UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K/A
Amendment
No. 1
(Mark
One)
☒
ANNUAL
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the fiscal year ended December 31 , 2024
OR
☐
TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
Commission
File Number 001-41462
SBC
Medical Group Holdings Incorporated
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
88-1192288
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
200 Spectrum Center Dr. STE 300
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification No.)
Irvine ,
CA
92618
(Address
of principal executive offices)
(Zip
Code)
Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code: 949 - 593-0250
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title
of each class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name
of each exchange on which registered
Common
Stock, $0.0001 par value per share
SBC
The
Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Redeemable
Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share
SBCWW
The
Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes
☐ No ☒
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes
☐ No ☒
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No
☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No
☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting
company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”
“smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer
☐
Accelerated
filer
☐
Non-accelerated
filer
☒
Smaller
reporting company
☒
Emerging
growth company
☒
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness
of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered
public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
If
securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant
included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation
received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The
aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 28, 2024, the last
business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $ 21,257,087 , calculated by using
the closing price of the Registrant’s Common Stock on such date on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC of $13.07.
The
number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of April 15, 2025 was 103,611,251 , after deducting 270,000 shares
of treasury stock.
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None
Explanatory
Notes
SBC
Medical Group Holdings, Inc. (the “Company,” “SBC Medical,” “we,” “us” and “our”)
is filing this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A (this “Form 10-K/A”) to amend the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (the “2024 10-K”), which was originally filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”) on March 28, 2025, to include the information required by Items 10 through 14 of Part III of the 2024
10-K. This information was previously omitted from the 2024 10-K in reliance on General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, which permits
the information in the above referenced items to be incorporated in the Form 10-K by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy
statement if such statement is filed no later than 120 days after the Company’s fiscal year-end. This Form 10-K/A amends and restates
in its entirety Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III of the 2024 10-K. The cover page of the 2024 10-K is also amended to (i) update
the number of outstanding shares of common stock as of April 15, 2025, and (ii) delete the reference to the incorporation by reference
of the Company’s definitive proxy statement or amendment to the 2024 10-K. This Form 10-K/A also amends Item 9B (“Other Information”)
to include information regarding a new executive employment agreement.
Pursuant
to Rule 12b-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), this Form 10-K/A amends Item 15
of Part IV of the 2024 10-K solely to update the exhibit list to include new certifications by our principal executive officer and principal
financial officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Because no financial statements have been included in this Form
10-K/A and this Form 10-K/A does not contain or amend any disclosure with respect to Items 307 and 308 of Regulation S-K, paragraphs
3, 4 and 5 of these certifications have been omitted. Similarly, because no financial statements have been included in this Form 10-K/A,
certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 have been omitted.
Except
as described above, no other changes have been made to the 2024 10-K, and this Form 10-K/A does not modify, amend or update in any way
any of the financial or other information contained in the 2024 10-K. This Form 10-K/A does not reflect events occurring after the date
of the filing of the 2024 10-K, nor does it amend, modify or otherwise update any other information in the 2024 10-K. Accordingly, this
Form 10-K/A should be read in conjunction with the 2024 10-K and with the Company’s filings with the SEC subsequent to the filing
of the 2024 10-K.
We
were originally incorporated in Delaware on February 12, 2021 under the name “Pono Capital Two, Inc.,” referred to herein
as “Pono,” as a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange,
asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.
On
August 9, 2022, Pono consummated its IPO of 11,500,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the Class A common stock included
in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares” and with respect to the warrants included in the Units, the “Public
Warrants”) (the “Pono IPO”).
Simultaneously
with the consummation of the closing of the Pono IPO, Pono consummated the private placement of an aggregate of 634,375 units (the “Placement
Units”) at a price of $10.00 per Placement Unit in a private placement to the Sponsor (the “Private Placement”).
On
September 26, 2022, the Class A common stock and Public Warrant included in the Units began separate trading on The Nasdaq Global Market
under the symbols “PTWO” and “PTWOW,” respectively.
On
January 21, 2023, Pono entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as subsequently amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”)
with Pono Two Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”) and then a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pono, SBC Medical
Group, Inc., then named SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (“Legacy SBC”), Mehana Capital LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company (“Sponsor” or “Purchaser Representative”) in its capacity as the representative
of the stockholders of Pono, and Dr. Yoshiyuki Aikawa in his personal capacity and his capacity as the representative of the stockholders
of Legacy SBC (“Seller Representative”).
On
September 17, 2024, the closing (the “Closing”) of the merger (the “Merger”) and other transactions contemplated
thereby (collectively, the “Business Combination”) took place and the Merger was consummated with Merger Sub merging with
and into Legacy SBC with Legacy SBC surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pono, and Pono then changed its name to SBC
Medical Group Holdings Incorporated and on September 17, 2024, Legacy SBC changed its named to SBC Medical Group, Inc.
Effective
September 17, 2024, Pono’s units ceased trading, and effective September 18, 2024, SBC’s common stock began trading on the
Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “SBC” and the public warrants began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the
symbol “SBCWW.”
As
a result of the Closing of the Merger and the Business Combination, the business of SBC Medical Group, Inc., Legacy SBC, became the
business of the Company.
Table
of Contents
Parts II and III
4
Item 9B. Other Information
4
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
4
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
13
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
21
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
22
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
31
Part IV
33
Item 15. Exhibits.
33
i
PARTS
II and III
Item
9B. Other Information
On
April 28, 2025, the Company entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with Miki (Shimizu) Yamazaki, pursuant to which Ms. Yamazaki
will serve as the Company’s Chief Strategy Officer. Further information about Ms. Yamazaki, and about the Executive Employment
Agreement, is set forth in Item 10 and Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A.
Item
10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Our
directors hold office until his or her term expires at the next annual meeting of stockholders for such director’s class or until
his or her death, resignation, removal or the earlier termination of his or her term of office. Biographical information concerning our
directors and executive officers is set forth below.
Our
Certificate of Incorporation provides that our business is to be managed by or under the direction of our board of directors. Our board
of directors is divided into three classes for purposes of election. One class is elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to serve
for a three-year term. Our board of directors currently consists of five members, classified into three classes as follows: Class I —
Ken Edahiro and Mike Sayama, to hold office until the fiscal 2024 annual meeting of stockholders; Class II — Fumitoshi Fujiwara
and Yuya Yoshida, to hold office until the fiscal 2025 annual meeting of stockholders; and Class III — Yoshiyuki Aikawa, to hold
office until the fiscal 2026 annual meeting of stockholders.
Set
forth below are the names of our directors, their ages, their offices in the Company, if any, their principal occupations or employment
for at least the past five years, the length of their tenure as directors and the names of other public companies in which such persons
hold or have held directorships during the past five years as of April 30, 2025.
Name
Age
Position(s)
with the Company
Yoshiyuki
Aikawa
54
Director,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Yuya
Yoshida
46
Director,
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
Ken
Edahiro
42
Independent
Director
Mike
Sayama
70
Independent
Director
Fumitoshi
Fujiwara
58
Independent
Director
Our
board of directors has reviewed the materiality of any relationship that each of our directors has with SBC Medical Group Holdings, Inc.,
either directly or indirectly. Based upon this review, our Board has determined that the following members of our board of directors
are “independent directors” as defined by The Nasdaq Stock Market: Ken Edahiro, Mike Sayama, and Fumitoshi Fujiwara.
Yoshiyuki
Aikawa. Dr. Aikawa has served as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board of Directors since September 17, 2024,
and in the same positions with SBC Medical Group, Inc. since January 20, 2023. Additionally, since September 2017, Dr. Aikawa has been
the Chief Executive Officer of SBC Medical Group Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Aikawa Medical Group Co., Ltd.), a Japanese company that
provides management services to clinics. Dr. Aikawa, stepped down from his position as Chief Executive Officer and Representative of
SBC Medical Group Co., Ltd. on September 1, 2024, and remains as a director of SBC Medical Group Co., Ltd. In March 2000, Dr. Aikawa
opened Shonan Beauty Clinic in Fujisawa, Japan, as a private clinic. Subsequently, he expanded his operations to include multiple cosmetic
surgery clinics, transforming the clinic into a corporation. From January 2016 to December 2019, Dr. Aikawa served as the chairman of
the MC. From 2014 to 2015, Dr. Aikawa was the president and a director of the Japanese Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Additionally,
from 2008, he was associated with Harvard Medical School, PGA. Dr. Aikawa is also a member of the Japanese Society of Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery, Japan Laser Therapy Association, Japan Liposuction Society, Chemical Peeling Society, Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists,
and PostGraduate Assembly of Anesthesiology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Aikawa holds a medical license from Nihon University Medical
School, where he graduated in 1997. Dr. Aikawa does not hold, and has not previously held, any directorships in any reporting companies.
We believe that Dr. Aikawa’s extensive professional experience with MCs, including as a founder and a chairman, as well as his
experience as the chief executive officer of a company providing management services to clinics, and his experience as a doctor and in
the aesthetic plastic surgery field qualifies him to serve as a director on the Company’s board of directors.
4
Yuya
Yoshida. Mr. Yoshida has served as our Chief Operating Officer and member of our Board of Directors since September 17, 2024,
and in the same positions with SBC Medical Group, Inc. since September 29, 2023, and was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer effective
April 1, 2025. Mr. Yoshida has also served as the Executive Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer of SBC Medical Group Co.,
Ltd. (Japan) since July 1, 2023. From January 2016 to June 2023, Mr. Yoshida worked in Corporate Development (Global Head and Director
of Corporate Development in 2018) at Rakuten Group Co., Ltd. From 2003 to 2016, Mr. Yoshida worked in securities, principal M&A,
and investment banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. Mr. Yoshida has extensive knowledge in E -Commerce, logistics, settlement,
finance, mergers and acquisitions and divestiture transactions. Mr. Yoshida graduated with a Master of Law degree from Keio University
in 2003. Mr. Yoshida also graduated with a Master of Business Administration degree from UCLA Anderson Business School in 2014. Mr. Yoshida
does not hold, and has not previously held, any directorships in any reporting companies. We believe that Mr. Yoshida’s professional
experience working in corporate development as well as his extensive knowledge of E-Commerce, logistics, settlement, finance, mergers
and acquisitions and divestiture transactions qualifies him to serve as a director on the Company’s board of directors.
Ken
Edahiro. Mr. Edahiro has served as a director of the Company since September 17, 2024. Mr. Edahiro has served as the Chief Strategy
Officer and director of BizReach, a Cloud service provider, since February 2020 and June 2019, respectively. From January 2014 through
May 2019, he served as the General Manager of King, a leading interactive entertainment company. From August 2012 through December 2013,
Mr. Edahiro served as the head of global strategy and marketing of gloops, a provider of computer games. From April 2004 through July
2012, he served as a Chief Account Executive at Dentsu, a provider of advertising services. In 2004, Mr. Edahiro received a degree from
Hitotsubashi University. We believe that Mr. Edahiro’s experience as a chief strategy officer and extensive knowledge of marketing
qualifies him to serve as a director on the Company’s board of directors.
Mike
Sayama, Ph.D. Dr. Mike Sayama serves as an independent director of the Company since March 11, 2022. Dr. Sayama was formerly the Executive Director of Community First since it was established
in July 2016 until January 2021. As the founding executive director, he was responsible for operations, developing a strategic plan for
an accountable health community in East Hawaii, community relations, and fund raising. From January 2021 to June 2021 he served as the
Director of Strategy to facilitate the transition to a new management team. From October 2013 to December 2018, Dr. Sayama served as
a Vice President at Pono Health and was Director of Learning Health Homes, a project where he was responsible for managing the East Hawaii
Independent Physicians Association and implementing a data platform integrating health plan, hospital, and physician data. Dr. Sayama
also facilitated the reorganization of EHI and development of its strategic direction. Community First, a 501(c)3 non-profit, which serves
as a neutral forum for healthcare stakeholders in East Hawaii, grew out of the Learning Health Homes Initiative. From August 1997 to
October 2013, Dr. Sayama served as a Vice President of the Hawaii Medical Service Association, first in Health Benefits Management and
then in Customer Relations. In the first position, he streamlined preauthorization and appeal processes, including the elimination of
preauthorization for inpatient admissions without increase in inpatient utilization. In his second position he established call centers
in Hilo which stabilized the call center work force and improved the timeliness and accuracy of customer service. From April 2001 to
April 2005, Dr. Sayama was a Director on the City Bank Board, and from April 2005 to April 2009, was a Director on the Boards of Central
Pacific Bank and Central Pacific Financial Corporation. Regarding education: In May 1975, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in
Psychology from Yale University, and in August 1979, his Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from University of Michigan. In
August 1982, Dr. Sayama received his Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology from University of Michigan. He is the author of several books
on psychotherapy and Zen Buddhism. His community service includes having been a Director on the Bay Clinic Board (the Federally Qualified
Health Center in East Hawaii) and currently serving as the Abbot of Chozen-ji, International Zen Dojo. Mr. Sayama brings broad knowledge
of the healthcare technology industry, as well as prior experience serving as a founding executive director, which makes him a valuable
member of our board of directors.
