UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
For
the quarterly period ended
For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission
File No.
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
| (State or other jurisdiction | (I.R.S. Employer | |
| of incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices, including zip code) |
| (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) |
| N/A |
| (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
| The |
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| ☐ | Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | |
| ☒ | Smaller reporting company | |||
| Emerging growth company |
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act): Yes ☐ No
As of November 6, 2024, there were shares of Common Stock, par value $ per share of the Company issued and outstanding.
HWH INTERNATIONAL INC.
Form 10-Q For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2024
Table of Contents
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
HWH International Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
September 30, 2024 (Unaudited) | December 31, 2023 (as restated) | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current Assets | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Account receivable, net | ||||||||
| Inventory | ||||||||
| Other receivables, net | ||||||||
| Convertible loans receivable - related party, at fair value | ||||||||
| Investment security – related party | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Total Current Assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Non-Current Assets | ||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account | ||||||||
| Deposits | ||||||||
| Investment at cost | ||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | ||||||||
| Total Non-Current Assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | $ | ||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued commissions | ||||||||
| Due to related parties, net | ||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities - current | ||||||||
| Deferred underwriting fee payable | ||||||||
| Notes payable - current | ||||||||
| Total Current Liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| Non-Current Liabilities | ||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities - non-current | $ | $ | ||||||
| Notes payable - non-current | ||||||||
| Total Non-Current Liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15) | ||||||||
| Temporary equity: | ||||||||
| Class A common stock subject to possible redemption; shares (at approximately $ per share) as of December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||
| Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $ par value; shares authorized; issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | ||||||||
| Common stock, $ par value; shares authorized; and issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | ||||||||
| Class A common stock, $ par value; shares authorized; and issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | ||||||||
| Class B common stock, $ par value; shares authorized; and issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | ||||||||
| Additional paid in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total HWH International Inc. Stockholders’ deficit | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Non-controlling interests | ||||||||
| Total Stockholders’ Deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 1 |
HWH International Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Loss
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 | Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 (as restated) | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 (as restated) | |||||||||||||
| Revenue | ||||||||||||||||
| - Membership | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| - Non-membership | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue | ||||||||||||||||
| - Membership | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||
| - Non-membership | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Total Cost of revenue | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Gross profit | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Impairment of convertible note receivable – related party, and equity method investment - related party | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Impairment loss on goodwill | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Total Operating expenses | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Other income (expense) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange transaction gain (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on equity method investment - related party | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Unrealized loss on convertible note receivable – related party | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Total Other (expense) income | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||
| (Loss) / income before provision for income taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Less: Net income (loss) attributable to Non-Controlling Interests | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax: | ||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment to common stockholders | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment to non-controlling interests | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax: | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||
| Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common stockholders | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Total Comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Comprehensive income / (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income / (loss) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Comprehensive income / (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 | Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | Class A common stock | Class B common stock | Common stock | Class A common stock | Class B common stock | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss per common share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2024 |
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | Class A common stock | Class B common stock | Common stock | Class A common stock | Class B common stock | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss per common share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | ||||||
| Diluted | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | ||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 2 |
HWH International Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
(Unaudited)
Class A Common stock | Class B Common stock | Common Stock | Accumulated | Total HWH | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Par Value $0.0001 | Shares | Par Value $0.0001 | Shares | Par Value $0.0001 | Additional Paid
in | Other Comprehensive | Accumulated Deficit | International Inc. Stockholders’ | Non- controlling | Total Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | - | - | - | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | - | - | - | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Remeasurement of Class A common stock to redemption value | - | - | - | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Extension Loan | - | - | - | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | - | - | - | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | - | - | - | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at June 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Remeasurement of Class A common stock to redemption value | - | - | - | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Extension Loan | - | - | - | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | - | - | - | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | - | - | - | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Common Stock to EF Hutton for Deferred Underwriting Compensation | - | - | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Common Stock during Merger | - | - | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustment to Temporary Equity | - | - | - | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Convert Common Stock Class A and B to Common Stock | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revaluation for SHRG note receivable and warrants | - | - | - | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Non-Controlling Interest Ketomei | - | - | - | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | - | - | - | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | - | - | - | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revaluation for SHRG note receivable | - | - | - | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Non-Controlling Interest Ketomei | - | - | - | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | - | - | - | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at June 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AI and AIL Debt conversion to shares | - | - | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revaluation for SHRG note receivable | - | - | - | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | - | - | - | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | - | - | - | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 3 |
HWH International Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 (as restated) | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Interest income | ( | ) | ||||||
| Foreign exchange transaction gain | ( | ) | ||||||
| Loss on equity method investment, related party | ||||||||
| Depreciation expense | ||||||||
| Non-cash lease expense | ||||||||
| Inventory write off expenses | ||||||||
| Impairment of convertible note receivable – related party, and equity method investment - related party | ||||||||
| Impairment loss on goodwill | ||||||||
| Unrealized loss on convertible note receivable – related party | ||||||||
| Loss on disposal of equipment | ||||||||
| Impairment loss on equipment | ||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Account receivables | ( | ) | ||||||
| Other receivables | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Prepaid expenses | ( | ) | ||||||
| Deposit | ( | ) | ||||||
| Inventory | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accrued commissions | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Deferred revenue | ( | ) | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Convertible loans receivable - related party | ( | ) | ||||||
| Investment at cost | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash withdrawn from trust account for redemptions | ||||||||
| Cash withdrawn from trust account available to the Company | ||||||||
| Cash deposited into trust account | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash provided by investing activities | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Repayment of loans and borrowing | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||
| Repayment of deferred underwriting compensation | ( | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from repayment of due from sponsor | ||||||||
| Proceeds from extension loan | ||||||||
| Advances from related parties | ||||||||
| Borrowing from notes payable - related parties | ||||||||
| Repayment to notes payable - related parties | ( | ) | ||||||
| Repayment of class A common stock | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Net decrease in cash | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Effects of foreign exchange rate on cash | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash at beginning of period | ||||||||
| Cash at end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities | ||||||||
| Issuance of HWH common stock to EF Hutton for deferred underwriting compensation | $ | $ | ||||||
| Debt to equity conversion | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cash paid for interest expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Valuation gain from notes receivable and warrants - SHRG | $ | $ | ||||||
| Initial recognition of operating lease right-of-use asset and liability | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 4 |
HWH International Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1 — DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS OPERATIONS
HWH International Inc. (“HWH”) and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) operate a food and beverage (“F&B”) business in Singapore and South Korea. The F&B business operates four cafés, two of which are located in South Korea and two in Singapore, as well as an online healthy food store serving customers in Singapore. The Company previously operated a membership model in which individuals paid an upfront membership fee to become members. As members, these individuals received discounted access to products and services offered by the Company’s affiliates. The Company had approximately 9,000 members, primarily in South Korea. Currently, this membership business has been temporarily suspended, however the Company intends to resume this business following the ongoing restructuring of the membership model.
HWH International Inc. was originally incorporated in Delaware on October 20, 2021 under the name Alset Capital Acquisition Corp. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). The Company consummated the Business Combination on January 9, 2024 and changed its name from “Alset Capital Acquisition Corp.” to “HWH International Inc.” The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.
On September 9, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among the Company, HWH International Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “HWH Nevada” or “Target”) and HWH Merger Sub Inc., a Nevada corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”). The Company and Merger Sub are sometimes referred to collectively as the “ACAX Parties.” Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, a business combination between the Company and the Target was effected through the merger of Merger Sub with and into HWH Nevada, with the Target surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). Upon the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) on January 9, 2024, the Company changed its name to “HWH International Inc.” The board of directors of the Company (i) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and the transactions contemplated thereby and (ii) resolved to recommend approval of the Merger Agreement and related transactions by the stockholders of the Company.
The Target was owned and controlled by certain member officers and directors of the Company and its sponsor. The Merger was consummated following the receipt of the required approval by the stockholders of the Company and the shareholders of the Target and the satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions.
