Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our financial statements and the related notes and the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, before deciding whether to invest in our common stock. The occurrence of any of the events or developments described below could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. In such an event, the market price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business operations.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
We are a start-up entity and expect to incur significant expenses and continuing losses for the foreseeable future.
We are a start-up entity and have had very limited operations to date. To date, we have designed and manufactured only prototypes of our electric sport boat, have not yet commercialized our boats and have not sold any boats. We believe that we will continue to incur operating and net losses in the future while we grow, including following our initial generation of revenues from the sale of our boats which may occur later than we expect or not at all. We do not expect to be profitable for the foreseeable future as we invest in our business, build capacity and ramp up operations, and we cannot assure you that we will ever achieve or be able to maintain profitability in the future. Even if we are able to successfully develop our boats and attract customers, there can be no assurance that we will be financially successful. For example, as we develop our product portfolio, we will need to manage costs effectively to sell those products at our expected margins. Failure to become profitable would materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. If we are ever to achieve profitability, it will be dependent upon the successful development and commercial introduction and acceptance of our electric sport boats and the development of a vertically integrated direct-to-consumer distribution system to market and sell our boats, which may not occur. As such, for the foreseeable future, we will have to fund all our operations and capital expenditures from cash on hand, and potentially, future offerings of securities. However, unanticipated changes may occur that could consume our available capital before we expect, including changes in and progress of our development activities.
Our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern .
The report of our independent registered public accounting firm contains a note stating that the accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we incurred a net loss of $5,933,113 and used cash in operations of $4,254,221. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we incurred a net loss of $3,630,081 and used cash in operations of $3,377,621. Losses have principally occurred as a result of the research and development efforts coupled with no operating revenue.
Until we begin generating revenue, there is a doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern through December 31, 2024.
Our limited operating history makes it difficult for us to evaluate our future business prospects.
We are a company with an extremely limited operating history and have not generated any revenue from sales of our boats or other products and services to date. As we attempt to transition from research and development activities to production and sales, it is difficult, if not impossible, to forecast our future results, and we have limited insight into trends that may emerge and affect our business. The estimated costs and timelines that we have developed to design and complete the design and engineering of the FX1 sport boat and its outboard electric motor and then reach full scale commercial production are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties involved in the transition from a start-up company focused on research and development activities to the large-scale manufacture and sale of vehicles. There can be no assurance that our estimates related to the costs and timing necessary to complete the design and engineering of a commercially viable electric boat and its outboard electric motor, will prove accurate. These are complex processes that may be subject to delays, cost overruns and other unforeseen issues. In addition, we have engaged in limited marketing activities to date, so even if we are able to bring an electric boat or other commercial products to market, on time and on budget, there can be no assurance that customers will embrace our products in significant numbers. Although we have received boat reservations, they are non-binding and cancellable and therefore cannot be relied upon as true indications of interest in our products. Market conditions, many of which are outside of our control and subject to change, including general economic conditions, the availability and terms of third-party consumer financing, the impacts and ongoing uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic, fuel and energy prices, regulatory requirements and incentives, competition and the pace and extent of vehicle electrification generally, will impact demand for our electric boat and our other commercial products, and ultimately our .
You should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and significant challenges we face as a new entrant into our industry. If we fail to adequately address any or all of these risks and challenges, our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows may be materially and adversely affected.
Our planned fully electric sport boat has not yet been assembled into a fully integrated product, and even if assembled, an interest in it may not develop.
Our electric boats are being designed as fully integrated electric boats, including the hull, outboard motor and control system. There can be no assurance that we will be able to complete development and mass produce the electric boat when anticipated, if at all, or that the anticipated features or services to be included in the electric boat will create substantial interest or a market, and therefore our anticipated electric boat product, its sales and growth for our product may not develop as expected, or at all. For example, in May 2021 we experienced a catastrophic failure in connection with the sea trial of a prototype of our electric boat which resulted in a six-month delay in our design timetable as we implemented changes to the design for outboard electric motor system as a result of the failure. Although recent trials have been successful, we cannot guarantee that similar events will not occur in the future, or that we will be able to contain such events without damage or delay. Even if such a market for the electric sport boat develops, there can be no assurance that we would be to maintain that market.
Our operations to date have been primarily limited to finalizing our design and engineering of our electric sport boat as well as organizing and staffing our company in preparation for launching the electric boat. As such we have not yet demonstrated, and our success is wholly dependent upon, our ability to commercialize our products. The successful commercialization of any products will require us to perform a variety of functions, including:
completing the design and testing for the electric sport boat and our proprietary outboard electric motor;
manufacturing the electric sport boats;
developing a vertically integrated direct-to-consumer distribution system; and
conducting sales and marketing activities.
We cannot be certain that our business strategy will be successful or that we will successfully address these risks. In the event that we do not successfully address these risks, our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected, and we may not have the resources to continue or expand our business operations.
Our planned distribution model is different from the predominant current distribution model for boat manufacturers, which subjects us to substantial risk and makes evaluating our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows difficult.
Our distribution model is still in the planning stages. We currently plan to mainly sell our boats directly to customers rather than through franchised dealerships (unless required to do so by certain states), primarily through our website and app platform, subject to obtaining applicable dealer licenses and equivalent permits in such jurisdictions. The digital customer experience via our online platform will allow customers to research, shop, choose boat hull color, interior upholstery color, and a possible upgrade of an additional battery to extend run times, order, track and take delivery through our web-based and app platform. We have not yet: (i) entered into any arrangements with third parties to provide financing services through our web and app platform, or (ii) hired staff for our intended support and service department. Once the customer places the order, their Forza X1 account will request several documents, including license, insurance, etc., which can be uploaded online without ever speaking with a salesperson. If the customer has questions, concerns, or needs support through the sales and purchase process, they will be able to contact Forza X1 through the website or app with any questions, concerns.