5
Fumitoshi
Fujiwara. Mr. Fujiwara has served as a director of the Company since September 17, 2024. Mr. Fujiwara has served as an
executive officer to Medirom Healthcare Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: MRM) since March 2017. In addition, since 2023, he has served as
managing partner and chief executive officer of Linden Capital Partners LLC. Furthermore, since November 2009, Mr. Fujiwara has
served as a director, managing partner and chief executive officer to Eaglestone Capital Management Inc. From 2001 to 2009, he
served as a director, managing partner and chief executive officer of AC Capital Inc. From 2000 to 2001, Mr. Fujiwara served as a
director, managing partner and chief investment officer to Spiral & Star Co., Ltd. From 1993 to 2000, he served as the chief
executive officer and chief financial officer to KOEI Tecmo Holdings Co., Ltd. From 1989 to 1993, Mr. Fujiwara served as a manager
to Shuwa Corporation. He graduated from Meiji Gakuin University, Faculty of Law in 1989. Mr. Fujiwara does not hold, and has not
held, any directorships in any reporting companies. We believe that Mr. Fujiwara’s experience as a chief financial officer of
a Nasdaq listed company and extensive knowledge of financial and accounting issues qualifies him to serve as a director on the
Company’s board of directors.
Executive
Officers
Set
forth below are the names of our Executive Officers, their ages, and their offices in the Company, other than our two executive officers
who also serve as our directors.
Name
Age
Position(s)
with the Company
Miki
(Shimizu) Yamazaki
39
Chief
Strategy Officer
Miki
(Shimizu) Yamazaki. Ms. Yamazaki has served as our Chief Strategy Officer since April 10, 2025.. Previously, she spent 16 years
at Goldman Sachs Japan (2008-2024) within their Investment Banking Division. From 2016 onward, she served as Vice President of the Advisory
Group, specializing in M&A and capital transactions, including cross-border acquisitions, IPOs, and anti-activist advisory services.
She graduated from Keio University with a Bachelor’s degree in 2008.
Board
Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
The
Board believes that its leadership structure currently serves the best interests of our shareholders, partners, customers, and other
stakeholders because of Dr. Aikawa’s deep expertise in the Company’s business.
One
of the Board’s key functions is informed oversight of our risk management process. In particular, our Board is responsible for
monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure, including a determination of the nature and level of risk appropriate for the Company.
The Board does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through the Board
as a whole, as well as through various Board standing committees that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight.
Our Board and its committees consider specific risk topics, including risks associated with our strategic plan, business operations,
capital structure, information technology, data privacy and cyber security. It is the responsibility of the committee chairs to report
findings regarding material risk exposures to the Board as quickly as possible.
Our
Audit Committee has the responsibility to consider and discuss with management and the auditors, as appropriate, our guidelines and policies
with respect to financial risk management and financial risk assessment, including the Company’s major financial risk exposures
and the steps taken by management to monitor and control these exposures. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews and discusses with
management and the auditors, as appropriate, the Company’s guidelines and policies with respect to financial risk management and
financial risk assessment, including the Company’s major litigation and risk exposures (including with respect to financial cybersecurity,
data privacy and other information technology risks) and the steps taken by management to monitor and control these exposures. Our Compensation
Committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking,
including risks related to our practices and policies of employee compensation as they relate to risk management and risk-taking incentives,
to determine whether such compensation policies and practices are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us, including
whether our incentive compensation plans encourage excessive or inappropriate risk taking. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance guidelines, including proxy advisory firm policies and recommendations. The Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee also oversees and reviews with management our major legal compliance risk exposures and the steps
management has taken to monitor or mitigate such exposures, including our procedures and any related policies with respect to risk assessment
and risk management.
6
In
connection with our reviews of the operations and corporate functions of our company, our Board addresses the primary risks associated
with those operations and corporate functions. In addition, our Board reviews the risks associated with our company’s business
strategies periodically throughout the year as part of its consideration of undertaking any such business strategies. While the Board
and its committees oversee risk management strategy, management is responsible for implementing and supervising day-to-day risk management
processes and reporting to the Board and its committees on such matters.
Stockholder
Communications to our Board of Directors
Stockholders
who have questions or concerns regarding our business should contact our Investor Relations team at ir@ir.sbc-holdings.com. Communications
will be distributed to our board of directors, or to any individual director or directors as appropriate, depending on the facts and
circumstances outlined in the communications. Items that are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of our board of directors may
be excluded, such as:
● junk
mail and mass mailings;
● resumes
and other forms of job inquiries;
● surveys;
and
● solicitations
or advertisements.
In
addition, any material that is unduly hostile, threatening, or illegal in nature may be excluded, in which case it will be made available
to any outside director upon request.
Risks
Related To Compensation Practices And Policies
We
believe that, through a combination of risk-mitigating features and incentives guided by relevant market practices and company-wide goals,
our compensation policies, programs and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on
the Company.
7
Board
of Directors
The
Company’s board of directors consists of five (5) individuals, a majority of whom are independent directors in accordance with
Nasdaq requirements. The directors serve until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier death,
disqualification, resignation, or removal. The Company’s board is divided into three classes, with only one class of directors
being elected in each year. The classes of the board are composed as follows: Class I — Ken Edahiro and Mike Sayama, to hold office
until the fiscal 2024 annual meeting of stockholders; Class II — Fumitoshi Fujiwara and Yuya Yoshida, to hold office until the
fiscal 2025 annual meeting of stockholders; and Class III — Yoshiyuki Aikawa, to hold office until the fiscal 2026 annual meeting
of stockholders. Each of Ken Edahiro, Mike Sayama, and Fumitoshi Fujiwara qualify as an independent director under Nasdaq listing standards.
Meeting
Attendance. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 , there were three (3) meetings of our board of directors. No
director attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings of our board of directors and of committees of our board of directors
on which he served during fiscal 2024. Members of our board of directors are encouraged to attend the annual meetings of our stockholders.
Director
Independence
Under
the listing requirements and rules of Nasdaq, independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s board of directors
and of certain board committees. The Company’s board of directors consists of five (5) individuals, a majority of whom are independent
directors in accordance with Nasdaq requirements.
Committees
of the Board of Directors
The
Company’s board of directors has the authority to appoint committees to perform certain management and administration functions.
The Company’s board of directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating and corporate governance
committee. The composition and responsibilities of each committee are described below. Members will serve on these committees until their
resignation or until otherwise determined by the board of directors. The charters for each of these committees are available on the Company’s
website at https://sbc-holdings.com/ .
Audit
Committee
The
audit committee of the board of directors of the Company consists of Messrs. Ken Edahiro, Mike Sayama, and Fumitoshi Fujiwara. The Company’s
board of directors has determined each member of this committee is independent under the Nasdaq listing standards and Rule 10A-3(b)(1)
under the Exchange Act. Our audit committee met three (3) times during fiscal 2024. The chairperson of the audit committee is Mr. Fujiwara.
Mr. Fujiwara also qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation
S-K and possesses financial sophistication, as defined under the rules of Nasdaq.
The
primary purpose of the audit committee is to discharge the responsibilities of the board of directors with respect to our accounting,
financial, and other reporting and internal control practices and to oversee our independent registered accounting firm. Specific responsibilities
of our audit committee include:
●
selecting
a qualified firm to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s financial statements;
●
helping
to ensure the independence and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm;
●
discussing
the scope and results of the audit with the independent registered public accounting firm, and reviewing, with management and the
independent accountants, our interim and year-end operating results;
● developing
procedures for employees to submit concerns anonymously about questionable accounting or
audit matters;
8
● reviewing
policies on risk assessment and risk management;
● reviewing
related party transactions;
● obtaining
and reviewing a report by the independent registered public accounting firm at least annually,
that describes the Company’s internal quality-control procedures, any material issues
with such procedures, and any steps taken to deal with such issues when required by applicable
law; and
● approving
(or, as permitted, pre-approving) all audit and all permissible non-audit service to be performed
by the independent registered public accounting firm.
Compensation
Committee
The
compensation committee consists of Messrs. Ken Edahiro, Mike Sayama, and Fumitoshi Fujiwara. The Company’s board of directors has
determined each member of this committee is a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange
Act. The chairperson of the compensation committee is Fumitoshi Fujiwara. The primary purpose of the compensation committee is to discharge
the responsibilities of the board of directors to oversee its compensation policies, plans and programs and to review and determine the
compensation to be paid to its executive officers, directors and other senior management, as appropriate. Our compensation committee
met three (3) times during fiscal 2024.
Specific
responsibilities of the compensation committee include:
●
reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to the Company’s Chief Executive
Officer’s compensation, evaluating the Company’s Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and
objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer based on such
evaluation. These decisions will be made without the Chief Executive Officer present;
●
reviewing and approving the compensation of the Company’s other executive officers;
●
reviewing and recommending to the Company’s board of directors the compensation of the Company’s directors;
●
reviewing the Company’s executive compensation policies and plans;
●
reviewing and approving, or recommending that the Company’s board of directors approve, incentive compensation and equity
plans, severance agreements, change-of-control protections and any other compensatory arrangements for the Company’s executive
officers and other senior management, as appropriate;
●
administering the Company’s incentive compensation equity-based incentive plans;
●
selecting independent compensation consultants and assessing whether there are any conflicts of interest with any of the
committee’s compensation advisors;
●
assisting management in complying with the Company’s proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;
●
if required, producing a report on executive compensation to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement;
●
reviewing and establishing general policies relating to compensation and benefits of the Company’s employees; and
●
reviewing the Company’s overall compensation philosophy.
The
compensation committee has adopted the following processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive and director
compensation:
9
Executive
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
Our
executive compensation program is designed to:
● attract,
motivate, incentivize, and retain employees at the executive level who contribute to our
long-term success;
● provide
compensation packages to our executives that are fair, easy to understand, and competitive;
provide high retention value; and reward high performance and the achievement of our business
objectives; and
● effectively
align our executives’ interests with those of our stockholders by focusing on long-term
equity incentives that correlate with the growth of sustainable long-term value for our stockholders.
Generally,
we structure the annual compensation of our named executive officers using two principal elements: (1) base salary and (2) long-term
incentive compensation opportunities in the form of equity awards. The design of our executive compensation program is influenced by
a variety of factors, with the primary goals being to align the interests of our named executive officers and stockholders and to link
pay to performance.
We
have not adopted policies or employed guidelines for allocating compensation between current and long-term compensation, between cash
and non-cash compensation, or among different forms of non-cash compensation.
Compensation-Setting
Process
Role
of Compensation Committee and Board of Directors
The
compensation committee discharges the responsibilities of our Board of Directors relating to the compensation of our named executive
officers as set forth in its charter and reports to our Board of Directors on its discussions, decisions, recommendations, and other
actions. Generally, the compensation committee makes recommendations to our Board of Directors regarding the compensation for each named
executive officer, including the CEO. Our Board of Directors generally makes all final decisions regarding the compensation of the CEO
and other named executive officers.
The
compensation committee has overall responsibility for overseeing our compensation and benefits policies generally, and overseeing and
evaluating the compensation plans, policies, and practices applicable to the CEO and other named executive officers. In carrying out
its responsibilities, the compensation committee evaluates our compensation policies and practices with a focus on the degree to which
these policies and practices reflect our executive compensation philosophy, develops strategies and makes decisions that it believes
further our philosophy or align with developments in best compensation practices, and considers the performance of our named executive
officers, including through formal performance reviews of each of the CEO and other named executive officers, when formulating recommendations
or making decisions with respect to their compensation.
Setting
Target Total Direct Compensation
The
compensation committee reviews the annual base salary levels and long-term incentive compensation opportunities of our named executive
officers.
