Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
In connection with the preparation of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K, our management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as
of the end of the period covered by this report (under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”)
and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”)). Based on that assessment, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls
and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were not effective due to a material weakness in internal
control over financial reporting, as described below. Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and
procedures is expressed at a level of reasonable assurance because management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how
well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives.
45
Management’s Annual Report on Internal
Controls over Financial Reporting
Our internal control over financial reporting
is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our CEO and CFO and effected by our Board, management and other personnel, to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and
procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions
of our assets; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of our financial statements
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance
with the authorization of our Board and management; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Under the supervision and participation of our
management, including our CEO, we evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework
set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued in 2013 by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission. As part of our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2023,
management identified the following material weakness: the Company did not adequately design and maintain effective general information
technology controls over third-party information systems and applications that are relevant to the preparation of the Company’s
financial statements:
● Information and Technology Controls: Certain individual control deficiencies related to information technology (“IT”)
general controls and report reviews aggregate into a material weakness, as follows:
● Controls were not fully documented responding to all of the Complementary User Entity Controls forwarded through Software as a Service
(SaaS) vendor audit reports in the design and implementation of suggested controls.
● There were not always appropriate IT controls related to information produced by the entity (IPE), including spreadsheets, that are
relevant to the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies,
in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or
interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
This material weakness did not result in any identified
material misstatements to the financial statements, and there were no changes to previously released financial results. Based on this
material weakness, management concluded that at September 30, 2023, internal control over financial reporting was not effective.
This Report does not include an attestation report
of our internal controls from our independent registered public accounting firm due to our status as an emerging growth company under
the JOBS Act.
46
Remediation
Management has been implementing and continues
to implement measures designed to ensure that control deficiencies contributing to the material weakness are remediated, such that these
controls are designed, implemented, and operating effectively. The remediation actions include the following:
● establish more specific controls to respond to Complementary
User Entity Controls forwarded through SaaS vendor audit reports in the design and implementation of suggested controls;
● expand the management and governance over IT system controls;
● establish more specific controls to gain additional comfort
over the completeness and accuracy of IPE, including data used in spreadsheets used in the preparation of consolidated financial statements;
and
● implement enhanced process controls around internal user
access management including provisioning, removal, and periodic review.
We believe that these actions will remediate the
material weakness, once management has performed its assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting including the remedial
measures described above. The weakness will not be considered remediated, however, until the applicable controls operate for a sufficient
period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial
Reporting
At September 30, 2023, as a privately owned company,
we were not subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the rules and regulations of the SEC, or other corporate governance requirements
applicable to public reporting companies with respect to the establishment of internal controls over financial reporting. As described
within the remedial measures above, during the year ended September 30, 2023, we developed and commenced the implementation of internal
controls over financial reporting, and we are continuing to develop and implement internal controls over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations on Internal Controls
Because of its inherent limitations, internal
control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness for future periods
are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate. No evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances
of fraud, if any, have been detected.
ITEM 9B. Other Information
Not Applicable.
ITEM 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions That Prevent
Inspections
Not Applicable.
47
PART III
ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Listed below are the names
of the directors and executive officers of the Company, their ages as of the date of this Annual Report, their positions held and the
year they commenced service with the Company.
Name
Age
Title
Zhenwu (Wayne) Huang
47
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Zhenqiang (Michael) Huang
45
Chief Financial Officer and Director
Phil Zheng
30
Chief Operating Officer
Matthew G. Casella
45
President
John Shigley
67
Director
Stephen Markscheid
69
Director
Saul Factor
64
Director
Biographies of Executive Officers and
Directors
Mr. Zhenwu (Wayne)
Huang has served as our Founder, Chief Executive Officer and director since the founding of the Company in July 2016. Mr. Huang
has 20 years of experience leading corporations across multiple technology industries. Mr. Huang directs the core focus of the
company, formulates and implements business policies through the Company’s management team, and directly oversees R&D operations.
He served as co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nanjing Rich Digital Technology Co. Ltd. from 2003 to 2007, a leading value-add
service provider for telecommunications. There, he pioneered live interactive TV games based on smart computer vision. and had a peak
audience of over 100 million subscribers. This success can be attributed to Mr. Huang’s understanding of customer centric
design, utilizing technology to elevate the customer experience. Mr. Huang served was the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer
of Richtech System Ltd. from 2007 to 2016, a global supplier of smart hardware and interactive multimedia systems to over 120 countries.
Mr. Huang received a Bachelor in Computer Information Management from Huadong Finance and Economics College in July 2000. We
believe that Mr. Huang’s extensive knowledge of our Company as co-founder and his experience in executive roles across multiple
industries make him qualified to serve on our Board.
Mr. Zhenqiang (Michael)
Huang has served as our co-founder, Chief Financial Officer and director since the founding of the Company in July 2016.
He oversees the functions relating to finance, accounting, reporting and procurement. Mr. Huang was co-founder of Nanjing Rich Digital
Technology Co. Ltd. from 2003 to 2007 where he oversaw international cooperation and partnerships. He served as co-founder and Chief Financial
Officer of Richtech System Ltd. from 2007 to 2016, leading the company on its international expansion and business development. Mr. Huang
holds a management training certificate from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology of Germany since 2012. He received his Bachelor’s
Degree in Economics from Nanjing University in June 2000. We believe that Mr. Huang’s extensive knowledge of our Company as
co-founder and his experience in finance and international business development make him qualified to serve on our Board.
Mr. Phil Zheng
has served as our Chief Operating Officer since February 2020. He oversees the operations of the Company, including business development,
marketing, product design, R&D process, market research, compliance, administration of standardized operating procedures, customer
relations, and partnerships. Prior to that, he served as the Company’s Director of Operations from July 2017 to January 2019 and
Chief Revenue Officer from February 2019 to January 2020, where he was tasked to build and scale company departments into effective business
units and direct sales revenues strategies. He has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Juris Doctor
from the University of California, Irvine, School of Law. We believe Mr. Zheng’s extensive knowledge of the Company’s internal
operations qualifies him to be our Chief Operating Officer.
48
Mr. Matthew G. Casella
has served as our President since August 2023. He has over 20 years of diverse experience in finance, hospitality, and technology. He
has a proven track record in project management, strategic planning, and financial analysis. As a Co-Founder of Caravive, Inc. (from 2019
to 2023), an early-stage food tech development company, he collaborated with a diverse team of industry experts to explore and develop
innovation in the restaurant sector. From 2015 to 2021, he served as CFO at PRG, LLC, a restaurant automation startup. From 2012 to 2015,
he served as the Director of Training and Deployment at LYFE Kitchen, a restaurant chain, where he played an important role in growing
the restaurant chain from one to 16 locations in under three years opening restaurants in New York, Tennessee, Chicago, Colorado, Texas
and California. Mr. Casella received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2001.
Mr. John Shigley
joined our board of directors as an independent director in November 2023. Mr. Shigley is a retired Nevada certified public accountant
with over 30 years of executive experience in large casino-hotels. Mr. Shigley has held various positions in finance, marketing and operations,
including Chief Financial Officer of Primadonna Resorts (1998 to 2000), President of Caesars Palace (2000 to 2001), Executive Vice President
of New York, New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas (2002 to 2005), Executive Vice President (2005 to 2011) and Chief Financial Officer
(2005 to 2008) of MGM Grand Hotel Las Vegas, President of MGM Vietnam (March 2011 to April 2013), Executive Vice President of MGM Macau
(May 2013 to January 2014) and Chief Operating Officer of Gaming for MGM China (January 2014 to February, 2019). Mr. Shigley received
his B.S. in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University and spent his early career with a large international certified public accounting
firm. We believe that Mr. Shigley’s experience in financial and operational management and his established network in the hospitality
industry make him a qualified candidate to serve on our Board.
Mr. Stephen Markscheid
joined our board of directors as an independent director in November 2023. Mr. Markscheid has been the Managing Principal of
Aerion Capital, a family office, since July 2022. He currently serves as independent non-executive director of seven other publicly listed
companies: Fanhua, Inc. (Nasdaq: FANH), a financial services provider (since 2007); Jinko Solar Inc. (NYSE: JKS), a solar panel manufacturer
(since 2010); Kingwisoft Technology Services Ltd. (HKSE: 8295.HK), an information technology company (since 2016); Monterey Capital Acquisition
Corporation (Nasdaq: MCAC), a special purpose acquisition company (since 2022); Four Leaf Acquisition Corporation (Nasdaq: FORL), a special
purpose acquisition company (since 2023); Tristar Acquisition I Corp. (NYSE: TRIS), a special purpose acquisition company (since 2023);
and Centro Electric Group Limited (NASDAQ: CENN), an electric vehicle technology company (since 2023). Mr. Markscheid previously served
as a director of UGE International (XTSX:UGE), a solar installation company from August 2019 to July 2023. He is also a trustee emeritus
of Princeton-in-Asia. From 1998 to 2006, he worked for GE Capital. During his time with GE Capital, Mr. Markscheid led GE Capital’s
business development activities in China and Asia Pacific, primarily acquisitions and direct investments. Prior to GE Capital, Mr. Markscheid
worked with the Boston Consulting Group throughout Asia. He was a banker for ten years in London, Chicago, New York, Hong Kong and Beijing
with Chase Manhattan Bank and First National Bank of Chicago. Mr. Markscheid began his career with the US-China Business Council, in
Washington D.C. and Beijing. He earned a BA in East Asian Studies from Princeton University in 1976, an MA in international affairs from
Johns Hopkins University in 1980, and an MBA from Columbia University in 1991, where he was class valedictorian. We believe that Mr.
