424B5 1 tm2032326d1_424b5.htm 424B5

 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration No. 333-231273

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT  

(To the Prospectus Dated May 17, 2019)

 

LOGO

 

Ambow Education Holding Ltd.

 

1,507,538 American Depositary Shares
Warrants to Purchase 603,016 American Depositary Shares
603,016 American Depositary Shares Issuable upon Exercise of the Warrants

 

Pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, we are offering up to 1,507,538 American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, directly to selected investors. Each ADS represents two of our Class A Ordinary Shares, par value $0.003 per share. The purchasers in this offering will also receive warrants to initially purchase an aggregate of 603,016 ADSs with a per ADS exercise price of $4.68. The warrants are exercisable immediately as of the date of issuance and expire three years from the date of issuance. If the ADSs trade above $9.36 for 20 consecutive trading days, subject to certain equity conditions and trading volume requirements, the Company can force the warrants to be exercised by notice to the holder. A holder of the warrants also will have the right to exercise its warrants on a cashless basis if the registration statement or prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the warrant ADSs issuable upon exercise thereof. For a more detailed description of the ADSs and warrants, see the sections entitled “Description of Our Securities We Are Offering” beginning on page S-9 and “Description of ADSs and Class A Ordinary Shares” on page 7 of the accompanying prospecuts. There is no established public trading market for the warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to apply to list the warrants on any securities exchange.

 

Our ADSs are traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “AMBO”. As of September 28, 2020, the last reported sale price for our ADSs was $4.09 per ADS. As of that date, the aggregate market value of our outstanding voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates was approximately $37,604,466 based on 38,895,700 shares of our outstanding Class A ordinary shares, of which approximately 18,388,492 shares were held by non-affiliates. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.5. of Form F-3, in no event will we sell the securities covered hereby in a public primary offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of the aggregate market value of our voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates in any 12-month period so long as the aggregate market value of our outstanding voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates remains below $75,000,000. During the 12 calendar months prior to and including the date of this prospectus supplement, we have not offered or sold any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.5 of Form F-3.

 

Under our Sixth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, our authorized share capital is divided into 66,666,667 Class A ordinary shares and 8,333,333 Class C ordinary shares with 1,666,667 undesignated preferred shares. Dr. Jin Huang, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is the beneficial owner of all of the issued and outstanding Class C ordinary shares.

 

Our Class A ordinary shares and Class C ordinary shares have identical rights, except for the special voting and conversion rights described below:

 

• Voting rights — Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote and each Class C ordinary share is entitled to ten votes on all matters upon which the ordinary shares are entitled to vote, including the election of directors.

 

• Conversion rights attaching to shares — Each Class C ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible under any circumstances. If at any time Dr. Huang, her affiliates collectively own less than 5% of the total number of the issued and outstanding Class C ordinary shares, each issued and outstanding Class C ordinary share shall be automatically and immediately converted into one share of Class A ordinary shares without payment of additional consideration and no Class C ordinary shares shall thereafter be issuable by us.

 

We have retained FT Global Capital, Inc. to act as the exclusive placement agent to use its best efforts to solicit offers from investors to purchase the securities in this offering. The placement agent has no obligation to buy any securities from us or to arrange for the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of securities. The placement agent is not purchasing or selling any ADSs or warrants in this offering. We will pay the placement agent a fee equal to the sum of 7.5% of the aggregate purchase price paid by investors placed by the placement agent. Additionally, we will issue to the placement agent warrants to purchase 75,377 ADSs on substantially the same terms as the warrants sold in this offering, except that the placement agent warrants are exercisable at $3.98 per ADS, shall not be exercisable for a period of 180 days and shall expire three years after the date it is exercisable. The placement agent warrant and ADSs underlying such warrant are being registered herein.

 

We estimate the total expenses of this offering, excluding the placement agency fees, will be approximately $0.5 million. Because there is no minimum offering amount, the actual offering amount, the placement agency fees and net proceeds to us, if any, in this offering may be substantially less than the total offering amounts set forth above. We are not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of the securities offered in this offering. Assuming we complete the maximum offering, the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $5.3 million. We expect to deliver the ADSs and warrants to the purchasers on or before October 5, 2020.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any securities, you should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

   Per ADS   Total 
Public offering price  $3.98   $6,000,000 
Placement agency fees(1)  $0.30   $450,000 
Proceeds to us, before expenses  $3.68   $5,550,000 

 

(1)In addition, we also have agreed to reimburse the placement agent for certain expenses in connection with this offering. See “Plan of Distribution.”.

 

FT Global Capital, Inc.

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is September 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Prospectus Supplement

 

Page

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT S-ii
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE S-ii
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS S-iii
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY S-1
THE OFFERING S-3
RISK FACTORS S-5
USE OF PROCEEDS S-6
DILUTION S-7
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES WE ARE OFFERING S-8
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION S-10
LEGAL MATTERS S-12
EXPERTS S-12

 

Prospectus

 

Page

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 1
RISK FACTORS 4
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 5
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 6
USE OF PROCEEDS 7
CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS 7
DESCRIPTION OF ADSS AND CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES 7
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES 7
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 8
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS 9
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 10
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 11
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 20
EXPENSES 24
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE 25
INDEMNIFICATION 26
LEGAL MATTERS 27
EXPERTS 28
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 29

  

S-i

 

  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

This prospectus supplement is a supplement to the accompanying prospectus. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are parts of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange (the “SEC”), using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell from time to time an unspecified amount of any combination of securities described in the accompanying prospectus in one or more offers such as this offering. The accompanying prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. This prospectus supplement provides you with specific information about the ADSs and the underlying ordinary shares. Both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus include important information about us and other information you should know before investing. Generally, when we refer only to the “prospectus,” we are referring to both parts combined, and when we refer to the “accompanying prospectus” we are referring to the accompanying prospectus.

 

This prospectus supplement also adds to, updates and changes information contained in the accompanying prospectus. To the extent the information in this prospectus supplement is different from that in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with the additional information described under the caption “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before investing in the ADSs.

 

Our reporting currency is the Renminbi, or RMB. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. All translations from RMB to U.S. dollars were made at the noon buying rate as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board. .

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we submit to it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents that are considered part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and information that we submit to the SEC in the future and incorporate by reference will automatically update and supersede the previously submitted information. We incorporate herein by reference the documents listed below that we have furnished to the SEC:

 

·our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC on April 22, 2020 (our “2019 Form 20-F”); and

 

·our reports on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on April 22, 2020, July 9, 2020 and September 15, 2020.

 

No other Form 6-K furnished or filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus supplement is incorporated by reference herein. As you read the above documents or other documents incorporated by reference, you may find inconsistencies in information from one document to another. If you find inconsistencies, you should rely on the statements made in this prospectus supplement or in the most recent document incorporated by reference herein.

 

To obtain copies of documents incorporated by reference herein or in the accompanying prospectus, see “Where You Can Find More Information” in the accompanying prospectus. In addition, upon written or oral request, we will provide to any person, at no cost to such person, including any beneficial owner to whom a copy of this prospectus supplement is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. You may make such a request by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:

 

S-ii

 

 

Ambow Education Holding Ltd.
12th Floor, Tower 1, Financial Street
Chang’an Center, Shijingshan District
Beijing 100043, People’s Republic of China
+86 (10) 6206-8000

  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements concern our anticipated results and progress of our operations in future periods, planned exploration and, if warranted, development of our properties, plans related to our business and other matters that may occur in the future. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking, and the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “leading,” “intend,” “contemplate,” “shall” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to:

 

·Anticipated trends and challenges in our business and the markets in which we operate;

 

  · Our ability to anticipate market needs or develop new or enhanced services and products to meet those needs;

 

  · Our ability to compete in our industry and innovation by our competitors;

 

  · Our ability to protect our confidential information and intellectual property rights;

 

  · Risks associated with opening new learning centers and other strategic plans;

 

  · Our need to obtain additional funding and our ability to obtain funding in the future on acceptable terms;

 

  · The impact on our business and results of operations arising from the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

  · Our ability to create and maintain our positive brand awareness and brand loyalty;

 

  · Our ability to manage growth; and

 

  · Economic and business conditions in China.

 

·Risks related to our operations being further disrupted, and our financial results being adversely affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic;

 

·Risks related to stock price and trading volume volatility;

 

·Risks relating to the development of an active trading market for the ADSs;

 

·Risks related to ADS holders not having certain shareholder rights;

 

·Risks related to ADS holders not receiving certain distributions;

 

S-iii

 

 

·Risks related to our status as a foreign private issuer and emerging growth company; and

 

·other factors discussed under “Item 3.D. Risk Factors” in our 2019 Form 20-F and our reports on Form 6-K incorporated herein by reference.

 

You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they were made. Moreover, you should consider these cautionary statements in connection with any written or oral forward-looking statements that we may issue in the future. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements after completion of this offering to reflect later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. In light of the risks and uncertainties described above, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference might not occur, and are not guarantees of future performance.

 

S-iv

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

 

The following summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement or the documents incorporated by reference herein. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in our securities. You should read the entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including each of the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, carefully, including the “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Information” sections of this prospectus supplement, and “Item 3.D. Risk Factors” in our 2019 Form 20-F which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Overview

 

Our Mission

 

Our mission is to provide Better Schools, Better Jobs and Better Life to our students.

 

Our Business

 

Our business addresses three critical demands in China’s education market: the desire for students to be admitted into top secondary and post-secondary schools, the desire for graduates of those schools to obtain more attractive jobs and the need of schools and corporate clients in optimizing their teaching and operating environment. We offer high quality, individualized services and products through our integrated online and offline delivery model powered by our proprietary technologies and infrastructure.

 

We have two reportable segments, which are K-12 Schools, and CP&CE Programs. Our tutoring centers, training offices, career enhancement centers and college are within the CP&CE Programs segment.

 

We currently deliver a wide range of educational and career enhancement services and products through integrated offline and online channels in an interactive learning environment, powered by our proprietary technology platform that has enabled us to provide individualized content and learning solutions tailored to each of our students’ needs, and to develop standards-based and individualized curricula with consistent high-quality across our schools, tutoring centers, career enhancement centers, training offices and career enhancement college.

 

We offer a variety of educational and career enhancement services and products to students, recent graduates, corporate employees and management in China. Our educational services cover K-12 programs and tutoring services that provide test preparation and tutoring programs, which are offered in our tutoring centers as part of our primary educational services and product offerings to help students enroll in better schools. Our K-12 schools also help to support our tutoring programs by providing strong local brand names and reputations, local educational content expertise and potential student customers. In addition, we offer international education programs, which are designed to prepare students to study abroad while specifically addressing the study needs in terms of both language and academics. Our career enhancement services designed to assist students and graduates in obtaining better jobs are offered through our dedicated career enhancement centers and training offices on campus, as well as through our online programs. Our corporate training services that are designed to improve employees and management’s soft skills are typically offered in our training offices, the corporate clients’ offices or hotel conference centers. In order to support our educational and career enhancement services and products, we provide a cloud-based learning engine to accommodate our students’ individual learning habits and enrich their learning experience. We also offer career-oriented post-secondary educational services to undergraduate through Bay State College in U.S.

 

S-1

 

 

Our Corporate Structure

 

tm206465-1_20fimg034

 

For additional information, please see “Item 4 Information on the Company – C. Our Corporate Structure” in the 2019 Form 20-F, which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Principal Executive Office

 

Our principal executive office is located at 12th Floor, Tower 1, Financial Street, Chang’an Center, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100043, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86 (10) 6206-8000. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is Walkers Corporate Limited, Cayman Corporate Centre, 27 Hospital Road, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9008, Cayman Islands. Our telephone number at this address is +1 (345) 949-8066.

 

Investors should submit any inquiries to the address and telephone number of our principal executive office. Our principal websites are www.ambow.com and www.ambow.com.cn. Information contained on our websites is not part of this prospectus. Our agent for service of process in the United States is C T Corporation System, located at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011.

 

S-2

 

 

THE OFFERING

 

Issuer Ambow Education Holding Ltd.
   
Offering The offering of  1,507,538 ADSs, each representing two of our Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.003 per share.
   
ADSs Each ADS represents two Class A ordinary shares.  The ADSs will be issued from time to time under the deposit agreement among us, Citibank, N.A., as depositary (the “Depositary”), and all owners and holders from time to time of American Depositary Shares issued thereunder (the “Deposit Agreement”).
   
