Item 1. Business
Item 1.
Business
Our Mission
Our mission is to bring together the worlds of
online e-commerce and offline physical retailers; widening consumer choice and rewarding loyalty, while sustaining and enhancing our earning
potential.
Our Company
We have created an innovative online-to-offline
(“O2O”) e-commerce platform business model offering consumers and merchants instant rebates and affiliate cashback programs,
while providing a seamless e-payment solution with rebates in both e-commerce (i.e., online) and physical retailers/merchant (i.e., offline)
settings.
Our proprietary product is an internet application
(or “App”) branded “ZCITY App,” which was developed through our wholly owned subsidiary, ZCity Sdn. Bhd. (formerly
known as Gem Reward Sdn. Bhd, name change effected on July 20, 2023) (“ZCITY”). The ZCITY App was successfully launched
in Malaysia in June 2020. ZCITY is equipped with the know-how and expertise to develop additional/add-on technology-based products
and services to complement the ZCITY App, thereby growing its reach and user base.
Through simplifying a user’s e-payment gateway
experience, as well as by providing great deals, rewards and promotions with every use, we aim to make the ZCITY App Malaysia’s
top reward and payment gateway platform. Our longer-term goal is for the ZCITY App and its ever-developing technology to become one of
the most well-known commercialized applications more broadly in Southeast Asia and Japan.
As of September 25, 2024, we had 2,704,306 registered users and
2,027 registered merchants.
1
Corporate Structure
Treasure Global Inc is a Delaware corporation
that was incorporated on March 20, 2020. We issued 10,000,000 shares to Kok Pin “Darren” Tan, our founder and former
Chief Executive Officer on July 1, 2020, who as a result became our sole shareholder.
ZCity Sdn. Bhd. (formerly known as Gem Reward
Sdn. Bhd, name change effected on July 20, 2023), a Malaysia private limited company was incorporated on June 6, 2017. Prior
to the incorporation of ZCITY, Kok Pin “Darren” Tan entered into a Beneficial Shareholding Agreement (“Beneficial Shareholding
Agreement 1”) with two individuals, one of which is a vice president of the Company (the “Initial ZCITY Shareholders”),
which provided for the Initial Shareholders to hold the ZCITY shares issued to them in equal amounts and for the sole benefit of Kok Pin
“Darren” Tan and provided Kok Pin “Darren” Tan with control over the voting and disposition over such shares as
well as control over the issuance of additional ZCITY shares in consideration for equity in a company that had not been determined on
the date of Beneficial Shareholding Agreement 1. On November 10, 2020, Kok Pin “Darren” Tan instructed the Initial ZCITY
Shareholders to issue one million additional ZCITY shares to Chong Chan “Sam” Teo, currently our Chief Executive Officer,
and as a result each Initial ZCITY Shareholder and Chong Chan “Sam” Teo held one million shares of ZCITY. On November 10,
2020. Chong Chan “Sam” Teo entered into a Beneficial Shareholding Agreement with Kok Pin “Darren” Tan with terms
similar to Beneficial Shareholding Agreement 1 (“Beneficial Shareholding Agreement 2” and together with the Beneficial Shareholding
Agreement 1, the “Beneficial Shareholding Agreements”). As a result of Kok Pin “Darren” Tan’s 100% ownership
of our common stock and the Beneficial Shareholding Agreements, TGL and ZCITY were both under the sole control of Kok Pin “Darren”
Tan.
TGL and ZCITY were reorganized into a parent subsidiary
structure pursuant to a Share Swap Agreement, dated March 11, 2021, as amended on March 11, 2021 among TGL, the Initial
ZCITY Shareholders and Chong Chan “Sam” Teo (the “Share Swap Agreement”), in which TGL exchanged 321,585 shares
of its common stock (the “Swap Shares”) for all equity of ZCITY. Pursuant to the Share Swap Agreement, the purchase and
sale of the Swap Shares was completed on March 11, 2021, but the issuance of the Swap Shares did not occur until October 27,
2021 when TGL amended its certificate of incorporation to increase the number of its authorized common stock to a number that was sufficient
to issue the Swap Shares. As a result of the Share Swap Agreement, (i) ZCITY became the 100% subsidiary of TGL and Kok Pin “Darren”
Tan no longer had any control over ZCITY’s ordinary shares; and (ii) Kok Pin “Darren” Tan, the Initial ZCITY Shareholders
and Chong Chan “Sam” Teo owned 100% of the TGL common stock (Darren Tan owning 97%). Subsequent to the date of the Share Swap
Agreement, Kok Pin “Darren” Tan transferred 9,529,002 of his 10,000,000 shares of TGL common stock to 16 individuals and entities
and currently owns less than 5% of our common stock.
We have no substantive operations other than holding
all of the outstanding shares of ZCity Sdn. Bhd. (“ZCITY”), (formerly known as Gem Reward Sdn. Bhd, underwent a name change
on July 20, 2023). ZCITY was originally established under the laws of the Malaysia on June 6, 2017, through a reverse recapitalization.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at
276 5 th Avenue, Suite 704 #739, New York, New York 10001 and No.29, Jalan PPU 2A, Taman Perindustrian Pusat Bandar
Puchong, 47100 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia.
Business Developments
The following highlights recent material developments
in our business:
● On
October 5, 2024 we entered into an agreement with YA II PN, Ltd, a Cayman Islands exempt
limited partnership (“YA”), effective as of October 5, 2023, in which
- On October 6, 2023, we made a payment to the Investor that
consisted of the (i) initial Trigger Payment in the amount of $1,092,071 and (ii) an additional payment in the amount of $500,000 (of
which $467,289.72 was applied as an additional reduction in the principal amount of the Convertible Debentures and $32,710.28 paid the
associated 7% Redemption Premium).
- YA agreed that, except as set forth below, beginning on October
5, 2023 and ending on November 18, 2023, it shall not sell any shares of common stock of the Company at a price per share less than $1.00.
The limitation agreed by YA shall not apply (i) at any time upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default or
(ii) upon the prior written consent of the Issuer.
- YA agreed that any subsequent monthly payments that may become
due pursuant to Section 2(a) of the Convertible Debentures based on the Trigger Event shall be deferred until November 28, 2023, and
continuing on the same day of each successive calendar month thereafter until the Convertible Debentures are paid in full, unless such
payment obligation has ceased in accordance with Section 2(a) of the Convertible Debentures.
● ZCITY App offers a “Smart F&B” system that
provides a one stop solution and digitalization transformation for all registered Food and Beverage (“F&B”) outlets located
in Malaysia. It also allows merchants to easily record transactions with QR Digital Payment technology, set discounts and execute RP
redemptions and rewards online on the ZCITY App. Since December 2022, we have been developing TAZTE. However, due to insufficient participation
from merchant clients, management has decided to discontinue the program as of June 2024.
2
● On October 12, 2023, ZCity Sdn Bhd, our wholly owned subsidiary
and AI Lab Martech Sdn. Bhd. (the “Licensor”), a company that provides application, services and turnkey solutions on artificial
intelligence (“AI”) in various aspects, including customization, video production, brand engagement, marketing and content
creation, entered into a License and Service Agreement (the “License Agreement”), in which the Licensor shall provide a non-exclusive,
non-transferable, royalty-free license to use and operate an AI software solutions (the “AI Software”) in exchange for the
issuance of USD$563,000 worth of our common stock, par value $0.00001 per share, or 2,943,021 shares valued at USD$0.1913 per share.
The License Agreement is for a period of 12 months (the “Term”). At the expiration of the Term, ZCity Sdn Bhd shall have
an option to renew the term of the License Agreement for an additional 12 months. The License Agreement may be terminated if ZCity Sdn
Bhd or the Licensor materially breaches any of its obligations or undertakings as set forth in the License Agreement or if either ZCity
Sdn Bhd or the Licensor is subject to any form of insolvency administration, ceases to conduct its business or has a liquidator appointed
over any part of its assets.
●
On October 30, 2023, we issued a total of 1,816,735 restricted shares of common stock of the Company to its Chief Executive Officer Chong Chan “Sam” Teo, and to Kok Pin “Darren” Tan (collectively, the “Creditors”) in exchange for the cancellation of $321,562.08 in aggregate indebtedness owed to the Creditors (the “Transaction”). The 1,816,735 shares of common stock issued included, 1,057,519 shares issued to Chong Chan “Sam” Teo and 759,216 shares issued to Kok Pin “Darren” Tan.
● On November 28, 2023, we entered into an agreement with Yorkville
Advisors Global, L.P. (“YA”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay $2,102,909.59 to YA, which represents payment in
full of all amounts owed under the Convertible Debenture (the “Convertible Debenture”) issued by us to YA on February 28,
2023. Such amount includes all amounts due and payable under the Convertible Debenture as of November 28, 2023, plus per diem interest
of $208.22 for each day after November 28, 2023, provided that such payment is made promptly upon the closing of the Company’s
public offering (the “Offering”), which occurred on November 30, 2023. In return for the our agreement to repay the Convertible
Denture from the proceeds of the Offering, YA agreed not to sell any shares of the Company’s common stock until December 4, 2023.
● On February 28, 2023, we entered into a Securities Purchase
Agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with YA II PN, Ltd., pursuant to which YA II PN, Ltd. purchased two unsecured
convertible debentures (the “Convertible Debentures”) in the aggregate principal amount of $5,500,000.00 in a private placement
for a purchase price with respect to each Convertible Debenture of 92% of the initial principal amount of such Convertible Debenture.
On December 6, 2023, we paid a total of $2,102,909.59 (the “Payment”), which represented the outstanding balance of one of
the Convertible Debentures issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement. The other Convertible Debenture had already been fully
converted into shares of common stock, par value $0.00001 per share, of the Company, prior to December 6, 2023. As a result of the Payment
being made, the Company fully satisfied all obligations under the Convertible Debentures, which resulted in the termination of the Securities
Purchase Agreement.
● On December 19, 2023, we and VT Smart Venture Sdn Bhd (the
“Developer”), a company that is in the business of, among other things, technology services, entered into a Software Development
Agreement (the “Agreement”), in which the Developer shall provide application, services and turnkey solutions on software
development in various aspects, including customization, software design layout, creative media platform development, artificial embedded
and artificial intelligence related media platform and design in exchange for USD$1,000,000 worth of common stock, par value $0.00001
per share, of the Company, or 10,000,000 shares valued at USD $0.10 per share (the “TGL Shares”). The Agreement is for a
period of one month (the “Term”). At the expiration of the Term, we do not have an option to renew the term of the Agreement
for any additional months. The Agreement may be terminated if the Company or the Developer materially breaches any of its obligations
or undertakings as set forth in the Agreement or if either the we or the Developer is subject to any form of insolvency administration,
ceases to conduct its business or has a liquidator appointed over any part of its assets.
●
On March 12, 2024, We entered into a Software Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Myviko Holding Sdn. Bhd. (“Myviko”), in which Myviko agreed to transfer all rights, title and interest to us, including without limitation, all computer software and its source code and software licenses in exchange for the issuance of 198,412 shares of common stock (the “Shares”). The Shares were issued on March 13, 2024.
● On April 8, 2024, we and MYUP Solution Sdn Bhd (the “Seller”),
a company that is in the business of, among other things, technology services, entered into a Software Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”),
in which the Seller agreed to sell to the Company a certain software application in exchange for USD$495,500 worth of common stock, par
value $0.00001 per share, of the Company, or 126,082 shares valued at USD $3.93 per share. The Agreement may be terminated if the we
or the Seller materially breaches any of its obligations or undertakings as set forth in the Agreement or if either the Company or the
Seller is subject to any form of insolvency administration, ceases to conduct its business or has a liquidator appointed over any part
of its assets. The Agreement contains customary representations and warranties.
●
On May 5, 2024, we entered into a digital marketing agreement (“Marketing
Agreement”) with TraDigital Marketing Group. Pursuant to the Marketing Agreement, the consultant shall provide digital marketing
service to us and we will compensate the consultant with a cash consideration of $120,000. We issued 20,000 shares of the common
stock on May 5, 2024 pursuant to the Marketing Agreement.
3
● On May 24, 2024, we, Jeffrey Goh Sim Ik (the “Purchaser”)
and Koo Siew Leng (the “Guarantor”) entered into a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”), in which
the Company agreed to sell all of the capital shares it owns in Foodlink Global Sdn Bhd, a company incorporated under the laws of Malaysia
(“Foodlink”), which represents all of the issued and outstanding capital shares of Foodlink, to the Purchaser, in exchange
for a total of approximately USD$148,500, of which shall be payable by the Purchaser to the Company as follows: (i) an initial deposit
payable on May 24, 2024; and (ii) the balance of the purchase price payable in eight installment payments starting from May 24, 2024.