Since our planned sales and marketing platform is a newer way to shop, buy and take delivery of a new boat through a mostly virtual process, we are unable to predict or conclude precisely what the customer will experience. We intend to follow up customer transactions with review and quality control questionnaires to collect the data and continue to better our platform and how we interact with customers.
In addition to our website and app platform, we have entered into an agreement with OneWater to be the sole dealer distributing our products and OneWater’s retail locations may be used as potential delivery points for customers to pick up our products, and where available, we will utilize them for service needs. However, our relationship with OneWater is new and we have no prior history with OneWater upon which to evaluate this relationship. In addition, the agreement with OneWater may be terminated by either of us at any time without cause.
This model of boat distribution is relatively new, different from the predominant current distribution model for boat manufacturers and, with limited exceptions, unproven, which subjects us to substantial risk. We have no experience in selling or leasing boats direct-to-consumer and therefore this model may require significant expenditures and provide for slower expansion than the traditional dealer franchise system. For example, we will not be able to utilize long established relationships developed by Twin Vee, with its dealer network. Moreover, we will be competing with companies with well established distribution channels. Our success will depend in large part on our ability to effectively develop our own sales channels and marketing strategies.
Implementing our direct sales model is subject to numerous significant challenges, including obtaining permits and approvals from government authorities, and we may not be successful in addressing these challenges. If our direct sales model does not develop as expected or develops more slowly than expected, we may be required to modify or abandon our sales model, which could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We will be dependent upon OneWater for any sales of our boats through traditional sales methods .
In order to attract customers that prefer to buy our products through a traditional marketing method, on August 17, 2022, we entered into a five year agreement with OneWater to establish our customer experience and service centers in OneWater’s current and future locations and other strategic locations across the United States pursuant to which OneWater will be the sole dealer distributing our products and OneWater’s retail locations may be used as potential delivery points for customers to pick up our products. We retained the right to sell our products directly to customers. The agreement may be terminated by either party for breach upon thirty days’ notice and without cause upon three months’ notice. Our relationship with OneWater is new and we have no history upon which to evaluate the success of this relationship. Our boats will not be the only boats sold by OneWater and therefore we will face competition from the other boats sold by OneWater. In addition, either party may terminate the agreement for any reason upon three months’ notice. If OneWater were to terminate the agreement, we would need to find other dealers to market and service our products, especially in states that do not allow for direct marketing and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so.
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal controls, and we cannot provide assurances that these weaknesses will be effectively remediated or that additional material weaknesses will not occur in the future.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We expect that the requirements of these rules and regulations will continue to increase our legal, accounting and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time consuming and costly, and place significant strain on our personnel, systems and resources.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures, and internal controls over financial reporting.
We do not yet have effective disclosure controls and procedures, or internal controls over all aspects of our financial reporting. We are continuing to develop and refine our internal controls over financial reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. We will be required to expend time and resources to further improve our internal controls over financial reporting, including by expanding our staff. However, we cannot assure you that our internal control over financial reporting, as modified, will enable us to identify or avoid material weaknesses in the future.
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weaknesses identified to date include that we have not yet retained sufficient staff or engaged sufficient outside consultants with appropriate experience in GAAP presentation, especially of complex instruments, to devise and implement effective disclosure controls and procedures, or internal controls.
We will be required to expend time and resources to further improve our internal controls over financial reporting, including by expanding our staff. However, we cannot assure you that our internal control over financial reporting, as modified, will enable us to identify or avoid material weaknesses in the future.
Our current controls and any new controls that we develop may become inadequate because of changes in conditions in our business, including increased complexity resulting from our international expansion. Further, weaknesses in our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting may be discovered in the future. Any failure to develop or maintain effective controls, or any difficulties encountered in their implementation or improvement, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations and may result in a restatement of our financial statements for prior periods. Any failure to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could also adversely affect the results of management reports and independent registered public accounting firm audits of our internal control over financial reporting that we will eventually be required to include in our periodic reports that will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). disclosure controls and procedures, and internal control over financial reporting could also cause investors to confidence in our reported financial and other information, which would likely have a effect on the market price of our common stock.
Our independent registered public accounting firm is not required to audit the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting until after we are no longer an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act and meet other requirements. At such time, our independent registered public accounting firm may issue a report that is adverse in the event it is not satisfied with the level at which our internal control over financial reporting is documented, designed or operating. Any failure to maintain effective disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting could have a material and adverse effect on our business and operating results and cause a decline in the market price of our common stock.
Our ability to generate meaningful product revenue will depend on consumer adoption of electric boats.
We are only developing electric boats and, accordingly, our ability to generate meaningful product revenue will depend highly on sustained consumer demand for alternative fuel vehicles in general and electric boats in particular. If the market for electric boats does not develop as we expect or develops more slowly than we expect, or if there is a decrease in consumer demand for electric vehicles, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations will be harmed. The market for electric and other alternative fuel vehicles is relatively new,
rapidly evolving, characterized by rapidly changing technologies, price competition, additional competitors, evolving government regulation (including government incentives and subsidies) and industry standards, frequent new vehicle announcements and changing consumer demands and behaviors. Any number of changes in the industry could negatively affect consumer demand for electric vehicles in general and our electric boats in particular.
