UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
(Mark
One)
☒ ANNUAL
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the fiscal year ended: June 30 , 2024
☐ TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the transition period from ____________ to _____________
Commission
File No. 001-42033
CleanCore Solutions, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada 88-4042082
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
5920 S 118th Circle , Omaha , NE 68137
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(877) 860-3030
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share ZONE NYSE American LLC
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting
company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller
reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☒ Smaller reporting company ☒
Emerging
growth company ☒
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness
of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by the registered public accounting firm
that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
If
securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant
included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation
received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As
of December 29, 2023 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter), the aggregate market
value of the registrant’s class B common stock held by non-affiliates could not be determined because the registrant’s class
B common stock was not yet trading on any exchange. As of such date, there were 3,105,940 shares of class B common stock issued
and outstanding, of which 2,545,824 shares were held by affiliates. Executive officers, directors and by each person who owns 10% or
more of the outstanding class B common stock may be deemed to be affiliates of the registrant. This determination of affiliate status
is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
As
of September 19, 2024, there were a total of 7,965,919 shares of the registrant’s class B common stock issued and outstanding.
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None .
CleanCore
Solutions, Inc.
Annual
Report on Form 10-K
Year
Ended June 30, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Item 1.
Business
1
Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
8
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments.
24
Item 1C.
Cybersecurity.
24
Item 2.
Properties.
25
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings.
25
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures.
25
PART II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
26
Item 6.
[Reserved]
26
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
26
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
33
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
33
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
33
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures.
33
Item 9B.
Other Information.
34
Item 9C.
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions That Prevent Inspections.
34
PART III
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
35
Item 11.
Executive Compensation.
39
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
44
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
46
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
46
PART IV
Item 15.
Exhibit and Financial Statement Schedules.
47
Item 16.
Form 10-K Summary.
49
i
INTRODUCTORY
NOTES
Use
of Terms
Except
as otherwise indicated by the context and for the purposes of this report only, references in this report to “we,” “us,”
“our” and “our company” refer to CleanCore Solutions, Inc., a Nevada corporation; provided that all discussions
in this report regarding our business and operations prior to the acquisition described under Item 1 “ Business — Our
Corporate History and Structure ” below refer to the business and operations of our predecessor companies described below.
Special
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This
report contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently
available to us. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements relate to
future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, statements about:
● our
goals and strategies;
● our
future business development, financial condition and results of operations;
● expected
changes in our revenue, costs or expenditures;
● growth
of and competition trends in our industry;
● our
expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, our products and services;
● our
expectations regarding our relationships with investors, institutional funding partners and
other parties we collaborate with;
● fluctuations
in general economic and business conditions in the market in which we operate; and
● relevant
government policies and regulations relating to our industry.
In
some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “could,” “will,”
“should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,”
“believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “project” or “continue”
or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. You should not place undue reliance
on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are, in some cases,
beyond our control and which could materially affect results. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current
expectations include, among other things, those listed under Item 1A “ Risk Factors ” and elsewhere in this report.
If one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual events or results
may vary significantly from those implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee
of future performance.
In
addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These
statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this report, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable
basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have
conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain,
and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
The
forward-looking statements made in this report relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in
this report. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, there is no undertaking to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason.
ii
PART
I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
Overview
We
specialize in the development and production of cleaning products that produce pure aqueous ozone for professional, industrial, or home
use. We have a patented nanobubble technology using aqueous ozone that we believe is highly effective in cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing
surfaces and high-touch areas.
Our
mission is to become a leader in creating safe, clean spaces that are free from any chemical residue or skin irritants. We are currently
expanding our distributor network, improving our production processes, and proving the effectiveness of our products in restaurants,
airports, and hotels.
As
noted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or the EPA (“Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet: Ozone Disinfection,” September
1999), ozone has been used in water treatment facilities to remove pathogens from water for decades. However, ozone was not safe for
traditional cleaning because the gas alone can be harmful when inhaled. In recent years, ozone has been found to become a powerful cleaning
solution if infused into tap water, which then creates a solution called aqueous ozone. Once the ozone is added into the water, the resulting
solution is safe to handle, yet continues to hold the effective cleaning and oxidizing components of ozone.
Our
product offerings utilize a patented technology that we believe produces an enhanced aqueous ozone solution that requires no additives,
filters, or advanced chemicals. We believe that we are the only company that has an aqueous ozone solution that is produced in the form
of nanobubbles. In a critical review from Environmental Science Nano (“Disinfection applications of ozone micro- and nanobubbles,”
November 2, 2021) authors Petroula Seridou and Nicolas Kalogerakis explain that since its discovery in the 1990’s, nanobubbles
have been used to remove pollutants in many industries, including biopharma and food processing. Nanobubbles are nanometer-sized (one
billionth of a meter) gaseous cavities in a liquid solution. The common micro sized bubbles have larger diameters which causes them to
rise quickly to the surface of an aqueous solution as compared to the smaller bubbles.
Since
nanobubbles have no natural buoyancy, they remain underwater, where each tiny, negatively charged bubble is attracted to positively charged
pollutants and harmful toxins. In the article, Seridou and Kalogerakis write about how this union causes the nanobubbles to release ozone
which extinguishes pathogens and slowly breaks down the cell walls of mold, germs, and other residues. Further, a smaller size of nanobubbles
is also more effective as it has a higher density of ozone and is able to provide a more thorough surface coverage, which destroys a
higher number of contaminants.
Our
pure aqueous ozone product is a natural cleaner, sanitizer, and deodorizer produced through the infusion of ozone into water using electricity.
The use of this ozone solution has been proven effective in eliminating germs, viruses, bacteria, allergens, and molds; and it performs
better than bleach according to a research report published by PLoS One (“The microbial killing capacity of aqueous and gaseous
ozone on different surfaces contaminated with dairy cattle manure,” May 14, 2018). Aqueous ozone technology has been tested and
previously destroyed pathogens including E. Coli, Staphylococcus, Listeria, and Salmonella as described in Catalyst journal (“Ozone
and Photocatalytic Processes for Pathogens Removal from Water: A Review,” January 5, 2019). The solution cleans hard surfaces,
floors, carpets, upholstery, and food contact surfaces.
In
addition, in an independent case study at Cape Coral Hospital in Florida, the aqueous ozone solution worked to significantly deodorize
smells. The same internal case study notes that the aqueous ozone does not mask smells, but instead destroys the bacterium causing the
smell.
1
Our
aqueous ozone solution is referred to as “pure” because of its ability to keep high concentration of ozone in the solution
without needing to use a stabilizer or additive. Depending on the product, the pure aqueous ozone solution contains between 0.5 to 1.5
parts per million, or ppm, of ozone for professional cleaning and up to 20 ppm of ozone for industrial cleaning. At these levels, we
believe the concentration of ozone within the solution is strong enough to effectively clean and deodorize better than bleach.
Corporate
History and Structure
We
were incorporated in the State of Nevada on August 23, 2022 under the name CC Acquisition Corp. for the sole purpose of acquiring substantially
all of the assets of CleanCore Solutions, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or CleanCore LLC, TetraClean Systems, LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company, or TetraClean, and Food Safety Technology L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, or Food Safety. On
November 21, 2022, we changed our name from CC Acquisition Corp. to CleanCore Solutions, Inc.
On
October 17, 2022, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with CleanCore LLC, TetraClean, Food Safety and Burlington Capital, LLC,
or Burlington, the majority owner of these entities, pursuant to which we acquired substantially all of the assets of CleanCore LLC,
TetraClean and Food Safety for a total purchase price of $5,000,000, consisting of $2,000,000 in cash and the issuance of a promissory
note in the principal amount of $3,000,000.
The
predecessor of CleanCore LLC was CleanCore Technologies, LLC, which was formed in 2014 and was wholly owned by Center Ridge Holdings,
LLC. CleanCore LLC was formed in 2019 by Burlington and Walker Water, LLC d/b/a O-Z Tech. In 2019, prior to the formation of CleanCore
LLC, Center Ridge Holdings, LLC transferred substantially all of the assets of CleanCore Technologies, LLC to Burlington, which then
transferred such assets to CleanCore LLC. TetraClean and Food Safety were created to focus on industrial and food safety, respectively.
CleanCore LLC, TetraClean, and Food Safety were all under majority control by Burlington prior to the acquisition by CC Acquisition Corp.
All discussions in this report regarding our business prior to the acquisition reflect the combined business of CleanCore LLC, TetraClean,
and Food Safety, our predecessor companies. Prior to the acquisition, we had no operations other than operations relating to our incorporation
and organization.
We
do not have any subsidiaries.
Industry
Our
market encompasses the global household cleaning market, the global food service market, the global commercial and residential laundry
market, and the global health care market. According to Report Linker, the global service cleaning market is expected to reach $92.69
billion by 2027, rising at a 7.80% CAGR during the forecast period. The global household cleaners market size was valued at $33.8 billion
in 2021 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2022 to 2028. We believe this can be credited to the increasing awareness regarding
hygiene among consumers. The constant developments in the household cleaner sector are also likely to boost industry demand.
There is a growing demand for green cleaning and eco-friendly products
that are effective, safe, and sanitary. According to a report published by Allied Market Research, the global industrial cleaning
equipment market amassed revenue of $9.12 billion in 2021, and is expected to hit $14.14 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 4.3%
from 2022 to 2031. A market report from Research and Markets noted that the global household green cleaning products market is expected
to grow to $27.83 billion at a CAGR of 6.50% from 2017 to 2024.
There
is also a high demand in the food and beverage cleaning industry for effective and eco-friendly cleaning suppliers and cleaning solutions.
According to an article by Arizton Advisory and Intelligence (“US Food and Beverage Industry Cleaning Services Market Size to Reach
Revenues USD 2.4 Billion by 2026,” March 24, 2021), the U.S. food and beverage industry cleaning services market is expected to
grow at a CAGR of approximately 7% from 2020 to 2026. We believe the rising awareness in the food and beverage cleaning industry is also
encouraging vendors to rely on green cleaning services, which is expected to generate incremental income. Further, driven by the COVID-19
pandemic and its impact on customer and provider expectations of cleanliness, the demand for disinfection services in the food and beverage
industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 6% through 2022.
The
cleaning, healthcare and sanitation market is also receiving interest from government agencies, such as British Columbia’s GreenCare
Sustainability Strategic Framework, to develop and retain better, environmentally sustainable, and innovative cleaning solutions. Government
initiatives have led some transitions into different and alternative cleaning technologies, and environmentally conscious institutions
are expected to increase their demand for alternative cleaning products. While traditional disinfectants will continue to be routinely
used in hospitals to sterilize and remove viruses and pathogens, we believe there is a place for aqueous ozone technology to be introduced
in clinical settings. For instance, Cape Coral Hospital in Florida, along with two other hospitals, integrated aqueous ozone as room
deodorizes as part of their environmental services program effort.
2
Based
on the above, the demand for alternative environmentally conscious cleaning solutions is increasing, and we believe our aqueous ozone
patented technology effectively cleans and reduces environmental impact, and as a result, that the demand for our products and services
will continue to grow.
Products
We
offer products and solutions that are marketed for janitorial and sanitation, ice machine cleaning, laundry, and industrial industries.
Our products are used in many types of environments including retail establishments, distribution centers, factories, warehouses, restaurants,
schools and universities, airports, healthcare, food service, and commercial buildings such as offices, malls, and stores.
Janitorial
and Sanitation
Within
the janitorial and sanitation sector, we currently manufacture the following products:
● Fill
Stations : Wall-mounted units that produce on demand aqueous ozone and can fill up
spray bottles or buckets for general cleaning, including our 1.0 Fill Station, which can
produce one gallon per minute of aqueous ozone for users with smaller cleaning needs, and
our 3.0 Fill Station, which can produce three gallons per minute and is designed for commercial
and industrial cleaning requirements.
● POWER
CADDY : A 12-gallon tank that generates aqueous ozone within it, so users are able
to generate on-site, on-demand aqueous ozone as they clean. These units come equipped with
a spray gun and vacuum hose to properly clean all locations. The POWER CADDY includes a high-pressure
spray gun with a pressure per inch boost over 100 for more intense cleaning.
● POWER
MINI CADDY . A six-gallon tank that generates aqueous ozone within it, so users are
able to generate on-site, on-demand aqueous ozone as they clean. This product comes equipped
with a spray gun and vacuum hose to properly clean all locations. The MINI CADDY is a smaller
version of the POWER CADDY that is popular in smaller areas such as restaurants.
Ice
System
The
Ice Treatment System establishes a proactive ice machine cleaning program. Cleaning ice machines is a labor intensive and slow process
that needs to happen often to stop the buildup of bacteria and mold in the ice machine, the buildup of which could contaminate the ice
supply. Ice machines, like other water systems used within indoor environments, create ideal conditions for fostering the growth of bacteria
and mold. Pure aqueous ozone is highly effective in cleaning the inside of ice machines. Our Ice System destroys bacteria by sending
0.50 ppm of aqueous ozone through the ice machine each time it makes more ice. Aqueous ozone proactively prevents the growth of Listeria,
Salmonella, E. Coli, Norwalk Virus, and Shigella in the ice and keeps the ice pure while preventing respiratory and gastrointestinal
illnesses.
3
Commercial
and Residential Laundry
We
believe that the laundry unit effectively oxidizes and deodorizes to extend the life of your laundry. When the laundry ozone unit is
connected to a washing machine, the aqueous ozone is used to clean towels and linens. As a result, by avoiding harsh chemicals, the aqueous
ozone may expand the life of the linens, reduce dry time, and eliminate skin irritation. The flow rate of the commercial product is five
GPM on each line.
Industrial
Cleaning Products
We
also plan to make aqueous ozone available for industrial applications, primarily for the purpose of keeping industrial plants and production
lines clean. We believe this industrial product is safe to be used on food-contact surfaces and has been used in meat packing plants
to eliminate the need to stop the packaging line for cleaning. Additional applications for this product may include pet food packaging
and manufacturing, canning operations, breweries, wineries, distilleries, and consumer health manufacturers.
We
build customized cleaning
systems to meet the required needs of our clients. Our system’s volume output ranges from 10-250 GPM of our patented solution.
The concentration levels of our aqueous ozone solutions can be adjusted to suit our client’s distinctive needs. Multiple
units can be placed in tandem for large volume projects. Concentration levels of ozone can be established at up to 20 ppm of ozone.
Sanitizing
and Disinfectant Tablets
Branded
“ GreenKlean,” these chlorinated tablets
kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria on a surface. These tablets eliminate odors while disinfecting and can be used on a variety of hard
non-porous surfaces. We believe each tablet is easy to use, fast dissolving in water, and each tablet provides a single, standardized
cleaning dose. The solution created from the tablet when mixed with water may be applied with a spray device, cloth, wipe, sponge, brush,
or mop. Each tablet is effective for up to three days in a closed container and should be prepared daily when used in open containers.
Generally, there is no need to rinse off the product after cleaning, the surface just needs to fully air dry, with no remaining residue
left nor harm to the surfaces’ finish. The tablets are made according to standards of the National Science Foundation, an independent
agency of the United States government that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and
engineering, under the “D2” classification, which means these tablets may be used as an antimicrobial agent that would not
need to be rinsed or qualified as a “no rinse sanitizer.”
Manufacturing
We
currently source components and raw materials both domestically and overseas from vendors. The components and raw materials are shipped
to our facility in Omaha, NE and assembled. We have implemented a strict quality control program which is run by our Director of Operations
along with our Lead Production Supervisor. We have inventory control systems at our facilities
that track each manufacturing and packaging component as we receive it from our supply sources through manufacturing and shipment of
each product to customers. To facilitate this tracking, most products we sell are bar coded. We believe our distribution capabilities
increase our flexibility in responding to our customers’ delivery requirements.
Our
manufacturing operations are designed to allow low-cost production of a wide variety of products of different quantities, physical
sizes and packaging formats, while maintaining a high level of customer service and quality. Flexible production line changeover capabilities
and reduced cycle times allow us to respond quickly to changes in manufacturing schedules and customer demands.
We
believe that our manufacturing facilities generally have sufficient capacity to meet our current business requirements and our currently
anticipated sales.
Raw
Materials and Suppliers
The
primary raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are chassis, generators, various sockets, degas cylinders, and a variety
of other components. The cost of these raw materials is a key factor in pricing our products.
We
source raw materials from multiple regional, national and foreign suppliers. Certain of our materials come from Asian-based suppliers.
Raw materials from Asian-based suppliers may be subjected to import duties, depending on various foreign policies of the US government.
As such, we continue to explore partnership or supplier opportunities to optimize our costs.
4
We
have historically purchased certain key raw materials from a limited number of suppliers. We purchase raw materials on the basis of purchase
orders. While we believe that there is an ample supply of most of the raw materials that
we need, in the absence of firm and long-term contracts, we may not be able to obtain a sufficient supply of these raw materials
from our existing suppliers or alternates in a timely fashion or at a reasonable cost. If we fail to secure a sufficient supply of key
raw materials in a timely fashion, it would result in a significant delay in delivering our products. Furthermore, failure to obtain
a sufficient supply of these raw materials at a reasonable cost could also harm our revenue and gross profit margins. Please see Item
1A “ Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We have historically depended on a limited number of
third parties to supply key raw materials to us and the failure to obtain a sufficient supply of these raw materials in a timely fashion
and at reasonable costs could significantly delay our delivery of products ” for a description of the risks related to our supplier
relationships.
Sales
and Marketing
We
will utilize media, websites, email lists, social media to reach industries and new potential clients. We actively participate in a variety
of trade shows in health care, food service, commercial real estate, and schools and universities where we demonstrate and market our
products to thousands of potential and existing customers. We will also use these marketing tactics to grow awareness for our products
that we deploy in various cleaning applications. Finally, we will distribute press releases, attend industry conferences, and leverage
our relationships with existing customers to grow our client base.
On
September 10, 2024, we entered into a sole distributorship agreement for the distribution of our products in the European Union, United
Kingdom, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Please see Item 7 “ Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Recent Developments ” for a description of this agreement.
Customers
The
most significant sales and distribution channels for our products are currently through distributors who then sell to the janitorial
services industries relating to food services, health care, education, and commercial buildings. These distributors provide sales, marketing,
product training, service and maintenance for their respective end customers.
For
the year ended June 30, 2024, one customer, Pro-Link, Inc., accounted for 14% of
revenue, and we had two customers, Consensus Group and Tharaldson Hospitality, that accounted for 28% each of all accounts receivable
at June 30, 2024. For the year ended June 30, 2023, Pro-Link, Inc. and Sanzonate accounted for
39% and 36% of revenue, respectively, and we had two customers, Sanzonate and Pro-Link, Inc., that accounted for 43% and 12%,
respectively, of all accounts receivable at June 30, 2023. We do not have a long-term contract with any
of the customers mentioned. We primarily sell products to customers under individual purchase orders placed by them under their
standard terms and conditions of sale. These terms and conditions generally include insurance requirements, representations by us with
respect to the quality of our products and our production process, our obligations to comply with law, and indemnifications by us if
we breach our representations or obligations. There is no commitment from any of these customers to purchase from us, or from us to sell
to them, any minimum amount of products.
The
loss of any major customer could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. See Item 1A “ Risk Factors—Risks
Related to Our Business and Industry—Our major customers account for a significant portion of our revenue and the loss of any major
customer could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations .”
Competition
The
janitorial services industry is highly competitive and has many established, large and small global competitors. We compete against a
wide range of cleaning-focused businesses. Some of our current competitors may be larger than we are, have larger customer bases, greater
brand recognition and operating histories, a dominant or more secure position, broader geographic scope, volume, scale, resources, and
more market share than we do, or offer products and services we do not offer. Other competitors are smaller, younger, companies that
may be more agile in responding quickly to new products or changes in the market.
Our
major competitors for our products are traditional cleaning companies such as Proctor and Gamble and Unilever, which are companies that
develop and manufacture traditional chemical cleaning products. However, to the best of our knowledge, none of them have an aqueous ozone
technology. We also compete with companies in the aqueous ozone cleaning market such as Tennant Company, Tersano Inc., and Enozo Technologies
Inc and O3 Waterworks. Each of these companies also produces devices to make aqueous ozone, and Tersano Inc. and Enozo Technologies Inc.
produce aqueous ozone products for both personal and professional use.
5
We
also compete with a multitude of foreign, regional, and local competitors that vary by market. If our existing or future competitors
seek to gain or retain market share by reducing prices, we may be required to lower our prices, which would adversely affect our operating
results. Similarly, if customers or potential customers perceive the products or services offered by our existing or future competitors
to be of higher quality than ours or part of a broader product mix, our revenues may decline, which would adversely affect our operating
results.
Competitive
Strengths
We
believe that the following competitive strengths contribute to our success and differentiate us from our competitors:
● We
have numerous patents for our technology . We currently have 14 patents for our technology.
These patents cover the functions of our products that allow our machines to produce ozone
in the form of nanobubbles.
● We
have experience in the cleaning industry . Our acquisition and subsequent business
with aqueous ozone products have led us to maintain and uphold significant and meaningful
relationships throughout the service cleaning industry with various providers of cleaning
services.
● We
believe that our products eliminate the need for harsh chemicals and reduce costs of labor
in janitorial services . Various chemical solutions for cleaning are costly, but with
the aqueous ozone solution, we believe hospitals may reduce expenditures by switching to
the aqueous ozone technology. Our customers in janitorial services have reported a reduced
time in cleaning and sanitizing, which saves our customers on labor costs.
● There
is no chemical residue left after using our solution, and we believe it causes less irritation
compared to typical cleaning agents . When cleaning with the aqueous ozone solution,
it may remove and deodorize surfaces without using harsh caustic chemicals, and only water
remains on the surface after cleaning, not any chemical residue that may require additional
rinsing. As a result, our clients may report less eye, skin, and respiratory irritation after
switching to our cleaning products.
● Our
product is environmentally conscious . Our goal is to reduce packaging waste when
replacing traditional cleaners and their packaging with aqueous ozone dispensers. We believe
our product also reduces water consumption while cleaning. A two-year study at a major Vancouver
hospital found that clients use 90% less water since the aqueous ozone technology removes
the need to flush the cleaning dispensing system between various chemical cleaning agents.
Overall, our products may reduce the carbon footprint of a janitorial service business when
used in lieu of traditional cleaning methods.
Growth
Strategies
The
key elements of our strategy to grow our business include:
● Targeting
key industries . Historically, we sold our products primarily through geographic and
strategic distributors across the United States and Europe in the janitorial services sector.
In the past twelve months, we have shifted our focus to selling direct to end users. Our
focus target groups include hospitality, education, venue, and education.
● Deploy
marketing strategies that raise awareness for our cleaning products . We plan to expand
our marketing efforts to increase awareness of our products. Our strategy includes attending
industry conferences and working with salespeople to start the use of our product in new
areas.
● Create
partnerships through exclusive licensing for distributors and a direct sales model .
We anticipate evolving the business model into a hybrid of both traditional distributors
and a direct sales model with key salespeople penetrating the health care, education, food
service, and commercial buildings industries. Our goal is also to create partnerships with
some of the largest sports and entertainment arenas in the world, providing end-to-end sales
and service.
6
Research
and Development
We
are continuing our research and development into specific product applications across our core janitorial and sanitation product line,
specifically aligning our new direct sales and support strategy by evolving the existing product lines to capture new “real time”
testing evaluations.
Previously,
we had conducted an adenosine triphosphate study on the Clemson University Core buildings to determine the cleaning effect of aqueous
ozone and our products.
We
are also active in developing consumer-focused products that can be sold and marketed online and in large box retail stores across the
country. We are exploring the development of our products for expanded usage in key market segments such as health care, food service,
and commercial cleaning industries.
Intellectual
Property
Currently,
we hold 14 patents and have two patents pending, with one pending in the United States and another pending in Canada. We own 9 patents
in the United States, 1 patent in Mexico, and 4 patents in Canada. These patents cover the functions of our products that allow our machines
to produce the ozone in the form of nanobubbles. Each of our United States patents are utility patents, and are owned by us, either under
the name “CC Acquisition Corp,” our previous name, or “CleanCore Solutions, Inc.” We do not currently license
any patents. We are in the process of transferring each of the patents to our current name, “CleanCore Solutions, Inc.”
Patent
Title
Patent
Number
Jurisdiction
Expiration
Year
Ozone
Cleaning System
2680331
Canada
2028
Ozone
Cleaning System
320909
Mexico
2028
Ozonated
Liquid Dispensing Unit
10479683
United
States
2028
Reaction
Vessel for an Ozone Cleaning System
8075705
United
States
2029
Aqueous
Ozone Solution for Ozone Cleaning System
8071526
United
States
2029
Aqueous
Ozone Solution for Ozone Cleaning System
8735337
United
States
2029
Ozonated
Liquid Dispensing Unit
9174845
United
States
2029
Ozone
Cleaning System
9068149
United
States
2030
Ozonated
Liquid Dispensing Unit
9522348
United
States
2030
System
for Producing and Distributing an Ozonated Fluid
2802307
Canada
2031
Ozonated
Liquid Dispensing Unit
2802311
Canada
2031
Ozonated
Liquid Dispensing Unit
2896332
Canada
2034
Method
and Systems for Controlling Microorganisms
9670081
United
States
2035
Apparatus
for Generating Aqueous Ozone
11033647
United
States
2039
To
protect our intellectual property, we rely on a combination of laws and regulations, as well as contractual restrictions. We rely on
Federal patent laws to protect our intellectual property, including our patented technology. We also rely on the protection of laws regarding
unregistered copyrights for certain content we create and trade secret laws to protect our proprietary technology. To further protect
our intellectual property, we enter into confidentiality agreements with our executive officers and directors.
Employees
We
seek to attract and retain quality employees in the areas of sales, marketing, and internal operations. Our salespeople will be selected
to continue to identify and develop our client relationships. Our marketing staff will develop brand awareness of our products within
the janitorial services market.
As
of June 30, 2024, we had seven (7) full time employees, all of whom were in the United States.
None of our employees are represented by labor unions, and we believe that we have an excellent relationship with our employees.
Government
Regulation
As
a manufacturer of ozone devices, we are subject to regulation by multiple U.S. government agencies, including the EPA. We must also comply
with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, or FIFRA, which establishes procedures for registering pesticides and pesticide
generating devices with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and following established labeling provisions. FIFRA mandates that the EPA
regulates the use and sale of pesticides and pesticide generating devices to protect human health and preserve the environment. Under
FIFRA’s definition, ozone is considered a pesticide and manufacturers of ozone generating devices are required to register with
the EPA. Our EPA registration establishment number is 090379-NE-001.