The total sale price is equivalent to the Company’s initial total capital investment in Foodlink and as such, the Company is recovering
100% of its initial investment in Foodlink. In the event that the Purchaser fails to perform its obligations under the Agreement, the
Guarantor agreed to guarantee the installment payments payable pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. The Agreement contains customary
representations and warranties and covenants made by each of the Purchaser and the Company as of the date of the Agreement or other specified
dates.
● On May 27, 2024, we and Falcon Gateway Sdn Bhd (the “Seller”),
a company that is in the business of, among other things, technology services, entered into a Software Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”),
in which the Seller agreed to sell to the Company a certain software application in exchange for USD$495,500 worth of common stock, par
value $0.00001 per share, of the Company, or 126,082 shares valued at USD $3.93 per share (the “TGL Shares”). The Agreement
may be terminated if the Company or the Seller materially breaches any of its obligations or undertakings as set forth in the Agreement
or if either the Company or the Seller is subject to any form of insolvency administration, ceases to conduct its business or has a liquidator
appointed over any part of its assets. The Agreement contains customary representations and warranties.
●
On June 13, 2024, Chong Chan “Sam” Teo resigned as the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (“Board”), which was immediately effective. On June 13, 2024, the Board appointed Carlson Thow as Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective as of June 13, 2024.
●
On June 14, 2024, Michael Chan Meng Chun resigned as Chief Financial Officer, which was immediately effective. On June 14, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) appointed Sook Lee Chin as Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective as of June 14, 2024.
● On June 21, 2024, Su Chen “Chanell” Chuah resigned
as Chief Operating Officer, effective as of July 21, 2024. On June 21, 2024, the Board appointed Chai Ching “Henry” Loong
as Chief Operating Officer of the Company effective as of June 21, 2024.
●
On June 30, 2024, Yi Hui Ho’s resigned as executive director of the Company.
●
On July 4, 2024, the Board appointed Carlson Thow as an executive director and Kok Pin “Darren” Tan as a non-executive director of the Company, effective as of July 5, 2024.
● On August 30, 2024, Joseph “Bobby” Banks and
Jeremy Roberts resigned as members of the Board.
●
On August 29, 2024 and September 3, 2024 respectively, the Board appointed (i) Wei Ping Leong as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (“Board”), as Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board (“Audit Committee”), a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board (“Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”) and a member of the Compensation Committee of the Board (“Compensation Committee”), effective as of August 29, 2024, and (ii) Anand Ramakrishnan as a member of the Board, a member of the Audit Committee, a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Chairman of the Compensation Committee, effective as of September 3, 2024.
●
On September 5, 2024, the Board appointed Wai Kuan Chan as a member of the Board as Chairman of the Compensation Committee of the Board, a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board and a member of the Audit Committee of the Board, effective as of September 6, 2024. On September 6, 2024, the Company accepted the resignations of Marco Baccanello as a member of the Board effective as of September 6, 2024 and Chai Ching “Henry” Loong as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company effective as of September 6, 2024.
● On September 20, 2024, we entered into a partnership agreement
(the “Agreement”) with Credilab Sdn. Bhd. (“CLSB”). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company and CLSB will establish
a strategic partnership aimed at leveraging their respective core competencies, resources and market expertise to drive mutual benefit
and growth upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement.
● On September 20, 2024, Mr. Anand Ramakrishnan, an independent
director of the Board resigned from the Board.
4
Recent Developments
● On October 9, 2023 we received a written notice (the “Notice”)
from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), notifying the Company that it is no longer in compliance with the minimum stockholders’
equity requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) requires listed companies to maintain
stockholders’ equity of at least $2,500,000. In the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2023, the Company reported stockholders’ equity of $(130,332), which is below the minimum stockholders’ equity required for
continued listing pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1). Subsequently in November, 2023, we met the minimum stockholders’
equity amount required by Nasdaq as a result of the closing of the November 2023 Offering (as defined below).
● On November 28, 2023, we entered into an underwriting agreement
(the “Underwriting Agreement”) with EF Hutton LLC as the underwriter (the “Underwriter”), relating to a firm
commitment underwritten public offering (the “November 2023 Offering”) of (i) 26,014,000 shares of common stock, par value
$0.00001 per share (the “Common Stock”), at a public offering price of $0.10 per share of Common Stock and (ii) 14,000,000
pre-funded warrants (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”), each with the right to purchase one share of Common Stock, at a public offering
price of $0.0999 per Pre-Funded Warrant. The Company granted the Underwriter a 45-day over-allotment option to purchase up to 6,002,100
additional shares of common stock and/or Pre-Funded Warrants. The November 2023 Offering closed on November 30, 2023.The net proceeds
to the Company from the November 2023 Offering were approximately $3.6 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions
and the payment of other offering expenses associated with the Offering that were payable by the Company. We paid the Underwriter an
underwriting discount equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds of the November 2023 Offering and a non-accountable expense fee equal to 1.0%
of the gross proceeds of the November 2023 Offering. We intend to use the net proceeds of the November 2023 Offering for repayment of
convertible debentures issued to YA II PN, Ltd. and for general corporate purposes, including working capital.
● On February 22, 2024, we filed a Certificate of Amendment
to the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Certificate
of Amendment”) that provides for a 1-for-70 reverse stock split (the “Split”) of its shares of common stock, par value
$0.00001 per share, that became effective at 12:00 a.m. on February 27, 2024. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the
Split and fractional amounts were rounded up to one whole share. The new CUSIP number for the common stock following the Reverse Stock
Split will be 89458T205.
●
On March 20, 2024, we received a written notice from the staff of Nasdaq (the “Staff”), notifying the Company that (1) it was not in compliance with the shareholder approval requirement of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c) (the “Rule”) because on October 11, 2023, the Company issued restricted shares in the aggregate amount of 1,816,735 in exchange for the cancellation of $321,562.08 of debt, resulting in an effective price per share of $0.176, 1,057,519 of such shares were issued to Chong Chan “Sam” Teo, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer at the time (the “former CEO”), and the closing bid price on the day preceding the signing of the binding agreement was $0.192; (2) the aforementioned issuance of shares to the former CEO were issued at a discount and as such, required shareholder approval under the Rule and (3) the Company regained compliance with the Rule on March 13, 2024, when the CEO made a cash payment to the Company to bring the effective price per share to at least the closing bid price on the day preceding the issuance of the shares.
● On February 15, 2024, the Company received a letter from
the Staff stating that the Company has not regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule and the Company requested to appeal this
determination with the Nasdaq Hearings Panel (the “Panel”). On February 16, 2024, the Company submitted a hearing request
to the Panel to appeal Nasdaq’s determination and submit a compliance plan, which in accordance with Nasdaq rules stays the delisting
of the Company’s common stock from Nasdaq pending the Panel’s decision. The hearing was scheduled to occur on April 16, 2024.
On February 27, 2024, the Company effected a 1:70 reverse stock split of its shares of common stock. On March 20, 2024, the Company received
a letter from the Panel informing the Company that since the common stock of the Company had traded at $1.00 per share or greater for
a 10 consecutive business day period between February 27, 2024 and March 20, 2024, the hearing request was deemed moot. Accordingly,
the Company has regained compliance with the Bid Price Rule and this matter is closed.
5
Market Opportunity
We expect that continued strong economic
expansion, robust population growth, rising level of urbanization, the emergence of the middle class and the increasing rate of
adoption of mobile technology provide market opportunities for our Company in Southeast Asia (“SEA”). SEA is a large
economy and, as of 2022, its gross domestic product (“GDP”) was US$3.66 trillion. 1 In comparison, the
respective GDP for both the European Union (“EU”) and the United States (“US”) totaled
EUR$15.8 trillion and US$25.5 trillion 2 in 2022. SEA has experienced rapid economic growth rates in
recent years, far exceeding growth in major world economies such as Japan, the EU and the US. According to the
International Monetary Fund (“IMF”), Malaysia’s GDP growth averaged more than 4.5% from 2016 to 2019. However, it
experienced a deficit of -5.5% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, it rebounded to 3.1% and 8.7% in 2021 and 2022
respectively, and it is expected to maintain an average annual growth rate of 4.5% for the next five years, including
2023. 3 The GDP of Malaysia amounted to US$337 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach approximately
US$500 billion by 2025. 4 Malaysia registered a strong post-pandemic recovery in 2022. Its strong macroeconomic
policy frameworks, including a track record of fiscal prudence and a credible monetary policy framework, have served the country
well.
SEA continues to enjoy robust population growth.
The United Nations Population Division estimates that the population of the SEA countries in 2000 was approximately 525 million people,
growing to 681 million in 2022. According to the World Bank, Malaysia had a population of approximately 33 million people in
2022 compared to 23 million people in 2000. 5
A high percentage of Malaysians have lived in
cities for the last decade and that percentage is increasing. Since 2011, Malaysia’s urbanization has increased from approximately
71.61% to approximately 77.7% in 2022. 6 By comparison, in 2021 the urbanization rates for China, Vietnam and India were approximately
62.51%, 37% and 35%, respectively. 7
Urbanization is highly correlated with the size
and growth of the middle class. Simply put, urbanization drives middle class consumption demand. According to the World Bank, Malaysia
is likely to transition from an upper-middle-income economy to a high-income economy between 2024 and 2028, a reflection of the country’s
economic transformation development trajectory over the past decades. 8 In fact, Malaysia’s gross national income per
capita is at US$11,200 according to latest estimates, only US$1,335 short of the current threshold level that defines a high-income economy. 9
And despite the ongoing effects from the COVID-19
pandemic, the Internet economy continues to boom in SEA. According to a Google Temasek e-Conomy SEA 2022 Report (the “Google
Report”), internet usage in the region increased with 20 million new users added in 2022 for a total of 460 million compared
to 360 million in 2019 and 440 million in 2021. An additional 100 million internet users have come online in the last three years
since 2020. 10 In year 2022, 94% of Malaysia’s population is now online, compared to approximately 62% in 2013. 11
It is forecasted to continuously increase between 2024 and 2028, totaling a growth of 0.4 percentage points. 81% and 80% of Malaysia and
SEA’s internet users, respectively, have made at least one purchase online. E-commerce, online media and food delivery adoption
and usage surged with the total value of goods and services sold via the Internet, or gross merchandise value (“GMV”), in
SEA, expected to reach approximately US$200 billion by year end 2022 according to the Google Report. In fact, according to the Google
Report, the SEA Internet sector GMV is forecast to grow to over US$360 billion by 2025 up from the $300 billion forecast in
the Google, Temasek, Bain SEA Report 2022. 12
Malaysia’s internet economy has grown from
$14 billion in 2020 to $21 billion in 2021 (47% growth) and is expected to grow to $35 billion in 2025. 13
1 https://www.statista.com/statistics/796245/gdp-of-the-asean-countries/
2 https://www.statista.com/statistics/279447/gross-domestic-product-gdp-in-the-european-union-eu/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/263591/gross-domestic-product-gdp-of-the-united-states/
3 https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2023/05/31/pr23191-malaysia-imf-executive-board-concludes-2023-article-iv-consultation-with-malaysia
4 IMF Staff Report March 2021
5 https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/south-eastern-asia-population/
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=MY
6 https://www.statista.com/statistics/455880/urbanization-in-malaysia/
7 https://www.statista.com/
8 https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/malaysia/overview#1
9 The World Bank Press Release dated March 16, 2021, https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2021/03/16/aiminghighmalaysia
10 https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/e_conomy_sea_2022_report.pdf
11 https://www.statista.com/statistics/975058/internet-penetration-rate-in-malaysia/
12 https://www.bain.com/globalassets/noindex/2021/e_conomy_sea_2021_report.pdf
https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/e_conomy_sea_2022_report.pdf
13 https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/digital-economy/e-conomy-sea-report-2021-malaysias-internet-economy-crosses-us21-bil
6
As consumers in these markets gradually shift
towards the online platform model, the total value of internet-based transactions has grown tremendously and is expected to keep doing
so. According to the Google Report, total the GMV of South Asia’s Internet economy is expected to skyrocket from US$174 billion
in 2021 to US$363 billion in 2025.
We believe that these ongoing positive economic
and demographic trends in SEA and South Asia propel demand for our e-commerce platform.
About the ZCITY App
SEA consumers have access to a plethora of smart
ordering, delivery and “loyalty” websites and apps, but in our experience, SEA consumers very rarely receive personalized
deals based on their purchases and behavior.
The ZCITY App targets consumers through the provision
of personalized deals based on consumers’ purchase history, location and preferences. Our technology platform allows us to identify
the spending trends of our customers (the when, where, why, and how much). We are able to offer these personalized deals through the application
of our proprietary artificial intelligence (or “AI”) technology that scours the available database to identify and create
opportunities to extrapolate the greatest value from the data, analyze consumer behavior and roll out attractive rewards-based campaigns
for targeted audiences. We believe this AI technology is currently a unique market differentiator for the ZCITY App.
We operate our ZCITY App on the hashtag: “#RewardsOnRewards.”