Markscheid’s extensive experience serving on public boards and working with technology companies makes him a qualified candidate
to serve on our Board.
Mr. Markscheid was a consolidated
defendant in his capacity as a director of ChinaCast Education Corporation (“ChinaCast”) in a securities lawsuit filed on
May 2, 2012 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleging misrepresentation of ChinaCast’s financial
conditions and its failure to disclose cash transfers of $120 million to certain officers and directors of ChinaCast. On November 8, 2016,
the district court ruled in favor of the class action plaintiffs, finding ChinaCast was liable for $65.8 million. On August 25, 2014,
a securities complaint alleging similar violations was also filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery (the “Chancery Court”)
by ChinaCast, where Mr. Markscheid was named a third-party defendant. On March 23, 2015, the Chancery Court entered a judgment in favor
of the plaintiff, ordering a former director of ChinaCast with damages of $183.3 million caused by breach of fiduciary duty. The former
director filed a third party complaint against the other directors, including Mr. Markscheid, which was settled in December 2022.
Mr. Markscheid was a defendant
in his capacity as a director of JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd. (“JinkoSolar”) in a class action securities lawsuit filed in
October 2011. The plaintiff alleged the JinkoSolar directors of making materially false and misleading statements regarding its compliance
with environmental regulations. The case was settled in March 2016.
Mr. Markscheid was a defendant
in his capacity as a director of China Integrated Energy, Inc. (“CBEH”) in a class action securities lawsuit filed on June
30, 2011, where the president, officers, directors of CBEH were alleged to have disseminated materially misleading statements and failed
to disclose material information concerning the CBEH’s true financial condition and business prospects (“CBEH June 2011 Case”).
Mr. Markscheid was also a defendant in his capacity as a director of CBEH in a class action securities lawsuit filed on July 8, 2011,
where the officers of CBEH were alleged to have made improper statements regarding its financial results and business operations, caused
it to enter into non-accretive acquisitions for entities that they knew were overvalued, failed to implement an effective system of internal
and financial controls, and obstructed the CBEH’s audit committee’s independent investigation (“CBEH July 2011 Case”).
CBEH June 2011 Case and CBEH July 2011 Case were later consolidated, which was settled in December 2015.
49
Mr. Saul Factor
joined our board of directors as an independent director in November 2023. Mr. Factor has over 20 years of experience as a healthcare
and pharmaceuticals executive, with experience driving business operations across various countries around the world. Mr. Factor
currently serves as president of Factor Healthcare Consulting, a pharmaceuticals consulting company, which he founded in 2020. Prior to
that, he served in various roles at different pharmaceuticals and healthcare companies, including serving as president of Smith Drug Company
(2017 to 2020), where he directed marketing, sales, operations, and financial functions; executive vice president of strategy at Accord
Healthcare (2016 to 2017); president of global sourcing & procurement and senior vice president of Global Generics at McKesson
Corporation (2006 to 2016); chief operating officer at RX America, LLC (2003 to 2006); and B2B Brand Manager and Leader at Eli Lily &
Company (2000 to 2003). Mr. Factor received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Northeastern University and a Master of Business
Administration (MBA) from the University of New Haven. We believe that Mr. Factor’s executive leadership experience and specialty
in fostering corporate growth make him a qualified candidate to serve on our Board.
Our Advisory Board
We have an Advisory Board comprised
of the following individuals:
Name
Age
Title
Yman Vien
63
Advisory Board Nominee
Dr. Lingyun Gu
46
Advisory Board Nominee
Dr. Darryl T. Jenkins
61
Advisory Board Nominee
Michael Roberts
72
Advisory Board Nominee
The following sets forth certain
biographical information with respect to the members of our Advisory Board:
Ms. Yman Vien ,
an advisor of the Company, is a business consultant and financial advisor with 29 years of banking industry experience. Recognized by
the American Bankers Association, she has served as Vice President Business Banker at Lakeside Bank since March 2021, where she is responsible
for developing new business for deposits and lending activities, managing customer portfolios, and expanding other banking products and
services relationships. For 29 years, Ms. Vien worked in the banking industry in various positions including auditor, accountant, president
and chief executive officer at local Chicago community banks. Most recently, from 2015 to 2020, Ms. Yman served as President at Lotus
Financial Partners, which provides financial consulting services to local developers and business owners for raising private funding and
obtaining bank financing for real estate projects. Ms. Vien also served as trustee and treasurer for Ravenswood Health Care Foundation
from 2007 to 2018. Ms. Vien received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration Managerial Accounting from Loyola University
in 1985. She also received a diploma from the Graduate School of Banking, University of Wisconsin in 2000. She holds real estate and insurance
licenses.
In August 2021, Ms. Vien was
named as a defendant in a civil action brought by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, a Illinois not-for-profit corporation,
concerning Ms. Vien’s involvement with the Chicago Chinatown Bridgeport Alliance Service Center, a Illinois not-for-profit corporation.
The action involved allegations of unfair competition, business fraud and breach of fiduciary duty, among others. Ms. Vien filed a motion
to dismiss the case that is currently pending.
Dr. Lingyun Gu ,
an advisor of the Company, focuses on the fields of AI, machine learning, and big data, he has published dozens of papers in international
journals and has at least 15 invention patents in the United States and China. At the same time, he also has senior leadership experience
in building AI companies, as well as TMT investment experience in VC companies, which enables him to combine academic research with business
practice. He holds a PhD in School of Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University.
50
Dr. Darryl T. Jenkins ,
an advisor of the Company, is a business executive with 30+ years of professional experience building multiple products and companies.
He is an experienced senior leader with a history of working in project management, diversity, equity and inclusion, marketing, sales,
organizational leadership and information technology. Dr. Jenkins has extensive experience working with non-profit organizations, health
care systems, and providers to promote greater health equity through education and research, with a focus in areas of chronic conditions.
Dr. Jenkins currently serves as the President of the Judson University Board of Trustees of Elgin, Illinois and CEO of DLJ Consulting
Group, a professional consulting firm working in corporate and non-profit sectors in Polarity Thinking™. He has held key leadership
positions with Fortune 500 Companies and has led diverse information technology teams and network engineers in national and international
project deployments, advanced systems and software integrations. Dr. Jenkins is also a published author. Dr. Jenkins has served on various
public and private boards of directors. Dr. Jenkins holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois Chicago, a Masters
and Doctorate degrees from Northern Seminary, Lisle, Illinois.
Michael Roberts ,
an advisor of the Company, is currently the President of Westside Holdings LLC, a marketing and brand development company since 2006,
and the former Global President and Chief Operations Officer for McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) (2004 to 2006), where he
also served on the Board of Directors. As Global President for McDonald’s, Mr. Roberts was responsible for more than 31,000
restaurants in 118 countries. Before assuming this position in 2004, his previous positions at McDonald’s Corporation included Chief
Executive Officer, McDonald’s USA (2001 to 2004); and President, West Division, McDonald’s USA (1997 to 2001). Mr. Roberts
was the Co-Founder of LYFE Kitchen restaurants, where he created a transformational, socially responsible “lyfestyle” brand
whose acronym stands for Love Your Food Everyday. In 2009, Mr. Roberts was the Vice Chairman and a Board Member of the Chicago 2016
Olympic Committee. He was responsible for overseeing marketing and communications activities for the bid from the board level. In addition,
he was also active in areas of sponsorship, advertising, grassroots marketing and building the bid’s national and international
presence in support of Chicago’s candidacy. Mr. Roberts is also on the Board of Directors of Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN)
(since 2011), a telecommunications company, and a former board member of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW), where he also served
as Chair of the Compensation Committee and as a member of the Board Affairs and Nominating Committee. and of Lumen Technologies (f/k/a
CenturyLink), where he also served as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Roberts received his undergraduate
degree from Loyola University of Chicago.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships
between or among any of the current directors, executive officers or persons nominated or charged to become directors or executive officers,
except that Mr. Zhenqiang (Michael) Huang and Mr. Zhenwu Huang are brothers.
Board Composition
Our business and affairs are
organized under the direction of our board of directors, which consists of five (5) members. Our directors hold office until the earlier
of their death, resignation, removal, or disqualification, or until their successors have been elected and qualified. Our board of directors
does not have a formal policy on whether the roles of Chief Executive Officer and chairman of our board of directors should be separate.
The primary responsibilities of our board of directors are to provide oversight, strategic guidance, counseling, and direction to our
management. Our board of directors meets on a regular basis.
In addition, in accordance
with the terms of our second amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, our board of directors is
divided into three (3) classes with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class (except for those directors
appointed prior to our first annual meeting of stockholders) serving a three-year term. The term of office of the first class of directors,
which consists of Stephen Markscheid, will expire at our first annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the second class
of directors, which consists of Saul Factor and John Shigley, will expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office
of the third class of directors, which consists of Zhenwu Huang and Zhenqiang Huang, will expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders.
We expect that any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three
classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the directors. The division of our board of directors
into three classes with staggered three-year terms may delay or prevent a change of our management or a change in control.
Our second amended and restated
articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution
of our board of directors. Our second amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws also provide that
our directors may be removed only for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent
(66 2/3%) of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors,
voting together as a single class, and that any vacancy on our board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of
our board of directors, may be filled only by vote of a majority of our directors then in office.
