Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company (regardless of whether the Company is the surviving Person), other than any such transaction in which the Prior Stockholders own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation immediately after such transaction;

 

(d) The consummation of any direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition (other than by way of reorganization, merger, or consolidation), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person or Group (other than the Company or any Affiliate), except any such transaction or series of transactions in which the Prior Stockholders own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such Person or Group immediately after such transaction or series of transactions; or

 

(e) The consummation of a plan or proposal for the liquidation, winding up, or dissolution of the Company.

 

The Board shall have full and final authority, in its sole discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control, and any incidental matters relating thereto.

 

2.11 “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and any successor thereto. References in the Plan to any Code Section shall be deemed to include, as applicable, regulations and guidance promulgated under such Code Section.

 

2.12 “Committee” shall mean a committee of, and designated from time to time by resolution of, the Board, which shall be constituted as provided in Section 3.1.2 and Section 3.1.3 (or, if no Committee has been so designated, the Board).

 

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2.13 “Company” shall mean Fly-E Group, Inc., a New York corporation, and any successor thereto.

 

2.14 “Controlling Interest” shall have the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i); provided that (a) except as specified in clause (b) below, an interest of “at least 50 percent” shall be used instead of an interest of “at least 80 percent” in each case where “at least 80 percent” appears in Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i), and (b) where a grant of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights is based upon a legitimate business criterion, an interest of “at least 20 percent” shall be used instead of an interest of “at least 80 percent” in each case where “at least 80 percent” appears in Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i).

 

2.15 “Deferred Stock Unit” shall mean a Restricted Stock Unit, the terms of which provide for delivery of the underlying shares of Stock, cash, or a combination thereof subsequent to the date of vesting, at a time or times consistent with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

2.16 “Disability” shall mean the inability of a Grantee to perform each of the essential duties of such Grantee’s position by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which is potentially permanent in character or which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; provided that, with respect to rules regarding the expiration of an Incentive Stock Option following termination of a Grantee’s Service, Disability shall mean the inability of such Grantee to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months.

 

2.17 “Disqualified Individual” shall have the meaning set forth in Code Section 280G(c).

 

2.18 “Dividend Equivalent Right” shall mean a right, granted to a Grantee pursuant to Article 12, entitling the Grantee thereof to receive, or to receive credits for the future payment of, cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property equal in value to dividend payments or distributions, or other periodic payments, declared or paid with respect to a number of shares of Stock specified in such Dividend Equivalent Right (or other Award to which such Dividend Equivalent Right relates) as if such shares of Stock had been issued to and held by the Grantee of such Dividend Equivalent Right as of the record date of the declaration thereof.

 

2.19 “Effective Date” shall mean the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, subject to approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders in accordance with Section 5.1.

 

2.20 “Employee” shall mean, as of any date of determination, an employee (including an officer) of the Company or an Affiliate.

 

2.21 “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and any successor thereto.

 

2.22 “Fair Market Value” shall mean the fair market value of a share of Stock for purposes of the Plan, which shall be, as of any date of determination:

 

(a) If on such date the shares of Stock are listed on a Stock Exchange, or are publicly traded on another Securities Market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of the Stock as reported on such Stock Exchange or such Securities Market (provided that, if there is more than one such Stock Exchange or Securities Market, the Committee shall designate the appropriate Stock Exchange or Securities Market for purposes of the Fair Market Value determination). If there is no such reported closing price on such date, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of the Stock on the next preceding day on which any sale of Stock shall have been reported on such Stock Exchange or such Securities Market.

 

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(b) If on such date the shares of Stock are not listed on a Stock Exchange or publicly traded on a Securities Market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the value of the Stock as determined by the Committee by the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method, in a manner consistent with Code Section 409A.

 

Notwithstanding this Section 2.22 or Section 18.3, for purposes of determining taxable income and the amount of the related tax withholding obligation pursuant to Section 18.3, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee in good faith using any reasonable method it deems appropriate, to be applied consistently with respect to Grantees; provided that the Committee shall determine the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock for tax withholding obligations due in connection with sales, by or on behalf of a Grantee, of such shares of Stock subject to an Award to pay the Option Price, SAR Price, and/or any tax withholding obligation on the same date on which such shares may first be sold pursuant to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement (including broker-assisted cashless exercises of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, as described in Section 14.3, and sell-to-cover transactions) in any manner consistent with applicable provisions of the Code, including, without limitation, by using the sale price of such shares on such date (or if sales of such shares are effectuated at more than one sale price, the weighted average sale price of such shares on such date) as the Fair Market Value of such shares, so long as such Grantee has provided the Company, or its designee or agent, with advance written notice of such sale.

 

2.23 “Family Member” shall mean, with respect to any Grantee as of any date of determination, (a) a Person who is a spouse, former spouse, child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother, sister, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, of such Grantee, (b) any Person sharing such Grantee’s household (other than a tenant or employee), (c) a trust in which any one or more of the Persons specified in clauses (a) and (b) above (and such Grantee) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interest, (d) a foundation in which any one or more of the Persons specified in clauses (a) and (b) above (and such Grantee) control the management of assets, and (e) any other entity in which one or more of the Persons specified in clauses (a) and (b) above (and such Grantee) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests.

 

2.24 “Fully Diluted Basis” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the sum of (x) the number of shares of Voting Stock outstanding as of such date of determination plus (y) the number of shares of Voting Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion, or exchange of all then-outstanding warrants, options, convertible Capital Stock or indebtedness, exchangeable Capital Stock or indebtedness, or other rights exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into, directly or indirectly, shares of Voting Stock, whether at the time of issue or upon the passage of time or upon the occurrence of some future event, and whether or not in-the-money as of such date of determination.

 

2.25 “Grant Date” shall mean, as determined by the Committee, the latest to occur of (a) the date as of which the Committee approves the Award, (b) the date on which the recipient of an Award first becomes eligible to receive an Award under Article 6 hereof, or (c) such date later than the dates specified in clauses (a) and (b) specified by the Committee in the corporate action approving the Award.

 

2.26 “Grantee” shall mean a Person who receives or holds an Award under the Plan.

 

2.27 “Group” shall have the meaning set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act.

 

2.28 “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Code Section 422.

 

2.29 “Non-Employee Director” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

2.30 “Nonqualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

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2.31 “Officer” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act.

 

2.32 “Option” shall mean an option to purchase one or more shares of Stock at a specified Option Price awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Article 8.

 

2.33 “Option Price” shall mean the per share exercise price for shares of Stock subject to an Option.

 

2.34 “Other Agreement” shall mean any agreement, contract, or understanding heretofore or hereafter entered into by a Grantee with the Company or an Affiliate, except an agreement, contract, or understanding that expressly addresses Code Section 280G and/or Code Section 4999.

 

2.35 “Other Equity-Based Award” shall mean an Award representing a right or other interest that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to Stock, other than an Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, a Restricted Stock Unit, a Deferred Stock Unit, Unrestricted Stock, a Dividend Equivalent Right, or a Performance Share or other Performance Award.

 

2.36 “Parachute Payment” shall mean a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(2), or the corresponding provision of any subsequently enacted tax statute, as amended from time to time.

 

2.37 “Performance Award” shall mean an Award of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Performance Shares, Other Equity-Based Awards, or cash made subject to the achievement of Performance Measures (as provided in Article 13) over a Performance Period specified by the Committee.

 

2.38 “Performance Measures” shall mean performance criteria on which performance goals under Performance Awards are based.

 

2.39 “Performance Period” shall mean the period of time, up to ten (10) years, during or over which the Performance Measures under Performance Awards must be met in order to determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to any such Performance Awards.

 

2.40 “Performance Shares” shall mean a Performance Award representing a right or other interest that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to Stock, made subject to the achievement of Performance Measures (as provided in Article 13) over a Performance Period of up to ten (10) years.

 

2.41 “Person” shall mean an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, an association, a trust, or any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof; provided that, for purposes of Section 2.10(a) and Section 2.10(d), Person shall have the meaning set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act.

 

2.42 “Plan” shall mean this Fly-E Group, Inc. 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and/or restated from time to time.

 

2.43 “Prior Stockholders” shall mean the holders of equity securities that represented one hundred percent (100%) of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to a reorganization, merger, or consolidation involving the Company or any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (or other equity securities into which the Stock or such other equity securities are converted as part of such reorganization, merger, or consolidation transaction).

 

2.44 “Restricted Period” shall mean a period of time established by the Committee during which an Award of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units is subject to restrictions.