Warrants Warrants to initially purchase 603,016 ADSs will be offered to the investors in this offering and warrants to initially purchase 75,377 ADSs will be issued to the placement agent as part of their fee. Each warrant may be exercised at any time on or after the date of issuance until the third year after the issuance of the warrants, provided that the warrant issuable to the placement agent shall not be exercisable for a period of 180 days. Warrants to be offered to investors in this offering shall have a per ADS exercise price of $4.68. Warrants to be offered to the placement agent in this offering shall have a per ADS exercise price of $3.98. This prospectus also relates to the offering of the ADSs issuable upon exercise of the warrants. If the ADSs trade above $9.36 for 20 consecutive trading days, subject to customary equity conditions and trading volume requirements, the Company can force the warrants to be exercised by notice to the holder. A holder of the warrants also will have the right to exercise its warrants on a cashless basis if the registration statement or prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the ADSs issuable upon exercise thereof.
   
Lock-up We have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell, offer or otherwise dispose of or transfer, directly or indirectly, any of our capital stock (including ordinary shares) or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our capital stock, during a period commencing on the date of this prospectus supplement and ending 60 days after the closing of this offering without the prior approval of the placement agent.  For more information, see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus supplement.
   
Right of Participation We have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, to offer the buyers in this offering the right to participate in any future equity financing we conduct during the one year period following the closing of this offering, up to a maximum of 30% (in aggregate) of the securities being offered on the same terms and conditions.
   
Listing Our ADSs are traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “AMBO”. However, there is no established public trading market for the warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the warrants on any securities exchange.
   
Use of Proceeds We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital purposes.  See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

S-3

 

  

Charges of the Depositary We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the issuance and deposit of the offered shares as ADSs.  However, holders of ADSs will be required to pay any other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be for their account.  See Exhibit 2.3 to our 2019 Form 20-F, which is incorporated herein by reference.
   
Risk Factors Before deciding to invest in our securities, you should carefully review “Item 3.D. Risk Factors” in our 2019 Form 20-F, which is incorporated by reference herein.  “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and other information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

S-4

 

  

RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in the ADSs involves risks. In consultation with your own financial and legal advisors, you should consider carefully, among other matters, the supplemental risk factors set forth below as well as the risk factors discussed under the caption “Item 3.D. Risk Factors” in our 2019 Form 20-F, which is incorporated herein by reference, before deciding whether an investment in the ADSs is suitable for you. See “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus. In general, investing in the securities of issuers in emerging market countries such as Australia involves certain risks not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. companies. The risks and uncertainties described below and in our 2019 Form 20-F are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that are unknown to us or that we currently think are immaterial also may impair our business operations or the market price of the ADSs. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus also contain forward-looking statements that involve risks. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including risks described in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.

 

RISKS RELATED TO THIS OFFERING

 

Since we have some discretion in how we use the proceeds from this offering, we may use the proceeds in ways with which you disagree.

 

We have not allocated specific amounts of the net proceeds from this offering for any specific purpose. Accordingly, subject to any agreed upon contractual restrictions under the terms of the securities purchase agreement, our management will have some flexibility in applying the net proceeds of this offering. You will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of these net proceeds, and subject to any agreed upon contractual restrictions under the terms of the purchase agreement, you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. It is possible that the net proceeds will be invested in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for us. The failure of our management to use such funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flow.

 

There is no minimum offering amount required to consummate this offering.

 

There is no minimum offering amount which must be raised in order for us to consummate this offering. Accordingly, the amount of money raised may not be sufficient for us to meet our business objectives. Moreover, if only a small amount of money is raised, all or substantially all of the offering proceeds may be applied to cover the offering expenses and we will not otherwise benefit from the offering. In addition, because there is no minimum offering amount required, investors will not be entitled to a return of their investment if we are unable to raise sufficient proceeds to meet our business objectives.

 

You will experience immediate dilution in the book value per ADS of the ADSs you purchase.

 

Because the price per share of our ADSs being offered is substantially higher than the book value per ADS, you will suffer substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the ADSs you purchase in this offering. After giving effect to the sale by us of 1,507,538 ADSs in this offering, and based on a public offering price of $3.98 per ADS and a net tangible book value per ADS of $ (1.62) as of June 30, 2020, without giving effect to the potential exercise of the warrants being offered by this prospectus supplement, if you purchase securities in this offering, you will suffer immediate and substantial dilution of $4.88 per ADS in the net tangible book value of the ADSs purchased. See “Dilution” on page S-7 for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur in connection with this offering.

 

There is no public market for the warrants to purchase ADSs in this offering.

 

There is no established public trading market for the warrants being offered in this offering, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the warrants on any securities exchange. Without an active market, the liquidity of the warrants will be limited.

 

S-5

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

  

We estimate that the net proceeds that we will receive from this offering will be approximately $5.3 million, after deducting fees payable to the placement agent, as well as estimated expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital purposes.

 

S-6

 

 

DILUTION

 

At June 30, 2020, we had a net tangible book value of $(35.2) million (our total tangible assets minus our total liabilities), corresponding to a net tangible book value of $(1.62) per ADS or $(0.81) per Class A ordinary share (using the ratio of two Class A ordinary shares to one ADS). Net tangible book value per share represents the amount of our total tangible assets, minus our total liabilities, divided by the total number of our shares outstanding at June 30, 2020.

 

After giving effect to the sale by us of 1,507,538 ADSs in this offering, and assuming an offering price of $ 3.98 per ADS and after deducting the estimated placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us of $ 0.5 million, our estimated net tangible book value at June 30, 2020 would have been approximately $ (29.9) million, representing $ (1.38) per ADS, or $ (0.69) per Class A ordinary share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $ 0.24 per ADS, or $ 0.12 per Class A ordinary share, to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $ 4.88 per ADS, or $ 2.44 per Class A ordinary share, to new investors purchasing ADSs in this offering. Dilution for this purpose represents the difference between the price per ADS paid by these purchasers and net tangible book value per ADS immediately after the completion of this offering.

 

The following table illustrates this dilution to new investors purchasing ADSs and accompanying warrants in this offering:

 

   As of June 30, 2020 
  

ADSs
(in $)

  

Class A
Ordinary
Shares
(in $)

 
Net tangible book value per ADS or Class A ordinary share    -1.62    -0.81 
Increase in net tangible book value per ADS or Class A ordinary share attributable to new investors    0.24    0.12 
Pro forma net tangible book value per ADS or Class A ordinary share after this offering    -1.38    -0.69 
Dilution per ADS or Class A ordinary share to new investors    4.88    2.44 
Percentage of dilution in net tangible book value per ADS or Class A ordinary share for new investors (1)    139%   139%

 

 

Note:—

 

(1)Percentage of dilution for new investors is calculated by dividing the dilution in net tangible book value for new investors by the price of this offering.

 

S-7

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF OUR SECURITIES WE ARE OFFERING

 

ADSs

 

For a description of the ADSs being offered hereby, please see “Description of ADSs and Class A Ordinary Shares” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

Warrants

 

The material terms and provisions of the warrants being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and being issued to the investors and placement agent (with some exceptions noted below) are summarized below. The form of warrant will be provided in this offering and will be filed as an exhibit to a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K with the SEC in connection with this offering.

 

The warrants to be issued to the investors will have an exercise price of $4.68 per ADS. The warrants are exercisable on or after the date of issuance and will terminate three years from the date of issuance. The warrant issuable to the placement agent shall generally be on the same terms and conditions as the warrants sold in this offering, except that the placement agent warrants shall not be exercisable for a period of 180 days and have an exercise price of $3.98 per ADS. The exercise price and number of ADSs issuable upon exercise is subject to appropriate adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, including, but not limited to, stock dividends or splits, business combination, sale of assets, similar recapitalization transactions, or other similar transactions. In addition, the exercise price of the warrants is subject to an adjustment in the event that we issue or are deemed to issue ADSs or Class A Ordinary Shares for less than the applicable exercise price of the warrant.

 

There is no established public trading market for the warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to apply to list the warrants on any securities exchange. Without an active market, the liquidity of the warrants will be limited.

 

Holders of the warrants may exercise their warrants to purchase ADSs on or before the termination date by delivering an exercise notice, appropriately completed and duly signed. Following each exercise of the warrants, the holder is required to pay the exercise price for the number of ADSs for which the warrant is being exercised in cash. A holder of the warrants also will have the right to exercise its warrants on a cashless basis if the registration statement or prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the ADSs issuable upon exercise thereof. Warrants may be exercised in whole or in part, and any portion of a warrant not exercised prior to the termination date shall be and become void and of no value. The absence of an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration does not alleviate our obligation to deliver ADSs issuable upon exercise of a warrant.

 

Upon the holder’s exercise of a warrant, we will issue the ADSs issuable upon exercise of the warrant within three trading days of our receipt of notice of exercise, subject to receipt of payment of the aggregate exercise price therefor.

 

The ADSs issuable on exercise of the warrants are duly and validly authorized and will be, when issued, delivered and paid for in accordance with the warrants, issued and fully paid and non-assessable. We will authorize and reserve Class A ordinary shares equal to the number of the Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs issuable upon exercise of all outstanding warrants.

 

If at any time (x) the volume-weighted average price of the ADSs on the principal trading market in which the ADSs then trade (the “Principal Market”) exceeds $9.36 (as adjusted for share splits, share dividends, recapitalizations and similar events) (the “Forced Exercise Minimum Price”) for twenty (20) consecutive trading days (each, a “Forced Exercise Measuring Period”), and (x) no Equity Conditions Failure (as defined in the warrants) or (y) Volume Failure, generally meaning that the aggregate daily dollar trading volume of the ADSs on the Principal Market on any trading day during the Forced Exercise Measuring Period is less than $2,000,000, then exists, then the Company shall have the right to require holders to exercise the warrants (each, a "Forced Exercise") into up to such aggregate number of ADSs equal to the lesser of (x) the aggregate number of ADSs for which such warrants are then exercisable and (y) 30% of the aggregate dollar trading volume of the ADSs during the three consecutive trading day period immediately prior to the applicable Forced Exercise Notice Date (as defined below)(such lesser number of ADSs, the “Maximum Forced Exercise Share Amount”). The Company may exercise its right to require a Forced Exercise by delivering irrevocable written notice thereof to all, but not less than all, of the holders of warrants (each, a "Forced Exercise Notice", and the date thereof, each a "Forced Exercise Notice Date"). Each Forced Exercise Notice shall state (i) the trading day selected for the Forced Exercise, (ii) the aggregate portion of the warrants subject to Forced Exercise, (iii) the Maximum Forced Exercise Share Amount (as defined below) and (iv) that there has been no Equity Conditions Failure (as defined in the warrants). If (x) if the VWAP of the ADSs on the Principal Market fails to exceed the Forced Exercise Minimum Price for each trading day commencing on the Forced Exercise Notice Date and ending and including the Trading Day immediately prior to the applicable Mandatory Forced Exercise Date (a “Forced Exercise Price Failure”) or (y) an Equity Conditions Failure occurs at any time after a Forced Exercise Notice Date and prior to the related Forced Exercise Date, (A) the Company shall provide the Holder a subsequent notice to that effect and (B) unless the Holder waives the applicable Equity Conditions Failure and/or Forced Exercise Price Failure, as applicable, the Forced Exercise shall be cancelled. If the Company elects to cause a Forced Exercise of any warrants, then it must simultaneously take the same action in the same proportion with respect to all of the other warrants then outstanding

 

S-8

 

 

If, at any time a warrant is outstanding, we consummate any fundamental transaction, as described in the warrants and generally including any consolidation or merger into another corporation, or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or other transaction in which our ordinary shares is converted into or exchanged for other securities or other consideration, the holder of any warrants will thereafter receive, the securities or other consideration to which a holder of the number of ADSs then deliverable upon the exercise or exchange of such warrants would have been entitled upon such consolidation or merger or other transaction. Additionally, in the event of a fundamental transaction, each warrant holder will have the right to require us, or our successor, to repurchase the warrants for an amount equal to the Black-Scholes value of the remaining unexercised portion of the warrant on the terms set forth in the warrant.

 

The exercisability of the warrants may be limited in certain circumstances if, after giving effect to such exercise, the holder or any of its affiliates would beneficially own (as determined pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) more than 4.99% of our Class A ordinary shares.

 

THE HOLDER OF A WARRANT WILL NOT POSSESS ANY RIGHTS AS A HOLDER OF AN ADS UNDER THAT WARRANT UNTIL THE HOLDER EXERCISES THE WARRANT. THE WARRANTS MAY BE TRANSFERRED INDEPENDENT OF THE ADSS WITH WHICH THEY WERE ISSUED, SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAWS.

 

S-9

 

  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Pursuant to an agreement dated July 6, 2020 (the “Agreement”), we have engaged FT Global Capital, Inc. (the “Placement Agent”), to act as our exclusive placement agent in connection with this offering of our securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. The Agreement is attached as an exhibit to our Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K filed with the SEC in connection with this offering.