We believe this branding demonstrates to users the ability to spend ZCITY App-based Reward Points (or “RP”) and “ZCITY
Cash Vouchers” with discount benefits at checkout. Additionally, users can use RP while they earn rewards from selected e-Wallet
or other payment methods.
ZCITY App users do not require any on-going credit
top-up or need to provide bank card number with their binding obligations. We have partnered with Malaysia’s leading payment gateway,
iPay88, for secure and convenient transactions. Users can use our secure platform and enjoy cashless shopping experiences with rebates
when they shop with e-commerce and retail merchants through trusted and leading e-wallet providers such as Touch’n Go eWallet, Boost
eWallet, GrabPay eWallet and credit card/online banking like the “FPX” (the Malaysian Financial Process Exchange) as well
as more traditional providers such as Visa and Mastercard.
Our ZCITY App also provides the following functions:
1. Registration and Account verification
Users may register as a ZCITY App user
simply, using their mobile device. They can then verify their ZCITY App account by submitting a valid email address to receive new user
“ZCITY Newbie Rewards”.
2. Geo-location-based Homepage
Based on the users’ location, nearby
merchants and exclusive offers are selected and directed to them on their homepage for a smooth, user-friendly interaction.
3. Affiliate Partnership
Our ZCITY App is affiliated with more
than five local services providers such as Shopee and Lazada. The ZCITY App allows users to enjoy more rewards when they navigate from
the ZCITY App to a partner’s website.
4. Bill Payment & Prepaid service
Users can access and pay utility bills,
such as water, phone, internet and TV bills, while generating instant discounts and rewards points with each payment.
5. Branded e-Vouchers
Users can purchase their preferred e-Vouchers
with instant discounts and rewards points with each checkout.
6. User Engagement through Gamification
Users can earn daily rewards by playing
our ZCITY App minigame “Spin & Win” where they can earn further ZCITY RP, ZCITY e-Vouchers as well as monthly grand
prizes.
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7. ZCITY RAHMAH Package
ZCITY has collaborated with the Ministry
of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) for the launch of the ‘Payung Rahmah’ program (ZCITY RAHMAH Package). This program
offers a comprehensive package of living essential e-vouchers on the ZCITY app for items such as petrol, food, and bills. ZCITY users
will be able to purchase vouchers for these items at reduced prices, thereby assisting low-income Malaysians and helping to address this
societal challenge.
8. TAZTE Smart F&B system
ZCITY App offers a “Smart F&B”
system that provides a one stop solution and digitalization transformation for all registered Food “F&B”
outlets located in Malaysia. It also allows merchants to easily record transactions with QR Digital Payment technology, set discounts
and execute RP redemptions and rewards online on the ZCITY App.
Since December 2022, we have been developing TAZTE. However, due to
insufficient participation from merchant clients, management has decided to discontinue the program as of June 2024.
9. Zstore
Zstore is ZCITY App’s e-mall service
that offers group-buys and instant rebate to users with embedded AI and big data analytics to provide an express shopping experience.
The functionality and benefit of users to use the Zstore can be summarized within the chart below:
Set out below is an illustration of some of our
key partnerships by category:
Retail Merchant Agreements . We
have retail merchant agreements with Morganfield’s Holdings Sdn. Bhd, and the Alley which together own more than 100 offline food
and beverage franchises in Malaysia. Each of these retail merchants have signed our standard retail merchant agreement which allow merchants
to sell their products on the ZCITY App for which we receive a commission ranging from 1% to 10% depending on the category of goods or
services being purchased on the ZCITY App. These agreements also provide that each party may use the intellectual property marks of the
other party without charge. These agreements may be terminated by either party with 30 days’ notice.
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Services Partners Agreements .
We have service provider agreements with Coup Marketing Asia Pacific Sdn. Bhd. D/B/A Pay’s Gift and MOL Access Portal Sdn.
Bhd. D/B/A Razer Gold in which Pay’s Gift and Razer Gold provide us with e-vouchers for use on the ZCITY App that provide
users with discounts on goods and services of many top multinational and lifestyle brands, including gas, clothing, fast food, movie
theaters and others. We pay the service partner for the cost of the e-voucher plus a service fee. These contracts provide for the
use by us of the trademarks of the service providers and may be terminated at any time with 30 days’ notice. ZCITY has
also entered into an agreement with Apigate Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Axiata Digital, branded as Boost Connect. This
agreement was entered into on July 28, 2023, and commenced on the same date, July 28, 2023. It shall continue until
March 1, 2024. Apigate Sdn Bhd is a global digital monetization and customer growth platform ecosystem provider, which offers
us the services for the reselling of digital vouchers.
Local Strategic Partner Agreements . We
have local strategic partner agreements with iPay88. The agreements we enter into with these local strategic partners provide us with
payment gateways (i.e, online “checkout” portals) used to enter credit card information for payment of goods and services.
The iPay88 agreement was entered into on August 6,
2021 and provides our users with payment gateways that include credit card processing, online banking services from certain banks in Malaysia
and eWallet payment processing such as Touch’ N Go eWallet, Grabpay, ShopeePay, Boost eWallet etc for which iPay88 receives a fee
ranging from 1.0% to 1.6% of the processed transaction depending on the credit card used or if the transaction is online banking or eWallet.
ZCity Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Gem Reward Sdn
Bhd), has entered into a business partner agreement with CIMB Bank to establish a payment gateway. This agreement enables users to conveniently
make payments using their CIMB Bank credit and debit cards. Additionally, users have the added benefit of enjoying rewards for their spending
at ZCITY through this partnership.
Local Demands Agreements . We
have local demand agreements with Digi Telecommunication Sdn. Bhd. (“Digi”) and ATX Distribution Sdn. Bhd. (“ATX”)
which provide ZCITY App users bill payment services.
The Digi agreement was entered on December 16,
2021 and provides our users with bill payment services for all of its telecommunication products and services to postpaid subscribers.
We receive a commission from Digi of 0.5% for each transaction. ZCITY App users may also use Digi’s prepaid automatic internet payment
service for which we receive a commission from Digi of 2.5% for each reload. The Digi agreement may be terminated by either party with
30 days’ notice. CelcomDigi kicked off full-scale integration of Digi & Celcom network in December 2022. This
marks one of the largest telecommunications network deployment projects in Malaysia.
The ATX agreement was entered into on November 8,
2021 whereby ATX and provides our users with bill payment services for many companies in Malaysia, including but not limited to, certain
utilities, telecommunication companies, insurance companies, entertainment companies and charities. We receive a commission on each transaction
from ATX at different rates depending on the company for which the bill is being paid. The ATX agreement may be terminated by either party
with 30 days’ notice.
The Company has both direct and indirect relationships
with merchants and service providers. In terms of the Company’s indirect relationships, through the service partner’s agreement
the Company is able to offer e-vouchers for leading brands including, among others, Shell, Lazada FamilyMart and Watsons; while via the
iPay88 agreement, the Company gains access to other e-wallet providers, such as Boost and Grabpay. Additionally, through the Company’s
agreement with ATX Distribution, it is able to gain access to bill payment services provided by Malaysia’s telco service provider
such as, among others, CelcomDigi, U Mobile, Astro and Air Selangor.
Download ZCITY App
ZCITY App is free to download from the Google
Play Store, Apple iOS Store, and Huawei AppGallery.
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ZCITY Apps’s Reward Points Program
Operating under the hashtag #RewardsOnRewards,
we believe the ZCITY App reward points program encourages users to sign up the app, as well as increasing user engagement and spending
on purchases/repeat purchases and engenders user loyalty.
Furthermore, we believe the simplicity of the
steps to obtaining Reward Points (or “RP”) is an attractive incentive to user participation in that participants receive:
● 200 RP for registration as a new user;
● 100 RP for referral of a new user;
● Conversion of Malaysian ringgit spent into RP;
● 50% RP of every user paid amount; and
● 25% RP of every referred user paid amount as a result of
the referral.
The key objectives of our RP are:
● Social Engagement;
● RP are offered to users for increased social engagement.
● Spending;
● RP incentivizes users with every MYR spent in order to increase
the spending potential and to build users loyalty.
● Sign-up; and
● Drives loyalty and greater customer engagement. Every new
user onboarded will get 200 RP as welcoming gift.
● Referral Program;
● Rewards users with RP when they refer a new user.
Offline Merchant
When using our ZCITY App to make payment to a
registered physical merchant, the system will automatically calculate the amount of RP to deduct. The deducted RP amount is based on the
percentage of profit sharing as with the merchant and the available RP of the user.
Online Merchant
When using our ZCITY App to pay utility bills
or purchase any e-vouchers, our system shows the maximum RP deduction allowed and the user determines the amount of discount deducted
subject to maximum deductions described below and the number of RP owned by such user.
Different features have different maximum deduction
amounts. For example, for bill payments, the maximum deduction is up to 3% of the bill amount. For e-vouchers, the maximum deduction is
up to 5% of the voucher amount.
In order to increase the spending power of the
user, our ZCITY App RP program will credit RP to the user for all MYR paid.
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Marketing Strategy — Consumer
With the number of available apps for download
from the world’s leading app stores totaling over four million, we believe that structured and innovative user marketing strategy
is the only way to stand out in today’s app market. Aside from focusing on app development and building our app features properly,
we believe we need to get our app featured on the leading platforms to most successfully extend our reach and user base.
We believe that our ZCITY App marketing strategy
covers the user from when they first learn about our ZCITY App, to when they become a regular repeat user. The marketing strategy for
the ZCITY App involves defining our target audience, learning how best to reach them, how best to communicate with them, and analyzing
their “in-app” behavior to make continuous AI driven improvements as users move through the recruitment funnel.
Ultimately, the goal of our ZCITY App marketing
strategy is to acquire users that will not only drive repeat engagement, but will also become loyal advocates for the ZCITY App.
At the initial launch of the ZCITY App in June 2020,
we combined both online and offline strategies in branding and marketing, which we believed would effectively communicate our objectives,
reaching a prospective target audience and turning that target audience into users of our ZCITY App.
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Other than just user experience and features offered
in the app itself, we believe consumers are choosing brands whose messaging, marketing and values go beyond the product, and have a potentially
deeper meaning to the user. For example, they may consider brand trustworthiness and identity to be major influences on their market decisions.
As a result, we have focused on building brand loyalty to drive on going marketing success, increase repeat users and attain greater market
share.
In this regard, we have chosen to adapt various
marketing strategies, such as re-targeting users and enticing current users to use our app on multiple occasions, by providing what users
look for when they choose our app in order to increase engagement and retention. The diagram below reflects the strategies we engage in
to promote marketing success and avoid missed opportunities.
We adopt a multi-pronged approach to user outreach
through outdoor digital billboards, radio commercials, third party editorials and advertorials, social media postings on platforms such
as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, as well as the targeting of users through Google ads and direct email marketing to encourage
downloads and promote various campaigns.
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Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we
have been very focused on reaching our target audience through digital media due to movement restrictions and retail closures. Advertisements
especially on social media have become more routine.
Social media-based advertising can be very targeted,
helping to convert new users into repeat users and building brand loyalty. We reach potential users based on criteria, including, among
others, job title, interests, marital status, and recent locations. We believe that it is much easier to measure and optimize social media
campaigns while they are active. If an advertisement isn’t producing the expected results, we can suspend the campaign or reallocate
funds on demand.
Another key media vehicle that we utilize is Universal
App Campaign (or “UAC”) by Google. UAC helps promote our ZCITY App across Google’s largest properties including
Google Search, Google Play Store, YouTube, and the Google Display Network. It combines information Google has on users’ tendencies
and perceived intents outside of the app (such as what they have searched for, what other apps they have downloaded and what they watched
on YouTube) with advertisers’ information on user actions in the app.
UAC then uses machine learning technology to make
decisions for each ad by analyzing potential data signal combinations in real-time, including the platform where users are most likely
to engage with our ad (such as YouTube or Gmail), the right ad format (whether video, text, or combination of the two) and keywords that
will perform best for our marketing goals.
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In addition, in order to obtain more accurate
data for analysis, AppsFlyer SDK is installed in our ZCITY App, where it provides conversion data of user acquisition and retention campaigns.
Through AppsFlyer SDK, we can monitor digital media activities to optimize our marketing budget. The data can be utilized and turned into
actionable insights (to run campaigns and promotions which users are more favorable to) that will share our strategic and tactical business
decisions, while boosting the ZCITY App brand presence.
Marketing Strategy — Merchants
“6Cs” Strategy
In order to roll out our system, we plan to implement
our 6Cs marketing strategy: clients, convenience, competition, consistency with creative content, corporate social responsibilities and
credibility.
Clients (Soon-to-be F&B Owners) . We
have forecast potential merchants by category, which will enable us to create a marketing plan that will attract them by aligning our
promotional content with their business interests and ideals. We will initiate advertisements that connect with their preferences and
generate brand loyalty.
Convenience . We
plan to demonstrate the convenience provided by our ZCITY App by launching a digitalization initiative which can get a merchant up and
running on our platform within 24 hours. We believe this strategy emphasizes the ease of onboarding potential merchants and the potential
positive transformation of their business in the shortest amount of time.