51
Board Diversity
We currently have no formal
policy regarding board diversity. Our priority in selection of board members is identification of members who will further the interests
of our stockholders through his or her established record of professional accomplishment, the ability to contribute positively to the
collaborative culture among board members, knowledge of our business and understanding of the competitive landscape.
Director Independence
The Nasdaq Marketplace Rules
require a majority of a listed company’s board of directors to be comprised of independent directors within one year of listing.
In addition, the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit,
compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees be independent and that audit committee members also satisfy independence
criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
Under Rule 5605(a)(2) of
the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of our board of
directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the
responsibilities of a director. In order to be considered independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act, a member
of an audit committee of a listed company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the board of
directors, or any other board committee, accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the
listed company or any of its subsidiaries or otherwise be an affiliated person of the listed company or any of its subsidiaries.
Our board of directors has
reviewed the composition of our board of directors and its committees and the independence of each director. Based upon information requested
from and provided by each director concerning his background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, our board of
directors has determined that each of John Shigley, Stephen Markscheid and Saul Factor is an “independent director” as defined
under Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules and that John Shigley, Stephen Markscheid and Saul Factor are “independent
directors.” Our board of directors also determined that John Shigley, Stephen Markscheid and Saul Factor, who are members of our
audit committee, Stephen Markscheid and Saul Factor, who are members of our compensation committee, and Stephen Markscheid and Saul Factor,
who are members of our nominating and corporate governance committee, satisfy the independence standards for such committees established
by the SEC and the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, as applicable. In making such determinations, our board of directors considered the relationships
that each such non-employee director has with our company and all other facts and circumstances our board of directors deemed relevant
in determining independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director.
Board Committees
Our board of directors has
established three standing committees — audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance — each
of which operates under a charter that has been approved by our board of directors. Copies of each committee’s charter are posted
on the Investor Relations section of our website, which is located at www.richtechrobotics.com . Each committee has the composition
and responsibilities described below. Our board of directors may from time to time establish other committees.
Audit Committee
Our audit committee consists
of John Shigley, who is the chair of the audit committee, Stephen Markscheid and Saul Factor. Our board of directors has determined
that each of the members of our audit committee satisfies the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules and SEC independence requirements. The functions
of this committee include, among other things:
● evaluating the performance, independence and qualifications
of our independent auditors and determining whether to retain our existing independent auditors or engage new independent auditors;
● reviewing and approving the engagement of our independent
auditors to perform audit services and any permissible non-audit services;
● reviewing our annual and quarterly financial statements and
reports, including the disclosures contained under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations,” and discussing the statements and reports with our independent auditors and management;
52
● reviewing with our independent auditors and management significant
issues that arise regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentation and matters concerning the scope, adequacy and
effectiveness of our financial controls;
● reviewing our major financial risk exposures, including the
guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and risk management is implemented; and
● reviewing and evaluating on an annual basis the performance
of the audit committee, including compliance of the audit committee with its charter.
Our board of directors has
determined that John Shigley qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of applicable SEC
regulations and meets the financial sophistication requirements of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. In making this determination, our board
has considered extensive financial experience and business background. Both our independent registered public accounting firm and management
periodically meet privately with our audit committee.
Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee
consists of Stephen Markscheid, who is the chair of the compensation committee, and Saul Factor. Our board of directors has determined
that each of the members of our compensation committee is an outside director, as defined pursuant to Section 162(m) of the
Code, and satisfies the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules independence requirements. The functions of this committee include, among other things:
● reviewing, modifying and approving (or if it deems appropriate,
making recommendations to the full board of directors regarding) our overall compensation strategy and policies;
● reviewing and approving the compensation, the performance
goals and objectives relevant to the compensation, and other terms of employment of our executive officers;
● reviewing and approving (or if it deems appropriate, making
recommendations to the full board of directors regarding) the equity incentive plans, compensation plans and similar programs advisable
for us, as well as modifying, amending or terminating existing plans and programs;
● reviewing and approving the terms of any employment agreements,
severance arrangements, change in control protections and any other compensatory arrangements for our executive officers;
● reviewing with management and approving our disclosures under
the caption “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” in our periodic reports or proxy statements to be filed with the SEC;
and
● preparing the report that the SEC requires in our annual
proxy statement.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Our nominating and corporate
governance committee consists of Saul Factor, who is the chair of the compensation committee, and Stephen Markscheid. Our board of directors
has determined that each of the members of this committee satisfies the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules independence requirements. The functions
of this committee include, among other things:
● identifying, reviewing and evaluating candidates to serve
on our board of directors consistent with criteria approved by our board of directors;
● evaluating director performance on the board and applicable
committees of the board and determining whether continued service on our board is appropriate;
● evaluating, nominating and recommending individuals for membership
on our board of directors; and
● evaluating nominations by stockholders of candidates for
election to our board of directors.
The compensation committee
will take into account may factors in determining recommendations for persons to serve on the board of directors, including the following:
● personal and professional integrity, ethics and values;
● experience in corporate management, such as serving as an
officer or former officer of a publicly-held company;
53
● experience as a board member or executive officer of another
publicly-held company;
● strong finance experience;
● diversity of expertise and experience in substantive matters
pertaining to our business relative to other board members;
● diversity of background and perspective including, without
limitation, with respect to age, gender, race, place of residence and specialized experience;
● experience relevant to our business industry and with relevant
social policy concerns; and
● relevant academic expertise or other proficiency in an area
of our business operations.
Role of Board in Risk Oversight Process
Our co-founder and Chief
Executive Officer, Zhenwu (Wayne) Huang, currently beneficially owns approximately 65.69% of the voting power of our common stock. Periodically,
our board of directors assesses these roles and the board of directors leadership structure to ensure the interests of the Company and
our stockholders are best served. Our board of directors has determined that its current leadership structure is appropriate. Zhenwu (Wayne)
Huang, as one of our founders and as our Chief Executive Officer, has extensive knowledge of all aspects of the Company, our business
and risks.
While management is responsible
for assessing and managing risks to the Company, our board of directors is responsible for overseeing management’s efforts to assess
and manage risk. This oversight is conducted primarily by our full board of directors, which has responsibility for general oversight
of risks, and standing committees of our board of directors. Our board of directors satisfies this responsibility through full reports
by each committee chair regarding the committee’s considerations and actions, as well as through regular reports directly from officers
responsible for oversight of particular risks within our company. Our board of directors believes that full and open communication between
management and the board of directors is essential for effective risk management and oversight.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
None of our executive officers
serves, or in the past has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee, or other committee serving an equivalent
function, of any entity that has one or more executive officers who serve as members of our board of directors or our compensation committee.
None of the members of our compensation committee is, or has ever been, an officer or employee of our company.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a written
code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our employees, officers and directors. A current copy of the code is posted on the
Corporate Governance section of our website, which is located at www.richtechrobotics.com . We intend to disclose future amendments
to certain provisions of our code of business conduct and ethics, or waivers of such provisions applicable to any principal executive
officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, and our directors,
on our website identified above or in filings with the SEC.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange
Act requires our directors, executive officers and ten percent stockholders to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes
in ownership of our common stock with the Commission. Directors, executive officers and ten percent stockholders are also required to
furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file. Based solely on our review of such forms furnished to us and written
representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that during the year ended September 30, 2023, all reports applicable to our
executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were filed in a timely manner in accordance with Section 16(a) of
the Exchange Act, except as set forth below:
● King
Bliss Limited, a ten percent stockholder, failed to timely file its Form 3 once.
54
ITEM 11. Executive Compensation
This section discusses the
material components of the executive compensation program for our named executive officers for the years ended September 30,
2023 and 2022. Individuals we refer to as our “named executive officers” include our Chief Executive Officer and our
two other most highly compensated executive officers whose salary and bonus for services rendered in all capacities exceeded $100,000
during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.
Our named executive officers
are:
●
Zhenwu (Wayne) Huang
Chief Executive Officer
●
Zhenqiang (Michael) Huang
Chief Financial Officer
●
Phil Zheng
Chief Operating Officer
Summary Compensation Table
The following table presents
the compensation awarded to or earned by or paid to our named executive officers during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and
2022.
Name and Principal
Position
Year
(FY)
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
Option
Awards
($)
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
($)
Zhenwu (Wayne) Huang
2023
120,016
800
—
—
—
—
120,816
CEO
2022
69,240
4,800
—
—
—
—
74,040
Zhenqiang (Michael) Huang
2023
50,000
—
—
—
—
—
50,000
CFO
2022
28,846
—
—
—
—
—
28,846
Phil Zheng
2023
104,800
15,879
—
—
—
—
120,679
COO
2022
60,000
20,452
—
—
—
—
80,452
Narrative to Summary Compensation Table
Employment Agreements
For the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2023, the Company maintained employment agreements with its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief
Operating Officer. Each of the agreements are with the Company’s predecessor, Richtech Creative Displays LLC, and provide for paid
holidays, health insurance eligibility, and severance as required by applicable law. Following termination of employment, the executives
agreed to refrain from (i) hiring or attempting to hire any current employees of the Company; and (ii) solicit business from
current clients or clients who have retained the Company in the 6-month period immediately preceding the employment termination.
The Company expects to enter
into new employment arrangements with each of its named executive officers following the offering, which will govern the terms of their
continuing employment with the Company.