The
compensation committee does not establish a specific target for formulating its recommendations about the target total direct compensation
opportunities of our named executive officers. Instead, the members of the compensation committee rely primarily on their general experience,
business judgment and subjective considerations of various factors, our executive compensation program objectives, past and expected
future company and individual performance, the executive officer’s role and responsibilities within the organization and expected
contributions to the company, internal equity among the members of the executive team, compensation practices of our compensation peer
group and/or selected broad-based compensation surveys, and the recommendations of the CEO (other than with respect to his own compensation).
These
factors provide the framework for compensation decision-making and final decisions regarding the compensation opportunity for each named
executive officer. No single factor is determinative in setting compensation levels, nor is the impact of any individual factor on the
determination of pay levels quantifiable.
10
The
compensation committee does not weight these factors in any predetermined manner, nor does it apply any formulas in developing its compensation
recommendations or decisions.
The
compensation committee does not engage in formal benchmarking against other companies’ compensation programs or practices to establish
our compensation levels or make specific compensation decisions with respect to our named executive officers. Instead, in making its
determinations, the compensation committee reviews information summarizing the compensation paid at a representative group of peer companies
and more broad-based compensation surveys to gain a general understanding of market compensation levels.
Role
of Management
In
discharging its responsibilities, the compensation committee works with members of our management.
Our
management assists the compensation committee by providing information on corporate and individual performance, market compensation data,
and management’s perspective on compensation matters. The compensation committee solicits and reviews proposals from the CEO with
respect to program structures, as well as his recommendations for adjustments to annual base salaries, long-term incentive compensation
opportunities, and other compensation-related matters for our named executive officers (except with respect to his own compensation)
based on our management’s and the CEO’s evaluation of our other named executive officers’ performance for the prior
year.
Our
management make their recommendations regarding annual base salaries and long-term incentive compensation opportunities for our other
named executive officers based on such factors as the CEO deems relevant, such as the company’s overall performance and expected
trajectory, the contributions toward these results, and anticipated future contributions, the named executive officer’s role and
performance of his or her duties, and his or her achievement of individual goals, retention considerations, and internal equity considerations.
The
compensation committee reviews and discusses management proposals and recommendations with them when appropriate and considers their
proposals and recommendations as one factor in formulating its recommendations for the compensation of our named executive officers,
including the CEO. The CEO attends meetings of our Board of Directors and the compensation committee at which executive compensation
matters are addressed, except with respect to discussions involving his own compensation.
Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee
The
nominating and corporate governance committee of the Company’s board of directors consists of Messrs. Ken Edahiro, Mike Sayama,
and Fumitoshi Fujiwara. The Company’s board of directors has determined each member of this committee is independent under Nasdaq
listing standards. The chairperson of the nominating and corporate governance committee is Mr. Fumitoshi Fujiwara.
Specific
responsibilities of the nominating and corporate governance committee include:
●
identifying, evaluating and selecting, or recommending that the Company’s board of directors approve, nominees for election to
the Company’s board of directors;
●
evaluating the performance of the Company’s board of directors and of individual directors;
●
reviewing developments in corporate governance practices;
●
evaluating the adequacy of the Company’s corporate governance practices and reporting;
●
reviewing management succession plans; and
●
developing and making recommendations to the Company’s board of directors regarding corporate governance guidelines and
matters.
11
Generally,
our nominating committee considers candidates recommended by stockholders as well as from other sources such as other directors or officers,
third party search firms or other appropriate sources. Once identified, the nominating committee will evaluate a candidate’s qualifications.
Threshold criteria include: personal integrity and sound judgment, business and professional skills and experience, independence, knowledge
of our industry, possible conflicts of interest, the extent to which the candidate would fill a present need on our board of directors,
and concern for the long-term interests of our stockholders. Our nominating committee has not adopted a formal diversity policy in connection
with the consideration of director nominations or the selection of nominees. However, the nominating committee will consider issues of
diversity among its members in identifying and considering nominees for director, and strive where appropriate to achieve a diverse balance
of backgrounds, perspectives, experience, age, gender, ethnicity and country of citizenship on our board of directors and its committees.
If
a stockholder wishes to propose a candidate for consideration as a nominee for election to our board of directors, it must follow the
procedures described in our Bylaws. Any such recommendations should be made in writing to the nominating committee, care of our Corporate
Secretary at our principal office and should be accompanied by the following information concerning each recommending stockholder and
the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made:
● all
information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement;
● certain
biographical and share ownership information about the stockholder and any other proponent,
including a description of any derivative transactions in the Company’s securities;
● a
description of certain arrangements and understandings between the proposing stockholder
and any beneficial owner and any other person in connection with such stockholder nomination;
and
● a
statement whether or not either such stockholder or beneficial owner intends to deliver a
proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of voting shares sufficient to carry the proposal.
The
recommendation must also be accompanied by the following information concerning the proposed nominee:
● certain
biographical information concerning the proposed nominee;
● all
information concerning the proposed nominee required to be disclosed in solicitations of
proxies for election of directors;
● certain
information about any other security holder of the Company who supports the proposed nominee;
● a
description of all relationships between the proposed nominee and the recommending stockholder
or any beneficial owner, including any agreements or understandings regarding the nomination;
and
● additional
disclosures relating to stockholder nominees for directors, including completed questionnaires
and disclosures required by our Bylaws.
Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics
The
Company adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of its employees, officers and directors, including those officers
responsible for financial reporting. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the Company’s website at https://sbc-holdings.com/ .
The Company intends to disclose any amendments to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, or any waivers of its requirements, on its
website to the extent required by the applicable rules and exchange requirements.
12
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
No
member of the Company’s compensation committee has ever been an officer or employee of the Company. None of Company’s executive
officers serve, or have served during the last year, as a member of the board of directors, compensation committee, or other board committee
performing equivalent functions of any other entity that has one or more executive officers serving as one of our directors or on the
Company’s compensation committee.
Implications
of Being a Controlled Company
The
Company is a “controlled company” within the meaning of the applicable rules of Nasdaq and, as a result, we qualify for exemptions
from certain corporate governance requirements. If the Company relies on these exemptions, its stockholders will not have the same protections
afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such requirements. Dr. Yoshiyuki Aikawa controls approximately 89.23% of the
voting power of our outstanding common stock, and, therefore controls a majority of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding
common stock, and the Company is a “controlled company” within the meaning of applicable rules of Nasdaq. Under these rules,
a company of which more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors is held by an individual, group or another company
is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including the requirements:
●
that a majority of the board consists of independent directors;
●
for an annual performance evaluation of the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees;
●
that the controlled company has a nominating and corporate governance committee that is composed entirely of independent directors
with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and
●
that the controlled company has a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter
addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibility.
While
the Company does not intend to rely on these exemptions, the Company may use these exemptions now or in the future. As a result, the
Company’s stockholders may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the Nasdaq
corporate governance requirements.
Item
11. Executive Compensation.
Summary
Compensation Table
The
following table presents information regarding the compensation paid by SBC Medical Group Co., Ltd. (“SBC-Japan”), our operating subsidiary, to Yoshiyuki Aikawa, our
Chief Executive Officer, Yuya Yoshida, our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, and Ryoji Murata, our Chief Accounting
Officer, for services rendered to SBC-Japan during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. We refer to these individuals as
our “named executive officers.” No other executive officers received total compensation in excess of US$100,000.
Name and Position
Year
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
Stock
Awards
($)
Option
Awards
($)
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
Non-qualified
referred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
($)
Yoshiyuki Aikawa
2024
14,506,032
—
—
—
—
—
—
14,506,032
Chief Executive
Officer
(principal executive
officer)
2023
17,078,678
—
—
—
—
—
—
17,078,678
Yuya Yoshida (1)
2024
304,404
—
—
—
—
—
—
304,404
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
2023
159,215
—
—
—
—
—
—
159,215
Ryoji Murata
2024
136,990
136,990
Principal Accounting Officer
2023
136,990
136,990
(1) Mr.
Yoshida has served as our Chief Operating Officer and member of the Board of Directors since
September 29, 2023, and as our Chief Financial Officer since April 1, 2025.
13
Executive
Employment Agreements
The
Company has entered into employment agreements (the “Employment Agreements”) with Dr. Yoshiyuki Aikawa (Chief Executive Officer)
Yuya Yoshida (Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer), Ryoji Murata (Chief Accounting Officer), Akira Komatsu (currently
Secretary), and Ms. Miki (Shimizu) Yamazaki (Chief Strategy Officer).
The
Employment Agreements all provide for at-will employment that may be terminated by the Company for death or disability and with or
without cause, by the executive with or without good reason, or mutually terminated by the parties. The Employment Agreements for
Dr. Aikawa, Messrs. Yoshida, Murata and Komatsu, and Ms. Yamazaki provide for a severance payment equal to the remaining base salary
for the remaining period of the respective term of employment (each term is one (1) year) upon termination by the Company without
cause or termination by such executive for good reason. The executive agreements provide for annual base salaries for the 2025 fiscal
year of $12,000,000, $ 306,407, $136,990, $75,041 and $26,462 for Dr. Aikawa, Messrs. Yoshida, Murata and Komatsu, and Ms.
Yamazaki, respectively, as well as possible annual performance bonuses and equity grants under the equity incentive plan if and when
determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee.
Provisions
Applicable to All Executive Employment Agreements
Each
of the Executive Employment Agreements described above, has an initial term of 1 year, provided that the term of each agreement will
automatically be extended for one or more additional terms of one year each unless either the Company or applicable executive provides
notice to the other of their desire to not so renew the initial term or renewal term (as applicable) at least 30 days prior to the expiration
of then-current initial term or renewal term (as applicable). Each of the agreements provide that the applicable executive’s employment
with the Company shall be “at will,” meaning that either applicable executive or the Company may terminate the applicable
executive’s employment at any time and for any reason, subject to the other provisions of the agreement.
Each
of the agreements may be terminated by the Company, either with or without “Cause”, or by the applicable executive, either
with or without “Good Reason”.
For
purposes of each agreement, “Cause” means:
●
a violation of any material written rule or policy of the Company for which violation any employee may be terminated pursuant to the
written policies of the Company reasonably applicable to an executive employee;
●
misconduct by the applicable executive to the material detriment of the Company;
●
the applicable executive’s conviction (by a court of competent jurisdiction, not subject to further appeal) of, or pleading
guilty to, a felony;
14
●
the applicable executive’s gross negligence in the performance of the applicable executive’s duties and responsibilities
to the Company as described in this Agreement; or
●
the applicable executive’s material failure to perform the applicable executive’s duties and responsibilities to the
Company as described in the agreement (other than any such failure resulting from the applicable executive’s incapacity due to
physical or mental illness or any such failure subsequent to the applicable executive being delivered a notice of termination
without Cause by the Company or delivering a notice of termination for Good Reason to the Company), in either case after written
notice from the Board to the applicable executive of the specific nature of such material failure and the applicable
executive’s failure to cure such material failure within 10 days following receipt of such notice.
For
purposes of each agreement, “Good Reason” means:
●
at any time following a Change of Control (as defined below), a material diminution by the Company of compensation and benefits
(taken as a whole) provided to the applicable executive immediately prior to a Change of Control;
●
a reduction in base salary or target or maximum bonus, other than as part of an across-the-board reduction in salaries of management
personnel;
●
the relocation of the applicable executive’s principal executive office to a location more than 50 miles further from the
applicable executive’s principal executive office immediately prior to such relocation; or
●
a material breach by the Company of any of the terms and conditions of the agreement which the Company fails to correct within 10
days after the Company receives written notice from the applicable executive of such violation.
For
purposes of each agreement a “Change of Control” of the Company will be deemed to have occurred if, after the effective date
of the applicable agreement, (i) the beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities representing
more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company is acquired by any “person” as defined in sections 13(d) and 14(d)
of the Exchange Act (other than the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under
an employee benefit plan of the Company), (ii) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation where the
stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to the consolidation or merger, would not, immediately after the consolidation or merger,
beneficially own (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, shares representing in the aggregate
50% or more of the combined voting power of the securities of the corporation issuing cash or securities in the consolidation or merger
(or of its ultimate parent corporation, if any) in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Company immediately prior
to such merger or consolidation, or (iii) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to
an entity, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at
least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned directly or indirectly by stockholders of the Company,
immediately prior to the sale or disposition, in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Company immediately prior
to such sale or disposition.