The
total consideration paid at Closing (the “Merger Consideration”) by the Company to the Target’s shareholders was $
NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These interim financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the Company’s annual financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial information. These interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024 or any other interim periods or for any other future years. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2023 filed on February 28, 2024 and audited consolidated financial statements of HWH Nevada for the year ended December 31, 2023 included in the form 8-K/A filed with SEC on March 25, 2024.
| 5 |
Through November 30, 2023, HWH (then known as Alset Capital Acquisition Corp.) reported on a twelve-month fiscal year that ended on November 30. In connection with the Business Combination, the Company’s fiscal year end was changed from November 30 to December 31. As a result of this change, the Company had a one-month transition period that began on December 1, 2023 and ended on December 31, 2023. For details see note 18 - Change in Fiscal Year.
The
condensed consolidated financial statements include all accounts of the Company and its majority owned and controlled subsidiaries. The
Company consolidates entities in which it owns
The following chart describes the Company’s ownership of various subsidiaries:
The
Company mainly focuses on the F&B business. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, substantially all of the Company’s
business was generated by its wholly owned subsidiaries,
| 6 |
Emerging Growth Company
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Functional and Reporting Currency
The functional and reporting currency of the Company is the United States dollar (“$”). The financial records of the Company’s subsidiaries located in South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia are maintained in their local currencies, the Korean Won (₩), Singapore Dollar (S$), Hong Kong Dollar (HK$) and Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), which are also the functional currencies of these entities.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the balance sheet.
Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the balance sheet, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The
Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
The Company had cash of $
| 7 |
Investments held in Trust Account
At
September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $ and $
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data
Level 3: Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the use of the reporting entity’s own assumptions
For purpose of this disclosure, the fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced sale or liquidation. The carrying values reported in balance sheets for current assets and liabilities approximate their estimated fair market values based on the short-term maturity of these instruments.
Investment Securities at Cost
Investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values are measured at cost minus impairment adjusted by observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar investments of the same issuer. These investments are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when there are events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect. An impairment loss is recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the investment.
Inventory
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method and includes all costs in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. Net realizable value is an estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, inventory consisted of finished goods procured from suppliers. The Company continuously evaluates the need for reserve for obsolescence and possible price concessions required to write-down inventory to its net realizable value.
Leases
The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 842 in accounting for its operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities. At inception of a contract, the Company assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is or contains a lease if it conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange of a consideration. To assess whether a contract is or contains a lease, the Company assesses whether the contract involves the use of an identified asset, whether it has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset and whether it has the right to control the use of the asset. The right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date. The Company recognizes operating lease expenses on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For leases that contain related non-lease components, such as maintenance, the Company will account for these payments as a single lease component.
Right-of-use of assets
The right-of-use of asset is measured at cost, which comprises the amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and less any lease incentive received.
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Lease liabilities
Lease liability is measured at the present value of the outstanding lease payments at the commencement date, discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise mainly of fixed lease payments.
Short-term leases and leases of low value assets
The Company has elected to not recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less and leases of low value assets. Lease payments associated with these leases are expensed as incurred.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, less depreciation. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Expenditures incurred as a consequence of acquiring or using the asset, or that increase the value or productive capacity of assets are capitalized. When property and equipment is retired, sold, or otherwise disposed of, the asset’s carrying amount and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in statement of operations. Depreciation is computed by the reducing balance method (after considering their respective estimated residual values) over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets as follows:
| Office Equipment | ||
| Furniture and Fittings | ||
| Kitchen Equipment | ||
| Operating Equipment | ||
| Leasehold Improvements |
The Company reviews the carrying value of property and equipment for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. In cases where undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to an amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of assets. The factors considered by management in performing this assessment include current operating results, trends, and prospects, as well as the effects of obsolescence, demand, competition, and other economic factors.
As
at September 30, 2024, the Company has determined the value-in-use to be zero based on the discounted cash flow of the cash generating
unit (“CGU”), which involves the cash flow projections covering a 3-year period and the fair value less cost of disposal
to be zero considering the re-sale value of these assets to be insignificant. Based on the assessment, the recoverable amount of the
CGU was determined to be zero, which was below the carrying amount of these non-financial assets. Accordingly, impairment losses on plant
and equipment of $
Deposit
Deposit represents rental deposit paid for the office and the cafes used.
Revenue Recognition
ASC 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the entity’s contracts to provide goods or services to customers.
In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for these goods or services. The provisions of ASC 606 include a five-step process by which the determination of revenue recognition, depicting the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts reflecting the payment to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASC 606 requires the Company to apply the following steps:
(1) identify the contract with the customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, performance obligations are satisfied.
The Company generates its revenue primarily from membership fees, product sales and F&B business.
Membership Fee: The Company collects an annual membership fee from its members. The fee is fixed, paid in full at the time upon joining the membership and is not refundable. The Company’s performance obligation is to provide its members the right to (a) purchase products from the Company, (b) access to certain back-office services, (c) receive commissions and (d) attend corporate events. The associated performance obligation is satisfied over time, generally over the term of the membership agreement which is for a one-year period. The Company recognizes revenue from membership fee over the one-year period of the membership.
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Product Sales: The Company’s performance obligation is to transfer ownership of its products to its members. The Company generally recognizes revenue when product is delivered to its members. Revenue is recorded net of applicable taxes, allowances, refunds or returns. The Company receives the net sales price in cash or through credit card payments at the point of sale.
If
any member returns a product to the Company on a timely basis, they may obtain a replacement product from the Company for such returned
product. We do not have buyback program. However, when the customer requests a return and management decides that the refund is necessary,
we initiate the refund after deducting all the benefits that a member has earned. The returns are deducted from our sales revenue on
our financial statements. Allowances for product and membership returns are provided at the time the sale is recorded. This accrual is
based upon historical return rates for each country and the relevant return pattern, which reflects anticipated returns to be received
over a period of up to 12 months following the original sale. Product and membership returns for the three months ended September 30,
2024 and 2023 were both $. Product and membership returns for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were $ and $
| Returns | ||||||||||||
| Membership | Products | Total | ||||||||||
| For the three months ended: | ||||||||||||
| September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Returns | ||||||||||||
| Membership | Products | Total | ||||||||||
| For the nine months ended: | ||||||||||||
| September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Food
and Beverage: The revenue received from Food and Beverage business for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $
Contract assets and liabilities
Below is a summary of the beginning and ending balances of the Company’s contract assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Prepaid Sales Commission | ||||||||
| Balances at the beginning of the period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Movement for the period | ( | ) | ||||||
| Balances at the end of the period | $ | $ | ||||||
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Deferred Revenue | ||||||||
| Balances at the beginning of the period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Movement for the period | ( | ) | ||||||
| Balances at the end of the period | $ | $ | ||||||
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Value-added Tax
The
Company is obligated to pay value-added tax (“VAT”), among other things, on its inventory purchase as well as its rent payments
and payment of professional fees. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, included in other receivables was VAT paid of $
Cost of revenue
Cost of revenue consists of the cost of procuring finished goods from suppliers and related shipping and handling fees from 3rd parties money platform, contractor fees for part-time staff, franchise commission and sales commission from membership business.
Below is a breakdown of the Company’s cost of revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
For the three months ended:
| Total | ||||
| September 30, 2024 | ||||
| Finished goods | $ | |||
| Related shipping | ||||
| Handling fee | ||||
| Contractor fee | ||||
| Franchise commission | ||||
| Sales commission | ||||
| Depreciation | ||||
| Total of Cost of revenue | $ | |||
| September 30, 2023 | ||||
| Finished goods | $ | |||
| Related shipping | ||||
| Handling fee | ||||
| Contractor fee | ||||
| Franchise commission | ||||
| Sales commission | ||||
| Inventory written off | ||||
| Depreciation | ||||
| Total of Cost of revenue | $ | |||
For the nine months ended:
| Total | ||||
| September 30, 2024 | ||||
| Finished goods | $ | |||
| Related shipping | ||||
| Handling fee | ||||
| Contractor fee | ||||
| Franchise commission | ||||
| Depreciation | ||||
| Total of Cost of revenue | $ | |||
| September 30, 2023 | ||||
| Finished goods | $ | |||
| Related shipping | ||||
| Handling fee | ||||
| Contractor fee | ||||
| Franchise commission | ||||
| Sales commission | ||||
| Inventory written off | ||||
| Depreciation | ||||
| Total of Cost of revenue | $ | |||
Shipping and Handling Fees
The Company utilizes the practical expedient under ASC 606-10-25-18B to account for its shipping and handling as fulfillment activities, and not a promised service (a revenue element). Shipping and handling fees are included in costs of revenue within the statements of operations.