 

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2.45 “Restricted Stock” shall mean shares of Stock awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Article 10.

 

2.46 “Restricted Stock Unit” shall mean a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one (1) share of Stock awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Article 10 that may be settled, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement, in shares of Stock, cash, or a combination thereof.

 

2.47 “SAR Price” shall mean the per share exercise price of a SAR.

 

2.48 “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and any successor thereto.

 

2.49 “Securities Market” shall mean an established securities market.

 

2.50 “Separation from Service” shall have the meaning set forth in Code Section 409A.

 

2.51 “Service” shall mean service qualifying a Grantee as a Service Provider to the Company or an Affiliate. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee’s change in position or duties shall not result in interrupted or terminated Service, so long as such Grantee continues to be a Service Provider to the Company or an Affiliate. Subject to the preceding sentence, any determination by the Committee whether a termination of Service shall have occurred for purposes of the Plan shall be final, binding, and conclusive. If a Service Provider’s employment or other Service relationship is with an Affiliate and the applicable entity ceases to be an Affiliate, a termination of Service shall be deemed to have occurred when such entity ceases to be an Affiliate unless the Service Provider transfers his or her employment or other Service relationship to the Company or any other Affiliate.

 

2.52 “Service Provider” shall mean (a) an Employee or director of the Company or an Affiliate, or (b) a consultant or adviser to the Company or an Affiliate (i) who is a natural person, (ii) who is currently providing bona fide services to the Company or an Affiliate, and (iii) whose services are not in connection with the Company’s sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s Capital Stock.

 

2.53 “Service Recipient Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Code Section 409A.

 

2.54 “Share Limit” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

 

2.55 “Short-Term Deferral Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Code Section 409A.

 

2.56 “Stock” shall mean the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, or any security into which shares of Stock may be changed or for which shares of Stock may be exchanged as provided in Section 16.1.

 

2.57 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” shall mean a right granted to a Grantee pursuant to Article 9.

 

2.58 “Stock Exchange” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or another established national or regional stock exchange.

 

2.59 “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation (other than the Company) or non-corporate entity with respect to which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of Voting Stock. In addition, any other entity may be designated by the Committee as a Subsidiary, provided that (a) such entity could be considered as a subsidiary according to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and (b) in the case of an Award of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, such Award would be considered to be granted in respect of Service Recipient Stock under Code Section 409A.

 

2.60 “Substitute Award” shall mean an Award granted upon assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted under a compensatory plan of the Company, an Affiliate, or a business entity acquired or to be acquired by the Company or an Affiliate or with which the Company or an Affiliate has combined or will combine.

 

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2.61 “Ten Percent Stockholder” shall mean a natural Person who owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of Voting Stock of the Company, the Company’s parent (if any), or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries. In determining stock ownership, the attribution rules of Code Section 424(d) shall be applied.

 

2.62 “Unrestricted Stock” shall mean Stock that is free of any restrictions.

 

2.63 “Voting Stock” shall mean, with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors, managers, or other voting members of the governing body of such Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Stock shall be Voting Stock of the Company.

 

3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

 

3.1 Committee.

 

3.1.1 Powers and Authorities.

 

The Committee shall administer the Plan and shall have such powers and authorities related to the administration of the Plan as are consistent with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall have full power and authority to take all actions and to make all determinations required or provided for under the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement and shall have full power and authority to take all such other actions and to make all such other determinations not inconsistent with the specific terms and provisions of the Plan which the Committee deems to be necessary or appropriate to the administration of the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement. All such actions and determinations shall be made by (a) the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or (b) the unanimous consent of the members of the Committee executed in writing or evidenced by electronic transmission in accordance with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws. Unless otherwise expressly determined by the Board, the Committee shall have the authority to interpret and construe all provisions of the Plan, any Award, and any Award Agreement, and any such interpretation or construction, and any other determination contemplated to be made under the Plan or any Award Agreement, by the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all Persons, whether or not expressly provided for in any provision of the Plan, such Award, or such Award Agreement.

 

In the event that the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement provides for any action to be taken by the Board or any determination to be made by the Board, such action may be taken or such determination may be made by the Committee constituted in accordance with this Section 3.1 if the Board has delegated the power and authority to do so to such Committee.

 

3.1.2 Composition of the Committee.

 

The Committee shall be a committee composed of not fewer than two (2) directors of the Company designated by the Board to administer the Plan.

 

Each member of the Committee shall (a) be a Non-Employee Director and (b) satisfy the composition requirements of any Stock Exchange on which the Stock is listed. Any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 3.1.2 or otherwise provided in any charter of the Committee. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may be the Compensation Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof.

 

3.1.3 Other Committees.

 

The Board also may appoint one or more committees of the Board, each composed of one or more directors of the Company, which (a) may administer the Plan with respect to Grantees who are not Officers or directors of the Company, (b) may grant Awards under the Plan to such Grantees, and (c) may determine all terms of such Awards subject, if applicable, to the requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and the rules of any Stock Exchange or Securities Market on which the Stock is listed or publicly traded.

 

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3.1.4 Delegation by the Committee.

 

If and to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, the Committee, by resolution, may delegate some or all of its authority with respect to the Plan and Awards to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and/or any other officer of the Company designated by the Committee, provided that the Committee may not delegate its authority hereunder (a) to make Awards to directors of the Company, (b) to make Awards to Employees who are (i) Officers or (ii) officers of the Company who are delegated authority by the Committee pursuant to this Section 3.1.4, or (c) to interpret the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement. Any delegation hereunder will be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Committee specifies at the time of such delegation or thereafter. Nothing in the Plan will be construed as obligating the Committee to delegate authority to any officer of the Company, and the Committee may at any time rescind the authority delegated to an officer of the Company appointed hereunder and delegate authority to one or more other officers of the Company. At all times, an officer of the Company delegated authority pursuant to this Section 3.1.4 will serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Committee. Any action undertaken by any such officer of the Company in accordance with the Committee’s delegation of authority will have the same force and effect as if undertaken directly by the Committee, and any reference in the Plan to the “Committee” will, to the extent consistent with the terms and limitations of such delegation, be deemed to include a reference to each such officer.

 

3.2 Board.

 

The Board, from time to time, may exercise any or all of the powers and authorities related to the administration and implementation of the Plan, as set forth in Section 3.1 and other applicable provisions of the Plan, as the Board shall determine, consistent with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws.

 

3.3 Terms of Awards.

 

3.3.1 Committee Authority.

 

Subject to the other terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee shall have full and final authority to:

 

(a) designate Grantees;

 

(b) determine the type or types of Awards to be made to a Grantee;

 

(c) determine the number of shares of Stock to be subject to an Award or to which an Award relates;

 

(d) establish the terms and conditions of each Award (including the Option Price of any Option, the SAR Price for any Stock Appreciation Right, and the purchase price for applicable Awards, the nature and duration of any restriction or condition (or provision for lapse thereof) relating to the vesting, exercise, transfer, or forfeiture of an Award or the shares of Stock subject thereto, the treatment of an Award in the event of a Change in Control (subject to applicable agreements), and any terms or conditions that may be necessary to qualify Options as Incentive Stock Options);

 

(e) prescribe the form of each Award Agreement evidencing an Award;

 

(f) subject to the limitation on repricing in Section 3.4, amend, modify, or supplement the terms of any outstanding Award, which authority shall include the authority, in order to effectuate the purposes of the Plan but without amending the Plan, to make Awards or to modify outstanding Awards made to eligible natural Persons who are foreign nationals or are natural Persons who are employed outside the United States to reflect differences in local law, tax policy, or custom; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, modification, or supplement of the terms of any outstanding Award shall, without the consent of the Grantee thereof, impair such Grantee’s rights under such Award; and

 

(g) make Substitute Awards.

 

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3.3.2 Forfeiture; Recoupment.

 

The Committee may reserve the right in an Award Agreement to cause a forfeiture of the gain realized by a Grantee with respect to an Award thereunder on account of actions taken by, or failed to be taken by, such Grantee in violation or breach of, or in conflict with, any (a) employment agreement, (b) non-competition agreement, (c) agreement prohibiting solicitation of Employees or clients of the Company or an Affiliate, (d) confidentiality obligation with respect to the Company or an Affiliate, (e) policy or procedure of the Company or an Affiliate, (f) other agreement, or (g) other obligation of such Grantee to the Company or an Affiliate, as and to the extent specified in such Award Agreement. If the Grantee of an outstanding Award is an Employee of the Company or an Affiliate and such Grantee’s Service is terminated for Cause, the Committee may annul such Grantee’s outstanding Award as of the date of the Grantee’s termination of Service for Cause.