In addition, demand for electric boats may be affected by factors directly impacting boat prices or the cost of purchasing and operating boats such as sales and financing incentives including tax credits, prices of raw materials and parts and components, cost of fuel, availability of consumer credit, and governmental regulations, including tariffs, import regulation and other taxes. Volatility in demand may lead to lower vehicle unit sales, which may result in downward price pressure and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Further, sales of boats in the marine industry tend to be cyclical in many markets, which may expose us to increased volatility, especially as we expand and adjust our operations and retail strategies. Specifically, it is uncertain how such macroeconomic factors will impact us as a new entrant in an industry that has globally been experiencing a recent decline in sales.
Other factors that may influence the adoption of electric boats include:
perceptions about electric vehicle quality, safety, design, performance and cost;
perceptions about the limited range over which electric boats may be driven on a single battery charge;
perceptions about the total cost of ownership of electric boats, including the initial purchase price and operating and maintenance costs, both including and excluding the effect of any government and other subsidies and incentives designed to promote the purchase of electric boats;
perceptions about the sustainability and environmental impact of electric boats, including with respect to both the sourcing and disposal of materials for electric vehicle batteries and the generation of electricity provided in the electric grid;
the availability of other alternative fuel boats;
improvements in the fuel economy of the internal combustion engine;
the quality and availability of service for electric boats;
volatility in the cost of oil and gasoline;
government regulations and economic incentives promoting fuel efficiency and alternate forms of energy;
access to charging stations and cost to charge an electric vehicle and related infrastructure costs and standardization;
the availability of tax and other governmental incentives to purchase and operate electric boats or future regulation requiring increased use of nonpolluting boats; and
macroeconomic factors.
The influence of any of the factors described above or any other factors may cause a general reduction in consumer demand for electric vehicles or our electric boats in particular, either of which would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects
We may be unable to adequately control the capital expenditures and costs associated with our business and operations.
We will require significant capital to develop and grow our business, including developing our first boat to be manufactured, the electric boat, as well as building our brand, and we will not be able to rely on Twin Vee as a source of such funding. We expect to make additional capital expenditures and incur substantial costs as we complete the design and engineering of the electric boat and prepare to commercially launch sales of our boats and grow our business, including research and development expenses, raw material procurement costs, sales and distribution expenses as we build our brand and market our boats and general and administrative expenses as we scale our operations,
identify and commit resources to investigate new areas of demand and incur costs as a public company. In addition, we expect to incur significant costs as we build our factory in North Carolina. Our ability to become profitable in the future will not only depend on our ability to complete the design and development of our boats but also to control our capital expenditures and costs. As we expand our product portfolio, we will need to manage costs effectively to sell those products at our expected margins. If we are unable to cost efficiently design, manufacture, market, sell and distribute and service our boats and provide our services, our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows would be materially and adversely affected.
We may not be able to commence production of our electric boats as planned.
We currently plan to manufacture our electric boats at a new state of the art carbon neutral factory that we plan to build in McDowell County, North Carolina. Until we are able to expand our manufacturing capacity and build the planned manufacturing facility, we expect to continue to share Twin Vee’s current manufacturing facility, which has a limited capacity and may not be able to satisfy our manufacturing needs. Although we entered into a Transition Services Agreement with Twin Vee (the “Transition Services Agreement”) following the completion of our IPO, the Transition Services Agreement does not provide for any dedicated manufacturing capacity for us. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Transition Services Agreement.” Our ability to utilize Twin Vee’s manufacturing capacity pending completion of our own facility will be subject to its availability as determined by Twin Vee and Twin Vee has no obligation to make any manufacturing capacity available to us under the Transition Services Agreement. As a result, our ability to produce any boats will be limited to available capacity of the Twin Vee facility until our future manufacturing facility is operational. If Twin Vee does not provide manufacturing capacity, we would not be able to produce our electric boats unless or until we lease or purchase facilities and equipment necessary for our production purposes. Any facility that we build will require a significant capital investment and is expected to take at least one year to eighteen months to build and become fully operational. In addition, even if the construction of our planned facility is completed when anticipated, production at our facility could be whether due to of equipment, workforce issues or other reasons. If we are to complete our own facility and commence production as planned, our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows would be materially and affected and the value of your investment in our company may be materially affected.
Changes in general economic conditions, geopolitical conditions, domestic and foreign trade policies, monetary policies and other factors beyond our control may adversely impact our business and operating results.
Our operations and performance depend on global, regional and U.S. economic and geopolitical conditions. General worldwide economic conditions have experienced significant instability in recent years including the recent global economic uncertainty and financial market conditions. Russia’s invasion and military attacks on Ukraine have triggered significant sanctions from U.S. and European leaders and financial markets around the world experienced volatility following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022. Resulting changes in U.S. trade policy could trigger retaliatory actions by Russia, its allies and other affected countries, including China, resulting in a “trade war.” Furthermore, if other countries, including the U.S., become further involved in the conflict, we could face significant adverse effects to our business and financial condition.
The uncertain financial markets, disruptions in supply chains, mobility restraints, and changing priorities as well as volatile asset values could impact our business in the future. The COVID-19 outbreak and government measures taken in response to the pandemic have also had a significant impact, both direct and indirect, on businesses and commerce, as worker shortages have occurred; supply chains have been disrupted; facilities and production have been suspended; and demand for certain goods and services, such boats and other recreational components and supplies, have spiked, while demand for other goods and services, such as travel, have fallen. The future progression of the pandemic and its effects on our business and operations are uncertain.