Agreement with Chief Executive Officer
The CEO employment agreement
was entered as of July 1, 2016. Initially, the CEO annual base salary was $120,000, and for the fiscal year ended September 30,
2023, the annual base salary for Mr. Zhenwu (Wayne) Huang was $120,016.
55
Agreement with Chief Financial Officer
The CFO employment agreement
was entered as of July 1, 2016. Initially, the CFO annual base salary was $50,000, and for the fiscal year ended September 30,
2023, the annual base salary for Mr. Zhenqiang (Michael) Huang was $50,000.
Agreement with Chief Operating Officer
The COO employment agreement
was entered as of July 2, 2020. Initially, the COO was paid an hourly rate of $50 per hour, and for the fiscal year ended September 30,
2023, the annual base salary for Mr. Zheng was $104,800.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
Table
The following table summarizes
the number of shares of common stock underlying outstanding equity incentive plan awards for each named executive officer as of September 30,
2023.
Name
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(# exercisable)
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(# unexercisable)
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
Option
Exercise
Price
Option
Expiration
Date
Number of
shares or
units of
stock that
have not yet
vested
Zhenwu (Wayne) Huang
CEO
—
—
—
—
—
—
Zhenqiang (Michael) Huang
CFO
—
—
—
—
—
—
Phil Zheng
COO
—
—
—
—
—
—
Incentive Plan
Our Board has adopted the Richtech
Robotics Inc. 2023 Stock Option Plan (the “Incentive Plan”), which has also been approved by our shareholders. The principal
purposes of the Incentive Plan are to: (a) attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility;
(b) provide additional incentive to employees, directors, and consultants; and (c) promote the success of the business of the
Company. The following description of the principal terms of the Incentive Plan is a summary of the terms of the Incentive Plan and is
qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Incentive Plan.
Administration of the Incentive Plan
Our Board or a committee appointed
by the Board will administer the Incentive Plan. The plan administrator has broad authority to:
● select participants and determine the types of awards that
they are to receive;
● determine the number of shares that are to be subject to
awards and the terms and conditions of awards, including the price (if any) to be paid for the shares or the award and establish the
vesting conditions (if applicable) of such shares or awards;
● cancel, modify, or waive our rights with respect to, or modify,
discontinue, suspend, or terminate any or all outstanding awards, subject to any required consents;
● reduce the exercise price of an option if the fair market
value of shares covered by such option has declined since the date the option was granted;
● determine whether an option will be settled in cash instead
of shares; and
● construe and interpret the terms of the Incentive Plan and
any agreements relating to the Incentive Plan.
56
Shares Subject to the Incentive Plan
A total of 6,000,000 shares
of Class B common stock is available for issuance under the Incentive Plan. If an option should expire or become unexercisable for
any reason without having been exercised in full or no shares are issued with respect to an award, the shares underlying that award will
again become available for issuance under the Incentive Plan. All of the shares available under the Incentive Plan may be issued upon
the exercise of incentive stock options.
Participation
Employees, directors, and consultants
that provide services to us or one of our subsidiaries may be selected to receive awards under the Incentive Plan. Incentive stock options
may only be granted under the Incentive Plan to persons who, at the time of the grant, are employees of our Company or our subsidiaries.
Types of Awards
The Incentive Plan permits
the granting of awards in the form of stock options and stock purchase rights, which include restricted stock awards and restricted stock
units.
Stock Options. A
stock option entitles the recipient to purchase shares of Class B common stock at a fixed exercise price. The exercise price per
share will be determined by the plan administrator in the applicable award agreement in its sole discretion at the time of the grant.
The exercise price can be paid in cash, check, net exercise, any consideration permissible under applicable law, or any combination of
the foregoing. The maximum term of each stock option shall be fixed by the plan administrator, but in no event shall an option be exercisable
more than ten (10) years after the date such option is granted.
The plan administrator may
grant share options that qualify as “incentive stock options,” as described in Section 422 of the Code. The exercise
price per share for an incentive stock option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of Class B common stock
on the date of the grant. However, for an incentive stock option granted to a person possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting
power of all classes of our shares, the exercise price may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of a share of Class B common
stock on the date of grant and the option term may not exceed five (5) years. The aggregate fair market value of all shares with
respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable by any one individual participant for the first time during any calendar year
(under all of the plans of the Company, including the Incentive Plan), measured at the date of the grant, may not exceed $100,000.
Restricted Stock. A
restricted stock award is an award of Class B common stock that vests in accordance with the terms and conditions established by
the plan administrator. The plan administrator will determine the persons to whom grants of restricted stock are made, the number of shares
to be awarded, the price (if any) to be paid for the restricted stock, the time or times within which awards of restricted stock may be
subject to forfeiture, the vesting schedule and rights to acceleration thereof, and all other terms and conditions of restricted stock
awards.
Restricted Stock Units. Restricted
stock units are the right to receive shares of Class B common stock at a future date in accordance with the terms of such grant upon
the attainment of certain conditions specified by the plan administrator. Restrictions or conditions could include, but are not limited
to, the attainment of performance goals, continuous service with our Company, the passage of time, or other restrictions or conditions.
The plan administrator determines the persons to whom grants of restricted stock units are made, the number of restricted stock units
to be awarded, the time or times within which awards of restricted stock units may be subject to forfeiture, the vesting schedule and
rights to acceleration thereof, and all other terms and conditions of the restricted stock unit awards.
The holders of restricted stock
units will have no voting rights. Prior to settlement or forfeiture, restricted stock units awarded under the Incentive Plan may, at the
plan administrator’s discretion, provide for a right to dividend equivalents. Such right entitles the holder to be credited with
an amount equal to all dividends paid on one share of Class B common stock while each restricted stock unit is outstanding. Dividend
equivalents may be converted into additional restricted stock units. Settlement of dividend equivalents may be made in the form of cash,
shares, other securities, other property, or a combination of the foregoing. Prior to distribution, any dividend equivalents shall be
subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the restricted stock units to which they are payable.
Equitable Adjustments
In the event of a stock split,
reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination, recapitalization or reclassification of shares of Class B common stock, the maximum
number and kind of shares reserved for issuance or with respect to which awards may be granted under the Incentive Plan will be adjusted
to reflect such event, and the plan administrator will make such adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable in the number, kind,
and exercise price of shares covered by outstanding awards made under the Incentive Plan.
57
Change in Control
In the event of any proposed
change in control (as described in the Incentive Plan), the plan administrator will take any action as it deems appropriate, which action
may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the continuation of any award, if the Company is the surviving corporation; (ii) the
assumption of any award by the surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary; (iii) the substitution by the surviving corporation
or its parent or subsidiary of equivalent awards; or (iv) accelerated vesting of the award and a limited period during which to exercise
the award prior to closing of the change in control.
Transferability
An award may not be sold, pledged,
assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner, other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution, and may
be exercised or purchased during the lifetime of the participant, only by the participant.
Term
The Incentive Plan became effective
upon adoption by the Board on November 16, 2023 and, unless terminated, the Incentive Plan will continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years.
Amendment and Termination
Our Board may amend, alter,
suspend, or discontinue the Incentive Plan at any time. Any such termination will not affect outstanding awards. No amendment, alteration,
suspension, or discontinuation of the Incentive Plan will impair the rights of any participant without the participant’s consent.
Director Compensation
The non-executive members of
our Board did not receive any compensation prior to our initial public offering. Following our initial public offering, our non-employee
directors and members of our Advisory Board will each receive an initial award of 6,427 restricted shares of Class B common stock. Such
shares would vest ratably on an annual basis over four years beginning on the first anniversary of this offering. Non-employee directors
will also receive additional annual awards of restricted shares of Class B common stock equal to the number of shares granted in the initial
award. Such subsequent awards may be adjusted by the compensation committee of the board of directors based on then-current market conditions
considering the size of the Company. We will also reimburse our non-employee directors for certain expenses incurred in connection with
their duties as directors of the Company.
The following table shows the
compensation paid to our non-employee directors during the year ended September 30, 3023.
Name
Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)
Stock
Awards
($)
Option
Awards
($)
Nonequity
incentive
plan
compensation
($)
Nonqualified
deferred
compensation
earnings
($)
All other
compensation
($)
Total
($)
John Shigley
$ -
-
-
-
-
-
$ -
Stephen Markscheid
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Saul Factor
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
Matters
The Company’s second
amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws limit the directors’ liability and may indemnify
directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under NRS 78.7502-NRS 78.751.
58
Nevada law, NRS 78.138, provides
that the Company’s directors and officers will not be personally liable to us, our stockholders or our creditors for damages for
any act or omission in his or her capacity as a director or officer other than in circumstances where the director or officer breaches
his or her fiduciary duty to us or our stockholders and such breach involves intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law
and the trier of fact determines that the presumption that he or she acted in good faith, on an informed basis and with a view to the
interests of the corporation has been rebutted, or with respect to payment of dividends in violation of the NRS. While Nevada law allows
the articles of incorporation of a corporation to provide for greater liability of the corporation’s directors and officers, our
second amended and restated articles of incorporation does not provide for greater liability of our officers and directors than is provided
under Nevada law.
Nevada law allows a corporation
to indemnify officers and directors for actions pursuant to which a director or officer either would not be liable pursuant to the limitation
of liability provisions of Nevada law or where he or she acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to our best interests, and, in the case of an action not by or in the right of the corporation and with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful.