 

Any Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to mandatory repayment by the Grantee to the Company (x) to the extent set forth in the Plan or an Award Agreement or (y) to the extent the Grantee is, or in the future becomes, subject to (1) any Company or Affiliate “clawback” or recoupment policy that is adopted to comply with the requirements of any Applicable Laws, or (2) any Applicable Laws which impose mandatory recoupment, under circumstances set forth in such Applicable Laws.

 

3.4 No Repricing Without Stockholder Approval.

 

Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of Stock, other securities, or other property), stock split, extraordinary dividend, recapitalization, Change in Control, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of Stock, or other securities or similar transaction), the Company may not: (a) amend the terms of outstanding Options or SARs to reduce the Option Price or SAR Price, as applicable, of such outstanding Options or SARs; (b) cancel outstanding Options or SARs in exchange for, or in substitution of, Options or SARs with an Option Price or SAR Price, as applicable, that is less than the Option Price or SAR Price, as applicable, of the original Options or SARs; or (c) cancel outstanding Options or SARs with an Option Price or SAR Price, as applicable, above the current Fair Market Value in exchange for cash or other securities, in each case, unless such action (i) is subject to and approved by the Company’s stockholders or (ii) would not be deemed to be a repricing under the rules of any Stock Exchange or Securities Market on which the Stock is listed or publicly traded.

 

3.5 Deferral Arrangement.

 

The Committee may permit or require the deferral of any payment pursuant to any Award into a deferred compensation arrangement, subject to such rules and procedures as it may establish, which may include provisions for the payment or crediting of interest or Dividend Equivalent Rights and, in connection therewith, provisions for converting such credits into Deferred Stock Units and for restricting deferrals to comply with hardship distribution rules affecting tax-qualified retirement plans subject to Code Section 401(k)(2)(B)(IV), provided that no Dividend Equivalent Rights may be granted in connection with, or related to, an Award of Options or SARs. Any such deferrals shall be made in a manner that complies with Code Section 409A, including, if applicable, with respect to when a Separation from Service occurs.

 

3.6 Registration; Share Certificates.

 

Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the ownership of the shares of Stock issued under the Plan may be evidenced in such a manner as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, including by book-entry or direct registration (including transaction advices) or the issuance of one or more share certificates.

 

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4. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

4.1 Number of Shares of Stock Available for Awards.

 

Subject to such additional shares of Stock as shall be available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 4.2 and Section 4.3(c), and subject to adjustment pursuant to Article 16, the maximum number of shares of Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be equal to 2,500,000 shares of Stock (the “Share Limit”). Such shares of Stock may be authorized and unissued shares of Stock, treasury shares of Stock, or any combination of the foregoing, as may be determined from time to time by the Board or by the Committee. Any of the shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance under the Plan may be used for any type of Award under the Plan, and any or all of the shares of Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be available for issuance pursuant to Incentive Stock Options.

 

4.2 Adjustments in Authorized Shares of Stock.

 

In connection with mergers, reorganizations, separations, or other transactions to which Code Section 424(a) applies, the Committee shall have the right to cause the Company to assume awards previously granted under a compensatory plan of another business entity that is a party to such transaction and to grant Substitute Awards under the Plan for such awards. The Share Limit pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be increased by the number of shares of Stock subject to any such assumed awards and Substitute Awards. Shares available for issuance under a stockholder-approved plan of a business entity that is a party to such transaction (as appropriately adjusted, if necessary, to reflect such transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the number of shares of Stock otherwise available for issuance under the Plan, subject to applicable rules of any Stock Exchange or Securities Market on which the Stock is listed or publicly traded.

 

4.3 Share Usage.

 

(a) Shares of Stock covered by an Award shall be counted as used as of the Grant Date for purposes of calculating the number of shares of Stock available for issuance under Section 4.1.

 

(b) Any shares of Stock that are subject to Awards, including shares of Stock acquired through dividend reinvestment pursuant to Article 10, will be counted against the Share Limit set forth in Section 4.1 as one (1) share of Stock for every one (1) share of Stock subject to an Award. The number of shares of Stock subject to an Award of SARs will be counted against the Share Limit set forth in Section 4.1 as one (1) share of Stock for every one (1) share of Stock subject to such Award regardless of the number of shares of Stock actually issued to settle such SARs upon the exercise of the SARs. At least the target number of shares of Stock issuable under a Performance Award grant shall be counted against the Share Limit set forth in Section 4.1 as of the Grant Date, but such number shall be adjusted to equal the actual number of shares of Stock issued upon settlement of the Performance Award to the extent different from such target number of shares of Stock.

 

(c) If any shares of Stock covered by an Award granted under the Plan are not purchased or are forfeited or expire or if an Award otherwise terminates without delivery of any Stock subject thereto or is settled in cash in lieu of shares, then the number of shares of Stock counted against the Share Limit with respect to such Award shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, termination, expiration, or settlement, again be available for making Awards under the Plan.

 

(d) The number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan will not be increased by the number of shares of Stock (i) tendered, withheld, or subject to an Award granted under the Plan surrendered in connection with the purchase of shares of Stock upon exercise of an Option, (ii) that were not issued upon the net settlement or net exercise of a Stock-settled SAR granted under the Plan, (iii) deducted or delivered from payment of an Award granted under the Plan in connection with the Company’s tax withholding obligations as provided in Section 18.3, or (iv) purchased by the Company with proceeds from Option exercises.

 

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5. TERM; AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

5.1 Term.

 

The Plan shall become effective as of the Effective Date, subject to approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders within twelve (12) months of the Effective Date. Upon approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders, all Awards made under the Plan on or after the Effective Date shall be fully effective as if the stockholders of the Company had approved the Plan on the Effective Date. If the Stockholders do not approve the Plan within twelve (12) months of the Effective Date, any Awards made under the Plan on or after the Effective Date shall not be exercisable, settleable, or deliverable, except to the extent such Awards could have otherwise been made under the Plan. The Plan shall terminate on the first to occur of (a) 11:59PM ET on the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date, (b) the date determined in accordance with Section 5.2, and (c) the date determined in accordance with Section 16.3. Upon such termination of the Plan, all outstanding Awards shall continue to have full force and effect in accordance with the provisions of the terminated Plan and the applicable Award Agreement (or other documents evidencing such Awards).

 

5.2 Amendment, Suspension, and Termination.

 

The Board may, at any time and from time to time, amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan; provided that, with respect to Awards theretofore granted under the Plan, no amendment, suspension, or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of any Grantee affected thereby, impair the rights or obligations under any such Award. The effectiveness of any amendment to the Plan shall be conditioned upon approval of such amendment by the Company’s stockholders to the extent provided by the Board or required by Applicable Laws; provided that no amendment shall be made to the no-repricing provisions of Section 3.4, the Option pricing provisions of Section 8.1, or the SAR pricing provisions of Section 9.1 without the approval of the Company’s stockholders.

 

6. AWARD ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS

 

6.1 Eligible Grantees.

 

Subject to this Article 6, Awards may be made under the Plan to (a) any Service Provider, as the Committee shall determine and designate from time to time, and (b) any other individual whose participation in the Plan is determined to be in the best interests of the Company by the Committee.

 

6.2 Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards.

 

Subject to Section 3.4, Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution or exchange for, (a) any other Award, (b) any award granted under another plan of the Company, an Affiliate, or any business entity that has been a party to a transaction with the Company or an Affiliate, or (c) any other right of a Grantee to receive payment from the Company or an Affiliate. Such additional, tandem, exchange, or Substitute Awards may be granted at any time. If an Award is granted in substitution or exchange for another Award, or for an award granted under another plan of the Company, an Affiliate, or any business entity that has been a party to a transaction with the Company or an Affiliate, the Committee shall require the surrender of such other Award or award under such other plan in consideration for the grant of such exchange or Substitute Award. In addition, Awards may be granted in lieu of cash compensation, including in lieu of cash payments under other plans of the Company or an Affiliate. Notwithstanding Section 8.1 and Section 9.1, but subject to Section 3.4, the Option Price of an Option or the SAR Price of a SAR that is a Substitute Award may be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the original Grant Date; provided that such Option Price or SAR Price is determined in accordance with the principles of Code Section 424 for any Incentive Stock Option and consistent with Code Section 409A for any other Option or SAR.