Further, although we have not experienced material adverse effects on our business due to increasing inflation, it has raised operating costs for many businesses and, in the future, could impact demand for our products, foreign exchange rates or employee wages. Inflation rates, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom, have increased recently to levels not seen in years, and increased inflation may result in increases in our operating costs (including our labor costs), reduced liquidity and limits on our ability to access credit or otherwise raise capital. In addition, the Federal Reserve has raised, and may again raise, interest rates in response to concerns about inflation, which coupled with reduced government spending and volatility in financial markets may have the effect of further increasing economic uncertainty and heightening these risks.
Actual events involving reduced or limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that affect financial institutions or other companies in the financial services industry or the financial services industry generally, or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds, have in the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems. For example, on March 10, 2023, Silicon Valley Bank, was closed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as receiver. Although we did not have any cash or cash equivalent balances on deposit with Silicon Valley Bank, uncertainty and liquidity concerns in the broader financial services industry remain and the failure of Silicon Valley Bank and its potential near- and long-term effects on the biotechnology industry and its participants such as our vendors, suppliers, and investors, may also adversely affect our operations and stock price.
We are actively monitoring the effects these disruptions and increasing inflation could have on our operations.
These conditions make it extremely difficult for us to accurately forecast and plan future business activities.
In addition, the outbreak of a pandemic could disrupt our operations due to absenteeism by infected or ill members of management or other employees, or absenteeism by members of management and other employees who elect not to come to work due to the illness affecting others in our office or laboratory facilities, or due to quarantines. Pandemics could also impact members of our Board of Directors resulting in absenteeism from meetings of the directors or committees of directors and making it more difficult to convene the quorums of the full Board of Directors or its committees needed to conduct meetings for the management of our affairs.
We may not receive the anticipated tax abatement from the Job Development Investment Grant .
On July 28, 2022, we received notice that the North Carolina Economic investment committee has approved a Job Development Investment Grant (“JDIG”) providing for reimbursement to us of up to $1,367,100 over a twelve-year period to establish a new manufacturing plant in McDowell County, North Carolina. The receipt of grant funding is conditioned upon us investing over $10.5 million in land, buildings and fixtures, infrastructure and machinery and equipment by the end of 2025 and us creating as many as 170 jobs. We are currently in negotiations for a new site to build the Forza factory in North Carolina. There can be no assurance that the negotiations will be successful. If unsuccessful, we will not meet the conditions necessary to receive the grant funding and will be subject to the limited capacity at the Twin Vee factory that Twin Vee allows us, in its discretion, to use. There can be no assurance that we will meet the conditions necessary to receive the grant funding. We are currently in negotiations for a new site to build the Forza factory in North Carolina. There can be no assurance that the negotiations will be successful.
We could experience cost increases or disruptions in supply of raw materials or other components used in our boats.
We expect to incur significant costs related to procuring raw materials required to manufacture and assemble our boats. The prices for these raw materials fluctuate depending on factors beyond our control including market conditions and global demand for these materials and could adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Further, any delays or disruptions in our supply chain could harm our business. For example, COVID-19, including associated variants, could cause disruptions to and delays in our operations, including shortages and delays in the supply of certain parts, including semiconductors, materials and equipment necessary for the production of our boats, and the internal designs and processes we may adopt in an effort to remedy or mitigate impacts of such disruptions and delays could result in higher costs. In addition, our business also depends on the continued supply of battery cells for our boats. We are exposed to multiple risks relating to availability and pricing of quality battery cells. These risks include:
the inability or unwillingness of battery cell manufacturers to build or operate battery cell manufacturing plants to supply the numbers of battery cells (including the applicable chemistries) required to support the growth of the electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle industry as demand for such cells increases;
disruption in the supply of battery cells due to quality issues or recalls by the battery cell manufacturers; and
an increase in the cost, or decrease in the available supply of raw materials used in battery cells, such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt.
Furthermore, currency fluctuations, tariffs or shortages in petroleum and other economic or political conditions may result in significant increases in freight charges and raw material costs. Substantial increases in the prices for our raw materials or components would increase our operating costs and could reduce our margins. In addition, a growth in popularity of electric vehicles without a significant expansion in battery cell production capacity could result in shortages which would result in increased materials costs to us, and would impact our projected manufacturing and delivery timelines, and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our ability to meet our manufacturing workforce needs is crucial to our results of operations and future sales and profitability.
We rely on the existence of an available hourly workforce to manufacture our products. We also rely upon our engineers that are specialist in electric engineering. We cannot assure you that we will be able to attract and retain qualified employees to meet current or future needs at a reasonable cost, or at all. For instance, the demand for engineers has increased over the past several years and we will compete with many of the tech companies and automobile companies. In addition, the demand for skilled employees has increased recently with the low unemployment rates in Florida and North Carolina where we currently have manufacturing facilities and are building a manufacturing facility. Also, although none of our employees are currently covered by collective bargaining agreements, we cannot assure you that our employees will not elect to be represented by labor unions in the future. Additionally, competition for qualified employees could require us to pay higher wages to attract a sufficient number of employees. Significant increases in manufacturing workforce costs could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We have a large fixed cost base that will affect our profitability if our sales decrease.
The fixed cost levels of operating a powerboat manufacturer can put pressure on profit margins when sales and production decline. Our profitability will depend, in part, on our ability to spread fixed costs over a sufficiently large number of products sold and shipped, and if we make a decision to reduce our rate of production, gross or net margins could be negatively affected. Consequently, decreased demand or the need to reduce production can lower our ability to absorb fixed costs and materially impact our financial condition or results of operations.