In
the event that the Company terminates the term of the applicable agreement or the applicable executive’s employment with Cause,
or if the applicable executive terminates their agreement without good reason, then, subject to any other agreements between the company
with respect to other equity grants made to such executive:
●
the Company will pay to the applicable executive any unpaid base salary and benefits then owed or accrued, and any unreimbursed
expenses;
●any unvested portion of any equity granted to the applicable executive under the applicable agreement or any other agreements with
the Company will immediately be forfeited; and
●
all of the parties’ rights and obligations under the agreement will cease, other than those rights or obligations which arose
prior to the termination date or in connection with such termination, and subject to the survival provisions of the
agreements.
15
In
the event that the Company terminates the term of the applicable agreement or the applicable executive’s employment without Cause,
or if the applicable executive terminates their agreement with good reason, then, subject to any other agreements between the company
with respect to other equity grants made to such executive:
●
the Company will pay to the applicable executive any base salary, bonuses, and benefits then owed or accrued, and any unreimbursed
expenses;
●
the Company will pay to the applicable executive, in one lump sum, an amount equal to the base salary that would have been paid to
the applicable executive for the remainder of the initial term of the applicable agreement (if the termination occurs during the
initial term of the applicable agreement) or renewal term of the applicable agreement (if the termination occurs during a renewal
term of the applicable agreement);
●
any unvested portion of any equity granted to the applicable executive under the applicable agreement or any other agreements with
the Company will, to the extent not already vested, be deemed automatically vested; and
●
all of the parties’ rights and obligations under the agreement will cease, other than those rights or obligations which arose
prior to the termination date or in connection with such termination, and subject to the survival provisions of the
agreements.
In
the event of the applicable executive’s death or total disability during the term of the applicable agreement, the term of the
applicable agreement and the applicable executive’s employment shall terminate on the date of death or total disability. In the
event of such termination, the Company’s sole obligations hereunder to the applicable executive (or the applicable executive’s
estate) shall be for unpaid base salary, accrued but unpaid bonus and benefits (then owed or accrued and owed in the future), a pro-rata
bonus for the year of termination based on the applicable executive’s target bonus for such year and the portion of such year in
which the applicable executive was employed, and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to the terms hereon through the effective date of
termination, and any unvested portion of any equity granted to the applicable executive under the applicable agreement or any other agreements
with the Company will immediately be forfeited as of the termination date.
In
the event that the term of the applicable agreement is not renewed by either party, any unvested portion of any equity granted to the
applicable executive under the applicable agreement or any other agreements with the Company will immediately be forfeited as of the
expiration of the term of the applicable agreement without any further action of the parties.
If
it is determined that any payment provided to the applicable executive under the applicable agreement or otherwise, whether or not in
connection with a Change of Control (a “Payment”), would constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the
meaning of section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), such that the Payment would be subject
to an excise tax under section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), the Company will pay to the applicable executive an additional
amount (the “Gross-Up Payment”) such that the net amount of the Gross-Up Payment retained by the applicable executive after
the payment of any Excise Tax and any federal, state and local income and employment tax on the Gross-Up Payment, shall be equal to the
Excise Tax due on the Payment and any interest and penalties in respect of such Excise Tax.
During
the term of the applicable agreement, the applicable executive is entitled to fringe benefits consistent with the practices of the Company,
and to the extent the Company provides similar benefits to the Company’s executive officers, and is entitled to reimbursement for
all reasonable and necessary out- of-pocket business, entertainment and travel expenses incurred by the applicable executive in connection
with the performance of the applicable executive’s duties hereunder and in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement
policies and procedures.
Each
of the agreements provides that, during the term of the applicable agreement, the applicable executive will be entitled to indemnification
and insurance coverage for officers’ liability, fiduciary liability and other liabilities arising out of the applicable executive’s
position with the Company in any capacity, in an amount not less than the highest amount available to any other executive, and such coverage
and protections, with respect to the various liabilities as to which the applicable executive has been customarily indemnified prior
to termination of employment, shall continue for at least six years following the end of the term of the applicable agreement. Any indemnification
agreement entered into between the Company and the applicable executive shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with its
terms following the termination of the applicable.
16
Each
of the employment agreements contains customary confidentiality provisions, and customary provisions related to Company ownership of
intellectual property conceived or made by the applicable executive in connection with the performance of their duties under the applicable
agreement (i.e., a “work-made-for-hire” provision).
Each
of the agreements contains a non-compete provision which provides that, for the term of the applicable agreement and for a period of
2 years thereafter, the applicable executive shall not, directly or indirectly: (i) engage in any other business, association or relationship
of any kind with any business which provides, in whole or in part, the same or similar services and/or products offered by the which
directly or indirectly competes with Company; nor (ii) solicit or accept, or induce any person or entity to reduce goods or services
to Company, or in any manner assist others in the solicitation, acceptance, or inducement of, any business transactions with Company’s
existing and prospective clients, accounts, suppliers and/or other persons or entities with whom the Company has had business relationships
(or whom Company had specifically identified for a prospective business relationship). These restrictions extend to the geographic area
in which the Company actively conducted business immediately prior to termination of the applicable agreement.
Each
of the agreements also contains a customary non-solicitation provision, in which the applicable executive agrees that, for the term of
the applicable agreement and for a period of 3 years thereafter, the applicable executive will not, directly or indirectly solicit or
discuss with any employee of Company the employment of such Company employee by any other commercial enterprise other than Company, nor
recruit, attempt to recruit, hire or attempt to hire any such Company employee on behalf of any commercial enterprise other than Company,
provided that this provision does not prohibit the applicable executive from undertaking a general recruitment advertisement provided
that the foregoing is not targeted towards any person or entity identified above, or from hiring, employing or engaging any such person
or entity who responds to such general recruitment advertisement.
Due
to the application of various States’ laws, there is no assurance that the non-compete provisions or the non- solicitation provisions
as set forth in each of the agreements will be enforced. Each of the agreements contains a “blue pencil” provision that,
in the event that a court determines that any of these restrictions are unenforceable, the parties to the agreement agreed that it is
their desire that the court substitute an enforceable restriction in place of any restriction deemed unenforceable, and that the substitute
restriction be deemed incorporated in the agreement and enforceable against the applicable executive.
Each
of the agreements contains customary representations and warranties by the applicable executive, relating to the agreement, and any securities
of the Company that may be issued to the executive, and contains other customary miscellaneous provisions relating to waivers, assignments,
third party rights, survival of provisions following termination, severability, notices, waiver of jury trials and other provisions.
Each
of the agreements is governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware, and for all
purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of such state, without giving effect to the choice of law provisions of such
state. Each of the agreements provide that all legal proceedings concerning the applicable agreement will be in the state and federal
courts sitting in Los Angeles County, California, provided that each agreement also includes a provision relating to any disputes being
settled by arbitration.
Equity
Incentive Compensation Plan
On
August 23, 2024, the Company’s stockholders approved the SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).
The Company’s board of directors approved the Plan on August 9, 2024. The Plan reserved the issuance of 15,000,000 shares of common
stock as equity awards in accordance with the Plan.
Summary
of the Equity Incentive Plan
The
Plan allows the Company to make equity and equity-based incentive awards to officers, employees, directors and consultants. The Board
anticipates that providing such persons with a direct stake in the Company will assure a closer alignment of the interests of such individuals
with those of the Company and its stockholders, thereby stimulating their efforts on the Company’s behalf and strengthening their
desire to remain with the Company.
Approximately
15,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company will be initially reserved for the issuance of awards under the Plan (the “Initial
Limit”). The Initial Limit is subject to adjustment in the event of a reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock
split, stock dividend, reverse stock split or other similar change in the Company’s capitalization. The maximum aggregate number
of shares of common stock of the Company that may be issued upon exercise of incentive stock options under the Plan shall not exceed
the Initial Limit, as adjusted. Shares underlying any awards under the Plan that are forfeited, cancelled, held back upon exercise of
an option or settlement of an award to cover the exercise price or tax withholding, satisfied without the issuance of stock or otherwise
terminated (other than by exercise) will be added back to the shares available for issuance under the Plan and, to the extent permitted
under Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the shares that may be issued as incentive stock options.
17
The
Plan contains a limitation whereby the value of all awards under the Plan and all other cash compensation paid by the Company to any
non-employee director may not exceed $1,000,000 for the first calendar year a non-employee director is initially appointed to the Company’s
board of directors, and $750,000 in any other calendar year.
The
Plan will be administered by the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors, the Company’s board of directors
or such other similar committee pursuant to the terms of the Plan. The plan administrator, which initially will be the compensation committee
of the Company’s board of directors, will have full power to select, from among the individuals eligible for awards, the individuals
to whom awards will be granted, to make any combination of awards to participants, and to determine the specific terms and conditions
of each award, subject to the provisions of the Plan. The plan administrator may delegate to a committee consisting of one or more officers
of the Company, including the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the authority to awards to individuals who are not subject to the
reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and not members of the delegated committee, subject to certain limitations
and guidelines.
Persons
eligible to participate in the Plan are officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries
as selected from time to time by the plan administrator in its discretion.
The
Plan permits the granting of both options to purchase common stock of the Company intended to qualify as incentive stock options under
Section 422 of the Code and options that do not so qualify. Options granted under the Plan will be non-qualified options if they fail
to qualify as incentive stock options or exceed the annual limit on incentive stock options. Incentive stock options may only be granted
to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. Non-qualified options may be granted to any persons eligible to receive awards under
the Plan. The option exercise price of each option will be determined by the plan administrator but generally may not be less than 100%
of the fair market value of the common stock of the Company on the date of grant or, in the case of an incentive stock option granted
to a ten percent stockholder, 110% of such share’s fair market value. The term of each option will be fixed by the plan administrator
and may not exceed ten years from the date of grant. The plan administrator will determine at what time or times each option may be exercised,
including the ability to accelerate the vesting of such options.
Upon
exercise of options, the option exercise price must be paid in full either in cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable
to the plan administrator or by delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of shares of common stock of the Company that are beneficially
owned by the optionee free of restrictions or were purchased in the open market. Subject to applicable law, the exercise price may also
be delivered by a broker pursuant to irrevocable instructions to the broker from the optionee. In addition, the plan administrator may
permit non-qualified options to be exercised using a “net exercise” arrangement that reduces the number of shares issued
to the optionee by the largest whole number of shares with fair market value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price.
The
plan administrator may award stock appreciation rights subject to such conditions and restrictions as it may determine. Stock appreciation
rights entitle the recipient to shares of common stock of the Company, or cash, equal to the value of the appreciation in the Company’s
stock price over the exercise price. The exercise price generally may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of common stock
of the Company on the date of grant. The term of each stock appreciation right will be fixed by the plan administrator and may not exceed
ten years from the date of grant. The plan administrator will determine at what time or times each stock appreciation right may be exercised,
including the ability to accelerate the vesting of such stock appreciation rights.
The
plan administrator may award restricted shares of common stock of the Company and restricted stock units to participants subject to such
conditions and restrictions as it may determine. These conditions and restrictions may include the achievement of certain performance
goals and/or continued employment with the Company through a specified vesting period. The plan administrator may also grant shares of
common stock of the Company that are free from any restrictions under the Plan. Unrestricted stock may be granted to participants in
recognition of past services or for other valid consideration and may be issued in lieu of cash compensation due to such participant.
The plan administrator may grant dividend equivalent rights to participants that entitle the recipient to receive credits for dividends
that would be paid if the recipient had held a specified number of shares of common stock of the Company.
18
The
plan administrator may grant cash-based awards under the Plan to participants, subject to the achievement of certain performance goals,
including continued employment with the Company.
The
Plan requires the plan administrator to make appropriate adjustments to the number of shares of common stock that are subject to the
Plan, to certain limits in the Plan, and to any outstanding awards to reflect stock dividends, stock splits, extraordinary cash dividends
and similar events.