Competition . To
further differentiate our system from our competitors, we expect to identify, compare and discover issues within their business model
of operations against our own business model.
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Consistency with Creative Content . We
plan to maintain a consistent brand image across all our current marketing approaches with creative and innovative content. We strive
to make our brand recognizable to stand out among competitors to increase brand awareness and recognition.
Corporate Social Responsibilities . We
expect to integrate social and environmental concerns in our business operations to gain positive publicity and recognition and greater
market exposure. For example, our “Green Oil”
program will allow our merchants to contribute to zero pollution by recycling used cooking oil with one of our strategic partners.
Credibility . We expect to prove our
credibility by presenting our expertise to potential merchants who are seeking alternative business strategies in the ever-expanding
technological age. We believe that promoting a credible and reliable system for merchants will increase referrals and positive reviews.
Revenue Model
ZCITY’s revenues are generated from a diversified
mix of:
● e-commerce activities for users;
● services to merchants to help them grow their businesses;
and
● membership subscription fees.
The revenue streams consist of “Consumer
Facing” revenues and “Merchant Facing” revenues.
The revenue streams can be further categorized
as following: (1) product and loyalty program revenue, (2) transaction revenue, and (3) agent subscription revenue. Please
see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis — Revenue Recognition .”
Our Competitive Strengths
Powerful, Unique and Integrated App . We
have designed an application — the ZCITY App — which serves both consumers and merchants in ways that
concurrently maximize value creation and enhance the shopping experience. Furthermore, through the application of our proprietary developed
AI technology, we can offer consumers a more personalized and targeted rewards offering/experience.
Unique Loyalty Program . Operating
under our hashtag #RewardsOnRewards, we believe our RP program increases user engagement and loyalty. Through consumer redemption and
platform issuance of RP, we believe our system is advantageous to both consumers and merchants.
Attractive Markets . We
currently operate in Malaysia, which according to the IMF is expected to average annual growth rate of 4.5% GDP growth over the next five years. 14
See Part I, Item 1. “Business — Market Opportunity. ”
As we scale our operations, we intend to expand
to other countries in Southeast Asia, which possesses solid economic fundamentals, fast growing middle classes, favorable demographic
trends and accelerating adoption of mobile technology.
14 IMF: https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2023/05/31/pr23191-malaysia-imf-executive-board-concludes-2023-article-iv-consultation-with-malaysia
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Experienced Management Team . Our
executives and directors combine decades of on-the-ground local e-commerce operations and social media marketing experience, as well as
professional expertise in the global finance field.
Our Growth Strategy
Our main goal is focused on the recruitment of
new consumers and the registration of as many merchants as possible in the most efficient way in the shortest amount of time. We
believe that this approach establishes a cycle where more consumers lead to more merchants and more merchants lead to more consumers.
External partnerships play an important part in our business, as we will continue sourcing more delivery partners to offer our merchants
greater flexibility.
Consumer Growth . We
strive to provide consumers with a smarter shopping experience from ordering to receiving goods and services as one seamless process.
Our marketing efforts will focus on attracting consumers by awarding RP upon the execution of successful transactions (where they can
redeem instant rebates).
Merchant Growth . We feel our ZCITY App has the potential to pioneer a generation of
technologically astute “Smart Merchants,” effectively encouraging more merchants to join the technological trend. Apart from
the technological advantages, merchants would be able to gain access to a significant consumer database of nearly 2.7 million registered
users currently for their own brand marketing.
Partner Growth . We
are continuously enhancing the ZCITY App through adding further strategic partnerships. We believe that collaborations will enable merchants
and consumers to have more options to choose from and the delivery speed and rates related to transparency will benefit all parties.
Expansion Growth . With
our proven systems and by leveraging our large network, leading technology, operational excellence, and product expertise, we expect the
ZCITY App to launch and scale our expansion plans to neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Japan, by partnering with
or acquiring local establishments.
Acquisition Growth . In
order to complement our organic growth strategy, we will continue to evaluate investment and acquisition opportunities that will enable
us to become market leaders. Our anticipated investments and acquisitions of other e-commerce platforms in different verticals are expected
to expand our service offerings and attract new consumers and merchants. We expect negotiations with acquisition targets in the e-Commerce
industries. Furthermore, we would expect to finance such acquisitions through internal and potential financings from the stock market.
Strategic Partnerships
We have entered into agreements with various Malaysian
companies i.e.: Touch’nGo e-wallet marketing, iPay88, Boost eWallet, Digi and Grabpay eWallet to provide essential services to our
ZCITY App platform.
Strategic partnerships are vital to our strategy
and operations, as they enable the ZCITY App to offer more value-added services to both our consumers and merchants. Through our partnerships,
we intend to gain low-cost access to our partners’ users, where possible, to drive user conversion. Our marketing approach to acquire
strategic partners focuses on the benefits of brand awareness, stressing the ability to access a larger pool of consumers and clients
while reducing marketing expenses via joint marketing efforts like crossover marketing campaigns, digital marketing and affiliate programs.
Competitive Outlook
We compete with other online platforms and
apps for merchants, who can sell their products/services on other online shopping marketplaces and other food ordering platforms. We
also compete with other e-commerce platforms and apps, fashion and lifestyle retailers and restaurants for the attention of
consumers. Consumers have the choice of shopping with any online or offline retailer, large marketplaces or restaurant chain. We
compete for consumers and merchants based on our ability to deliver a personalized e-commerce experience with an easy-to-use mobile
app, unique cross-business reward system, instant rebate & cashback, and a trusted payment gateway which is both secure and
convenient.
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Within the Malaysian market, we believe the principal
competitors to the ZCITY App to include, but not limited to Fave and Shopback. We have set out below how we perceive the ZCITY App differentiates
our offering from these competitors in the Malaysian market both downstream (services provided to consumers) and upstream (services provided
to merchants).
The information with respect to Fave was obtained
from Fave’s website at https://help.myfave.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000181194-How-do-I-pay-with-FavePay- .
The information with respect to Shop Back was
obtained from Shop Back’s website at https://support.shopback.my/hc/en-us/articles/360037382453-Is-there-a-payment-method-not-eligible-for-Cashback- .
We expect to be able to successfully compete for
merchants based on our unique cross-business reward system, reward points module, instant rebate and cashback program, upcoming new features,
which we expect will build lasting customer loyalty for our merchants, as well as our personalized, data-driven approach to customer engagement,
both of which ensure that our success is aligned with that of our merchants.
Intellectual Property Matters
Our technology and ZCITY App are comprised of
copyrightable and/or patentable subject matter licensed by our Malaysian subsidiaries, ZCITY. Our intellectual property assets include
trade secrets associated with our software platform. We have successfully carried out development of our multilayer cloud-based software
platform based upon our reliance on third parties for payment and reward points deployment. As a result, we can monetize our software
by making it available in locations such as the Apple iOS Store, Google Play Store, Huawei AppGallery and compatible with existing payment
systems depending on the country’s regulatory requirements. We are currently focusing on using our intellectual property in Malaysia
and plan to expand further into Southeast Asia as part of our strategy. The loss of all of these third-party payment facilitators could
not be easily replaced and therefore could materially affect our business and results of operations.
Trademarks . ZCITY
has filed one trademark application stylized as “” with the trademark offices of Malaysia. The name and mark, ZCITY App and
other trade names and service marks of ZCITY in this prospectus are our property.
Patents . ZCITY has
filed one patent application entitled “A Revenue Allocation System” with the Patents Registration Office of Malaysia.
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We manage all our intellectual property
matters in Malaysia including the registration of patents, trademarks, trade names, and service marks in the name of ZCITY, our
subsidiary in Malaysia. While we have not delineated each of our trademarks, the foregoing constitutes our material trademarks.
Without prejudice to the generality of foregoing, ZCITY is, inter alia, the direct owner of the registered trademark
“ZCITY” in connection with artificial intelligence software, electronic payment services, loyalty programs, SaaS
platforms, and other subsets of our business.
Information Technology Protection . All
of our software development professionals are required to sign and are bound by the IT Infrastructure, Security, Email, Intranet Usage
Policy Manual (the “IT Policy Manual”), which governs use of our hardware, software, code, source code, data, computational
data, screen data, analytics dashboards, data displayed on screens, emails, intranet and internet. This IT Policy Manual establishes standard
practices and rules for responsible, safe, and productive use of our intellectual property, information and assets and is expected to
ensure the protection of information and prevention of any misuse.
We have internally implemented the “Active
Directory and VPN” to manage access to our assets in order to prevent any intentional or unintentional leaks of sensitive data,
documentation or information, as well as to prevent users from installing irrelevant software or malware viruses.
Our ZCITY App’s server is hosted on the
AWScloud and is compliant with SOC2, which we believe securely manages our data across six aspects:
● Security — protects the system resources
against unauthorized access. Apply security group rules as security control. Enabled AWS WAF rule for more protection. AWS WAF (Web Application
Firewall) is a managed security service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that helps protect web applications from various web-based
attacks. It acts as a protective layer between your web applications and the internet, allowing you to control and monitor incoming traffic
to your web applications.
● Availability — makes sure the server accessibility
meets the SLA. Regularly review and report on server availability metrics to track performance against SLA targets. Provide transparent
reporting to stakeholders, including customers, about server uptime and downtime. Moreover, continuously monitor and analyze server performance
data (AWS) to identify areas for improvement. Implement optimizations to enhance server availability and performance over time.
● Processing integrity — data process monitoring
couple with quality assurance procedures can help ensure processing integrity.
● Confidentiality — data is encrypted during
network transmission. Subscripted to the cloud flare service, which offers a range of services to protect websites, applications, and
company data.
● Privacy — data collection, use, retention,
disclosure and disposal of personal information in conformity.
● Backup — Enabled AWS Backup service. It helps
you centralize and automate the backup of data across various AWS services and on-premises resources. AWS Backup is designed to be efficient,
scalable, and reliable.
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We practice Disaster Recovery SOP to easily overcome
disaster events efficiently. We have in place a “Disaster Recovery” (“DR”) initiative, which we rely on the “AWS”
cloud facilities to ensure as described below:
The architecture diagram shows how “AWS”
cloud architect is powered by distributed servers and database services across multiple zones to ensure disaster recovery on deployment
across multiple data centers, once the Application Load Balancer (ALB) detects the primary unavailable then it will direct all traffic
to other in-service data centers. 29
The controls for restricting user access to our
system and data, include:
1) User authorization
2) Maintaining the user access log
3) Periodic review user access
4) Revoking user access
5) Managing Privileged User access
6) Separation of Duties to reduce the risk of misuse of client
code and assets
7) Change management, risk management and issue management are
exercised as part of Management Reviews
29 Disaster Recovery — First-in-class automated disaster recovery mechanism with multi-AZ support https://docs.aws.amazon.com/whitepapers/latest/disaster-recovery-workloads-on-aws/disaster-recovery-options-in-the-cloud.html
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Litigation
From time to time, we may become involved in legal
proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We believe that we do not have any pending or threatened litigation which,
individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and/or
cash flows.
Properties
We lease and maintain our offices at located at
276 5 th Avenue, Suite 704 #739, New York, New York 10001 and No.29, Jalan PPU 2A, Taman Perindustrian Pusat Bandar
Puchong, 47100 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia.
Human Capital Resources
As of June 30, 2024, we had a total of 25 full-time employees
and a total of 3 independent contractors and consultants. We engage consultants on an as-needed basis to supplement existing staff.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken an integrated approach to helping our employees manage their work and personal
responsibilities, with a strong focus on employee well-being, health, and safety.
Our human capital resources objectives include,
as applicable, identifying, recruiting, retaining, incentivizing and integrating our existing and new employees, advisors and consultants.
The principal purposes of our equity and cash incentive plans are to attract, retain and reward personnel through the granting of stock-based
and cash-based compensation awards, in order to increase stockholder value and the success of our Company by motivating such individuals
to perform to the best of their abilities and achieve our objectives.
Available Information
Our corporate website address is https://treasureglobal.co .
Our ZCITY website address is https://zcity.io . Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current
Reports on Form 8-K, any amendments to those reports, and registration statements filed or furnished with the SEC, are available
free of charge through our website. We make these materials available through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically
file such materials with, or furnish such materials to, the SEC. The reports filed with the SEC by our executive officers and directors
pursuant to Section 16 under the Exchange Act are also made available, free of charge on our website, as soon as reasonably
practicable after copies of those filings are provided to us by those persons. These materials can be accessed through the “Investors”
section of our website. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
I tem 1a. R isk
Factors.
Investing in our common stock is highly speculative
and involves a significant degree of risk. Before you invest in our securities, you should give careful consideration to the following
risk factors, in addition to the other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our financial statements
and related notes, before deciding whether to invest in our securities. The occurrence of any of the adverse developments described in
the following risk factors could materially and adversely harm our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.