 

Under the terms of the Agreement, the Placement Agent has agreed to be our placement agent, on a reasonable best efforts basis, in connection with the issuance and sale by us of our ADSs and warrants in this takedown from our shelf registration statement. The terms of this offering were subject to market conditions and negotiations between us, the Placement Agent and prospective investors. The Agreement does not give rise to any commitment by the Placement Agent to purchase any of our ADSs or warrants, and the Placement Agent will have no authority to bind us by virtue of the Agreement for this offering. Further, the Placement Agent does not guarantee that it will be able to raise new capital in any prospective offering. There is no requirement that any minimum number of securities or dollar amount of securities be sold in this offering and there can be no assurance that we will sell all or any of the securities being offered. As described below, we entered into a purchase agreement directly with each investor in connection with this offering and we may not sell the entire amount of securities offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement.

 

The Placement Agent may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, and any commissions received by it and any profit realized on the resale of the securities sold by it while acting as principal might be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. As an underwriter, the Placement Agent would be required to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, Regulation M under the Exchange Act. These rules and regulations may limit the timing of purchases and sales of ADSs by the Placement Agent acting as principal. Under these rules and regulations, the Placement Agent: (1) may not engage in any stabilization activity in connection with our securities; and (2) may not bid for or purchase any of our securities or attempt to induce any person to purchase any of our securities, other than as permitted under the Exchange Act, until it has completed its participation in the distribution.

 

We entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with the purchasers purchasing the securities being issued pursuant to this offering. The form of the Securities Purchase Agreement is attached as an exhibit to our Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K filed with the SEC in connection with this offering. The closing of this offering will take place on or before October 5, 2020, and the following will occur: (1) we will receive funds in the amount of the aggregate purchase price; (2) the Placement Agent will receive the placement agent fees in accordance with the terms of the Agreement; and (3) we will deliver the ADSs and warrants.

 

Commissions and Offering Expenses

 

Upon the closing of this offering, we have agreed to pay the Placement Agent a cash fee equal to 7.5% of the aggregate purchase price of the ADSs and warrants sold under this prospectus supplement. We have also agreed to reimburse the Placement Agent for certain expenses up to $60,000.

 

Placement Agent Warrants

 

We have agreed to issue to the Placement Agent a warrant to purchase a number of ADSs equal to 5% of the aggregate number of ADSs sold in this offering, which warrant will have an exercise price of $3.98 per ADS and will terminate on the three-year anniversary after its initial exercise date. The Placement Agent warrants will have substantially the same terms as the warrants being sold in the offering. Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e), the Placement Agent warrants and any ADSs issued upon exercise of the Placement Agent warrants shall not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of commencement of sales of this offering, except the transfer of any security: (i) by operation of law or by reason of our reorganization; (ii) to any FINRA member firm participating in the offering and the officers, partners, registered persons or affiliates thereof, if all securities so transferred remain subject to the lock-up restriction set forth above for the remainder of the time period; (iii) if the aggregate amount of our securities held by the placement agent or related persons do not exceed 1% of the securities being offered; (iv) that is beneficially owned on a pro-rata basis by all equity owners of an investment fund, provided that no participating member manages or otherwise directs investments by the fund and the participating members in the aggregate do not own more than 10% of the equity in the fund; or (v) the exercise or conversion of any security, if all securities remain subject to the lock-up restriction set forth above for the remainder of the time period.

 

S-10

 

 

Tail Fee

 

We have also agreed to an 12-month tail fee equal to the cash and warrant compensation in this offering if any investor to whom the Placement Agent introduced us with respect to this offering during the term of its engagement, or any investor that participated in the offering, provides us with further capital during such 12-month period following termination of our engagement with the Placement Agent.

 

Indemnification

 

We have agreed to indemnify the Placement Agent and specified other persons against certain liabilities relating to or arising out of the Placement Agent’s activities under the Agreement and to contribute to payments that the Placement Agent may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.

 

S-11

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Certain legal matters with respect to Australian law will be passed upon for us by our Cayman Islands counsel, Walkers (Hong Kong). Certain legal matters with respect to United States and New York law will be passed upon for us by Loeb & Loeb LLP. Certain legal matters will be passed on for the placement agent by Schiff Hardin LLP, Washington, DC.

 

EXPERTS

 

The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 have been audited by Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

S-12

 

 

May 17, 2019

 

PROSPECTUS

 

$100,000,000

 

 

ADSs
Ordinary Shares
Preferred Shares
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Debt Securities
Units

 

We may offer Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.003 per share, including Class A ordinary shares represented by American depositary shares, or ADSs, with each ADS representing two Class A ordinary shares, preferred shares, par value $0.003 per share, warrants, subscription rights, debt securities and/or units from time to time. When we decide to sell securities, we will provide specific terms of the offered securities, including the offering prices of the securities, in a prospectus supplement. The securities offered by us pursuant to this prospectus will have an aggregate public offering price of up to $100,000,000.

 

The securities covered by this prospectus may be offered and sold from time to time in one or more offerings, which may be through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to the purchasers. The names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, will be included in a supplement to this prospectus.

 

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. The specific terms of any securities to be offered, and the specific manner in which they may be offered, will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

 

Our ADSs are traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “AMBO”. As of April 24, 2019, the last reported sale price for our ADSs was $5.01 per ADS. As of that date, the aggregate market value of our outstanding voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates was approximately $44,559,075 based on 38,582,702 shares of our outstanding Class A ordinary shares, of which approximately 17,788,054 shares were held by non-affiliates. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.5. of Form F-3, in no event will we sell the securities covered hereby in a public primary offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of the aggregate market value of our voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates in any 12-month period so long as the aggregate market value of our outstanding voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates remains below $75,000,000. During the 12 calendar months prior to and including the date of this prospectus, we have not offered or sold any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.5 of Form F-3.

 

Under our Sixth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, our authorized share capital is divided into 66,666,667 Class A ordinary shares and 8,333,333 Class C ordinary shares with 1,666,667 undesignated preferred shares. Dr. Jin Huang, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is the beneficial owner of all of the issued and outstanding Class C ordinary shares.

 

Our Class A ordinary shares and Class C ordinary shares have identical rights, except for the special voting and conversion rights described below:

 

Voting rights — Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote and each Class C ordinary share is entitled to ten votes on all matters upon which the ordinary shares are entitled to vote, including the election of directors.

 

Conversion rights attaching to shares — Each Class C ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible under any circumstances. If at any time Dr. Huang, her affiliates collectively own less than 5% of the total number of the issued and outstanding Class C ordinary shares, each issued and outstanding Class C ordinary share shall be automatically and immediately converted into one share of Class A ordinary shares without payment of additional consideration and no Class C ordinary shares shall thereafter be issuable by us. 

 

For a complete description of our share capital see “Description of ADSs and Class A Ordinary Shares” on page 7.

 

Investing in these securities involves certain risks. Please carefully consider the “Risk Factors” in Item 3(D) of our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the “Risk Factors” beginning on page 4 of this prospectus, and in any applicable prospectus supplement, for a discussion of the factors you should consider carefully before deciding to purchase these securities.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state or other securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Prospectus dated May 17, 2019

 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 1
   
RISK FACTORS 4
   
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 5
   
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 6
   
USE OF PROCEEDS 7
   
CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS 7
   
DESCRIPTION OF ADSS AND CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES 7
   
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES 7
   
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 8
   
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS 9
   
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 10
   
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 11
   
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 20
   
EXPENSES 24
   
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE 25
   
INDEMNIFICATION 26
   
LEGAL MATTERS 27
   
EXPERTS 28
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 29

 

i 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

Our Mission

 

Our mission is to provide Better Schools, Better Jobs and Better Life to our students.

 

Our Business

 

Our business addresses three critical demands in China’s education market: the desire for students to be admitted into top secondary and post-secondary schools, the desire for graduates of those schools to obtain more attractive jobs and the need for schools and corporate clients to optimizing their teaching and operating environment. We offer high quality, individualized services and products through our combined online and offline delivery model powered by our proprietary technologies and infrastructure.

 

We have three business divisions, “Better Schools”, “Better Jobs” and “Others”, and four operating segments, which are K-12 schools, tutoring, career enhancement and others. Our K-12 schools and tutoring segments are within our Better Schools division and our career enhancement segment is within our Better Jobs division. The segment of Others represents the intellectualized operational services provided, and is classified under the Others division.

 

We currently deliver our wide range of educational and career enhancement services and products through integrated offline and online channels in an interactive learning environment, powered by our proprietary technology platform. This platform enables us to provide individualized content and learning solutions tailored to each of our students’ needs, and to develop both standards-based and individualized curricula with consistent high-quality across our schools, tutoring centers, career enhancement centers, training offices and campus.

 

We offer a variety of services and products to students, recent graduates, corporate employees and management in China. Our educational services cover K-12 programs and tutoring services that provide test preparation and tutoring programs, which are offered in our tutoring centers as part of our primary educational services and product offerings to help students enroll in better schools. Our K-12 schools also help to support our tutoring programs by providing a strong local brand name and reputation, local educational content expertise and potential student customers. In addition, we offer international education programs, which are designed to prepare students to study abroad while specifically addressing the study needs in terms of both language and academics. Our career enhancement services, designed to assist students and graduates in obtaining better jobs, are offered through our dedicated career enhancement centers and training offices on campus, as well as through our online programs. Our corporate training services that are designed to improve employees and management’s soft skills, are typically offered in our training offices, the corporate clients’ offices or hotel conference centers. Furthermore, in order to support our educational and career enhancement services and product offerings, we also provide a cloud-based learning engine to accommodate our students’ individual learning habits and enrich their learning experience.

 

 

 1

 

 

 

Our Corporate Structure

 

 

Principal Executive Office

 

Our principal executive office is located at 12th Floor, Tower 1, Financial Street, Chang’an Center, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100043, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86 (10) 6206-8000. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is Walkers Corporate Limited, Cayman Corporate Centre, 27 Hospital Road, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9008, Cayman Islands. Our telephone number at this address is +1 (345) 949-8066.

 

Investors should submit any inquiries to the address and telephone number of our principal executive office. Our principal websites are www.ambow.com and www.ambow.com.cn. Information contained on our websites is not part of this prospectus. Our agent for service of process in the United States is C T Corporation System, located at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011.

  

 

 2

 

 

 

The Securities We May Offer

 

We may use this prospectus to offer up to $100,000,000 of:

 

·Class A ordinary shares, including Class A ordinary shares represented by American Depositary shares, or ADSs;

 

·preferred shares;

 

·warrants;

 

·subscription rights;

 

·debt securities; and

 

·units, which may consist of any combination of the above securities.

 

We may also offer securities of the types listed above that are convertible or exchangeable into one or more of the securities listed above.

  

 

 3

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities involves risk. Before you invest in securities issued by us, you should carefully consider the risks involved. Accordingly, you should carefully consider:

 

·the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus;

 

·the information contained in or incorporated by reference into any prospectus supplement relating to specific offerings of securities;

 

·the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, on file with Securities and Exchange Commission, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus; and

 

·other risks and other information that may be contained in, or incorporated by reference from, other filings we make with the SEC, including in any prospectus supplement relating to specific offerings of securities.

 

The discussion of risks related to our business contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or into any prospectus supplement comprises material risks of which we are aware. If any of the events or developments described actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer.

 

 4

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell from time to time up to $100,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus.

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information contained in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information contained in that particular prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, as well as the information incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction or state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document.

 

 5

 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, may contain forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about us and our industry. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this report are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as ‘‘may,’’ ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘estimate,’’ ‘‘plan,’’ ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘is/are likely to’’ or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements included in this report relate to, among others:

 

·Anticipated trends and challenges in our business and the markets in which we operate;

 

·Our ability to anticipate market needs or develop new or enhanced services and products to meet those needs;

 

·Our ability to compete in our industry and innovation by our competitors;

 

·Our ability to protect our confidential information and intellectual property rights;

 

·Risks associated with opening new learning centers and other strategic plans;

 

·Our need to obtain additional funding and our ability to obtain funding in the future on acceptable terms;

 

·The impact on our business and results of operations arising from the defects in our real properties;

 

·Our ability to create and maintain our positive brand awareness and brand loyalty;

 

·Our ability to manage growth; and

 

·Economic and business conditions in China.

 

The forward-looking statements included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about our businesses and business environments. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual results of our operations may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of risk factors, some of which are described under “Risk Factors” in the documents incorporated by reference herein.