Commission Expense
The
Company compensates its sales leaders with leadership incentives for services rendered, relating to the development, retention, and management
of their sales organizations. Leadership incentives are payable based on achieved sales volume, which are recorded in cost of revenue.
Member will get
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Advertising Expenses
Costs
incurred for advertising the Company’s products are charged to operations as incurred. Advertising expenses for the three months
ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were $
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to the provision of ASC 740-10, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASC 740-10”), which requires, among other things, assets and liabilities approach to calculating deferred income taxes. The assets and liabilities approach requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided to offset any net deferred tax assets for which management believes it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. Tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold are measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority.
The Company follows the provision of ASC 740-10 related to Accounting for Uncertain Income Tax Positions. When tax returns are filed, there may be uncertainty about the merits of positions taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. In accordance with the guidance of ASC 740-10, the benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions.
The Company has not recorded any unrecognized tax benefits. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income taxes in income tax expense.
The Company presents basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share data for its common shares. Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing the profit or loss attributable to common stock shareholders of the Company by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year, adjusted for treasury shares held by the Company.
Diluted earnings (loss) per share is determined by adjusting the profit or loss attributable to common stock shareholders and the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, adjusted for treasury shares held, for the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares, which comprise convertible securities, such as stock options, convertible bonds and warrants. At September 30, 2024 there were potentially dilutive warrants outstanding. At September 30, 2023 there were potentially dilutive warrants outstanding and potentially dilutive underlying rights.
Non-controlling interests
Non-controlling interests represent the equity in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to owners of the Company, and are presented separately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income, and within equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, separately from equity attributable to owners of the Company.
On
September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the aggregate non-controlling interests in the Company were $
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Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current period’s presentation.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we incurred a net loss, a loss from operations and negative cash flow from operations as we expanded our business of operating cafés and restructured our membership business.
Notwithstanding the above, the Company believes that the available cash in the Company’s bank accounts, anticipated cash from operations, and financing availability from related parties are sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months. The Company’s capital requirements for the planned expansion are based on, among other items, geographical specific property costs, team requirements, and marketing steps needed. Our expansion shall consist of plans to take over leases of existing Hapi Cafes we currently do not own, as we look to add Hapi Cafes over the next two (2) years. If we take over these existing leases, it will require a minimum investment for each lease we take over for each Hapi Café. There is no guarantee that we will be able to execute on our plans as laid out above.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern and do not contain any adjustments that might be required should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
On
April 24, 2024, the Company entered into a Credit Facility Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Alset Inc., a Texas corporation
and the Company’s indirect, majority stockholder, pursuant to which Alset Inc. has provided the Company a line of credit facility
(the “Credit Facility”) which provides a maximum, aggregate credit line of up to $
Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company may request an advance (each, an “Advance”) on the Credit Facility. Each Advance shall bear a simple interest rate of three percent (3%) per annum. Each Advance and all accrued but unpaid interest shall be due and payable at the first (1st) anniversary of the effective date of the Credit Agreement. The Company may at any time during the term of the Credit Agreement prepay a portion or all amounts of its indebtedness without penalty. Each advance shall not be secured by a lien or other encumbrance on any of the Company’s assets, but shall be solely a general unsecured debt obligation of the Company.
The Company has obtained letters of financial support from Alset International Limited and Alset Inc., a direct and indirect majority owner of the Company, respectively. Alset International Limited and Alset Inc. committed to provide any additional funding required by the Company and would not demand repayment through twelve months from the issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
Recent accounting pronouncement
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (ASU 2023-07), which requires an enhanced disclosure of significant segment expenses on an annual and interim basis. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. Upon adoption, the guidance should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 3 - MERGER WITH HWH INTERNATIONAL INC. (A NEVADA CORPORATION)
HWH International Inc. (f.k.a. Alset Capital Acquisition Corp.; “SPAC”, the “Company”) was a special purpose acquisition company, incorporated in Delaware on October 20, 2021 and formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. On January 9, 2024, the Company, HWH International Inc. (a Nevada corporation, “HWH Nevada”) and HWH Merger Sub Inc. consummated the merger (the “Reverse Recapitalization”) pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger dated as of September 9, 2022.
The transaction was accounted for as a Reverse Recapitalization in accordance with US GAAP. Under this method of accounting, SPAC was treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. This determination is primarily based on the fact that subsequent to the Reverse Recapitalization, HWH Nevada stockholders comprise a majority of voting power on the Company, most of senior management of HWH Nevada continued as senior management of the combined company and identified a majority of the members of the board of directors of the combined company, both companies are under common control; and HWH Nevada’s operations comprise the ongoing operations of the combined company. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Company is considered to be a continuation of HWH Nevada, with the net identifiable assets of SPAC deemed to have been acquired by HWH Nevada in exchange for HWH Nevada common shares accompanied by a recapitalization, with no goodwill or intangible assets recorded.
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In connection with the Business Combination:
| ● | The holders of Public Shares properly exercised their right to have such shares redeemed for a full pro rata portion of the trust account holding the proceeds from the IPO. | |
| ● | Immediately prior to the
consummation of the Reverse Recapitalization (i) each of the shares of SPAC’s Class A Common Stock was cancelled
and converted into shares of the Company’s common stock; (ii) each of the issued and outstanding shares
of SPAC’s Class B Common Shares were converted into shares of SPAC’s Class A Common Stock and subsequently
into shares of the Company’s common stock; (iii) each of the SPAC’s | |
| ● | shares of the Company’s common stock were delivered as consideration in the Business Combination | |
| ● | shares of the Company’s
common stock were issued to a third party as payment for $ |
The
transaction described above was a transaction between entities under common control. SPAC, prior to the Business Combination, was
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Other Comprehensive Loss for the Nine Months Ended on September 30, 2023
| As SPAC previously booked | Merger with HWH-NV | As restated | ||||||||||
| Revenue | ||||||||||||
| -Membership | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| -Non-membership | ||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Cost of revenue | ||||||||||||
| -Membership | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| -Non-membership | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Total cost of revenue | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Gross profit | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Total operating expenses | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Other income (expenses) | ||||||||||||
| Other income | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Loss on equity method investment, related party | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Total other income | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Income (loss) before provision for income taxes | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Less: Net income attributable to Non-Controlling Interests | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to the common shareholders | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Other comprehensive income: | ||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange translation adjustment | ||||||||||||
| Total Other comprehensive income, net of tax | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss): | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||
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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2023
| As SPAC previously booked | Merger with HWH-NV | As restated | ||||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||||||
| Current Assets | ||||||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Account receivable, net | ||||||||||||
| Inventory | ||||||||||||
| Other receivables, net | ||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||||||
| Total Current Assets | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Non-Current Assets | ||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account | ||||||||||||
| Deposits | ||||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | ||||||||||||
| Total Non-Current Assets | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||||||
| Current Liabilities | ||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accrued commissions | ||||||||||||
| Due to related parties, net | ||||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities - current | ||||||||||||
| Deferred underwriting fee payable | ||||||||||||
| Total Current Liabilities | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Non-Current Liabilities | ||||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities - Non-current | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Total Non-Current Liabilities | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies | ||||||||||||
| Temporary equity: | ||||||||||||
| Class A common stock subject to possible redemption; shares (at approximately $ per share) as of December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||
| Preferred stock, $ par value; shares authorized; issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Common stock, $ par value; shares authorized; issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Class A common stock, $ par value; shares authorized; issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Class B common stock, $ par value; shares authorized; issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Additional paid in capital | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total Stockholders’ Deficit | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Non-controlling interests | ||||||||||||
| Total Stockholders’ Deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
NOTE 4 — ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET
Accounts
receivable, net at September 30, 2024, December 31, 2023, September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 of $
NOTE 5 — PREPAID COMMISSIONS
During the normal course of business, the Company pays commission to its members for product sales as well as membership sales. Prepaid commissions are recorded for commissions paid on membership sales and recognized as an expense over the same period as the related membership revenue.