7
We
are also subject to regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, for the use of ozone for water treatment as well
as its use as an antimicrobial agent for the treatment, storage, and processing of foods. In 1982, the FDA granted “GRAS”
approval, meaning it is “generally recognized as safe” status for ozone treatment of bottled water. The FDA and the Center
for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition announced on June 26, 2001 that ozone may be safely used in the treatment, storage, and processing
of foods, including meat and poultry, when used in accordance with the specified conditions; and that ozone is approved as a secondary
food additive permitted for human consumption.
Additionally,
the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food Safety and Inspection Service declared in December 2001 that ozone may be used on food labeled
as “organic,” and that there are no special labeling requirements for treated raw and ready-to-eat meat and poultry products
if treated with ozone just prior to packaging.
The
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, or ACGIH,
have also issued guidelines and regulations for ozone gas exposure. OSHA regulates ozone gas exposure based on time-weighted averages,
and states that ozone levels in ambient air should not exceed 0.10 ppm for an eight-hour exposure period. Similarly, ACGIH guidelines
state provide for similar time weighted averages, distinguishing based on the level of exertion starting from 0.10 ppm of ozone exposure
for eight hours of light work to 0.05 ppm of ozone exposure for eight hours of during heavy work.
The
Hazard Communication Standard provides workers who are exposed to hazardous chemicals or alike with “the right to know” the
identities and protective measures to be taken to protect themselves from adverse effect of air contaminants. Government recommendations
include guidelines that if an employee is exposed to ambient ozone levels higher than permitted, to wear a respirator or other personal
protective equipment until such a time when air contaminate levels are in within compliance according to the OSHA standards.
In
Canada, Health Canada has issued our company a letter of no-objection to the use of our solution as a sanitizer in Canada for use as
a general use sanitizer, hand disinfectant, personal hygiene cleaner, as a drain cleaner, for food packaging materials, and in use with
food contacting hard surfaces. Our Health Canada reference numbers are: IS13041201/02, IS13041209 to IS13041216, and IP13101701.
The
application, interpretation, and enforcement of these U.S. and foreign laws and regulations are often uncertain, particularly in the
rapidly evolving industry in which we operate and may be interpreted and applied inconsistently from country to country and inconsistently
with our current policies and practices. Any existing or new legislation applicable to our operations could expose us to substantial
liability, including significant expenses necessary to comply with such laws and regulations, to respond to regulatory inquiries or investigations,
and to defend individual or class litigation. These events could dampen growth in the use of the internet in general and cause us to
divert significant resources and funds to addressing these issues, and possibly require us to change our business practices.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
An
investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully read and consider all of the risks described below,
together with all of the other information contained or referred to in this report, before making an investment decision with respect
to our securities. If any of the following events occur, our financial condition, business and results of operations (including cash
flows) may be materially adversely affected. In that event, the market price of our stock could decline, and you could lose all or part
of your investment.
Risks
Related to Our Business and Industry
We
are an early-stage company with a limited operating history.
We
are an early, startup stage company with a limited history upon which you can evaluate our business and prospects. Our prospects must
be considered in light of the risks encountered by companies in the early stages of development in highly competitive markets. You should
consider the frequency with which early-stage businesses encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and
other adverse factors. These risks are described in more detail below.
8
We
have incurred losses since our inception, and we may not be able to manage our business on a profitable basis.
We
have generated losses since inception and have relied on cash on-hand, sales of securities, proceeds from our initial public offering,
external bank lines of credit, and issuance of third-party and related party debt to support our operations. For the year ended
June 30, 2024, we generated an operating loss of $1,946,734 and a net loss of $2,281,742. The revenue and income potential of our business
and market are unproven. This makes an evaluation of our company and its prospects difficult and highly speculative. There can be no
assurances that we will be able to develop products or services on a timely and cost effective basis, that will be able to generate any
increase in revenues, that we will have adequate financing or resources to continue operating our business and to provide products to
customers, that we will earn a profit, that we can raise sufficient capital to support operations by attaining profitability, or that
we can satisfy future liabilities.
Our
auditors have issued a going concern opinion on our audited financial statements.
The report of our independent registered public accounting firm that
accompanies our financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024 contains a going concern qualification in which such firm expressed
substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, based on the financial statements at that time. We have generated
losses since inception and have relied on cash on-hand, sales of securities, proceeds from our initial public offering, external bank
lines of credit, and issuance of third-party and related party debt to support cashflow from operations. As of June 30, 2024, we
had cash of $2,016,611, a net loss of $2,281,742, working capital of $1,706,082, and cash used in operating activities of $1,547,880.
Despite the initial public offering described below, management believes that currently available resources will not be sufficient to
fund our planned expenditures over the next 12 months. These factors, individually and collectively indicate that a material uncertainty
exists that raises substantial doubt about our company’s ability to continue as a going concern for 12 months from the date of issuance
of the accompanying financial statements.
We
will be dependent upon the raising of additional capital through equity and/or debt financing in order to implement our business plan
and generate sufficient revenue in excess of costs. If we raise additional capital through the issuance of equity securities or securities
convertible into equity, stockholders will experience dilution, and such securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior
to those of the holders of common stock. If we raise additional funds by issuing debt, we may be subject to limitations on its operations,
through debt covenants or other restrictions. There is no assurance that we will be successful with future financing ventures, and the
inability to secure such financing may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. The accompanying financial statements
have been prepared on a going concern basis under which our company is expected to be able to realize its assets and satisfy its liabilities
in the normal course of business and do not include any adjustments to the amounts and classifications of assets and liabilities that
might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern. If we cannot continue as a going concern, our stockholders would
likely lose most or all of their investment in us.
We
will require additional financing to accomplish our business strategy.
We
require substantial working capital to fund our business development plans, and we expect to experience significant negative cash flow
from operations. Depending upon the sales volume generated by our business during that time, we also anticipate the possibility of having
to raise additional funds in order to achieve our plans and accomplish our immediate and longer-term business strategy. These additional
funds likely will be raised through the issuance of our securities in debt and/or equity financings. If we are unable to raise these
additional funds on terms acceptable to us, we will be required to limit our expenditures for continuing our product development activities
and expanding our sales and marketing operations, reduce our work force, or find alternatives to fund our business on terms that are
not as favorable to us. Any such actions would impair our product development and expansion plans, reduce potential revenues, increase
operating losses, and adversely affect the value of our company.
We
cannot accurately predict future revenues or profitability in the emerging market for aqueous ozone technology.
The
market for alternative green cleaning supplies is rapidly evolving. As is typical of a rapidly evolving industry, demand, and market
acceptance for recently introduced products are subject to a high level of uncertainty. Moreover, since the market for our products is
evolving, it is difficult to predict the future growth rate, if any, and size of this market. Because of our limited operating history
and the emerging nature of the markets in which we compete, we are unable to accurately forecast our revenues or our profitability. The
market for our products and the long-term acceptance of our products are uncertain, and our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel
with industry expertise, particularly sales and marketing personnel, is uncertain. To the extent we are unsuccessful in increasing revenues,
we may be required to appropriately adjust spending to compensate for any unexpected revenue shortfall, or to reduce our operating expenses,
causing us to forego potential revenue generating activities, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results
of operations and financial condition.
9
We
may face significant challenges in obtaining market acceptance of our products, which could adversely affect our potential sales and
revenues.
We
do not yet have an established market or customer base for our products. Acceptance of our products in the marketplace by both potential
users and potential purchasers, including hospitals, schools, universities, commercial facilities, transportation systems and other healthcare
and non-healthcare providers, is uncertain, and failure to achieve sufficient market acceptance will significantly limit our ability
to generate revenue and be profitable. Market acceptance will require substantial marketing efforts and the expenditure of significant
funds by us to inform hospitals, schools, universities, commercial facilities, transportation systems, residential spaces and other health
care and non-healthcare providers of the benefits of using our products. We may encounter significant clinical and market resistance
to our products, and our products may never achieve market acceptance. We may not be able to build key relationships with physicians,
education administrators, and government agencies. Product orders may be cancelled or customers that are beginning to use our products
may cease their use of our products and customers expected to begin using our products may not do so.
Factors
that may affect our ability to achieve acceptance of our products in the marketplace include, but are not limited, to whether:
● such
products will work effectively;
● the
products are cost-effective for our customers;
● we
are able to demonstrate product safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of the products;
and
● we
are able to maintain customer relationships and acceptance.
Acceptance
of our products in the marketplace is also uncertain, and our failure to achieve sufficient market acceptance and any inability to sell
such products at competitive prices will limit our ability to generate revenue and be profitable. Our products and technologies may not
achieve expected reliability, performance, and endurance standards. Our products and technologies may also not achieve market acceptance,
including among hospitals, or may not be deemed suitable for other commercial applications.
If
we do not build brand awareness and brand loyalty, our business may suffer.
Due
in part to the substantial resources available to many of our competitors providing aqueous ozone technology, our opportunity to achieve
and maintain a significant market share may be limited. The importance of brand recognition will increase as competition in our market
increases. Successfully promoting and positioning of our brand will depend largely on the effectiveness of our marketing efforts, our
ability to offer reliable and desirable products at competitive rates, and customer perceptions of the value of our products. If our
planned marketing efforts are ineffective or if customer perceptions change regarding the effectiveness of our cleaning machines and
products, we may need to increase our financial commitment to creating and maintaining brand awareness and loyalty among customers, which
could divert financial and management resources from other aspects of our business or cause our operating expenses to increase disproportionately
to our revenues. This would cause our business and operating results to suffer.
If
we are unable to maintain, train and build an effective international sales and marketing infrastructure, we will not be able to commercialize
and grow our brand successfully.
As
we grow, we may not be able to secure sales personnel or organizations that are adequate in number or expertise to successfully market
and sell our brand and products on a global scale. We presently rely on individual independent sales representatives and an in-house
sales team to market and sell our products. If we are unable to expand our sales and marketing capability, train our sales force effectively
or provide any other capabilities necessary to commercialize our brand internationally, we will need to contract with third parties to
market and sell our brand, which will be an additional expense. If we are unable to establish and maintain compliant and adequate sales
and marketing capabilities, we may not be able to increase our revenue, may generate increased expenses, and may not continue to be profitable.
10
We
operate in new and rapidly changing markets, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and may increase the risk that
we will not be successful.
The
market for cleaning products is a rapidly changing market, characterized by changing technologies, intense price competition, the introduction
of new competitors and brand name cleaning products, evolving industry standards, changing and diverse regulatory environments, frequent
new service announcements, and changing user demands and behaviors. Our inability to anticipate these changes and adapt our business,
platform, and offerings could undermine our business strategy. Our business strategy and projections, including those related to our
revenue growth and profitability, rely on a number of assumptions about the market for cleaning products, including the size and projected
growth of the cleaning product markets over the next several years. Some or all of these assumptions may be incorrect. Our growth
strategy is dependent, in part, on our ability to timely and effectively launch new products and services, the development of which is
uncertain, complex, and costly. In addition, we may be unable successfully and efficiently to address advancements in distribution technology,
marketing and pricing strategies and content breadth and availability in certain or all of these markets, which could materially and
adversely affect our growth prospects and results of operations.
The
limited history of some of the markets in which we operate makes it difficult to effectively assess our future prospects, and our business
and prospects should be considered in light of the risks and difficulties we may encounter in these evolving markets. We cannot accurately
predict whether our products and services will achieve significant acceptance by potential users in significantly larger numbers or at
the same or higher price points than at present. Our historic growth rates should therefore not be relied upon as an indication of future
growth, financial condition, or results of operations.
Our
major customers account for a significant portion of our revenue and the loss of any major customer could have a material adverse effect
on our results of operations.
For
the year ended June 30, 2024, one customer, Pro-Link, Inc., accounted for 14% of
revenue, and we had two customers, Consensus Group and Tharaldson Hospitality, that accounted for 28% each of all accounts receivable
at June 30, 2024. For the year ended June 30, 2023, Pro-Link, Inc. and Sanzonate accounted for
39% and 36% of revenue, respectively, and we had two customers, Sanzonate and Pro-Link, Inc., that accounted for 43% and 12%,
respectively, of all accounts receivable at June 30, 2023. We do not have a long-term contract with any
of the customers mentioned. We do not have a long-term contract with any of the customers
mentioned . We experienced a 34.26% decrease in revenues for the year ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the year ended June 30,
2023. The decline in revenue was largely driven by the termination of a distribution agreement with Sanzonate. Revenue
to Sanzonate decreased by 96% during this time period and accounted for 80% of total decrease in revenue during this time period. Our
results of operations and ability to service our debt obligations would also be impacted negatively to the extent that any major customer
is unable to make payments to us or does not make timely payments on outstanding accounts receivable.
We
have historically depended on a limited number of third parties to supply key raw materials to us and the failure to obtain a sufficient
supply of these raw materials in a timely fashion and at reasonable costs could significantly delay our delivery of products.
Since
our company’s inception, we have historically purchased certain key raw materials, such as chassis, generators, vacuum switches,
and head sockets and other components from a limited number of suppliers. We purchased raw materials on the basis of purchase orders.
In the absence of firm and long-term contracts, we may not be able to obtain a sufficient supply of these raw materials from our
existing suppliers or alternates in a timely fashion or at a reasonable cost. Although we have not experienced any supply chain disruptions
in the past, we cannot guarantee that we will not experience any disruptions in the future. If we fail to secure a sufficient supply
of key raw materials in a timely fashion, it would result in a significant delay in our delivery of products. Furthermore, failure to
obtain a sufficient supply of these raw materials at a reasonable cost could also harm our revenue and gross profit margins.
We
depend on third-party delivery services, for both inbound and outbound shipping, to deliver our products to our distribution centers
and subsequently to our customers on a timely and consistent basis, and any deterioration in our relationship with any one of these third
parties or increases in the fees that they charge could harm our reputation and adversely affect our business and financial condition.
We
rely on third parties for the shipment of our products, both inbound and outbound shipping logistics, and we cannot be sure that these
relationships will continue on terms favorable to us, or at all. Shipping costs have increased from time to time, and may continue to
increase, and we may not be able to pass these costs directly to our customers.
11
Any
increased shipping costs could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations by increasing our costs of
doing business and reducing gross margins which could negatively affect our operating results. In addition, we utilize a variety of shipping
methods for both inbound and outbound logistics. For inbound logistics, we rely on trucking and ocean carriers and any increases in fees
that they charge could adversely affect our business and financial condition. For outbound logistics, we rely on “Less-than-Truckload”
and parcel freight based upon the product and quantities being shipped and customer delivery requirements. These outbound freight costs
have increased on a year-over-year basis and may continue to increase in the future. We also ship a number of oversized products
which may trigger additional shipping costs by third-party delivery services. Any increases in fees or any increased use of “Less-than-Truckload”
shipping would increase our shipping costs which could negatively affect our operating results.
In
addition, if our relationships with these third parties are terminated or impaired, or if these third parties are unable to deliver products
for us, whether due to labor shortage, slow down or stoppage, deteriorating financial or business condition, responses to terrorist attacks
or for any other reason, we would be required to use alternative carriers for the shipment of products to our customers. Changing carriers
could have a negative effect on our business and operating results due to reduced visibility of order status and package tracking and
delays in order processing and product delivery, and we may be unable to engage alternative carriers on a timely basis, upon terms favorable
to us, or at all.
If
our fulfillment operations are interrupted for any significant period of time or are not sufficient to accommodate increased demand,
our sales could decline, and our reputation could be harmed.
Our
success depends on our ability to successfully receive and fulfill orders and to promptly deliver our products to our customers. Most
of the orders for our products are filled from our inventory in our distribution centers, where all our inventory management, packaging,
labeling and product return processes are performed. Increased demand and other considerations may require us to expand our distribution
centers or transfer our fulfillment operations to larger or other facilities in the future. If we do not successfully expand our fulfillment
capabilities in response to increases in demand, our sales could decline.
In
addition, our distribution centers are susceptible to damage or interruption from human error, pandemics, fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications
failures, terrorist attacks, acts of war, break-ins, earthquakes and similar events. We do not currently maintain back-up power
systems at our fulfillment centers. We do not presently have a formal disaster recovery plan and our business interruption insurance
may be insufficient to compensate us for losses that may occur in the event operations at our fulfillment center are interrupted. In
addition, alternative arrangements may not be available, or if they are available, may increase the cost of fulfillment. Any interruptions
in our fulfillment operations for any significant period of time, including interruptions resulting from the expansion of our existing
facilities or the transfer of operations to a new facility, could damage our reputation and brand and substantially harm our business
and results of operations.
Failure
to comply with privacy laws and regulations and failure to adequately protect customer data could harm our business, damage our reputation
and result in the loss of customers.
Federal
and state regulations may govern the collection, use, sharing and security of data that we receive from our customers. In addition, we
have and post on our website our own privacy policies and practices concerning the collection, use and disclosure of customer data. Any
failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with our posted privacy policies or with any data-related consent orders, U.S. Federal
Trade Commission requirements or other federal, state or international privacy-related laws and regulations could result in proceedings
or actions against us by governmental entities or others, which could potentially harm our business. Further, failure or perceived failure
to comply with our policies or applicable requirements related to the collection, use or security of personal information or other privacy-related matters
could damage our reputation and result in a loss of customers. The regulatory framework for privacy issues is currently evolving and
is likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future.
Quality
problems with, and product liability claims in connection with, our aqueous ozone machines could lead to recalls or safety alerts, harm
to our reputation, or adverse verdicts or costly settlements, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
and results of operations.
Quality
is extremely important to us and our customers due to the serious and costly consequences of product failure, and our business exposes
us to potential product liability risks that are inherent in the design, manufacture and marketing of cleaning devices and services.
In addition, our products may be used in intensive care settings with immunocompromised and seriously ill patients. Component failures,
manufacturing defects or design flaws could result in an unsafe condition or injury to, or death of, a patient or other user of our products.
These problems could lead to the recall of, or issuance of a safety alert relating to, our products and could result in unfavorable judicial
decisions or settlements arising out of product liability claims and lawsuits, including class actions, which could negatively affect
our business, financial condition and results of operations. In particular, a material adverse event involving one of our products could
result in reduced market acceptance and demand for all products offered under our brand and could harm our reputation and ability to
market products in the future.
12
High
quality products are critical to the success of our business. If we fail to meet the high standards that we set for ourselves and that
our customers expect, and if our products are the subject of recalls, safety alerts or other material adverse events, our reputation
could be damaged, we could lose customers and our revenue could decline.
Any
product liability claim brought against us, with or without merit, could be costly to defend and resolve. Any of the foregoing problems,
including product liability claims or product recalls in the future, regardless of their ultimate outcome, could harm our reputation
and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We
may receive a significant number of warranty claims or our aqueous ozone products may require significant amounts of service after sale.
Sales
of our aqueous ozone products include a product limited two-year warranty that covers any issues related to manufacturing defects, specifically
relating to the CCS Caddy, POWER CADDY, MINI CADDY, CCS 3.0 Fill Station, CCS 1.0 Fill Station, CCS 1000, CCS 2000L, CCS 5000 and the
NuClean Pro Residential Fill Station. If a product is provided that has a manufacturing defect, we or an authorized distributor will
replace or repair the defective product as long as a claim is submitted to us within the warranty period in writing within 30 days of
the failure. This warranty does not cover abuse, misuse of the products, service or unit modifications not authorized by us, or environmental
hazards. As the possible number and complexity of the features and functionalities of our products increase, we may experience a higher
level of warranty claims. If product returns or warranty claims are significant or exceed our expectations, we could incur unanticipated
expenditures for parts and services, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
We
could be subject to litigation.
Product
liability claims are common. Even though we have not been subject to such claims in the past, we could be a named defendant in a lawsuit
alleging product liability claims including, but not limited to, defects in the design, manufacture or labeling of our aqueous ozone
products and machines. Any litigation, regardless of its merit or eventual outcome, could result in significant legal costs and high
damage awards or settlements. Although we currently maintain product liability insurance, the coverage is subject to deductibles and
limitations, and may not be adequate to cover future claims. Additionally, we may be unable to maintain our existing product liability
insurance in the future at satisfactory rates or at adequate amounts.
If
we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, our reputation and brand could be impaired, and we could lose customers.
We
regard our patents, trademarks, trade secrets and similar intellectual property as important to our success. We rely on patent, trademark
and copyright law, and trade secret protection, and confidentiality and/or license agreements with employees, customers, partners and
others to protect our proprietary rights. We maintain 14 patents in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. We cannot be certain that
we have taken adequate steps to protect our proprietary rights, especially in countries where the laws may not protect our rights as
fully as in the United States. In addition, our proprietary rights may be infringed or misappropriated, and we could be required to incur
significant expenses to preserve them. We may commence litigation to protect our intellectual property rights. The outcome of such litigation
can be uncertain, and the cost of prosecuting such litigation may have an adverse impact on our earnings. We have patent and trademark
registrations for several patents and marks. However, any registrations may not adequately cover our intellectual property or protect
us against infringement by others. Effective patent, trademark, service mark, copyright and trade secret protection may not be available
in every country in which our products and services may be made available online. We also currently own or control a number of Internet
domain names and have invested time and money in the purchase of domain names and other intellectual property, which may be impaired
if we cannot protect such intellectual property. We may be unable to protect these domain names or acquire or maintain relevant domain
names in the United States and in other countries. If we are not able to protect our patents, trademarks, domain names or other intellectual
property, we may experience difficulties in achieving and maintaining brand recognition and customer loyalty.
13
The
loss of key personnel, an inability to attract and retain additional personnel or difficulties in the integration of new members of our
management team into our company could affect our ability to successfully grow our business.
Our
future success depends in large part upon the continued service of the members of our executive management team and key employees, including
our Chief Executive Officer, Clayton Adams, and our Chief Financial Officer, David Enholm. All members of our executive management team
are subject to employment agreements. In addition, our success also depends on our ability to attract and retain qualified technical,
sales and marketing, product support, financial and accounting, legal and other managerial personnel. The competition for skilled personnel
in the industries in which we operate is intense. Our personnel generally may terminate their employment at any time for any reason.
We may incur significant costs to attract and retain highly skilled personnel, and we may lose new employees to our competitors before
we realize the benefit of our investment in recruiting them. As we move into new geographies, we will need to attract and recruit skilled
personnel across functional areas. If we fail to attract new personnel or if we suffer increases in costs or business operations interruptions
as a result of a labor dispute, or fail to retain and motivate our current personnel, we might not be able to operate our businesses
effectively or efficiently, serve our users properly or maintain the quality of our content and services.
We
will face growing regulatory and compliance requirements in a variety of areas, which can be costly and time consuming.
Our
business is, and may in the future be, subject to a variety of laws and regulations, including working conditions, labor, immigration
and employment laws, and health, safety and sanitation requirements. We are unable to predict the outcome or effects of any potential
legislative or regulatory proposals on our business. Any changes to the legal and regulatory framework applicable to our business could
have an adverse impact on our business and results of operations. Our failure to comply with applicable governmental laws and regulations,
or to maintain necessary permits or licenses, could result in liability that could have a material negative effect on our business and
results of operations.
Legislation
or government regulations may be adopted which may affect our products and liability.
Nanobubble
technology and aqueous ozone are subject to considerable regulatory uncertainty as the law evolves to catch up with the rapidly evolving
nature of the technology itself, all of which are beyond our control. Our products also may not achieve the requisite level of compatibility
required for certification and rollout to consumers or satisfy changing regulatory requirements which could require us to redesign, modify
or update our products.
The
industry may become subject to increased legislation and regulation. Further, the legislation or regulations in different countries may
impose different standards, which may be conflicting. Any legislation or regulations which impose standards, or which impose liability,
is likely to increase our manufacturing cost as well as the cost of compliance.
We
are subject to, and must remain in compliance with, numerous laws and governmental regulations concerning the manufacturing, use, distribution
and sale of our products. Some of our customers also require that it complies with their own unique requirements relating to these matters.
We
produce and sell products that contain ozone, and which may be subject to government regulation in the locations where we develop, manufacture,
and assemble our products, as well as the locations where we sell our products. Among other things, certain applicable laws and regulations
require or may in the future require the submission of annual reports to the certain governmental agencies certifying that such products
comply with applicable performance standards, the maintenance of manufacturing, testing, and distribution records, and the reporting
of certain product defects to such regulatory agency or consumers. If our products fail to comply with applicable regulations, we and/or
our products could be subjected to a variety of enforcement actions or sanctions, such as product recalls, repairs or replacements, warning
letters, untitled letters, safety alerts, injunctions, import alerts, administrative product detentions or seizures, or civil penalties.
The occurrence of any of the foregoing could harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Economic,
political and other risks associated with our international operations could adversely affect our revenues and international growth prospects.
We
intend to expand our international presence as part of our business strategy. As described above, on September 10, 2024, we entered into
a sole distributorship agreement for the distribution of our products in the European Union, United Kingdom, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Our international operations are subject to a number of risks inherent to operating in foreign
countries, and any expansion of our international operations will amplify the effects of these risks, which include, among others:
● differences
in culture, economic and labor conditions and practices;
● the
policies of the U.S. and foreign governments;
● disruptions
in trade relations and economic instability;
● differences
in enforcement of contract and intellectual property rights;
14
● social
and political unrest;
● natural
disasters, terrorist attacks, pandemics or other catastrophic events;
● complex,
varying and changing government regulations and legal standards and requirements, particularly
with respect to tax regulations, price protection, competition practices, export control
regulations and restrictions, customs and tax requirements, immigration, anti-boycott regulations,
data privacy, intellectual property, anti-corruption and environmental compliance, including
the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;
● greater
difficulty enforcing intellectual property rights and weaker laws protecting such rights;
and
● greater
difficulty in accounts receivable collections and longer collection periods.
We
are also affected by domestic and international laws and regulations applicable to companies doing business abroad or importing and exporting
goods and materials. These include tax laws, laws regulating competition, anti-bribery/anti-corruption and other business practices,
and trade regulations, including duties and tariffs. Compliance with these laws is costly, and future changes to these laws may require
significant management attention and disrupt our operations. Additionally, while it is difficult to assess what changes may occur and
the relative effect on our international tax structure, significant changes in how U.S. and foreign jurisdictions tax cross-border transactions
could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.
Our
results of operations and financial position are also impacted by changes in currency exchange rates. Unfavorable currency exchange rates
between the US Dollar and foreign currencies could adversely affect us in the future. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may present
challenges in comparing operating performance from period to period.