In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Business
There is substantial doubt about our ability
to continue as a going concern.
We have incurred substantial operating losses since our inception. For
the year ended June 30, 2024, we had approximately $200,013 cash on hand, an accumulated deficit of approximately $38.0 million
at June 30, 2024, a net loss of approximately $6.59 million for the year ended June 30, 2024, and approximately $4.7 million
net cash used by operating activities for the year ended June 30, 2024. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been
prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of
business. We anticipate incurring additional losses until such time, if ever, that we will be able to effectively market our products.
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Also, we will seek to obtain additional capital
through the sale of debt or equity financing or other arrangements to fund operations; however, there can be no assurance that we will
be able to raise needed capital under acceptable terms, if at all. The sale of additional equity may dilute existing stockholders and
newly issued shares may contain senior rights and preferences compared to currently outstanding shares of common stock. Issued debt securities
may contain covenants and limit our ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to stockholders. If we are unable to obtain such
additional financing, future operations would need to be scaled back or discontinued. Due to these factors, management believes that there
is substantial doubt in our ability to continue as a going concern for twelve months from the issuance of these consolidated financial
statements.
If we have insufficient capital to operate our
business under our current business plan, we have contingency plans for our business that include, among other things, the delay of the
introduction of new products and a reduction in headcount which is expected to substantially reduce revenue growth and delay our profitability.
There can be no assurance that our implementation of these contingency plans will not have a material adverse effect on our business.
We have a limited operating history in an
evolving industry, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and may increase the risk that we will not be successful.
We have a limited operating history on which to
base an evaluation of our business and prospects. We are subject to all the risks inherent in a small company seeking to develop, market
and distribute new services, particularly companies in evolving markets such as the internet, technology and payment systems. The likelihood
of our success must be considered, in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays frequently encountered in
connection with the development, introduction, marketing and distribution of new products and services in a competitive environment.
Such risks for us include, but are not limited
to, dependence on the success and acceptance of our services, the ability to attract and retain a suitable client base and the management
of growth. To address these risks, we must, among other things, generate increased demand, attract a sufficient clientele base, respond
to competitive developments, increase the “ZCITY” brand names’ visibility, successfully introduce new services, attract,
retain and motivate qualified personnel and upgrade and enhance our technologies to accommodate expanded service offerings. In view of
the rapidly evolving nature of our business and our limited operating history, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating
results are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance.
We are therefore subject to many of the risks
common to early-stage enterprises, including under-capitalization, cash shortages, limitations with respect to personnel, financial and
other resources and lack of revenues.
If we fail to raise capital when needed
it will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have limited revenue-producing operations and
will require the proceeds from our recently concluded offering to execute our full business plan. We believe the proceeds from our previous
offering will be sufficient to cover our funding needs until part way through the first calendar quarter of 2025. Further, no assurance
can be given if additional capital is needed as to how much additional capital will be required or that additional financing can be obtained,
or if obtainable, that the terms will be satisfactory to us, or that such financing would not result in a substantial dilution of shareholder
interest. A failure to raise capital when needed would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of operations. In addition, debt and other equity financing may involve a pledge of assets and may be senior to interests of equity holders.
Any debt financing secured in the future could involve restrictive covenants relating to capital raising activities and other financial
and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital or to pursue business opportunities, including
potential acquisitions. If adequate funds are not obtained, we may be required to reduce, curtail or discontinue operations.
None of our material contracts are long
term and if not renewed could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We have entered into material contracts with a
number of companies that directly or indirectly provide the goods and services that appear on our ZCITY App. The majority of these contracts
can be terminated by any party with 30 days’ notice. The contract with iPay88 (the “iPay88 Agreement”), which provides
the payment gateway for many of the brands that can be accessed through the ZCITY App, has no termination clause which means that iPay88
could terminate the iPay88 Agreement without any notice. If one or more of these contracts were not renewed or were terminated and we were not able to enter into
agreements with others that could replace these services, the ZCITY App could lose material features and in turn we could find it harder
to maintain and grow our user base, which would have a material adverse effect on our business. For a description of these material contracts
See “ Business — About ZCITY App .”
21
We rely on email, internet search engines
and application marketplaces to drive traffic to our ZCITY App, certain providers of which offer products and services that compete directly
with our products. If links to our applications and website are not displayed prominently, traffic to our ZCITY App could decline and
our business would be adversely affected.
Email continues to be a verification source of
organic traffic for us. If email providers or internet service providers implement new or more restrictive email or content delivery or
accessibility policies, including with respect to net neutrality, it may become more difficult to deliver emails to our users or for user
verification process. For example, certain email providers, including Google, categorize our emails as “promotional,” and
these emails are directed to an alternate, and less readily accessible, section of a users’ inbox. If email providers materially
limit or halt the delivery of our emails, or if we fail to deliver emails to users in a manner compatible with email providers’
email handling or authentication technologies, our ability to contact users through email could be significantly restricted. In addition,
if we are placed on “spam” lists or lists of entities that have been involved in sending unwanted, unsolicited emails, marketing
campaigns and business updates could be substantially harmed.
We rely heavily on Internet search engines, such
as Google, to drive traffic to our ZCITY App through their unpaid search results and on application marketplaces to drive downloads of
our applications. Although search results and application marketplaces have allowed us to attract a large audience with low organic traffic
acquisition costs to date, if they fail to drive sufficient traffic to our ZCITY App, we may need to increase our marketing spend to acquire
additional traffic. We cannot assure you that the value we ultimately derive from any such additional traffic would exceed the cost of
acquisition, and any increase in marketing expense may in turn harm our operating results.
The amount of traffic we attract from search engines
is due in large part to how and where information from and links to our website are displayed on search engine result pages. The display,
including rankings, of unpaid search results can be affected by a number of factors, many of which are not in our direct control, and
may change frequently. Search engines have made changes in the past to their ranking algorithms, methodologies and design layouts that
may have reduced the prominence of links to our ZCITY App and negatively impacted our traffic, and we expect they will continue to make
such changes from time to time in the future. Similarly, marketplace operators may make changes to their marketplaces that make access
to our products more difficult. For example, our applications may receive unfavorable treatment compared to the promotion and placement
of competing applications, such as the order in which they appear within marketplaces.
We may not know how or otherwise be in a position
to influence search results or our treatment in application marketplaces. With respect to search results in particular, even when search
engines announce the details of their methodologies, their parameters may change from time to time, be poorly defined or be inconsistently
interpreted. For example, Google previously announced that the rankings of sites showing certain types of app install interstitials could
be penalized on its mobile search results pages. While we believe the type of interstitial we currently use is not being penalized, we
cannot guarantee that Google will not unexpectedly penalize our app install interstitials, causing links to our mobile website to be featured
less prominently in Google’s mobile search results and harming traffic to our ZCITY App as a result.
In some instances, search engine companies and
application marketplaces may change their displays or rankings in order to promote their own competing products or services or the products
or services of one or more of our competitors. For example, Google has integrated its local product offering with certain of its products,
including search and maps. The resulting promotion of Google’s own competing products in its web search results has negatively impacted
the search ranking of our website. Because Google in particular is the most significant source of traffic to our website, accounting for
a substantial portion of the visits to our website, our success depends on our ability to maintain a prominent presence in search results
for queries regarding local businesses on Google. As a result, Google’s promotion of its own competing products, or similar actions
by Google in the future that have the effect of reducing our prominence or ranking on its search results, could have a substantial negative
effect on our business and results of operations.
22
The ecommerce market is highly competitive
and if we do not have sufficient resources to maintain research and development, marketing, sales and client support efforts on a competitive
basis our business could be adversely affected.
The internet-based ecommerce business is highly
competitive and we compete with several different types of companies that offer some form of user-vendor connection experience, as well
as marketing data companies. Certain of these competitors may have greater industry experience or financial and other resources than us.
To become and remain competitive, we will require
research and development, marketing, sales and client support. We may not have sufficient resources to maintain research and development,
marketing, sales and client support efforts on a competitive basis which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations. We intend to differentiate ourselves from competitors by developing a payments platform that allows
consumers and merchants to accept and use bonus points.
The market for consumer’s lifestyle is rapidly
evolving and intensely competitive, and we expect competition to intensify further in the future. There is no guarantee that any factors
that differentiate us from our competitors will give us a market advantage or continue to be a differentiating factor for us in the foreseeable
future. Competitive pressures created by our direct or indirect competitors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results
of operations and financial condition.
The market for our ZCITY App is new and
unproven.
We were founded in 2020 and ZCITY was founded
in 2017 and since our inception have been creating products for the developing and rapidly evolving market for API-based software platforms,
a market that is largely unproven and is subject to a number of inherent risks and uncertainties. We believe that our future success will
depend in large part on the growth, if any, in the market for software platforms that provide features and functionality to create the
entire lifestyle ecosystem. It is difficult to predict customer adoption and renewal rates, customer demand for our solutions, the size
and growth rate of the overall market that our ZCITY App addresses, the entry of competitive products or the success of existing competitive
products. Any expansion of the market our ZCITY App addresses depends upon a number of factors, including the cost, performance and perceived
value associated with such solutions. If the market our ZCITY App addresses does not achieve significant additional growth or there is
a reduction in demand for such solutions caused by a lack of customer acceptance, technological challenges, competing technologies and
products or decreases in corporate spending, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
If we are unable to expand our systems or
develop or acquire technologies to accommodate increased volume or an increased variety of operating systems, networks and devices broadly
used in the marketplace our ZCITY App could be impaired.
We seek to generate a high volume of traffic and
transactions through our technologies. Accordingly, the satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our website and platform,
processing systems and network infrastructure are critical to our reputation and our ability to attract and retain large numbers of users
who transact sales on our platform through a variety of operating systems, networks and devices while maintaining adequate customer service
levels. Our revenues depend, in substantial way, on the volume of user transactions that are successfully completed. Any system interruptions
that result in the unavailability of our service or reduced customer activity would ultimately reduce the volume of transactions completed.
Interruptions of service may also diminish the attractiveness of our company and our services. Any substantial increase in the volume
of traffic on our ZCITY App, the number of transactions being conducted by customers or substantial increase in the variety of operating
systems, networks or devices that are broadly used in the market will require us to expand and upgrade our technology, transaction processing
systems and network infrastructure. There can be no assurance that we will be able to accurately project the rate or timing of increases,
if any, in the use of the ZCITY App or timely expand and upgrade our systems and infrastructure to accommodate such increases or increases
in the variety of operating systems, networks or devices in a timely manner. Any failure to expand or upgrade our systems could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
23
We use internally developed systems to
operate our service and for transaction processing. We must continually enhance and improve these systems in order to accommodate
the level of use of our products and services and increase our security. Furthermore, in the future, we may add new features and
functionality to our services that would result in the need to develop or license additional technologies. Our inability to add new
software and hardware to develop and further upgrade our existing technology, transaction processing systems or network
infrastructure to accommodate increased traffic on our platforms or increased transaction volume through our processing systems or
to accommodate new operating systems, networks or devices broadly used in the marketplace or to provide new features or
functionality may cause unanticipated system disruptions, slower response times, degradation in levels of customer service, impaired
quality of the user’s experience on our service, and delays in reporting accurate financial information. There can be no
assurance that we will be able in a timely manner to effectively upgrade and expand our systems or to integrate smoothly any newly
developed or purchased technologies with our existing systems. Any inability to do so would have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations and financial condition.
As we increase our reliance on cloud-based
applications and platforms to operate and deliver our products and services, any disruption or interference with these platforms could
adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on cloud-based applications and platforms
for critical business functions. We also are migrating a significant portion of our computing infrastructure to third party hosted cloud-based
computing platforms. If we are not able to complete this migration on our expected timeline, we could incur additional costs. Further,
these migrations can be risky and may cause disruptions to the availability of our products due to service outages, downtime or other
unforeseen issues that could increase our costs. We also may be subject to additional risk of cybersecurity breaches or other improper
access to our data or confidential information during or following migrations to cloud-based computing platforms. In addition, cloud computing
services may operate differently than anticipated when introduced or when new versions or enhancements are released. As we increase our
reliance on cloud-based computing services, our exposure to damage from service interruptions may increase. In the event any such issues
arise; it may be difficult for us to switch our operations from our primary cloud-based providers to alternative providers. Further, any
such transition could involve significant time and expense and could negatively impact our ability to deliver our products and services,
which could harm our financial condition and results of operations.
Our failure to successfully market our ZCITY
App could result in adverse financial consequences.