Except
as set forth in a stock award agreement issued under the Plan, in the event of (i) a transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s
assets, (ii) a merger, consolidation or other capital reorganization or business combination transaction of the Company with or into
another corporation, entity or person, or (iii) the consummation of a transaction, or series of related transactions, in which any person
becomes the beneficial owner directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of Company’s then outstanding capital stock, each outstanding
stock award (vested or unvested) will be treated as the plan administrator determines, which may include (a) Company’s continuation
of such outstanding stock awards (if the Company is the surviving corporation); (b) the assumption of such outstanding stock awards by
the surviving corporation or its parent; (c) the substitution by the surviving corporation or its parent of new stock options or other
equity awards for such stock awards; (d) the cancellation of such stock awards in exchange for a payment to the participants equal to
the excess of (1) the fair market value of the shares subject to such stock awards as of the closing date of such corporate transaction
over (2) the exercise price or purchase price paid or to be paid (if any) for the shares subject to the stock awards (which payment may
be subject to the same conditions that apply to the consideration that will be paid to holders of shares in connection with the transaction,
subject to applicable law); or (e) the opportunity for participants to exercise the stock options prior to the occurrence of the corporate
transaction and the termination (for no consideration) upon the consummation of such corporate transaction of any stock options not exercised
prior thereto.
The
Plan provides that a stock award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a “Change
in Control” (as defined in the Plan) as may be provided in the award agreement for such stock award or as may be provided in any
other written agreement between the Company or any affiliate and the participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration
will occur.
Participants
in the Plan are responsible for the payment of any federal, state or local taxes that the Company or its subsidiaries are required by
law to withhold upon the exercise of options or stock appreciation rights or vesting of other awards. The plan administrator may cause
any tax withholding obligation of the Company or its subsidiaries to be satisfied, in whole or in part, by the applicable entity withholding
from shares of common stock of the Company to be issued pursuant to an award a number of shares with an aggregate fair market value that
would satisfy the withholding amount due. The plan administrator may also require any tax withholding obligation of the Company or its
subsidiaries to be satisfied, in whole or in part, by an arrangement whereby a certain number of shares issued pursuant to any award
are immediately sold and proceeds from such sale are remitted to the Company or its subsidiaries in an amount that would satisfy the
withholding amount due.
The
Plan generally does not allow for the transfer or assignment of awards, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution
or pursuant to a domestic relations order; however, the plan administrator may permit the transfer of non-qualified stock options by
gift to an immediate family member, to trusts for the benefit of family members, or to partnerships in which such family members are
the only partners.
The
plan administrator may amend or discontinue the Plan and the plan administrator may amend or cancel outstanding awards for purposes of
satisfying changes in law or any other lawful purpose, but no such action may materially and adversely affect rights under an award without
the holder’s consent. Certain amendments to the Equity Incentive Plan will require the approval of the Company’s stockholders.
Generally, without stockholder approval, (i) no amendment or modification of the Equity Incentive Plan may reduce the exercise price
of any stock option or the strike price of any stock appreciation right, (ii) the plan administrator may not cancel any outstanding stock
option or stock appreciation right where the fair market value of the common stock underlying such stock option or stock appreciation
right is less than its exercise price and replace it with a new option or stock appreciation right, another award or cash and (iii) the
plan administrator may not take any other action that is considered a “repricing” for purposes of the stockholder approval
rules of the applicable securities exchange.
19
All
stock awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that Company is required to
adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which Company securities are listed or
as is otherwise required by the U.S. Dodd -Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law. In addition,
the Company’s board may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in a stock award agreement as the Company
board determines necessary or appropriate. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a
right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the
Company.
No
awards may be granted under the Plan after the date that is ten years from the Plan Effective Date. No awards under the Plan have been
made prior to the date of this Amendment to the Annual Report.
Policies
and Practices Related to the Grants of Certain Equity Awards
It
is the Company’s practice not to time the disclosure of material non-public information for the purpose of affecting the value
of executive compensation and not to take material non-public information into account when determining the timing or terms of equity
awards for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation.
During
the year ended December 31, 2024, none of our named executive officers was granted an equity award during the period beginning four business
days before, and ending one business day after, the filing of a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or an Annual Report on Form 10-K, or the
filing or furnishing of a current report on Form 8-K that disclosed material nonpublic information.
Form
S-8
When
permitted by SEC rules, we intend to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 covering the common stock of the Company
issuable under the Plan.
Certain
United States Federal Income Tax Aspects
The
following is a summary of the principal U.S. federal income tax consequences of certain transactions under the Plan. It does not describe
all federal tax consequences under the Plan, nor does it describe state or local tax consequences.
Incentive
Stock Options. No taxable income is generally realized by the optionee upon the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option. If
shares of the Company’s common stock issued to an optionee pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option are sold or transferred
after two years from the date of grant and after one year from the date of exercise, then generally (i) upon sale of such shares, any
amount realized in excess of the option exercise price (the amount paid for the shares) will be taxed to the optionee as a long-term
capital gain, and any loss sustained will be a long-term capital loss, and (ii) neither the Company nor its subsidiaries will be entitled
to any deduction for federal income tax purposes; provided that such incentive stock option otherwise meets all of the technical requirements
of an incentive stock option. The exercise of an incentive stock option will give rise to an item of tax preference that may result in
alternative minimum tax liability for the optionee.
If
shares of the Company’s common stock acquired upon the exercise of an incentive stock option are disposed of prior to the expiration
of the two-year and one-year holding periods described above (a “disqualifying disposition”), generally (i) the optionee
will realize ordinary income in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the shares
of the Company’s common stock at exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on a sale of such shares of the Company’s common
stock) over the option price thereof, and (ii) the Company or its subsidiaries will be entitled to deduct such amount. Special rules
will apply where all or a portion of the exercise price of the incentive stock option is paid by tendering shares of the Company’s
common stock.
If
an incentive stock option is exercised at a time when it no longer qualifies for the tax treatment described above, the option is treated
as a non-qualified option. Generally, an incentive stock option will not be eligible for the tax treatment described above if it is exercised
more than three months following termination of employment (or one year in the case of termination of employment by reason of disability).
In the case of termination of employment by reason of death, the three-month rule does not apply.
No
income is generally realized by the optionee at the time a non-qualified option is granted. Generally (i) at exercise, ordinary income
is realized by the optionee in an amount equal to the difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the shares
of the Company’s common stock on the date of exercise, and we receive a tax deduction for the same amount, and (ii) at disposition,
appreciation or depreciation after the date of exercise is treated as either short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on
how long the shares of the Company’s common stock have been held. Special rules will apply where all or a portion of the exercise
price of the non-qualified option is paid by tendering shares of the Company’s common stock. Upon exercise, the optionee will also
be subject to Social Security taxes on the excess of the fair market value over the exercise price of the option.
For
all other awards under the Plan, either the Company or its subsidiaries generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in connection with
other awards under the Equity Incentive Plan in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by the participant at the time the participant
recognizes such income. Participants typically are subject to income tax and recognize such tax at the time that an award is exercised,
vests or becomes non-forfeitable, unless the award provides for deferred settlement.
20
The
vesting of any portion of an award that is accelerated due to the occurrence of a change in control (such as a sale event) may cause
all or a portion of the payments with respect to such accelerated awards to be treated as “parachute payments” as defined
in the Code. Any such parachute payments may be non-deductible to either the Company or its subsidiaries, in whole or in part, and may
subject the recipient to a non-deductible 20% federal excise tax on all or a portion of such payment (in addition to other taxes ordinarily
payable).
New
Plan Benefits
No
awards have been previously granted under the Plan. The awards that are to be granted to any participant or group of participants are
indeterminable at the date of this filing because participation and the types of awards that may be granted under the Plan are subject
to the discretion of the plan administrator. Consequently, no new plan benefits table is included in this filing.
Director
Compensation
The
following table shows the total compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 to each of our non-employee
directors. Directors who are employed by us are not compensated for their service on our board of directors.
Name
Fees Earned or
Paid in
Cash
($)
Stock
Awards
(1)($)
Option
Awards
(2)($)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
($)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
Fumitoshi Fujiwara
83,448
83,448
Ken Edahiro
41,724
41,724
Mike Sayama
41,724
41,724
The
following is a description of the standard compensation arrangements under which our directors are compensated for their service as directors,
including as members of the various committees of our board.
Each
non-employee director is paid an annual cash retainer of $41,724. Our non-employee director who serves as the chair of three committees
(Mr. Fujiwara) receives an additional $41,724 in cash. Cash payments to non-employee directors are paid monthly on a prorated basis.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 15, 2025 for
(a) the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table included elsewhere in this Form 10-K amendment, (b) each of our directors,
(c) all of our current directors and executive officers as a group and (d) each stockholder known by us to own beneficially more than
5% of our common stock. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment
power with respect to the securities. We deem shares of common stock that may be acquired by an individual or group within 60 days of
April 15, 2025 pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership
of such individual or group, but those shares are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership
of any other person shown in the table. Except as indicated in footnotes to this table, we believe that the stockholders named in this
table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown to be beneficially owned by them based on
information provided to us by these stockholders. Percentage of ownership is based on 103,611,251 shares of common stock outstanding
on April 15, 2025 after deducting treasury stock.
Unless
otherwise noted, the business address of each of the beneficial owners listed below is c/o the Company at 200 Spectrum Center Dr., Suite
300, Irvine, CA 92618.
Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Name and Address of Beneficial Owners
Owned
% of Class (1)
Directors and Executive Officers
Yoshiyuki Aikawa
92,688,960
89.45 %
Yuya Yoshida
—
—
Ryoji Murata
—
—
Akira Komatsu
—
—
Ken Edahiro
—
—
Mike Sayama
15,000
* %
Fumitoshi Fujiwara
—
—
Miki (Shimizu) Yamazaki
All named executive officers and directors as a group (7 persons)
92,703,960
89.47 %
* Less
than 1.0%
(1) Percentages
are based on 103,611,251 shares of SBC’s common stock outstanding as of April 15, 2025.
21
I tem
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Policies
and Procedures for Related Person Transactions
Under
Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K, a related person transaction is any actual or proposed transaction, arrangement or relationship or series
of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, including those involving indebtedness not in the ordinary course of business,
to which we or our subsidiary were or are a party, or in which we or our subsidiary were or are a participant, in which the amount involved
exceeded or exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years
and in which any of our directors, nominees for director, executive officers, beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of our voting
securities (a “significant shareholder”), or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons, had or will
have a direct or indirect material interest.
We
recognize that transactions between us and any of our directors or executives or with a third party in which one of our officers, directors
or significant shareholders has an interest can present potential or actual conflicts of interest and create the appearance that our
decisions are based on considerations other than the best interests of our Company and stockholders.
The
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is charged with responsibility for reviewing, approving and overseeing any transaction between
the Company and any related person (as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K), including the propriety and ethical implications of any
such transactions, as reported or disclosed to the Audit Committee, and to determine whether the terms of the transaction are not less
favorable to us than could be obtained from an unaffiliated party.
Please also see the description of all the
Related Party Transaction in Note 18 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A.
Related
Party Transactions Prior to the Business Combination
Convertible
Promissory Note
On
May 18, 2023, Pono entered into a Convertible Promissory Note with the Company, pursuant to which the Company agreed to loan Pono an
aggregate principal of $1,000,000 (the “Convertible Promissory Note”). The Convertible Promissory Note was non-interest bearing
and was due and payable upon the earlier to occur of (i) the first business day following the consummation of the Company’s initial
Business Combination and (ii) May 17, 2024, unless accelerated upon the occurrence of an event of default.
On
February 27, 2024, Pono and the Company entered into an Amendment to the Note (the “Amended Note Purchase Agreement”), which
increased the purchase price of the note from $1,000,000 to $2,700,000 and amended the maturity date to the earlier to occur of (i) the
first business day following the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination and (ii) August 29, 2024, unless accelerated
upon the occurrence of an event of default. In consideration for entering into the Amended Note, each of the parties to the Merger Agreement
agreed to release each other party from any claims arising out of any termination of the Merger Agreement or failure to consummate the
transactions contemplated thereby. The Convertible Promissory Note automatically converted into Class A Common Stock at one share for
each $10 in outstanding principal amount at the Closing.
Non-redemption
Agreement
On
May 5, 2023, the Company held a special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”), and the chairman adjourned the Special
Meeting to May 8, 2023. On May 8, 2023, the Company held the Special Meeting. During the Special Meeting, stockholders approved an amendment
to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (i) to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate
a business combination from May 9, 2023 to February 9, 2024 for no additional amount to be paid by the Sponsor into the Trust Account,
and (ii) to provide for the right of a holder of Class B common stock to convert such shares into shares of Class A common stock on a
one -for-one basis prior to the closing of a business combination at the election of the holder. As approved by the stockholders of the
Company, the Company filed an amendment to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State
on May 8, 2023. The Company’s stockholders elected to redeem an aggregate of 9,577,250 shares of Class A common stock of the Company
in connection with the Special Meeting. Following such redemptions, the amount of funds remaining in the trust account was approximately
$20 million.