There
are other risks that are inherent in our international operations, including the potential for changes in socio-economic conditions,
laws and regulations, including, among others, competition, import, export, labor and environmental, health and safety laws and regulations,
and monetary and fiscal policies, protectionist measures that may prohibit acquisitions or joint ventures, or impact trade volumes, unsettled
political conditions; government-imposed plant or other operational shutdowns, backlash from foreign labor organizations related to our
restructuring actions, corruption; natural and man-made disasters, hazards and losses, violence, civil and labor unrest, and possible
terrorist attacks.
To
expand our operations into new international markets, we may enter into business combination transactions, make acquisitions or enter
into strategic partnerships, joint ventures or alliances, any of which may be material. We may enter into these transactions to acquire
other businesses or products to expand our products or take advantage of new developments and potential changes in the industry. Our
lack of experience operating in new international markets and our lack of familiarity with local economic, political and regulatory systems
could prevent us from achieving the results that we expect on our anticipated time frame or at all. If we are unsuccessful in expanding
into new international markets, it could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
Our
international operations require us to comply with anti-corruption laws and regulations of the U.S. government and various international
jurisdictions in which we do business.
Doing
business on a worldwide basis requires us to comply with the laws and regulations of the U.S. government and various international jurisdictions,
and our failure to successfully comply with these rules and regulations may expose us to liabilities. These laws and regulations apply
to companies, individual directors, officers, employees, and agents, and may restrict our operations, trade practices, investment decisions
and partnering activities. In particular, our international operations are subject to U.S. and foreign anti-corruption laws and regulations,
such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or the FCPA. The FCPA prohibits us from providing anything of value to foreign officials for
the purposes of influencing official decisions or obtaining or retaining business or otherwise obtaining favorable treatment, and requires
us to maintain adequate record- keeping and internal accounting practices to accurately reflect our transactions. As part of our business,
we may deal with state-owned business enterprises, the employees and representatives of which may be considered foreign officials for
purposes of the FCPA. In addition, some of the international locations in which we operate lack a developed legal system and have elevated
levels of corruption. As a result of the above activities, we are exposed to the risk of violating anti-corruption laws. Violations of
these legal requirements are punishable by criminal fines and imprisonment, civil penalties, disgorgement of profits, injunctions, debarment
from government contracts as well as other remedial measures. We have established policies and procedures designed to assist us and our
personnel in complying with applicable U.S. and international laws and regulations. However, there can be no assurance that our policies
and procedures will effectively prevent us from violating these regulations in every transaction in which we may engage, and such a violation
could adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.
15
Our
internal control over financial reporting currently may not meet all of the standards contemplated by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act, and failure to achieve and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 could impair
our ability to produce timely and accurate financial statements or comply with applicable regulations and have a material adverse effect
on our business.
As
a public company, we have significant requirements for enhanced financial reporting and internal controls. The process of designing and
implementing effective internal controls is a continuous effort that will require us to anticipate and react to changes in our business
and the economic and regulatory environments and to expend significant resources to maintain a system of internal controls that is adequate
to satisfy our reporting obligations as a public company. If we are unable to establish or maintain appropriate internal financial reporting
controls and procedures, it could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations on a timely basis, result in material misstatements
in our consolidated financial statements, and harm our operating results. In addition, we will be required, pursuant to Section 404 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness
of our internal control over financial reporting in the second annual report on Form 10-K following the completion of our initial public
offering. This assessment will need to include disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by our management in our internal control
over financial reporting. The rules governing the standards that must be met for our management to assess our internal control over financial
reporting are complex and require significant documentation, testing, and possible remediation through the implementation of new internal
controls and procedures and hiring accounting or internal audit staff. Testing and maintaining internal controls may divert management’s
attention from other matters that are important to our business. If we are not able to complete our initial assessment of our internal
controls and otherwise implement the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, we may not be able to
certify as to the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting.
Matters
impacting our internal controls may cause us to be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis and thereby be required
to restate our financial statements or otherwise be subject to adverse regulatory consequences, including sanctions by the Securities
and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, or violations of applicable stock exchange listing rules, which may result in a breach of the covenants
under existing or future financing arrangements. If we fail to meet our public reporting obligations, investors could lose confidence
in us and the reliability of our financial statements, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our class B common
stock. Confidence in the reliability of our financial statements also could suffer if we report a material weakness in our internal control
over financial reporting. This could materially adversely affect us and lead to a decline in the market price of our class B common stock.
We
will incur significant increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will be required to devote substantial
time to new compliance initiatives.
As
a public company, we must incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. In addition,
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act has imposed various requirements on public companies including requiring establishment and maintenance of effective
disclosure and financial controls. Our management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance
initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations have increased and will continue to increase our legal and financial compliance costs
and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly. We cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we will incur
as a public company or the timing of such costs.
The
Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure
controls and procedures. In particular, we must perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial
reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section
404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In addition, we will be required to have our independent registered public accounting firm attest to the
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting the later of our second annual report on Form 10-K or the first annual
report on Form 10-K following the date on which we are no longer an emerging growth company or a non-accelerated filer. Our compliance
with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will require that we incur substantial accounting expense and expend significant management
efforts. We currently do not have an internal audit group, and we will need to hire additional accounting and financial staff with appropriate
public company experience and technical accounting knowledge. If we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a
timely manner, or if we or our independent registered public accounting firm identify deficiencies in our internal control over financial
reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses, the value of our securities could decline and we could be subject to sanctions or
investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources.
16
Our
ability to successfully implement our business plan and comply with Section 404 requires us to be able to prepare timely and accurate
financial statements. We expect that we will need to continue to improve existing, and implement new operational and financial systems,
procedures and controls to manage our business effectively. Any delay in the implementation of, or disruption in the transition to, new
or enhanced systems, procedures or controls, may cause our operations to suffer and we may be unable to conclude that our internal control
over financial reporting is effective and to obtain an unqualified report on internal controls from our auditors if so required under
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the SEC’s implementing rules. This, in turn, could have an adverse impact on the value
of our securities, and could adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets.
Risks
Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock
The
structure of our common stock has the effect of concentrating voting control with a single stockholder, which will limit or preclude
your ability to influence corporate matters. It may also limit the price and liquidity of our class B common stock due to its ineligibility
for inclusion in certain stock market indices.
We
are authorized to issue two classes of common stock – class A common stock and class B common stock. The class A common stock is
entitled to ten votes per share and the class B common stock is entitled to one vote. Clayton Adams, our Chief Executive Officer, holds
stock options to purchase 2,000,000 shares of class A common stock, which are fully vested and may be exercised at any time. If Mr. Adams
exercises his stock options, then he will own approximately 88% of our outstanding class A common stock and will be able
to exercise approximately 67% of our total voting power. This concentrated control will limit or preclude your ability to
influence corporate matters, including significant business decisions, for the foreseeable future and could harm the market value of
your class B common stock.
In
addition, certain index providers have announced restrictions on including companies with multiple-class share structures in
certain of their indexes. For example, in July 2017, FTSE Russell and Standard & Poor’s announced that they would cease to
allow most newly public companies utilizing dual or multi-class capital structures to be included in their indices. Under the announced
policies, our dual class capital structure would make us ineligible for inclusion in any of these indices. Given the sustained flow
of investment funds into passive strategies that seek to track certain indexes, exclusion from stock indexes would likely preclude investment
by many of these funds and could make our class B common stock less attractive to other investors. As a result, fewer
investors may be willing to purchase our class B common stock. In consequence, the market price and liquidity of our class B common
stock could be adversely affected.
We
may not be able to maintain a listing of our class B common stock on NYSE American.
We
must meet certain financial and liquidity criteria to maintain the listing of our class B common stock on NYSE American. If we fail to
meet any of NYSE American’s continued listing standards or we violate NYSE American listing requirements, our class B common stock
may be delisted. In addition, our board of directors may determine that the cost of maintaining our listing on a national securities
exchange outweighs the benefits of such a listing. A delisting of our class B common stock from NYSE American may materially impair our
stockholders’ ability to buy and sell our class B common stock and could have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the
efficiency of the trading market for, our class B common stock. The delisting of our class B common stock could significantly impair
our ability to raise capital and the value of your investment.
The
market price of our stock may be highly volatile, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
The
market for our class B common stock may be characterized by significant price volatility when compared to the shares of larger, more
established companies that have large public floats, and we expect that our stock price will be more volatile than the shares of such
larger, more established companies for the indefinite future. The stock market in general has recently been highly volatile. Furthermore,
there have been recent instances of extreme stock price run-ups followed by rapid price declines and stock price volatility following
a number of recent initial public offerings, particularly among companies with relatively smaller public floats. We may also experience
such volatility, which may be unrelated to our actual or expected operating performance and financial condition or prospects, making
it difficult for prospective investors to assess the rapidly changing value of our class B common stock.
17
The
market price of our class B common stock is likely to be volatile due to a number of factors. First, as noted above, our class B common
stock is likely to be more sporadically and thinly traded compared to the shares of such larger, more established companies. The price
for our class B common stock could, for example, decline precipitously in the event that a large number of shares are sold on the market
without commensurate demand. Furthermore, we are a speculative or “risky” investment due to our lack of profits to date.
As a consequence of this enhanced risk, more risk-adverse investors may, under the fear of losing all or most of their investment in
the event of negative news or lack of progress, be more inclined to sell their shares on the market more quickly and at greater discounts
than would be the case with the stock of a larger, more established company that has a large public float. Many of the foregoing factors
are beyond our control and may decrease the market price of our class B common stock regardless of our operating performance. The market
price of our class B common stock could also be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a broad and diverse range of factors, including
the following:
● actual
or anticipated variations in our periodic operating results;
● increases
in market interest rates that lead investors of our class B common stock to demand a higher
investment return;
● changes
in earnings estimates;
● changes
in market valuations of similar companies;
● actions
or announcements by our competitors;
● adverse
market reaction to any increased indebtedness we may incur in the future;
● additions
or departures of key personnel;
● actions
by stockholders;
● speculation
in the media, online forums, or investment community; and
● our
ability to maintain the listing of our class B common stock on NYSE American.
Volatility
in the market price of our class B common stock may prevent investors from being able to sell their class B common stock at or above
the price at which they purchased it. As a result, you may suffer a loss on your investment.
We
do not expect to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
We
do not expect to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future, as we anticipate that we will invest future earnings in the development
and growth of our business. Therefore, holders of our class B common stock will not receive any return on their investment unless they
sell their shares, and holders may be unable to sell their shares on favorable terms or at all.
If
securities industry analysts do not publish research reports on us, or publish unfavorable reports on us, then the market price and market
trading volume of our class B common stock could be negatively affected.
Any
trading market for our class B common stock may be influenced in part by any research reports that securities industry analysts publish
about us. We do not currently have and may never obtain research coverage by securities industry analysts. If no securities industry
analysts commence coverage of us, the market price and market trading volume of our class B common stock could be negatively affected.
In the event we are covered by analysts, and one or more of such analysts downgrade our securities, or otherwise reports on us unfavorably,
or discontinues coverage of us, the market price and market trading volume of our class B common stock could be negatively affected.
18
Future
issuances of our class B common stock or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our class B common stock, or
the expiration of lock-up agreements that restrict the issuance of new class B common stock or the trading of outstanding class B common
stock, could cause the market price of our class B common stock to decline and would result in the dilution of your holdings.
Future
issuances of our class B common stock or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our class B common stock, or
the expiration of lock-up agreements that restrict the issuance of new class B common stock or the trading of outstanding class B common
stock, could cause the market price of our class B common stock to decline. We cannot predict the effect, if any, of future issuances
of our securities, or the future expirations of lock-up agreements, on the price of our class B common stock. In all events, future issuances
of our class B common stock would result in the dilution of your holdings. In addition, the perception that new issuances of our securities
could occur, or the perception that locked-up parties will sell their securities when the lock-ups expire, could adversely affect the
market price of our class B common stock. In connection with our initial public offering, all of our officers and directors agreed to
be locked up for a period of twelve months from April 26, 2024, the date on which the trading of our class B common stock commenced,
and the holders of 1% or greater of our outstanding class A common stock and class B common stock agreed to be locked up for a period
of six months from such date; provided that the lock-up period for certain of these holders is three months. During the lock-up period,
without the prior written consent of the underwriters, they shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) offer, pledge, assign, encumber, announce
the intention to sell, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant
any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, any common stock or any securities convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for common stock, owned either of record or beneficially by any signatory of the lock-up agreement on the
date of the prospectus or thereafter acquired; (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of
the economic consequences of ownership of the common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common
stock, whether any such transaction described in clauses (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other
securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly announce an intention to do any of the foregoing; and (iii) make any demand for or exercise
any right with respect to, the registration of any common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common
stock. In addition to any adverse effects that may arise upon the expiration of these lock-up agreements, the lock-up provisions in these
agreements may be waived, at any time and without notice. If the restrictions under the lock-up agreements are waived, our class B common
stock may become available for resale, subject to applicable law, including without notice, which could reduce the market price for our
class B common stock.
Future
issuances of debt securities, which would rank senior to our common stock upon our bankruptcy or liquidation, and future issuances of
preferred stock, which could rank senior to our common stock for the purposes of dividends and liquidating distributions, may adversely
affect the level of return you may be able to achieve from an investment in our class B common stock.
In
the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by offering debt securities. Upon bankruptcy or liquidation, holders of
our debt securities, and lenders with respect to other borrowings we may make, would receive distributions of our available assets prior
to any distributions being made to holders of our common stock. Moreover, if we issue preferred stock, the holders of such preferred
stock could be entitled to preferences over holders of common stock in respect of the payment of dividends and the payment of liquidating
distributions. Because our decision to issue debt or preferred stock in any future offering, or borrow money from lenders, will depend
in part on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of any
such future offerings or borrowings. Holders of our class B common stock must bear the risk that any future offerings we conduct or borrowings
we make may adversely affect the level of return, if any, they may be able to achieve from an investment in our class B common stock.
If
our shares of class B common stock become subject to the penny stock rules, it would become more difficult to trade our shares.
The
SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally
equity securities with a price of less than $5.00, other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or authorized
for quotation on certain automated quotation systems, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions
in such securities is provided by the exchange or system. If we do not retain a listing on NYSE American or another national securities
exchange and if the price of our class B common stock is less than $5.00, our class B common stock could be deemed a penny stock. The
penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, before a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver a
standardized risk disclosure document containing specified information. In addition, the penny stock rules require that before effecting
any transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, a broker-dealer must make a special written determination that
the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive (i) the purchaser’s written acknowledgment of the receipt
of a risk disclosure statement; (ii) a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks; and (iii) a signed and dated copy of
a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary
market for our class B common stock, and therefore stockholders may have difficulty selling their shares.
19
We
are subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than rules for companies that are not emerging growth companies,
and our stockholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies.
We
report on an ongoing basis as an “emerging growth company” (as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012,
or the JOBS Act) under the reporting rules set forth under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. For
so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that
are applicable to other Exchange Act reporting 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;
● being
permitted to comply with reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation
in our periodic reports and proxy statements; and
● being
exempt from the requirement to hold a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation
and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
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, as amended, or the Securities Act, for complying with new or revised accounting
standards. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would
otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period. Our financial
statements may therefore not be comparable to those of companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards.
We
will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of our
initial public offering, (ii) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our total annual gross revenues are $1.235 billion or more,
(iii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur
if the market value of our class B common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our
most recently completed second fiscal quarter or (iv) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during
the preceding three year period.
Because
we are subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not emerging
growth companies, our stockholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies.
We cannot predict if investors will find our class B common stock less attractive if we elect to rely on these exemptions, or if taking
advantage of these exemptions would result in less active trading or more volatility in the price of our class B common stock.
We
are also a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure
requirements available to smaller reporting companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more
difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act defines a “smaller reporting company” as an issuer that is not an investment company, an asset-backed
issuer, or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent that is not a smaller reporting company and that:
● had
a public float of less than $250 million as of the last business day of its most recently
completed second fiscal quarter, computed by multiplying the aggregate worldwide number of
shares of its voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates by the price at
which the common equity was last sold, or the average of the bid and asked prices of common
equity, in the principal market for the common equity; or
● in
the case of an initial registration statement under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act
for shares of its common equity, had a public float of less than $250 million as of a date
within 30 days of the date of the filing of the registration statement, computed by multiplying
the aggregate worldwide number of such shares held by non-affiliates before the registration
plus, in the case of a Securities Act registration statement, the number of such shares included
in the registration statement by the estimated public offering price of the shares; or
● in
the case of an issuer whose public float as calculated under paragraph (1) or (2) of this
definition was zero or whose public float was less than $700 million, had annual revenues
of less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year for which audited
financial statements are available.
As
a smaller reporting company, we are not required and may not include a compensation discussion and analysis section in our proxy statements,
and we provide only two years of financial statements. We also have other “scaled” disclosure requirements that are less
comprehensive than issuers that are not smaller reporting companies which could make our class B common stock less attractive to potential
investors, which could make it more difficult for our stockholders to sell their shares.
20
We
are a “controlled company” under the rules of NYSE American and as a result, we may choose to exempt our company from certain
corporate governance requirements that could have an adverse effect on our public stockholders.
Under
NYSE American rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled
company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including, without limitation, (i) the requirement
to have a board of directors comprised of a majority of independent directors, (ii) requirement that director nominees be selected either
by the independent directors or a nomination committee comprised solely of independent directors and (iii) the requirement that the compensation
of officers be determined, or recommended to the board for determination, either by the independent directors or a compensation committee
comprised solely of independent directors. As noted above, Clayton Adams is able to exercise more than 50% of our total voting power
if he exercises his stock options. As a result, we are a “controlled company” within the meaning of NYSE American rules.
Although we currently do not intend to rely on the “controlled company” exemption, we could elect to rely on this exemption
in the future. If we elected to rely on the “controlled company” exemption, a majority of the members of our board of directors
might not be independent and our nominating and compensation committees might not consist entirely of independent directors. Our status
as a controlled company could cause our class B common stock to look less attractive to certain investors or otherwise harm our trading
price.
Anti-takeover
provisions in our charter documents and under Nevada law could make an acquisition of our company more difficult, and limit attempts
by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management.
Provisions
in our articles of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of our company or changes
in our management. As described above, we have a dual class structure which concentrates control with a single stockholder. Furthermore,
neither the holders of our common stock nor the holders of our preferred stock have cumulative voting rights in the election of our directors.
The combination of the present ownership by this single stockholder of a significant portion of our issued and outstanding common stock
and lack of cumulative voting makes it more difficult for other stockholders to replace our board of directors or for a third party to
obtain control of our company by replacing its board of directors.
In
addition, our authorized but unissued shares of common stock are available for our board of directors to issue without stockholder approval,
subject to NYSE American’s rules. We may use these additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including raising additional
capital, corporate acquisitions and employee stock plans. The existence of our authorized but unissued shares of common stock could render
it more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of our company by means of a proxy context, tender offer, merger or other
transaction since our board of directors can issue large amounts of capital stock as part of a defense to a take-over challenge. In addition,
we have authorized in our articles of incorporation 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Our board acting alone and without approval
of our stockholders, subject to NYSE American’s rules, can designate and issue one or more series of preferred stock containing
super-voting provisions, enhanced economic rights, rights to elect directors, or other dilutive features, that could be utilized as part
of a defense to a take-over challenge.
In
addition, various provisions of our bylaws may also have an anti-takeover effect. These provisions may delay, defer or prevent a tender
offer or takeover attempt of our company that a stockholder might consider in his or her best interest, including attempts that might
result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by our stockholders. Our bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed only
by our board of directors. Our bylaws also contain limitations as to who may call special meetings as well as require advance notice
of stockholder matters to be brought at a meeting. Additionally, our bylaws also provide that no director may be removed by less than
a two-thirds vote of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote on the removal. Our bylaws also permit the board of directors
to establish the number of directors and fill any vacancies and newly created directorships. These provisions will prevent a stockholder
from increasing the size of our board of directors and gaining control of our board of directors by filling the resulting vacancies with
its own nominees.
Our
bylaws also establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of our stockholders,
including proposed nominations of persons for election to the board of directors. Stockholders at an annual meeting will only be able
to consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board
of directors or by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting
and who has given us timely written notice, in proper form, of the stockholder’s intention to bring that business before the meeting.
Although our bylaws do not give the board of directors the power to approve or disapprove stockholder nominations of candidates or proposals
regarding other business to be conducted at a special or annual meeting, our bylaws may have the effect of precluding the conduct of
certain business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed or may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting
a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company.
21
These
provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult
for stockholders to replace members of our board of directors, which is responsible for appointing the members of our management.
General
Risk Factors
We
face significant competition.
We
believe that our success will depend heavily upon achieving market acceptance of our products before our competitors introduce more advanced
competing products. Current and new competitors, however, may be able to develop and introduce better or more desirable products in advance
of us or at a lower cost. In addition, some of our current and potential competitors have longer and/or more established operating histories,
greater industry experience, greater name recognition, established customer bases, and significantly greater financial, technical, marketing,
and other resources than we do. To be competitive, we must respond promptly and effectively to the challenges of technological change,
evolving standards and regulations, and our competitors’ innovations by continually working to improve the design of our products,
enhancing our products, as well as improving and increasing our marketing and distribution channels. Increased competition could result
in a decrease in the desirability of our products, a decrease in the use of our products by customers, loss of market share and brand
recognition, and a reduction in the projected revenues from our products. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully
against current and future competitors. Competitive pressures faced by us could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating
results and financial condition.
Increased
prices for raw materials could increase our cost of sales and decrease demand for our products, which could adversely affect our revenue
or profitability.
Our
profitability is affected by the prices of the raw materials used in the manufacturing and sale of our products. These prices may fluctuate
based on a number of factors beyond our control, including, among others, changes in supply and demand, general economic conditions,
labor costs, competition, import duties, currency exchange rates and, in some cases, government regulation. Increased prices could adversely
affect our profitability or revenues. We do not have long-term supply contracts for the raw materials. Significant increases in
the prices of raw materials could adversely affect our profit margins, especially if we are not able to recover these costs by increasing
the prices we charge our customers for our products.
If
commodity prices such as fuel, plastic and steel increase, our margins may be negatively impacted.
Our
third-party delivery services have increased fuel surcharges from time to time, and such increases negatively impact our margins,
as we are generally unable to pass all of these costs directly to consumers. Increasing prices of the raw materials for the products
we sell may impact the availability, the quality and the price of our products, as suppliers search for alternatives to existing materials
and increase the prices they charge. We cannot ensure that we can recover all the increased costs through price increases, and our suppliers
may not continue to provide the consistent quality of raw materials as they may substitute lower cost materials to maintain pricing levels,
all of which may have a negative impact on our business and results of operations.
If
we fail to properly manage our anticipated growth, our business could suffer.
The
planned growth of our commercial operations may place a significant strain on our management and on our operational and financial resources
and systems. To manage growth effectively, we will need to maintain a system of management controls, and attract and retain qualified
personnel, as well as develop, train and manage management-level and other employees. Failure to manage our growth effectively could
cause us to over-invest or under-invest in infrastructure, and result in losses or weaknesses in our infrastructure, which could have
a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow. Any failure by us to manage our
growth effectively could have a negative effect on our ability to achieve our development and commercialization goals and strategies.
Business
interruptions in our facilities may affect the distribution of our products and/or the stability of our computer systems, which may affect
our business.
Weather,
terrorist activities, war or other disasters, or the threat of them, may result in the closure of one or more of our facilities, or may
adversely affect our ability to timely provide products to our customers, resulting in lost sales or a potential loss of customer loyalty.
Most of our raw materials are imported from other countries and these goods could become difficult or impossible to bring into the United
States, and we may not be able to obtain such raw materials from other sources at similar prices. Such a disruption in revenue could
potentially have a negative impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
22
We
rely extensively on our computer systems to manage inventory, process transactions and timely provide products to our customers. Our
systems are subject to damage or interruption from power outages, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches or
other catastrophic events. If our systems are damaged or fail to function properly, we may experience loss of critical data and interruptions
or delays in our ability to manage inventories or process customer transactions. Such a disruption of our systems could negatively impact
revenue and potentially have a negative impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Security
threats, such as ransomware attacks, to our IT infrastructure could expose us to liability, and damage our reputation and business.
It
is essential to our business strategy that our technology and network infrastructure remain secure and is perceived by our customers
to be secure. Despite security measures, however, any network infrastructure may be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Information security
risks have significantly increased in recent years in part due to the proliferation of new technologies and the increased sophistication
and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists and other external parties, including foreign private parties and state actors.
We may face cyber-attacks that attempt to penetrate our network security, including our data centers, to sabotage or otherwise disable
our website, misappropriate our or our customers’ proprietary information, which may include personally identifiable information,
or cause interruptions of our internal systems and services. If successful, any of these attacks could negatively affect our reputation,
damage our network infrastructure and our ability to sell our products, harm our relationship with customers that are affected and expose
us to financial liability.
We
maintain a comprehensive system of preventive and detective controls through our security programs; however, given the rapidly evolving
nature and proliferation of cyber threats, our controls may not prevent or identify all such attacks in a timely manner or otherwise
prevent unauthorized access to, damage to, or interruption of our systems and operations, and we cannot eliminate the risk of human error
or employee or vendor malfeasance.
In
addition, any failure by us to comply with applicable privacy and information security laws and regulations could cause us to incur significant
costs to protect any customers whose personal data was compromised and to restore customer confidence in us and to make changes to our
information systems and administrative processes to address security issues and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In addition,
our customers could lose confidence in our ability to protect their personal information, which could cause them to stop shopping on
our sites altogether. Such events could lead to lost sales and adversely affect our results of operations. We also could be exposed to
government enforcement actions and private litigation.
Interruptions
in deliveries of raw materials could adversely affect our revenue or profitability.
Our
dependency upon regular deliveries from particular suppliers means that interruptions or stoppages in such deliveries could adversely
affect our operations until arrangements with alternate suppliers could be made. If any of our suppliers were unable to deliver raw materials
to us for an extended period of time, as the result of financial difficulties, catastrophic events affecting their facilities or other
factors beyond our control, or if we were unable to negotiate acceptable terms for the supply of raw materials with these or alternative
suppliers, our business could suffer. We may not be able to find acceptable alternatives, and any such alternatives could result in increased
costs for us. Even if acceptable alternatives are found, the process of locating and securing such alternatives might be disruptive to
our business. Extended unavailability of a necessary raw material could cause us to cease producing or selling one or more of our products
for a period of time.
Assertions
by third parties of infringement, misappropriation or other violation by us of their intellectual property rights could result in significant
costs and substantially harm our business and operating results.