We believe that continuing to strengthen our ZCITY
App is critical to achieving our widespread acceptance, particularly in light of the competitive nature of our market. Promoting and positioning
our ZCITY App will depend largely on the success of our marketing efforts and our ability to provide high quality services. In order to
promote our ZCITY App, we will need to increase our marketing budget and otherwise increase our financial commitment to creating and maintaining
brand loyalty among users. There can be no assurance that ZCITY App promotion activities will yield increased revenues or that any such
revenues would offset the expenses incurred by us in building our ZCITY App. Further, there can be no assurance that any new users attracted
to us will conduct transactions over the ZCITY App on a regular basis. If we fail to promote and maintain our brand or incur substantial
expenses in an attempt to promote and maintain our brand or if our existing or future strategic relationships fail to promote the ZCITY
App or increase awareness, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially adversely affected.
We may not be able to successfully develop
and promote new products or services which could result in adverse financial consequences.
We plan to expand our operations by developing
and promoting new or complementary services, products or transaction formats or expanding the breadth and depth of services. There can
be no assurance that we will be able to expand our operations in a cost-effective or timely manner or that any such efforts will maintain
or increase overall market acceptance. Furthermore, any new business or service launched by us that is not favorably received by consumers
could damage our reputation and diminish the value of our brand. Expansion of our operations in this manner would also require significant
additional expenses and development, operations and other resources and would strain our management, financial and operational resources.
The lack of market acceptance of such services or our inability to generate satisfactory revenues from such expanded services to offset
their cost could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, if we are unable to keep up with
changes in technology and new hardware, software and services offerings, for example, by providing the appropriate training to out account
managers, sales technology specialists, engineers and consultants to enable them to effectively sell and deliver such new offerings to
customers, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be adversely affected.
24
A decline in the demand for goods and services
of the merchants included in the ZCITY App could result in adverse financial consequences.
We expect to derive most of our revenues from
fees from successfully completed transactions on our consumer facing platforms. Our future revenues will depend upon continued demand
for the types of goods and services that are offered by the merchants that are included on such platforms. Any decline in demand for the
goods offered through our services as a result of changes in consumer trends could have a material adverse effect on our business, results
of operations and financial condition.
The effective operation of our platform
is dependent on technical infrastructure and certain third-party service providers.
Our ability to attract, retain and serve customers
is dependent upon the reliable performance of our ZCITY App and the underlying technical infrastructure. We may fail to effectively scale
and grow our technical infrastructure to accommodate these increased demands. In addition, our business will be reliant upon third party
partners such as financial service providers and cash-out providers, payment terminals and equipment providers. Any disruption or failure
in the services from third party partners used to facilitate our business could harm our business. Any financial or other difficulties
these partners face may adversely affect our business, and we exercise little control over these partners, which increases vulnerability
to problems with the services they provide.
There is no assurance that we will be profitable.
There is no assurance that we will earn profits
in the future or that profitability will be sustained. There is no assurance that future revenues will be sufficient to generate the funds
required to continue our business development and marketing activities. If we do not have sufficient capital to fund our operations, we
may be required to reduce our sales and marketing efforts or forego certain business opportunities.
We could lose the right to the use of our
domain names.
We have registered domain names for our website
that we use in our business. If we lose the ability to use a domain name, whether due to trademark claims, failure to renew the applicable
registration, or any other cause, we may be forced to market our products under a new domain name, which could cause us substantial harm,
or to incur significant expense in order to purchase rights to the domain name in question. In addition, our competitors and others could
attempt to capitalize on our brand recognition by using domain names similar to ours, especially in light of our expected expansion in
SEA countries and East Asia. Domain names similar to ours may be registered in the United States and elsewhere. We may be unable
to prevent third parties from acquiring and using domain names that infringe on, are similar to, or otherwise decrease the value of our
brand or our trademarks or service marks. Protecting and enforcing our rights in our domain names may require litigation, which could
result in substantial costs and diversion of management’s attention.
We may be required to expend resources to
protect ZCITY App information or we may be unable to launch our services.
From time to time, other companies may copy information
from our ZCITY App, through website scraping, robots or other means, and publish or aggregate it with other information for their own
benefit. We have no assurance other companies will not copy, publish or aggregate content from our ZCITY App in the future. When third
parties copy, publish or aggregate content from our ZCITY App, it makes them more competitive, and decreases the likelihood that consumers
will visit our website or use our mobile app to find the information they seek, which could negatively affect our business, results of
operations and financial condition. We may not be able to detect such third-party conduct in a timely manner and, even if we could, we
may not be able to prevent it. In some cases, particularly in the case of websites operating outside of the United States, our available
remedies may be inadequate to protect us against such practices. In addition, we may be required to expend significant financial or other
resources to successfully enforce our rights.
25
Breaches of our online commerce security
could occur and could have an adverse effect on our reputation.
A significant barrier to online commerce and communications
is the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks. There can be no assurance that advances in computer capabilities,
new discoveries in the field of cryptography and cybersecurity or other events or developments will not result in a compromise or breach
of the technology used by us to protect customer transaction data. If any such compromise of our security were to occur, it could have
a material adverse effect on our reputation and, therefore, on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore,
a party who is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in our operations.
We may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to protect against such security breaches or to alleviate problems
caused by such breaches. Concerns over the security of transactions conducted on the Internet and other online services and the privacy
of users may also inhibit the growth of the Internet and other online services generally, and the Web in particular, especially as a means
of conducting commercial transactions. To the extent that our activities involve the storage and transmission of proprietary information,
security breaches could damage our reputation and expose us to a risk of loss or litigation and possible liability. There can be no assurance
that our security measures will prevent security breaches or that failure to prevent such security breaches will not have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may not have the ability to manage our
growth.
We anticipate that significant expansion will
be required to address potential growth in our customer base and market opportunities. Our anticipated expansion is expected to place
a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources. To manage any material growth of our operations and personnel,
we may be required to improve existing operational and financial systems, procedures and controls and to expand, train and manage our
employee base. There can be no assurance that our planned personnel, systems, procedures and controls will be adequate to support our
future operations, that management will be able to hire, train, retain, motivate and manage required personnel or that our management
will be able to successfully identify, manage and exploit existing and potential market opportunities. If we are unable to manage growth
effectively, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
We rely on the performance of highly skilled
personnel, and if we are unable to attract, retain and motivate well-qualified employees, our business could be harmed.
We are, and will be, heavily dependent on the
skill, acumen and services of our management and other employees. Our future success depends on our continuing ability to attract, develop,
motivate and retain highly qualified and skilled employees. Qualified individuals are in high demand, and we may incur significant costs
to attract them. In addition, the loss of any of our senior management or key employees could materially adversely affect our ability
to execute our business plan, and we may not be able to find adequate replacements. All of our officers and employees are at-will employees,
which means they may terminate their employment relationship with us at any time, and their knowledge of our business and industry would
be extremely difficult to replace. We cannot ensure that we will be able to retain the services of any members of our senior management
or other key employees. If we do not succeed in attracting well-qualified employees or retaining and motivating existing employees, our
business could be harmed.
Illegal use of our ZCITY App could result
in adverse consequences to us.
Despite measures we will implement to detect and
prevent identify theft or other fraud, our ZCITY App remains susceptible to potentially illegal or improper uses. Despite measures we
will take to detect and lessen the risk of this kind of conduct, we cannot assure that these measures will succeed. Our business could
suffer if customers use the ZCITY App for illegal or improper purposes.
If merchants on our ZCITY App are operating illegally,
we could be subject to civil and criminal lawsuits, administrative action and prosecution for, among other things, money laundering or
for aiding and abetting violations of law. We would lose the revenues associated with these accounts and could be subject to material
penalties and fines, both of which would seriously harm our business.
26
We are subject to certain risks by virtue
of our international operations.
We operate and expand internationally. We expect
to expand our international operations significantly by accessing new markets abroad and expanding our offerings in new languages: not
less than all languages in SEA countries and Japan. Our platform is now available in English and several other languages. However, we
may have difficulty modifying our technology and content for use in non-English-speaking markets or fostering new communities in non-English-speaking
markets. Our ability to manage our business and conduct our operations internationally requires considerable management attention and
resources, and is subject to the particular challenges of supporting a rapidly growing business in an environment of multiple languages,
cultures, customs, legal systems, alternative dispute systems, regulatory systems and commercial infrastructures. Furthermore, in most
international markets, we would not be the first entrant, and our competitors may be better positioned than we are to succeed. Expanding
internationally may subject us to risks that we have either not faced before or increase our exposure to risks that we currently face,
including risks associated with:
● recruiting and retaining qualified, multi-lingual employees,
including customer support personnel;
● increased competition from local websites and guides and
potential preferences by local populations for local providers;
● compliance with applicable foreign laws and regulations,
including different privacy, censorship and liability standards and regulations and different intellectual property laws;
● providing solutions in different languages for different
cultures, which may require that we modify our solutions and features to ensure that they are culturally relevant in different countries;
● the enforceability of our intellectual property rights;
● credit risk and higher levels of payment fraud;
● compliance with anti-bribery laws;
● currency exchange rate fluctuations;
● foreign exchange controls that might prevent us from repatriating
cash earned outside the United States;
● political and economic instability in some countries;
● double taxation of our international earnings and potentially
adverse tax consequences due to changes in the tax laws of the United States or the foreign jurisdictions in which we operate; and
● higher costs of doing business internationally.
We do not have liability business interruption,
litigation or natural disaster insurance.
We do not have any business liability, disruption
insurance or any other forms of insurance coverage for our operations in Malaysia because our business is still in planning and early
stage. Any potential liability, business interruption, litigation or natural disaster may result in our business incurring substantial
costs and the diversion of resources.
The economy of Malaysia in general might
not grow as quickly as expected, which could adversely affect our revenues and business prospects.
Our business and prospects depend on the continuing
development of the economy in Malaysia. We cannot assure you that the Malaysian economy will continue to grow at the same pace as in the
past. Economic growth is determined by countless factors, and it is extremely difficult to predict with any level of absolute certainty.
In the event that the Malaysian economy suffers, demand for the services and/or products of our wholly owned subsidiaries may diminish,
which would in turn result in decreased likelihood of profitability. This could in turn result in a substantial need for restructuring
of our business objectives and could result in a partial or entire loss of an investment in our Company.
27
We face the risk that changes in the policies
of the Malaysian government could have a significant impact upon the business we may be able to conduct in Malaysia and the profitability
of such business.
Policies of the Malaysian government can have
significant effects on the economic conditions of Malaysia. A change in policies by the Malaysian government could adversely affect our
interests by, among other factors: changes in laws, regulations or the interpretation thereof, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on
currency conversion, imports or sources of supplies or the expropriation or nationalization of private enterprises. We cannot assure you
that the government will continue to pursue current policies or that such policies may not be significantly altered, especially in the
event of a change in leadership, social or political disruption, or other circumstances affecting Malaysia’s political, economic
and social environment.
We are subject to foreign exchange control
policies in Malaysia.
The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends
or make other payments to us may be restricted by the foreign exchange control policies in the countries where we operate. For example,
there are foreign exchange policies in Malaysia which support the monitoring of capital flows into and out of the country in order to
preserve its financial and economic stability. The foreign exchange policies are administered by the Foreign Exchange Administration,
an arm of Bank Negara Malaysia (“BNM”), the central bank of Malaysia. The foreign exchange policies monitor and regulate both
residents and non-residents. Under the current Foreign Exchange Administration rules issued by BNM, non-residents are free to repatriate
any amount of funds from Malaysia in foreign currency other than the currency of Israel at any time (subject to limited exceptions), including
capital, divestment proceeds, profits, dividends, rental, fees and interest arising from investment in Malaysia, subject to any withholding
tax. In the event BNM or any other country where we operate introduces any restrictions in the future, we may be affected in our ability
to repatriate dividends or other payments from our subsidiaries in Malaysia or in such other countries. Since we are a holding company
and rely principally on dividends and other payments from our subsidiaries for our cash requirements, any restrictions on such dividends
or other payments could materially and adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
Malaysia is experiencing substantial inflationary
pressures which may prompt the governments to take action to control the growth of the economy and inflation that could lead to a significant
decrease in our profitability.
While the Malaysian economy has experienced rapid
growth over the last two decades, they have also experienced inflationary pressures. As governments take steps to address inflationary
pressures, there may be significant changes in the availability of bank credits, interest rates, limitations on loans, restrictions on
currency conversions and foreign investment. There also may be imposition of price controls. If our revenues rise at a rate that is insufficient
to compensate for the rise in our costs, it may have an adverse effect on our profitability. If these or other similar restrictions are
imposed by a government to influence the economy, it may lead to a slowing of economic growth, which may harm our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
If inflation increases significantly in
SEA countries, our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects could be materially and adversely affected.
Should inflation in SEA countries, including Malaysia,
increase significantly, our costs, including our staff costs are expected to increase. Furthermore, high inflation rates could have an
adverse effect on the countries’ economic growth, business climate and dampen consumer purchasing power. As a result, a high inflation
rate in SEA countries, including Malaysia, could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition
and prospects.