 

The forward-looking statements contained in or incorporated into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement speak only as of the date of hereof or thereof or of such documents incorporated by reference or, if obtained from third-party studies or reports, the date of the corresponding study or report, and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. Since we operate in an emerging and evolving environment and new risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Except as otherwise required by the securities laws of the United States, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

 6

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, the net proceeds from the sale of securities offered by the Company will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include additions to working capital, capital expenditures, financing of acquisitions and other business combinations, investments in or extensions of credit to our subsidiaries and the repayment of indebtedness.

 

CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

 

Our capitalization and indebtedness will be set forth in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus or in a report on Form 6-K subsequently furnished to the SEC and specifically incorporated herein by reference.

 

DESCRIPTION OF ADSS AND CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES

 

A description of our Class A ordinary shares can be found in our Registration Statement on Form F-1, as amended, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as originally filed with the SEC on August 28, 2017 (Registration No. 333-220207) under the heading “Description of Shares and Governing Documents – Sixth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association — Ordinary Shares”, which description is incorporated by reference herein.

 

A description of our ADSs can be found in our Registration Statement on Form F-1, as amended, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as originally filed with the SEC on August 28, 2017 (Registration No. 333-220207) under the heading “Description of American Depositary Shares”, which description is incorporated by reference herein.

 

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES

 

A description of our preferred shares can be found in our Registration Statement on Form F-1, as amended, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as originally filed with the SEC on August 28, 2017 (Registration No. 333-220207) under the heading “Description of Shares and Governing Documents – Sixth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association — Preferred Shares”, which description is incorporated by reference herein.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, there are no outstanding shares of preferred shares of any series.

 

The material terms of any series of preferred shares that we offer, together with any material Cayman Islands or United States federal income tax considerations relating to such preferred shares, will be described in a prospectus supplement.

 

 7

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the warrant agreement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such warrants.

 

General

 

We may issue warrants to purchase ordinary shares, including ordinary shares represented by ADSs, or debt securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

·the title of such warrants;

 

·the aggregate number of such warrants;

 

·the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued and exercised;

 

·the currency or currencies in which the price of such warrants will be payable;

 

·the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;

 

·the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

·if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

·if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security;

 

·if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

·information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

·any material Cayman Islands or United States federal income tax consequences;

 

·the antidilution provisions of the warrants, if any; and

 

·any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

 

Amendments and Supplements to Warrant Agreement

 

We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

 

 8

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

 

The following summary of certain provisions of the subscription rights does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the certificate evidencing the subscription rights that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such subscription rights.

 

General

 

We may issue subscription rights to purchase ordinary shares, including ordinary shares represented by ADSs, or debt securities. Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with any subscription rights offering to our shareholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting arrangement with one or more underwriters pursuant to which such underwriters will purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such subscription rights offering. In connection with a subscription rights offering to our shareholders, we will distribute certificates evidencing the subscription rights and a prospectus supplement to our shareholders on the record date that we set for receiving subscription rights in such subscription rights offering.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

·the title of such subscription rights;

 

·the securities for which such subscription rights are exercisable;

 

·the exercise price for such subscription rights;

 

·the number of such subscription rights issued to each shareholder;

 

·the extent to which such subscription rights are transferable;

 

·if applicable, a discussion of the material Cayman Islands or United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights;

 

·the date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which such rights shall expire (subject to any extension);

 

·the extent to which such subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities;

 

·if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or other purchase arrangement that we may enter into in connection with the subscription rights offering; and

 

·any other terms of such subscription rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such subscription rights.

 

Exercise of Subscription Rights

 

Each subscription right will entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash such amount of securities at such exercise price as shall be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Subscription rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights will become void.

 

Subscription rights may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will forward, as soon as practicable, the ordinary shares purchasable upon such exercise. We may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

 9

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

The following summary of certain provisions of the units does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the certificate evidencing the units that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such units.

 

We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder, with the rights and obligations of a holder, of each security included in the unit. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date or upon the occurrence of a specified event or occurrence.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe:

 

·the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

·any unit agreement under which the units will be issued;

 

·any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and

 

·whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

 

 10

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series, under one or more indentures, each dated as of a date on or prior to the issuance of the debt securities to which it relates. We may issue senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities pursuant to separate indentures, a senior indenture and a subordinated indenture, respectively, in each case between us and the trustee named in the indenture. We have filed forms of these documents as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part. The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time, are sometimes referred to individually as an “indenture” and collectively as the “indentures.”  Each indenture will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act and will be construed in accordance with and governed by the internal laws of the State of New York. The aggregate principal amount of debt securities which may be issued under each indenture will be unlimited and each indenture will contain the specific terms of any series of debt securities or provide that those terms must be set forth in or determined pursuant to, an authorizing resolution, as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement, and/or a supplemental indenture, if any, relating to such series. Our debt securities may be convertible or exchangeable into any of our equity or other debt securities.

 

Our statements below relating to the debt securities and the indentures are summaries of their anticipated provisions, are not complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable indenture and any applicable Cayman Islands or United States federal income tax considerations as well as any applicable modifications of or additions to the general terms described below in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplemental indenture. For a description of the terms of a particular issue of debt securities, reference must be made to both the related prospectus supplement and to the following description.

 

General

 

Neither indenture limits the amount of debt securities which may be issued. The debt securities may be issued in one or more series. The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank on a parity with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. Each series of subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and subordinated to all present and future senior indebtedness. Any such debt securities will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

You should read the applicable indenture and subsequent filings relating to the particular series of debt securities for the following terms of the offered debt securities:

 

·the designation, aggregate principal amount and authorized denominations;

 

·the issue price, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount;

 

·the maturity date;

 

·the interest rate per annum, if any;

 

·if the offered debt securities provide for interest payments, the date from which interest will accrue, the dates on which interest will be payable, the date on which payment of interest will commence and the regular record dates for interest payment dates;

 

·any optional or mandatory sinking fund provisions or exchangeability provisions;

 

·the terms and conditions upon which conversion of any convertible debt securities may be effected, including the conversion price, the conversion period and other conversion provisions;

 

·the date, if any, after which and the price or prices at which the offered debt securities may be optionally redeemed or must be mandatorily redeemed and any other terms and provisions of optional or mandatory redemptions;

 

 11

 

 

·if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which offered debt securities of the series will be issuable;

 

·if other than the full principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of offered debt securities of the series which will be payable upon acceleration or provable in bankruptcy;

 

·any events of default not set forth in this prospectus;

 

·the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which principal, premium and interest will be payable, if other than the currency of the United States of America;

 

·if principal, premium or interest is payable, at our election or at the election of any holder, in a currency other than that in which the offered debt securities of the series are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, the election may be made;

 

·whether interest will be payable in cash or additional securities at our or the holder’s option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;

 

·if denominated in a currency or currencies other than the currency of the United States of America, the equivalent price in the currency of the United States of America for purposes of determining the voting rights of holders of those debt securities under the applicable indenture;

 

·if the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method based on a coin or currency other than that in which the offered debt securities of the series are stated to be payable, the manner in which the amounts will be determined;

 

·any restrictive covenants or other material terms relating to the offered debt securities;

 

·whether the offered debt securities will be issued in the form of global securities or certificates in registered or bearer form;

 

·any terms with respect to subordination;

 

·any listing on any securities exchange or quotation system; and

 

·additional provisions, if any, related to defeasance and discharge of the offered debt securities.

 

Subsequent filings may include additional terms not listed above. Unless otherwise indicated in subsequent filings with the Commission relating to the indenture, principal, premium and interest will be payable and the debt securities will be transferable at the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee. Unless other arrangements are made or set forth in subsequent filings or a supplemental indenture, principal, premium and interest will be paid by checks mailed to the holders at their registered addresses.

 

Unless otherwise indicated in subsequent filings with the Commission, the debt securities will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with these debt securities.

 

Some or all of the debt securities may be issued as discounted debt securities to be sold at a substantial discount below the stated principal amount. Cayman Islands or United States federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any discounted securities will be described in subsequent filings with the Commission relating to those securities.

 

 12

 

 

We refer you to applicable subsequent filings with respect to any deletions or additions or modifications from the description contained in this prospectus.

 

Senior Debt

 

We may issue senior debt securities under the senior debt indenture. These senior debt securities will rank on an equal basis with all our other unsecured debt except subordinated debt.

 

Subordinated Debt

 

We may issue subordinated debt securities under the subordinated debt indenture. Subordinated debt will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent set forth in the subordinated debt indenture, to all our senior debt (both secured and unsecured).

 

In general, the holders of all senior debt are first entitled to receive payment of the full amount unpaid on senior debt before the holders of any of the subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive a payment on account of the principal or interest on the indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities in certain events.

 

If we default in the payment of any principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any senior debt when it becomes due and payable after any applicable grace period, then, unless and until the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, we cannot make a payment on account of or redeem or otherwise acquire the subordinated debt securities.

 

If there is any insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or other similar proceeding relating to us, then all senior debt must be paid in full before any payment may be made to any holders of subordinated debt securities.

 

Furthermore, if we default in the payment of the principal of and accrued interest on any subordinated debt securities that is declared due and payable upon an event of default under the subordinated debt indenture, holders of all our senior debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full in cash before holders of such subordinated debt can receive any payments.

 

Senior debt means:

 

·the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other amounts owing in respect of our indebtedness for money borrowed and indebtedness evidenced by securities, notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments issued by us, including the senior debt securities or letters of credit;

 

·all capitalized lease obligations;

 

·all hedging obligations;

 

·all obligations representing the deferred purchase price of property; and

 

·all deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of obligations of the type referred to above;

 

but senior debt does not include:

 

·subordinated debt securities; and

 

·any indebtedness that by its terms is subordinated to, or ranks on an equal basis with, our subordinated debt securities.

 

 13

 

 

Covenants

 

Under the terms of the indenture, we covenant, among other things:

 

·that we will duly and punctually pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the offered debt securities in accordance with the terms of such debt securities and the applicable indenture;

 

·that we will deliver to the trustee after the end of each fiscal year a compliance certificate as to whether we have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled our obligations and each and every covenant contained under the applicable indenture;

 

Any series of offered debt securities may have covenants in addition to or differing from those included in the applicable indenture which will be described in subsequent filings prepared in connection with the offering of such securities, limiting or restricting, among other things:

 

·the ability of us or our subsidiaries to incur either secured or unsecured debt, or both;

 

·the ability to make certain payments, dividends, redemptions or repurchases;

 

·our ability to create dividend and other payment restrictions affecting our subsidiaries;

 

·our ability to make investments;

 

·mergers and consolidations by us or our subsidiaries;

 

·sales of assets by us;

 

·our ability to enter into transactions with affiliates;

 

·our ability to incur liens; and

 

·sale and leaseback transactions.

 

Modification of the Indentures

 

Each indenture and the rights of the respective holders may be modified by us only with the consent of holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series under the respective indenture affected by the modification, taken together as a class, other than any modification to:

 

·cure ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies;

 

·add to the covenants, restrictions or events of default;

 

·provide for a successor obligor under the relevant indenture; and

 

·make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of holder.

 

No modification that:

 

·changes the amount of securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

 14

 

 

·extends the fixed maturity of any debt securities, or reduces the principal amount thereof, or reduces the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof ;

 

will be effective against any holder without his, her or its consent.

 

Events of Default

 

Each indenture defines an event of default for the debt securities of any series as being any one of the following events:

 

·default in any payment of interest when due which continues for 90 days;

 

·default in any payment of principal or premium at maturity;

 

·default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due;

 

·default in the performance of any covenant in the debt securities or the applicable indenture which continues for 90 days after we receive notice of the default;

 

·events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.

 

An event of default of one series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities.

 

There may be such other or different events of default as described in an applicable subsequent filing with respect to any class or series of offered debt securities.

 

In case an event of default occurs and continues for the debt securities of any series, the applicable trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding of that series may declare the principal and accrued but unpaid interest of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable. Any event of default for the debt securities of any series which has been cured may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding.

 

Each indenture requires us to file annually after debt securities are issued under that indenture with the applicable trustee a written statement signed by two of our officers as to the absence of material defaults under the terms of that indenture. Each indenture provides that the applicable trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any default if it considers it in the interest of the holders to do so, except notice of a default in payment of principal, premium or interest.

 

Subject to the duties of the trustee in case an event of default occurs and continues, each indenture provides that the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under that indenture at the request, order or direction of holders unless the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to these provisions for indemnification and the rights of the trustee, each indenture provides that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee as long as the exercise of that right does not conflict with any law or the indenture.

 

Defeasance and Discharge

 

The terms of each indenture provide us with the option to be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities issued thereunder upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money or U.S. government obligations, or both, which through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay any installment of principal, premium and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities on the stated maturity of the payments in accordance with the terms of the debt securities and the indenture governing the debt securities. This right may only be exercised if, among other things, we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling to the effect that such a discharge will not be deemed, or result in, a taxable event with respect to holders. This discharge would not apply to our obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, to maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust.