Our outstanding common stock is substantially controlled by our management.
Twin Vee PowerCats, Co. currently owns 44% of our outstanding common stock. Joseph Visconti, who currently serves as our Executive Chairman and Chief of Product Development is also the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of our parent company, Twin Vee PowerCats Co., and is also the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Twin Vee PowerCats Co. Mr. Visconti beneficially owns 24.455% of the outstanding stock of Twin Vee PowerCats Co. As a result of these holdings, Mr. Visconti does and will have significant influence over our management and affairs and over matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. Therefore, Twin Vee PowerCats Co. will have substantial influence over any election of our directors and our operations. It should also be noted that for the most part, authorization to modify our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, requires only majority stockholder consent and approval to modify our amended and restated bylaws requires authorization of only a majority of the board of directors. This concentration of ownership could also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in our control. Accordingly, our Executive Chairman and Chief of Product Development could cause us to enter into transactions or agreements that we would not otherwise consider.
In addition, this concentration of ownership may delay or prevent a change in our control and might affect the market price of our common stock, even when a change in control may be in the best interest of all stockholders. Furthermore, the interests of this concentration of ownership may not always coincide with our interests or the interests of other stockholders.
Our management overlaps substantially with the management and beneficial owners of our principal stockholder, which may give rise to potential conflicts of interest.
Several of our executive officers and directors are also officers and/or directors of our principal stockholder, Twin Vee PowerCats Co., and certain of such executive officers and directors are, in turn, the principal stockholders of Twin Vee PowerCats Co. For example the Chairman of our Board of Directors is the Chairman of the Board of Director and Chief Executive Officer of Twin Vee PowerCats Co. and our interim Chief Financial Officer currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Twin Vee PowerCats Co. Accordingly,
there may be inherent, albeit non-specific, potential conflicts involved in the participation by members of each company’s management, audit committee, compensation committee, nominating committee and other applicable board committees which will oversee questions of possible conflicts of interest and compensation, notwithstanding our effort to appoint independent directors that do not have these inherent conflicts. In addition, as a matter of practicality, efficiency and appropriate accounting, the costs of certain services (including salaries of executive officers) are allocated, which creates inter-company obligations.
Our annual and quarterly financial results are subject to significant fluctuations depending on various factors, many of which are beyond our control .
Our sales and operating results are expected to vary significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year depending on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include, but are not limited to:
Seasonal consumer demand for our products;
Discretionary spending habits;
Changes in pricing in, or the availability of supply in, the powerboat market;
Failure to maintain a premium brand image;
Disruption in the operation of our manufacturing facilities;
Variations in the timing and volume of our sales;
The timing of our expenditures in anticipation of future sales;
Sales promotions by us and our competitors;
Changes in competitive and economic conditions generally;
Consumer preferences and competition for consumers’ leisure time;
Impact of unfavorable weather conditions;
Changes in the cost or availability of our labor; and
Increased fuel prices.
Due to these and other factors, our results of operations may decline quickly and significantly in response to changes in order patterns or rapid decreases in demand for our products. We anticipate that fluctuations in operating results will continue in the future.
Unfavorable weather conditions may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations, especially during the peak boating season.
Adverse weather conditions in any year in any particular geographic region may adversely affect sales in that region, especially during the peak boating season. Sales of our products are expected to be generally stronger just before and during spring and summer, which represent the peak boating months, and favorable weather during these months generally has a positive effect on consumer demand. Conversely, unseasonably cool weather, excessive rainfall, reduced rainfall levels, or drought conditions during these periods may close area boating locations or render boating dangerous or inconvenient, thereby generally reducing consumer demand for our products. Our annual results would be materially and adversely affected if our net sales were to fall below expected seasonal levels during these periods. We may also experience more pronounced seasonal fluctuation in net sales in the future as we expand our businesses. There can be no assurance that weather conditions will not have a material effect on the sales of any of our products.
A natural disaster, the effects of climate change, or disruptions at our manufacturing facility could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations .
We currently rely on the continuous operation of Twin Vee’s manufacturing facility in Fort Pierce, Florida for the production of our prototypes and expect such reliance to continue until such time, if ever, that we build a new facility to manufacture our electric boats. Any natural disaster or other serious disruption to Twin Vee’s facility or any new facility due to fire, flood, earthquake, or any other unforeseen circumstance would adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Changes in climate could adversely affect our operations by limiting or increasing the costs associated with equipment or fuel supplies. In addition, adverse weather conditions, such as increased frequency and/or severity of storms, or floods could impair our ability to operate by damaging the Twin Vee facilities and equipment or restricting product delivery to customers. The occurrence of any disruption at any such manufacturing facility, even for a short period of time, may have an effect on our productivity and , during and after the period of the . These may also cause personal and of life, to or of property and equipment, and environmental . Although we maintain property, casualty, and business insurance of the types and in the amounts that we believe are customary for the industry, we are not fully insured all potential natural or other to our manufacturing facility.
If we fail to manage our manufacturing levels while still addressing the seasonal retail pattern for our products, our business and margins may suffer .
The seasonality of retail demand anticipated for our products, based upon sales of Twin Vee’s products, will require us to manage our manufacturing to address anticipated retail demand. We will need to manage seasonal changes in consumer demand and inventory. If there is weakness in retail demand, we could be required to reduce our production, resulting in lower rates of absorption of fixed costs in our manufacturing and, therefore, lower margins. As a result, we will need to balance the economies of level production with the seasonal retail sales pattern we experience. Failure to adjust manufacturing levels adequately may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We will rely on third-party suppliers to provide components and raw materials essential to the construction of our boats and anticipate such reliance to continue once we commercialize our products .