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NOTE 6 — INVENTORY
As
of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the balance of finished goods was $
NOTE 7 — PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
The components of property and equipment are as follows:
| Total | ||||
| September 30, 2024 | ||||
| Cost: | ||||
| Office Equipment | $ | |||
| Furniture and Fittings | ||||
| Kitchen Equipment | ||||
| Operating Equipment | ||||
| Leasehold Improvements | ||||
| Accumulated Depreciation: | ||||
| Office equipment | ( | ) | ||
| Furniture and Fittings | ( | ) | ||
| Kitchen Equipment | ( | ) | ||
| Operating Equipment | ( | ) | ||
| Leasehold Improvements | ( | ) | ||
| Impairment: | ||||
| Office equipment | ( | ) | ||
| Furniture and Fittings | ( | ) | ||
| Kitchen Equipment | ( | ) | ||
| Operating Equipment | ( | ) | ||
| Leasehold Improvements | ( | ) | ||
| Total, net | $ | |||
| December 31, 2023 | ||||
| Cost: | ||||
| Office Equipment | $ | |||
| Furniture and Fittings | ||||
| Kitchen Equipment | ||||
| Operating Equipment | ||||
| Leasehold Improvements | ||||
| Accumulated Depreciation: | ||||
| Office Equipment | ( | ) | ||
| Furniture and Fittings | ( | ) | ||
| Kitchen Equipment | ( | ) | ||
| Operating Equipment | ( | ) | ||
| Leasehold Improvements | ( | ) | ||
| Total, net | $ | |||
For
the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded depreciation expenses of $
NOTE 8 — INVESTMENTS AT COST
Investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values are measured at cost minus impairment adjusted by observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. These investments are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when there are events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect. An impairment loss is recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the investment. No impairment was recorded as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Joint Venture
On
April 25, 2024, the Company entered into a binding term sheet (the “Term Sheet”) through its subsidiary Health Wealth Happiness
Pte. Ltd. (“HWHPL”) outlining a joint venture with Chen Ziping, an experienced entrepreneur in the travel industry, and Chan
Heng Fai Ambrose, HWH’s Executive Chairman, as a part of HWH’s strategy of building its travel business in Asia. The planned
joint venture company (referred to here as the “JVC”) will be known as HapiTravel Holding Pte. Ltd. The JVC will be initially
owned as follows: (a) HWHPL will hold
Ideal Food & Beverage Pte. Ltd.
On
March 14, 2024, the Company entered into a share subscription agreement through its subsidiary Alset F&B Holding Pte. Ltd.
(“F&BH”) for Ideal Food & Beverage Pte. Ltd. (“IFBPL”) with the
subscription of
shares constituting
NOTE 9 — COMMISSIONS EXPENSE
Accrued
commissions as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 represent mainly sales commission payable. For the three months ended September
30, 2024 and 2023, sales commission expenses of $
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NOTE 10 – LOAN DUE TO THIRD PARTY
Loans for Operations
The
Company’s subsidiary, Ketomei Pte Ltd (“Ketomei”) has a loan from DBS Bank Limited, which was used to fund Ketomei’s
current operations. Ketomei owes the bank $
Ketomei also borrowed funds from an individual to whom Ketomei owes $4,684 at September 30, 2024.
Promissory Note to EF Hutton LLC
On December 18, 2023, the Company’s
subsidiary, HWH International Inc. entered into a Satisfaction and Discharge of Indebtedness Agreement in connection with an underwriting
agreement previously entered into by HWH and EF Hutton LLC (“EF Hutton”), a division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, under
which in lieu of HWH tendering the full amount due of $
NOTE 11 — DUE TO ALSET INC.
Alset
Inc (“AEI”) is our ultimate holding company that is incorporated in the United States of America. The amount due to AEI represents
short-term working capital advances to the Company for its daily operations. There is no written, executed agreement and no financial/non-financial
covenants and the amount due to AEI is non-interest bearing. Since the amount due to AEI is due upon request, it is classified as a current
liability. The amounts due to AEI at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are $
On
April 24, 2024, the Company entered into a Credit Facility Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Alset Inc., pursuant to
which AEI has provided the Company a line of credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) which provides a maximum, aggregate
credit line of up to $
Pursuant
to the Credit Agreement, the Company may request an advance (each, an “Advance”) on the Credit Facility. Each Advance
shall bear a simple interest rate of three percent (
On
September 24, 2024, the Company entered into a Debt Conversion Agreement (the “AEI Conversion”) with Alset Inc., pursuant
to which a debt of $
NOTE 12 — DUE TO/FROM RELATED PARTIES
Due to Alset International Limited.
Alset
International Limited (“AIL”) is incorporated in Singapore and is a fellow subsidiary of the common parent company, Alset
Inc. The amount due to AIL represents short-term working capital advances to the Company for its daily operations. There is no written,
executed agreement and no financial/non-financial covenants and the amount due to AIL is non-interest bearing. Since the amount due to
AIL is due upon request, it is classified as a current liability. The amounts due to AIL at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023
are $
On
September 24, 2024, the Company entered into a Debt Conversion Agreement (the “AIL Conversion”) with Alset International
Limited, pursuant to which a debt of $
Due to Alset Business Development Pte. Limited.
Alset
Business Development Pte. Limited (“ABD”) is incorporated in Singapore and is a fellow subsidiary of the common parent company,
Alset Inc. The amount due to ABD represents amount loaned by ABD to Hapi Cafe Inc. (“HCI”) for the investment in Ketomei
Pte. Ltd (“Ketomei”) in March 2022. There is no written, executed agreement and no financial/non-financial covenants and
the amount due to ABD is non-interest bearing. Since the amount due to ABD is due upon request, it is classified as a current liability.
The amounts due to ABD at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are $
Due to BMI Capital Partners International Limited.
BMI
Capital Partners International Limited (“BMI”) is incorporated in Hong Kong and is a fellow subsidiary of the common parent
company, Alset Inc. The amount due to BMI represents short-term working capital advances to the Company for its daily operations. There
is no written, executed agreement and no financial/non-financial covenants and the amount due to BMI is non-interest bearing. Since the
amount due to BMI is due upon request, it is classified as a current liability. The amounts due to BMI at September 30, 2024 and December
31, 2023 are $
| 17 |
General and Administrative Services
Commencing
on the date the Company’s common stock was first listed on the Nasdaq, the Company has agreed to pay to Alset Management Group
Inc. a total of $
Related Party Loans
Working Capital Loans
In
order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain
of the Company’s officers and directors were permitted to, but were not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required
(“Working Capital Loans”). Such Working Capital Loans would be evidenced by promissory notes. The notes were to be repaid
upon completion of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $
Extension Loan
On
May 1, 2023, the Company amended the Investment Management Trust Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”) with Wilmington Trust,
National Association, a national banking association, which was entered into on January 31, 2022. On May 2, 2023 the Company filed an
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The Trust Agreement and Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
were amended, in part, so that the Company’s ability to complete a business combination was extended in additional increments of
one month up to a total of twenty-one (21) additional months from the closing date of the Offering, subject to the payment into the trust
account by the Company of one-third of 1% of the funds remaining in the trust account following any redemptions in connection with the
approval of the amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The Sponsor funded the first 30-day
extension payment on May 3, 2023. The Sponsor also made subsequent extension payments on June 5th and July 6th of
$
NOTE 13 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On
August 31, 2023, Hapi Café Inc. and Ketomei Pte. Ltd. entered into a binding term sheet pursuant to which HCI agreed to lend
Ketomei up to $
On
October 26, 2023, the same parties entered into another binding term sheet pursuant to which HCI agreed to lend Ketomei up to $
On
February 20, 2024, the Company invested additional $
On
March 20, 2024, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Sharing Services Global Corporation (“SHRG”),
pursuant to which the Company purchased from SHRG a (i) Convertible Promissory Note (“CN 1”) in the amount of $
On
May 9, 2024, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Sharing Services Global Corporation, pursuant to which the
Company purchased from SHRG a Convertible Promissory Note (“CN 2”) in the amount of $
On
June 6, 2024, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Sharing Services Global Corporation, pursuant to which the
Company purchased from SHRG a Convertible Promissory Note (“CN 3”) in the amount of $
On
August 13, 2024, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Sharing Services Global Corporation, pursuant to which
the Company purchased from SHRG a Convertible Promissory Note (“CN 4”) in the amount of $
As
of September 30, 2024, a total of $
SHRG is a related party of our Company, as our stockholders Alset Inc. and Alset International Limited, in addition to certain entities affiliated with them, are significant stockholders of SHRG, and our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman are also the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, respectively, of SHRG.