In
recent years, there has been significant litigation involving intellectual property rights. Any infringement, misappropriation or related
claims, whether or not meritorious, is time-consuming, diverts technical and management personnel and is costly to resolve. As a result
of any such dispute, we may have to develop non-infringing technology, pay damages, enter into royalty or licensing agreements,
cease providing our product or take other actions to resolve the claims. These actions, if required, may be costly or unavailable on
terms acceptable to us. Any of these events could result in increases in operating expenses, limit our product offerings or result in
a loss of business.
Industry
and other market data that may be used in our periodic reports that we may file with the SEC and our other materials, including those
undertaken by us or our engaged consultants, may not prove to be representative of current and future market conditions or future results.
The
periodic reports that we may file with the SEC may include or refer to statistical and other industry and market data that we obtained
from industry publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties and surveys and studies that we may have undertaken
ourselves regarding the market potential for our product candidates. Although we believe that such information has been, and will be,
obtained from reliable sources, the sources of such data do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. While we
believe these industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies are reliable, we do not independently verify such data.
The results of this data represent various methodologies, assumptions, research, analysis, projections, estimates, composition of respondent
pool, presentation of data and adjustments, each of which may ultimately prove to be incorrect or inaccurate and may cause actual results
and market viability information to differ materially from that presented in any such reports or other materials that we may prepare.
23
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
Not
applicable.
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY.
Risk
Management and Strategy
We
recognize the critical importance of developing, implementing, and maintaining robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard our information
systems and protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our data. We have developed the following processes as part
of our strategy for assessing, identifying, and managing material risks from cybersecurity threats.
Managing
Material Risks & Integrated Overall Risk Management
We
have integrated cybersecurity risk management into our risk management processes. This integration is intended to ensure that cybersecurity
considerations are part of our decision-making processes. We continuously evaluate and address cybersecurity risks in alignment with
our business objectives and operational needs.
Engaging
Third-parties on Risk Management
Recognizing
the complexity and evolving nature of cybersecurity threats, we plan to engage external experts, including consultants and auditors,
in evaluating and testing our risk management systems. These services will enable us to leverage specialized knowledge
and insights, ensuring our cybersecurity strategies and processes remain at the forefront of industry best practices. Our collaboration
with these third-parties is expected to include annual audits, ongoing threat assessments, and regular consultations on security enhancements.
Overseeing
Third-Party Risk
Because
we are aware of the risks associated with third-party service providers, we implement processes to oversee and manage these risks. We
conduct thorough security assessments of all third-party providers before engagement and maintain ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance
with our cybersecurity standards. This approach is designed to mitigate risks related to data breaches or other security incidents originating
from third parties.
Risks
from Cybersecurity Threats
We
have not encountered cybersecurity challenges that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect us, including
our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition.
Governance
Board
of Directors Oversight
Our
board of directors oversees the management of risks associated with cybersecurity threats.
Management’s
Role Managing Risk
Management
is primarily responsible for assessing, monitoring and managing our cybersecurity risks. Management must ensure that all industry standard
cybersecurity measures are functioning as required to prevent or detect cybersecurity threats and related risks. Management oversees
and tests our compliance with standards, remediates known risks, and leads our employee training program.
24
Monitoring
Cybersecurity Incidents
Management
is continually informed about the latest developments in cybersecurity, including potential threats and innovative risk management techniques.
Management implements and oversees processes for the regular monitoring of our information systems. This includes the deployment of industry-standard
security measures and regular system audits to identify potential vulnerabilities. In the event of a cybersecurity incident, management
will implement an incident response plan. This plan includes immediate actions to mitigate the impact and long-term strategies for remediation
and prevention of future incidents.
Reporting
to Board of Directors
Significant
cybersecurity matters, and strategic risk management decisions, will be escalated to the board of directors.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
Our
corporate headquarters are in Omaha, NE, which includes both our corporate offices and the warehouse and assembly functions. Our facilities
are approximately 12,420 square feet and include an office bay, a manufacturing and shipping bay, and a warehouse and storage bay. We
lease the building, and we are currently on a contract until the end of February 2028. We anticipate continuing assembly and warehousing
at this location.
We
believe that our property is adequately maintained, is in generally good condition, and adequate for our business.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
From
time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. However,
litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may
harm our business. Except as set forth below, we are currently not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that we believe will
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
On
August 20, 2024, Matthew Atkinson, our former Chief Executive Officer and a significant stockholder, filed a complaint against our company
in the District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. In his complaint, he alleges that we failed to pay him compensation in the amount
of $123,625.76, unreimbursed expenses of $1,815.25, and accrued and unpaid vacation in the amount of $6,153.84, or $131,594.85 in the
aggregate. He alleges that we are obligated to pay him these amounts under an executive employment agreement between him and our company,
and that he had become entitled to these amounts before he resigned his employment in February 2024. Based on these allegations, Mr.
Atkinson asserts in his complaint causes of action for violation of the Nebraska Wage Payment and Collection Act, or the Act, breach
of contract, and promissory estoppel. His complaints asks for a judgment that: (a) awards him damages in amount to be proved at trial
but no less than $131,594.85, (b) assesses a penalty against our company pursuant to the Act in the amount of $263,189.70, and (c) awards
Mr. Atkinson an amount for his reasonable costs and attorney’s fees incurred in litigating this matter and pre- and post-judgment
interest.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not
applicable.
25
PART
II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Market
Information
Our
class B common stock is listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “ZONE.”
Number
of Holders of our Common Shares
As of September 19, 2024, there were approximately 29 stockholders
of record of our class B common stock. In computing the number of holders of record of our class B common stock, each broker-dealer and
clearing corporation holding shares on behalf of its customers is counted as a single stockholder.
Dividend
Policy
We
have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings
for use in the operation of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the near future. We may also enter into credit
agreements or other borrowing arrangements in the future that will restrict our ability to declare or pay cash dividends. Any future
determination to declare dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition,
operating results, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors
may deem relevant. See also Item 1A “ Risk Factors—Risks Related to Ownership of
Our Common Stock— We do not expect to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future .”
Securities
Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
See
Item 12 “ Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters .”
Recent
Sales of Unregistered Securities
We
have not sold any equity securities during the 2024 fiscal year that were not previously disclosed in a quarterly report on Form 10-Q
or a current report on Form 8-K that was filed during the 2024 fiscal year.
Purchases
of Equity Securities
No
repurchases of our common stock were made during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024.
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The
following discussion and analysis summarizes the significant factors affecting our operating results, financial condition, liquidity
and cash flows as of and for the periods presented below. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our
financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. The discussion contains forward-looking statements
that are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Actual
results could differ materially from those discussed in or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including
those discussed below and elsewhere in this report, particularly in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Special
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
All
periods presented on or prior to October 16, 2022 represent the operations of CleanCore, TetraClean and Food Safety, our predecessors
companies, and all references to “predecessor” refer to the combined financial position and results of operations of CleanCore,
TetraClean and Food Safety on and before such date. References to “successor” refer to the financial position and results
of operations of our company subsequent to October 16, 2022.
Overview
We
specialize in the development and production of cleaning products that produce pure aqueous ozone for professional, industrial, or home
use. We have a patented nanobubble technology using aqueous ozone that we believe is highly effective in cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing
surfaces and high-touch areas.
We
offer products and solutions that are marketed for janitorial and sanitation, ice machine cleaning, laundry, and industrial industries.
Our products are used in many types of environments including retail establishments, distribution centers, factories, warehouses, restaurants,
schools and universities, airports, healthcare, food service, and commercial buildings such as offices, malls, and stores.
Our
mission is to become a leader in creating safe, clean spaces that are free from any chemical residue or skin irritants. We are currently
expanding our distributor network, improving our production processes, and proving the effectiveness of our products in restaurants,
airports, and hotels.
26
Recent
Developments
Product
Development Proposal
On
August 20, 2024, we entered into a product development proposal with E-Business International Incorporation, pursuant to which Business
International Incorporation, an engineering company, will look for more efficient ways to assemble some of our units, and will then take
over assembly of certain products using overseas facilities.
Distributor
Agreement
On
September 10, 2024, we entered into a sole distributorship agreement with Consensus B.V., pursuant to which Consensus B.V. will act as
sole distributor of our products in the European Union, United Kingdom, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.
The agreement is for a term of five years and may be terminated by either party upon not less than four months’ notice; provided
that either party may terminate the agreement immediately upon a substantial breach of the agreement, as more particularly described
in the agreement.
Principal
Factors Affecting Our Financial Performance
Our
operating results are primarily affected by the following factors:
● our
ability to acquire new customers or retain existing customers;
● our
ability to stay ahead of our value-proposition to end consumers;
● our
ability to continue innovating our technology to meet consumer demand;
● industry
demand and competition; and
● market
conditions and our market position.
Emerging
Growth Company
We
qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act. As a result, we are permitted to, and intend to, rely on exemptions
from certain disclosure requirements. For so long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to:
● have
an auditor report on our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b)
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
● comply
with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing
additional information about the audit and the financial statements (i.e., an auditor discussion
and analysis);
● submit
certain executive compensation matters to stockholder advisory votes, such as “say-on-pay”
and “say-on-frequency;” and
● disclose
certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation
and performance and comparisons of the chief executive officer’s compensation to median
employee compensation.
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 for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an emerging
growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies.
We have elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period. Our financial statements may therefore not be comparable
to those of companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards.
We
will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of our
initial public offering, (ii) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our total annual gross revenues are $1.235 billion or more,
(iii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur
if the market value of our class B common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our
most recently completed second fiscal quarter or (iv) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during
the preceding three year period.
27
Results
of Operations
The
following table sets forth key components of our results of operations for the period from July 1, 2022 to October 16, 2022 (Predecessor),
from October 17, 2022 to June 30, 2023 (Successor), and for the year ended June 30, 2024 (Successor).
For the
Year Ended
June 30,
2024
(Successor)
Period from
October 17,
2022 to
June 30, 2023
(Successor)
Period from
July 1,
2022 to
October 16,
2022
(Predecessor)
Revenue
$ 1,604,973
$ 1,938,366
$ 502,990
Cost of sales
809,161
1,359,401
351,740
Gross profit
795,812
578,965
151,250
Operating expenses:
General and administrative
2,471,480
5,310,961
334,535
Advertising expense
116,007
14,944
4,621
Depreciation and amortization expense
155,059
109,144
6,420
Loss from operations
(1,946,734 )
(4,856,084 )
(194,326 )
Interest expense
335,008
167,123
125,738
Net loss
$ (2,281,742 )
$ (5,023,207 )
$ (320,064 )
We
believe that reviewing our operating results for the year ended June 30, 2023, by combining the results of the successor period (October
17, 2022 to June 30, 2023) and the predecessor period (July 1, 2022 to October 16, 2022) is more useful in discussing our overall operating
performance compared to the results of the year ended June 30, 2024 (successor). We do not see any potential risks associated with utilizing
this combined presentation.
Following are the combined results for
the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, both in dollars and as a percentage of our revenues.
Year Ended
June 30, 2024
(Successor)
Pro
Forma
Combined Year ended
June 30, 2023
Period from
October 17,
2022 to
June 30,
Period from
July 1,
2022 to
October 16,
Amount
% of
Revenue
Amount
% of
Revenue
2023
(Successor)
2022
(Predecessor)
Revenue
$ 1,604,973
100.00 %
$ 2,441,356
100.00 %
$ 1,938,366
$ 502,990
Cost of sales
809,161
50.42 %
1,711,141
70.09 %
1,359,401
351,740
Gross profit
795,812
49.58 %
730,215
29.91 %
578,965
151,250
Operating expenses:
General and administrative
2,471,480
153.99 %
5,645,496
231.24 %
5,310,961
334,535
Advertising expense
116,007
7.23 %
19,565
0.80 %
14,944
4,621
Depreciation and amortization expense
155,059
9.66 %
115,564
4.73 %
109,144
6,420
Loss from operations
(1,946,734 )
(121.29 )%
(5,050,410 )
(206.87 )%
(4,856,084 )
(194,326 )
Interest expense
335,008
20.87 %
292,861
12.00 %
167,123
125,738
Net loss
$ (2,281,742 )
(142.17 )%
$ (5,343,271 )
(218.86 )%
$ (5,023,207 )
$ (320,064 )
Revenue .
We generate revenue from sales of our cleaning products. Our revenue decreased by $836,383, or 34.26%, to $1,604,973 for the year ended
June 30, 2024 from $2,441,356 for the year ended June 30, 2023. This reduction in revenue was primarily due to the fact that our previous
largest customer decided to make its own units instead of ordering from us commencing at the start of calendar year 2023. Revenue to
this customer declined by 96% during the fiscal year, which represented over 80% of total revenue decline. The remaining decline is the
result of management’s strategy of shifting focus to selling at higher margins direct to end users instead of selling through regional
distribution groups at lower margins.
28
Cost of sales . Our cost of sales
consists of raw materials, components and labor. Our cost of sales decreased by $901,980, or 52.71%, to $809,161 for the year ended June
30, 2024 from $1,711,141 for the year ended June 30, 2023. As a percentage of revenue, cost of sales decreased from 70.09% for the year
ended June 30, 2023 to 50.42% for the year ended June 30, 2024. This decrease was primarily due to our strategy of selling direct to end
users instead of selling via regional distribution groups.
Gross profit . As a result of the
foregoing, our gross profit increased by $65,597, or 8.98%, to $795,812 for the year ended June 30, 2024 from $730,215 for the year ended
June 30, 2023. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit increased from 29.91% for the year ended June 30, 2023 to 49.58% for the year
ended June 30, 2024.
General and administrative expenses . Our
general and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel expenses, including employee salaries and bonuses plus related payroll
taxes, professional advisor fees, bad debts, rent expense, insurance and other expenses incurred in connection with general operations.
Our general and administrative expenses decreased by $3,174,016, or 56.22%, to $2,471,480 for the year ended June 30, 2024 from $5,645,496
for the year ended June 30, 2023. As a percentage of revenue, our general and administrative expenses decreased from 231.24% for the year
ended June 30, 2023 to 153.99% for the year ended June 30, 2024. This decrease was primarily due to a reduction in stock option expense.
Advertising expenses . Our
advertising expenses consist of vendor trade shows and various trade publications. Our advertising expenses increased by $96,442, or 492.93%,
to $116,007 for the year ended June 30, 2024 from $19,565 for the year ended June 30, 2023. As a percentage of revenue, our advertising
expenses increased from 0.80% for the year ended June 30, 2023 to 7.23% for the year ended June 30, 2024. Such an increase was primarily
due to an increase in trade show sponsorship expenses.
Depreciation
and amortization expense . We incurred depreciation and amortization expense of $155,059, or 9.66% of revenue, for
the year ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $115,564, or 4.73% of revenue, for the year ended June 30, 2023.
Interest
expense . We incurred interest expense of $335,008, or 20.87% of revenue, for the year ended June 30, 2024, as compared
to $292,861, or 12.00% of revenue, for the year ended June 30, 2023.
Net
loss . As a result of the cumulative effect of the factors described above, we had a net loss of $2,281,742 for the
year ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $5,343,271 for the year ended June 30, 2023, a decrease of $3,061,529, or 57.30%.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Our
company has incurred losses and negative cash flows from operations. From acquisition through June 30, 2024, we have financed our operations
primarily through private investor funding and an initial public offering. As of June 30, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $2,016,611,
a net loss for the year ended June 30, 2024 of $2,281,742 and cash used in operating activities of $1,547,880.
Despite
the initial public offering described below, management believes that currently available resources will not be sufficient to fund our
planned expenditures over the next 12 months. These factors, individually and collectively indicate that a material uncertainty exists
that raises substantial doubt about our company’s ability to continue as a going concern for 12 months from the date of issuance
of the accompanying financial statements.
We
will be dependent upon the raising of additional capital through equity and/or debt financing in order to implement our business plan
and generate sufficient revenue in excess of costs. If we raise additional capital through the issuance of equity securities or securities
convertible into equity, stockholders will experience dilution, and such securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior
to those of the holders of common stock. If we raise additional funds by issuing debt, we may be subject to limitations on its operations,
through debt covenants or other restrictions. There is no assurance that we will be successful with future financing ventures, and the
inability to secure such financing may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. Thes accompanying financial statements
do not include any adjustments to the amounts and classifications of assets and liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable
to continue as a going concern.
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under which our company is expected to be able to realize
its assets and satisfy its liabilities in the normal course of business.
29
Summary
of Cash Flow
The
following table provides detailed information about our net cash flow for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.
Combined Year Ended June 30, 2023
Year Ended June 30, 2024
2023
Total
Period from
October 17,
2022 to
June 30, 2023
(Successor)
Period from
July 1,
2022 to
October 16,
2022 (Predecessor)
Net cash used in operating activities
$ (1,547,880 )
$ (354,121 )
$ (236,870 )
$ (117,251 )
Net cash used in investing activities
(10,438 )
(2,009,142 )
(2,001,260 )
(7,882 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
3,181,735
2,506,102
2,631,324
(125,222 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash
1,623,417
142,839
393,194
(250,355 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
393,194
263,506
-
263,506
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$ 2,016,611
$ 406,345
$ 393,194
$ 13,151
Net
cash used in operating activities was $1,547,880 for the year ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $354,121 for the year ended June 30,
2023. For the year ended June 30, 2024, our net loss of $2,281,741, offset by stock-based compensation of $670,958, were the primary
drivers of net cash used in operating activities. For the year ended June 30, 2023, our net loss of $5,343,271, offset by stock-based
compensation of $4,119,321, were the primary drivers of the net cash used in operating activities.
Net
cash used in investing activities was $10,438 for the year ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $2,009,142 for the year ended June 30,
2023. The net cash used in investing activities for the year ended June 30, 2024 consisted entirely of purchases of property and equipment,
while the net cash used in investing activities for the year ended June 30, 2023 consisted of cash used in connection with the acquisition
of the assets of CleanCore LLC, TetraClean and Food Safety of $2,007,882 and purchases of property and equipment of $1,260.
Net
cash provided by financing activities was $3,181,735 for the year ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $2,506,102 for the year ended June
30, 2023. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended June 30, 2024 consisted of proceeds from the issuance of class
B common stock pursuant to the initial public offering of $4,233,875 (net of offering costs), proceeds from the issuance of convertible
notes of $225,000, offset by payments for deferred offering costs of $587,573, repayment of notes of $480,667 and repayment of related
party loans of $208,900, while net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended June 30, 2023 consisted of proceeds from
the issuance of class B common stock of $1,650,000, proceeds from the issuance of series seed preferred stock of $1,000,000, proceeds
from related party loans of $373,817 and proceeds from the issuance of class A common stock of $100, offset by repayments of related
party loans of $288,861, payments for deferred operating costs of $227,676 and repayments of long term debt of $1,278.
Initial
Public Offering
On
April 25, 2024, we entered into an underwriting agreement with Boustead Securities, LLC, as the representative of the several underwriters
named on Schedule 1 thereto, relating to our initial public offering of class B common stock. Under the underwriting agreement, we agreed
to sell 1,250,000 shares of class B common stock to the underwriters, at a purchase price per share of $3.72 (the offering price to the
public of $4.00 per share of class B common stock minus the underwriters’ discount), and also agreed to grant to the underwriters
a 45-day option to purchase up to 187,500 additional shares of class B common stock, at a purchase price of $3.72, pursuant to our registration
statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-274928) under the Securities Act.
On
April 30, 2024, the closing of the initial public offering was completed. We sold 1,250,000 shares of class B common stock for total
gross proceeds of $5,000,000. After deducting the underwriting commission and expenses, we received net proceeds of approximately $4,239,500.
On
April 30, 2024, we also issued a class B common stock purchase warrant to the representative for the purchase of 87,500 shares of class
B common stock at an exercise price of $5.00, subject to adjustments. The warrant will be exercisable at any time and from time to time,
in whole or in part, during the period commencing on April 30, 2024 and ending on April 25, 2029 and may be exercised on a cashless basis
under certain circumstances.
Private
Placement
Between
October 14, 2022 and November 29, 2022, we issued an aggregate of 660,921 shares of class B common stock for total gross proceeds of
$1,150,000 and net proceeds of approximately $1,035,000 in a private placement transaction.
30
Promissory
Notes
On
October 17, 2022, we issued a promissory note in the principal amount of $3,000,000 to Burlington, which amended by an extension agreement
dated September 13, 2023, a second extension agreement dated December 17, 2023, a third extension agreement dated April 30, 2024, and
a fourth extension agreement dated May 20, 2024. The note bore interest at a rate of 7% per annum; provided that such interest rate increased
to 10% per annum on September 13, 2023. The note was due on the earlier of (a) the closing of a firm commitment initial public offering
and concurrent listing on a national securities exchange or (b) April 4, 2024.
On
May 31, 2024, Burlington and Walker Water LLC, or WW, entered into an allonge, assignment and agreement, or the Assignment Agreement,
pursuant to which Burlington agreed to transfer $633,840 of the note to WW. The Assignment Agreement also provided that we would make
a payment of $900,000 to Burlington on May 31, 2024, of which $480,667 will reduce the principal amount of the note, and $419,333 will
pay outstanding interest. On May 31, 2024, we issued an amended and restated promissory note to Burlington to reduce the outstanding
principal of the note due to Burlington’s assignment of a portion of the note to WW and due to the foregoing payment. The note
has a new principal amount of $2,366,160, accrues interest at 8.5% per annum from October 17, 2022 (the date of the original note), which
shall increase to 10% upon an event of default, and requires quarterly payments in the amount of $100,000 over the course of the next
two and a half years, with a final payment of $1,396,881 due on April 1, 2027. The note may be prepaid at any time with no pre-payment
penalty and contains customary events of default for a note of this type. As of June 30, 2024, the outstanding principal balance of this
note is $1,885,493 and it has accrued interest of $13,673.
Pursuant
to the Assignment Agreement, we also issued a new promissory note to WW in the principal amount of $633,840. The note accrues interest
at 8.5% per annum from October 17, 2022 (the date of the original note), which shall increase to 10% upon an event of default and is
due on December 31, 2024. The note may be prepaid at any time with no pre-payment penalty and contains customary events of default for
a note of this type. As of June 30, 2024, the outstanding principal balance of this note is $633,840 and it has accrued interest of $4,490.
Both
notes are unsecured and are pari passu in right of payment to any other unsecured indebtedness incurred in favor of
any third party.
Related
Party Revolving Loan
On
March 26, 2024, we entered into a loan agreement with Clayton Adams, a significant stockholder at such time and our current Chief Executive
Officer, pursuant to which we issued a revolving credit note to Mr. Adams in the principal amount of up to $500,000. Pursuant to the
loan agreement and note, Mr. Adams agreed to provide advances to us upon request during the period commencing on the effective date of
the registration statement relating to our initial public offering (April 25, 2024) and continuing until the second anniversary of such
date, which is referred to as the maturity date. This note accrues simple interest on the outstanding principal amount at the rate of
8% per annum, with all principal and interest due on the maturity date; provided that upon an event of default (as defined in the note),
such rate shall increase to 13%. We may prepay the note at any time without penalty or premium. The note is unsecured and contains customary
events of default for a loan of this type. As of June 30, 2024, no advances have been made and the principal amount of this note is $0.
Contractual
Obligations
Our
principal commitments consist mostly of obligations under the loans described above. Other than indicated above, at June 30, 2024, we
did not have other long-term debt obligations, capital (finance) lease obligations, operating lease obligations, purchase obligations
or other long-term liabilities reflected on our statements of financial position.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We
have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition,
changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
31
Critical
Accounting Policies
The
following discussion relates to critical accounting policies for our company. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
United States generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP, requires our management to make assumptions, estimates and judgments
that affect the amounts reported, including the notes thereto, and related disclosures of commitments and contingencies, if any. We have
identified certain accounting policies that are significant to the preparation of our financial statements. These accounting policies
are important for an understanding of our financial condition and results of operation. Critical accounting policies are those that are
most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management’s difficult, subjective,
or complex judgment, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may
change in subsequent periods. Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their significance to financial statements
and because of the possibility that future events affecting the estimate may differ significantly from management’s current judgments.
We believe the following critical accounting policies involve the most significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of
our financial statements:
Business
Combinations . Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The fair value of total purchase consideration
is allocated to the fair values of identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the remaining amount
being classified as goodwill. All assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired or assumed in a business combination are recorded
at their fair values at the date of acquisition. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management
to use significant judgment and estimates including the selection of valuation methodologies, estimates of future revenue and cash flows,
discount rates, and selection of comparable companies. Estimates of fair value are based on assumptions believed to be reasonable, but
are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from those estimates. During the measurement period,
not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition, we may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with a
corresponding offset to goodwill. At the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are reflected in the statements
of operations. Transaction costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred and are included in general and administrative
expenses in our statements of operations.
Intangible
Assets . Intangible assets primarily consist of existing technology, customer relationships, and trademarks obtained as a result
of the acquisition on October 17, 2022. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized based on their pattern of economic benefit
over their estimated useful lives and reviewed periodically for impairment. Our trademarks are deemed to have an indefinite life. The
estimated useful life of the acquired technology is 15 years while the estimated useful life of the customer relationships is 5 years.
Impairment
of Goodwill . We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually, as of June 30, or more frequently when indicators of impairment exist.
We consider qualitative factors including market conditions, legal factors, operating performance indicators, and competition, among
others, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including
goodwill. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount,
we perform a quantitative impairment test. In performing the quantitative impairment test, we compare the fair value of its reporting
unit to the carrying amount including the goodwill of the reporting unit. If the carrying value, including goodwill, exceeds the reporting
unit’s fair value, we will recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s
fair value. We performed our annual evaluation of goodwill on June 30, 2024. Based on the analysis, we did not recognize an impairment
loss during the year ended June 30, 2024. Subsequent evaluations will be performed annually on June 30, per our policy.
Stock-based
Compensation . Compensation expense is recognized for all share-based payments to employees and nonemployees, including stock
options, restricted stock awards, and warrants, in the statements of operation based on the fair value of the awards that are granted.
As necessary, our stock price at the date of grant was estimated using an acceptable valuation technique such as the probability-weighted
expected return model. The fair value of stock options and warrants are estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing
model. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the fair market value of our class B common stock on the date of grant.
Compensation expense for restricted stock awards with performance-based vesting conditions is calculated based on the number of awards
that are expected to vest during the performance period if it is probable that the performance metrics will be achieved. Generally, measured
compensation cost, net of actual forfeitures, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the related share-based
compensation award. We account for forfeitures of stock-based awards as they occur.