As permitted by Nevada law
or our second amended and restated articles of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws (a) include provisions that eliminate the
personal liability of our directors or officers for damages resulting from certain breaches of fiduciary duties as a director or officer;
(b) require the Company to indemnify and holdharmless any officer or director against all expense, liability and loss (including, without
limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, taxes, penalties, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred
or suffered by the indemnitee in connection with any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding (including, without
limitation, an action, suit or proceeding by or in the right of the company), whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative;
and (c) require us to advance expenses of the indemnitee as such expenses are incurred upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf
of the indemnitee to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that he or she is not entitled
to be indemnified by the Company.
The effect of these provisions
is to restrict our rights and the rights of our stockholders in derivative suits to recover damages against a director or officer for
breach of fiduciary duties as a director or officer. In addition, the Company pays the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors
and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
These limitations of liability
do not apply to liabilities arising under federal securities laws and do not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive
relief or recession.
We have obtained a directors’
and officers’ insurance policy pursuant to which our directors and officers are insured against liability for actions taken in their
capacities as directors and officers.
ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The following table sets forth
certain information concerning the ownership of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock as of the date of this Report,
with respect to: (i) each person, or group of affiliated persons, known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent
of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock; (ii) each of our directors; (iii) each of our named executive
officers; and (iv) all of our current directors and executive officers as a group.
Applicable percentage ownership
is based on an aggregate of 62,166,846 shares of our common stock, consisting of (i) 44,353,846 shares of our Class A common
stock and (ii) 17,855,563 shares of our Class B common stock outstanding as of the date of this Report. We have determined beneficial
ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons
who possess sole or shared voting or investment power with respect to such securities. In addition, pursuant to such rules, we deemed
outstanding shares of Class B common stock subject to options or warrants held by that person that are currently exercisable or exercisable
within 60 days of the date of this Report. We did not deem such shares outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage
ownership of any other person. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe, based on the information furnished to us, that
the beneficial owners named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our Class A common
stock and Class B common stock that they beneficially own, subject to applicable community property laws.
59
Beneficial Ownership Table
Name of Beneficial Owner (1)
Shares of
Class A
Common
Stock
Shares of
Class B
Common
Stock
% of Total
Voting
Power
Shares of
Class A
Common
Stock
Shares of
Class B
Common
Stock
% of Total
Voting
Power
Executive Officers and Directors
Zhenwu Huang
30,308,000
—
65.69 %
30,308,000
—
65.69 %
Zhenqiang Huang
7,892,000
—
17.11 %
7,892,000
—
17.10 %
Phil Zheng
—
1,200,000
*
—
1,200,000
*
Matthew G. Casella
—
—
—
—
—
—
John Shigley
—
—
—
—
—
—
Stephen Markscheid
—
—
—
—
—
—
Saul Factor
—
—
—
—
—
—
All officers and directors as a group (7 individuals)
38,200,000
1,200,000
83.06 %
38,200,000
1,200,000
83.05 %
5% Stockholders
King Bliss Limited (2)
3,934,846
—
8.87 %
3,934,846
—
8.53 %
Broad Elite Ventures Limited (3)
—
1,800,000
*
—
1,800,000
*
Renmeng LLC (4)
—
1,400,000
*
—
1,400,000
*
Yimeng Zhao (7)
—
1,507,730
*
—
1,507,730
*
Zhiqi Yan (7)
—
1,415,420
*
—
1,415,420
*
Harmony Grace Holdings Limited (5)
—
1,400,000
*
—
1,400,000
*
Dongdong Cao (8)
—
1,353,880
*
—
1,353,880
*
Tower Luck Group Limited (6)
—
1,350,000
*
—
1,350,000
*
Xiaojing Chang (8)
—
1,169,260
*
—
1,169,260
*
Youhong Zeng (8)
—
1,107,720
*
—
1,107,720
*
Jinbing Xie (8)
—
1,046,180
*
—
1,046,180
*
* Less than 1%
(1) Unless noted otherwise, the address of all listed stockholder
is 4175 Cameron St Ste 1, Las Vegas, NV 89103. Each of the stockholder listed has sole voting and investment power with respect
to the shares beneficially owned by the stockholder unless noted otherwise.
(2) Mr. Zhao Zilong is the sole shareholder and director of King
Bliss Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, and as such, has sole voting and dispositive power over the securities
held by such entity.
(3) Mr. Liqun Zhu is the chief executive officer of Broad Elite
Ventures Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, and as such, has sole voting and dispositive power over the securities
held by such entity.
(4) Mr. Scott Ren is the majority shareholder and manager of
Renmeng LLC, a Nevada limited liability company, and as such, has sole voting and dispositive power over the securities held by such
entity.
(5) Mr. Zichen Liu is the sole shareholder of Harmony Grace Holdings
Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, and as such, has sole voting and dispositive power over the securities
held by such entity.
(6) Mr. Baolin Min is the chief executive officer of Tower Luck
Group Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, and as such, has sole voting and dispositive power over the securities
held by such entity.
(7) Shares held by each of these individuals represent shares
of Class B common stock issued to each holder upon conversion of the Convertible Notes held by such individuals.
(8) Shares held by each of these individuals represent shares
of Class B common stock issued upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, which shares were transferred to each individual by prior holders
thereof on October 27, 2023.
60
Changes in Control
None.
ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions, and Director Independence
The following is a description
of transactions since October 1, 2022 to which we were a party in which (i) the amount involved exceeded or will exceed the lesser
of $120,000 of one percent (1%) of our average total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years and (ii) any
of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any member of the immediate family of, or person
sharing the household with, any of the foregoing persons, who had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than equity
and other compensation, termination, change in control and other similar arrangements, which are described under “Executive and
Director Compensation.”
In December of 2022, Zhenwu
Huang transferred 1,200,000 shares of Class A common stock to Phil Zheng, in exchange for a payment of $30,000 from Phil Zheng. Immediately
after the transfer, Phil Zheng and the Company entered into a Conversion Agreement, dated as of December 2, 2022, pursuant to which
Phil Zheng converted all of his shares of Class A common stock into an equal number of shares of Class B common stock (the “Zheng
Conversion”). As a result of the Zheng Conversion, Phil Zheng holds 1,200,000 shares of Class B common stock.
In addition, we had the following
related party balances:
Notes
As of
September 30,
2023
As of
September 30,
2022
Amounts due from related parties:
Uplus Academy LLC
(i)
118
92
Uplus Academy NLV LLC
(i)
16
16
134
108
Notes
As of
September 30,
2023
As of
September 30,
2022
Amounts due to related parties:
Bison Systems LLC
(ii)
85
70
Zhenwu Huang
(iii)
113
214
Phil Zheng
(iv)
40
—
238
284
Notes:
(i) Uplus Academy LLC and Uplus Academy NLV LLC were both former
subsidiaries of the Company that were disposed of on December 31, 2021. The Company has been making interest-free and non-maturity
loans to both companies since their inceptions. On December 31, 2021, Uplus Academy LLC and Uplus Academy NLV LLC, former subsidiaries
of Richtech, were disposed to Zhenwu Huang, CEO and controlling stockholder of the Company, to pay off part of Zhenwu Huang’s earlier
loans to the Company. The transaction price for Uplus Academy LLC and Uplus Academy NLV LLC were $120 and $7, respectively.
61
(ii) Bison Systems LLC was 100% owned by Zhenwu Huang, CEO and
controlling stockholder of the Company and Zhenqiang Huang, CFO and major stockholder of the Company. In 2022 and 2023, Bison Systems
LLC made several interest-free and non-maturity loans to the Company to support its daily operation.
(iii) Zhenwu Huang, CEO and controlling stockholder of the Company,
made multiple interest-free and non-maturity loans to the Company since the inception of the business to support the Company’s
operations. As of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the remaining balance of these loans were $113 and $214, respectively.
(iv) Phil Zheng has served as the Company’s COO since February
2020. Phil made an interest-free and non-maturity loans to the Company in May 2023.
ITEM 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The following table sets
forth the fees billed by our independent accountants, Bush & Associates CPA LLC (“Bush & Associates”) for
the years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
Year Ended
September 30,
2023
2022
Audit fees
$ 42,500
$ 41,750
Audit-related fees
$ 18,000
$ -
Tax fees
$ -
$ -
All other fees
$ -
$ -
Audit Fees
Audit fees consist of fees
for professional services rendered for the audit of our year-end financial statements and services that are normally provided by Bush &
Associates in connection with regulatory filings. The aggregate fees of Bush & Associates for professional services rendered
for the audit of our annual financial statements, review of the financial information include in our filings with the SEC for the years
ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 totaled approximately $42,500 and $41,750, respectively. The above amounts include interim procedures
and audit fees, as well as attendance at audit committee meetings.
Audit-Related Fees
Audit-related fees consist
of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to performance of the audit or review of our financial statements
and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services include attest services that are not required by statute or regulation
and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards. We paid Bush & Associates $18,000 and $0 for consultations
concerning financial accounting and reporting standards for the years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Tax Fees
We did not pay Bush &
Associates for tax services, planning or advice for the years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
All Other Fees
We did not pay Bush &
Associates for any other services for the years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
Procedures For Board
of Directors Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditor
Our
audit committee was formed upon the consummation of our initial public offering. As a result, the audit committee did not pre-approve
all of the foregoing services, although any services rendered prior to the formation of our audit committee were approved by our board
of directors. Since the formation of our audit committee, and on a going-forward basis, the audit committee has and will pre-approve all
auditing services and permitted non-audit services to be performed for us by our auditors, including the fees and terms thereof (subject
to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in the Exchange Act which are approved by the audit committee prior to the
completion of the audit).