| 18 |
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below and disclosed on the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2024:
| Fair Value Measurement Using | Amount at | |||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
| September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||
| Warrants – SHRG | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Convertible loans receivable – SHRG | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Investment in securities at Fair Value | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The fair value of the SHRG warrants under level 2 category as of September 30, 2024 was calculated using a binomial option pricing model valued with the following weighted average assumptions:
| September 30, 2024 | ||||
| Stock price | $ | |||
| Exercise price | $ | |||
| Risk free interest rate | % | |||
| Annualized volatility | % | |||
| Dividend Yield | $ | % | ||
| Year to maturity | ||||
The Company has elected to recognize the convertible loan at fair value and therefore there was no further evaluation of embedded features for bifurcation. The Company engaged third party valuation firm to perform the valuation of convertible loans. The fair value of the convertible loans is calculated using the binomial tree model based on probability of remaining as straight debt using discounted cash flow with the following assumptions:
| As of September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| CN# | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Issued date | March 18, 2024 | May 9, 2024 | June 6, 2024 | August 13, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Risk-free interest rate | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||
| Expected life | ||||||||||||||||
| Discount rate | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||
| Expected volatility | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||
| Expected dividend yield | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||
| Fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Changes in the observable input values would likely cause material changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 2 financial instruments. A significant increase (decrease) in this likelihood would result in a higher (lower) fair value measurement.
Revenue
from F&B business amounting to approximately $
Included
in Accounts Receivable, net at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 is $
Included
in other income during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is $
NOTE 14 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The
total amount of authorized capital stock of the Company is
The Company previously had shares of Class B common stock outstanding, which automatically converted into Class A common stock at the time of the Business Combination, on a one-for-one basis.
Rights - Each holder of a right automatically received one-tenth (1/10) of one share of common stock upon consummation of the Business Combination.
Warrants — Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole warrants will trade. The Public Warrants became exercisable 30 days after the completion of the Business Combination. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the completion of the Business Combination.
The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise of a warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock is available, subject to the Company satisfying its obligations with respect to registration, or a valid exemption from registration is available. No warrant will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, and the Company will not be obligated to issue any shares to holders seeking to exercise their warrants, unless the issuance of the shares upon such exercise is registered or qualified under the securities laws of the state of residence of the exercising holder, or an exemption from registration is available.
| 19 |
Redemption of Warrants When the Price per Share of Class A Common Stock Equals or Exceeds $18.00 — Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding Public Warrants:
| ● | in whole and not in part; | |
| ● | at a price of $ | |
| ● | upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, or the 30-day redemption period to each warrant holder; and | |
| ● | if, and only if, the last reported sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $ per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganization, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to warrant holders. |
If and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if it is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption, as described above, its management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise the Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis,” as described in the warrant agreement. The exercise price and number of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, extraordinary dividend or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, except as described below, the Public Warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of common stock at a price below its exercise price. Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the Public Warrants.
The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units being sold in the Initial Public Offering except the Private Placement Warrants (including the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants) were transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of an Initial Business Combination, subject to certain exceptions.
The following table summarizes the warrant activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
| Warrant for | Weighted | Remaining Contractual | Aggregate | |||||||||||||
| Common | Average | Term | Intrinsic | |||||||||||||
| Shares | Exercise Price | (Years) | Value | |||||||||||||
| Warrants Outstanding as of December 31, 2023 | $ | | $ | |||||||||||||
| Warrants Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited, cancelled, expired | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Warrants Outstanding as of September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Warrants Vested and exercisable at September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Warrant for | Weighted | Remaining Contractual | Aggregate | |||||||||||||
| Common | Average | Term | Intrinsic | |||||||||||||
| Shares | Exercise Price | (Years) | Value | |||||||||||||
| Warrants Outstanding as of December 31, 2022 | $ | | $ | |||||||||||||
| Warrants Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited, cancelled, expired | ||||||||||||||||
| Warrants Outstanding as of September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Warrants Vested and exercisable at September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Issuance of HWH Shares to EF Hutton
On
December 18, 2023, the Company entered into a Satisfaction and Discharge of Indebtedness Agreement in connection with an underwriting
agreement previously entered into by the Company and EF Hutton, a division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, under which in lieu of the
Company tendering the full amount due of $
NOTE 15 —LEASES
The
Company has operating leases for its office spaces, one F&B store in South Korea and two F&B stores in Singapore. In the second
quarter of 2024, the Company ceased its operations of F&BPLQ and recorded a gain on termination of the operating lease of $
The
related lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Since the Company’s
leases do not provide an implicit rate that can be readily determined, management uses a discount rate based on the incremental borrowing
rate. The Company’s weighted-average remaining lease term relating to its operating leases is
The Company has also utilized the following practical expedients:
| ● | Short-term leases – for leases that are for a period of 12 months or less, the Company will not apply the recognition requirements of ASC 842. | |
| ● | For leases that contain related non-lease components, such as maintenance, the Company will account for these payments as a single lease component. |
| 20 |
The
current portion of operating lease liabilities and the non-current portion of operating lease liabilities are presented on the
balance sheets. Total lease expenses amounted to $
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Right-of-use assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Lease liabilities - current | $ | $ | ||||||
| Lease liabilities - non-current | ||||||||
| Total lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
As of September 30, 2024, the aggregate future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable agreements are as follows:
| Maturity of Lease Liabilities | Total | |||
| 12 months ending September 30, 2025 | $ | |||
| 12 months ending September 30, 2026 | ||||
| 12 months ending September 30, 2027 | ||||
| Total undiscounted lease payments | $ | |||
| Less: Imputed interest | ( | ) | ||
| Present value of lease liabilities | $ | |||
| Operating lease liabilities - Current | ||||
| Operating lease liabilities - Non-current | $ | |||
NOTE 16 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
From time to time the Company may be named in claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Currently, no legal proceedings, government actions, administrative actions, investigations or claims are pending against the Company or involve the Company that, in the opinion of management, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on its business and financial condition. For all periods presented, the Company was not a party to any pending material litigation or other material legal proceedings.
NOTE 17 —DISAGGREGATION OF REVENUE
Selected financial information of the Company’s operating revenue for disaggregated revenue purposes by revenue source are as follows: Product sales only represent sales to members, not third parties who are not members.
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 | Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||
| Membership Fee | $ | $ | ||||||
| Product Sales | ||||||||
| Food and Beverage | ||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||
| Membership Fee | $ | $ | ||||||
| Product Sales | ||||||||
| Food and Beverage | ||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
| 21 |
NOTE 18 — CONCENTRATION RISK
The
Company maintains cash balances at various financial institutions in different countries. These balances are usually secured by the central
banks’ insurance companies. At times, these balances may exceed the insurance limits. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31,
2023, uninsured cash balances were $
Major Suppliers
For
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, five suppliers accounted for approximately over
For
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, five suppliers accounted for approximately over
NOTE 19 — INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATE & CONVERTIBLE NOTES RECEIVABLE, RELATED PARTY
Until February 20, 2024, the Company held an equity method investment in a related party, Ketomei, and also had a convertible note receivable with Ketomei. The following table shows the activity of the investment and note during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
| December 31, 2023 | Additions | Loss on investment | Impairment | September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment in associate, related party | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| Convertible note receivable, related party | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | Additions | Loss on investment | Impairment | September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment in associate, related party | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| Convertible note receivable, related party | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
During
the first nine months of 2024, the Company impaired convertible note receivable of $
On
February 20, 2024, the Company invested an additional $
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company held convertible notes receivable with SHRG. The following table shows the activity of the notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
| December 31, 2023 | Additions | Net Unrealized Losses | September 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Convertible note receivable - related party | $ | $ | $ | $ | | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company revalued the convertible note receivable with SHRG of $
| 22 |
NOTE 20 — CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR
In connection with the Business Combination, the Company changed its fiscal year from November 30 to December 31. The Company has recently reported its audited financial statements on form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2023. The Company’s financial statement for one month of December 2023, that were not previously reported include expenses related to business combination, ordinary business expenses and investment income.
HWH INTERNATIONAL INC.