 

 15

 

 

Defeasance of Certain Covenants

 

The terms of the debt securities provide us with the right not to comply with specified covenants and that specified events of default described in a subsequent filing will not apply. In order to exercise this right, we will be required to deposit with the trustee money or U.S. government obligations, or both, which through the payment of interest and principal will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities on the stated maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the debt securities and the indenture governing such debt securities. We will also be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the deposit and related covenant defeasance will not cause the holders of such series to recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes.

 

A subsequent filing may further describe the provisions, if any, of any particular series of offered debt securities permitting a discharge defeasance.

 

Global Securities

 

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in an applicable subsequent filing and registered in the name of the depository or a nominee for the depository. In such a case, one or more global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of the series to be represented by the global security or securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive certificated form, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depository for the global security to a nominee of the depository or by a nominee of the depository to the depository or another nominee of the depository or by the depository or any nominee to a successor depository for that series or a nominee of the successor depository and except in the circumstances described in an applicable subsequent filing.

 

We expect that the following provisions will apply to depository arrangements for any portion of a series of debt securities to be represented by a global security. Any additional or different terms of the depository arrangement will be described in an applicable subsequent filing.

 

Upon the issuance of any global security, and the deposit of that global security with or on behalf of the depository for the global security, the depository will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the principal amounts of the debt securities represented by that global security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with the depository or its nominee. The accounts to be credited will be designated by the underwriters or agents engaging in the distribution of the debt securities or by us, if the debt securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participating institutions or persons that may hold interests through such participating institutions. Ownership of beneficial interests by participating institutions in the global security will be shown on, and the transfer of the beneficial interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depository for the global security or by its nominee. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security by persons that hold through participating institutions will be shown on, and the transfer of the beneficial interests within the participating institutions will be effected only through, records maintained by those participating institutions. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in certificated form. The foregoing limitations and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the global securities.

 

 16

 

 

So long as the depository for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global security, the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Unless otherwise specified in an applicable subsequent filing and except as specified below, owners of beneficial interests in the global security will not be entitled to have debt securities of the series represented by the global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities of the series in certificated form and will not be considered the holders thereof for any purposes under the indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in the global security must rely on the procedures of the depository and, if such person is not a participating institution, on the procedures of the participating institution through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

 

The depository may grant proxies and otherwise authorize participating institutions to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture. We understand that, under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or any owner of a beneficial interest in the global security desires to give any notice or take any action a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, the depository would authorize the participating institutions to give the notice or take the action, and participating institutions would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participating institutions to give the notice or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

 

Unless otherwise specified in applicable subsequent filings, payments of principal, premium and interest on debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made by us to the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security.

 

We expect that the depository for any debt securities represented by a global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest, will credit participating institutions’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depository. We also expect that payments by participating institutions to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through those participating institutions will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers registered in street name, and will be the responsibility of those participating institutions. None of us, the trustees or any agent of ours or the trustees will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial interests in a global security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial interests.

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable subsequent filings, a global security of any series will be exchangeable for certificated debt securities of the same series only if:

 

·the depository for such global securities notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository or such depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor depository is not appointed by us within 90 days after we receive the notice or become aware of the ineligibility;

 

·we in our sole discretion determine that the global securities shall be exchangeable for certificated debt securities; or

 

·there shall have occurred and be continuing an event of default under the applicable indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series.

 

Upon any exchange, owners of beneficial interests in the global security or securities will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities in certificated form of like tenor and terms equal in principal amount to their beneficial interests, and to have the debt securities in certificated form registered in the names of the beneficial owners, which names are expected to be provided by the depository’s relevant participating institutions to the applicable trustee.

 

In the event that the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, acts as depository for the global securities of any series, the global securities will be issued as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC’s partnership nominee or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC.

 

 17

 

 

DTC, the world’s largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a clearing agency registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments (from over 100 countries) that DTC’s participants (“Direct Participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transaction sin depositaries securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Company (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks trust companies, and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”). DTC has a Standard & Poor’s rating of AA+. The DTC Rules applicable to its Participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. More information about DTC can be found at www.dtcc.com.

 

Purchases of Securities under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Securities on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each Security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants' records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the Securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in Securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the Securities is discontinued.

 

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Securities deposited by Direct Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC's partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of Securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Securities; DTC's records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts such Securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct and Indirect Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

 

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Beneficial Owners of Securities may wish to take certain steps to augment the transmission to them of notices of significant events with respect to the Securities, such as redemptions, tenders, defaults, and proposed amendments to the Security documents. For example, Beneficial Owners of Securities may wish to ascertain that the nominee holding the Securities for their benefit has agreed to obtain and transmit notices to Beneficial Owners. In the alternative, Beneficial Owners may wish to provide their names and addresses to the registrar and request that copies of notices be provided directly to them.

 

Redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the Securities within an issue are being redeemed, DTC's practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.

 

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to Securities unless authorized by a Direct Participant in accordance with DTC's MMI Procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an Omnibus Proxy to Issuer as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts Securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).

 

 18

 

 

Redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividend payments on the Securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC's practice is to credit Direct Participants' accounts upon DTC's receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from Issuer or Agent, on payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC's records. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name," and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC, Agent, or Issuer, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividend payments to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is the responsibility of Issuer or Agent, disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners will be the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.

 

DTC may discontinue providing its services as depository with respect to the Securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to Issuer or Agent. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained, Security certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

 

Issuer may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry-only transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event, Security certificates will be printed and delivered to DTC.

 

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for its accuracy.

 

 19

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may offer and sell, from time to time, some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus up to an aggregate public offering price of $100,000,000. We have registered the securities covered by this prospectus for offer and sale by us so that those securities may be freely sold to the public by us. Registration of the securities covered by this prospectus does not mean, however, that those securities necessarily will be offered or sold.

 

Securities covered by this prospectus may be sold from time to time, in one or more transactions, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to market prices, at a fixed price or prices subject to change, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. The securities being offered by this prospectus may be sold:

 

·through agents;

 

·to or through one or more underwriters on a firm commitment or agency basis;

 

·through put or call option transactions relating to the securities;

 

·through broker-dealers (acting as agent or principal);

 

·directly to purchasers, through a specific bidding or auction process, on a negotiated basis or otherwise;

 

·through any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law; or

 

·through a combination of any such methods of sale.

 

At any time a particular offer of the securities covered by this prospectus is made, a revised prospectus or prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of securities covered by this prospectus being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers, brokers or agents, any discounts, commissions, concessions and other items constituting compensation from us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. Such prospectus supplement, and, if necessary, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, will be filed with the SEC to reflect the disclosure of additional information with respect to the distribution of the securities covered by this prospectus. In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities sold under this prospectus may only be sold through registered or licensed broker-dealers. In addition, in some states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

 

Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

 

The distribution of securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including block transactions and transactions on the NYSE American or any other organized market where the securities may be traded. The securities may be sold at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The consideration may be cash or another form negotiated by the parties. Agents, underwriters or broker-dealers may be paid compensation for offering and selling the securities. That compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions to be received from us or from the purchasers of the securities. Any dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and compensation received by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts. If any such dealers or agents were deemed to be underwriters, they may be subject to statutory liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

 20

 

 

Agents may from time to time solicit offers to purchase the securities. If required, we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and set forth any compensation payable to the agent. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent selling the securities covered by this prospectus may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities.

 

If underwriters are used in a sale, securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or under delayed delivery contracts or other contractual commitments. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. If an underwriter or underwriters are used in the sale of securities, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriter or underwriters, with respect to a particular underwritten offering of securities, and will set forth the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers and the public offering price, if applicable. The prospectus and prospectus supplement will be used by the underwriters to resell the securities.

 

If a dealer is used in the sale of the securities, we or an underwriter will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. To the extent required, we will set forth in the prospectus supplement the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions.

 

We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities and may make sales of securities directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities. To the extent required, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any such sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if used.

 

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities incurred under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities. If required, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions of the indemnification or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us, our subsidiaries, the Selling Shareholders or their affiliates.

 

Under the securities laws of some jurisdictions, the securities offered by this prospectus may be sold in those jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

 

Any person participating in the distribution of securities registered under the registration statement that includes this prospectus will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act, and the applicable SEC rules and regulations, including, among others, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of our securities by that person. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of our securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to our securities. These restrictions may affect the marketability of our securities and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to our securities.

 

Certain persons participating in an offering may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the offered securities. These activities may maintain the price of the offered securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market, including by entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering transactions or imposing penalty bids, each of which is described below.

 

·A stabilizing bid means the placing of any bid, or the effecting of any purchase, for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of a security.

 

 21

 

 

·A syndicate covering transaction means the placing of any bid on behalf of the underwriting syndicate or the effecting of any purchase to reduce a short position created in connection with the offering.

 

·A penalty bid means an arrangement that permits the managing underwriter to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member in connection with the offering when offered securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in syndicate covering transactions.

 

These transactions may be effected on an exchange or automated quotation system, if the securities are listed on that exchange or admitted for trading on that automated quotation system, or in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

 

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase offered securities from us at the public offering price set forth in such prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.

 

In addition, ordinary shares may be issued upon conversion of or in exchange for debt securities or other securities.

 

Each series of offered securities, other than the ordinary shares, will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom offered securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in such offered securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The offered securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. No assurance can be given that there will be a market for the offered securities.

 

Any securities that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 or Regulation S under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 or Regulation S rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

 

To the extent that we make sales to or through one or more underwriters or agents in at-the-market offerings, we will do so pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement between us, the Selling Shareholders and the underwriters or agents. If we engage in at-the-market sales pursuant to a distribution agreement, we will offer and sell our ordinary shares to or through one or more underwriters or agents, which may act on an agency basis or on a principal basis. During the term of any such agreement, we may sell ordinary shares on a daily basis in exchange transactions or otherwise as we agree with the underwriters or agents. The distribution agreement will provide that any ordinary shares sold will be sold at prices related to the then prevailing market prices for our ordinary shares. Therefore, exact figures regarding proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid cannot be determined at this time and will be described in a prospectus supplement. Pursuant to the terms of the distribution agreement, we also may agree to sell, and the relevant underwriters or agents may agree to solicit offers to purchase, blocks of our ordinary shares or other securities. The terms of each such distribution agreement will be set forth in more detail in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus.

 

In connection with offerings made through underwriters or agents, we may enter into agreements with such underwriters or agents pursuant to which we receive our outstanding securities in consideration for the securities being offered to the public for cash. In connection with these arrangements, the underwriters or agents may also sell securities covered by this prospectus to hedge their positions in these outstanding securities, including in short sale transactions. If so, the underwriters or agents may use the securities received from us under these arrangements to close out any related open borrowings of securities.

 

One or more firms, referred to as “remarketing firms,” may also offer or sell the securities, if the prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the securities in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to the terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and will describe the remarketing firm’s compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities they remarket. Remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements that may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

 

 22

 

 

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, such third parties (or affiliates of such third parties) may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, such third parties (or affiliates of such third parties) may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of shares, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of shares. The third parties (or affiliates of such third parties) in such sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).

 

We may loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities using this prospectus. Such financial institution or third party may transfer its short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a simultaneous offering of other securities offered by this prospectus or in connection with a simultaneous offering of other securities offered by this prospectus.

 

 23

 

 

EXPENSES

 

The following table sets forth an estimate of the fees and expenses relating to the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby, all of which shall be borne by the Company. All of such fees and expenses, except for the SEC registration fee, are estimated.

 

SEC registration fee  $12,120 
      
FINRA fees  $15,500 
      
Transfer agent’s fees and expenses  $* 
      
Legal fees and expenses  $* 
      
Printing fees and expenses  $* 
      
Accounting fees and expenses  $* 
      
Miscellaneous fees and expenses  $* 
      
Total  $* 

 

*To be provided by a prospectus supplement or as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

 24

 

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

We incorporate by reference the filed documents listed below, except as superseded, supplemented or modified by this prospectus:

 

·our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on April 5, 2019;

 

·A description of our Class A ordinary shares can be found in our Registration Statement on Form F-1, as amended, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as originally filed with the SEC on August 28, 2017 (Registration No. 333-220207) under the heading “Description of Shares and Governing Documents – Sixth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association — Ordinary Shares”;

 

·any Form 20-F filed with the SEC after the date of the initial filing of this registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement that contains this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering of securities; and

 

·any Report on Form 6-K submitted to the SEC after the date of the initial filing of this registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement that contains this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering of securities, but only to the extent that the forms expressly state that we incorporate them by reference in this prospectus.