In
connection with the Special Meeting, the Company and the Sponsor entered into non-redemption agreements with certain unaffiliated stockholders
owning, in the aggregate, 998,682 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, pursuant to which such stockholders agreed, among
other things, not to redeem or exercise any right to redeem such public shares in connection with the Extension Amendment. On February
5, 2024, the Company’s stockholders approved a proposal to extend the date by which the Company had to consummate a business combination
from February 9, 2024 to November 9, 2024.
22
The
Company estimated the aggregate fair value of the 339,565 Sponsor Shares attributable to the Non-Redeeming Stockholders to be $709,691
or $ 2.09 per share. Each Non-Redeeming Stockholder acquired from the Sponsor an indirect economic interest in the Sponsor Shares. The
excess of the fair value of the Sponsor Shares was determined to be an offering cost in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic
5A. Accordingly, in substance, it was recognized by the Company as a capital contribution by the Sponsor to induce these holders of the
Class A shares not to redeem, with a corresponding charge to additional paid -in capital to recognize the fair value of the shares transferred
as an offering cost.
In
February 2025, the Company issued 860,435 shares of common stock, with no proceeds, to Mehana Capital LLC as incentive shares pursuant
to the Non-Redemption Agreements.
Related
Party Transactions of Legacy SBC
SBC
Medical Group Co., Ltd., a Japan corporation (“SBC Medical Sub”) is designated as a “medical service corporation”
in Japan. In Japan, a medical service corporation is a legal entity that provides management service to “MCs”. The management
services are conducted through FC contracts and service contracts between certain subsidiary of the Company (SBC Medical Sub) and the
MCs that own all 241 of the treatment centers in Japan.
There
are currently six MCs that the SBC Medical Sub has entered into franchisor-franchisee contracts and service contracts with, consisting
of Medical Corporation Shobikai, Medical Corporation Kowakai, Medical Corporation Nasukai, Medical Corporation Aikeikai, Medical Corporation
Jukeikai, and Medical Corporation Ritz Cosmetic Surgery (collectively, the “MCs”).
In
addition to the six MCs, we have entered into service contracts with Medical Corporation Association Furinkai (the service contract regarding
operation on November 22, 2023 and the service contract regarding management consulting on November 25, 2023 respectively) and Medical
Corporation Association Junikai (the service contract regarding operation and the service contract regarding management consulting both
on November 16, 2023). The scope of work (“SOW”) of the service contracts with these two MCs is limited to marketing, introduction
of new treatment technologies and future business development while the SOW of the FC contracts with the six MCs are broad and define
general rules in order to allow MCs to use the SBC brand name. Accordingly, the service contracts with these two MCs are different from
the FC contracts with the six MCs and the clinics of these two MCs do not use the “Shonan Beauty Clinic” brand. Please see
“— Material Contracts between SBC Medical Sub and MCs — Service Contracts” for more information regarding the
service contracts with Medical Corporation Association Furinkai and Medical Corporation Association Junikai.
All
of the MCs are deemed to be related parties of the Company since relatives of the CEO of the Company are the members (or shain) of general
meetings of members of the MCs. The CEO of the Company was previously a member of the six franchisee MCs until he ceased being a member
in July 2023. The Company, through SBC Medical Sub, owns equity “deposit” interests (or mochibun) of the six franchisee MCs.
Although the Company, through SBC Medical Sub, has an equity “deposit” interest to the rights to receive a distribution of
residual assets in proportion to the amount of contribution in certain circumstances as provided in the articles of incorporation of
each of the six MCs, the Company or SBC Medical Sub does not have voting control over the corporate actions at general meetings of members
(or shain) of the MCs per the requirements of the Japanese Medical Care Act and the MCs’ articles of incorporation.
Since
September 2023, Legacy SBC started providing services to two additional medical corporations in Japan, namely, Medical Corporation Association
Furinkai and Medical Corporation Association Junikai, which are considered as related parties of Legacy SBC as the relatives of the CEO
of Legacy SBC being members of the two medical corporations.
In
January 2024, Legacy SBC acquired 353,600 shares of common stock of Waqoo, accounts for less than 10% ownership, a related- party company
listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, of which the CEO of Legacy SBC is a principal shareholder, with a fair value of $5,565,938 through
a share exchange agreement.
23
The
related parties that had material transactions for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 consist of the following:
Name
of Related Parties
Nature
of Relationship as of December 31, 2024
Yoshiyuki
Aikawa
Controlling
shareholder, director and CEO of the Company
Yoshiko
Aikawa
Representative
director of subsidiaries of the Company
Mizuho
Yamashita
Director
of a subsidiary of the Company
Medical
Corporation Shobikai
The
relatives of the CEO of the Company being the Members of the MC
Medical
Corporation Kowakai
The
relatives of the CEO of the Company being the Members of the MC
Medical
Corporation Nasukai
The
relatives of the CEO of the Company being the Members of the MC
Medical
Corporation Aikeikai
The
relatives of the CEO of the Company being the Members of the MC
Medical
Corporation Jukeikai
The
relatives of the CEO of the Company being the Members of the MC
Medical
Corporation Ritz Cosmetic Surgery
The
relatives of the CEO of the Company being the Members of the MC
Medical
Corporation Association Junikai
The
relatives of the CEO of the Company being the Members of the MC
Medical
Corporation Association Furinkai
The
relatives of the CEO of the Company being the Members of the MC
Japan
Medical & Beauty Inc.
Controlled
by the CEO of the Company
SBC
Inc., previously known as SBC China Inc.
Controlled
by the CEO of the Company
Hariver
Inc.
Controlled
by the CEO of the Company
General
Incorporated Association SBC
The
CEO of the Company being the Member of General Incorporated Association SBC
Public
Interest Foundation SBC Medical Promotion
The
relative of CEO of the Company being a Member of Public Interest Foundation SBC
Foundation
Medical
Promotion Foundation
AI
Med Inc.
The
CEO of the Company is a principal shareholder of AI Med Inc.
Amulet
Inc.
Controlled
by Mizuho Yamashita, a director of a subsidiary of the Company
SBC
Irvine MC
Significantly
influenced by the Company
SBC
Tokyo Medical University, previously known as
The
CEO of the Company is the chairman of SBC Tokyo Medical University
Ryotokuji
University
SBC
Shonan Osteopathic Clinic Inc.
The
CEO of the Company is a principal shareholder of SBC Shonan Osteopathic Clinic Inc.
Waqoo
Inc.
The
CEO of the Company is a principal shareholder of Waqoo Inc.
General
Incorporated Association Taiseikai
The
relatives of CEO of the Company being the Members of General Incorporated Association Taiseikai
Skynet
Academy Co., Ltd.*
Controlled
by the CEO of the Company
Kijimadairakanko
Inc.*
Controlled
by the CEO of the Company
*
Former subsidiaries of the Company that were disposed of to companies controlled by the CEO of the Company on December 23, 2024.
During
the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the transactions with related parties are as follows:
For
the Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
2024
2023
Medical Corporation
Shobikai
$ 26,205,206
$ 33,109,091
Medical Corporation Kowakai
25,998,681
17,444,445
Medical Corporation Nasukai
24,113,981
18,942,043
Medical Corporation Aikeikai
11,113,976
8,105,210
Medical Corporation Jukeikai
3,698,101
1,275,997
Medical Corporation Ritz Cosmetic Surgery
2,672,883
516,360
Japan Medical & Beauty
Inc.
19,713
24,895
Hariver Inc.
9,856
11,041
SBC Inc., previously known
as SBC China Inc.
1,842
60
Public Interest Foundation SBC Medical Promotion
Foundation
59
625
General Incorporated Association
SBC
304
—
SBC Tokyo Medical University, previously known
as Ryotokuji University
40,817
32,830
Yoshiyuki Aikawa
54,130
2,267
Mizuho Yamashita
—
15,458
Amulet Inc.
—
927
AI Med Inc.
207
15,197
SBC Irvine MC
682,057
720,498
Medical Corporation Association Furinkai
4,880,109
—
Medical Corporation Association
Junikai
2,013,450
—
General Incorporated Association Taiseikai
993
—
SBC Shonan Osteopathic Clinic Co., Ltd.
2,880
—
Total
$ 101,509,245
$ 80,216,944
24
As
of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the balances with related parties are as follows:
Accounts
receivable
December
31, 2024
December
31, 2023
Medical
Corporation Shobikai
$ 4,270,647
$ 9,251,427
Medical
Corporation Nasukai
6,716,636
8,447,448
Medical
Corporation Kowakai
6,554,855
7,841,059
Medical
Corporation Aikeikai
2,816,432
4,661,649
Medical
Corporation Jukeikai
778,715
1,358,213
Medical
Corporation Association Furinkai
1,252,149
1,039,074
Medical
Corporation Ritz Cosmetic Surgery
482,829
520,891
Medical
Corporation Association Junikai
859,837
348,187
Japan
Medical & Beauty Inc.
—
139,767
SBC
Tokyo Medical University, previously known as Ryotokuji University
436
66,546
AI
Med Inc.
—
2,329
SBC
Inc., previously known as SBC China Inc.
1,348
45
Public
Interest Foundation SBC Medical Promotion Foundation
—
37
SBC
Shonan Osteopathic Clinic Co., Ltd.
1,284
—
SBC
Irvine MC
122,149
—
General
Incorporated Association Taiseikai
304
—
General
Incorporated Association SBC
53
—
Total
$ 23,857,674
$ 33,676,672
December
31,
December
31,
Other
receivables
2024
2023
SBC
Inc., previously known as SBC China Inc.
$ 5,245,990
$ —
Total
$ 5,245,990
$ —
December 31,
December 31,
Finance lease receivables
2024
2023
Medical Corporation Shobikai
$ 1,994,216 $
2,568,709
Medical Corporation Kowakai
2,387,575
2,779,347
Medical Corporation Nasukai
2,684,466
2,019,117
Medical Corporation Aikeikai
1,492,424
1,782,124
Medical Corporation Jukeikai
482,444
335,317
Medical Corporation Ritz Cosmetic Surgery
1,008,402
79,439
Total
$ 10,049,527 $
9,564,053
Less: current portion
6,598,828
6,143,564
Non-current portion
$ 3,450,699 $
3,420,489
December 31,
December 31,
Due from related party, net
2024
2023
SBC Irvine MC
$ 3,301,013
$ 3,238,209
Less: allowance for credit loss
(3,301,013 )
(3,238,209 )
Total
$ —
$ —
25
December 31,
December 31,
Long-term investments in MCs – related parties
2024
2023
Medical Corporation Shobikai
$ 6,216
$ 7,090
Medical Corporation Kowakai
6,216
7,090
Medical Corporation Nasukai
6,216
7,090
Medical Corporation Aikeikai
6,216
7,090
Medical Corporation Jukeikai
6,685,971
7,626,184
Medical Corporation Ritz Cosmetic Surgery
10,658,205
12,157,011
Total
$ 17,369,040
$ 19,811,555
December 31,
December 31,
Advances from customers
2024
2023
Medical Corporation Shobikai
$ 7,877,988
$ 13,438,645
Medical Corporation Kowakai
3,618,451
4,237,765
Medical Corporation Nasukai
3,317,683
4,117,597
Medical Corporation Aikeikai
928,692
1,168,947
Medical Corporation Jukeikai
56,118
85,044
Medical Corporation Ritz Cosmetic Surgery
4,877
10,177
Total
$ 15,803,809
$ 23,058,175
December 31,
December 31,
Notes payable – related parties
2024
2023
Medical Corporation Shobikai
$ 9,410,372
$ 5,264,101
Medical Corporation Kowakai
6,901,327
3,855,650
Medical Corporation Nasukai
6,208,280
4,099,032
Medical Corporation Aikeikai
428,944
1,561,642
Medical Corporation Jukeikai
372,383
268,552
Medical Corporation Ritz Cosmetic Surgery
498,940
268,445
Total
$ 23,820,246
$ 15,317,422
Less: current portion
9,672,886
3,369,203
Non-current portion
$ 14,147,360
$ 11,948,219
December 31,
December 31,
Due to related party
2024
2023
Yoshiyuki Aikawa
$ 3,469,183
$ 3,583,523
Total
$ 3,469,183
$ 3,583,523
For
the Six Months Ended
December
31,
Allowance for credit loss movement
2024
2023
Beginning balance
$ 3,238,209
$ 2,867,455
Provision for credit loss
62,804
146,452
Ending balance
$ 3,301,013
$ 3,013,907
26
The
balances of due to and due from related parties represent the outstanding loans to and from related parties, respectively, as of December
31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. These loans are non-secured, interest-free and due on demand.