(Formerly
known as Alset Capital Acquisition Corp.)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| December 31, 2023 | ||||
| ASSETS | ||||
| Current assets: | ||||
| Cash | $ | |||
| Other current assets | ||||
| Total current assets | ||||
| Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account | ||||
| Total assets | $ | |||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | ||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | |||
| Extension Loan – Related Party | ||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||
| Deferred underwriting compensation | ||||
| Total liabilities | ||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||
| Temporary equity: | ||||
| Class A common stock subject to possible redemption; shares (at approximately $ per share) as of December 31, 2023 | ||||
| Stockholders’ deficit: | ||||
| Preferred stock, $ par value; shares authorized; issued and outstanding | ||||
| Class A common stock, $ par value; shares authorized; issued and outstanding (excluding shares subject to possible redemption) as of December 31, 2023 | ||||
| Class B common stock, $ par value; shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 | ||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ||
| Total stockholders’ deficit | ( | ) | ||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit | $ | |||
| 23 |
HWH INTERNATIONAL INC.
(Formerly known as Alset Capital Acquisition Corp.)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
| For the One | ||||
| Month Ended | ||||
| December 31, 2023 | ||||
| EXPENSES | ||||
| Administration fee - related party | $ | |||
| General and administrative | ||||
| TOTAL EXPENSES | ||||
| OTHER INCOME | ||||
| Investment income earned on cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account | ||||
| Other Income | ||||
| TOTAL OTHER INCOME | ||||
| Pre-tax loss | ||||
| Income tax expense | ||||
| Net loss | $ | |||
NOTE 21 — SUBSEQUENT EVENT
The Company has evaluated events that have occurred after the balance sheet date through the date of this report and determined that there were no subsequent events or transactions that required recognition or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 24 |
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
References to the “Company,” “HWH International Inc.,” “our,” “us” or “we” refer to HWH International Inc. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited interim financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, those described in our other SEC filings.
Overview
Our newly acquired business started in South Korea with a single-level membership marketing model with limited products for sale. We registered the business on April 1, 2019, and we started selling founders package on July 1, 2019. While we had been profitable and growing, the COVID-19 pandemic had a material adverse effect on such growth and profits. Due to the decline in membership and revenue starting in 2020, we reorganized our internal staff by adding a broader team in each of the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore with direct selling and business development experience to head up and expand our operations across various geographies and revised our business plan to a tiered membership model in 2022, with more products and services to be made available to our members. We created a new corporate structure, with subsidiaries in the U.S., Hong Kong and Singapore, that would allow for quick geographical expansion and turned our focus to the Hapi Café development.
We have 9,811 individuals with founding member status. This is a privileged class that will be able to enjoy continuous membership benefits in time to come, given that they have trusted the Company and joined at an early stage. Such benefits include the ability to purchase new memberships, in the model described below, at a favorable rate to be determined by the Company. They will also continue to be able to earn affiliate commissions as they sell our products in the marketplace and enjoy discounted rates when visiting Hapi Cafés until further notice. The total number of founding members was capped at 10,000. The Company is in the midst of implementing a new membership model that operates on a yearly subscription basis. While we are not currently selling memberships, we intend to resume membership sales under this new model.
Members will get exclusive discounts on Hapi Marketplace products, priority invites to product launch events and other parties, and can earn passive income when a member’s referral signs up for membership or makes an initial purchase of Hapi Marketplace products through them.
Our operations include:
Hapi Marketplace. On November 4, 2024, the Company announced the launch of its business-to-consumer marketplace, Hapi Marketplace. Hapi Marketplace features a selection of over forty-seven product categories including wellness, elderly care, auto accessories and more. Launching first in the United States, we intend for Hapi Marketplace to expand in the near future to South Korea and Hong Kong, followed by further expansion across Asia.
The various aspects of the Hapi Marketplace will be launched in phases in different regions, each with their own timeline, depending on the completion of logistical aspects for implementation (i.e., payment gateway systems, business licenses, banking set up, import licenses, managerial resources, etc.) This will be an on-going process as we expand our product and service offering range.
There are also certain limited products currently for sale at our Hapi Cafés, including spaghetti, a gig-economy business book and certain skincare products.
| 25 |
Hapi Cafés, which are, and will be, in-person, location-based social experiences, offer members the opportunity to build a sense of community with like-minded customers who share a potential interest in our products. The cafes are designed to operate sustainably as standalone businesses. The cafes also seek to be an avenue to create awareness to and educate potential and existing members about the products and services of HWH, providing us with the chance to significantly increase our membership base as well as increase the amounts spent by our members on our affiliates’ products and services. Each of our cafés is a “Hapi Café.” We opened proof-of-concept Hapi Café locations in Seoul, the Republic of Korea and Singapore in May and July 2022, respectively, one more opened in Seoul, the Republic of Korea in May 2024, and plan to open additional Hapi Cafés as we beta test and further improve our business concept. We intend to grow our memberships as we grow the number of Hapi Cafés around the world. Hapi Cafe is positioned to be an integral part of HWH’s business model. In June 2024, the Company decision to close the café under F&BPLQ was driven by the unsustainable revenue it generated. We believe it is more strategic to refocus our efforts and resources on other business ventures that have greater growth potential.
Our travel business is in the planning stage as we are working with our affiliates to determine the market-by-market services. Through our travel business, we plan to offer exclusive access to unpublished rates and discounts on air travel, cruises, car rentals, hotels, and resorts for members.
Hapi Wealth Builder seeks to provide participants the opportunity to attend courses, workshops, and coaching sessions in person, fostering a collaborative learning environment for those dedicated to learning investment in equities and wealth-building strategies. The team has been diligently producing digital content for Hapi Wealth Builder and working to collaborate with the right partners to launch the program and make it available to members. Hapi Wealth will leverage the wealth of knowledge and experience of its leaders to make wealth building accessible and effective for its members. Our unique community-centric approach will offer members tools for making informed financial decisions while creating pathways for sustained growth.
On October 31, 2024, we announced that the Company has scheduled the launch of Hapi Wealth, a program dedicated to providing comprehensive education in equity investment and wealth-building strategies. A soft launch is currently scheduled for November 2024 in China and elsewhere in Asia, with the official launch set for January 2025. We are targeting a rollout in North America in 2025 as well.
To further support its mission, Hapi Wealth is opening its China headquarters, designed as a conducive environment for individuals to participate in tutorials and workshops. The hub will offer participants the opportunity to attend courses, workshops, and coaching sessions in person, fostering a collaborative learning environment for those dedicated to learning investment in equities and wealth-building strategies.
Our Revenue Model
Our total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $345,523 and $226,907, respectively. Our total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $966,515 and $622,667, respectively. Our net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $537,143 and $156,131, respectively. Our net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $2,277,303 and $47,217, respectively.
We currently recognize revenue from food and beverage sales, sale of products, and memberships to customers. Sales of food and beverage accounted for approximately 100% and 100% of revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively. Sales of food and beverage accounted for approximately 100% and 98% of revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively. Sales of memberships accounted for approximately 0% of revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023. Sales of memberships accounted for approximately 0% of revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2% of revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
From a geographical perspective, we recognized 6% and 94% of our total revenue in the three months ended on September 30, 2024, in South Korea and Singapore, respectively, and 6% and 94% in the three months ended September 30, 2023, in South Korea and Singapore, respectively. From a geographical perspective, we recognized 5% and 95% of our total revenue in the nine months ended on September 30, 2024, in South Korea and Singapore, respectively, and 8% and 92% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, in South Korea and Singapore, respectively.
Matters that May or Are Currently Affecting Our Business
In addition to the matters described above, the primary challenges and trends that could affect or are affecting our financial results include:
● Our ability to improve our revenue through cross-selling and revenue-sharing arrangements among our group of companies;
● Our ability to identify complementary businesses for acquisition, obtain additional financing for these acquisitions, if and when needed, and profitably integrate them into our existing operation;
● Our ability to attract competent, skilled technical and sales personnel for each of our businesses at acceptable compensation levels to manage our overhead; and
● Our ability to control our operating expenses as we expand each of our businesses and product and service offerings.
| 26 |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes include all the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. They have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates and Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates made by management include, but are not limited to, allowance for credit losses, recoverability and useful lives of property, plant and equipment, the valuation allowance of deferred taxes, contingencies, and equity compensation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition and Cost of Sales
Product Sales: The Company’s performance obligation is to transfer ownership of its products to its members. The Company generally recognizes revenue when a product is delivered to its member. Revenue is recorded net of applicable taxes, allowances, refund or returns. The Company receives the net sales price in cash or through credit card payments at the point of sale.