We expect to depend on third-party suppliers to provide components and raw materials essential to the construction of our boats. While we believe that we will leverage Twin Vee’s relationships with its current suppliers to provide the materials necessary to meet production demand, we cannot assure you that these relationships will continue or that the quantity or quality of materials available from these suppliers will be sufficient to meet our future needs, irrespective of whether we successfully implement our growth strategy. We expect that our need for raw materials and supplies will increase as we produce boats for sale. Our suppliers must be prepared to ramp up operations and, in many cases, hire additional workers and/or expand capacity in order to fulfill the orders that will be placed by us and other customers. Operational and financial difficulties that our suppliers may face in the future could adversely affect their ability to supply us with the parts and components we need, which could significantly disrupt our operations.
Termination or interruption of informal supply arrangements could have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations .
Although Twin Vee has long term relationships with many of its suppliers that are also our suppliers, neither we nor Twin Vee have any formal agreements with any suppliers for the purchase of parts needed and our purchases currently are made on a purchase order basis. We have no binding commitment from our suppliers to supply any specified quantity of materials needed within any specified time period. In the event that our suppliers receive a large number of orders from other customers, there is a possibility that they will not be able to support our needs. If any of our current suppliers were to be unable to provide needed products to us, there can be no assurance that alternate supply arrangements will be made on satisfactory terms. If we need to enter into supply arrangements on unsatisfactory terms, or if there are any delays to our supply arrangements, it could adversely affect our business and operating results.
Product liability, warranty, personal injury, property damage and recall claims may materially affect our financial condition and damage our reputation.
We are engaged in a business that exposes us to claims for product liability and warranty claims in the event our products actually or allegedly fail to perform as expected or the use of our products results, or is alleged to result, in property damage, personal injury or death. Although we maintain product and general liability insurance of the types and in the amounts that we believe are customary for the industry, we are not fully insured against all such potential claims. Our products involve kinetic energy, produce physical motion and are to be used on the water, factors which increase the likelihood of injury or death. Our products will contain lithium-ion batteries, which have been known to catch fire or vent smoke and flame, and chemicals which are known to be, or could later be proved to be, toxic or carcinogenic. Any judgment or settlement for personal or death could be more than our assets and, even if not justified, could prove expensive to contest.
We may experience legal claims in excess of our insurance coverage or claims that are not covered by insurance, either of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Adverse determination of material product liability and warranty claims made against us could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and harm our reputation. In addition, if any of our products or components in our products are, or are alleged to be, defective, we may be required to participate in a recall of that product or component if the defect or alleged defect relates to safety. Any such recall and other could be to us and require substantial management attention.
Our boats will use of lithium-ion battery cells, which, if not appropriately managed and controlled, have been observed to catch fire or vent smoke and flame.
The battery packs within our boats are being designed to use of lithium-ion cells. If not properly managed or subject to environmental stresses, lithium-ion cells can rapidly release the energy they contain by venting smoke and flames in a manner that can ignite nearby materials as well as other lithium-ion cells. While the battery pack is designed to contain any single cell’s release of energy without spreading to neighboring cells, a field or testing failure of battery packs in our boats could occur, which could result in bodily injury or death and could subject us to lawsuits, field actions (including product recalls), or redesign efforts, all of which would be time consuming and expensive and could harm our brand image. Also, negative public perceptions regarding the suitability of lithium-ion cells for boating applications, the social and environmental impacts of mineral mining or procurement associated with the constituents of lithium-ion cells, or any future incident involving lithium-ion cells, such as a vehicle or other fire, could materially and adversely affect our reputation and business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Significant product repair and/or replacement due to product warranty claims or product recalls could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations .
We expect to provide a hull warranty for structural damage of up to ten years. In addition, we expect to provide a three-year limited fiberglass small parts warranty on all on some small fiberglass parts and components such as consoles. Gelcoat is expected to be covered up to one year. Additionally, fiberglass lids, plastic lids, electrical panels, bilge pumps, aerator pumps or other electrical devices (excluding stereos, depth finders, radar, chart plotters except for installation if installed by us), steering systems, electrical panels, and pumps are covered under a one-year basic limited systems warranty. Some materials, components or parts of the boat that will not be covered by our limited product warranties will be separately warranted by their manufacturers or suppliers. These other warranties are expected to include warranties covering engines purchased from suppliers and other components. We also expect to offer to provide repairs for no additional cost as part of our new direct to consumer system.
Our standard warranties will require us to repair or replace defective products during such warranty periods at no cost to the consumer. Although we will employ quality control procedures, sometimes a product is distributed that needs repair or replacement. The repair and replacement costs we could incur in connection with a recall could adversely affect our business. In addition, product recalls could harm our reputation and cause us to lose customers, particularly if recalls cause consumers to question the safety or reliability of our products.
The nature of our business exposes us to workers’ compensation claims and other workplace liabilities .
Certain materials we use require our employees to handle potentially hazardous or toxic substances. While our employees who handle these and other potentially hazardous or toxic materials receive specialized training and wear protective clothing, there is still a risk that they, or others, may be exposed to these substances. Exposure to these substances could result in significant injury to our employees and damage to our property or the property of others, including natural resource damage. Our personnel are also at risk for other workplace-related injuries, including slips and falls. We may in the future be subject to fines, penalties, and other liabilities in connection with any such injury or damage. Although we currently maintain what we believe to be suitable and adequate insurance in excess of our self-insured amounts, we may be unable to maintain such insurance on acceptable terms or such insurance may not provide adequate protection potential liabilities.