Revenue
Recognition . We generate revenues from sales of our products and recognize revenue as control of the products is transferred
to customers, which is generally at the time of shipment based on the contractual terms with our customers. We provide customer programs
and incentive offerings, including growth incentives and volume-based incentives. These customer programs and incentives are considered
variable consideration. We include in revenue variable consideration only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal
in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the variable consideration is resolved. This determination is made
based upon known customer program and incentive offerings at the time of sale, and expected sales volume forecasts as it relates to our
volume-based incentives. This determination is updated every reporting period. For the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, customer growth
and volume-based incentives were minimal. Certain product sales include a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty that provides the customer
with assurance that the product performs as intended. Such warranties are assurance-type warranties and are accounted for as contingencies
under ASC 460-10.
32
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Not
applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The
full text of our audited consolidated financial statements begins on page F-1 of this annual report.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We
maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange
Act, that are designed to ensure information required to be disclosed in our reports that we file or furnish pursuant to the Exchange
Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such
information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (our principal executive officer)
and Chief Financial Officer (our principal financial officer), as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness
of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our principal
executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were not
effective at a reasonable assurance level due to material weaknesses identified related to (1) the lack of a sufficient number of trained
professionals with the expertise to design, implement, and execute a formal risk assessment process and formal accounting policies, procedures,
and controls over accounting and financial reporting to ensure the timely and accurate recording of financial transactions while maintaining
a segregation of duties; and (2) the lack of a sufficient number of trained professionals with the appropriate U.S. GAAP technical expertise
to identify, evaluate, and account for complex transactions, including identification of related party transactions, and review valuation
reports prepared by external specialists.
Management’s
Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
This
annual report does not include a report of management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting or an attestation
report of our registered public accounting firm due to a transition period established by rules of the SEC for newly public companies.
Changes
in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
In
preparing our financial statements as of and for the year ended June 30, 2024, management identified material weaknesses in our internal
control over financial reporting. The material weaknesses we identified related to (1) the lack of a sufficient number of trained professionals
with the expertise to design, implement, and execute a formal risk assessment process and formal accounting policies, procedures, and
controls over accounting and financial reporting to ensure the timely and accurate recording of financial transactions while maintaining
a segregation of duties; and (2) the lack of a sufficient number of trained professionals with the appropriate U.S. GAAP technical expertise
to identify, evaluate, and account for complex transactions and review valuation reports prepared by external specialists.
We
are planning on implementing measures designed to improve our internal control over financial reporting to remediate these material weaknesses,
including formalizing our processes and internal control documentation and strengthening supervisory reviews by our financial management
and hiring additional qualified accounting and finance personnel and engaging financial consultants to enable the implementation of internal
control over financial reporting and segregating duties amongst accounting and finance personnel.
While
we are implementing these measures, we cannot assure you that these efforts will remediate our material weaknesses and significant deficiencies
in a timely manner, or at all, or prevent restatements of our financial statements in the future. If we are unable to successfully remediate
our material weaknesses, or identify any future significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, the accuracy and timing of our financial
reporting may be adversely affected, we may be unable to maintain compliance with securities law requirements regarding timely filing
of periodic reports, and the market price of our common stock may decline as a result.
33
In
accordance with the provisions of the JOBS Act, we and our independent registered public accounting firm were not required to, and did
not, perform an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2024, nor any period subsequent in accordance
with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we have identified all, or that we will not in
the future have additional, material weaknesses. Material weaknesses may still exist when we report on the effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Inherent
Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
Our
management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, do not expect that our disclosure controls and
procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. Our management recognizes that any
controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control
objectives, and management necessarily is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls
and procedures. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of
controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls
can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations
include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake.
Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, 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, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may
deteriorate. Due to inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be
detected.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
None .
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.
Not
applicable.
34
PART
III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Directors
and Executive Officers
Set
forth below is information regarding our directors and executive officers as of the date of this report.
Name
Age
Position
Clayton
Adams
35
Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer and President
David
Enholm
60
Chief
Financial Officer and Director
Gary
Hollst
39
Chief
Revenue Officer
Brent
Cox
41
Director
James
M. Grisham
55
Director
Larry
Goldman
67
Director
Clayton
Adams . Mr. Adams has served as our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President since June 2024 and previously served as our
President, Chief Financial Officer and as a member of our board of directors from September 2022 until July 2023. Since January 2020,
Mr. Adams has served as Principal at Bird Dog Capital LLC, where he leads various investments. Mr. Adams gained experience developing
the growth of small companies as Chief Executive Officer of Carson Enterprises, Inc., a company engaged in landscaping and construction,
from March 2009 to February 2019. At Carson Enterprises, Inc., Mr. Adams expanded the company and successfully sold the company in February
2019. Mr. Adams is also a member of the board of directors and serves on the audit, compensation and nominating committees of Signing
Day Sports, Inc. Mr. Adams graduated from Red Oak High School in 2007. We believe that Mr. Adams is qualified to serve on our board of
directors due to his experience in small-cap companies, scaling operations, and financial background.
David
Enholm . Mr. Enholm has served as our Chief Financial Officer since March 2023 and was appointed to our board of directors in
July 2023. Mr. Enholm is a senior executive with over 35 years of experience in finance, including budgeting, forecasting, treasury and
cash flow operations, acquisitions and dispositions, and company restructuring. Mr. Enholm worked with Monroe Capital, a private equity
firm located in Chicago, Illinois, to assist their portfolio companies with their financial reporting and accounting needs from October
2018 through September 2022. As a result, from March 2020 to September 2022, Mr. Enholm served as the Interim Chief Financial Officer,
and subsequently Chief Financial Officer, at Nelbud Services, a service company specializing in fire protection located in Indianapolis,
Indiana. From October 2019 to March 2020, Mr. Enholm was primarily engaged as a consultant for Nelbud Services. During his tenure as
Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Enholm led two acquisitions and worked with a senior executive team to develop new revenue sources for the
company. From October 2018 to August 2021, Mr. Enholm was the Chief Financial Officer at Complete Nutrition, a private company in Omaha,
Nebraska, that specialized in the sale of health supplements. As Chief Financial Officer at Complete Nutrition, Mr. Enholm developed
a restructuring plan to transition the company from a traditional physical store to an e-commerce retailer. Both Nelbud Services and
Complete Nutrition were wholly owned by Monroe Capital. Prior to 2018, Mr. Enholm has also served as Chief Financial Officer at FRGC
LLC, Corporate Controller at CoSentry LLC, and Vice President Corporate Controller at Pamida Operating Stores LLC. Mr. Enholm graduated
from the University of Nebraska-Omaha with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a major in Accounting. We
believe that Mr. Enholm is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his extensive finance experience.
Gary
Hollst . Mr. Hollst has served as our Chief Revenue Officer since November 1, 2022 and previously served as President of CleanCore
LLC from April 19, 2019 to October 17, 2023. Mr. Hollst has an extensive background in the janitorial, sanitation and refrigeration industry.
From 2015 to April 19, 2021, Mr. Hollst served as the President of Walker Water, LLC d/b/a O-Z Tech, an ice machine and laundry cleaning
company based out of Omaha, Nebraska, that also specializes in the usage of aqueous ozone water. Mr.
Hollst also serves on the Yutan Board of Education in Yutan, NE. Mr. Hollst earned his high school degree in 2003 from Yutan High School.
Brent
Cox . Mr. Cox has served as a member of our board of directors since April 2024. Mr. Cox currently serves as the co-founder and
managing partner of The Inception Companies, a private investment firm, a position he has held since 2016. From September 2008 to April
2016, Mr. Cox served as a principal investor of the Yucaipa Companies, a Los Angeles, California based private equity firm where he was
responsible for sourcing, analyzing and executing investment opportunities, structuring financing for investments and monitoring the
performance and strategic initiatives of its portfolio companies. From 2006 to 2008, Mr. Cox served as an investment banking analyst
in the Leveraged Finance Group of Jefferies & Co., a multinational independent investment bank. Mr. Cox received a Bachelor of Science
degree from the University of Southern California. We believe Mr. Cox is well-qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors
due to his experience in investment banking and prior corporate governance experience having served on corporate boards of directors.
James
M. Grisham . Mr. Grisham has served as a member of our board of directors since April 2024 .
Mr. Grisham has worked in the telecommunications industry for over 25 years and has almost a decade of experience as an executive officer.
Since December 2013, Mr. Grisham has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Shawnee Communications Inc., an Illinois
telecommunications company. Prior to his tenure as the President and Chief Executive Officer as Shawnee Communications, Mr. Grisham spent
15 years, from August 1998 to December 2013, as its Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Grisham holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Our board of directors believes Mr. Grisham is qualified to serve on the board due to his financial
background and his extensive experience as an executive.
35
Larry
Goldman . Mr. Goldman has served as a member of our board of directors since April 2024 .
Since September 2018, Mr. Goldman has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Lightbridge Corporation, a Nasdaq-listed nuclear fuel
technology company. Prior to that, he worked with Lightbridge Corporation as a consultant from 2006 until 2015, and from 2015 until September
2018 served as its Chief Accounting Officer. From 1985 to 2004, Mr. Goldman was an Audit Assurance Partner for Livingston Wachtell &
Co., LLP, a New York City CPA firm, with over 20 years’ experience in assurance, tax and advisory services. Since September 2004,
Mr. Goldman had also provided consulting services to numerous public companies on various financial projects and has government contracting
accounting experience. Mr. Goldman has an M.S. degree in Taxation from Pace University. Mr. Goldman also holds a Bachelor’s degree
in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the State University College at Oswego, NY. Mr. Goldman is a member
of the New York State Society of CPAs and serves on its CFO Committee. He has also served on the SEC Practice Committee and the Management
Consulting Committee. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. We believe that Mr. Goldman is qualified
to serve on our board of directors due to his extensive accounting experience and his prior corporate governance experience with numerous
public companies.
Our
directors currently have terms which will end at our next annual meeting of the stockholders or until their successors are elected and
qualify, subject to their prior death, resignation or removal. Officers serve at the discretion of the board of directors. There is no
arrangement or understanding between any director or executive officer and any other person pursuant to which he was or is to be selected
as a director, nominee or officer.
Family
Relationships
There
are no family relationships among any of our officers or directors.
Involvement
in Certain Legal Proceedings
To
the best of our knowledge, except as described below, none of our directors or executive officers has, during the past ten years:
● been
convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding
traffic violations and other minor offences);
● had
any bankruptcy petition filed by or against the business or property of the person, or of
any partnership, corporation or business association of which he was a general partner or
executive officer, either at the time of the bankruptcy filing or within two years prior
to that time;
● been
subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated,
of any court of competent jurisdiction or federal or state authority, permanently or temporarily
enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting, his involvement in any type of business,
securities, futures, commodities, investment, banking, savings and loan, or insurance activities,
or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;
● been
found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Securities and Exchange
Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state
securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated;
● been
the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment,
decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated (not including any settlement
of a civil proceeding among private litigants), relating to an alleged violation of any federal
or state securities or commodities law or regulation, any law or regulation respecting financial
institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent
injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent
cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order, or any law or regulation prohibiting
mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or
● been
the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended
or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange
Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26))), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the
Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1(a)(29))), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity
or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with
a member.
Corporate
Governance
Governance
Structure
Currently,
our Chief Executive Officer is also our Chairman of the Board. Our board believes that, at this time, having a combined Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman is the appropriate leadership structure for our company. In making this determination, the board considered, among
other matters, Mr. Adams’ experience in small-cap companies, scaling operations, and financial
background and believed that Mr. Adams is highly qualified to act as both Chairman and Chief Executive Officer due to his experience,
knowledge, and personality. Among the benefits of a combined Chairman/Chief Executive Officer considered by the board is that such structure
promotes clearer leadership and direction for our company and allows for a single, focused chain of command to execute our strategic
initiatives and business plans.
36
The
Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
The
board of directors oversees that the assets of our company are properly safeguarded, that the appropriate financial and other controls
are maintained, and that our business is conducted wisely and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and proper governance.
Included in these responsibilities is the board’s oversight of the various risks facing our company. In this regard, our board
seeks to understand and oversee critical business risks. Our board does not view risk in isolation. Risks are considered in virtually
every business decision and as part of our business strategy. Our board recognizes that it is neither possible nor prudent to eliminate
all risk. Indeed, purposeful and appropriate risk-taking is essential for our company to be competitive on a global basis and to achieve
its objectives.
While
the board oversees risk management, company management is charged with managing risk. Management communicates routinely with the board
and individual directors on the significant risks identified and how they are being managed. Directors are free to, and indeed often
do, communicate directly with senior management.
Our
board administers its risk oversight function as a whole by making risk oversight a matter of collective consideration; however, much
of the work is delegated to committees, which will meet regularly and report back to the full board. We have established a standing audit
committee, compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee of our board of directors. The audit committee will
oversee risks related to our financial statements, the financial reporting process, accounting and legal matters, the compensation committee
will evaluate the risks and rewards associated with our compensation philosophy and programs, and the nominating and corporate governance
committee will evaluate risk associated with management decisions and strategic direction.
Independent
Directors
Our
board of directors has determined that all of our directors, other than Messrs. Adams and Enholm, qualify as “independent”
directors in accordance with the rules and regulations of NYSE American. Messrs. Adams and Enholm are not considered independent
because they are employees of our company. In making its independence determinations, the board considered, among other things, relevant
transactions between our company and entities associated with the independent directors, as described under the heading Item 13 “ Certain
Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence ,” and determined that none have any relationship with
our company or other relationships that would impair the directors’ independence.
Committees
of the Board of Directors
Our
board has established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee, each with its
own charter approved by the board. Each committee’s charter is available on our website at www.cleancoresol.com. In addition, our
board of directors may, from time to time, designate one or more additional committees, which shall have the duties and powers granted
to it by our board of directors.
Audit
Committee
Brent
Cox, James M. Grisham, and Larry Goldman, each of whom satisfies the “independence” requirements of Rule 10A-3 under
the Exchange Act and NYSE American’s rules, serve on our audit committee, with Mr. Goldman serving as the chair. Mr. Goldman qualifies
as “audit committee financial expert.” The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and
the audits of the financial statements of our company.
The
audit committee is responsible for, among other things: (i) retaining and overseeing our independent accountants; (ii) assisting the
board in its oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent
auditors and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (iii) reviewing and approving the plan and scope of the internal
and external audit; (iv) pre-approving any audit and non-audit services provided by our independent auditors; (v) approving the fees
to be paid to our independent auditors; (vi) reviewing with our chief executive officer and chief financial officer and independent auditors
the adequacy and effectiveness of our internal controls; (vii) reviewing hedging transactions; and (viii) reviewing and approving related
party transactions.
37
Compensation
Committee
Brent
Cox, James M. Grisham, and Larry Goldman, each of whom satisfies the “independence” requirements of NYSE American’s
rules, serve on our compensation committee, with Mr. Grisham serving as the chair. The members of the compensation committee are also
“non-employee directors” within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The compensation committee assists the board
in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation relating to our directors and executive officers.
The
compensation committee is responsible for, among other things: (i) reviewing and approving the remuneration of our executive officers;
(ii) determining the compensation of our independent directors; and (iii) making recommendations to the board regarding equity-based
and incentive compensation plans, policies and programs.
Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee
Brent
Cox, James M. Grisham, and Larry Goldman, each of whom satisfies the “independence” requirements of NYSE American’s
rules, serve on our nominating and corporate governance committee, with Mr. Cox serving as the chair. The nominating and corporate governance
committee assists the board of directors in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition
of the board and its committees.
The
nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for, among other things: (i) recommending the number of directors to comprise
our board; (ii) identifying and evaluating individuals qualified to become members of the board and soliciting recommendations for director
nominees from our Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair; (iii) recommending to the board the director nominees for each annual stockholders’
meeting; (iv) recommending to the board the candidates for filling vacancies that may occur between annual stockholders’ meetings;
(v) reviewing independent director compensation and board processes, self-evaluations and policies; (vi) overseeing compliance with our
code of ethics; and (vii) monitoring developments in the law and practice of corporate governance.
The
nominating and corporate governance committee’s methods for identifying candidates for election to our board of directors (other
than those proposed by our stockholders, as discussed below) will include the solicitation of ideas for possible candidates from a number
of sources - members of our board of directors, our executives, individuals personally known to the members of our board of directors,
and other research. The nominating and corporate governance committee may also, from time-to-time, retain one or more third-party search
firms to identify suitable candidates.
In
making director recommendations, the nominating and corporate governance committee may consider some or all of the following factors:
(i) the candidate’s judgment, skill, experience with other organizations of comparable purpose, complexity and size, and subject
to similar legal restrictions and oversight; (ii) the interplay of the candidate’s experience with the experience of other board
members; (iii) the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the board and any committee thereof; (iv) whether or
not the person has any relationships that might impair his or her independence; and (v) the candidate’s ability to contribute to
the effective management of our company, taking into account the needs of our company and such factors as the individual’s experience,
perspective, skills and knowledge of the industry in which we operate.
A
stockholder may nominate one or more persons for election as a director at an annual meeting of stockholders if the stockholder complies
with the notice and information provisions contained in our bylaws. Such notice must be in writing to our company not less than 120 days
and not more than 150 days prior to the anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders or as otherwise
required by the requirements of the Exchange Act. In addition, stockholders furnishing such notice must be a holder of record on both
(i) the date of delivering such notice and (ii) the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such
meeting.
Code
of Ethics
We
have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer,
principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Such code of ethics addresses, among other things, honesty and ethical
conduct, conflicts of interest, compliance with laws, regulations and policies, including disclosure requirements under the federal securities
laws, and reporting of violations of the code.
We
are required to disclose any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our code of ethics applicable to our principal executive officer,
principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, or persons performing similar functions. We intend to use our
website as a method of disseminating this disclosure, as permitted by applicable SEC rules. Any such disclosure will be posted to our
website within four (4) business days following the date of any such amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our code of ethics.
38
Insider
Trading Policy
We
have adopted an insider trading policy which prohibits our directors, officers and employees from engaging in transactions in our common
stock while in the possession of material non-public information; engaging in transactions in the stock of other companies while in possession
of material non-public information that they become aware of in performing their duties; and disclosing material non-public information
to unauthorized persons outside our company.
Our
insider trading policy restricts trading by directors, officers and certain key employees during blackout periods, which generally begin
15 calendar days before the end of each fiscal quarter and end two business days after the issuance of our earnings release for the quarter.
Additional blackout periods may be imposed with or without notice, as the circumstances require.
Our
insider trading policy also prohibits our directors, officers and employees from purchasing financial instruments (such as prepaid variable
forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds) designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of our common
stock they hold, directly or indirectly. In addition, directors, officers and employees are expressly prohibited from pledging our common
stock to secure personal loans or other obligations, including by holding their common stock in a margin account, unless such arrangement
is specifically approved in advance by the administrator of our insider trading policy, or making short-sale transactions in our common
stock.
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a)
of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity
securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities
of the company. Officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all
Section 16(a) forms they file. We believe, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and representations
of these persons, that all reports were timely filed for the year ended June 30, 2024.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Summary
Compensation Table - Years Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
The
following table sets forth information concerning all cash and non-cash compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the named persons
for services rendered in all capacities during the noted periods. No other executive officers received total annual salary and bonus
compensation in excess of $100,000.
Name and Principal Position
Year
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
Stock
Awards
($) (1)
Option Awards
($) (1)
All Other Compensation
($) (2)
Total
($)
Clayton Adams,
2024
-
-
-
-
110,000
110,000
Chief Executive Officer (3)
2023
-
-
-
1,540,000
110,000
1,650,000
David Enholm,
2024
191,555
-
-
-
12,480
204,035
Chief Financial Officer (4)
2023
42,692
-
-
179,725
1,920
224,337
Gary Hollst,
2024
129,807
-
-
-
-
129,807
Chief Revenue Officer
2023
118,654
-
-
133,350
-
252,004
Douglas T. Moore,
2024
101,399
22,400
326,565
-
-
348,965
former Chief Executive Officer (5)
2023
-
-
-
-
-
-
Matthew Atkinson,
2024
12,000
-
-
-
-
12,000
former Chief Executive Officer (6)
2023
51,200
-
-
1,540,000
48,000
1,639,200
(1) The
amount is equal to the aggregate grant-date fair value with respect to the awards, computed
in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification
Topic 718.
(2) Other
compensation includes the compensation received for consulting services, as described below.
(3) Mr.
Adams has served as our Chief Executive Officer since June 7, 2024 and served as our President
from August 24, 2022 to July 13, 2023.
(4) Mr.
Enholm has served as our Chief Financial Officer since March 27, 2023.
(5) Mr.
Moore served as our Chief Executive Officer from February 5, 2024 to June 7, 2024.
(6) Mr.
Atkinson served as our Chief Executive Officer from August 24, 2022 to February 5, 2024,
and as our President from July 13, 2023 to February 5, 2024.
39
Employment,
Consulting and Separation Agreements
On
October 17, 2022, we entered into a consulting agreement with Birddog Capital, LLC, or Birddog, a limited liability company owned by
Clayton Adams, pursuant to which we engaged Birddog to provide management services to our company. Pursuant to the consulting agreement,
we agreed to pay Birddog a monthly fee of $6,000 commencing on October 17, 2022. We also agreed to reimburse Birddog for all pre-approved
business expenses. The term of the consulting agreement was for one (1) year. On April 1, 2024, we entered into a new consulting agreement
with Birddog which provides for a monthly fee of $22,000. In addition, we agreed to pay Birddog $175,000 upon completion of our initial
public offering and grant Birddog 500,000 restricted stock units, with 250,000 shares vesting immediately and 250,000 shares vesting
eighteen months after issuance. The consulting agreement expires on October 23, 2025. Birddog subsequently forfeited its right to receive
the payment upon completion of our initial public offering and the restricted stock units.
On
March 27, 2023, we entered into an employment agreement with David Enholm, our Chief Financial Officer, setting forth the terms of Mr. Enholm’s
employment. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, as amended, we agreed to pay Mr. Enholm an annual base salary of
$185,000 and he is eligible for an annual incentive bonus of up to $55,000, as determined by our board of directors and subject to certain
criteria set forth in the employment agreement. Mr. Enholm will also receive 325,000 shares of class B common stock options, with vesting
as follows: 10% of the total options granted becoming vested on June 25, 2023, (ii) another 10% of the total options granted vesting
on September 23, 2023, and (iii) the remaining amount of the total unvested options vesting in equal amounts monthly over 36 months.
The term of the employment agreement is indefinite and may be terminated by us at any time upon fourteen (14) days’ notice or by
Mr. Enholm upon thirty (30) days’ written notice. We may also terminate the employment agreement immediately for just cause (as
defined in the employment agreement). If we terminate the employment agreement without cause, then Mr. Enholm is entitled to severance
in an amount equal to the base salary for three (3) months, payable in a lump sum on the termination date, and all previously earned,
accrued, and unpaid benefits. The employment agreement contains customary confidentiality and invention assignment provisions and restrictive
covenants prohibiting Mr. Enholm from (i) directly or indirectly, as employee, owner, sole proprietor, partner, director, member,
consultant, agent, founder, co-venturer or otherwise, solely or jointly with others, engaging in, or giving advice or lending money to,
any business that completes with our company or (ii) soliciting our employees, in each case for a period of twelve (12) months following
termination of his employment.
On
November 1, 2022, we entered into an employment agreement with Gary Hollst, our Chief Revenue Officer, setting forth the terms of Mr. Hollst’s
employment. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, as amended, we agreed to pay Mr. Hollst an annual base salary of
$120,000 and he is eligible to be considered for an annual incentive bonus, as determined by our board of directors and subject to certain
criteria set forth in the employment agreement. The term of the employment agreement is indefinite and may be terminated by us at any
time upon fourteen (14) days’ notice or by Mr. Hollst upon fourteen (14) days’ written notice. We may also terminate the
employment agreement immediately for just cause (as defined in the employment agreement). The employment agreement contains customary
confidentiality and invention assignment provisions and restrictive covenants prohibiting Mr. Hollst from (i) working as an employee,
consultant, contractor or in any other capacity, for a business that competes with our company for a period of two (2) years, and from
(ii) soliciting our employees, for period of twelve (12) months, in each case following termination of his employment.
On
February 5, 2024, we entered into an employment agreement with Douglas T. Moore, our former Chief Executive Officer, setting forth the
terms of Mr. Moore’s employment. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, we agreed to pay Mr. Moore an annual
base salary of $250,000 and he was eligible for an annual incentive bonus of up to $125,000, as determined by our board of directors.
On June 10, 2024, we entered into a separation agreement and release of claims with Mr. Moore providing for the separation of his employment
with our company effective as of June 7, 2024. Under the separation agreement and release of claims, we agreed to pay Mr. Moore a severance
payment in the amount of $80,000, payable in $10,000 installments every two weeks consistent with our existing payroll practices, and
agreed to pay all previously earned, accrued, and unpaid benefits from our company and its employee benefit plans. We also agreed to
issue 20,000 shares of class B common stock to Mr. Moore on January 2, 2025.
40
On
July 18, 2023, we entered into an employment agreement with Matthew Atkinson, our former Chief Executive Officer, setting forth the terms
of Mr. Atkinson’s employment. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, we agreed to pay Mr. Atkinson an annual
base salary of $200,000 and he is eligible for an annual incentive bonus of up to $200,000, as determined by our board of directors.
The term of the employment agreement is indefinite and may be terminated by us at any time or by Mr. Atkinson upon 14 days’ written
notice. If Mr. Atkinson’s employment is terminated by us without just cause (as defined in the employment agreement), then, subject
to Mr. Atkinson’s execution of a release in favor of our company and his compliance with all obligations set forth in the employment
agreement, he will be entitled to severance equal to his base salary for a period equal to six (6) months following the date of termination.
The employment agreement contains customary confidentiality and invention assignment provisions and restrictive covenants prohibiting
Mr. Atkinson from (i) providing services in any capacity (as an employee, consultant, independent contractor, partner, principal,
agent or advisor), or having any financial interest in, any business that competes with our company for a period of one (1) year following
termination of his employment or (ii) soliciting any person employed or engaged by our company and its affiliates, or any customers,
clients or other business relationships of our company and its affiliates, for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination
of his employment. Prior to entering into the employment agreement, Mr. Atkinson provided full-time consulting and management services
through Elev8 Marketing, LLC, or Elev8. On February 5, 2024, pursuant to Mr. Atkinson’s resignation, we terminated Mr. Atkinson’s
employment agreement and previous consulting agreement with Elev8.
On
October 17, 2022, we entered into a consulting agreement with Elev8, a business consulting company owned by Matthew Atkinson, pursuant
to which we engaged Elev8 to provide management services to our company. Pursuant to the consulting agreement, we agreed to pay Elev8
a monthly fee of $6,000 commencing on October 17, 2022. We also agreed to reimburse Elev8 for all pre-approved business expenses.