 

Potential investors, including any beneficial owner, may obtain a copy of any of the documents summarized herein (subject to certain restrictions because of the confidential nature of the subject matter) or any of our SEC filings incorporated by reference herein without charge by written request directed to 12th Floor, Tower 1, Financial Street, Chang’an Center, Shijingshan District, Beijing, PRC.

 

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.

 

Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute part of this prospectus.

 

 25

 

  

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against fraud or willful default or the consequences of committing a crime. Our Sixth Amended and Restated memorandum and articles of association provides for indemnification of our officers and directors to the maximum extent permitted by law, including for any liability incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own actual fraud, or willful default.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is theretofore unenforceable.

 

 26

 

  

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the debt securities, warrants, subscription rights and units and legal matters as to United States and New York law has been passed upon for us by Loeb & Loeb LLP. The validity of the ordinary shares and preferred shares and legal matters as to Cayman Islands law has been passed upon for us by Walkers (Hong Kong).

 

 27

 

  

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Ambow Education Holding Ltd. as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018 included in the Registration Statement have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

 28

 

  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the offer and sale of securities pursuant to this prospectus. This prospectus, filed as a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules thereto in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and no reference is hereby made to such omitted information. Statements made in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are summaries of all of the material terms of such contract, agreement or document, but do not repeat all of their terms. Reference is made to each such exhibit for a more complete description of the matters involved and such statements shall be deemed qualified in their entirety by such reference. The registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto filed with the SEC may be obtained from the SEC’s website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system, including the Company, which can be accessed at http://www.sec.gov. For further information pertaining to the securities offered by this prospectus and Ambow Education Holding Ltd., reference is made to the registration statement.

 

We furnish reports and other information to the SEC. You may read and copy any document we furnish at the SEC’s public reference facilities and the website of the SEC referred to above. Our file number with the SEC is 001-34824.

 

 29

 

  

American Depositary Shares
Each Representing Two Class A Ordinary Shares

Warrants to Purchase American Depositary Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 

 

 

 

 

FT Global Capital, Inc.

 

September 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subject to completion, dated May 8, 2019

 

PROSPECTUS

 

$100,000,000

 

 

ADSs
Ordinary Shares
Preferred Shares
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Debt Securities
Units

 

We may offer Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.003 per share, including Class A ordinary shares represented by American depositary shares, or ADSs, with each ADS representing two Class A ordinary shares, preferred shares, par value $0.003 per share, warrants, subscription rights, debt securities and/or units from time to time. When we decide to sell securities, we will provide specific terms of the offered securities, including the offering prices of the securities, in a prospectus supplement. The securities offered by us pursuant to this prospectus will have an aggregate public offering price of up to $100,000,000.

 

The securities covered by this prospectus may be offered and sold from time to time in one or more offerings, which may be through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to the purchasers. The names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, will be included in a supplement to this prospectus.

 

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. The specific terms of any securities to be offered, and the specific manner in which they may be offered, will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

 

Our ADSs are traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “AMBO”. As of April 24, 2019, the last reported sale price for our ADSs was $5.01 per ADS. As of that date, the aggregate market value of our outstanding voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates was approximately $44,559,075 based on 38,582,702 shares of our outstanding Class A ordinary shares, of which approximately 17,788,054 shares were held by non-affiliates. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.5. of Form F-3, in no event will we sell the securities covered hereby in a public primary offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of the aggregate market value of our voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates in any 12-month period so long as the aggregate market value of our outstanding voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates remains below $75,000,000. During the 12 calendar months prior to and including the date of this prospectus, we have not offered or sold any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.5 of Form F-3.

 

Under our Sixth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, our authorized share capital is divided into 66,666,667 Class A ordinary shares and 8,333,333 Class C ordinary shares with 1,666,667 undesignated preferred shares. Dr. Jin Huang, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is the beneficial owner of all of the issued and outstanding Class C ordinary shares.

 

Our Class A ordinary shares and Class C ordinary shares have identical rights, except for the special voting and conversion rights described below:

 

Voting rights — Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote and each Class C ordinary share is entitled to ten votes on all matters upon which the ordinary shares are entitled to vote, including the election of directors.

 

Conversion rights attaching to shares — Each Class C ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible under any circumstances. If at any time Dr. Huang, her affiliates collectively own less than 5% of the total number of the issued and outstanding Class C ordinary shares, each issued and outstanding Class C ordinary share shall be automatically and immediately converted into one share of Class A ordinary shares without payment of additional consideration and no Class C ordinary shares shall thereafter be issuable by us. 

 

For a complete description of our share capital see “Description of ADSs and Class A Ordinary Shares” on page 7.

 

Investing in these securities involves certain risks. Please carefully consider the “Risk Factors” in Item 3(D) of our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the “Risk Factors” beginning on page 4 of this prospectus, and in any applicable prospectus supplement, for a discussion of the factors you should consider carefully before deciding to purchase these securities.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state or other securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Prospectus dated          , 2019

 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 1
   
RISK FACTORS 4
   
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 5
   
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 6
   
USE OF PROCEEDS 7
   
CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS 7
   
DESCRIPTION OF ADSS AND CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES 7
   
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES 7
   
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 8
   
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS 9
   
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 10
   
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 11
   
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 20
   
EXPENSES 24
   
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE 25
   
INDEMNIFICATION 26
   
LEGAL MATTERS 27
   
EXPERTS 28
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 29

 

i 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

Our Mission

 

Our mission is to provide Better Schools, Better Jobs and Better Life to our students.

 

Our Business

 

Our business addresses three critical demands in China’s education market: the desire for students to be admitted into top secondary and post-secondary schools, the desire for graduates of those schools to obtain more attractive jobs and the need for schools and corporate clients to optimizing their teaching and operating environment. We offer high quality, individualized services and products through our combined online and offline delivery model powered by our proprietary technologies and infrastructure.

 

We have three business divisions, “Better Schools”, “Better Jobs” and “Others”, and four operating segments, which are K-12 schools, tutoring, career enhancement and others. Our K-12 schools and tutoring segments are within our Better Schools division and our career enhancement segment is within our Better Jobs division. The segment of Others represents the intellectualized operational services provided, and is classified under the Others division.

 

We currently deliver our wide range of educational and career enhancement services and products through integrated offline and online channels in an interactive learning environment, powered by our proprietary technology platform. This platform enables us to provide individualized content and learning solutions tailored to each of our students’ needs, and to develop both standards-based and individualized curricula with consistent high-quality across our schools, tutoring centers, career enhancement centers, training offices and campus.

 

We offer a variety of services and products to students, recent graduates, corporate employees and management in China. Our educational services cover K-12 programs and tutoring services that provide test preparation and tutoring programs, which are offered in our tutoring centers as part of our primary educational services and product offerings to help students enroll in better schools. Our K-12 schools also help to support our tutoring programs by providing a strong local brand name and reputation, local educational content expertise and potential student customers. In addition, we offer international education programs, which are designed to prepare students to study abroad while specifically addressing the study needs in terms of both language and academics. Our career enhancement services, designed to assist students and graduates in obtaining better jobs, are offered through our dedicated career enhancement centers and training offices on campus, as well as through our online programs. Our corporate training services that are designed to improve employees and management’s soft skills, are typically offered in our training offices, the corporate clients’ offices or hotel conference centers. Furthermore, in order to support our educational and career enhancement services and product offerings, we also provide a cloud-based learning engine to accommodate our students’ individual learning habits and enrich their learning experience.

 

 

 1

 

 

 

Our Corporate Structure

 

 

Principal Executive Office

 

Our principal executive office is located at 12th Floor, Tower 1, Financial Street, Chang’an Center, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100043, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86 (10) 6206-8000. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is Walkers Corporate Limited, Cayman Corporate Centre, 27 Hospital Road, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9008, Cayman Islands. Our telephone number at this address is +1 (345) 949-8066.

 

Investors should submit any inquiries to the address and telephone number of our principal executive office. Our principal websites are www.ambow.com and www.ambow.com.cn. Information contained on our websites is not part of this prospectus. Our agent for service of process in the United States is C T Corporation System, located at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011.

  

 

 2

 

 

 

The Securities We May Offer

 

We may use this prospectus to offer up to $100,000,000 of:

 

·Class A ordinary shares, including Class A ordinary shares represented by American Depositary shares, or ADSs;

 

·preferred shares;

 

·warrants;

 

·subscription rights;

 

·debt securities; and

 

·units, which may consist of any combination of the above securities.

 

We may also offer securities of the types listed above that are convertible or exchangeable into one or more of the securities listed above.

  

 

 3

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities involves risk. Before you invest in securities issued by us, you should carefully consider the risks involved. Accordingly, you should carefully consider:

 

·the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus;

 

·the information contained in or incorporated by reference into any prospectus supplement relating to specific offerings of securities;

 

·the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, on file with Securities and Exchange Commission, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus; and

 

·other risks and other information that may be contained in, or incorporated by reference from, other filings we make with the SEC, including in any prospectus supplement relating to specific offerings of securities.

 

The discussion of risks related to our business contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or into any prospectus supplement comprises material risks of which we are aware. If any of the events or developments described actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer.

 

 4

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell from time to time up to $100,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus.

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information contained in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information contained in that particular prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, as well as the information incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction or state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document.

 

 5

 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, may contain forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about us and our industry. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this report are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as ‘‘may,’’ ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘estimate,’’ ‘‘plan,’’ ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘is/are likely to’’ or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements included in this report relate to, among others:

 

·Anticipated trends and challenges in our business and the markets in which we operate;

 

·Our ability to anticipate market needs or develop new or enhanced services and products to meet those needs;

 

·Our ability to compete in our industry and innovation by our competitors;

 

·Our ability to protect our confidential information and intellectual property rights;

 

·Risks associated with opening new learning centers and other strategic plans;

 

·Our need to obtain additional funding and our ability to obtain funding in the future on acceptable terms;

 

·The impact on our business and results of operations arising from the defects in our real properties;

 

·Our ability to create and maintain our positive brand awareness and brand loyalty;

 

·Our ability to manage growth; and

 

·Economic and business conditions in China.

 

The forward-looking statements included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about our businesses and business environments. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual results of our operations may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of risk factors, some of which are described under “Risk Factors” in the documents incorporated by reference herein.

 

The forward-looking statements contained in or incorporated into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement speak only as of the date of hereof or thereof or of such documents incorporated by reference or, if obtained from third-party studies or reports, the date of the corresponding study or report, and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. Since we operate in an emerging and evolving environment and new risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Except as otherwise required by the securities laws of the United States, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

 6

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, the net proceeds from the sale of securities offered by the Company will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include additions to working capital, capital expenditures, financing of acquisitions and other business combinations, investments in or extensions of credit to our subsidiaries and the repayment of indebtedness.

 

CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

 

Our capitalization and indebtedness will be set forth in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus or in a report on Form 6-K subsequently furnished to the SEC and specifically incorporated herein by reference.

 

DESCRIPTION OF ADSS AND CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES

 

A description of our Class A ordinary shares can be found in our Registration Statement on Form F-1, as amended, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as originally filed with the SEC on August 28, 2017 (Registration No. 333-220207) under the heading “Description of Shares and Governing Documents – Sixth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association — Ordinary Shares”, which description is incorporated by reference herein.

 

A description of our ADSs can be found in our Registration Statement on Form F-1, as amended, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as originally filed with the SEC on August 28, 2017 (Registration No. 333-220207) under the heading “Description of American Depositary Shares”, which description is incorporated by reference herein.

 

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES

 

A description of our preferred shares can be found in our Registration Statement on Form F-1, as amended, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as originally filed with the SEC on August 28, 2017 (Registration No. 333-220207) under the heading “Description of Shares and Governing Documents – Sixth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association — Preferred Shares”, which description is incorporated by reference herein.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, there are no outstanding shares of preferred shares of any series.

 

The material terms of any series of preferred shares that we offer, together with any material Cayman Islands or United States federal income tax considerations relating to such preferred shares, will be described in a prospectus supplement.

 

 7

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the warrant agreement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such warrants.

 

General

 

We may issue warrants to purchase ordinary shares, including ordinary shares represented by ADSs, or debt securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

·the title of such warrants;

 

·the aggregate number of such warrants;

 

·the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued and exercised;

 

·the currency or currencies in which the price of such warrants will be payable;

 

·the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;

 

·the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

·if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

·if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security;

 

·if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

·information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

·any material Cayman Islands or United States federal income tax consequences;

 

·the antidilution provisions of the warrants, if any; and

 

·any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

 

Amendments and Supplements to Warrant Agreement

 

We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

 

 8

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

 

The following summary of certain provisions of the subscription rights does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the certificate evidencing the subscription rights that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such subscription rights.