If we are unable to comply with environmental and other regulatory requirements, our business may be exposed to material liability and/or fines .
Our operations are subject to extensive and frequently changing federal, state, local, and foreign laws and regulations, including those concerning product safety, environmental protection, and occupational health and safety. Some of these laws and regulations require us to obtain permits and limit our ability to discharge hazardous materials into the environment. If we fail to comply with these requirements, we may be subject to civil or criminal enforcement actions that could result in the assessment of fines and penalties, obligations to conduct remedial or corrective actions, or, in extreme circumstances, revocation of our permits or injunctions preventing some or all of our operations. In addition, the components of our boats must meet certain regulatory standards, including stringent air emission standards for boat engines. Failure to meet these standards could result in an inability to sell our boats in key markets, which would affect our business. Moreover, compliance with these regulatory requirements could increase the cost of our products, which in turn, may reduce consumer demand.
While we believe that we are in material compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and foreign regulatory requirements, and hold all licenses and permits required thereunder, we cannot assure you that we will, at all times, be able to continue to comply with applicable regulatory requirements. Compliance with increasingly stringent regulatory and permit requirements may, in the future, cause us to incur substantial capital costs and increase our cost of operations, or may limit our operations, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
As with most boat construction businesses, our manufacturing processes involve the use, handling, storage, and contracting for recycling or disposal of hazardous substances and wastes. The failure to manage or dispose of such hazardous substances and wastes properly could expose us to material liability or fines, including liability for personal injury or property damage due to exposure to hazardous substances, damages to natural resources, or for the investigation and remediation of environmental conditions. Under environmental laws, we may be liable for remediation of contamination at sites where our hazardous wastes have been disposed or at our current facility, regardless of whether our facility is owned or leased or whether the environmental conditions were created by us, a prior owner or tenant, or a third-party. While we do not believe that we are presently subject to any such liabilities, we cannot you that environmental conditions relating to our prior, existing, or future sites or operations or those of predecessor companies will not have a material effect on our business or financial condition.
We will be dependent upon OneWater for direct distribution of our boats.
On August 17, 2022, we entered into a five-year agreement with OneWater to establish our customer experience and service centers in OneWater’s current and future locations and other strategic locations across the United States pursuant to which OneWater will be the sole dealer distributing our products and OneWater’s retail locations may be used as potential delivery points for customers to pick up our products. During the terms of the agreement, we will be dependent for sales of our boats on the efforts of OneWater, over which we have no control. OneWater will also distribute other boats and not just our boats and therefore we will be competing for One Water customers. In addition, any negative publicity regarding OneWater could have a negative effect upon our sales.
The electronic vehicle (EV) industry and its technology are rapidly evolving and may be subject to unforeseen changes which could adversely affect the demand for our boats or increase our operating costs.
We may be unable to keep up with changes in EV technology or alternatives to electricity as a fuel source and, as a result, our competitiveness may suffer. Developments in alternative technologies, such as advanced diesel, hydrogen, ethanol, fuel cells, or compressed natural gas, or improvements in the fuel economy of the internal combustion engine or the cost of gasoline, may materially and adversely affect our business and prospects in ways we do not currently anticipate. Existing and other battery cell technologies, fuels or sources of energy may emerge as customers’ preferred alternative to our boats. Any failure by us to develop new or enhanced technologies or processes, or to react to changes in existing technologies, could materially delay our development and introduction of new and enhanced alternative fuel and EVs, which could result in the loss of competitiveness of our boats, decreased revenue and a loss of market share to competitors. Our research and development efforts may not be sufficient to adapt to changes in alternative fuel and electric vehicle technology. As technologies change, we plan to upgrade or adapt our boats with the latest technology. However, our boats may not compete effectively with alternative systems if we are not to source and integrate the latest technology into our boats. Additionally, the introduction and integration of new technologies into our boats may increase our costs and capital expenditures required for the production and manufacture of our boats and, if we are to cost implement such technologies or adjust our manufacturing operations, our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows would be materially and affected.
Our sales and profitability depend, in part, on the successful introduction of new products.
Market acceptance of our products will depend on our technological innovation and our ability to implement technology in our boats. Our sales and profitability may be adversely affected by difficulties or delays in product development, such as an inability to develop viable or innovative new products or to add new features. Our failure to introduce new technologies and product offerings that consumers desire could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. If we fail to introduce new features or those we introduce fail to gain market acceptance, our bottom line may suffer.
If we experience delays in the development of our fully electric sport boat, fail to bring it to market as and when planned or if it fails to gain market acceptance, our bottom line will suffer.
In addition, some of our direct competitors and indirect competitors may have significantly more resources to develop and patent new technologies. It is possible that our competitors will develop and patent equivalent or superior technologies and other products that compete with ours. They may assert these patents against us and we may be required to license these patents on unfavorable terms or cease using the technology covered by these patents, either of which would harm our competitive position and may materially adversely affect our business.
We also cannot be certain that our products or features have not infringed or will not infringe the proprietary rights of others. Any such infringement could cause third parties, including our competitors, to bring claims against us, resulting in significant costs and potential damages.
Our success depends upon the continued strength of our brand, the value of our brand, and sales of our products could be diminished if we, the consumers who use our products, or the sports and activities in which our products are used are associated with negative publicity.