 

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7. AWARD AGREEMENT

 

Each Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall be in such form or forms as the Committee shall from time to time determine. Award Agreements utilized under the Plan from time to time or at the same time need not contain similar provisions but shall be consistent with the terms of the Plan. Each Award Agreement evidencing an Award of Options shall specify whether such Options are intended to be Nonqualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options, and, in the absence of such specification, such Options shall be deemed to constitute Nonqualified Stock Options. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and an Award Agreement, the provisions of the Plan shall control.

 

8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS

 

8.1 Option Price.

 

The Option Price of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option. Except in the case of Substitute Awards, the Option Price of each Option shall be at least the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date; provided that, in the event that a Grantee is a Ten Percent Stockholder, the Option Price of an Option granted to such Grantee that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date. In no case shall the Option Price of any Option be less than the par value of one (1) share of Stock.

 

8.2 Vesting and Exercisability.

 

Subject to Sections 8.3 and 16.3, each Option granted under the Plan shall become vested and/or exercisable at such times and under such conditions as shall be determined by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing; provided that no Option shall be granted to Grantees who are entitled to overtime under Applicable Laws that will vest or be exercisable within a six (6)-month period starting on the Grant Date.

 

8.3 Term.

 

Each Option granted under the Plan shall terminate, and all rights to purchase shares of Stock thereunder shall cease, on the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Grant Date of such Option, or under such circumstances and on such date prior thereto as is set forth in the Plan or as may be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement relating to such Option; provided that, in the event that the Grantee is a Ten Percent Stockholder, an Option granted to such Grantee that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall not be exercisable after the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Grant Date of such Option; and provided, further, that, to the extent deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee to reflect differences in local law, tax policy, or custom with respect to any Option granted to a Grantee who is a foreign national or is a natural Person who is employed outside the United States, such Option may terminate, and all rights to purchase shares of Stock thereunder may cease, upon the expiration of a period longer than ten (10) years from the Grant Date of such Option as the Committee shall determine.

 

8.4 Termination of Service.

 

Each Award Agreement with respect to the grant of an Option shall set forth the extent to which the Grantee thereof, if at all, shall have the right to exercise such Option following termination of such Grantee’s Service. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of Service.

 

8.5 Limitations on Exercise of Option.

 

Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in no event may any Option be exercised, in whole or in part, after the occurrence of an event referred to in Article 16 which results in the termination of such Option.

 

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8.6 Method of Exercise.

 

Subject to the terms of Article 14 and Section 18.3, an Option that is exercisable may be exercised by the Grantee’s delivery to the Company or its designee or agent of notice of exercise on any business day, at the Company’s principal office or the office of such designee or agent, on the form specified by the Company and in accordance with any additional procedures specified by the Committee. Such notice shall specify the number of shares of Stock with respect to which such Option is being exercised and shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Option Price of the shares of Stock for which such Option is being exercised, plus the amount (if any) of federal and/or other taxes which the Company may, in its judgment, be required to withhold with respect to the exercise of such Option.

 

8.7 Rights of Holders of Options.

 

Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee or other Person holding or exercising an Option shall have none of the rights of a stockholder of the Company (for example, the right to receive cash or dividend payments or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock subject to such Option, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock subject to such Option, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s stockholders) until the shares of Stock subject thereto are fully paid and issued to such Grantee or other Person. Except as provided in Article 16, no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions, or other rights with respect to any shares of Stock subject to an Option for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance of such shares of Stock.

 

8.8 Delivery of Stock.

 

Promptly after the exercise of an Option by a Grantee and the payment in full of the Option Price with respect thereto, such Grantee shall be entitled to receive such evidence of such Grantee’s ownership of the shares of Stock subject to such Option as shall be consistent with Section 3.6.

 

8.9 Transferability of Options.

 

Except as provided in Section 8.10, during the lifetime of a Grantee of an Option, only such Grantee (or, in the event of such Grantee’s legal incapacity or incompetency, such Grantee’s guardian or legal representative) may exercise such Option. Except as provided in Section 8.10, no Option shall be assignable or transferable by the Grantee to whom it is granted, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

8.10 Family Transfers.

 

If authorized in the applicable Award Agreement and by the Committee, in its sole discretion, a Grantee may transfer, not for value, all or part of an Option which is not an Incentive Stock Option to any Family Member. For the purpose of this Section 8.10, a transfer “not for value” is a transfer which is (a) a gift, (b) a transfer under a domestic relations order in settlement of marital property rights, or (c) unless Applicable Laws do not permit such transfer, a transfer to an entity in which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests are owned by Family Members (and/or the Grantee) in exchange for an interest in such entity. Following a transfer under this Section 8.10, any such Option shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable thereto immediately prior to such transfer. Subsequent transfers of transferred Options shall be prohibited except to Family Members of the original Grantee in accordance with this Section 8.10 or by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The provisions of Section 8.4 relating to termination of Service shall continue to be applied with respect to the original Grantee of the Option, following which such Option shall be exercisable by the transferee only to the extent, and for the periods specified, in Section 8.4.

 

8.11 Limitations on Incentive Stock Options.

 

An Option shall constitute an Incentive Stock Option only (a) if the Grantee of such Option is an Employee of the Company or any corporate Subsidiary, (b) to the extent specifically provided in the related Award Agreement, and (c) to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time such Option is granted) of the shares of Stock with respect to which all Incentive Stock Options held by such Grantee become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other plans of the Company and its Affiliates) does not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). Except to the extent provided in the regulations under Code Section 422, this limitation shall be applied by taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted.

 

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8.12 Notice of Disqualifying Disposition.

 

If any Grantee shall make any disposition of shares of Stock issued pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances provided in Code Section 421(b) (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), such Grantee shall notify the Company of such disposition immediately but in no event later than ten (10) days thereafter.

 

9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

9.1 Right to Payment and SAR Price.

 

A SAR shall confer on the Grantee to whom it is granted a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the date of exercise, over (b) the SAR Price as determined by the Committee. The Award Agreement for a SAR shall specify the SAR Price, which shall be no less than the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date of such SAR. SARs may be granted in tandem with all or part of an Option granted under the Plan or at any subsequent time during the term of such Option, in combination with all or any part of any other Award, or without regard to any Option or other Award; provided that a SAR that is granted in tandem with all or part of an Option will have the same term, and expire at the same time, as the related Option; provided, further, that a SAR that is granted subsequent to the Grant Date of a related Option must have a SAR Price that is no less than the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date of such SAR.

 

9.2 Other Terms.

 

The Committee shall determine, on the Grant Date or thereafter, the time or times at which, and the circumstances under which, a SAR may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future Service requirements); the time or times at which SARs shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of Service or upon other conditions; the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, method by or forms in which shares of Stock shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Grantees, whether or not a SAR shall be granted in tandem or in combination with any other Award; and any and all other terms and conditions of any SAR; provided that no SARs shall be granted to Grantees who are entitled to overtime under Applicable Laws that will vest or be exercisable within a six (6)-month period starting on the Grant Date.

 

9.3 Term.

 

Each SAR granted under the Plan shall terminate, and all rights thereunder shall cease, on the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Grant Date of such SAR or under such circumstances and on such date prior thereto as is set forth in the Plan or as may be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement relating to such SAR.

 

9.4 Rights of Holders of SARs.

 

Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee or other Person holding or exercising a SAR shall have none of the rights of a stockholder of the Company (for example, the right to receive cash or dividend payments or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock underlying such SAR, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock underlying such SAR, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s stockholders) until the shares of Stock underlying such SAR, if any, are issued to such Grantee or other Person. Except as provided in Article 16, no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions, or other rights with respect to any shares of Stock underlying a SAR for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance of such shares of Stock, if any.

 

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9.5 Transferability of SARs.

 

Except as provided in Section 9.6, during the lifetime of a Grantee of a SAR, only the Grantee (or, in the event of such Grantee’s legal incapacity or incompetency, such Grantee’s guardian or legal representative) may exercise such SAR. Except as provided in Section 9.6, no SAR shall be assignable or transferable by the Grantee to whom it is granted, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

9.6 Family Transfers.

 

If authorized in the applicable Award Agreement and by the Committee, in its sole discretion, a Grantee may transfer, not for value, all or part of a SAR to any Family Member. For the purpose of this Section 9.6, a transfer “not for value” is a transfer which is (a) a gift, (b) a transfer under a domestic relations order in settlement of marital property rights, or (c) unless Applicable Laws do not permit such transfer, a transfer to an entity in which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests are owned by Family Members (and/or the Grantee) in exchange for an interest in such entity. Following a transfer under this Section 9.6, any such SAR shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were in effect immediately prior to such transfer. Subsequent transfers of transferred SARs shall be prohibited except to Family Members of the original Grantee in accordance with this Section 9.6 or by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

10. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK, RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS, AND DEFERRED STOCK UNITS

 

10.1 Grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units.

 

Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units may be made for consideration or for no consideration, other than the par value of the shares of Stock, which shall be deemed paid by past Service or, if so provided in the related Award Agreement or a separate agreement, the promise by the Grantee to perform future Service to the Company or an Affiliate.