 

General

 

We may issue subscription rights to purchase ordinary shares, including ordinary shares represented by ADSs, or debt securities. Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with any subscription rights offering to our shareholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting arrangement with one or more underwriters pursuant to which such underwriters will purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such subscription rights offering. In connection with a subscription rights offering to our shareholders, we will distribute certificates evidencing the subscription rights and a prospectus supplement to our shareholders on the record date that we set for receiving subscription rights in such subscription rights offering.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

·the title of such subscription rights;

 

·the securities for which such subscription rights are exercisable;

 

·the exercise price for such subscription rights;

 

·the number of such subscription rights issued to each shareholder;

 

·the extent to which such subscription rights are transferable;

 

·if applicable, a discussion of the material Cayman Islands or United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights;

 

·the date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which such rights shall expire (subject to any extension);

 

·the extent to which such subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities;

 

·if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or other purchase arrangement that we may enter into in connection with the subscription rights offering; and

 

·any other terms of such subscription rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such subscription rights.

 

Exercise of Subscription Rights

 

Each subscription right will entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash such amount of securities at such exercise price as shall be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Subscription rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights will become void.

 

Subscription rights may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will forward, as soon as practicable, the ordinary shares purchasable upon such exercise. We may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

 9

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

The following summary of certain provisions of the units does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the certificate evidencing the units that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such units.

 

We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder, with the rights and obligations of a holder, of each security included in the unit. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date or upon the occurrence of a specified event or occurrence.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe:

 

·the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

·any unit agreement under which the units will be issued;

 

·any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and

 

·whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

 

 10

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series, under one or more indentures, each dated as of a date on or prior to the issuance of the debt securities to which it relates. We may issue senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities pursuant to separate indentures, a senior indenture and a subordinated indenture, respectively, in each case between us and the trustee named in the indenture. We have filed forms of these documents as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part. The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time, are sometimes referred to individually as an “indenture” and collectively as the “indentures.”  Each indenture will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act and will be construed in accordance with and governed by the internal laws of the State of New York. The aggregate principal amount of debt securities which may be issued under each indenture will be unlimited and each indenture will contain the specific terms of any series of debt securities or provide that those terms must be set forth in or determined pursuant to, an authorizing resolution, as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement, and/or a supplemental indenture, if any, relating to such series. Our debt securities may be convertible or exchangeable into any of our equity or other debt securities.

 

Our statements below relating to the debt securities and the indentures are summaries of their anticipated provisions, are not complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable indenture and any applicable Cayman Islands or United States federal income tax considerations as well as any applicable modifications of or additions to the general terms described below in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplemental indenture. For a description of the terms of a particular issue of debt securities, reference must be made to both the related prospectus supplement and to the following description.

 

General

 

Neither indenture limits the amount of debt securities which may be issued. The debt securities may be issued in one or more series. The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank on a parity with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. Each series of subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and subordinated to all present and future senior indebtedness. Any such debt securities will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

You should read the applicable indenture and subsequent filings relating to the particular series of debt securities for the following terms of the offered debt securities:

 

·the designation, aggregate principal amount and authorized denominations;

 

·the issue price, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount;

 

·the maturity date;

 

·the interest rate per annum, if any;

 

·if the offered debt securities provide for interest payments, the date from which interest will accrue, the dates on which interest will be payable, the date on which payment of interest will commence and the regular record dates for interest payment dates;

 

·any optional or mandatory sinking fund provisions or exchangeability provisions;

 

·the terms and conditions upon which conversion of any convertible debt securities may be effected, including the conversion price, the conversion period and other conversion provisions;

 

·the date, if any, after which and the price or prices at which the offered debt securities may be optionally redeemed or must be mandatorily redeemed and any other terms and provisions of optional or mandatory redemptions;

 

 11

 

 

·if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which offered debt securities of the series will be issuable;

 

·if other than the full principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of offered debt securities of the series which will be payable upon acceleration or provable in bankruptcy;

 

·any events of default not set forth in this prospectus;

 

·the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which principal, premium and interest will be payable, if other than the currency of the United States of America;

 

·if principal, premium or interest is payable, at our election or at the election of any holder, in a currency other than that in which the offered debt securities of the series are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, the election may be made;

 

·whether interest will be payable in cash or additional securities at our or the holder’s option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;

 

·if denominated in a currency or currencies other than the currency of the United States of America, the equivalent price in the currency of the United States of America for purposes of determining the voting rights of holders of those debt securities under the applicable indenture;

 

·if the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method based on a coin or currency other than that in which the offered debt securities of the series are stated to be payable, the manner in which the amounts will be determined;

 

·any restrictive covenants or other material terms relating to the offered debt securities;

 

·whether the offered debt securities will be issued in the form of global securities or certificates in registered or bearer form;

 

·any terms with respect to subordination;

 

·any listing on any securities exchange or quotation system; and

 

·additional provisions, if any, related to defeasance and discharge of the offered debt securities.

 

Subsequent filings may include additional terms not listed above. Unless otherwise indicated in subsequent filings with the Commission relating to the indenture, principal, premium and interest will be payable and the debt securities will be transferable at the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee. Unless other arrangements are made or set forth in subsequent filings or a supplemental indenture, principal, premium and interest will be paid by checks mailed to the holders at their registered addresses.

 

Unless otherwise indicated in subsequent filings with the Commission, the debt securities will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with these debt securities.

 

Some or all of the debt securities may be issued as discounted debt securities to be sold at a substantial discount below the stated principal amount. Cayman Islands or United States federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any discounted securities will be described in subsequent filings with the Commission relating to those securities.

 

 12

 

 

We refer you to applicable subsequent filings with respect to any deletions or additions or modifications from the description contained in this prospectus.

 

Senior Debt

 

We may issue senior debt securities under the senior debt indenture. These senior debt securities will rank on an equal basis with all our other unsecured debt except subordinated debt.

 

Subordinated Debt

 

We may issue subordinated debt securities under the subordinated debt indenture. Subordinated debt will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent set forth in the subordinated debt indenture, to all our senior debt (both secured and unsecured).

 

In general, the holders of all senior debt are first entitled to receive payment of the full amount unpaid on senior debt before the holders of any of the subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive a payment on account of the principal or interest on the indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities in certain events.

 

If we default in the payment of any principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any senior debt when it becomes due and payable after any applicable grace period, then, unless and until the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, we cannot make a payment on account of or redeem or otherwise acquire the subordinated debt securities.

 

If there is any insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or other similar proceeding relating to us, then all senior debt must be paid in full before any payment may be made to any holders of subordinated debt securities.

 

Furthermore, if we default in the payment of the principal of and accrued interest on any subordinated debt securities that is declared due and payable upon an event of default under the subordinated debt indenture, holders of all our senior debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full in cash before holders of such subordinated debt can receive any payments.

 

Senior debt means:

 

·the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other amounts owing in respect of our indebtedness for money borrowed and indebtedness evidenced by securities, notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments issued by us, including the senior debt securities or letters of credit;

 

·all capitalized lease obligations;

 

·all hedging obligations;

 

·all obligations representing the deferred purchase price of property; and

 

·all deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of obligations of the type referred to above;

 

but senior debt does not include:

 

·subordinated debt securities; and

 

·any indebtedness that by its terms is subordinated to, or ranks on an equal basis with, our subordinated debt securities.

 

 13

 

 

Covenants

 

Under the terms of the indenture, we covenant, among other things:

 

·that we will duly and punctually pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the offered debt securities in accordance with the terms of such debt securities and the applicable indenture;

 

·that we will deliver to the trustee after the end of each fiscal year a compliance certificate as to whether we have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled our obligations and each and every covenant contained under the applicable indenture;

 

Any series of offered debt securities may have covenants in addition to or differing from those included in the applicable indenture which will be described in subsequent filings prepared in connection with the offering of such securities, limiting or restricting, among other things:

 

·the ability of us or our subsidiaries to incur either secured or unsecured debt, or both;

 

·the ability to make certain payments, dividends, redemptions or repurchases;

 

·our ability to create dividend and other payment restrictions affecting our subsidiaries;

 

·our ability to make investments;

 

·mergers and consolidations by us or our subsidiaries;

 

·sales of assets by us;

 

·our ability to enter into transactions with affiliates;

 

·our ability to incur liens; and

 

·sale and leaseback transactions.

 

Modification of the Indentures

 

Each indenture and the rights of the respective holders may be modified by us only with the consent of holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series under the respective indenture affected by the modification, taken together as a class, other than any modification to:

 

·cure ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies;

 

·add to the covenants, restrictions or events of default;

 

·provide for a successor obligor under the relevant indenture; and

 

·make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of holder.

 

No modification that:

 

·changes the amount of securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

 14

 

 

·extends the fixed maturity of any debt securities, or reduces the principal amount thereof, or reduces the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof ;

 

will be effective against any holder without his, her or its consent.

 

Events of Default

 

Each indenture defines an event of default for the debt securities of any series as being any one of the following events:

 

·default in any payment of interest when due which continues for 90 days;

 

·default in any payment of principal or premium at maturity;

 

·default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due;

 

·default in the performance of any covenant in the debt securities or the applicable indenture which continues for 90 days after we receive notice of the default;

 

·events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.

 

An event of default of one series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities.

 

There may be such other or different events of default as described in an applicable subsequent filing with respect to any class or series of offered debt securities.

 

In case an event of default occurs and continues for the debt securities of any series, the applicable trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding of that series may declare the principal and accrued but unpaid interest of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable. Any event of default for the debt securities of any series which has been cured may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding.

 

Each indenture requires us to file annually after debt securities are issued under that indenture with the applicable trustee a written statement signed by two of our officers as to the absence of material defaults under the terms of that indenture. Each indenture provides that the applicable trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any default if it considers it in the interest of the holders to do so, except notice of a default in payment of principal, premium or interest.

 

Subject to the duties of the trustee in case an event of default occurs and continues, each indenture provides that the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under that indenture at the request, order or direction of holders unless the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to these provisions for indemnification and the rights of the trustee, each indenture provides that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee as long as the exercise of that right does not conflict with any law or the indenture.

 

Defeasance and Discharge

 

The terms of each indenture provide us with the option to be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities issued thereunder upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money or U.S. government obligations, or both, which through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay any installment of principal, premium and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities on the stated maturity of the payments in accordance with the terms of the debt securities and the indenture governing the debt securities. This right may only be exercised if, among other things, we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling to the effect that such a discharge will not be deemed, or result in, a taxable event with respect to holders. This discharge would not apply to our obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, to maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust.

 

 15

 

 

Defeasance of Certain Covenants

 

The terms of the debt securities provide us with the right not to comply with specified covenants and that specified events of default described in a subsequent filing will not apply. In order to exercise this right, we will be required to deposit with the trustee money or U.S. government obligations, or both, which through the payment of interest and principal will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities on the stated maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the debt securities and the indenture governing such debt securities. We will also be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the deposit and related covenant defeasance will not cause the holders of such series to recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes.

 

A subsequent filing may further describe the provisions, if any, of any particular series of offered debt securities permitting a discharge defeasance.

 

Global Securities

 

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in an applicable subsequent filing and registered in the name of the depository or a nominee for the depository. In such a case, one or more global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of the series to be represented by the global security or securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive certificated form, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depository for the global security to a nominee of the depository or by a nominee of the depository to the depository or another nominee of the depository or by the depository or any nominee to a successor depository for that series or a nominee of the successor depository and except in the circumstances described in an applicable subsequent filing.

 

We expect that the following provisions will apply to depository arrangements for any portion of a series of debt securities to be represented by a global security. Any additional or different terms of the depository arrangement will be described in an applicable subsequent filing.

 

Upon the issuance of any global security, and the deposit of that global security with or on behalf of the depository for the global security, the depository will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the principal amounts of the debt securities represented by that global security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with the depository or its nominee. The accounts to be credited will be designated by the underwriters or agents engaging in the distribution of the debt securities or by us, if the debt securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participating institutions or persons that may hold interests through such participating institutions. Ownership of beneficial interests by participating institutions in the global security will be shown on, and the transfer of the beneficial interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depository for the global security or by its nominee. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security by persons that hold through participating institutions will be shown on, and the transfer of the beneficial interests within the participating institutions will be effected only through, records maintained by those participating institutions. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in certificated form. The foregoing limitations and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the global securities.