If any member returns a product to the Company on a timely basis, they may obtain a replacement product from the Company for such returned product. Allowances for product and membership returns are provided at the time the sale is recorded. This accrual is based upon historical return rates for each country and the relevant return pattern, which reflects anticipated returns to be received over a period of up to 12 months following the original sale. Product and membership returns for the three months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023 were approximately $0 and $0, respectively. Product and membership returns for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023 were approximately $0 and $1,184, respectively.
Membership Fee: The Company collects an annual membership fee from its members. The fee is fixed, paid in full at the time of joining the membership and is not refundable. The Company’s performance obligation is to provide its members with the right to (a) purchase products from the Company, (b) access to certain back-office services, (c) receive commissions and (d) attend corporate events. The associated performance obligation is satisfied over time, generally over the term of the membership agreement, which is for a one-year period. The Company recognizes revenue from membership fee over the one-year period of membership.
Food and Beverage: The revenue received from food and beverage business in the three months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023 was $345,523 and $226,907, respectively. The revenue received from food and beverage business in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023 was $966,515 and $609,900, respectively.
Cost of Revenue: Cost of revenue consists of cost of procuring finished goods from suppliers and related shipping and handling fees.
Results of Operations
Summary of Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 345,523 | $ | 226,907 | $ | 966,515 | $ | 622,667 | ||||||||
| Cost of revenue | 185,654 | 86,435 | 478,436 | 237,824 | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | 487,394 | 570,043 | 2,637,517 | 1,888,900 | ||||||||||||
| Other expenses / (income) | 209,618 | (318,564 | ) | 127,865 | (1,831,844 | ) | ||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | - | 45,124 | - | 375,004 | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | 537,143 | $ | 156,131 | $ | 2,277,303 | $ | 47,217 | ||||||||
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Revenue
Revenue was $345,523 and $226,907 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Revenue was $966,515 and $622,667 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Word of mouth, a social media presence, and the availability of meeting spaces are significant drivers of our revenue and revenue potential. Our revenue increased in 2024 due to the increased revenue from F&B business in Singapore and South Korea.
Please see the following table below, which illustrates revenues received from memberships:
| For 2024 | For 2023 | Variance | ||||||||||
| Number of memberships sold | - | 16 | (16 | ) | ||||||||
| Cash received from membership | $ | - | $ | 12,583 | $ | (12,583 | ) | |||||
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, our revenue was generated as per the following:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Membership Fee | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 12,583 | ||||||||
| Product Sales | - | - | - | 184 | ||||||||||||
| Food and Beverage | 345,523 | 226,907 | 966,515 | 609,900 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 345,523 | $ | 226,907 | $ | 966,515 | $ | 622,667 | ||||||||
Cost of revenue
Cost of revenues increased from $86,435 in the three months ended September 30, 2023 to $185,654 in the three months ended September 30, 2024. Cost of revenues increased from $237,824 in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to $478,436 in the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The increase is a result of the increase in sales of F&B business.
Sales commissions decreased from $1,147 to $0 in the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively, due to decrease in sale of memberships. Sales commissions decreased from $13,837 to $0 in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively, due to decrease in sale of memberships.
The gross margin increased from $140,472 to $159,869 in the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The gross margin increased from $384,843 to $488,079 in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The increase of gross margin was caused by the increase in F&B revenue.
Operating expenses
Operating expenses decreased from $570,043 to $487,394 in the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively, due to general and administrative expenses decreased from $570,043 to $487,394 in the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively. Operating expenses increased from $1,888,900 to $2,637,517 in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively, due to general and administrative expenses increased from $1,888,900 to $2,271,325 in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The increase of general and administrative expenses in 2024 compared with 2023 was mostly caused by the increase in the operating expenses for the food and beverage business in Korea and Singapore and the professional fees due to the 10-Q and S-4 filings.
Other income (expense)
In the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company had other expenses of $209,618 compared to other income of $318,564 in the three months ended September 30, 2023. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company had other expenses of $127,865 compared to other income of $1,831,844 in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease is due to decline in interest income from $1,746,808 to $48,791 in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Net loss
In the three months ended September 30, 2024 the Company had net loss of $537,143 compared to $156,131 in the three months ended September 30, 2023. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024 the Company had net loss of $2,277,303 compared to $47,217 in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our cash has decreased from $1,159,201 as of December 31, 2023 to $832,368 as of September 30, 2024. Our liabilities increased from $6,207,177 at December 31, 2023 to $3,171,182 at September 30, 2024. Our total assets have decreased from $23,710,684 as of December 31, 2023 to $2,920,066 as of September 30, 2024.
The Company believes that the available cash in the Company’s bank accounts, anticipated cash from operations, and financing availability from related parties are sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months. The Company’s capital requirements for the planned expansion are based on, among other items, geographical specific property costs, team requirements, and marketing steps needed. Our expansion consists of plans to take over leases of existing Hapi Cafes we currently do not own, as we look to add more Hapi Cafes over the next two (2) years. There is no guarantee that we will be able to execute on our plans as laid out above.
On April 24, 2024, the Company entered into a Credit Facility Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Alset Inc., a Texas corporation and the Company’s indirect, majority stockholder, pursuant to which Alset Inc. has provided the Company a line of credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) which provides a maximum, aggregate credit line of up to $1,000,000. As of September 30, 2024, there are no outstanding amounts related to the Credit Facility and the credit remains $700,000 available to draw as on September 30, 2024.
Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company may request an advance (each, an “Advance”) on the Credit Facility. Each advance shall bear a simple interest rate of three percent (3%) per annum. Each Advance and all accrued but unpaid interest shall be due and payable at the first (1st) anniversary of the effective date of the Agreement. HWH may at any time during the term of the Agreement prepay a portion or all amounts of its indebtedness without penalty. Each Advance shall not be secured by a lien or other encumbrance on any HWH assets, but shall be solely a general unsecured debt obligation of the Company.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern and do not contain any adjustments that might be required should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
The Company has obtained letters of financial support from Alset International Limited and Alset Inc., a direct and indirect owner of the Company, respectively. Alset International Limited and Alset Inc. committed to provide any additional funding required by the Company and would not demand repayment through twelve months from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements.
Summary of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (1,404,073 | ) | $ | (2,228,539 | ) | ||
| Net cash provided by investing activities | $ | 20,451,688 | $ | 69,052,195 | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | $ | (19,405,313 | ) | $ | (67,870,992 | ) | ||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $1,404,073 in the nine months ended of September 30, 2024, as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $2,228,539 in the same period of 2023. The decrease of interest income from the trust account led to the decrease of cash used in operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash provided by investing activities was $20,451,688 in the first nine months of September 30, 2024, as compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $69,052,195 in the same period of 2023. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024 we paid $30,103 for purchases of property and equipment, $850,000 for convertible note receivable – related party, $21,102,871 cash was withdrawn from trust account for redemptions and $243,897 cash withdrawn from trust account was available to the Company. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023 we paid $13,395 for purchases of property and equipment, $68,351,348 cash withdrawn was from trust account for redemptions, $919,547 cash withdrawn from trust account was available to the Company and ($205,305) cash was deposited into trust account.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $19,405,313 in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $67,870,992 in the same period of 2023. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024 we received $2,104,937 from related party, and repaid $21,102,871 of class A common stock. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023 we received $265,914 from a related party, received $205,305 from proceeds from extension loan and paid $68,351,348 for repayment of class A common stock.
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Nasdaq Compliance
As previously reported, the Nasdaq Staff (the “Staff”) has notified the Company of certain deficiencies related to the Company’s listing on The Nasdaq Global Market. These deficiencies included the following:
On February 22, 2024, the Staff notified the Company that for the previous 30 consecutive trading days, the market value of its publicly held shares (the “MVPHS”) had been below the minimum $15,000,000 required for continued listing as set forth in Listing Rule 5450(b)(2)(C) (the “Rule”). Therefore, in accordance with Marketplace Rule 5810(c)(3)(D), the Company was provided 180 calendar days, or until August 20, 2024, to regain compliance with the Rule. However, the Company did not regain compliance with the Rule. On August 27, 2024, the Company received a notice from the Staff that the Company would be delisted from The Nasdaq Global Market, unless the Company requested a hearing before a Nasdaq Hearings Panel (the “Panel”). The Company filed the hearing request.