 

10.2 Restrictions.

 

At the time a grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units is made, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, (a) establish a Restricted Period applicable to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units and (b) prescribe restrictions in addition to or other than the expiration of the Restricted Period, including the achievement of corporate or individual performance goals, which may be applicable to all or any portion of such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units as provided in Article 13. Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the Restricted Period or prior to the satisfaction of any other restrictions prescribed by the Committee with respect to such Awards.

 

10.3 Registration; Restricted Stock Certificates.

 

Pursuant to Section 3.6, to the extent that ownership of Restricted Stock is evidenced by a book-entry registration or direct registration (including transaction advices), such registration shall be notated to evidence the restrictions imposed on such Award of Restricted Stock under the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. Subject to Section 3.6 and the immediately following sentence, the Company may issue, in the name of each Grantee to whom Restricted Stock has been granted, certificates representing the total number of shares of Restricted Stock granted to the Grantee, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Grant Date of such Restricted Stock. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock that either (a) the Secretary of the Company shall hold such certificates for such Grantee’s benefit until such time as such shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited to the Company or the restrictions applicable thereto lapse and such Grantee shall deliver a stock power to the Company with respect to each certificate, or (b) such certificates shall be delivered to such Grantee, provided that such certificates shall bear legends that comply with Applicable Laws and make appropriate reference to the restrictions imposed on such Award of Restricted Stock under the Plan and such Award Agreement.

 

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10.4 Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock.

 

Unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement and subject to the restrictions set forth in the Plan, any applicable Company program, and the applicable Award Agreement, holders of Restricted Stock shall have the right to vote such shares of Restricted Stock and the right to receive any dividend payments or distributions declared or paid with respect to such shares of Restricted Stock. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement evidencing a grant of Restricted Stock that (a) any cash dividend payments or distributions paid on Restricted Stock shall be reinvested in shares of Stock, which may or may not be subject to the same vesting conditions and restrictions as applicable to such underlying shares of Restricted Stock or (b) any dividend payments or distributions declared or paid on shares of Restricted Stock shall only be made or paid upon satisfaction of the vesting conditions and restrictions applicable to such shares of Restricted Stock. Dividend payments or distributions declared or paid on shares of Restricted Stock which vest or are earned based upon the achievement of performance goals shall not vest unless such performance goals for such shares of Restricted Stock are achieved, and if such performance goals are not achieved, the Grantee of such shares of Restricted Stock shall promptly forfeit and, to the extent already paid or distributed, repay to the Company such dividend payments or distributions. All stock dividend payments or distributions, if any, received by a Grantee with respect to shares of Restricted Stock as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, combination of stock, or other similar transaction shall be subject to the same vesting conditions and restrictions as applicable to such underlying shares of Restricted Stock.

 

10.5 Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units.

 

10.5.1 Voting and Dividend Rights.

 

Holders of Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units shall have no rights as stockholders of the Company (for example, the right to receive dividend payments or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock underlying such Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock underlying such Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s stockholders). The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement evidencing a grant of Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units that the holder of such Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units, as applicable, shall be entitled to receive Dividend Equivalent Rights, in accordance with Article 12.

 

10.5.2 Creditor’s Rights.

 

A holder of Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units shall have no rights other than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company. Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units represent unfunded and unsecured obligations of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement.

 

10.6 Termination of Service.

 

Unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing after such Award Agreement is issued, but prior to termination of Grantee’s Service, upon the termination of such Grantee’s Service, any Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units held by such Grantee that have not vested, or with respect to which all applicable restrictions and conditions have not lapsed, shall immediately be deemed forfeited. Upon forfeiture of such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units, the Grantee thereof shall have no further rights with respect thereto, including any right to vote such Restricted Stock or any right to receive dividends or Dividend Equivalent Rights, as applicable, with respect to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units.

 

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10.7 Purchase of Restricted Stock and Shares of Stock Subject to Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units.

 

The Grantee of an Award of Restricted Stock, vested Restricted Stock Units, or vested Deferred Stock Units shall be required, to the extent required by Applicable Laws, to purchase such Restricted Stock or the shares of Stock subject to such vested Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units from the Company at a purchase price equal to the greater of (x) the aggregate par value of the shares of Stock represented by such Restricted Stock or such vested Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units or (y) the purchase price, if any, specified in the Award Agreement relating to such Restricted Stock or such vested Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units. Such purchase price shall be payable in a form provided in Article 14 or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in consideration for Service rendered or to be rendered by the Grantee to the Company or an Affiliate.

 

10.8 Delivery of Shares of Stock.

 

Upon the expiration or termination of any Restricted Period and the satisfaction of any other conditions prescribed by the Committee, including, without limitation, any performance goals or delayed delivery period, the restrictions applicable to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units settled in shares of Stock shall lapse, and, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a book-entry or direct registration (including transaction advices) or a certificate evidencing ownership of such shares of Stock shall, consistent with Section 3.6, be issued, free of all such restrictions, to the Grantee thereof or such Grantee’s beneficiary or estate, as the case may be. Neither the Grantee, nor the Grantee’s beneficiary or estate, shall have any further rights with regard to a Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit once the shares of Stock represented by such Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit have been delivered in accordance with this Section 10.8.

 

11. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS AND OTHER EQUITY-BASED AWARDS

 

11.1 Unrestricted Stock Awards.

 

The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant (or sell at the par value of a share of Stock or at such other higher purchase price as shall be determined by the Committee) an Award to any Grantee pursuant to which such Grantee may receive shares of Unrestricted Stock under the Plan. Awards of Unrestricted Stock may be granted or sold to any Grantee as provided in the immediately preceding sentence in respect of Service rendered or, if so provided in the related Award Agreement or a separate agreement, to be rendered by the Grantee to the Company or an Affiliate or other valid consideration, in lieu of or in addition to any cash compensation due to such Grantee.

 

11.2 Other Equity-Based Awards.

 

The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Awards in the form of Other Equity-Based Awards, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Awards granted pursuant to this Section 11.2 may be granted with vesting, value, and/or payment contingent upon the achievement of one or more performance goals. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of Other Equity-Based Awards on the Grant Date or thereafter. Unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing after such Award Agreement is issued, but prior to termination of Grantee’s Service, upon the termination of a Grantee’s Service, any Other Equity-Based Awards held by such Grantee that have not vested, or with respect to which all applicable restrictions and conditions have not lapsed, shall immediately be deemed forfeited. Upon forfeiture of any Other Equity-Based Award, the Grantee thereof shall have no further rights with respect to such Other Equity-Based Award.

 

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12. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS

 

12.1 Dividend Equivalent Rights.

 

A Dividend Equivalent Right may be granted hereunder, provided that no Dividend Equivalent Rights may be granted in connection with, or related to, an Award of Options or SARs. The terms and conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be specified in the Award Agreement therefor. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently (with or without being subject to forfeiture or a repayment obligation) or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of Stock or Awards, which may thereafter accrue additional Dividend Equivalent Rights (with or without being subject to forfeiture or a repayment obligation). Any such reinvestment shall be at the Fair Market Value thereof on the date of such reinvestment. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash, shares of Stock, or a combination thereof, in a single installment or in multiple installments, all as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award may (a) provide that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be settled upon exercise, settlement, or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other Award and that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other Award or (b) contain terms and conditions which are different from the terms and conditions of such other Award, provided that Dividend Equivalent Rights credited pursuant to a Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award which vests or is earned based upon the achievement of performance goals shall not vest unless such performance goals for such underlying Award are achieved, and if such performance goals are not achieved, the Grantee of such Dividend Equivalent Rights shall promptly forfeit and, to the extent already paid or distributed, repay to the Company payments or distributions made in connection with such Dividend Equivalent Rights.

 

12.2 Termination of Service.

 

Unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing after such Award Agreement is issued, a Grantee’s rights in all Dividend Equivalent Rights shall automatically terminate upon such Grantee’s termination of Service for any reason.