In
February 2023, the Company paid off the retirement compensation expense accrued to Yoshiko Aikawa.
During
the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company purchased medical equipment and cosmetics of $8,472,202 and $2,842,588, respectively,
from Japan Medical & Beauty Inc., which was recognized and included in the cost of revenues.
Related
Party Transactions After the Business Combination
Employment
Agreements
Please
see the description of the employment agreements between the Company and its executive officers contained in Item 12 of this Annual Report
on Form 10-K/A.
Indemnification
Agreements
On
September 17, 2024, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors containing provisions which are in
some respects broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained in the Delaware General Corporation Law. The indemnification
agreements will require the Company, among other things, to indemnify its directors against certain liabilities that may arise by reason
of their status or service as directors and to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which
they could be indemnified.
Disposal
of Kijimadairakanko Inc. (“Kijima”) and Skynet Academy Co., Ltd. (“Skynet”)
On
December 17, 2024, SBC Medical Sub entered into definitive agreements to sell and transfer all of the shares in its subsidiaries, Kijima
and Skynet, to entities owned by Yoshiyuki Aikawa, CEO of the Company, for cash. SBC Medical Sub pursued the transactions to concentrate
business and management resources on its main medical business. The disposal of Kijima and Skynet did not constitute a strategic shift
that would have a major effect on the SBC Medical Sub’s operations and financial results. The transactions closed on December 23,
2024, subject to customary closing conditions. SBC Medical Sub received total cash consideration of one Japanese Yen ($0) for Kijima
and $446,460 for Skynet. In accounting for the disposals, operating results of Kijima and Skynet are included in the Company’s
consolidated financial statements up to the disposal date. The difference between (i) the fair value of the net assets disposed and (ii)
the consideration received was recognized as an adjustment to Additional Paid-in Capital (“APIC”). No retrospective adjustments
have been made to prior-period consolidated financial statements. Following the completion of these transactions, Kijima and Skynet ceased
to be subsidiaries of the Company after December 23, 2024. Their financial results are therefore excluded from the Company’s consolidated
financial statements for periods subsequent to the disposal date.
Material
Contracts between SBC Medical Sub and MCs
SBC
Medical Sub has entered into a Partner Doctor Independence Support Program Agreement, an SBC Operating Agreement and Service Contracts
with each of the MCs.
Partner
Doctor Independence Support Program Agreement
SBC
Medical Sub has entered into a Partner Doctor Independence Support Program Agreement (the “PDISPA”) with each of the MCs.
The term of the PDISPA is for a period of 5 years from September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2026. The PDISPA will be renewed under the same
terms for successive one-year periods upon conclusion of the initial term unless either party requests in writing to terminate the PDISPA
6 months prior to the expiration date of the PDISPA. Pursuant to the PDISPA, the Company agreed to provide the use of the name of the
“Shonan Beauty Clinic” and the “SBC Medical Group” (Medical Corporation Shobikai, Medical Corporation Kowakai,
Medical Corporation and Nasukai, Medical Corporation which together are referred to as the “SBC Medical”) to the MCs for
the purpose of operating clinics. The Company also granted to the MCs the right to use the name “SBC Medical Group,” the
know-how of clinic operation, trademark, trade name, and the right to provide the treatment designated by the Company, and the right
to conduct business activities as a partner of the SBC Medical Group under a unified image.
27
SBC’s
Operating Agreement
The
Company previously entered into an SBC Operating Agreement (the “SBCOA”) with each of the MCs. The original term of the SBCOA
was from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2025, and the term was extended until March 31, 2026. Either party may terminate the SBCOA by giving
notice to the other party of the intended termination at least 6 months prior to the scheduled termination date. Pursuant to the SBCOA
the Company agreed to provide the MCs with the following consulting services related to: (i) marketing related services for developing
new clients, (ii) aiming to ensure stable performance and increase customer satisfaction through the creation of repeat customers, (iii)
the establishment and operation of a system seeking to ensure medical safety (iv) securing attorneys and medical institutions to transport
in the event of claims or medical accidents, (v) measures to improve employee satisfaction, and design of organizational chart and personnel
evaluation system (vi) the selection of medical equipment and materials, (vii) the acquisition of properties for new medical facilities
(trade area survey, area selection, lease agreement signing, etc.), (viii) various types of general skills training for healthcare facility
employees, (ix) specialized and advanced skills training in leadership, motivation, communication, etc., for chiefs, leaders, and other
employees with subordinates, (x) development of new type of medical facilities, (xi) development of new treatment methods, (xii) hiring
employees with national certifications, professional skills, and interpersonal skills, such as doctors, nurses, and reception counselors,
(xiii) performance management, business analysis, and management decision making utilizing financial statements such as income statements,
cash flow statements, and balance sheets, (xiv) use of the likeness of the Company’s officers or employees on websites, commercials,
and other advertising media and (xv) efficient operation methods that allow for more customer service during the same clinic hours.
Under
the existing SBCOA, in exchange for the foregoing services, each MCs are to pay the Company 3,000,000 yen per month (excluding consumption
tax) for each medical facility where a MC provides medical services to its clients.
In
light of the current challenging competitive environment, we are pursuing a long-term growth strategy aimed at expanding and stabilizing
our business foundation by creating an environment that can better facilitate the establishment of new clinics by MCs. In line with this
objective, we have decided to amend and renew the SBCOA with each MC, effective from April 1, 2025. Under the revised SBCOA, similar
with prior terms, either party may terminate the agreement by providing written notice to the other party no later than six months before
the scheduled expiration date.
The
main revisions include:
1. Revised
Fee Structure
● First-Year
Fee Reduction for Newly Opened Clinics: Fees will be reduced during the first year of operation
for newly established clinics, significantly reducing initial cost burdens at a stage when
clinics have yet to fully establish their customer base.
● Fees
Based on Service Utilization from the Second Year Onward: Starting from the second year of
operation, fees will be calculated based on the scale of services utilized and the operational
size of each clinic.
2. Changes
to Provided Consulting Services Following the revision, consulting services provided by the
Company to MCs will include:
● Management consulting for medical corporations and facilities
● Human
resources and labor management services
● Recruitment-related
services
● General
administrative services
● Information
system management services
● Customer
relations services
● Accounting,
finance, and taxation services
● Legal
services
● Clinic
establishment and facilities management services
● Infrastructure
introduction, improvement, and operational support services related to insurance-covered
medical treatments
Service
Contracts
We
entered into service contracts with Medical Corporation Association Furinkai (the service contract regarding operation on November 22,
2023 and the service contract regarding management consulting on November 25, 2023 respectively) and Medical Corporation Association
Junikai (the service contract regarding operation and the service contract regarding management consulting both on November 16, 2023).
The scope of work (“SOW”) of the service contracts with these two MCs is limited to marketing, introduction of new treatment
technologies and future business development while the SOW of the FC contracts with the six MCs are broad and define general rules in
order to allow MCs to use the SBC brand name. Accordingly, the service contracts with these two MCs are different from the FC contracts
with the six MCs and the clinics of these two MCs do not use the “Shonan Beauty Clinic” brand.
28
Business
Consignment Agreement for Management Consulting Services to Medical Corporation Association Furinkai
The
material terms of our business consignment agreement for management consulting services to Medical Corporation Association Furinkai are
as follows:
● Signing
Date:
○ November
22, 2023
● Consulting
Services by the Company to Medical Corporation Association Furinkai
○ consulting
on the use of business systems used in medical facilities
○ consulting
on the development of new treatments and manuals
○ consulting
for repeat customer acquisition measures related to cosmetic dermatology
○
consulting on the efficient operation with more customer service during the same clinic hours related to cosmetic dermatology
consulting
○
consulting for building management strategies related to cosmetic dermatology treatment
●
Effective Period
○
September 1, 2024 until August 31, 2027
○
if neither party expresses an intention not to renew the agreement before the expiration of the effective period, the agreement
shall be renewed for another two (2) years under the same terms and conditions
●
Termination Provisions & Penalties
○
Either party may terminate this agreement by notifying the other party at least six months prior to the scheduled termination
date.
●
Fees Payable Under the Agreement
○
JPY60,000,000 per month (excluding consumption tax).
Business
Consignment Agreement for Operational Support to Medical Corporation Association Furinkai
The
material terms of our business consignment agreement for operational support services to Medical Corporation Association Furinkai are
as follows:
●
Signing Date
○
November 22, 2023
●
Consulting Services by the Company to Medical Corporation Association Furinkai
○
secure stable business performance and increase customer satisfaction through creation of repeat customers related to cosmetic
dermatology
○
selection of medical devices and medical materials for cosmetic dermatology
○
establishment and operation of a system to ensure the safety of cosmetic dermatology treatment
○
general skills training associated with cosmetic dermatology treatment for medical facility employees
○
efficient operation methods that enable more customers to be served during the same clinic hours related to cosmetic
dermatology
○
planning management strategies related to cosmetic dermatology treatment
○
development of new treatment methods, formulation of manuals, and support for implementation
○
support and management of business system implementation
○
design and implementation support, operation and maintenance of servers, networks and IT infrastructure
● Effective
Period
○ September
1, 2023 until August 31, 2027
○ if
neither party expresses an intention not to renew the agreement before the expiration of
the effective period, the agreement shall be renewed for another two (2) years under the
same terms and conditions
29
● Termination
Provisions & Penalties
○ Either
party may terminate this agreement by notifying the other party at least six months prior
to the scheduled termination date.
● Fees
Payable Under the Agreement
○ JPY1,700,000
per month for each medical facility (excluding consumption tax).
Business
Consignment Agreement for Management Consulting Services to Medical Corporation Association Junikai
The
material terms of our business consignment agreement for management consulting services to Medical Corporation Association Junikai are
as follows:
●
Signing Date
○
November 16, 2023
●
Consulting Services by the Company to Medical Corporation Association Junikai
○
consulting on the use of business systems used in medical facilities
○
consulting on the development of new treatments and manuals
○
consulting for repeat customer acquisition measures related to cosmetic dermatology
○
consulting on the efficient operation with more customer service during the same clinic hours related to cosmetic dermatology
consulting
○
consulting for building management strategies related to cosmetic dermatology treatment
●
Effective Period
○
September 1, 2024 until August 31, 2026
○
if neither party expresses an intention not to renew the agreement before the expiration of the effective period, the agreement
shall be renewed for another two (2) years under the same terms and conditions
●
Termination Provisions & Penalties
○
Either party may terminate this agreement by notifying the other party at least six months prior to the scheduled termination
date.
●
Fees Payable Under the Agreement
○
JPY10,000,000 per month (excluding consumption tax).
The
material terms of our business consignment agreement for operational support services to Medical Corporation Association Junikai are
as follows:
● Signing
Date
○ November
16, 2023
● Consulting
Services by the Company to Medical Corporation Association Junikai
○ secure
stable business performance and increase customer satisfaction through creation of repeat
customers related to cosmetic dermatology
○ selection
of medical devices and medical materials for cosmetic dermatology
○ establishment
and operation of a system to ensure the safety of cosmetic dermatology treatment
○ general
skills training associated with cosmetic dermatology treatment for medical facility employees
○ efficient
operation methods that enable more customers to be served during the same clinic hours related
to cosmetic dermatology
○ planning
management strategies related to cosmetic dermatology treatment
○ development
of new treatment methods, formulation of manuals, and support for implementation
○ support
and management of business system implementation
○ design
and implementation support, operation and maintenance of servers, networks and IT infrastructure
○ support
and advisory services for the use of marketing analysis tools, etc.
30
● Effective
Period
○ September
1, 2023 until August 31, 2027
○ if
neither party expresses an intention not to renew the agreement before the expiration of
the effective period, the agreement shall be renewed for another two (2) years under the
same terms and conditions
● Termination
Provisions & Penalties
○ Either
party may terminate this agreement by notifying the other party at least six months prior
to the scheduled termination date.
● Fees
Payable Under the Agreement
○
JPY800,000 per month for each medical facility (excluding consumption tax).