On March 7, 2024, we received notice from Nasdaq indicating that, because the market value of our common stock had been below $50,000,000 for the prior 37 consecutive business days, we no longer complied with the minimum market value of listed securities (the “MVLS”) requirement for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Market under Rule 5450(b)(2)(A) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. Pursuant to Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5810(c)(3)(C), we were provided an initial compliance period of 180 calendar days, or until September 3, 2024, to regain compliance with the MVLS requirement. The Company did not regain compliance. On September 9, 2024, the Company received a notice from the Staff that the matter of the MVLS deficiency would be considered at the Company’s hearing with the Panel.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company presented its compliance plan to the Panel at a hearing on October 15, 2024. On October 21, 2024, the Company received a notice from the Panel granting the Company an extension to phase down its securities to The Nasdaq Capital Market and demonstrate compliance with the MVPHS and Stockholders’ Equity requirements as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rules 5550(a)(5) and 5550(b)(1). The Company is working to complete the steps in its compliance plan and regain compliance with all applicable requirements for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market within the Panel’s extension.
Underwriting Agreement
On February 3, 2022, the Company paid a cash underwriting discount of $0.20 per Unit, or $1,725,000.
In addition, the underwriters were entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per Unit, or $3,018,750 in the aggregate, however, on December 18, 2023, the Company entered into a Satisfaction and Discharge of Indebtedness Agreement in connection with the Underwriting Agreement, under which in lieu of the Company tendering the full amount, the underwriters accepted a combination of $325,000 in cash paid upon the closing of the Business Combination, 149,443 shares of the Company’s common stock and a $1,184,375 promissory note as full satisfaction. This agreement was effective at the closing of Business Combination on January 9, 2024. Additionally, the Company has granted EF Hutton an irrevocable right of first refusal (the “ROFR”) to act as the sole investment banker, sole book-runner, and/or sole placement agent, at EF Hutton’s sole discretion, for each and every future public and private equity and debt offering, including all equity linked financing for a period commencing on the date of the satisfaction and ending twenty-four (24) months after the closing of the Business Combination.
Merger Agreement
As previously disclosed, on August 1, 2023, the Company held the Special Meeting, at which the Company’s stockholders considered and adopted, among other matters, a proposal to approve the Business Combination. On the Closing Date, the parties consummated the Business Combination pursuant to the terms of that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated September 9, 2022 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Alset, Merger Sub, a Nevada corporation, and HWH International Inc., a Nevada corporation.
Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, (and upon all other conditions pursuant to the Merger Agreement being satisfied or waived), on the Closing Date, (i) the Merger Agreement provides for the combination of HWH and Merger Sub under the Company, with HWH surviving as the Surviving Corporation (collectively, the “Merger”). At the consummation of the Merger, HWH will survive as a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; and (ii) the Company will change its name to “HWH International Inc.”
The transaction has closed, as all closing conditions as referenced in the Merger Agreement have either been met or waived by the parties. Certain closing conditions that have been waived by the parties, pursuant to the Merger Agreement include Section 8.1(i), which states “the aggregate cash available to the Company at the Closing from the Trust Account (after giving effect to the redemption of any shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock in connection with the Company’s Proposals, but before giving effect to (i) the payment of the Outstanding Alset Transaction Expenses, and (ii) the payment of the Outstanding Company Transaction Expenses), shall equal or exceed Thirty Million dollars ($30,000,000); and 8.1(j), which states “upon the closing, the Company shall not have redeemed shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock in the Offer in an amount that would cause the Company to have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) under the Exchange Act).”
Registration Rights Agreement
On January 31, 2022 the Company, the Sponsor, and certain persons and entities holding securities of the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company is obligated to register certain securities, including (i) all of the shares of the Company’s common stock and warrants held by the Sponsor, and the Company’s common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, and (ii) the shares of the Company’s common stock and the Company’s common stock underlying warrants that were issued in the Private Placement on January 31, 2022. The Company is obligated to (a) file a resale registration statement to register such securities within 15 business days after the closing of the Business Combination, and (b) use reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC within 60 business days after the closing of the Business Combination.
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Lock-Up Agreements
In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, at the closing, each of the HWH Holders holding more than 5% of the HWH Common Stock and certain members of HWH’s management team will enter into a Lock-Up Agreement with the Company in substantially the form attached to the letter Agreement dated January 31, 2022 (the “Letter Agreement”) (each, a “Lock-Up Agreement”). Under the Lock-Up Agreement, each such holder will agree not to, during the period commencing from the Closing and with respect to the shares of the Company’s Common Stock to be received as part of the Merger Consideration by the HWH Holder (together with any securities paid as dividends or distributions with respect to such securities or into which such securities are exchanged or converted, the “Restricted Securities”), (A) ending on the earlier of nine months after the date of the Closing, the date on which the closing sale price of shares of the Company’s Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30 trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing or (y) the date after the Closing on which the Company consummates a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction with an unaffiliated third party that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their equity holdings in the Company for cash, securities or other property.
Termination of Subscription Agreement
On July 30, 2023, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with Meteora Special Opportunity Fund I, LP (“MSOF”), Meteora Capital Partners, LP (“MCP”), Meteora Select Trading Opportunities Master, LP (“MSTO”) and Meteora Strategic Capital, LLC, (“MSC”, and together with MSOF, MCP and MSTO, are referred to herein collectively as “Meteora”). The Subscription Agreement was subsequently terminated. The Company and Meteora entered into a Settlement Agreement as of April 11, 2024 (the “Settlement Agreement”). Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the Company paid Meteora $200,000, and agreed that Meteora could retain $100,000 already paid to Meteora.
Impact of Inflation
We believe that inflation has not had a material impact on our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 or the year ended December 31, 2023. We cannot assure you that future inflation will not have an adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.
Impact of Foreign Exchange Rates
The effect of foreign exchange rate changes on the intercompany loans (under ASC 830), which mostly consist of loans from Singapore to South Korea and which were approximately $0.7 million and $2.1 million on September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, the fluctuation of foreign currency transaction gain or loss was included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income. Because the intercompany loan balances between Singapore and South Korea will remain at approximately $2.7 million over the next year, we expect this fluctuation of foreign exchange rates to still impact the results of operations in 2024, especially given that the foreign exchange rate may and is expected to be volatile. If the amount of intercompany loan is lowered in the future, the effect will also be reduced. However, at this moment, we do not expect to repay the intercompany loans in the short term.
Emerging Growth Company Status
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.” Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of these exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company or until we affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of this exemption.
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Controls and Procedures
We are not currently required to maintain an effective system of internal controls as defined by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Only in the event that we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer would we be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement. Further, for as long as we remain an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act, we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement.
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements included in this prospectus. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and reflect management’s judgment and estimates concerning effects of events and transactions that are accounted for or disclosed.
Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that pertain to our ability to record, process, summarize and report reliable data. Management recognizes that there are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of internal control. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement presentation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time.
In order to ensure that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, management regularly assesses controls and did so most recently for its financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. This assessment was based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in the Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission. In connection with management’s evaluation of the effectiveness of our company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, management determined that our company did not maintain effective controls over financial reporting due to having a limited staff with U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting experience. Management determined that the ineffective controls over financial reporting constitute a material weakness. To remediate such weaknesses, we plan to appoint additional qualified personnel with financial accounting, GAAP and SEC experience.
This prospectus does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management’s report in this prospectus.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information otherwise required under this item.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2024, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that during the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2024 covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
None.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information required by this item.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Not applicable.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not Applicable.
Item 5. Other Information.
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
* Filed herewith.
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| HWH INTERNATIONAL INC. | ||
| November 6, 2024 | By: | /s/ John Thatch |
| Name: | John Thatch | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| November 6, 2024 | By: | /s/ Rongguo Wei |
| Name: | Rongguo Wei | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
| (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer) | ||
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