 

13. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS

 

13.1 Grant of Performance Awards.

 

Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Performance Awards in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee shall determine.

 

13.2 Value of Performance Awards.

 

Each grant of a Performance Award shall have an initial cash value or an actual or target number of shares of Stock that is established by the Committee as of the Grant Date. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are achieved, shall determine the amount of cash or value and/or number of shares of Stock that will be paid out to the Grantee thereof.

 

13.3 Earning of Performance Awards.

 

Subject to the terms of the Plan, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the Grantee of a Performance Award shall be entitled to receive a payout of the value earned under such Performance Award by such Grantee over such Performance Period, to be determined based on the extent to which the corresponding performance goals have been achieved.

 

13.4 Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Awards.

 

Payment of the value earned under a Performance Award shall be made, as determined by the Committee, in the form, at the time, and in the manner described in the applicable Award Agreement. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, (a) may pay the value earned under Performance Awards in the form of cash, shares of Stock, other Awards, or a combination thereof, including shares of Stock and/or Awards that are subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee, and (b) shall pay the value earned under Performance Awards at the close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Committee has determined that the performance goal or goals relating thereto have been achieved; provided that, unless specifically provided in the Award Agreement for such Performance Awards, such payment shall occur no later than the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month following the end of the calendar year in which such Performance Period ends. Any shares of Stock paid out under a Performance Award may be granted subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee. The determination of the Committee with respect to the form of payout of such Awards shall be set forth in the Award Agreement for the Performance Award.

 

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13.5 Performance Conditions.

 

The right of a Grantee to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of any Performance Award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to the achievement of such Performance Measures as may be specified by the Committee. The Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions.

 

13.6 Performance Measures.

 

Performance under any Performance Measures (a) may be used to measure the performance of (i) the Company, its Subsidiaries, and other Affiliates as a whole, (ii) the Company, any Subsidiary, and/or any other Affiliate or any combination thereof, or (iii) any one or more business units or operating segments of the Company, any Subsidiary, and/or any other Affiliate, in each case as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate and (b) may be compared to the performance of one or more other companies or one or more published or special indices designated or approved by the Committee for such comparison, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. In addition, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may select a Performance Measure for comparison to performance under one or more stock market indices designated or approved by the Committee. The Committee shall also have the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Performance Award based on the achievement of performance goals pursuant to any Performance Measures. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein is intended to prevent the Committee from granting Awards subject to subjective performance conditions (including individual performance conditions).

 

14. FORMS OF PAYMENT

 

14.1 General Rule.

 

Payment of the Option Price for the shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option or the purchase price, if any, for Restricted Stock, vested Restricted Stock Units, and/or vested Deferred Stock Units shall be made in cash or in cash equivalents acceptable to the Company.

 

14.2 Surrender of Shares of Stock.

 

To the extent that the applicable Award Agreement so provides, payment of the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option or the purchase price, if any, for Restricted Stock, vested Restricted Stock Units, and/or vested Deferred Stock Units may be made all or in part through the tender or attestation to the Company of shares of Stock, which shall be valued, for purposes of determining the extent to which such Option Price or purchase price has been paid thereby, at their Fair Market Value on the date of such tender or attestation.

 

14.3 Cashless Exercise.

 

To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws and to the extent the Award Agreement so provides, payment of the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be made all or in part by delivery (on a form acceptable to the Committee) of an irrevocable direction to a licensed securities broker acceptable to the Company to sell shares of Stock and to deliver all or part of the proceeds of such sale to the Company in payment of such Option Price and/or any withholding taxes described in Section 18.3.

 

14.4 Other Forms of Payment.

 

To the extent that the applicable Award Agreement so provides and/or unless otherwise specified in an Award Agreement, payment of the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to exercise of an Option or the purchase price, if any, for Restricted Stock, vested Restricted Stock Units, and/or vested Deferred Stock Units may be made in any other form that is consistent with Applicable Laws, including (a) with respect to Restricted Stock, vested Restricted Stock Units, and/or vested Deferred Stock Units only, Service rendered or to be rendered by the Grantee thereof to the Company or an Affiliate and (b) with the consent of the Company, by withholding the number of shares of Stock that would otherwise vest or be issuable in an amount equal in value to the Option Price or purchase price and/or the required tax withholding amount.

 

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15. REQUIREMENTS OF LAW

 

15.1 General.

 

The Company shall not be required to offer, sell, or issue any shares of Stock under any Award, whether pursuant to the exercise of an Option, a SAR, or otherwise, if the offer, sale, or issuance of such shares of Stock would constitute a violation by the Grantee, the Company, an Affiliate, or any other Person of any provision of the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or of Applicable Laws, including any federal or state securities laws or regulations. If at any time the Company shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration, or qualification of any shares of Stock subject to an Award upon any Stock Exchange or Securities Market or under any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the offering, sale, issuance, or purchase of shares of Stock in connection with any Award, no shares of Stock may be offered, sold, or issued to the Grantee or any other Person under such Award, whether pursuant to the exercise of an Option, a SAR, or otherwise, unless such listing, registration, or qualification shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company, and any delay caused thereby shall in no way affect the date of termination of such Award. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, upon the exercise of any Option or any SAR that may be settled in shares of Stock or the delivery of any shares of Stock underlying an Award, unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect with respect to the shares of Stock subject to such Award, the Company shall not be required to offer, sell, or issue such shares of Stock unless the Committee shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that the Grantee or any other Person exercising such Option or SAR or accepting delivery of such shares may acquire such shares of Stock pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Any determination by the Committee in connection with the foregoing shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The Company may register, but shall in no event be obligated to register, any shares of Stock or other securities issuable pursuant to the Plan pursuant to the Securities Act. The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the exercise of an Option or a SAR or the issuance of shares of Stock or other securities issuable pursuant to the Plan or any Award to comply with any Applicable Laws. As to any jurisdiction that expressly imposes the requirement that an Option or SAR that may be settled in shares of Stock shall not be exercisable until the shares of Stock subject to such Option or SAR are registered under the securities laws thereof or are exempt from such registration, the exercise of such Option or SAR under circumstances in which the laws of such jurisdiction apply shall be deemed to be conditioned upon the effectiveness of such registration or the availability of such an exemption.

 

15.2 Rule 16b-3.

 

During any time when the Company has any class of common equity securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, it is the intention of the Company that Awards pursuant to the Plan and the exercise of Options and SARs granted hereunder that would otherwise be subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act shall qualify for the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. To the extent that any provision of the Plan or action by the Committee does not comply with the requirements of such Rule 16b-3, such provision or action shall be deemed inoperative with respect to such Awards to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws and deemed advisable by the Committee and shall not affect the validity of the Plan. In the event that such Rule 16b-3 is revised or replaced, the Committee may exercise its discretion to modify the Plan in any respect necessary or advisable in its judgment to satisfy the requirements of, or to permit the Company to avail itself of the benefits of, the revised exemption or its replacement.

 

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16. EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION

 

16.1 Changes in Stock.

 

If the number of outstanding shares of Stock is increased or decreased or the shares of Stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number of shares or kind of Capital Stock or other securities of the Company on account of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off, combination of stock, exchange of stock, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock, or other increase or decrease in shares of Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company occurring after the Effective Date, the number and kinds of shares of Capital Stock for which grants of Options and other Awards may be made under the Plan, including the Share Limit each as set forth in Section 4.1, which includes the number and kinds of issued shares of Capital Stock by which the Plan reserve may be increased annually, shall be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by the Committee. In addition, the number and kind of shares of Capital Stock for which Awards are outstanding shall be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by the Committee so that the proportionate interest of the Grantee therein immediately following such event shall, to the extent practicable, be the same as immediately before such event. Any such adjustment in outstanding Options or SARs shall not change the aggregate Option Price or SAR Price payable with respect to shares that are subject to the unexercised portion of such outstanding Options or SARs, as applicable, but shall include a corresponding proportionate adjustment in the per share Option Price or SAR Price, as the case may be. The conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as an increase in shares effected without receipt of consideration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any distribution to the Company’s stockholders of securities of any other entity or other assets (including an extraordinary dividend, but excluding a non-extraordinary dividend, declared and paid by the Company) without receipt of consideration by the Company, the Board or the Committee constituted pursuant to Section 3.1.2 shall, in such manner as the Board or the Committee deems appropriate, adjust (a) the number and kind of shares of Capital Stock subject to outstanding Awards and/or (b) the aggregate and per share Option Price of outstanding Options and the aggregate and per share SAR Price of outstanding SARs as required to reflect such distribution.