Retirement
Benefits
We
have not maintained, and do not currently maintain, a defined benefit pension plan, nonqualified deferred compensation plan, defined
contribution plan, or other retirement plan.
Potential
Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
As
described under “— Employment and Consulting Agreements ” above, Mr. Enholm will be entitled to severance if his
employment is terminated without cause.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The
following table includes certain information with respect to the value of all unexercised options and unvested shares of restricted stock
previously awarded to the executive officers named above at the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
Option Awards
Name
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
Option
Exercise
Price ($)
Option
Expiration
Date
Clayton Adams
2,000,000
-
-
$ 0.25
09/16/2032
David Enholm
137,222
187,778
-
$ 2.50
03/27/2028
Gary Hollst
101,111
73,889
-
$ 1.74
02/21/2028
Director
Compensation
On
April 30, 2024, each of our independent directors, Brent Cox, Larry Goldman and James M. Grisham, was granted a stock option for the
purchase of 150,000 shares of class B common stock at an exercise price of $4.00 per share under our 2022 Equity Incentive Plan. The
options are subject to vesting, with 10% of the option vesting immediately upon its grant and the remaining 90% of the option vesting
in equal installments each month over the next twenty-four (24) months. Except for these stock option grants, no member of our board
of directors received compensation for services as a director the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
41
2022
Equity Incentive Plan
On
September 16, 2022, our board of directors adopted our 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, or the Plan, which was adopted by stockholders on
November 18, 2022, and our board of directors and our stockholders adopted an amendment to the Plan on January 3, 2024. The following
is a summary of certain significant features of the Plan. The information which follows is subject to, and qualified in its entirety
by reference to, the Plan document itself, which is filed as an exhibit to this report.
Purposes
of Plan : The purposes of the Plan are to advance our interests and the interests of our stockholders by providing an incentive
to attract, retain and reward persons performing services for us and by motivating such persons to contribute to our growth and profitability.
Types
of Awards : Awards that may be granted include: (a) incentive stock options, (b) non-qualified stock options,
(c) stock appreciation rights, (d) restricted awards, (e) performance share awards, and (f) performance compensation
awards. These awards offer our officers, employees, consultants and directors the possibility of future value, depending on the long-term price
appreciation of our common stock and the award holder’s continuing service with our company.
Administration
of the Plan : The Plan is currently administered by our board of directors and will be administered by our compensation committee
upon its establishment. Among other things, the administrator has the authority to select persons who will receive awards, determine
the types of awards and the number of shares to be covered by awards, and to establish the terms, conditions, performance criteria, restrictions
and other provisions of awards. The administrator has authority to establish, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the
Plan.
Eligible
Recipients : Persons eligible to receive awards under the Plan will be those employees, consultants, and directors of our
company and its subsidiaries who are selected by the administrator.
Shares
Available Under the Plan : The maximum number of shares of our class B common stock that may be delivered to participants
under the Plan is 3,240,000, subject to adjustment for certain corporate changes affecting the shares, such as stock splits. In addition,
the number of shares of class B common stock available for issuance under the Plan will automatically increase on January 1 of each calendar
year during the term of the Plan by an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of class B common stock issued
and outstanding on December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year. Shares subject to an award under the Plan for which the award
is canceled, forfeited or expires again become available for grants under the Plan. Shares subject to an award that is settled in cash
will not again be made available for grants under the Plan.
Stock
Options :
General. Stock
options give the option holder the right to acquire from us a designated number of shares at a purchase price that is fixed at the time
of the grant of the option. Stock options granted may be tax-qualified stock options (so-called “incentive stock options”)
or non-qualified stock options. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the administrator has the authority to determine all grants of
stock options. That determination will include: (i) the number of shares subject to any option; (ii) the exercise price per
share; (iii) the expiration date of the option; (iv) the manner, time and date of permitted exercise; (v) other restrictions,
if any, on the option or the shares underlying the option; and (vi) any other terms and conditions as the administrator may determine.
Option
Price. The exercise price for stock options will be determined at the time of grant. Normally, the exercise price will not be
less than the fair market value on the date of the grant. As a matter of tax law, the exercise price for any incentive stock option awarded
may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. However, incentive stock option grants to any person owning
more than 10% of our voting stock must have an exercise price of not less than 110% of the fair market value on the grant date.
Exercise
of Options. An option may be exercised only in accordance with the terms and conditions for the option agreement as established
by the administrator at the time of the grant. The option must be exercised by notice to us, accompanied by payment of the exercise price.
Payments may be made in cash or, at the option of the administrator, by actual or constructive delivery of shares of common stock to
the holder of the option based upon the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise.
Expiration
or Termination. Options, if not previously exercised, will expire on the expiration date established by the administrator at
the time of grant. In the case of incentive stock options, such term cannot exceed ten years provided that in the case of holders
of more than 10% of our voting stock, such term cannot exceed five years. Options will terminate before their expiration date if
the holder’s service with our company or a subsidiary terminates before the expiration date. The option may remain exercisable
for specified periods after certain terminations of employment, including terminations as a result of death, disability or retirement,
with the precise period during which the option may be exercised to be established by the administrator and reflected in the grant evidencing
the award.
42
Incentive
and Non-Qualified Options. An incentive stock option is an option that is intended to qualify under certain provisions
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, for more favorable tax treatment than applies to non-qualified stock
options. Any option that does not qualify as an incentive stock option will be a non-qualified stock option. Under the Code, certain
restrictions apply to incentive stock options. For example, the exercise price for incentive stock options may not be less than the fair
market value of the shares on the grant date and the term of the option may not exceed ten years. In addition, an incentive stock
option may not be transferred, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and is exercisable during the holder’s
lifetime only by the holder. In addition, no incentive stock options may be granted to a holder that is first exercisable in a single
year if that option, together with all incentive stock options previously granted to the holder that also first become exercisable in
that year, relate to shares having an aggregate fair market value in excess of $100,000, measured at the grant date.
Stock
Appreciation Rights: Stock appreciation rights, or SARs, which may be granted alone or in tandem with options, have
an economic value similar to that of options. When an SAR for a particular number of shares is exercised, the holder receives a payment
equal to the difference between the market price of the shares on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the shares under the
SAR. Again, the exercise price for SARs normally is the market price of the shares on the date the SAR is granted. Under the Plan, holders
of SARs may receive this payment - the appreciation value - either in cash or shares valued at the fair market value on the date of exercise.
The form of payment will be determined by us.
Restricted
Awards : Restricted awards are shares awarded to participants at no cost. Restricted awards can take the form of awards of
restricted stock, which represent issued and outstanding shares subject to vesting criteria, or restricted stock units, which represent
the right to receive shares subject to satisfaction of the vesting criteria. Restricted stock awards are forfeitable and non-transferable
until the shares vest. The vesting date or dates and other conditions for vesting are established when the shares are awarded. These
awards will be subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the administrator shall determine at the date of grant.
Those may include requirements for continuous service and/or the achievement of specified performance goals.
Performance
Awards: A performance award is an award that may be in the form of cash or shares or a combination, based on the attainment
of pre-established performance goals and other conditions, restrictions and contingencies identified by the administrator.
Performance
Criteria: Under the Plan, one or more performance criteria will be used by the administrator in establishing performance
goals. Any one or more of the performance criteria may be used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of our company,
as the administrator may deem appropriate, or as compared to the performance of a group of comparable companies, or published or special
index that the administrator deems appropriate. In determining the actual size of an individual performance compensation award, the administrator
may reduce or eliminate the amount of the award through the use of negative discretion if, in its sole judgment, such reduction or elimination
is appropriate. The administrator shall not have the discretion to (i) grant or provide payment in respect of performance compensation
awards if the performance goals have not been attained or (ii) increase a performance compensation award above the maximum amount
payable under the Plan.
Other
Material Provisions: Awards will be evidenced by a written agreement, in such form as may be approved by the administrator.
In the event of various changes to the capitalization of our company, such as stock splits, stock dividends and similar re-capitalizations,
an appropriate adjustment will be made by the administrator to the number of shares covered by outstanding awards or to the exercise
price of such awards. The administrator is also permitted to include in the written agreement provisions that provide for certain changes
in the award in the event of a change of control of our company, including acceleration of vesting. Except as otherwise determined by
the administrator at the date of grant, awards will not be transferable, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
Prior to any award distribution, we are permitted to deduct or withhold amounts sufficient to satisfy any employee withholding tax requirements.
Our board also has the authority, at any time, to discontinue the granting of awards. The board also has the authority to alter or amend
the Plan or any outstanding award or may terminate the Plan as to further grants, provided that no amendment will, without the approval
of our stockholders, to the extent that such approval is required by law or the rules of an applicable exchange, increase the number
of shares available under the Plan, change the persons eligible for awards under the Plan, extend the time within which awards may be
made, or amend the provisions of the Plan related to amendments. No amendment that would adversely affect any outstanding award made
under the Plan can be made without the consent of the holder of such award.
43
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth certain information
with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of September 19, 2024 for (i) each of our named executive officers and
directors; (ii) all of our named executive officers and directors as a group; and (iii) each other stockholder known by us to be the beneficial
owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the
table below is c/o our company, 5920 S 118th Circle, Omaha, NE 68137.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance
with SEC rules and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. For purposes of this table, a person or group
of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares that such person or any member of such group has the right
to acquire within sixty (60) days. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares of our common stock held by each person
or group of persons named below, any shares that such person or persons has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days of September 19,
2024 are deemed to be outstanding for such person, but not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership
of any other person. The inclusion herein of any shares listed as beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership
by any person.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
Class A Common Stock
Percent of Class A Common Stock (1)
Class B Common Stock
Percent of Class B Common Stock (1)
Percent of Total Voting Power (2)
Clayton Adams, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (3)
2,000,000
88.11 %
481,000
6.04 %
66.79 %
David Enholm, Chief Financial Officer (4)
-
-
166,111
2.04 %
1.53 %
Gary Hollst, Chief Revenue Officer (5)
-
-
116,667
1.44 %
1.08 %
Brent Cox, Director (6)
-
-
928,750
11.59 %
8.67 %
Larry Goldman, Director (7)
-
-
48,750
*
*
James M. Grisham, Director (8)
-
-
348,750
4.35 %
3.25 %
All directors and executive officers as a group
(6 persons named above)
2,000,000
88.11 %
2,090,028
26.07 %
81.77 %
Matthew Atkinson (9)
270,000
100.00 %
-
-
25.31 %
Mohammad Ansari (10)
-
-
1,461,207
18.34 %
13.70 %
Lisa Roskens (11)
-
-
792,146
9.94 %
7.43 %
Chris Etherington (12)
-
-
649,879
8.16 %
6.09 %
Mark Olivier (13)
-
-
464,868
5.84 %
4.36 %
Benjamin Lee Adams (14)
-
-
470,000
5.90 %
4.41 %
Michael K. Webb (15)
-
-
470,000
5.90 %
4.41 %
* Less
than 1%
(1) Based
on 270,000 shares of class A common stock and 7,965,919 shares of class B common stock issued
and outstanding as of September 19, 2024.
(2) Percentage
of total voting power represents voting power with respect to all shares of our class A common
stock and class B common stock, as a single class. The holders of our class A common stock
are entitled to ten votes per share and holders of our class B common stock are entitled
to one vote per share.
(3) Consists
of 481,000 shares of class B common stock and 2,000,000 shares of class A common stock which
Mr. Adams has the right to acquire within 60 days through the exercise of vested stock options.
The address of Mr. Adams is 1904 S. 183rd Circle, Omaha, NE 68130.
(4) Consists
of 166,111 shares of class B common stock which Mr. Enholm has the right to acquire within
60 days through the exercise of vested stock options.
(5) Consists
of 116,667 shares of class B common stock which Mr. Hollst has the right to acquire within
60 days through the exercise of vested stock options.
44
(6) Consists
of 880,000 shares of class B common stock and 48,750 shares of class B common stock which
Mr. Cox has the right to acquire within 60 days through the exercise of vested stock options.
(7) Consists
of 48,750 shares of class B common stock which Mr. Goldman has the right to acquire within
60 days through the exercise of vested stock options.
(8) Consists
of 100,000 shares of class B common stock held directly, 100,000 shares of class B common
stock held by Shawnee Communications Inc., 100,000 shares of class B common stock held by
James T. Coyle Legacy Trust and 48,750 shares of class B common stock which Mr. Grisham has
the right to acquire within 60 days through the exercise of vested stock options. Mr. Grisham
is the Chief Executive Officer of Shawnee Communications Inc. and the Trustee of the James
T. Coyle Legacy Trust and has voting and investment power over the shares held by them. Mr.
Grisham disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary
interest, if any, in such shares.
(9) The
address of Mr. Atkinson is 255 Calamus Circle, Medina MN, 55340.
(10) Consists
of 1,250,000 shares of class B common stock held by Bethor Limited and 211,207 shares of
class B common stock held by Basestones, Inc. Mohammad Ansari is the Director and President
of Bethor Limited and the President of Basestones, Inc. and has voting and investment power
over the shares held by them. Mr. Ansari disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except
to the extent of his pecuniary interest, if any in such shares. The address of Bethor Limited
is Nerine Chamber, P.O. Box 905, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands and the address
of Basestones, Inc. is 1901 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067.
(11) Consists
of 14,368 shares of class B common stock held directly and 777,778 shares of class B common
stock held by Burlington Capital, LLC. Lisa Roskens is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Burlington Capital, LLC and has voting and investment power over the shares held by it.
Ms. Roskens disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of her pecuniary
interest, if any, in such shares. The address of Burlington Capital, LLC is 1004 Farnam Street,
Suite 400, Omaha NE 68102.
(12) Consists
of 67,977 shares of class B common stock held directly and 581,902 shares of class B Common
stock held by Oleta Investments, LLC. Chris Etherington is the Managing Director of Oleta
Investments, LLC, and has sole voting and investment power over the shares held by it. Mr.
Etherington disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary
interest, if any, in such shares. The address of Oleta Investments, LLC is 318 North Carson
Street, Carson City, NV 89701.
(13) The
address of Mr. Olivier is 10882 Coronel Road, Santa Ana, CA 92705.
(14) The
address of Mr. Adams is 724 West 3rd, Maryville, MO 64468.
(15) The
address of Mr. Webb is 1900 Forest Ave., Red Oak, IA 50166.
Changes
in Control
As
noted elsewhere in this report, if Mr. Adams exercises his stock options to purchase 2,000,000 shares of class A common stock, then Mr.
Adams will own more than 50% of our total voting power. Except for the foregoing, we do not currently have any arrangements which if
consummated may result in a change of control of our company.
Securities
Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The
following table sets forth certain information about the securities authorized for issuance under our incentive plans as of June 30,
2024.
Plan Category
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(a)
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(b)
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
1,295,000
$ 2.93
1,504,500
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
-
-
-
Total
1,295,000
$ 2.93
1,504,500
45
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
Transactions
with Related Persons
The
following includes a summary of transactions since the beginning of our 2023 fiscal year, or any currently proposed transaction, in which
we were or are to be a participant and the amount involved exceeded or exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of
our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any related person had or will have a direct
or indirect material interest (other than compensation described under Item 11 “ Executive Compensation ” above). We
believe the terms obtained or consideration that we paid or received, as applicable, in connection with the transactions described below
were comparable to terms available or the amounts that would be paid or received, as applicable, in arm’s-length transactions.
Please
see the descriptions of the related party loans from Burlington, Matthew Atkinson and Clayton Adams under Item 7 “ Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources .”
On
July 27, 2023, we agreed to purchase approximately $105,607 worth of inventory from Nebraska C. Ozone, LLC, a related party business
owned by Lisa Roskens, a significant stockholder and the principal officer of Burlington, due to an open purchase order that our predecessor
had with an inventory vendor that was not included in the liabilities assumed from our predecessor per the terms of the acquisition purchase
agreement. The inventory is to be purchased as needed, consistent with other inventory purchases. However, if the entire $105,000 amount
is not purchased by March 31, 2024, the balance at that date begins accruing interest at a rate of seven percent (7%) per annum until
it is paid in full. As of June 30, 2024, we have not purchased any of the inventory and as such, have accrued interest of $2,471.
Director
Independence
Our
board of directors has determined that Brent Cox, Larry Goldman and James M. Grisham are independent within the meaning of the rules
of NYSE American.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
Independent
Auditors’ Fees
The
following is a summary of the fees billed to us for professional services rendered for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:
Years Ended June 30,
2024
2023
Audit Fees
$ 158,399
$ 103,712
Audit-Related Fees
-
-
Tax Fees
-
-
All Other Fees
65,708
-
TOTAL
$ 224,107
$ 103,712
“Audit
Fees” consisted of fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of our annual financial
statements and review of the financial statements included in our registration statement or services that are normally provided by the
accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
“Audit-Related
Fees” consisted of fees billed for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that were reasonably related to the
performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under the paragraph captioned “Audit Fees”
above.
“Tax
Fees” consisted of fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax returns preparation.
“All
Other Fees” consisted of fees billed for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported
above under other captions of this Item 14.
Pre-Approval
Policies and Procedures
Under
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, all audit and non-audit services performed by our auditors must be approved in advance by our board of directors
to assure that such services do not impair the auditors’ independence from us. In accordance with its policies and procedures,
our board of directors pre-approved the audit service performed by TAAD LLP for our financial statements as of and for the year ended
June 30, 2024.
46
PART
IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) List
of Documents Filed as a Part of This Report:
(1) Index
to Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 05854)
F-2
Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2024 and 2023
F-3
Statements of Operations for the Year Ended June 30, 2024, the Period from October 17, 2022 to June 30, 2023 (Successor) and the Period from July 1, 2022 to October 16, 2022 (Predecessor)
F-4
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the Year Ended June 30, 2024, the Period from October 17, 2022 to June 30, 2023 (Successor) and the Period from July 1, 2022 to October 16, 2022 (Predecessor)
F-5
Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended June 30, 2024, the Period from October 17, 2022 to June 30, 2023 (Successor) and the Period from June 30, 2022 to October 16, 2022 (Predecessor)
F-6
Notes to Financial Statements
F-7
(2) Index
to Financial Statement Schedules:
All
schedules have been omitted because the required information is included in the financial statements or the notes thereto, or because
it is not required.
(3) Index
to Exhibits:
See
exhibits listed under Part (b) below.
47
(b) Exhibits:
Exhibit
No.
Description
3.1
Articles
of Incorporation of CleanCore Solutions, Inc., as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
3.2
Bylaws
of CleanCore Solutions, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October
10, 2023)
4.1*
Description
of Securities of CleanCore Solutions, Inc.
4.2
Class
B Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued by CleanCore Solutions, Inc. to Boustead Securities, LLC on April 30, 2024 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2024)
10.1*
Sole
Distributorship Contract, Dated September 10, 2024, between CleanCore Solutions, Inc. and Consensus B.V.
10.2*
Product
Development Proposal, dated August 20, 2024, between CleanCore Solutions, Inc. and Business International Incorporation
10.3
Distribution
Agreement, dated September 7, 2023, between Quail Systems, LLC and CleanCore Solutions, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.14 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
10.4
Amendment
to the Distribution Agreement, dated September 18, 2023, between Quail Systems, LLC and CleanCore Solutions, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
10.5
Agreement,
dated July 27, 2023, between Nebraska C. Ozone, LLC and CleanCore Solutions, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to
the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
10.6
Amended
and Restated Promissory Note issued by CleanCore Solutions, Inc. to Burlington Capital, LLC on May 31, 2024 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 6, 2024)
10.7
Promissory
Note issued by CleanCore Solutions, Inc. to Walker Water LLC on May 31, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on June 6, 2024)
10.8
Loan
Agreement, dated March 26, 2024, between CleanCore Solutions, Inc. and Clayton Adams (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14
to Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on March 27, 2024)
10.9
Revolving
Credit Note issued by CleanCore Solutions, Inc. to Clayton Adams on March 26, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to
Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on March 27, 2024)
10.10
Form
of 10% Original Issue Discount Convertible Promissory Note relating to the 2024 private placement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.2 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on February 23, 2024)
10.11
Business
Property Lease, dated November 9, 2022, between RMR Mercury I-80, LLC and CleanCore Solutions, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.13 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
10.12
Business
Property Lease Amendment, dated October 3, 2023, between RMR Mercury I-80, LLC and CleanCore Solutions, Inc. (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
10.13
Business
Property Lease Second Amendment, dated March 20, 2024, between RMR Mercury I-80, LLC and CleanCore Solutions, Inc. (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on March 27, 2024)
10.14†
Employment
Agreement, dated February 5, 2024, between CleanCore Solutions, Inc. and Douglas T. Moore (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19
to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on February 23, 2024)
10.15†*
Separation
Agreement and Release of Claims, dated June 10, 2024, between CleanCore Solutions, Inc. and Douglas T. Moore
10.16†
Employment
Agreement, dated March 27, 2023, between CleanCore Solutions, Inc. and David Enholm (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to
the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
10.17†
Employment
Agreement, dated November 1, 2022, between CleanCore Solutions, Inc. and Gary Hollst (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19
to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
10.18†
Consulting
Agreement, dated October 17, 2023, between CleanCore Solutions, Inc. and Elev8 Marketing, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.20 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
10.19†
Consulting
Agreement, dated October 17, 2023, between CleanCore Solutions, Inc. and Birddog Capital, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.21 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
10.20†*
Consulting
Agreement, dated April 1, 2024, between CleanCore Solutions, Inc. and Birddog Capital, LLC
48
10.21†
CleanCore Solutions, Inc. Stock Option Agreement, dated September 16, 2022, between CleanCore Solutions, Inc. and Clayton Adams (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
10.22
Form of Independent Director Agreement between CleanCore Solutions, Inc. and each independent director and each director nominee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
10.23
Form of Indemnification Agreement between CleanCore Solutions, Inc. and each independent director and each director nominee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
10.24†
CleanCore Solutions, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
10.25†
CleanCore Solutions, Inc. Amendment No. 1 to the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on January 9, 2024)
10.26†
Form of Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
10.27†
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
10.28†
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 10, 2023)
14.1*
Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics
19.1*
Insider
Trading Policy
31.1*
Certifications of Principal Executive Officer filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*
Certifications of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*
Certifications of Principal Executive Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*
Certifications of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
97.1*
Clawback
Policy
101.INS
XBRL
Instance Document
101.SCH
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104
Cover
Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
* Filed
herewith
† Executive
compensation plan or arrangement
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY.
None.