62
PART IV
ITEM 15. Exhibits and Financial Statements
Schedules
(a) The
following documents are filed as part of this Report:
(1) Financial Statements
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 6797)
F-2
Balance Sheets
F-3
Statements of Operations
F-4
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
F-5
Statements of Cash Flows
F-6
Notes to Financial Statements
F-7
(2) Financial
Statement Schedules
All financial statement schedules
are omitted because they are not applicable or the amounts are immaterial and not required, or the required information is presented in
the financial statements and notes thereto beginning on page F-1 of this Report.
(3) Exhibits
We hereby file as part of
this Report the exhibits listed in the attached Exhibit Index. Exhibits that are incorporated herein by reference can be inspected on
the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
ITEM 16. Form 10-K Summary.
Not applicable.
63
RICHTECH ROBOTICS INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 6797 ) F-2
Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2023 and 2022 F-3
Statements of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 F-4
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 F-5
Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 F-6
Notes to Financial Statements F-7
F- 1
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders,
Richtech Robotics Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada
OPINION ON THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Richtech
Robotics Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements
of operations and comprehensive income , changes in stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for each of the years then
ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated
financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2023 and
2022, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
BASIS FOR OPINION
These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements
based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws
and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission and the PCAOB, and the relevant ethical requirements relating
to our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the
standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards
require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free
of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit
of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control
over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess
the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures
that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the
consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide
a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Bush & Associates CPA LLC
/s/ Bush & Associates CPA LLC
We have served as the Company’s auditor
since 2022.
Henderson, Nevada
January 4, 2023
F- 2
RICHTECH ROBOTICS INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
September 30,
2023
2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 433
$ 327
Accounts receivable, (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $ 333 and $ 86 as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively)
5,576
1,656
Amount due from related parties, current
134
108
Inventory
822
1,373
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
17
41
Total current assets
6,982
3,505
Property and equipment, net
28
41
Deferred tax assets, net
518
—
Operating lease right-of-use-assets
315
382
Other assets, non-current
10
10
Total assets
$ 7,853
$ 3,938
LIABILITIES, PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 1,126
$ 175
Amount due to related parties, current
238
284
Accrued expenses
59
57
Short-term loan
845
Tax Payable
461
117
Operating lease liabilities, current
161
108
Total current liabilities
2,890
741
Operating lease liabilities, non-current
154
279
Total liabilities
3,044
1,020
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
Stockholders’ equity:
Class A Common stock, $ 0.00001 par, 47,400,000 shares authorized as of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, 44,353,846 and 39,400,000 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively.
$ —
$ —
Class B Common stock, $ 0.00001 par, 60,600,000 shares authorized as of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, 17,813,000 and 600,000 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively.
—
—
Additional paid-in capital
4,608
2,378
Retained earnings
201
540
Total controlling stockholders’ equity
4,809
2,918
Total stockholders’ equity
4,809
2,918
Total liabilities, preferred stock and stockholders’ equity
$ 7,853
$ 3,938
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
F- 3
RICHTECH ROBOTICS INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Year ended September 30,
2023
2022
Revenue, net
$ 8,759
$ 6,049
Cost of revenue, net
2,744
2,098
Gross profit
6,015
3,951
Operating expenses:
Research and development
1,979
1,772
Sales and marketing
238
297
General and administrative
3,509
2,258
Total operating expenses
5,726
4,327
Gain/(Loss) from operations
289
( 376 )
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net
( 734 )
( 18 )
Total other expense
( 734 )
( 18 )
Loss before income tax expense
( 445 )
( 394 )
Income tax benefit/(expense)
106
( 113 )
Net loss
( 339 )
( 507 )
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
$ ( 339 )
$ ( 507 )
Basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock
$ ( 0.01 )
$ ( 0.01 )
Weighted average shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share
62,166,846
40,000,000
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
F- 4
RICHTECH
ROBOTICS INC.
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands except share data)
Common stock*
Additional
Non-
Total
Class A
Class B
Paid-in
paid-in
Retained
controlling
Shareholders’
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
capital
capital
earnings
Interest
equity
Balances, September 30, 2021
-
$ -
-
$ -
$ 878
$ -
$ 1,047
$ ( 57 )
$ 1,868
Shareholder capital injection
-
-
-
-
1,500
-
-
1,500
Conversion of member units to common stock
39,400,000
-
600,000
-
( 2,378 )
2,378
-
-
-
Non-controlling interest
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
57
57
Net loss
-
-
-
-
-
-
( 507 )
-
( 507 )
Balances, September 30, 2022
39,400,000
$ -
600,000
$ -
$ -
$ 2,378
$ 540
$ -
$ 2,918
Common stock issued for cash
-
-
9,397,000
-
-
2,230
-
-
2,230
Common stock issued for services
6,153,846
-
6,616,000
-
-
38,318
-
-
38,318
Provision of common stock issued for future services
-
-
-
-
-
( 38,318 )
-
-
( 38,318 )
Conversion from class A to Class B common stock
( 1,200,000 )
-
1,200,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
Net loss
-
-
-
-
-
-
( 339 )
-
( 339 )
Balances, September 30, 2023
44,353,846
$ -
17,813,000
$ -
$ -
$ 4,608
$ 201
$ -
$ 4,809
* Par value per share and the number of shares has been retrospectively
restated for the related period in connection with our 4-for-1 forward stock split and concurrent re-designation of our common stock
into Class A and Class B common stock in October 2022.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
F- 5
RICHTECH
ROBOTICS INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Year
ended September 30,
2023
2022
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net loss
$ ( 339 )
$ ( 507 )
Non-controlling interests
—
57
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
used in operating activities:
Accounts receivable
( 3,919 )
( 1,612 )
Inventory
551
( 389 )
Prepaid expenses and
other current assets
23
( 31 )
Right-of-use asset
67
( 382 )
Deferred tax assets
( 518 )
—
Accounts payable
951
( 305 )
Tax payable
344
108
Accrued expenses
3
28
Operating lease liabilities,
current
( 108 )
108
Operating
lease liabilities, non-current
36
279
Net
cash used in operating activities
( 2,909 )
( 2,646 )
Cash Flows From Investing
Activities
Sale of property and
equipment
13
64
Cash used for lending
to related parties
( 30 )
( 108 )
Cash
collection from loan to related parties
4
—
Net
cash received (used) in investing activities
( 13 )
( 44 )
Cash Flows From Financing
Activities
Proceeds from the issuance
of related party debt
200
190
Payment of related party
debt
( 247 )
—
Payment of long-term
loans
—
( 26 )
Proceeds from short-term
loans
845
—
Proceeds
from stockholder capital injection
2,230
1,500
Net cash provided by
financing activities
3,028
1,664
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
106
( 1,026 )
Cash, cash equivalents
and restricted cash at beginning of year
327
1,353
Cash, cash equivalents
and restricted cash at end of year
$ 433
$ 327
Supplemental Disclosure
of Non-cash Transactions:
Disposition of
subsidiaries
$ —
$ ( 17 )
See
accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
F- 6
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise stated)
NOTE
1: Nature of Business
Description
of Business
Richtech Robotics Inc. (“we”, “us”, “our”
or “Richtech”), is a Nevada C-Corporation registered in Nevada. Richtech was converted from Richtech Creative Displays, LLC
on June 22, 2022, which is the predecessor of Richtech and established on July 19, 2016 in Nevada.
We
are a leading provider of service robotic solutions by developing, manufacturing, and deploying novel products that address the growing
need for automation in the service industry. We develop and provide service automation solutions that directly address the labor
shortage problem affecting the US service industry. Our solutions include delivery, commercial cleaning, food & beverage service,
and customization and development service, which have been implemented more than 80 cities across the United States in restaurants,
hotels, casinos, senior living homes, factories and retail centers. Our solutions automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks which
allows clients to reallocate labor hours to more value-creating roles. Many of our clients see our robotic solutions as crucial
to expanding and scaling their businesses. Our goal is to be a long-term partner to our clients, providing them with a range of robotic
solutions to remedy their problems.
Risk
and Uncertainties
The
Company’s business and operations are sensitive to general business and economic conditions worldwide. These conditions include
short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, fluctuations in debt and equity capital markets and the general condition of the
world economy. A host of factors beyond the Company’s control could cause fluctuations in these conditions. Adverse developments
in these general business and economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and
the results of its operations. In addition, the Company will compete with many companies that currently have extensive and well-funded
projects, marketing and sales operations. The Company may be unable to compete successfully against these companies. The Company’s
industry is characterized by rapid changes in technology and market demands. As a result, the Company’s products, services, or
expertise may become obsolete or unmarketable. The Company’s future success will depend on its ability to adapt to technological
advances, anticipate customer and market demands, and enhance its current technology under development.
Emerging
Growth Company Status
We
are an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”).
Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment
of the JOBS Act, until such time as those standards apply to private companies.
We
have elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective
dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that we are (1) no longer an emerging growth company or (2) affirmatively
and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, our financial statements may not be
comparable to companies that comply with the new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
We
will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (1) the last day of the first fiscal year (A) following the
fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (B) in which our total annual gross revenue is at least $ 1.235 billion
or (C) when we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates
exceeds $ 700.0 million as of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and (2) the date on which we have issued
more than $ 1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.