 

16.2 Transaction in Which the Company is the Surviving Entity Which Does not Constitute a Change in Control.

 

Subject to Section 16.3, if the Company shall be the surviving entity in any reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company with one or more other entities which does not constitute a Change in Control, any Award theretofore granted pursuant to the Plan shall pertain to and apply to the Capital Stock to which a holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to such Award would have been entitled immediately following such reorganization, merger, or consolidation, with a corresponding proportionate adjustment of the per share Option Price or SAR Price of any outstanding Option or SAR so that the aggregate Option Price or SAR Price thereafter shall be the same as the aggregate Option Price or SAR Price of the shares of Stock remaining subject to the Option or SAR as in effect immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, or consolidation. Subject to any contrary language in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or as otherwise set forth in writing, any restrictions applicable to such Award shall apply as well to any replacement shares of Capital Stock subject to such Award received by the Grantee as a result of such reorganization, merger, or consolidation. In the event of any reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company referred to in this Section 16.2, Performance Awards shall be adjusted (including any adjustment to the Performance Measures or other performance goals applicable to such Awards deemed appropriate by the Committee) so as to apply to the Capital Stock that a holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to the Performance Awards would have been entitled to receive immediately following such reorganization, merger, or consolidation.

 

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16.3 Change in Control in which Awards are not Assumed.

 

Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or as otherwise set forth in writing, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control in which outstanding Awards are not being assumed or continued, the following provisions shall apply to such Awards, to the extent not assumed or continued:

 

(a) Immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control, in each case with the exception of Performance Awards, all outstanding shares of Restricted Stock and all Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, and Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be deemed to have vested, and all shares of Stock and/or cash subject to such Awards shall be delivered; and either or both of the following two (2) actions shall be taken:

 

(i) At least fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled consummation of such Change in Control, all Options and SARs outstanding hereunder shall become immediately exercisable and shall remain exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days. Any exercise of an Option or SAR during this fifteen (15)-day period shall be conditioned upon the consummation of the applicable Change in Control and shall be effective only immediately before the consummation thereof, and upon consummation of such Change in Control, the Plan and all outstanding but unexercised Options and SARs shall terminate, with or without consideration (including, without limitation, consideration in accordance with clause (ii) below) as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee shall send notice of an event that shall result in such a termination to all Persons who hold Options and SARs not later than the time at which the Company gives notice thereof to its stockholders; and/or

 

(ii) The Committee may elect, in its sole discretion, to cancel any outstanding Awards of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, and/or Dividend Equivalent Rights and pay or deliver, or cause to be paid or delivered, to the holder thereof an amount in cash or Capital Stock having a value (as determined by the Committee acting in good faith), in the case of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, and Dividend Equivalent Rights (for shares of Stock subject thereto), equal to the formula or fixed price per share paid to holders of shares of Stock pursuant to such Change in Control and, in the case of Options or SARs, equal to the product of the number of shares of Stock subject to such Options or SARs multiplied by the amount, if any, by which (x) the formula or fixed price per share paid to holders of shares of Stock pursuant to such transaction exceeds (y) the Option Price or SAR Price applicable to such Options or SARs.

 

(b) For Performance Awards, if less than half of the Performance Period has lapsed, such Awards shall be treated as though the target performance thereunder has been achieved. If at least half of the Performance Period has lapsed, such Performance Awards shall be earned, as of immediately prior to but contingent on the occurrence of such Change in Control, based on the greater of (i) deemed achievement of target performance or (ii) determination of actual performance as of a date reasonably proximate to the date of consummation of the Change in Control as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. After application of this Section 16.3(b), if any Awards arise from application of this Article 16, such Awards shall be settled under the applicable provision of Section 16.3(a).

 

(c) Other Equity-Based Awards shall be governed by the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.

 

16.4 Change in Control in which Awards are Assumed.

 

Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or as otherwise set forth in writing, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control in which outstanding Awards are being assumed or continued, the following provisions shall apply to such Award, to the extent assumed or continued:

 

The Plan and the Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights, and Other Equity-Based Awards granted under the Plan shall continue in the manner and under the terms so provided in the event of any Change in Control to the extent that provision is made in writing in connection with such Change in Control for the assumption or continuation of such Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights, and Other Equity-Based Awards, or for the substitution for such Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights, and Other Equity-Based Awards of new stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, dividend equivalent rights, and other equity-based awards relating to the Capital Stock of a successor entity, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number of shares (disregarding any consideration that is not common stock) and exercise prices of options and stock appreciation rights.

 

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16.5 Adjustments.

 

Adjustments under this Article 16 related to shares of Stock or other Capital Stock of the Company shall be made by the Committee, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding, and conclusive. No fractional shares or other securities shall be issued pursuant to any such adjustment, and any fractions resulting from any such adjustment shall be eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the nearest whole share. The Committee may provide in the applicable Award Agreement as of the Grant Date, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing at any time thereafter with the consent of the Grantee, for different provisions to apply to an Award in place of those provided in Sections 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, and 16.4. This Article 16 shall not limit the Committee’s ability to provide for alternative treatment of Awards outstanding under the Plan in the event of a change in control event involving the Company that is not a Change in Control.

 

16.6 No Limitations on Company.

 

The making of Awards pursuant to the Plan shall not affect or limit in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes of its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, or liquidate, or to sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets (including all or any part of the business or assets of any Subsidiary or other Affiliate) or to engage in any other transaction or activity.

 

17. PARACHUTE LIMITATIONS

 

If any Grantee is a Disqualified Individual, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or of any Other Agreement to the contrary and notwithstanding any Benefit Arrangement, any right of such Grantee to any exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit under the Plan shall be reduced or eliminated:

 

(a) to the extent that such right to exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit, taking into account all other rights, payments, or benefits to or for the Grantee under the Plan, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements, would cause any exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit to such Grantee under the Plan to be considered a Parachute Payment; and

 

(b) if, as a result of receiving such Parachute Payment, the aggregate after-tax amounts received by the Grantee from the Company under the Plan, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements would be less than the maximum after-tax amount that could be received by the Grantee without causing any such payment or benefit to be considered a Parachute Payment.

 

Except as required by Code Section 409A or to the extent that Code Section 409A permits discretion, the Committee shall have the right, in the Committee’s sole discretion, to designate those rights, payments, or benefits under the Plan, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements that should be reduced or eliminated so as to avoid having such rights, payments, or benefits be considered a Parachute Payment; provided, that, to the extent any payment or benefit constitutes deferred compensation under Code Section 409A, in order to comply with Code Section 409A, except as otherwise provided in an applicable agreement between a Grantee and the Company or an Affiliate, the Company shall instead accomplish such reduction by first reducing or eliminating any cash payments (with the payments to be made furthest in the future being reduced first), then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Performance Awards, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Options or SARs, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units, then by reducing or eliminating any other remaining Parachute Payments.

 

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18. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

18.1 Disclaimer of Rights.

 

No provision in the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement shall be construed (a) to confer upon any individual the right to remain in the Service of the Company or an Affiliate, (b) to interfere in any way with any contractual or other right or authority of the Company or an Affiliate either to increase or decrease the compensation or other payments to any Person at any time, or (c) to terminate any Service or other relationship between any Person and the Company or an Affiliate. In addition, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing, no Award granted under the Plan shall be affected by any change of duties or position of the Grantee thereof, so long as such Grantee continues to provide Service. The obligation of the Company to pay any benefits pursuant to the Plan shall be interpreted as a contractual obligation to pay only those amounts provided herein, in the manner and under the conditions prescribed herein. The Plan and Awards shall in no way be interpreted to require the Company to transfer any amounts to a third-party trustee or otherwise to hold any amounts in trust or escrow for payment to any Grantee or beneficiary under the terms of the Plan.

 

18.2 Nonexclusivity of the Plan.

 

Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the submission of the Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations upon the right and authority of the Board or the Committee to adopt such other incentive compensation arrangements (which arrangements may be applicable either generally to a class or classes of individuals or specifically to a particular individual or particular individuals) as the Board or the Committee in their discretion determine desirable.