49
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 05854 ) F-2
Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2024 and 2023 F-3
Statements of Operations for the Year Ended June 30, 2024, the Period from October 17, 2022 to June 30, 2023 (Successor) and the Period from July 1, 2022 to October 16, 2022 (Predecessor) F-4
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the Year Ended June 30, 2024, the Period from October 17, 2022 to June 30, 2023 (Successor) and the Period from July 1, 2022 to October 16, 2022 (Predecessor) F-5
Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended June 30, 2024, the Period from October 17, 2022 to June 30, 2023 (Successor) and the Period from July 1, 2022 to October 16, 2022 (Predecessor) F-6
Notes to Financial Statements F-7
F- 1
REPORT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of CleanCore
Solutions, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying
balance sheets of CleanCore Solutions, Inc. (the Company) as of June 30, 2024 and 2023, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’
equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended June 30, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as
the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
the Company as of June 30, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period
ended June 30, 2024 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements
have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the
Company has an accumulated deficit and negative cash flows from operations. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about
the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in
Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements
based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB)
and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance
with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were
we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an
understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures
to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that
respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022
Diamond Bar, CA
September 20, 2024
F- 2
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
BALANCE
SHEETS
As of June 30,
2024
2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 2,016,611
$ 393,194
Accounts receivable, net
467,286
233,560
Inventory, net
672,326
672,116
Deferred offering costs
-
302,755
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
55,365
135,666
Total current assets
3,211,588
1,737,291
Property and equipment, net
10,572
1,197
Right of use assets
524,818
466,661
Intangibles, net
1,486,923
1,640,919
Goodwill
2,237,910
2,237,910
Other assets
9,440
9,440
Total assets
$ 7,481,251
$ 6,093,418
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$ 573,956
$ 644,627
Deferred revenue
10,395
-
Lease liability - current
131,887
87,985
Note payable - current
698,149
2,994,750
Due to related parties
91,119
221,302
Total current liabilities
1,505,506
3,948,664
Lease liability – non current
418,104
398,540
Note payable – non current
1,821,184
-
Total liabilities
3,744,794
4,347,204
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
Stockholders’ Equity
Series Seed Preferred Stock, $ 0 .001 par value, 4,000,000 shares authorized; 0 and 4,000,000 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively
-
400
Class A Common Stock; $ 0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 270,000 and 660,000 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively
27
66
Class B Common Stock; $ 0.0001 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized; 7,960,919 and 1,795,940 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively
796
180
Additional paid-in capital
11,040,583
6,768,775
Accumulated deficit
( 7,304,949 )
( 5,023,207 )
Total stockholders’ equity
3,736,457
1,746,214
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$ 7,481,251
$ 6,093,418
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F- 3
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
STATEMENTS
OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended
June 30,
2024
Period from
October 17,
2022 to
June 30,
2023
(Successor)
Period from
July 1,
2022 to
October 16,
2022
(Predecessor)
Revenue, net
$ 1,604,973
$ 1,938,366
$ 502,990
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)
809,161
1,359,401
351,740
Gross profit
795,812
578,965
151,250
Operating expenses:
General and administrative
2,471,480
5,310,961
334,535
Advertising expense
116,007
14,944
4,621
Depreciation and amortization expense
155,059
109,144
6,420
Loss from operations
( 1,946,734 )
( 4,856,084 )
( 194,326 )
Interest expense
335,008
167,123
125,738
Net loss
$ ( 2,281,742 )
$ ( 5,023,207 )
$ ( 320,064 )
Net loss per share Class A and Class B stock, basic and diluted
$ ( 0.49 )
$ ( 2.18 )
Weighted average shares used in computing net loss per Class A share, basic and diluted
350,192
967,987
Weighted average shares used in computing net loss per Class B share, basic and diluted
4,311,142
1,334,414
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F- 4
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
STATEMENTS
OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Series
Seed
Preferred Stock
Class
A
Common Stock
Class
B
Common Stock
Additional
Paid in
Members’
Capital
Accumulated
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Capital
Amount
Deficit
(Deficit)
Predecessor
Balance at July
1, 2022
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,215,916
( 8,224,933 )
( 6,009,017 )
Imputed interest
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
125,728
-
125,728
Net
loss for the period
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
( 320,064 )
( 320,064 )
Balance
at October 16, 2022
-
$ -
-
$ -
-
$ -
$ -
$ 2,341,644
$ ( 8,544,997 )
$ ( 6,203,353 )
Successor
Balance at October 17, 2022
Issuance of series seed preferred
stock
4,000,000
$ 400
-
$ -
-
$ -
$ 999,600
$ -
$ -
$ 1,000,000
Issuance of class A common
stock
-
-
1,000,000
100
-
-
-
-
-
100
Issuance of class B common
stock
-
-
-
-
660,921
66
1,152,156
-
-
1,152,222
Conversion of class A common
stock into class B common stock
-
-
( 340,000 )
( 34 )
340,000
34
-
-
-
-
Issuance of class B common
stock upon exercise of warrants
-
-
-
-
777,778
78
497,700
-
-
497,778
Warrants issued to consultants
for services
-
-
-
-
-
-
857,889
-
-
857,889
Stock based compensation
– officers
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,082,000
-
-
3,082,000
Stock based compensation
– third party
-
-
-
-
17,241
2
29,997
-
-
29,999
Sock based compensation -
2022 Equity Incentive Plan
-
-
-
-
-
-
149,433
-
-
149,433
Net
loss for the period
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
( 5,023,207 )
( 5,023,207 )
Balance at June 30, 2023
4,000,000
$ 400
660,000
$ 66
1,795,940
$ 180
$ 6,768,775
$ -
$ ( 5,023,207 )
$ 1,746,214
Conversion of class A common
stock into class B common stock
-
-
( 4,390,000 )
( 439 )
4,390,000
439
-
-
-
-
Conversion of series seed
preferred stock into class A common stock
( 4,000,000 )
( 400 )
4,000,000
400
-
-
-
-
Stock based compensation
– 2022 Equity incentive plan
172,853
172,853
Issuance of class B common stock pursuant to initial public offering, net of issuance and deferred offering costs of $ 1,656,453
-
-
-
-
1,250,000
125
3,343,422
-
-
3,343,547
Issuance of common stock
pursuant to convertible notes
-
-
-
-
257,479
25
257,455
-
-
257,480
Issuance of Non-qualified
stock options
-
-
-
-
-
-
126,975
-
-
126,975
Issuance of restrictive stock
units
-
-
-
-
92,500
9
320,017
-
-
320,026
Issuance of restrictive stock
awards
-
-
-
-
175,000
18
51,086
-
-
51,104
Net
loss for the period
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
( 2,281,742 )
( 2,281,742 )
Balance
at June 30, 2024
-
$ -
270,000
$ 27
7,960,919
$ 796
$ 11,040,583
$ -
$ ( 7,304,949 )
$ 3,736,457
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F- 5
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
STATEMENT
OF CASH FLOWS
For
the
Year Ended
June 30,
2024
October
17,
2022 to
June 30,
2023
(Successor)
June
30,
2022 to
October 16,
2022
(Predecessor)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss
$ ( 2,281,742 )
$ ( 5,023,207 )
$ ( 320,064 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
155,059
109,144
6,420
Accretion of note payable discount
5,250
12,750
-
Non cash interest expense
85,593
152,684
-
Stock based compensation
670,958
4,119,321
-
Non cash lease expense
5,308
19,864
-
Imputed interest
-
-
125,728
Provision for bad debt and write-off of on uncollectable accounts
37,498
8,641
9,772
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
( 271,224 )
( 107,942 )
101,423
Inventory
( 211 )
475,009
( 157,596 )
Due from related parties, net
-
-
4,686
Prepaid expenses
80,301
( 139,563 )
4,747
Deferred revenue
10,395
-
63,701
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
( 45,065 )
136,429
43,932
Net cash used in operating activities
( 1,547,880 )
( 236,870 )
( 117,251 )
Investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment
( 10,438 )
( 1,260 )
-
Cash used in acquisition
-
( 2,000,000 )
( 7,882 )
Net cash used in investing activities
( 10,438 )
( 2,001,260 )
( 7,882 )
Financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of series seed preferred stock
-
1,000,000
-
Proceeds from issuance of class A common stock
-
100
-
Proceeds from issuance of class B common stock
-
1,650,000
-
Proceeds from issuance of class B common stock pursuant to Initial Public Offering, net of issuance costs
4,233,875
-
-
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes
225,000
-
-
Payments from issuance of loans from related parties
-
208,900
164,917
Payments for deferred offering costs
( 587,573 )
( 227,676 )
-
Repayments of long term debt
-
-
( 1,278 )
Payment on note payable
( 480,667 )
-
-
Repayments of loans due to related parties
( 208,900 )
-
( 288,861 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
3,181,735
2,631,324
( 125,222 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash
1,623,417
393,194
( 250,355 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
393,194
-
263,506
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year
$ 2,016,611
$ 393,194
$ 13,151
Supplementary cash flow disclosure
Interest paid
$ 436,346
$ 14,438
$ 10
Unpaid deferred offering costs
$ -
$ 75,079
$ -
Shares issued for conversion from convertible note payable
$ 257,480
$ -
$ -
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F- 6
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
1. Organization and Business
CC
Acquisition Corp. was incorporated in the State of Nevada on August 23, 2022 for the sole purpose of acquiring substantially all of the
assets of CleanCore Solutions, LLC, TetraClean Systems, LLC, and Food Safety Technologies, LLC, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement
entered into by CC Acquisition Corp. with these three entities and their owners on October 17, 2022. On November 21, 2022, CC Acquisition
Corp. changed its name to CleanCore Solutions, Inc. (the Company” or “Successor”). Since the Company acquired substantially
all of the assets of each of CleanCore Solutions, LLC, TetraClean Systems, LLC, and Food Safety Technologies, LLC, the business of these
three entities is now operated by the Company, with no subsidiaries. The combined results of CleanCore Solutions, LLC, TetraClean Systems,
LLC and Food Safety Technologies, LLC presented in these financial statements represent the predecessor entity of the Company (the “Predecessor”).
The
Company specializes in the development and production of cleaning products that produce pure aqueous ozone products for professional,
industrial, or home use. The Company has a patented nanobubble technology using aqueous ozone that it believes is highly effective in
cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing surfaces and high-touch areas.
The
Company offers products and solutions that are marketed for janitorial and sanitation, ice machine cleaning, laundry, and industrial
industries. Its products are used in many types of environments including retail establishments, distribution centers, factories, warehouses,
restaurants, schools and universities, airports, healthcare, food service, and commercial buildings such as offices, malls, and stores.
The
headquarters, principal address and records of the Company are located at 5920 South 118th Circle, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska.
Initial
Public Offering
On April 30, 2024, the Company closed its initial public offering of 1,250,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $ 4.00
per share for gross offering proceeds of $ 5,000,0000 , before deducting underwriting discounts, commissions, and offering expenses payable
by the Company. After deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and other offering costs, the Company received net proceeds of $ 3,343,547 .
Liquidity
The
Company has incurred losses and negative cash flows from operations. From acquisition through June 30, 2024, the Company has financed
its operations primarily through investor funding. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had cash of $ 2,016,611 , a net loss of $ 2,281,742 ,
and cash used in operating activities of $ 1,547,880 . In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 205-40,
Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern, management is required to perform a two-step analysis over the Company’s
ability to continue as a going concern. Management must first evaluate whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial
doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of 12 months from the date the financial statements
are issued. If management concludes that substantial doubt is raised, management is also required to consider whether its plans alleviate
that doubt.
Despite
the initial public offering described above, management believes that currently available resources will not be sufficient to fund the
Company’s planned expenditures over the next 12 months. These factors, individually and collectively indicate that a material uncertainty
exists that raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for 12 months from the date of
issuance of these financial statements.
The
Company will be dependent upon the raising of additional capital through equity and/or debt financing in order to implement its business
plan and generate sufficient revenue in excess of costs. If the Company raises additional capital through the issuance of equity securities
or securities convertible into equity, stockholders will experience dilution, and such securities may have rights, preferences or privileges
senior to those of the holders of common stock. If the Company raises additional funds by issuing debt, the Company may be subject to
limitations on its operations, through debt covenants or other restrictions. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful
with future financing ventures, and the inability to secure such financing may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
financial condition. These financial statements do not include any adjustments to the amounts and classifications of assets and liabilities
that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under which the Company is expected to be able to realize
its assets and satisfy its liabilities in the normal course of business.
F- 7
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis
of Presentation and Consolidation
The
accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The
financial statements of the Company (Successor) are presented since the date of acquisition (October 17, 2022) through the period ended
June 30, 2023.
The
results of the Predecessor represent the combined financial statements of the accounts of CleanCore Solutions, LLC, TetraClean Systems,
LLC and Food Safety Technologies, LLC. These combined financial statements include the accompanying combined statements of operation,
combined statement of members’ equity and combined statement of cash flows for the period July 1, 2022 through October 16, 2022.
All intercompany balances and transactions among the combined entities have been eliminated. In the opinion of predecessor management,
all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of the Company’s and Predecessor’s financial statements require management to make estimates and assumptions
that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses and the disclosure in the Company’s combined financial statements
and accompanying notes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to
be reasonable under the circumstances. By their nature, estimates are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty and, as such, actual
results may differ from management’s estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions made by the Company are allowance for bad
debt, useful lives of fixed assets, warranty liabilities, accrued contingent liabilities, and allowance for inventory obsolescence.
Risks
and Uncertainties
The
Company is subject to a number of risks similar to other early-stage companies including, but not limited to, profitability, the need
for additional financing to achieve its business strategy, ability to obtain regulatory approval, significant competition, and dependence
on key individuals.
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
Cash
consists of cash in readily available checking and money market accounts. Cash is recorded at cost, which approximates fair value. As
of June 30, 2024 and 2023, cash balances were deposited at a major financial institution. Cash balances are subject to minimal credit
risk as the balances are with high credit quality financial institutions.
Concentration
of Credit Risk
Financial
instruments, which potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of credit risk, consist of cash. The Company maintains
deposits in federally insured financial institutions in excess of respective insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses
in such accounts and management believes that the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of
the depository institutions in which those deposits are held.
Major
Customers
The
Company had one customer that accounted for of 14 % of its revenues for the year ended June 30, 2024 and two customers
that accounted for a total 66 % of revenue for the year ended June 30, 2023. Collateral is not required for customer accounts receivable
balances. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts as described in “Accounts Receivable” below. The Company
had two customers that accounted for 28 % each of total accounts receivable at June 30, 2024, and two customers that accounted for 43 %
and 12 %, respectively, of total accounts receivable at June 30, 2023.
Major
Vendors
The
Company has one vendor each that it exclusively purchases a major component of its two main products. The Company expects to maintain
this relationship with the vendor; however, it does have a contingency plan in place to use other vendors if necessary, which would result
in minor production delays.
F- 8
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
Accounts
Receivable
Accounts
receivable is comprised of trade accounts receivables from the Company’s customers. Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced
amount and do not bear interest. The Company established an allowance for bad debt of accounts receivables based on a percentage assigned
to aged days outstanding categories. The Predecessor established the allowance for bad debt based on various factors including credit
profiles of the Company’s customers, historical payments, outstanding balances and current economic trends, and performed this
analysis periodically. The Company recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of $ 2,535 and $ 4,419 as of June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Inventory
Inventory
consists of parts, work in progress and finished goods. The Company values parts and finished goods at the lower of the actual costs
or net realizable value. The Company values work in progress at cost. The Company periodically reviews inventory for obsolete and potentially
impaired items. As of June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company had an allowance for inventory obsolescence of $ 14,791 and $ 14,940 , respectively.
Leases
The
Company accounts for leases in accordance with ASC Topic 842 (Topic 842), Leases . Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s
right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments
arising from the lease. The lease liability is measured as the present value of the unpaid lease payments, and the right-of-use asset
value is derived from the calculation of the lease liability. Operating leases are included in right-of-use assets, current lease liabilities,
and noncurrent lease liabilities in the balance sheet.
Lease
payments include fixed and in-substance fixed payments, variable payments based on an index or rate, reasonably certain purchase options,
termination penalties, and probable amounts the lessee will owe under a residual value guarantee. Variable lease payments are recognized
as lease expenses as incurred, and generally relate to variable payments made based on the level of services provided by the landlords
of our leases. Lease expense for operating lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term within general and
administrative expenses in the statement of operations.
The
Company uses its estimated incremental borrowing rate, which is derived from information available at the lease commencement date, in
determining the present value of lease payments because the Company does not have the information necessary to determine the rate implicit
in the lease. The Company’s lease term includes any option to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain to be exercised based
on consideration of all relevant factors. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheets and
the Company recognizes lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Business
Combinations
Business
combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The fair value of total purchase consideration is allocated to the fair
values of identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the remaining amount being classified as
goodwill. All assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired or assumed in a business combination are recorded at their fair
values at the date of acquisition. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management to use significant
judgment and estimates including the selection of valuation methodologies, estimates of future revenue and cash flows, discount rates,
and selection of comparable companies. Estimates of fair value are based on assumptions believed to be reasonable, but are inherently
uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from those estimates. During the measurement period, not to exceed
one year from the date of acquisition, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with a corresponding
offset to goodwill. At the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are reflected in the statements of operations.
Transaction costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred and are included in general and administrative expenses
in the Company’s statements of operations.
F- 9
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
Intangible
Assets
Intangible
assets primarily consist of existing technology, customer relationships, and trademarks obtained as a result of the acquisition on October
17, 2022. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized based on their pattern of economic benefit over their estimated useful
lives and reviewed periodically for impairment. The Company’s trademarks are deemed to have an indefinite life. The estimated useful
life of the acquired technology is 15 years while the estimated useful life of the customer relationships is 5 years.
Impairment
of Goodwill
The
Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually, as of June 30, or more frequently when indicators of impairment exist. The Company
considers qualitative factors including market conditions, legal factors, operating performance indicators, and competition, among others,
to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including
goodwill. If the Company concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying
amount, the Company performs a quantitative impairment test. In performing the quantitative impairment test, the Company compares the
fair value of its reporting unit to the carrying amount including the goodwill of the reporting unit. If the carrying value, including
goodwill, exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, the Company will recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying
amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value.
The
Company performed its annual evaluation of goodwill on June 30, 2024. Based on the analysis, the Company did not recognize an impairment
loss during the year ended June 30, 2024. Subsequent evaluations will be performed annually on June 30, per the Company’s policy.
Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived
assets consist primarily of property and equipment and intangible assets. Long-lived assets are tested for impairment when events and
circumstances indicate the assets might be impaired by first comparing the estimated future undiscounted cash flows of the asset or asset
group to the carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the estimated future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized
based on the amount that the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset group. The Company did not recognize impairment
losses during the periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.
Deferred
Offering Costs
In
accordance with ASC 340-10-S99-1 and SEC Accounting Bulletin Topic 5A, specific incremental costs incurred by the Company directly attributable
to a proposed offering of securities were deferred. As the initial public offering closed on April 30, 2024, a total of $ 890,453 deferred
costs were charged against the gross proceeds of the offering for the year ended June 30, 2024. These offering costs included fees paid
to underwriters, attorney, accountants as well as printers and other third parties directly related to the offering. Costs such as management
salaries or other general administrative expenses that are not incremental to the offering are not included in the deferred costs.
Patent
Costs
Costs
related to filing and pursuing patent applications are expensed as incurred, as recoverability of such expenditures is uncertain. These
costs are included in general and administrative expenses.
Advertising
Costs
The
Company reports as expense the cost of advertising and promoting its services as incurred. Such amounts totaled $ 116,007 for the year
ended June 30, 2024, and $ 4,621 and $ 14,944 for the period and year ended October 16, 2022 and June 30, 2023, respectively.
F- 10
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
Stock-based
Compensation
Compensation
expense is recognized for all share-based payments to employees and nonemployees, including stock options, restricted stock awards, and
warrants, in the statements of operation based on the fair value of the awards that are granted. As necessary, the Company’s stock
price at the date of grant was estimated using an acceptable valuation technique such as the probability-weighted expected return model.
The fair value of stock options and warrants are estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair
value of restricted stock awards is based on the fair market value of the Company’s class B common stock on the date of grant.
Compensation expense for restricted stock awards with performance-based vesting conditions is calculated based on the number of awards
that are expected to vest during the performance period if it is probable that the performance metrics will be achieved. Generally, measured
compensation cost, net of actual forfeitures, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the related share-based
compensation award. The Company accounts for forfeitures of stock-based awards as they occur.
Revenue
Recognition
The
Company generates revenues from sales of its products and recognizes revenue as control of its products is transferred to its customers,
which is generally at the time of shipment based on the contractual terms with the Company’s customers.
The
Company provides customer programs and incentive offerings, including growth incentives and volume-based incentives. These customer programs
and incentives are considered variable consideration. The Company includes in revenue variable consideration only to the extent that
it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the variable consideration
is resolved. This determination is made based upon known customer program and incentive offerings at the time of sale and expected sales
volume forecasts as it relates to the Company’s volume-based incentives. This determination is updated every reporting period.
For the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, customer growth and volume-based incentives were minimal.
Certain
product sales include a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty that provides the customer with assurance that the product performs as intended.
Such warranties are assurance-type warranties and are accounted for as contingencies under ASC 460-10. Refer to Note 10 for warranty
reserve.
Income
Taxes
The
Company accounts for income tax on the basis of the tax laws enacted at the balance sheet date in accordance with FASB ASC 740, Income
Taxes . The income tax accounting guidance results in two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax
expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable
income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Company determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method.
Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases
of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur. Deferred income
tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation
allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset
will not be realized.
Tax
positions are recognized if it is more-likely-than-not, based on technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained
upon examination. The term “more-likely-than-not” means a likelihood of more than 50 %; the terms examined and upon examination
also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition
threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 % likelihood of being
realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or
not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances and information available
at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment.
F- 11
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
Net
Loss per Share of Common Stock
Basic
net loss per class A and class B common share is calculated by dividing the net loss distributed to class A and class B, respectively,
by the weighted-average number of common shares of each respective class outstanding during the period, without consideration for potentially
dilutive securities. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average
number of common shares and potentially dilutive securities outstanding for the period. For purposes of the diluted net loss per share
calculation, stock options and warrants are considered to be potentially dilutive securities. As of June 30, 2024 and 2023, there were
3,382,500 and 2,816,263 , respectively, of potential common stock equivalents excluded from the diluted loss per share calculations as
their effect is anti-dilutive. Because the Company has reported a net loss for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, diluted net loss
per common share is the same as basic net loss per common share for such years.
New
Accounting Pronouncements
In
December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-09,
“Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures”, which requires greater disaggregation of income tax disclosures
related to the income tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid and effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024.
Early adoption is permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued. The amendments should be applied on a prospective
basis although retrospective application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of this pronouncement on its financial
statements and disclosures.
In
November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures,”
which improves reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses.
The guidance in this update is effective for all public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, with early adoption
permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of this pronouncement on its financial statements and disclosures.
3. Disaggregated Revenue
The
following table disaggregates revenue by product category for the following periods ended:
Year
Ended
June 30,
2024
(Successor)
October 17,
2022 through
June 30,
2023
(Successor)
July 1,
2022 through
October 16,
2022
(Predecessor)
Janitorial & Sanitation
$ 1,518,079
$ 1,732,611
$ 369,089
Ice System
19,495
30,195
16,744
Commercial and Residential Laundry
21,129
5,016
6,444
Sanitizing & Disinfecting Tablets
-
3,140
160
Other
46,270
167,404
110,553
Total revenue
$ 1,604,973
$ 1,938,366
$ 502,990
The
“Other” category of revenue consists primarily of sales of parts, accessories, shipping and handling, and equipment rental
income.
4. Accounts Receivable, net
Accounts
receivable, net consists of the following at:
June 30,
2024
June 30,
2023
Trade accounts receivable
$ 469,821
$ 237,979
Allowance for doubtful accounts
( 2,535 )
( 4,419 )
Total accounts receivable, net
$ 467,286
$ 233,560
F- 12
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
5. Business Combinations
On
October 17, 2022, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of the Predecessor and accounted for this transaction as a business
combination under ASC 805 as it falls under the definition. The purpose of the transaction was to acquire and further develop and manufacture
patented cleaning products. Total consideration for the acquisition consisted of a $ 2,000,000 payment made at closing and a $ 3,000,000
note payable, bearing interest at 7 % per annum, to the seller. In addition, if the Company reaches certain metrics as defined in the
purchase agreement, in the 12-month period following the closing date, the Company shall make a one-time payment of $ 500,000 as an adjustment
to the purchase price. However, due to forecasted net income being negative, the contingent consideration was valued at $ 0 .
The
following table summarizes the fair value of the consideration paid and the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed on
October 17, 2022, the acquisition date.
Consideration
Total payments at closing
$ 2,000,000
Note payable to seller at fair value
2,982,000
Contingent consideration at fair value
-
Fair value of total consideration
$ 4,982,000
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Accounts receivable
$ 134,259
Inventory
1,204,023
Prepaids assets
5,543
Existing technology
600,000
Customer relationships
570,000
Tradenames/trademarks
580,000
Accounts payable and current liabilities
( 349,735 )
Total identifiable net assets
$ 2,744,090
Goodwill
2,237,910
$ 4,982,000
The
acquired technology consisted of patented nanobubble technology that produces an aqueous ozone solution that requires no additives, filters,
or advanced chemicals. The pure aqueous ozone product is a natural cleaner, sanitizer, and deodorizer produced through the infusion of
ozone into water using electricity. The technology was valued using the multi-period excess earnings method. Under this method, the fair
value of the asset reflects the present value of the projected stream of net cash flows that will be generated by the asset over the
projection period. Key inputs and assumptions in determining the fair value include projected cash flows and the discount rate used to
calculate the present value of such cash flows. The developed technology will be amortized over a useful life of 15 years. Customer relationships
relate to contracts with distributors that were acquired while the trademarks refer to the predecessor’s trademarks that continue
to be used. The trademarks are deemed to have an indefinite life.
The
goodwill of $ 2,237,910 arising from the acquisition consists largely of the synergies, cost savings, and economies of scale expected
from combining the operations of the acquired assets and the Company and further developing its products. The goodwill is deductible
over 15 years for tax purposes.
The
Company incurred $ 31,676 of acquisition-related costs which have been recorded within general and administrative expenses in the statement
of operations for the period ended June 30, 2023.
6. Fair Value Measurements
ASC
Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement , establishes a fair value hierarchy for instruments measured at fair value that distinguishes
between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and the Company’s own assumptions (unobservable inputs). Observable
inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent
of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the inputs that market participants
would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.
F- 13
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
ASC
820 identifies fair value as the exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability
in an orderly transaction between market participants. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements,
ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between the following:
Level
1 –
Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for
identical assets or liabilities.
Level
2 –
Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are
observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
Level
3 –
Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data,
which requires the Company to develop its own assumptions.
Assets
and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the
fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its
entirety requires management to make judgments and consider factors specific to the asset or liability. The Company’s financial
assets are subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis. The Company’s remaining carrying amounts reported in the combined
balance sheets of these financial assets are a reasonable estimate of fair value due to their short-term nature.
7. Inventory
Inventory
consists of the following at:
June 30,
2024
June 30,
2023
Parts
$ 503,004
$ 551,264
Finished goods
184,112
135,792
Inventory reserve
( 14,790 )
( 14,940 )
Total inventory, net
$ 672,326
$ 672,116
The
Company values inventory at the balance sheet date using the weighted average method. The Company recorded an inventory reserve of $ 14,790
and $ 14,940 for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
8. Property and Equipment, Net
Property
and equipment, net, consist of the following at:
June 30,
2024
June 30,
2023
Equipment
$ 8,217
$ -
Vehicles
-
-
Furniture and fixtures
-
-
Leasehold improvements
3,481
1,260
Total
11,698
1,260
Less: accumulated depreciation
( 1,126 )
( 63 )
Total property and equipment, net
$ 10,572
$ 1,197
Depreciation
expense related to property and equipment was $ 1,063 and $ 63 for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
F- 14
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
9. Intangible Assets
Intangible
assets consist of the following at:
June 30,
2024
June 30,
2023
Technology
$ 600,000
$ 600,000
Customer relationships
570,000
570,000
Trademarks
580,000
580,000
Total
1,750,000
1,750,000
Less: accumulated amortization
( 263,077 )
( 109,081 )
Total intangible assets, net
$ 1,486,923
$ 1,640,919
The
Company holds 14 patents, which are included in technology. These patents cover the functions of the Company’s products that allow
its machines to produce the ozone in the form of nanobubbles.
Amortization
expense related to intangibles was $ 153,996 and $ 109,081 for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
10. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses consist of the following at:
June 30,
2024
June 30,
2023
Accounts payable
$ 176,077
$ 266,511
Accrued interest
23,113
152,684
Accrued payroll and related expenses
59,943
68,026
Accrued pending litigation (Note 17)
108,242
-
Warranty reserve
96,636
156,333
Accrued severance
70,000
-
Other accrued expenses
39,945
1,073
Total accounts payable and other accrued expenses
$ 573,956
$ 644,627
11. Debt
Burlington
Promissory Note
In
connection with the acquisition of the Predecessor on October 17, 2022, the Company issued a promissory note in the principal amount
of $ 3,000,000 to the seller, Burlington Capital, LLC (“Burlington”), which bore interest at 7 % per annum and was to mature
on October 17, 2023 . On September 13, 2023, the parties signed an extension agreement, pursuant to which the interest rate was increased
to 10 % per annum and the maturity date was extended to the earlier of (a) the closing of a firm commitment initial public offering and
concurrent listing on a national securities exchange or (b) December 17, 2023. On December 17, 2023, the parties signed a second extension
agreement, pursuant to which the maturity date was extended to the earlier of (a) the closing of a firm commitment initial public offering
and concurrent listing on a national securities exchange or (b) April 4, 2024. On April 30, 2024, the Company and Burlington entered
into an extension agreement which extended the maturity date to May 9, 2024 .
On
May 31, 2024, Burlington and Walker Water LLC (“WW”) entered into an allonge, assignment and agreement (the “Assignment
Agreement”), pursuant to which Burlington agreed to transfer $ 633,840 of the note to WW. The Assignment Agreement also provided
that the Company make a payment of $ 900,000 on May 31, 2024 to Burlington to reduce the principal amount of the note by $ 480,667 and
pay the outstanding accrued interest of $ 419,333 in full. Also on May 31, 2024, the Company issued an amended and restated promissory
note to Burlington (the “Amended Note”). The Amended Note has a new principal amount of $ 2,366,160 , accrues interest at 8.5 %
per annum from October 17, 2022 (the date of the original note), which shall increase to 10 % upon an event of default, and requires quarterly
payments in the amount of $ 100,000 over the course of the next two and a half years, with a final payment of $ 1,396,881 due on April
1, 2027 . The Amended Note may be prepaid at any time with no pre-payment penalty and contains customary events of default for a note
of this type. As of June 30, 2024, the outstanding principal balance of this note is $ 1,885,493 and it has accrued interest of $ 13,673 .