Director
Independence
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 our directors, with the exception of Dr. Aikawa and Mr. Yoshida, is
an “independent director” as defined under Rule 5606(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. Our Board of Directors determined
that each of Ken Edahiro, Mike Sayama, and Fumitoshi Fujiwara satisfy the applicable independence standards established by the SEC and
the Nasdaq Listing Rules. In making such determinations, our Board of Directors considered the relationships that each 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.
Item
14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Prior
to the Business Combination, on March 20, 2023, the Board of Legacy SBC approved the engagement of MaloneBailey, LLP as Legacy SBC’s
independent registered public accounting firm to audit its consolidated financial statements for the years ending December 31, 2022 and
2021. MaloneBailey, LLP served as the independent registered public accounting firm of Legacy SBC prior to the Business Combination.
Accordingly, Marcum LLP (“Marcum”), Pono’s independent registered public accounting firm prior to the Business Combination,
was informed that it would be dismissed on September 19, 2024 and replaced by MaloneBailey, LLP as the Company’s independent registered
public accounting firm.
The
audit report of Marcum on the financial statements of Pono, the Company’s legal predecessor, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022,
and for the year ended December 31, 2023 and for the period from March 11, 2022 (inception) to December 31, 2022, did not contain an
adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope, or accounting principles
except for an explanatory paragraph in such report regarding substantial doubt about Pono’s ability to continue as a going concern.
During
the period from March 11, 2022 (date of inception) through December 31, 2023, and the subsequent interim periods through June 30, 2024,
there were no disagreements with Marcum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing
scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Marcum, would have caused it to make a reference in connection
with their opinion to the subject matter of the disagreement or reportable events as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K (“Regulation
S-K”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), other than a previously disclosed
material weakness in Pono’s internal control over financial reporting identified by Pono, which resulted in the restatement of
Pono’s financial statements for certain interim periods.
In
deciding to appoint MaloneBailey, LLP, the audit committee reviewed auditor independence issues and existing commercial relationships
with MaloneBailey, LLP and concluded that MaloneBailey, LLP has no commercial relationship with the Company that would impair its independence
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.
The
following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by MaloneBailey, LLP for the audit of the Company’s financial
statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and of the financial statements of Legacy SBC for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2023.
2024
2023
Audit Fees(1)
$ 1,531,727
$ 1,148,397
Audit-Related Fees
-
-
Tax Fees
-
-
All Other Fees
-
-
Total
$ 1,531,727
$ 1,148,397
(1)
Audit fees consisted of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our year-end financial statements and reviews
of our quarterly interim financial statements filed with the SEC, as well as work generally only the independent registered public accounting
firm can reasonably be expected to provide, such as consents and review of documents filed with the SEC, including certain 8-K filings.
Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Public Accountant
31
Consistent
with SEC policies regarding auditor independence, the audit committee has responsibility for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing
the work of our independent registered public accounting firm. In recognition of this responsibility, the audit committee has established
a policy to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm.
Prior
to engagement of an independent registered public accounting firm for the next year’s audit, management will submit an aggregate
of services expected to be rendered during that year for each of four categories of services to the audit committee for approval.
1. Audit services
include audit work with respect to the financial statements, as well as work that generally only an independent registered public
accounting firm can reasonably be expected to provide, including comfort letters, statutory audits, and attest services and
consultation regarding financial accounting and/or reporting standards.
2. Audit-Related services
are for assurance and related services that are traditionally performed by an independent registered public accounting firm,
including due diligence related to mergers and acquisitions, employee benefit plan audits, and special procedures required to meet
certain regulatory requirements.
3. Tax services
include all services performed by an independent registered public accounting firm’s tax personnel except those services
specifically related to the audit of the financial statements, and include fees in the areas of tax compliance, tax planning, and
tax advice.
4. Other
Fees are those associated with services not captured in the other categories. We generally do not request such services from
our independent registered public accounting firm.
Prior
to engagement, the audit committee pre-approves these services by category of service. The fees are budgeted and the audit committee
requires our independent registered public accounting firm and management to report actual fees versus the budget periodically throughout
the year by category of service. During the year, circumstances may arise when it may become necessary to engage our independent registered
public accounting firm for additional services not contemplated in the original pre-approval. In those instances, the audit committee
requires specific pre-approval before engaging our independent registered public accounting firm.
The
audit committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to whom such authority is delegated must
report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the audit committee at its next scheduled meeting. Our audit committee
pre-approved all of the services provided by our independent registered public accounting firms for the years ended December 31, 2024
and 2023
32
PART
IV
Item
15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
a) Financial
Statements and Schedules: The required information is set forth in “Part II, Item 8
- Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report.
b) Exhibits:
The following exhibits are filed or furnished as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form
10-K.
Exhibit
No.
Description
2.1
Agreement
and Plan of Merger, dated January 31, 2023, by and among Pono Capital Two, Inc., Pono Two Merger Sub, Inc., SBC Medical Group Holdings
Incorporated, Mehana Capital LLC in its capacity as the representative of the stockholders of Pono Capital Two, Inc., and Yoshiyuki
Aikawa in his personal capacity and his capacity as the representative of the stockholders of SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Pono Capital Two, Inc. with the SEC on February
2, 2023).
2.2
First
Amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 26, 2023, by and among Pono Capital Two, Inc., Pono Two Merger Sub, Inc.,
SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated, Mehana Capital LLC in its capacity as the representative of the stockholders of Pono Capital
Two, Inc., and Yoshiyuki Aikawa in his personal capacity and his capacity as the representative of the stockholders of SBC Medical
Group Holdings Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Pono Capital Two,
Inc. with the SEC on May 1, 2023).
2.3
Second
Amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated May 30, 2023, by and among Pono Capital Two, Inc., Pono Two Merger Sub, Inc.,
SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated, Mehana Capital LLC in its capacity as the representative of the stockholders of Pono Capital,
Two Inc., and Yoshiyuki Aikawa in his personal capacity and his capacity as the representative of the stockholders of SBC Medical
Group Holdings Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Pono Capital Two,
Inc. with the SEC on June 2, 2023).
2.4
Third
Amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 15, 2023, by and among Pono Capital Two, Inc., Pono Two Merger Sub, Inc.,
SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated, Mehana Capital LLC in its capacity as the representative of the stockholders of Pono Capital
Two Inc., and Yoshiyuki Aikawa in his personal capacity and his capacity as the representative of the stockholders of SBC Medical
Group Holdings Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Pono Capital Two,
Inc. with the SEC on June 16, 2023).
2.5
Amended
and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 21, 2023, by and among Pono Capital Two, Inc., Pono Two Merger Sub, Inc., SBC
Medical Group Holdings Incorporated, Mehana Capital LLC in its capacity as the representative of the stockholders of Pono Capital
Two, Inc., and Yoshiyuki Aikawa in his personal capacity and his capacity as the representative of the stockholders of SBC Medical
Group Holdings Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Pono Capital Two,
Inc. with the SEC on June 22, 2023).
2.6
First
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated September 8, 2023, by and among Pono Capital Two, Inc.,
Pono Two Merger Sub, Inc., SBC Medical Group Medical Holdings Incorporated, Mehana Capital LLC in its capacity as the representative
of the stockholders of Pono Capital Two, Inc., and Yoshiyuki Aikawa in his personal capacity and his capacity as the representative
of the stockholders of SBC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Pono Capital Two,
Inc. with the SEC on September 11, 2023).
2.7
Second
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 26, 2023, by and among Pono Capital Two Inc., Pono
Two Merger Sub, Inc., SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated, Mehana Capital LLC in its capacity as the representative of the stockholders
of Pono Capital Two Inc., and Yoshiyuki Aikawa in his personal capacity and his capacity as the representative of the stockholders
of SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to Form 8-K filed by Pono Capital Corp. with
the SEC on October 26, 2023).
2.8
Third
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 28, 2023, by and among Pono Capital Two, Inc.,
Pono Two Merger Sub, Inc., SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated, Mehana Capital LLC in its capacity as the representative of the
stockholders of Pono Capital Two, Inc., and Yoshiyuki Aikawa in his personal capacity and his capacity as the representative of the
stockholders of SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K
filed by Pono Capital Two, Inc. with the SEC on December 29, 2023).
2.9
Fourth
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 22, 2024, by and among Pono Capital, Two Inc., Pono
Two Merger Sub, Inc., SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated Mehana Capital LLC in its capacity as the representative of the stockholders
of Pono Capital, Two Inc., and Yoshiyuki Aikawa in his personal capacity and his capacity as the representative of the stockholders
of SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Pono
Capital Two, Inc. with the SEC on April 23, 2024).
33
3.1
Fourth
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated (incorporate by reference to Exhibit
3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated on September 20, 2024) .
3.2
Amended
and Restated Bylaws of SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated (incorporate by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on
Form 8-K filed by SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated on September 20, 2024).
4.1
Warrant
Agreement, dated August 4, 2022, by and between Pono Capital Two, Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant
agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Pono Capital Two, Inc. with the SEC on
August 9, 2022).
4.2
Specimen
Unit Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed
by Pono Capital Two, Inc. on July 22, 2022).
4.3
Specimen
Class A Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-1, filed by Pono Capital Two, Inc. on July 22, 2022).
4.4
Specimen
Warrant Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed
by Pono Capital Two, Inc. on July 22, 2022).
10.1+
Form
of SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Annex C to the Definitive Proxy Statement
filed by Pono Capital Two Corp. with the SEC on August 12, 2024).
10.2
Form
of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by SBC Medical Group
Holdings Incorporated on September 20, 2024).
10.3
Form
of Registration Rights Agreement by certain SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated equity holders (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit E to Annex A to the Definitive Proxy Statement filed by Pono Capital Two Corp. with the SEC on August 12, 2024).
10.4
Form
of Lock-Up Agreement by certain SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated equity holders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit C to
Annex A to the Definitive Proxy Statement filed by Pono Capital Two Corp. with the SEC on August 12, 2024).
10.5
Letter
Agreement, dated August 4, 2022, by and among Pono Capital Two Inc., its officers, directors, and Mehana Capital LLC (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Pono Capital Two, Inc. with the SEC on August 9, 2022).
10.6
Purchaser
Support Agreement, dated January 31, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Pono
Capital Two, Inc. with the SEC on February 2, 2023).
10.7
Voting
Agreement, dated January 31, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Pono Capital
Two, Inc. with the SEC on February 2, 2023).
10.8+
Executive
Employment Agreement between SBC Medical Group Holdings and Yoshiyuki Aikawa, dated September 17, 2024 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.8 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated on September 20, 2024).
10.9+
Executive
Employment Agreement between SBC Medical Group Holdings and Yuya Yoshida, dated September 17, 2024 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.9 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated on September 20, 2024).
10.10+
Executive
Employment Agreement between SBC Medical Group Holdings and Ryoji Murata, dated September 17, 2024 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.10 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated on September 20, 2024).
10.11+
Executive
Employment Agreement between SBC Medical Group Holdings and Akira Komatsu, dated September 17, 2024 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.11 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated on September 20, 2024).
10.12
Form
of Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit D to Annex A to the Definitive Proxy Statement
filed by Pono Capital Two, Inc. with the SEC on August 12, 2024).
19.1
Insider Trading Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by SBC Medical Group Holdings, Inc. with the SEC on March 28, 2025).
21.1
List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by SBC Medical Group Holdings, Inc. with the SEC on March 28, 2025).
24.1
Power of Attorney (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 24.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by SBC Medical Group Holdings, Inc. with the SEC on March 28, 2025).
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 amended, 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 amended, 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. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 32.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by SBC Medical Group Holdings, Inc. with the SEC on March 28, 2025).
32.2
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 32.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by SBC Medical Group Holdings, Inc. with the SEC on March 28, 2025).
97.1
Clawback Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 97.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by SBC Medical Group Holdings, Inc. with the SEC on March 28, 2025).
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 (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
*
Filed
herewith
**
Furnished
herewith
+
Indicates
a management or compensatory plan
†
Schedules
to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Registrant hereby agrees to furnish a copy of
any omitted schedules to the SEC upon request.
Item
16. Form
10-K Summary
None.
34
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Amendment No.
1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SBC
Medical Group Holdings Incorporated
Dated:
April 30, 2025
/s/
Yoshiyuki Aikawa
Name:
Yoshiyuki
Aikawa
Title:
Director,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
35
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.