 

 16

 

 

So long as the depository for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global security, the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Unless otherwise specified in an applicable subsequent filing and except as specified below, owners of beneficial interests in the global security will not be entitled to have debt securities of the series represented by the global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities of the series in certificated form and will not be considered the holders thereof for any purposes under the indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in the global security must rely on the procedures of the depository and, if such person is not a participating institution, on the procedures of the participating institution through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

 

The depository may grant proxies and otherwise authorize participating institutions to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture. We understand that, under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or any owner of a beneficial interest in the global security desires to give any notice or take any action a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, the depository would authorize the participating institutions to give the notice or take the action, and participating institutions would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participating institutions to give the notice or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

 

Unless otherwise specified in applicable subsequent filings, payments of principal, premium and interest on debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made by us to the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security.

 

We expect that the depository for any debt securities represented by a global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest, will credit participating institutions’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depository. We also expect that payments by participating institutions to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through those participating institutions will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers registered in street name, and will be the responsibility of those participating institutions. None of us, the trustees or any agent of ours or the trustees will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial interests in a global security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial interests.

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable subsequent filings, a global security of any series will be exchangeable for certificated debt securities of the same series only if:

 

·the depository for such global securities notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository or such depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor depository is not appointed by us within 90 days after we receive the notice or become aware of the ineligibility;

 

·we in our sole discretion determine that the global securities shall be exchangeable for certificated debt securities; or

 

·there shall have occurred and be continuing an event of default under the applicable indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series.

 

Upon any exchange, owners of beneficial interests in the global security or securities will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities in certificated form of like tenor and terms equal in principal amount to their beneficial interests, and to have the debt securities in certificated form registered in the names of the beneficial owners, which names are expected to be provided by the depository’s relevant participating institutions to the applicable trustee.

 

In the event that the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, acts as depository for the global securities of any series, the global securities will be issued as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC’s partnership nominee or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC.

 

 17

 

 

DTC, the world’s largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a clearing agency registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments (from over 100 countries) that DTC’s participants (“Direct Participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transaction sin depositaries securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Company (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks trust companies, and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”). DTC has a Standard & Poor’s rating of AA+. The DTC Rules applicable to its Participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. More information about DTC can be found at www.dtcc.com.

 

Purchases of Securities under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Securities on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each Security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants' records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the Securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in Securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the Securities is discontinued.

 

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Securities deposited by Direct Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC's partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of Securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Securities; DTC's records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts such Securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct and Indirect Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

 

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Beneficial Owners of Securities may wish to take certain steps to augment the transmission to them of notices of significant events with respect to the Securities, such as redemptions, tenders, defaults, and proposed amendments to the Security documents. For example, Beneficial Owners of Securities may wish to ascertain that the nominee holding the Securities for their benefit has agreed to obtain and transmit notices to Beneficial Owners. In the alternative, Beneficial Owners may wish to provide their names and addresses to the registrar and request that copies of notices be provided directly to them.

 

Redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the Securities within an issue are being redeemed, DTC's practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.

 

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to Securities unless authorized by a Direct Participant in accordance with DTC's MMI Procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an Omnibus Proxy to Issuer as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts Securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).

 

 18

 

 

Redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividend payments on the Securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC's practice is to credit Direct Participants' accounts upon DTC's receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from Issuer or Agent, on payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC's records. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name," and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC, Agent, or Issuer, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividend payments to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is the responsibility of Issuer or Agent, disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners will be the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.

 

DTC may discontinue providing its services as depository with respect to the Securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to Issuer or Agent. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained, Security certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

 

Issuer may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry-only transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event, Security certificates will be printed and delivered to DTC.

 

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for its accuracy.

 

 19

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may offer and sell, from time to time, some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus up to an aggregate public offering price of $100,000,000. We have registered the securities covered by this prospectus for offer and sale by us so that those securities may be freely sold to the public by us. Registration of the securities covered by this prospectus does not mean, however, that those securities necessarily will be offered or sold.

 

Securities covered by this prospectus may be sold from time to time, in one or more transactions, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to market prices, at a fixed price or prices subject to change, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. The securities being offered by this prospectus may be sold:

 

·through agents;

 

·to or through one or more underwriters on a firm commitment or agency basis;

 

·through put or call option transactions relating to the securities;

 

·through broker-dealers (acting as agent or principal);

 

·directly to purchasers, through a specific bidding or auction process, on a negotiated basis or otherwise;

 

·through any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law; or

 

·through a combination of any such methods of sale.

 

At any time a particular offer of the securities covered by this prospectus is made, a revised prospectus or prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of securities covered by this prospectus being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers, brokers or agents, any discounts, commissions, concessions and other items constituting compensation from us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. Such prospectus supplement, and, if necessary, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, will be filed with the SEC to reflect the disclosure of additional information with respect to the distribution of the securities covered by this prospectus. In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities sold under this prospectus may only be sold through registered or licensed broker-dealers. In addition, in some states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

 

Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

 

The distribution of securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including block transactions and transactions on the NYSE American or any other organized market where the securities may be traded. The securities may be sold at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The consideration may be cash or another form negotiated by the parties. Agents, underwriters or broker-dealers may be paid compensation for offering and selling the securities. That compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions to be received from us or from the purchasers of the securities. Any dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and compensation received by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts. If any such dealers or agents were deemed to be underwriters, they may be subject to statutory liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

 20

 

 

Agents may from time to time solicit offers to purchase the securities. If required, we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and set forth any compensation payable to the agent. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent selling the securities covered by this prospectus may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities.

 

If underwriters are used in a sale, securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or under delayed delivery contracts or other contractual commitments. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. If an underwriter or underwriters are used in the sale of securities, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriter or underwriters, with respect to a particular underwritten offering of securities, and will set forth the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers and the public offering price, if applicable. The prospectus and prospectus supplement will be used by the underwriters to resell the securities.

 

If a dealer is used in the sale of the securities, we or an underwriter will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. To the extent required, we will set forth in the prospectus supplement the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions.

 

We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities and may make sales of securities directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities. To the extent required, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any such sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if used.

 

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities incurred under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities. If required, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions of the indemnification or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us, our subsidiaries, the Selling Shareholders or their affiliates.

 

Under the securities laws of some jurisdictions, the securities offered by this prospectus may be sold in those jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

 

Any person participating in the distribution of securities registered under the registration statement that includes this prospectus will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act, and the applicable SEC rules and regulations, including, among others, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of our securities by that person. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of our securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to our securities. These restrictions may affect the marketability of our securities and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to our securities.

 

Certain persons participating in an offering may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the offered securities. These activities may maintain the price of the offered securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market, including by entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering transactions or imposing penalty bids, each of which is described below.

 

·A stabilizing bid means the placing of any bid, or the effecting of any purchase, for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of a security.

 

 21

 

 

·A syndicate covering transaction means the placing of any bid on behalf of the underwriting syndicate or the effecting of any purchase to reduce a short position created in connection with the offering.

 

·A penalty bid means an arrangement that permits the managing underwriter to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member in connection with the offering when offered securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in syndicate covering transactions.

 

These transactions may be effected on an exchange or automated quotation system, if the securities are listed on that exchange or admitted for trading on that automated quotation system, or in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

 

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase offered securities from us at the public offering price set forth in such prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.

 

In addition, ordinary shares may be issued upon conversion of or in exchange for debt securities or other securities.

 

Each series of offered securities, other than the ordinary shares, will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom offered securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in such offered securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The offered securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. No assurance can be given that there will be a market for the offered securities.

 

Any securities that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 or Regulation S under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 or Regulation S rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

 

To the extent that we make sales to or through one or more underwriters or agents in at-the-market offerings, we will do so pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement between us, the Selling Shareholders and the underwriters or agents. If we engage in at-the-market sales pursuant to a distribution agreement, we will offer and sell our ordinary shares to or through one or more underwriters or agents, which may act on an agency basis or on a principal basis. During the term of any such agreement, we may sell ordinary shares on a daily basis in exchange transactions or otherwise as we agree with the underwriters or agents. The distribution agreement will provide that any ordinary shares sold will be sold at prices related to the then prevailing market prices for our ordinary shares. Therefore, exact figures regarding proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid cannot be determined at this time and will be described in a prospectus supplement. Pursuant to the terms of the distribution agreement, we also may agree to sell, and the relevant underwriters or agents may agree to solicit offers to purchase, blocks of our ordinary shares or other securities. The terms of each such distribution agreement will be set forth in more detail in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus.

 

In connection with offerings made through underwriters or agents, we may enter into agreements with such underwriters or agents pursuant to which we receive our outstanding securities in consideration for the securities being offered to the public for cash. In connection with these arrangements, the underwriters or agents may also sell securities covered by this prospectus to hedge their positions in these outstanding securities, including in short sale transactions. If so, the underwriters or agents may use the securities received from us under these arrangements to close out any related open borrowings of securities.

 

One or more firms, referred to as “remarketing firms,” may also offer or sell the securities, if the prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the securities in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to the terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and will describe the remarketing firm’s compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities they remarket. Remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements that may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

 

 22

 

 

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, such third parties (or affiliates of such third parties) may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, such third parties (or affiliates of such third parties) may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of shares, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of shares. The third parties (or affiliates of such third parties) in such sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).

 

We may loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities using this prospectus. Such financial institution or third party may transfer its short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a simultaneous offering of other securities offered by this prospectus or in connection with a simultaneous offering of other securities offered by this prospectus.

 

 23

 

 

EXPENSES

 

The following table sets forth an estimate of the fees and expenses relating to the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby, all of which shall be borne by the Company. All of such fees and expenses, except for the SEC registration fee, are estimated.

 

SEC registration fee  $12,120 
      
FINRA fees  $15,500 
      
Transfer agent’s fees and expenses  $* 
      
Legal fees and expenses  $* 
      
Printing fees and expenses  $* 
      
Accounting fees and expenses  $* 
      
Miscellaneous fees and expenses  $* 
      
Total  $* 

 

*To be provided by a prospectus supplement or as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

 24

 

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

We incorporate by reference the filed documents listed below, except as superseded, supplemented or modified by this prospectus:

 

·our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on April 5, 2019;

 

·A description of our Class A ordinary shares can be found in our Registration Statement on Form F-1, as amended, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as originally filed with the SEC on August 28, 2017 (Registration No. 333-220207) under the heading “Description of Shares and Governing Documents – Sixth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association — Ordinary Shares”;

 

·any Form 20-F filed with the SEC after the date of the initial filing of this registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement that contains this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering of securities; and

 

·any Report on Form 6-K submitted to the SEC after the date of the initial filing of this registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement that contains this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering of securities, but only to the extent that the forms expressly state that we incorporate them by reference in this prospectus.

 

Potential investors, including any beneficial owner, may obtain a copy of any of the documents summarized herein (subject to certain restrictions because of the confidential nature of the subject matter) or any of our SEC filings incorporated by reference herein without charge by written request directed to 12th Floor, Tower 1, Financial Street, Chang’an Center, Shijingshan District, Beijing, PRC.

 

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.

 

Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute part of this prospectus.

 

 25

 

  

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against fraud or willful default or the consequences of committing a crime. Our Sixth Amended and Restated memorandum and articles of association provides for indemnification of our officers and directors to the maximum extent permitted by law, including for any liability incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own actual fraud, or willful default.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is theretofore unenforceable.

 

 26

 

  

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the debt securities, warrants, subscription rights and units and legal matters as to United States and New York law has been passed upon for us by Loeb & Loeb LLP. The validity of the ordinary shares and preferred shares and legal matters as to Cayman Islands law has been passed upon for us by Walkers (Hong Kong).

 

 27

 

  

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Ambow Education Holding Ltd. as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018 included in the Registration Statement have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

 28

 

  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the offer and sale of securities pursuant to this prospectus. This prospectus, filed as a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules thereto in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and no reference is hereby made to such omitted information. Statements made in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are summaries of all of the material terms of such contract, agreement or document, but do not repeat all of their terms. Reference is made to each such exhibit for a more complete description of the matters involved and such statements shall be deemed qualified in their entirety by such reference. The registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto filed with the SEC may be obtained from the SEC’s website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system, including the Company, which can be accessed at http://www.sec.gov. For further information pertaining to the securities offered by this prospectus and Ambow Education Holding Ltd., reference is made to the registration statement.

 

We furnish reports and other information to the SEC. You may read and copy any document we furnish at the SEC’s public reference facilities and the website of the SEC referred to above. Our file number with the SEC is 001-34824.

 

 29

 

 

$100,000,000

 

 

ADSs

 

Class A Ordinary Shares

 

Preferred Shares

 

Warrants

 

Subscription Rights

 

Debt Securities

 

Units

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

May 17, 2019