F- 7
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise stated)
NOTE
2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis
of Presentation
These
financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
(“GAAP”), pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Segment
Reporting
Operating
segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available for evaluation by the
chief operating decision-maker in making decisions regarding resource allocation and assessing performance. We view our operations and
manage our business as one operating segment.
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
We
consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. We place
our cash and cash equivalents in highly liquid instruments with, and in the custody of, financial institutions with high credit ratings.
Accounts
Receivable
Accounts
receivables are primarily comprised of trade receivables presented net of rebates, price protection and an allowance for credit loss.
Accounts receivable also include unbilled receivables, which primarily represent work completed on development services recognized as
revenue but not yet invoiced to customers and semi-custom products under non-cancellable purchase orders that have no alternative use
to the Company at contract inception, for which revenue has been recognized but not yet invoiced to customers. All unbilled accounts
receivables are expected to be billed and collected within twelve months.
We
manage our exposure to customer credit risk through credit limits, credit lines, ongoing monitoring procedures and credit approvals.
Furthermore, we perform in-depth credit evaluations of all new customers and, at intervals, for existing customers. From this, we may
require letters of credit, bank or corporate guarantees or advance payments if deemed necessary. We maintain an allowance for credit
loss, consisting of known specific troubled accounts as well as an amount based on overall estimated potential uncollectible accounts
receivable based on historical experience and review of their current credit quality. The amount of allowance for doubtful accounts were
$ 333 and $ 86 as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We do not believe the receivable balance from its customers represents
a significant credit risk.
Inventories
We
value inventory at standard cost, adjusted to approximate the lower of actual cost or estimated net realizable value using assumptions
about future demand and market conditions. In determining excess or obsolescence reserves for its products, we consider assumptions such
as changes in business and economic conditions, other-than-temporary decreases in demand for its products, and changes in technology
or customer requirements. In determining the lower of cost or net realizable value reserves, we consider assumptions such as recent historical
sales activity and selling prices, as well as estimates of future selling prices. We fully reserve for inventories and non-cancellable
purchase orders for inventory deemed obsolete. We perform periodic reviews of inventory items to identify excess inventories on hand
by comparing
on-hand balances and non-cancellable purchase orders to anticipated usage using recent historical activity as well as anticipated or
forecasted demand. If estimates of customer demand diminish further or market conditions become less favorable than those projected by
us, additional inventory carrying value adjustments may be required.
F- 8
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise stated)
NOTE
2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
Inventory
as of September 30, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
September 30,
2023
2022
Raw materials
$ 164
$ 286
Finished goods
658
1,087
Total
inventories
$ 822
$ 1,373
Property,
and Equipment, net
Property
and equipment, net is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization and is depreciated using the straight-line method
over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimated useful lives of equipment is two to six years, and leasehold
improvements are measured by the shorter of the remaining terms of the leases or the estimated useful economic lives of the improvements.
Property
and equipment, as of September 30, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
September 30
2023
2022
Furniture, fixtures &
equipment
$ 63
$ 63
Leasehold improvements
4
4
67
67
Accumulated depreciation
( 39 )
( 26 )
Property
and equipment, net
$ 28
$ 41
Depreciation
expense for 2022 and 2021 was $ 13 and $ 7 , respectively.
Stockholders’
Equity
According
to ASC 505-10-S99-4, changes in the capital structure of a reporting entity due to a stock dividend, stock split or reverse split occurring
after the date of the latest reported balance sheet but before the release of the financial statements (or the effective date of the
registration statement, whichever is later) should be given retroactive effect in the balance sheet. In such cases, appropriate disclosure
should be made of the retrospective treatment and the date the change became effective. For our Statements of Stockholders’ Equity,
par value per share and the number of shares has been retrospectively restated for the related period in connection with our 4-for-1
forward stock split and concurrent re-designation of our common stock into Class A and Class B common stock in October 2022.
In
accounting for the conversion of member units into common stock, we followed the relevant accounting guidance provided by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in accordance with GAAP. According to ASC 805-50-15-6, an entity charters a newly
formed entity and then transfers some or all of its net assets to that newly chartered entity is an example of common-control transactions.
ASC 805-50-15-6 provides guidance on common control transactions, stating that such transactions involve transfers between entities
under common control, where the control is not transitory. In the case of the conversion of member units into common stock, the entities
involved are under common control by the same parent entity. This relationship satisfies the criteria for a common control transaction,
as control is not transitory and the parent entity exercises significant influence over the entities involved. Financial statements reflect
the members’ equity and that the reclassification of members’ equity during fiscal 2022 to paid-in-capital is properly accounted
for, in accordance with ASC 805-50-45-4 and SAB Topic 4.B by analogy.
F- 9
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise stated)
NOTE
2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
Revenue
Recognition
Revenue
is recognized when we transfer promised goods or services to our customers, in amounts that reflect the consideration that we expect
to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In determining the appropriate amount of revenue to be recognized as we fulfill our
obligations under each agreement, we perform the following steps: (i) identification of the promised goods or services in the contract;
(ii) determination of whether the promised goods or services are performance obligations, including whether they are distinct in
the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation
of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) we satisfy each performance
obligation. We only apply the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that we will collect the consideration we are entitled
to in exchange for the goods or services we transfer to the customer.
Product
Revenue
We
generate revenue through the sale of our branded robotic products directly to customers. We consider customer purchase orders, which
in some cases are governed by master sales agreements, to be the contracts with our customers. There is a single performance obligation
in all our contracts, which is our promise to transfer our product to customers based on specific payment and shipping terms in the arrangement.
The entire transaction price is allocated to this single performance obligation. Product revenue is recognized when a customer obtains
control of our product, which occurs at a point in time and may be upon shipment or delivery, based on the terms of the contract.
Other
Revenue Policies
Sales,
value add, and other taxes collected on behalf of third parties are excluded from revenue.
We
do not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component if the expectation at contract inception is such that the period
between payment by the customer and the transfer of the promised products to the customer will be one year or less, which is the case
with substantially all customers.
We
recognize the incremental costs of obtaining contracts as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the assets that we otherwise
would have recognized is one year or less. These costs are included in selling expenses.
We
account for shipping and handling activities related to contracts with customers as costs to fulfill the promise to transfer the associated
products. We record the related costs within cost of goods sold.
Disaggregation
of Revenue
The
following table sets forth revenue by product for the years ended September 30:
September 30
Notes
2023
2022
Robotics
Product revenue
$ 5,665
$ 2,981
Service revenue
2,602
1,876
Leasing
revenue
197
441
Total Robotics revenue
8,464
5,298
Smart hardware
7
562
Interactive system
198
189
Cloutea*
90
—
Total
revenue, net
$ 8,759
$ 6,049
Notes:
* Cloutea is the revenue generated from our boba tea store open in May 2023, in order to further develop our business model. This is our model store of interactive robot barista by utilizing our ADAM robot.
F- 10
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise stated)
NOTE
2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
Research
and Development Costs
Research
and development costs primarily consist of employee-related expenses, including salaries and benefits, facilities costs, depreciation,
and other allocated expenses. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
Income
Taxes
The
Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with income tax accounting guidance (Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting
Standards Codification (ASC) 740, Income Taxes). The income tax accounting guidance results in two components of income tax
expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by
applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Company determines
deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability
is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates
and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur. Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets
and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available,
it is more likely than not some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
Tax
positions are recognized if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, the tax position will be realized or sustained
upon examination. The term “more likely than not” means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and
upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the
more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater
than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information.
The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances
and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment.
The
Company recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of income tax expense.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (“Topic 842”).
The guidance in this ASU supersedes the leasing guidance in Topic 840, Leases . Under the new guidance, lessees are required
to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will
be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of operations.
The standard is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. As an emerging growth
company, we adopted the new standard on January 1, 2022 for our year ending September 30, 2022 and 2023. We had operating leases
for which we were required to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability.
In
December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes ,
which amends the approaches and methodologies in accounting for income taxes during interim periods and makes changes to certain income
tax classifications. The new standard allows certain exceptions, including an exception to the use of the incremental approach for intra-period
tax allocation, when there is a loss from continuing operations and income or a gain from other items, and to the general methodology
for calculating income taxes in an interim period, when a year-to-date loss exceeds the anticipated loss for the year. The standard also
requires franchise or similar taxes partially based on income to be reported as income tax and to reflect the effects of enacted changes
in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation from the date of enactment. Lastly, in any future acquisition, we would
be required to evaluate when the step-up in the tax basis of goodwill is part of the business combination and when it should be considered
a separate transaction. The standard will be effective for us beginning January 1, 2022, with early adoption of the amendments permitted.
The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material impact on our financial statements and disclosures.
In
May 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt-Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50),
Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815- 40):
Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options (“ASU 2021-04”).
ASU 2021-04 provides guidance for a modification or an exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option that is
not within the scope of another topic. ASU 2021-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. The
Company has determined the adoption of ASU 2021-04 did not have a material impact on our financial statements and disclosures.
F- 11
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise stated)
NOTE
2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
COVID-19
In
March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic, which continues
to spread throughout the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted global commercial activity, disrupted supply
chains and contributed to significant volatility in financial markets. Starting in 2020, and continuing through the date hereof, the
COVID-19 pandemic continued to adversely impact many different industries. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could have a continued material
impact on economic and market conditions and trigger a period of global economic slowdown. The rapid development and fluidity of this
situation precludes any prediction as to the extent and the duration of the impact of COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic therefore presents
material uncertainty and risk with respect to the Company and its performance and could affect its financial results in a materially
adverse way. The Company has considered information available to it as of the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements
and is not aware of any specific events or circumstances that would require an update to its estimates or judgements, or an adjustment
to the carrying value of its assets or liabilities. The accounting estimates and other matters assessed include, but were not limited
to, long-lived assets and accrued expenses. These estimates may change as new events occur and additional information becomes available.
Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. In response to the changing dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic and endemic,
the Company closely monitors the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations in order to react quickly with appropriate
safety protocols. Management is continuing to monitor the effect of COVID-19 and intends to adjust its operational protocols as may be
necessary.
NOTE
3: Earnings per Share
Because
we reported a net loss for all periods presented, no potentially dilutive securities have been included in the computation of diluted
net loss per share. In addition, we have no outstanding stock options, warrants, convertible notes, and any other forms of convertible
deferred compensation that could dilute basic earnings per share in the future as of September 30, 2023 and 2022.
Year
Ended
September 30
2023
2022
Numerator:
Net loss
attributable to common stockholders
$ ( 339 )
$ ( 507 )
Denominator:
Weighted average ordinary shares used
in computing
62,166,846
40,000,000
Basic and diluted net loss per share (in each dollar)
$ ( 0.01 )
$ ( 0.01 )
NOTE
4: Income Taxes
We
are subject to taxation in the United States and various states jurisdictions in which we conduct our business. Our tax provision
for interim periods is determined using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items arising in that quarter.
On a quarterly basis, we update our estimate of the annual effective tax rate, and if the estimated annual tax rate changes, we make
a cumulative adjustment in that quarter.
The
tax expenses recorded for both of the year ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 differ from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate
of 21 % due primarily to the tax impact of state income taxes, non-deductible officers’ compensation, and transportation fringe
benefits. For the year ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we recorded income tax benefit of expense of $ 106 and income tax expense
of $ 113 , respectively, and the effective tax rate is not applicable due to there were losses from continuing operations before
income tax expense for both years presented.
F- 12
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise stated)
NOTE
4: Income Taxes (cont.)
We
have no material uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2023 and 2022. It is our policy to recognize interest and penalties
related to income tax matters in interest expense and other income (expense), net, respectively, in our audited condensed consolidated
statements of operations and comprehensive income. There was no accrued interest or penalties associated with uncertain tax positions
as of September 30, 2023 and 2022.
NOTE
5: Short-term Loan
During
2023, we entered into ten short-term loan agreements with different financial entities for the total principal amount of $ 1,853 . As of
September 30, 2023, the short-term loan balance was $ 845 . The majority of these loans have been paid off, and the remaining balance was
$ 55 as of the reporting date.
NOTE
6: Related parties and related-party transactions
The
group had the following related parties:
a. Companies
controlled by the same controlling stockholders; and
b. Executive
officers, stockholders and companies controlled by executive officers.
Balances
We
had the following related party balances:
Relationship
Notes
As
of
September 30,
2023
As
of
September 30,
2022
Amounts due from related parties:
Uplus Academy LLC
a
(i)
118
92
Uplus Academy NLV LLC
a
(i)
16
16
134
108
Relationship
Notes
As
of September 30,
2023
As
of September 30,
2022
Amounts due to related parties:
Bison Systems LLC
a
(ii)
85
70
Zhenwu Huang
b
(iii)
113
214
Phil Zheng
b
(iv)
40
—
238
284
Notes:
(i) Uplus Academy LLC and Uplus Academy NLV LLC were both subsidiaries of Richtech, and were disposed on December 31, 2021. Richtech has been making interest-free and non-maturity loans to both companies since their inceptions. On December 31, 2021, Uplus Academy LLC and Uplus Academy NLV LLC, subsidiaries of Richtech have been disposed to Zhenwu Huang, CEO and controlling stockholder of Richtech, to pay off part of Zhenwu Huang’s earlier loans to Richtech. The transaction price for Uplus Academy LLC and Uplus Academy NLV LLC were $ 120 and $ 7 , respectively.
(ii) Bison Systems LLC was 100 % owned by Zhenwu Huang, CEO and controlling stockholder of Richtech and Zhenqiang Huang, CFO and major stockholder of Richtech. In 2022 and 2023, Bison Systems LLC made several interest-free and non-maturity loans to Richtech to support its daily operation.
(iii) Zhenwu Huang, CEO and controlling stockholder of Richtech, made multiple interest-free and non-maturity loans to Richtech since the inception of the business to support Richtech’s operation. As of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the remaining balance of these loans were $ 113 and $ 214 , respectively.
(iv) Phil Zheng has served as Richtech’s COO since February 2020. Phil made an interest-free and non-maturity loans to Richtech in May 2023.
F- 13
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise stated)
NOTE
7: Commitments and contingencies
Leases
We
lease office facilities under noncancelable operating lease agreements. We lease space for its corporate headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada
through August 2027, and a second office space in Austin, Taxes through April 2024. We lease space for our ClouTea store in Las Vegas,
Nevada through January 2024. After ClouTea store lease term ends in January 2024, the new lease term will change to month-to-month, and
landlord can choose to terminate the lease by sending a notice two month in advance.
The
components of leases and lease costs are as follows:
Operating
leases
September 30,
2023
September 30,
2022
Operating
lease right-of-use assets
$ 315
$ 382
Operating lease liabilities, current portion
$ 161
$ 108
Operating lease liabilities,
non-current portion
154
279
Total operating lease
liabilities
$ 315
$ 387
Operating
leases
Year
Ended
September 30,
2023
Year
Ended September 30,
2022
Operating
lease cost
$ 227
$ 151
Future
minimum lease payments under these leases as of September 30, 2023, are approximately as follows:
Year
ending September 30,
Amount
2024
$ 174
2025
116
2026
50
Total future minimum lease
payments
$ 340
Legal
Proceedings
From
time to time, in the ordinary course of business, we are subject to litigation and regulatory examinations as well as information gathering
requests, inquiries and investigations. As of September 30, 2023, there were no matters which would have a material impact on our
financial results.
NOTE
8: Subsequent Events
On
November 21, 2023, Richtech consummated its initial public offering of 2,100,000 shares of its Class B common stock at a price of $ 5.00 per
share. The aggregate gross proceeds from the Offering amounted to $ 10.5 million, prior to deducting underwriting discounts, commissions,
and Offering-related expenses. The shares began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “RR” on November
17, 2023. On December 22, 2023, the underwriters purchased an additional 42,563 shares of Class B common stock at a price of $ 5.00 per
share pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option., generating additional gross proceeds of $ 212,815 .
F- 14
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
3.1
Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on November 22, 2023).
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on November 22, 2023).
3.3
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws*
4.1
Specimen Class B Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-273628), filed with the SEC on November 1, 2023).
4.2
Form of Underwriter Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on November 22, 2023).
4.3
Description of Registered Securities*
10.1#
Master Services Agreement, dated September 27, 2022 (Restaurant MSA) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-273628), filed with the SEC on November 1, 2023).
10.2#
Master Professional Services Agreement, dated September 26, 2022 (Gaming MSA) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-273628), filed with the SEC on November 1, 2023).
10.3#
Master IT Services and Products Agreement, dated January 12, 2023 (Hotel MSA) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-273628), filed with the SEC on November 1, 2023).
10.4
Form of Invention Assignment Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-273628), filed with the SEC on November 1, 2023).
10.5
Form of Stock Purchase Agreement (Pre-IPO Private Placement) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-273628), filed with the SEC on November 1, 2023).
10.6
2023 Equity Stock Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-273628), filed with the SEC on November 1, 2023).
10.7
Form of Stock Option Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-273628), filed with the SEC on November 1, 2023).
10.8
Form of Stock Purchase Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-273628), filed with the SEC on November 1, 2023).
10.9
Employment Agreement between the Company and Zhenwu Huang (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-273628), filed with the SEC on November 1, 2023).
10.10
Employment Agreement between the Company and Zhenqiang Huang (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-273628), filed with the SEC on November 1, 2023).
10.11
Employment Agreement between the Company and Phil Zheng (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-273628), filed with the SEC on November 1, 2023).
10.12
Employment Agreement between the Company and Matthew Casella (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-273628), filed with the SEC on November 1, 2023).
14
Code of Ethics*
19
Insider Trading Policy*
21
Subsidiaries of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-273628), filed with the SEC on November 1, 2023).
23.1
Consent of Bush & Associates CPA LLC.*
64
31.1
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
32.2
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document.*
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.*
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.*
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.*
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.*
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.*
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (Embedded as Inline XBRL document and contained in Exhibit 101).*
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith
# Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted because
the omitted information is (i) not material and (ii) would likely cause competitive harm to the Company if publicly disclosed.
65
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements
of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
January 11, 2024
RICHTECH ROBOTICS INC.
By:
/s/ Zhenwu Huang
Zhenwu Huang
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Zhenwu Huang
Chief Executive Officer and Director
January 11, 2024
Zhenwu Huang
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Zhenqiang Huang
Chief Financial Officer and Director
January 11, 2024
Zhenqiang Huang
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Phil Zheng
Chief Operating Officer
January 11, 2024
Phil Zheng
/s/ Matthew Casella
President
January 11, 2024
Matthew Casella
/s/ John Shigley
Director
January 11, 2024
John Shigley
/s/ Stephen Markscheid
Director
January 11, 2024
Stephen Markscheid
/s/ Saul Factor
Director
January 11, 2024
Saul Factor
66