Any potential disruption in and other risks
relating to our merchants’ supply chain could increase the costs of their products or services to consumers, potentially causing
consumers to limit their spending or seek products or services from alternative businesses that may not be registered as a merchant with
us, which may ultimately affect the total number of users using our platform and harm our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Our offline and online merchants obtain
their products, or the raw materials comprised of their products or used in their services, from manufacturers and distributors
located around the world, and may have entered into long-term contracts or exclusive agreements that would ensure their ability to
acquire the types and quantities of products or raw materials they desire at acceptable prices and in a timely manner. Any potential
disruption in and other risks relating to the offline or online merchants’ supply chain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
or Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, could increase the costs of their products or services to consumers, potentially causing
consumers to limit their spending or seek products or services from alternative businesses that may not be registered as a merchant
with us, which may ultimately affect the total number of users using our platform and harm our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
28
Our business will be exposed to foreign
exchange risk.
We derive most of our revenue from the operations
of our ZCITY App in Malaysia and expect to derive our revenue from Malaysia, other SEA countries and Japan in the future. Our functional
currencies will by necessity be the currencies of the countries of SEA and Japan. Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. We translate
our results of operations using the average exchange rate for the period, unless the average is not a reasonable approximation of the
cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case income and expenses are translated at the rate on the
dates of the transactions, and we translate our financial position at the period-end exchange rate. Accordingly, any significant fluctuation
between the currencies of countries of SEA and Japan on the one hand and the U.S. dollar on the other could expose us to foreign
exchange risk.
Some of the currencies of the countries of SEA
are not freely convertible. The foreign exchange management regime of many SEA countries has transitioned from a system of fixed multiple
exchange rates controlled by the state banks to a system of flexible exchange rates regulated largely by market forces, though transfers
of currency is regulated and controlled in some countries. A significant depreciation in many of the currencies of countries of SEA against
major foreign currencies may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition because our reporting
currency is the U.S. dollar. There can be no assurance, that the governments will continue to relax their foreign exchange regulations,
that they will maintain the same foreign exchange policy or that there will be sufficient foreign currency available in the market for
currency conversions. If, in the future, the regulations restrict our ability to convert local currencies or there is insufficient foreign
currency available in the market, we may be unable to meet any foreign currency payment obligations.
Fluctuations in exchange rates in the Malaysian
Ringgit (“RM”) could adversely affect our business and the value of our securities.
The value of the RM against the U.S. dollar
and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in Malaysia’s political and economic conditions.
The value of our common stock will be indirectly affected by the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollars and RM and between those
currencies and other currencies in which our revenue may be denominated. Appreciation or depreciation in the value of the RM relative
to the U.S. dollar would affect our financial results reported in U.S. dollar terms without giving effect to any underlying
change in our business or results of operations. As we rely entirely on revenues earned in Malaysia, any significant revaluation of RM
may materially and adversely affect our cash flows, revenues and financial condition. For example, to the extent that we need to convert
U.S. dollars we receive from an offering of our securities into RM for our operations, appreciation of the RM against the U.S. dollar
could cause the RM equivalent of U.S. dollars to be reduced and therefore could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations. Conversely, if we decide to convert our RM into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making dividend
payments on our common stock or for other business purposes and the U.S. dollar appreciates against the RM, the U.S. dollar
equivalent of the RM we convert would be reduced. In addition, the depreciation of significant U.S. dollar denominated assets could
result in a change to our operations and a reduction in the value of these assets.
We may not be able to maintain the listing
of our common stock on Nasdaq, which could adversely affect our liquidity and the trading volume and market price of our common stock
and decrease or eliminate your investment.
On August 17, 2023, we received a
letter from Nasdaq notifying us that we were no longer in compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement for continued
listing on Nasdaq under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). Although Nasdaq has granted us 180 calendar days, or until
February 13, 2024, to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule. On February 27, 2024, the Company effected a 1:70 reverse stock split of
its shares of common stock. On March 20, 2024, the Company received a letter from the Panel informing the Company that since the common
stock of the Company had traded at $1.00 per share or greater for a 10 consecutive business day period between February 27, 2024 and March
20, 2024. Accordingly, the Company has regained compliance with the Bid Price Rule and this matter is closed. However, there can be no
assurance that we will continue to be in compliance and Nasdaq could make a determination to issue another notice regarding such incompliance.
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Any delisting determination by Nasdaq could
seriously decrease or eliminate the value of an investment in our common stock and other securities linked to our common stock.
While a listing on an over-the-counter exchange could maintain some degree of a market in our common stock, we could face
substantial material adverse consequences, including, but not limited to, the following: limited availability for market quotations
for our common stock; reduced liquidity with respect to and decreased trading prices of our common stock; a determination that
shares of our common stock are “penny stock” under the SEC rules, subjecting brokers trading our common stock to more
stringent rules on disclosure and the class of investors to which the broker may sell the common stock; limited news and analyst
coverage for our Company, in part due to the “penny stock” rules; decreased ability to issue additional securities or
obtain additional financing in the future; and potential breaches under or terminations of our agreements with current or
prospective large stockholders, strategic investors and banks. The perception among investors that we are at heightened risk of
delisting could also negatively affect the market price of our securities and trading volume of our common stock.
Geopolitical conditions, including acts
of war or terrorism or unrest in the regions in which we operate could adversely affect our business.
Most of our operations and business activities
are conducted in Malaysia, whose economy and legal system remain susceptible to risks associated with an emerging economy and which is
subject to higher geopolitical risks than developed countries. Social and political unrest could give rise to various risks, such as loss
of employment and safety and security risks to persons and property. Additionally, our operations could be disrupted by acts of war, terrorist
activity or other similar events, including the current or anticipated impact of military conflict and related sanctions imposed on Russia,
Belarus and certain individuals and entities connected to Russian or Belarusian political, business, and financial organizations by the
United States and other countries due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It is not possible to predict
the broader consequences of the conflict, including related geopolitical tensions, and the measures and retaliatory actions taken by the
U.S. and other countries in respect thereof as well as any counter measures or retaliatory actions by Russia or Belarus in response,
including, for example, potential cyberattacks or the disruption of energy exports, is likely to cause regional instability, geopolitical
shifts, and could materially adversely affect global trade, currency exchange rates, regional economies and the global economy. Any such
event may in turn have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position.
Because our principal assets are located
outside of the United States and all of our directors and all our officers reside outside of the United States, it may be difficult
for you to enforce your rights based on U.S. Federal Securities Laws against us and our officers and directors or to enforce a judgment
of a United States court against us or our officers and directors.
All of our directors and officers reside outside
of the United States. In addition, substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. It may therefore
be difficult for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal
securities laws against us in the courts of either the U.S. or Malaysia and, even if civil judgments are obtained in U.S. courts,
to enforce such judgments in Malaysian courts.
Our failure to maintain effective internal
controls over financial reporting could have an adverse impact on us.
We are required to establish and maintain appropriate
internal controls over financial reporting. Failure to establish those controls, or any failure of those controls once established, could
adversely impact our public disclosures regarding our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, management’s
assessment of internal controls over financial reporting may identify weaknesses and conditions that need to be addressed in our internal
controls over financial reporting or other matters that may raise concerns for investors. Any actual or perceived weaknesses and conditions
that need to be addressed in our internal control over financial reporting, disclosure of management’s assessment of our internal
controls over financial reporting or disclosure of our public accounting firm’s attestation to or report on management’s assessment
of our internal controls over financial reporting may have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.
In preparing our consolidated financial statements as of and for the
year ended June 30, 2024, we and our independent registered public accounting firms identified 2 material weaknesses and other
control deficiencies including significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in the standards
established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies,
in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s
annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
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The material weaknesses identified included the
following: (1) Inadequate U.S. GAAP expertise. The current accounting staff is inexperienced in applying U.S. GAAP standard
as they are primarily engaged in ensuring compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) accounting
and reporting requirement for our consolidated operating entities, and thus require substantial training. The current staff’s accounting
skills and understanding as to how to fulfill the requirements of U.S. GAAP-based reporting, including subsidiary financial statements
consolidation, are inadequate; and (2) Inadequate internal audit function. We lack of a functional internal audit department or personnel
that monitors the consistencies of the preventive internal control procedures and lack of adequate policies and procedures in internal
audit function to ensure that our policies and procedures have been carried out as planned.
Following the identification of the material weaknesses
and control deficiencies, we plan to take remedial measures including (i) hiring more qualified accounting personnel with relevant
U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting experience and qualifications to strengthen the financial reporting function and to set up a financial
and system control framework; (ii) implementing regular and continuous U.S. GAAP accounting and financial reporting training
programs for our accounting and financial reporting personnel; (iii) establishing internal audit function by engaging an external
consulting firm to assist us with assessment of Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance requirements and improvement of overall internal control;
and (iv) strengthening corporate governance. However, the implementation of these measures may not fully address the material weaknesses
in our internal control over financial reporting. Our failure to correct the material weaknesses or our failure to discover and address
any other material weaknesses or control deficiencies could result in inaccuracies in our consolidated financial statements and could
also impair our ability to comply with applicable financial reporting requirements and related regulatory filings on a timely basis. As
a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of our common stocks, may
be materially and adversely affected. Moreover, ineffective internal control over financial reporting significantly hinders our ability
to prevent fraud.
A control system, no matter how well conceived
and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. In addition, the
design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefit of controls must be relative to
their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no system of controls can provide absolute assurance that all
control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities
that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Further, controls can
be circumvented by individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more persons, or by management override of the controls. The
design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be
no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, a control may
become inadequate because of changes in conditions or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of
inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and may not be detected.
If we fail to have effective controls and procedures
for financial reporting in place, we could be unable to provide timely and accurate financial information which could result in an investigation
by the SEC and civil or criminal sanctions; investors losing confidence in the accuracy of our periodic reports filed under the Exchange Act;
and a decline in our stock price.
We are an “emerging growth company”
under the JOBS Act and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our
common stock less attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging growth company,”
as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are not applicable
to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply
with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive
compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote
on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We cannot predict if investors
will find our common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive
as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.
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In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act
also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of
the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other
words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise
apply to private companies. We have chosen to take advantage of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting
standards.
We will remain an “emerging growth company”
until the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our common stock pursuant
to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, although we will lose that status sooner if our revenues exceed $1.235 billion,
if we issue more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt in a three year period, or if the market value of our common stock that
is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
The elimination of personal liability against
our directors and officers under Delaware law and the existence of indemnification rights held by our directors, officers and employees
may result in substantial expenses.
Our certificate of incorporation, as amended (“Certificate
of Incorporation”) eliminates the personal liability of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders for damages for breach
of fiduciary duty as a director or officer to the extent permissible under Delaware law. Further, our bylaws (“Bylaws”) provide
that we are obligated to indemnify each of our directors or officers to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware law and, subject
to certain conditions, advance the expenses incurred by any director or officer in defending any action, suit or proceeding prior to its
final disposition. Those indemnification obligations could expose us to substantial expenditures to cover the cost of settlement or damage
awards against our directors or officers, which we may be unable to afford. Further, those provisions and resulting costs may discourage
us or our stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against any of our current or former directors or officers for breaches of their fiduciary
duties, even if such actions might otherwise benefit our stockholders.
We have not paid dividends in the past and
do not expect to pay dividends in the future, and any return on investment may be limited to the value of our stock.
We have never paid cash dividends on our common
stock and do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain any future
earnings to support the development of our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Our payment
of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board after taking into account various factors, including, but not limited to,
our financial condition, operating results, cash needs, growth plans and the terms of any credit agreements that we may be a party to
at the time. In addition, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock may be limited by Delaware state law. Accordingly, investors
must rely on sales of their common stock after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize a return on their
investment. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our common stock.
Regulatory Risks
Failure to comply with laws and regulations
applicable to our business could subject us to fines and penalties and could also cause us to lose customers or otherwise harm our business.
Our business is subject to regulation by various
governmental agencies in Malaysia, including agencies responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with various legal obligations,
such as privacy and data protection-related laws and regulations, intellectual property laws, employment and labor laws, workplace safety,
governmental trade laws, import and export controls, anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws, and tax laws and regulations. These laws and
regulations impose added costs on our business. Noncompliance with applicable regulations or requirements could subject us to:
● investigations, enforcement actions, and sanctions;
● mandatory changes to our network and products;
● disgorgement of profits, fines, and damages;
● civil and criminal penalties or injunctions;
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● claims for damages by our customers or channel partners;
● termination of contracts;
● failure to obtain, maintain or renew certain licenses, approvals,
permits, registrations or filings necessary to conduct our operations; and
● temporary or permanent debarment from sales to public service
organizations.
If any governmental sanctions are imposed, or
if we do not prevail in any possible civil or criminal litigation, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be
adversely affected. In addition, responding to any action will likely result in a significant diversion of our management’s attention
and resources and an increase in professional fees. Enforcement actions and sanctions could materially harm our business, results of operations
and financial condition.