 

18.3 Withholding Taxes.

 

The Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, shall have the right to deduct from payments of any kind otherwise due to a Grantee any federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by Applicable Laws to be withheld with respect to the vesting of or other lapse of restrictions applicable to an Award or upon the issuance of any shares of Stock upon the exercise of an Option or pursuant to any other Award. At the time of such vesting, lapse of restrictions, or exercise, the Grantee shall pay in cash to the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, any amount that the Company or such Affiliate may reasonably determine to be necessary to satisfy such withholding obligation; provided that if there is a same-day sale of shares of Stock subject to an Award, the Grantee shall pay such withholding obligation on the day on which such same-day sale is completed. Subject to the prior approval of the Company or an Affiliate, which may be withheld by the Company or such Affiliate, as the case may be, in its sole discretion, the Grantee may elect to satisfy such withholding obligation, in whole or in part, (a) by causing the Company or such Affiliate to withhold shares of Stock otherwise issuable to the Grantee or (b) by delivering to the Company or such Affiliate shares of Stock already owned by the Grantee. The shares of Stock so withheld or delivered shall have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such withholding obligation. The Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock used to satisfy such withholding obligation shall be determined by the Company or such Affiliate as of the date on which the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. A Grantee who has made an election pursuant to this Section 18.3 may satisfy such Grantee’s withholding obligation only with shares of Stock that are not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting, or other similar requirements. The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be withheld from any Award to satisfy any federal, state, or local tax withholding requirements upon the exercise, vesting, or lapse of restrictions applicable to any Award or payment of shares of Stock pursuant to such Award, as applicable, may not exceed such number of shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory amount required by the Company or the applicable Affiliate to be withheld and paid to any such federal, state, or local taxing authority with respect to such exercise, vesting, lapse of restrictions, or payment of shares of Stock; provided, however, that for so long as Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 or a similar rule remains in effect, the Board or the Committee has full discretion to choose, or to allow a Grantee to elect, to withhold a number of Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value that is greater than the applicable minimum statutory required withholding obligation (but such withholding may in no event be in excess of the maximum required statutory withholding amount(s) in such Grantee’s relevant tax jurisdiction).

 

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18.4 Captions.

 

The use of captions in the Plan or any Award Agreement is for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning of any provision of the Plan or such Award Agreement.

 

18.5 Construction.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in the Plan to “including” shall mean “including without limitation.”

 

18.6 Other Provisions.

 

Each Award granted under the Plan may contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

 

18.7 Number and Gender.

 

With respect to words used in the Plan, the singular form shall include the plural form, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, as the context requires.

 

18.8 Severability.

 

If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain enforceable in any other jurisdiction.

 

18.9 Governing Law.

 

The Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards hereunder shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of the Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards granted hereunder to the substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

18.10 Foreign Jurisdictions.

 

To the extent the Committee determines that the material terms set by the Committee imposed by the Plan preclude the achievement of the material purposes of the Plan in jurisdictions outside the United States, the Committee will have the authority and discretion to modify those terms and provide for such additional terms and conditions as the Committee determines to be necessary, appropriate, or desirable to accommodate differences in local law, policy, or custom or to facilitate administration of the Plan. The Committee may adopt or approve sub-plans, appendices, or supplements to, or amendments, restatements, or alternative versions of the Plan as in effect for any other purposes. The special terms and any sub-plans, appendices, supplements, amendments, restatements, or alternative versions, however, shall not include any provisions that are inconsistent with the terms of the Plan as in effect, unless the Plan could have been amended to eliminate such inconsistency without further approval by the Company’s stockholders.

 

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18.11 Section 409A of the Code.

 

The Plan is intended to comply with Code Section 409A to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan will be interpreted and administered to be in compliance with Code Section 409A. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the Short-Term Deferral Period will not be treated as deferred compensation unless Applicable Laws require otherwise. Any grant of an Option or SAR pursuant to the Plan is intended to comply with the “stock rights” exemption from Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and tax penalties under Code Section 409A, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Plan during the six (6)-month period immediately following the Grantee’s Separation from Service will instead be paid on the first payroll date after the six (6)-month anniversary of the Grantee’s Separation from Service (or the Grantee’s death, if earlier).

 

Furthermore, notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, in the case of an Award that is characterized as deferred compensation under Code Section 409A, and pursuant to which settlement and delivery of the cash or shares of Stock subject to the Award is triggered based on a Change in Control, in no event will a Change in Control be deemed to have occurred for purposes of such settlement and delivery of cash or shares of Stock if the transaction is not also a “change in the ownership or effective control of” the Company or “a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of” the Company as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder). If an Award characterized as deferred compensation under Code Section 409A is not settled and delivered on account of the provision of the preceding sentence, the settlement and delivery shall occur on the next succeeding settlement and delivery triggering event that is a permissible triggering event under Code Section 409A. No provision of this paragraph shall in any way affect the determination of a Change in Control for purposes of vesting in an Award that is characterized as deferred compensation under Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Committee will have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any excise tax or penalty on any Grantee under Code Section 409A, and neither the Company or an Affiliate nor the Board or the Committee will have any liability to any Grantee for such tax or penalty.

 

18.12 Limitation on Liability.

 

No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, neither the Company, an Affiliate, the Board, the Committee, nor any person acting on behalf of the Company, an Affiliate, the Board, or the Committee will be liable to any Grantee or to the estate or beneficiary of any Grantee or to any other holder of an Award under the Plan by reason of any acceleration of income, or any additional tax (including any interest and penalties), asserted by reason of the failure of an Award to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 422 or Code Section 409A or by reason of Code Section 4999, or otherwise asserted with respect to the Award; provided, that this Section 18.12 shall not affect any of the rights or obligations set forth in an applicable agreement between the Grantee and the Company or an Affiliate.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

 

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Exhibit 21.1

 

SUBSIDIARIES OF FLY-E GROUP, INC.

 

The following is a list of subsidiaries of Fly-E Group, Inc. as of March 31, 2024.

 

Legal Name  Jurisdiction
FLY EV, INC.  Delaware
FLY E-BIKE, INC.  Delaware
UNIVERSE KING CORP  New York
UFOTS CORP.  New York
ARFY CORP.  New York
TKPGO CORP.  New York
FLYFLS INC  New York
FLY37 INC  New York
FIYET INC  New York
FLY GC INC.  New York
FLY MHT INC.  New York
FLYAM INC  New York
OFLYO INC  New York
FLYEBIKE INC  New York
FLYCLB INC  New York
FLYEBIKE NJ INC  New Jersey
ESEBIKE INC  New York
FLYEBIKEMIAMI INC  Florida
GOFLY INC  Texas
FLY14 CORP.  New York
EDISONEBIKE INC.  New York
FLYTRON INC.  New York
FLYCYCLE INC.  New York
FLYNJ2 INC.  New Jersey
FLYBWY INC.  New York
FLYCORONA INC.  New York
MEEBIKE  New York
FLY6AVE, INC.  New York
FLY E BIKE NJ3, INC  New Jersey
FLYEBIKE BROOKLYN, INC.  New York
FLY E-BIKE SAN ANTONIO INC  Texas
FLYEBIKE WORLD INC.  New York
FLY DELIVERY INC.  New York
FLYEBIKE MIAMI2 INC.  Florida
FLYDC INC.  Washington, D.C.
FLYMHT659 INC.  New York
FLYBX745 INC.  New York
FLYJH8509 INC.  New York
FLYBX2381 INC.  New York
FLYNJ4 INC.  New York
FLYTORONTO Corp.  Toronto, Canada
FLYLA INC.  California

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent

 

We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement of Fly-E Group, Inc. on Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 (File No. 333-276830) of our report dated August 11, 2023, except for Note 8, as to which the date is April 22, 2024, with respect to our audit of the consolidated financial statements of Fly-E Group Inc. as of March 31, 2023 and for the year then ended, which report appears in the Prospectus, and as part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus.

 

/s/ Marcum Asia CPAs LLP

 

New York, New York

April 22, 2024

 

 

 

NEW YORK OFFICE ● 7 Penn Plaza ● Suite 830 ● New York, New York ● 10001

Phone 646.442.4845 ● Fax 646.349.5200 ● www.marcumasia.com

 

Exhibit 23.2

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement of Fly-E Group, Inc. on Amendment No.2 to Form S-1 (File No. 333-276830) of our report dated December 28, 2022, with respect to our audit of the consolidated balance sheet of Fly-E Group Inc. as of March 31, 2022, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended, which report appears in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.

 

We were dismissed as auditor on January 5, 2023 and, accordingly, we have not performed any audit or review procedures with respect to any financial statements for the period after the date of our dismissal.

 

/s/ Friedman LLP

 

New York, New York

April 22, 2024