F- 15
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
Pursuant
to the Assignment Agreement, the Company also issued a promissory note to WW in the principal amount of $ 633,840 (the “New Note”).
The New Note accrues interest at 8.5 % per annum from October 17, 2022 (the date of the original note), which shall increase to 10 % upon
an event of default and is due on December 31, 2024 . The New Note may be prepaid at any time with no pre-payment penalty and contains
customary events of default for a note of this type. As of June 30, 2024, the outstanding principal balance of this note is $ 633,840
and it has accrued interest of $ 4,490 .
Convertible
Promissory Notes
On
January 30, 2024, the Company issued three 10 % original issue discount convertible promissory notes to three separate accredited investors
in the principal amounts of $ 27,778 , $ 111,111 , and $ 111,111 . The purchase prices of the notes were $ 25,000 , $ 100,000 and $ 100,000 , respectively.
These notes accrued simple interest on the outstanding principal amount at the rate of 12 % per annum. On May 2, 2024, the Company issued
an aggregate of 257,479 shares of class B common stock upon the conversion of these notes, which included principal of $ 225,000 and accrued
interest of $ 37,479 .
Line
of Credit
On
June 28, 2024, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Arbor Bank for a revolving line of credit in the amount of $ 100,000 with
a variable interest rate tied to the U.S. Prime Rate. Monthly payments of accrued interest are due beginning July 28, 2024. The principal
and any outstanding accrued interest are due in full on June 28, 2025. No interest was required to be accrued as of June 30, 2024.
12. Related Party Transactions
The
following due to related party balances were outstanding at:
June 30,
2024
June 30,
2023
Due to founder – credit card
$ 91,119
$ 12,402
Due to founders
-
208,900
Total due to related parties
$ 91,119
$ 221,302
At
June 30, 2024, the Company had a short term amount due to Clayton Adams, its Chief Executive Officer and founder, in the amount of $ 91,119
for operational expenses paid by a credit card in his name. At June 30, 2023, that amount was $ 12,402 . The Company has a verbal agreement
with Mr. Adams to pay the credit card charges directly to the issuing financial institution as they become due and is current on these
payments.
On
October 4, 2022, the Company issued a promissory note to each of Matthew Atkinson, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer at such
time, and Clayton Adams, the Company’s President at such time, in the principal amount of $ 104,450 each for a total of $ 208,900 .
These notes bore interest at a rate of 5 % per annum beginning on the 30th day after issuance and were due on the 60th day following written
demand from the holder. As of June 30, 2023, the Company recorded this as a short-term note payable on the balance sheet, due to the
demand terms of the agreement, and recorded related accrued interest of $ 7,698 . On May 29, 2024, the Company repaid these two promissory
notes, including interest accrued of $ 8,506 each.
On
October 17, 2022, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Birddog Capital, LLC (“Birddog”), a limited liability
company owned by Clayton Adams, a significant security holder at such time and the Company’s current Chief Executive Officer, pursuant
to which the Company engaged Birddog to provide management services to the Company. Pursuant to the consulting agreement, the Company
agreed to pay Birddog a monthly fee of $ 6,000 commencing on October 17, 2022. The Company also agreed to reimburse Birddog for all pre-approved
business expenses. The term of the consulting agreement was for one (1) year. On April 1, 2024, the Company entered into a new consulting
agreement with Birddog which provides for a monthly fee of $ 22,000 . In addition, the Company agreed to pay Birddog $ 175,000 upon completion
of the initial public offering and grant Birddog 500,000 restricted stock units, with 250,000 shares vesting immediately and 250,000
shares vesting eighteen months after issuance. The consulting agreement expires on October 23, 2025.
On
October 17, 2022, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Elev8, a business consulting company owned by Matthew Atkinson,
the Company’s President and a significant security holder at such time, pursuant to which the Company engaged Elev8 to provide
management services to the Company. Pursuant to the consulting agreement, the Company agreed to pay Elev8 a monthly fee of $ 6,000 commencing
on October 17, 2022. The Company also agreed to reimburse Elev8 for all pre-approved business expenses. The Company has no outstanding
balances related to this agreement as of June 30, 2024.
F- 16
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
On
July 27, 2023, the Company agreed to purchase approximately $ 105,000 worth of inventory from Nebraska C. Ozone, LLC, a related party
business owned by Lisa Roskens, a significant stockholder and the principal officer of Burlington, due to an open purchase order that
the Predecessor had with an inventory vendor that was not included in the liabilities assumed from the Predecessor per the terms of the
acquisition purchase agreement. The inventory is to be purchased as needed, consistent with other inventory purchases. However, if the
entire $ 105,000 amount is not purchased by March 31, 2024, the balance at that date begins accruing interest at a rate of seven percent
( 7 %) per annum until it is paid in full. As of June 30, 2024, the Company has not purchased any of the inventory and as such, has accrued
interest of $ 2,471 .
On
March 26, 2024, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Clayton Adams, a significant stockholder, pursuant to which the Company
issued a revolving credit note to Mr. Adams in the principal amount of up to $ 500,000 . Pursuant to the loan agreement and note, Mr. Adams
agreed to provide advances to the Company upon request during the period commencing on April 25, 2024 and continuing until the second
anniversary of such date, which is referred to as the maturity date. This note accrues simple interest on the outstanding principal amount
at the rate of 8 % per annum, with all principal and interest due on the maturity date; provided that upon an event of default (as defined
in the note), such rate shall increase to 13 %. The Company may prepay the note at any time without penalty or premium. The note is unsecured
and contains customary events of default for a loan of this type. As of June 30, 2024, no advances have been made and the principal amount
of this note is $ 0 .
13. Stockholders’ Equity
The
Company’s authorized capital stock as of June 30, 2024 consists of 350,000,000 shares, consisting of (i) 300,000,000 shares of
common stock, par value $ 0.0001 per share, of which 50,000,000 shares are designated class A common stock and 250,000,000 shares are
designated as class B common stock; and (ii) 50,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock, par value $ 0.0001 per share,
of which 4,000,000 are designated as series seed preferred stock.
Series
Seed Preferred Stock
Below
is a summary of the terms of the series seed preferred stock.
Ranking .
The series seed preferred stock ranks, as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up, senior to the common stock.
Liquidation
Rights . In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or any deemed liquidation
event (as defined in the certificate of designation), before any payment shall be made to the holders of common stock by reason of their
ownership thereof, the holders of shares of series seed preferred stock shall be entitled to be paid out of the funds and assets available
for distribution to its stockholders, an amount per share equal to the greater of (a) $ 0.25 per share, plus any dividends declared but
unpaid thereon, or (b) such amount per share as would have been payable had all shares of series seed preferred stock been converted
into class A common stock immediately prior to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up or deemed liquidation event.
Dividends .
All dividends shall be declared pro rata on the common stock and series seed preferred stock on a pari passu basis according to the number
of shares of common stock held by such holders. For this purpose, each holder of shares of series seed preferred stock is to be treated
as holding the greatest whole number of shares of common stock then issuable upon conversion of all shares of series seed preferred stock
held by such holder.
Voting
Rights . The holders of series seed preferred stock shall have the right to one vote for each share of class A common stock into
which such series seed preferred stock could then be converted, and with respect to such vote, the holders shall have full voting rights
and powers equal to the voting rights and powers of the holders of class A common stock, and shall be entitled to vote together with
holders of class A common stock with respect to any question upon which holders of class A common stock have the right to vote.
F- 17
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
Conversion
Rights . Each share of series seed preferred stock shall be convertible at the option of the holder thereof into such number of
shares of class A common stock as is determined by dividing $ 0.25 per share by the conversion price in effect at the time of conversion.
The conversion price is initially $ 0.25 per share (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split,
combination, recapitalization, or merger or consolidation). In addition, all outstanding shares of series seed preferred stock shall
automatically be converted into shares of common A common stock upon (a) the closing of the sale of shares of class A common stock to
the public in a public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (or a qualified
offering statement under Regulation A of the Securities Act, as amended), (b) the date that the Company or a successor to the Company
becomes an issuer with a class of securities registered under Section 12 or subject to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) and is subject to the periodic and current reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act or is required to file reports under Regulation A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or (c) the date and
time, or the occurrence of an event, specified by vote or written consent of holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares
of series seed preferred stock at the time of such vote or consent, voting as a single class on an as-converted basis.
For
the Year Ended June 30, 2023
In
September 2022, the Company issued an aggregate of 4,000,000 shares of series seed preferred stock at a purchase price of $ 0.25 per share.
As
of June 30, 2023, 4,000,000 shares of series seed preferred stock were issued and outstanding.
For
the Year Ended June 30, 2024
During
the year ended June 30, 2024, a total of 4,000,000 shares of series seed preferred stock were converted into 4,000,000 shares of class
A common stock.
As
of June 30, 2024, no shares of series seed preferred stock were issued and outstanding.
Common
Stock
The
Company has two classes of authorized common stock — class A common stock and class B common stock. The rights of the holders of
the class A common stock and class B common stock are identical, except with respect to voting and conversion. Each share of class A
common stock is entitled to ten votes per share and is convertible into one share of class B common stock. Each share of class B common
stock is entitled to one vote per share. As of June 30, 2024, all of the outstanding class A common stock was held by one of the Company’s
founders, which is also the current Chief Executive Officer.
For
the Year Ended June 30, 2023
On
August 26, 2022, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of class A common stock at a purchase price of $ 0.0001 per share.
In October and November 2022, the Company issued an aggregate of 660,921 shares of class B common stock at a purchase price of $ 1.74
per share. On November 29, 2022, the Company issued 777,778 shares of class B common stock upon the exercise of a warrant for an aggregate
exercise price of $ 500,000 . On April 1, 2023, the Company issued 17,241 shares of class B common stock to a professional firm in exchange
for services at $ 1.74 per share. Accordingly, stock compensation expense in the amount of $ 29,999 was recorded by the Company. On June
1, 2023, an aggregate of 340,000 shares of class A common stock were converted into an aggregate of 340,000 shares of class B common
stock.
As
of June 30, 2023, there were 660,000 shares of class A common stock and 1,795,940 shares of class B common stock issued and outstanding.
F- 18
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
For
the Year Ended June 30, 2024
In
July 2023, the Company issued 1,000,000 shares of class A common stock upon the conversion of 1,000,000 shares of series seed preferred
stock. In addition, the Company issued a total of 1,310,000 shares of class B common stock upon the conversion of 1,310,000 shares of
class A common stock. In February 2024, the Company issued a total of 2,000,000 shares of class A common stock upon the conversion of
2,000,000 shares of series seed preferred stock, which were immediately converted into 2,000,000 shares of class B common stock upon
issuance. On February 6, 2024, the Company issued 200,000 shares of class B common stock upon the conversion of 200,000 shares of class
A common stock. On April 30, 2024, the Company issued 1,000,000 shares of class A common stock upon the conversion of 1,000,000 shares
of series seed preferred stock. In addition, upon closing of the initial public offering, the Company sold 1,250,000 shares of class
B common stock for proceeds of $ 3,343,547 , net of $ 1,656,453 of issuance and deferred offering costs. On April 30, 2024, the Company
issued 175,000 shares of class B common stock pursuant to restricted stock award and 87,500 shares of class B common stock upon vesting
of a restricted stock unit award granted under the 2022 Plan (as defined below). On May 2, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 257,479
shares of class B common stock upon the conversion of the 10 % original issue discount convertible promissory notes issued on January
30, 2024 (see Note 11), which included principal of $ 225,000 and accrued interest of $ 37,479 . On May 15, 2024, the Company issued 880,000
shares of class B common stock upon the conversion of 880,000 shares of class A common stock. On June 12, 2024, the Company issued 5,000
shares of class B common stock upon vesting of a restricted stock unit award granted under the 2022 Plan.
As
of June 30, 2024, there were 270,000 shares of class A common stock and 7,960,919 shares of class B common stock issued and outstanding.
2022
Equity Incentive Plan
On
September 16, 2022, the Company’s board of directors adopted the Company’s 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended, the “2022
Plan”), which was adopted by stockholders on November 18, 2022, which reserved a total of 1,736,819 share of the Company’s
class B common stock for issuance. On January 3, 2024, the Company adopted an amendment to the 2022 Plan, which increased the total shares
of class B common stock available for grant to 3,240,000 . Additionally, the number of shares of class B common stock available for issuance
under the 2022 Plan will automatically increase on January 1 of each calendar year during the term of the 2022 Plan by an amount equal
to 5 % of the total number of shares of class B common stock issued and outstanding on December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar
year.
Incentive
awards authorized under the 2022 Plan include, but are not limited to, nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted
stock awards, restricted stock units, performance grants intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the “Code”), and stock appreciation rights. If an incentive award granted under the 2022 Plan expires, terminates,
is unexercised or forfeited, the surrendered shares will become available for future awards under the 2022 Plan.
The
Company’s employees and advisors were granted awards under the 2022 Plan. Therefore, an allocation of the share-based compensation
was made to the Company.
Stock
Options
During the year ended June 30, 2023, the Company had issued options to purchase an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of class A common stock at
an exercise price of $ 0.25 per share outside of the 2022 Plan and 770,000 shares of class B common stock at an average price of $ 2.21
per share under the 2022 Plan.
During
the year ended June 30, 2024, the Company issued additional options to purchase 525,000 shares of class B common stock at a weighted
average exercise price of $ 3.31 per share under the 2022 Plan.
All
of the class A options and 75,000 of the class B options were fully vested as of the grant date. The remaining class B options have a
graded vesting term based on continuous service during the vesting period.
F- 19
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
Warrants
On
October 14, 2022 and November 29, 2022, the Company issued warrants for the purchase of 42,241 and 4,022 shares of class B common stock,
respectively, to a third party as part of their compensation earned. The warrants are exercisable for a period of five years at an exercise
price of $ 1.74 (subject to adjustments for stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, consolidations and similar transactions). On March
5, 2024, the Company cancelled these warrants without issuing a replacement award. As the warrants were already vested, previously recognized
compensation cost was not reversed.
On
October 17, 2022, the Company issued a warrant for the purchase of 777,778 shares of class B common stock for an aggregate exercise price
of $ 500,000 to Burlington. On November 29, 2022, Burlington exercised this warrant in full.
On
April 30, 2024, the Company issued a warrant for the purchase of 87,500 shares of class B common stock at an exercise price of $ 5.00 ,
subject to adjustments, to the representative of the underwriters in the initial public offering. The warrant will be exercisable at
any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the period commencing on April 30, 2024 and ending on April 25, 2029 and
may be exercised on a cashless basis under certain circumstances.
Restricted
Stock Awards
On
April 30, 2024, the Company granted a restricted stock award under the 2022 Plan for 175,000 shares of class B common stock, of which
15,000 shares vested on the date of grant, 10,625 shares will vest quarterly through June 30, 2026 and the remaining 75,000 shares will
vest as the grantee reaches certain sales targets in a twelve month period.
On
April 30, 2024, the Company granted a restricted stock unit award under the 2022 Plan for 1,300,000 shares of class B common stock, of
which 87,500 shares vested and were issued on the date of grant. In June 2024, the participant and the Company agreed to separate. As
a result, the participant kept the 87,500 shares that were vested and forfeited all other shares available under the award. In addition
to the 87,500 shares, the participant will also receive 20,000 shares of class B common stock on January 2, 2025.
On
June 12, 2024, the Company granted a restricted stock unit award under the 2022 Plan for 188,000 shares of class B common
stock, of which 5,000 shares vested and were issued on the date of grant and, 5,000 will vest on July 12, 2024. In addition, 18,000 shares
vest upon completion of tasks as outlined between the Company and grantee and an additional 160,000 shares will vest as the Company achieves
certain sales targets in a twelve-month period.
The
information presented in the following table represents the restricted stock awards, including performance-based awards, granted and
outstanding during the period:
Performance-
Based
Restricted
Shares
Service-Based
Restricted
Shares
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Beginning balance
-
-
$ -
Granted
-
-
-
Forfeited
-
-
-
Vested
-
-
-
Outstanding, unvested grants at June 30, 2023
-
-
-
Granted
235,000
-
3.10
Granted
-
1,448,000
3.10
Forfeited
-
( 1,212,500 )
3.10
Vested
-
( 107,500 )
3.10
Outstanding, unvested grants at June 30, 2024
235,000
128,000
$ 3.09
Stock-based
Compensation
Stock
options and warrants are granted at the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The Company recognizes
compensation expense for these awards using the straight-line recognition method over the vesting period.
F- 20
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
The
fair value of stock options and warrants was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following
weighted average assumptions for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:
June 30,
2024 June 30,
2023
Risk-free interest rate 5.10 % 3.80 %
Dividend yield 0.0 % 0.0 %
Expected volatility 47.44 % 54.04 %
Expected life of awards 3.3 years 3.9 years
Fair value of awards granted during the year $ 0.90 $ 1.35
The
risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. government issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the awards. The determination
of expected volatility is based on historical volatility of an appropriate industry sector index. The weighted average expected term
was estimated for options using the average of the vesting term and contractual term of the awards. The weighted-average fair value per
share of total awards granted during the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $ 1.35 and $ 0.90 , respectively.
Warrants Stock
Options Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (years) Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Beginning balance -
-
-
$ -
Granted 824,041 - 0.44 0.69
Granted - 2,770,000 4.77 0.51
Cancelled -
-
-
-
Forfeited -
-
-
-
Exercised ( 777,778 ) -
-
0.61
Outstanding, June 30, 2023 ( 2,125,152 shares exercisable) 46,263 2,770,000 5.01 $ 0.59
Granted - 525,000 2.44 3.31
Granted 87,500 0.86 0.86
Cancelled ( 46,263 ) -
0.08
Forfeited -
-
-
-
Exercised -
-
-
-
Outstanding, June 30, 2024 ( 2,738,472 shares exercisable) 87,500 3,295,000 3.30 $ 4.17
The aggregate intrinsic value of the 2,738,472 shares exercisable at June 30, 2024 was $3,668,019. The intrinsic value and total cash
received of awards exercised for the period ending June 30, 2023 was $855,556 and $500,000, respectively. No cash awards were exercised
during the year ended June 30, 2024.
Total stock compensation expense for the year ended June 30, 2024 was $ 670,958 . In addition, $ 94,850 of warrants issued to representative
of the underwriters in the initial public offering during the year ended June 30, 2024 were recorded as an offset to equity. Total stock
compensation expense for the period ended June 30, 2023 consists of $ 3,231,443 related to stock options and $ 857,889 of warrants. In addition,
$ 42,835 of warrants issued to representative of the underwriters in the initial public offering were recorded as an offset to equity as
of June 30, 2024. As of June 30, 2024, total unrecognized stock compensation expense was $ 930,433 with the weighted average period over
which it is expected to be recognized of 2.01 years.
14. Net Loss Per Share
The
following table sets forth the computation of basic and dilutive net income per share of class A and class B common stock:
Year Ended June 30, 2024
Class A
Class B
Basic and diluted net loss per share:
Numerator
Allocation of undistributed loss
$ ( 171,420 )
$ ( 2,110,322 )
Denominator
Weighted average number of shares used in per share computation
350,192
4,311,142
Basic and diluted net loss per share
$ ( 0.49 )
$ ( 0.49 )
F- 21
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
Period Ended June 30, 2023 (Successor)
Class A
Class B
Basic and diluted net loss per share:
Numerator
Allocation of undistributed loss
$ ( 2,111,882 )
$ ( 2,911,325 )
Denominator
Weighted average number of shares used in per share computation
967,987
1,334,414
Basic and diluted net loss per share
$ ( 2.18 )
$ ( 2.18 )
15. Income Taxes
The
Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal and applicable state jurisdictions.
Management
is required to analyze all open tax years, as defined by the statute of limitations, for all major jurisdictions, which includes federal
and certain states. The fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 was the entity’s initial year of existence, and is not subject to federal
or state tax examinations prior to this period.
The
Company’s provision for income taxes is comprised of the following components for the year ended June 30, 2024:
Years Ended
6/30/2024
6/30/2023
Current Tax Expense (Benefit)
Federal
-
-
State
-
-
Current Tax Expense (Benefit)
$ -
$ -
Deferred Tax Expense (Benefit)
Federal
-
-
State
-
-
Deferred Tax Expense (Benefit)
-
-
Total Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
$ -
$ -
The
Company’s income tax expense from continuing operations for the year ended June 30, 2024 differed from the statutory federal rate
of 21 % as follows:
Pre-Tax Book Income
$ ( 2,281,742 )
Years Ended
6/30/2024
6/30/2023
Amount
Percent
Amount
Percent
Rate Reconciliation
Federal tax (benefit) at a statutory rate
$ ( 479,166 )
21 %
$ ( 1,054,873 )
21.00 %
State tax expense (benefit)
( 125,968 )
5.52 %
( 277,654 )
5.53 %
Other Permanent Differences
804
( 0.04 )%
490
( 0.01 )%
Increase (Decrease) in valuation allowance related to current period P&L activity
604,330
( 26.49 )%
1,332,037
( 26.52 )%
Total tax expense
$ -
0.00 %
$ -
0.00 %
F- 22
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
Deferred
tax assets and liabilities consist of the following at June 30, 2024:
Years Ended
6/30/2024
6/30/2023
Deferred Tax Assets
Accrued Expenses
$ 67,775
$ 55,680
Equity Compensation
1,186,561
1,092,856
Lease Liabilities
145,913
129,075
NOL Carryforwards
720,498
214,559
Valuation Allowance
( 1,936,367 )
( 1,332,037 )
Total Deferred Tax Assets
$ 184,379
$ 160,133
Deferred Tax Liabilities
Property and equipment
$ 24
$ ( 252 )
Intangible Assets
( 31,881 )
( 561 )
Prepaid Expenses
( 13,288 )
( 35,515 )
ASC 842 Right of Use Asset
( 139,234 )
( 123,805 )
Valuation Allowance
-
-
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities
$ ( 184,379 )
$ ( 160,133 )
Net Deferred Tax Asset (Liability)
$ -
$ -
In
assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more-likely-than-not that some portion of the
deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable
income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.
As
of June 30, 2024, the Company recognized a full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax asset to reflect the fact it is not more-likely-than-not
to realize any portion of the asset.
Years Ended
6/30/2024
6/30/2023
Other Items – All Gross
Federal NOL Carryovers
$ 2,715,784
$ 808,741
State NOL Carryovers
$ 2,715,784
$ 808,741
At
June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for Federal income tax purposes of $ 2,715,784 and $ 808,741 ,
respectively, which would be available to offset future federal taxable income, if any, and would not be subset to expiration. At June
30, 2024 and 2023, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes of $ 2,715,784 and $ 808,741 , which are
available to offset future state taxable income, which is subject to expiration beginning in 2043.
16. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal
Proceedings
From
time to time, the Company may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business.
However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time
that may harm our business. The Company is aware of one legal claim and has accrued approximately $ 108,000 for such claim (Note 17).
The Company is currently not aware of any other such legal proceedings or claims that it believes will have a material adverse effect
on its business, financial condition or operating results.
Retirement
Plans
The
Successor does not maintain a defined contribution plan or any other type of retirement plan for its employees.
F- 23
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE
30, 2024 AND 2023
For
the period of July 1, 2022 through October 16, 2022, the Predecessor maintained a defined contribution 401(k) plan available to eligible
employees. Employee contributions are voluntary and are determined on an individual basis, limited to the maximum amount allowable under
federal tax regulations. Matching contributions to the 401(k) plan are made for certain eligible employees to meet the non- discrimination
provisions of the plan. During this period, the Predecessor made a contribution of $ 1,512 .
Leases
The
Company has a non-cancellable operating lease commitment for its office facility expiring in 2028. Rent expense totaled $ 130,723 and
$ 57,626 for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The
following table discloses the lease cost, discount rate, and remaining lease term for operating leases as of June 30, 2024 and 2023:
June 30,
2024 June 30,
2023
Operating lease cost $ 130,723 $ 57,626
Remaining lease term 3.7 years 4.7 years
Discount rate 6.56 % 6.00 %
The
discount rate was determined using the Company’s external debt and was adjusted for collateralization, term and lease amount.
The
following table discloses the undiscounted cash flows on an annual basis and a reconciliation of the undiscounted cash flows of operating
lease liabilities recognized in the balance sheet as of June 30, 2024:
Year
Ended June 30,
2025
$ 163,147
2026
167,226
2027
171,407
2028
116,160
2029
-
Total undiscounted cash flows
617,940
Less amount representing interest
( 67,949 )
Present value of lease liabilities
549,991
Less current portion
( 131,887 )
Noncurrent lease liabilities
$ 418,104
17. Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated events subsequent to June 30, 2024, to assess
the need for potential recognition or disclosure. Such events were evaluated through September 20, 2024, the date the financial statements
were available to be issued. The following were noted:
Lawsuit
On
August 20, 2024, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Atkinson, filed a lawsuit against the Company in the State
of Nebraska claiming compensation, unreimbursed expenses and accrued and unpaid vacation owed to him prior to his resignation in February
2024. The Company has accrued approximately $ 108,000 for such claim (see Note 16).
Product
Development Proposal
On
August 20, 2024, the Company entered into a product development proposal with E-Business International Incorporation, pursuant to which
Business International Incorporation, an engineering company, will look for more efficient ways to assemble some of the Company’s
units, and will then take over assembly of certain products using overseas facilities.
Distributor
Agreement
On
September 10, 2024, the Company entered into a sole distributorship agreement with Consensus B.V., pursuant to which Consensus B.V. will
act as sole distributor of the Company’s products in the European Union, United Kingdom, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
and United Arab Emirates. The agreement is for a term of five years and may be terminated by either party upon not less than four months’
notice; provided that either party may terminate the agreement immediately upon a substantial breach of the agreement, as more particularly
described in the agreement.
F- 24
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date:
September 20, 2024
CLEANCORE
SOLUTIONS, INC.
/s/
Clayton Adams
Name:
Clayton Adams
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/
David Enholm
Name:
David Enholm
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
/s/
Clayton Adams
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
September
20, 2024
Clayton
Adams
/s/
David Enholm
Chief
Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)
September
20, 2024
David
Enholm
/s/
Brent Cox
Director
September
20, 2024
Brent
Cox
/s/
James M. Grisham
Director
September
20, 2024
James
M. Grisham
/s/
Larry Goldman
Director
September
20, 2024
Larry
Goldman
50
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