Any reviews by regulatory agencies or legislatures
may result in substantial regulatory fines, changes to our business practices and other penalties, which could negatively affect our business
and results of operations. Changes in social, political and regulatory conditions or in laws and policies governing a wide range of topics
may cause us to change our business practices. Further, our expansion into a variety of new fields also could raise a number of new regulatory
issues. These factors could negatively affect our business and results of operations in material ways.
Moreover, we are exposed to the risk of misconduct,
errors and failure to functions by our management, employees and parties that we collaborate with, who may from time to time be subject
to litigation and regulatory investigations and proceedings or otherwise face potential liability and penalties in relation to noncompliance
with applicable laws and regulations, which could harm our reputation and business.
Regulation of the internet generally could
have adverse consequences on our business.
We are also subject to regulations and laws in
Malaysia specifically governing the internet and e-commerce. Existing and future laws and regulations may impede the growth of the Internet,
e-commerce or other online services, and increase the cost of providing online services. These regulations and laws may cover sweepstakes,
taxation, tariffs, user privacy, data protection, pricing, content, copyrights, distribution, electronic contracts and other communications,
consumer protection, broadband residential Internet access and the characteristics and quality of services. It is not clear how existing
laws governing issues such as property ownership, sales, use and other taxes, libel and personal privacy apply to the internet and e-commerce.
Unfavorable resolution of these issues may harm our business and results of operations.
Privacy regulations could have adverse consequences
on our business.
We receive, collect, store, process, transfer
and use personal information and other user data. There are numerous international laws and regulations regarding privacy, data protection,
information security and the collection, storing, sharing, use, processing, transfer, disclosure and protection of personal information
and other content, the scope of which are changing, subject to differing interpretations, and may be inconsistent among countries, or
conflict with other laws and regulations. We are also subject to the terms of our privacy policies and obligations to third parties related
to privacy, data protection and information security. We strive to comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies and other legal
obligations relating to privacy, data protection and information security to the extent possible. However, the regulatory framework for
privacy and data protection worldwide is, and is likely to remain for the foreseeable future, uncertain and complex, and it is possible
that these or other actual or alleged obligations may be interpreted and applied in a manner that we do not anticipate or that is inconsistent
from one jurisdiction to another and may conflict with other rules or our practices. Further, any significant change to applicable laws,
regulations, or industry practices regarding the collection, use, retention, security or disclosure of our users’ data, or their
interpretation, or any changes regarding the manner in which the express or implied consent of users for the collection, use, retention
or disclosure of such data must be obtained, could increase our costs and require us to modify our services and features, possibly in
a material manner, which we may be unable to complete, and may limit our ability to store and process user data or develop new services
and features.
We also expect that there will continue to be
new laws, regulations and industry standards concerning privacy, data protection and information security proposed and enacted in various
jurisdictions.
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Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply
with our posted privacy policies, our privacy-related obligations to users or other third parties or any other legal obligations or regulatory
requirements relating to privacy, data protection or information security may result in governmental investigations or enforcement actions,
litigation, claims or public statements against us by consumer advocacy groups or others and could result in significant liability, cause
our users to lose trust in us, and otherwise have an adverse effect on our reputation and business. Furthermore, the costs of compliance
with, and other burdens imposed by, the laws, regulations and policies that are applicable to the businesses of our users may limit the
adoption and use of, and reduce the overall demand for, our ZCITY App.
Additionally, if third parties we work with violate
applicable laws, regulations or agreements, such violations may put our users’ data at risk, could result in governmental investigations
or enforcement actions, fines, litigation, claims or public statements against us by consumer advocacy groups or others and could result
in significant liability, cause our users to lose trust in us and otherwise have an adverse effect on our reputation and business. Further,
public scrutiny of or complaints about technology companies or their data handling or data protection practices, even if unrelated to
our business, industry or operations, may lead to increased scrutiny of technology companies, including us, and may cause government agencies
to enact additional regulatory requirements, or to modify their enforcement or investigation activities, which may increase our costs
and risks.
Regulation of gift cards or “E-vouchers”
could have adverse consequences on our business.
Our platform’s payment system inevitably
provides our customers with reward points that may or may not be deemed gift certificates, store gift cards, general-use prepaid cards
or other vouchers or “gift cards,” subject to, various laws of multiple jurisdictions. Many of these laws include specific
disclosure requirements and prohibitions or limitations on the use of expiration dates and the imposition of certain fees. Various companies
that provided deal products similar to ours around the world are currently or were defendants in purported class action lawsuits.
The application of various other laws and regulations
to our products is uncertain. These include laws and regulations pertaining to unclaimed and abandoned property, partial redemption, revenue-sharing
restrictions on certain trade groups and professions, sales and other local taxes and the sale of alcoholic beverages. In addition, we
may become, or be determined to be, subject to United States federal or state laws or laws in Malaysia or other countries where we
operate regulating money transmitters or aimed at preventing money laundering or terrorist financing, including the Bank Secrecy Act,
the USA Patriot Act and other similar future laws or regulations in the United States and in the applicable SEA or East Asia countries.
If we become subject to claims or are required
to alter our business practices as a result of current or future laws and regulations, our revenue could decrease, our costs could increase
and our business could otherwise be harmed. In addition, the costs and expenses associated with defending any actions related to such
additional laws and regulations and any payments of related penalties, fines, judgments or settlements could harm our business.
The requirements of being a public company
are complex and have increased costs.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting
requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), the Dodd-Frank
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Compliance with these rules and
regulations increases our legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly and increase
demand on our systems and resources. The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly and current reports
with respect to our business and operating results. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure
controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. In order to maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls
and procedures and internal control over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight may
be required. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could harm our business and
operating results. We may need to hire more employees in the future to maintain compliance with these requirements, which will increase
our costs and expenses.
In addition, changing laws, regulations and
standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and
financial compliance costs and making some activities more time consuming. These laws, regulations and standards are subject to
varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve
over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding
compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We intend to invest
resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and
administrative expenses and a diversion of management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance
activities. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or
governing bodies due to ambiguities related to practice, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us and our
business may be harmed.
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We also expect that being a public company and
these new rules and regulations will make it more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required
to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it more difficult for
us to attract and retain qualified members of our Board, particularly to serve on our audit committee
and renumeration committee, and qualified executive officers.
As a result of disclosure of information in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our prior SEC filings, our business and financial condition has become more visible, which we believe
may result in increased threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. If such claims are successful,
our business and operating results could be harmed, and even if the claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, these
claims, and the time and resources necessary to resolve them, could divert the resources of our management and harm our business and operating
results.
Failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act and Malaysia anti-corruption laws could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.
We are required to comply the Malaysia’s
anti-corruption laws and the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which generally prohibits U.S. companies from engaging
in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. In addition, we are required
to maintain records that accurately and fairly represent our transactions and have an adequate system of internal accounting controls.
Foreign companies, including some of our competitors, are not subject to these prohibitions. Corruption, extortion, bribery, pay-offs,
theft and other fraudulent practices occur from time-to-time in Malaysia. If our competitors engage in these practices, they may receive
preferential treatment from personnel of some companies, giving our competitors an advantage in securing business or from government officials
who might give them priority in obtaining new licenses, which would put us at a disadvantage. Although we inform our personnel that such
practices are illegal, we cannot assure you that our employees or other agents will not engage in such conduct for which we might be held
responsible. If our employees or other agents are found to have engaged in such practices, we could suffer severe penalties and other
consequences that may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our
brand and reputation, our sales activities or the price of our ordinary shares could be adversely affected if we become the target of
any negative publicity as a result of actions taken by our employees or other agents.
Litigation is costly and time consuming
and could have a material adverse effect our business, results or operations and reputation.
We and/or our directors and officers may be subject
to a variety of civil or other legal proceedings, with or without merit. From time to time in the ordinary course of our business, we
may become involved in various legal proceedings, including commercial, employment and other litigation and claims, as well as governmental
and other regulatory investigations and proceedings. Such matters can be time-consuming, divert management’s attention and resources
and cause us to incur significant expenses. Furthermore, because litigation is inherently unpredictable, the results of any such actions
may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.
Even if the claims are without merit, the costs
associated with defending these types of claims may be substantial, both in terms of time, money, and management distraction. In particular,
patent and other intellectual property litigation may be protracted and expensive, and the results are difficult to predict and may require
us to stop offering certain features, purchase licenses or modify our products and features while we develop non-infringing substitutes
or may result in significant settlement costs.
The results of litigation and claims to which
we may be subject cannot be predicted with certainty. Even if these matters do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor or
without significant cash settlements, these matters, and the time and resources necessary to litigate or resolve them, could harm our
business, results or operations and reputation.
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We face potential liability and expense
for legal claims based on the content on our ZCITY App.
We face potential liability and expense for legal
claims relating to the information that we publish on our website and our ZCITY App, including claims for copyright or trademark infringement,
among others. These claims could divert management time and attention away from our business and result in significant costs to investigate
and defend, regardless of the merits of the claims. In some instances, we may elect or be compelled to remove content or may be forced
to pay substantial damages if we are unsuccessful in our efforts to defend against these claims. If we elect or are compelled to remove
valuable content from our website or mobile app, our ZCITY App may become less useful to consumers and our traffic may decline, which
could have a negative impact on our business and financial performance.
Our intellectual property rights may be
inadequate to protect us against others claiming violations of their proprietary rights and the cost of enforcement could be significant.
The future success of our business is dependent
upon the intellectual property rights surrounding our technology, including trade secrets, know-how and continuing technological innovation.
Although we will seek to protect our proprietary rights, our actions may be inadequate to protect any proprietary rights or to prevent
others from claiming violations of their proprietary rights. There can be no assurance that other companies are not investigating or developing
other technologies that are similar to our technology. In addition, effective intellectual property protection may be unenforceable or
limited in certain countries, and the global nature of the Internet makes it impossible to control the ultimate designation of our technology.
Any of these claims, with or without merit, could subject us to costly litigation. If the protection of proprietary rights is inadequate
to prevent unauthorized use or appropriation by third parties, the value of our brand and other intangible assets may be diminished. Any
of these events could have an adverse effect on our business and financial results.
Effective trade secret, copyright, trademark and
domain name protection is expensive to develop and maintain, both in terms of initial and ongoing registration requirements and expenses
and the costs of defending our rights. We are seeking to protect our trademarks and domain names in an increasing number of jurisdictions,
a process that is expensive and may not be successful or which we may not pursue in every location. Litigation may be necessary to enforce
our intellectual property rights, protect our respective trade secrets or determine the validity and scope of proprietary rights claimed
by others. Any litigation of this nature, regardless of outcome or merit, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management
and technical resources, any of which could adversely affect our business and operating results. We may incur significant costs in enforcing
our trademarks against those who attempt to imitate our brand. If we fail to maintain, protect and enhance our intellectual property rights,
our business and operating results may be harmed.
If we are unable to protect the confidentiality
of our trade secrets, our business and competitive position could be harmed.
In addition to patent protection, we also rely
upon copyright and trade secret protection, as well as non-disclosure agreements and invention assignment agreements with our employees,
consultants and third parties, to protect our confidential and proprietary information. In addition to contractual measures, we try to
protect the confidential nature of our proprietary information using commonly accepted physical and technological security measures.
Such measures may not, for example, in the case of misappropriation of a trade secret by an employee or third party with authorized access,
provide adequate protection for our proprietary information. Our security measures may not prevent an employee or consultant from misappropriating
our trade secrets and providing them to a competitor, and recourse we take against such misconduct may not provide an adequate remedy
to protect our interests fully. Unauthorized parties may also attempt to copy or reverse engineer certain aspects of our product that
we consider proprietary. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated a trade secret can be difficult, expensive
and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. Even though we use commonly accepted security measures, trade secret violations
are often a matter of state law, and the criteria for protection of trade secrets can vary among different jurisdictions. In addition,
trade secrets may be independently developed by others in a manner that could prevent legal recourse by us. If any of our confidential
or proprietary information, such as our trade secrets, were to be disclosed or misappropriated, or if any such information was independently
developed by a competitor, our business and competitive position could be harmed.
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Third parties may assert that our employees
or consultants have wrongfully used or disclosed confidential information or misappropriated trade secrets.
We employ individuals who previously worked with
other companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. Although we try to ensure that our employees and consultants do not
use the proprietary information or know-how of others in their work for us, we may be subject to claims that we or our employees, consultants
or independent contractors have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed intellectual property, including trade secrets or other proprietary
information, of a former employer or other third party. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. If we fail in defending
any such claims or settling those claims, in addition to paying monetary damages or a settlement payment, we may lose valuable intellectual
property rights or personnel. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs
and be a distraction to management and other employees.
Item 1B. Unresolved
Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties.
Our principal executive offices are located at
276 5 th Avenue, Suite 704 #739, New York, New York 10001 and No.29, Jalan PPU 2A, Taman Perindustrian Pusat
Bandar Puchong, 47100 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia. We lease and maintain our offices, and we currently do not own any real estate.
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.