We believe that our brand will be a significant contributor to the success of our business and that maintaining and enhancing our brand is important to expanding our consumer and dealer base. Failure to continue to protect our brand may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We expect that our ability to develop, maintain and strengthen the Forza X1 brand will also depend heavily on the success of our marketing efforts. To further promote our brand, we may be required to change our marketing practices, which could result in substantially increased advertising expenses, including the need to use traditional media such as television, radio and print. Many of our current and potential competitors have greater name recognition, broader customer relationships and substantially greater marketing resources than we do. If we do not develop and maintain strong brands, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results will be materially and adversely impacted.
Negative publicity, including that resulting from severe injuries or death occurring in the sports and activities in which our products are used, could negatively affect our reputation and result in restrictions, recalls, or bans on the use of our products. If the popularity of the sports and activities for which we design, manufacture, and sell products were to decrease as a result of these risks or any negative publicity, sales of our products could decrease, which could have an adverse effect on our net sales, profitability, and operating results. In addition, if we become exposed to additional claims and litigation relating to the use of our products, our reputation may be adversely affected by such , whether or not , including by generating potential publicity about our products, which could impact our business and financial condition.
Our passion and focus on delivering a high-quality and engaging Forza X1 experience may not maximize short-term financial results, which may yield results that conflict with the market’s expectations and could result in our stock price being negatively affected.
We are passionate about enhancing the Forza X1 experience with a focus on driving long-term customer engagement through innovative, technologically advanced boats, which may not necessarily maximize short-term financial results. We frequently make business decisions that may reduce our short-term financial results if we believe that the decisions are consistent with our goals to improve the Forza X1 experience, which we believe will improve our financial results over the long-term. In the near-term, we will focus significant resources on research and development and sales and marketing to deliver the Forza experience to our customers, which could impact our short-term financial results. These decisions may not be consistent with the short-term expectations of our stockholders and may not produce the long-term benefits that we expect, in which case our customer growth, and our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be harmed.
Extended periods of low gasoline or other petroleum-based fuel prices could adversely affect demand for our boats, which would adversely affect our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.
A portion of the current and expected demand for electric vehicles results from concerns about volatility in the cost of gasoline and other petroleum-based fuel, the dependency of the United States on oil from unstable or hostile countries, government regulations and economic incentives promoting fuel efficiency and alternative forms of energy, as well as concerns about climate change resulting in part from the burning of fossil fuels. If the cost of gasoline and other petroleum-based fuel decreases significantly, the outlook for the long-term supply of oil to the United States improves, the government eliminates or modifies its regulations or economic incentives related to fuel efficiency and alternative forms of energy or there is a change in the perception that the burning of fossil fuels negatively impacts the environment, the demand for electric vehicles, including our boats, could be reduced, and our business and revenue may be harmed.
Gasoline and other petroleum-based fuel prices have historically been extremely volatile, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and it is difficult to ascertain whether such volatility will continue to persist. Lower gasoline or other petroleum-based fuel prices over extended periods of time may lower the perception in government and the private sector that cheaper, more readily available energy alternatives should be developed and produced. If gasoline or other petroleum-based fuel prices remain at deflated levels for extended periods of time, the demand for electric vehicles, including our boats, may decrease, which would have an adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
We will rely on complex machinery for our operations, and production involves a significant degree of risk and uncertainty in terms of operational performance, safety, security, and costs.
We expect to rely heavily on complex machinery for our operations and our production will involve a significant degree of uncertainty and risk in terms of operational performance, safety, security, and costs. Twin Vee’s manufacturing plant consists of large-scale machinery combining many components. The manufacturing plant components are likely to suffer unexpected malfunctions from time to time and will depend on repairs and spare parts to resume operations, which may not be available when needed. Unexpected malfunctions of the manufacturing plant components may significantly affect operational efficiency. Operational performance and costs can be difficult to predict and are often influenced by factors outside of our control, such as, but not limited to, scarcity of natural resources, environmental hazards and remediation, costs associated with decommissioning of machines, labor disputes and strikes, difficulty or delays in obtaining governmental permits, or in electronic systems, industrial , pandemics, fire, seismic activity, and natural . Should operational risks materialize, it may result in the personal to or death of workers, the of production equipment, to manufacturing facilities, products, supplies, tools and materials, monetary , and fluctuations in production, environmental ,
administrative fines, increased insurance costs, and potential legal liabilities, all which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Although we generally carry insurance to cover such operational risks, we cannot be certain that our insurance coverage will be sufficient to cover potential costs and liabilities arising therefrom. A loss that is uninsured or exceeds policy limits may require us to pay substantial amounts, which could adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
If our boats fail to perform as expected, our ability to develop, market and sell or lease our products could be harmed.
Once commercialization commences, our boats may contain defects in design and manufacture that may cause them not to perform as expected or that may require repairs, recalls, and design changes, any of which would require significant financial and other resources to successfully navigate and resolve. Our boats will use a substantial amount of software code to operate, and software products are inherently complex and may contain defects and errors when first introduced. If our boats contain defects in design and manufacture that cause them not to perform as expected or that require repair, or certain features of our boats take longer than expected to become available, are legally restricted or become subject to additional regulation, our ability to develop, market and sell our products and services could be harmed. Although we will attempt to remedy any issues we observe in our products as effectively and rapidly as possible, such efforts could significantly distract management’s attention from other important business objectives, may not be timely, may production or may not be to the of our customers. Further, our limited operating history and limited field data reduce our ability to evaluate and predict the long-term quality, reliability, durability and performance characteristics of our battery packs, powertrains and boats. There can be no assurance that we will be to detect and fix any in our products prior to their sale or lease to customers.
Any defects, delays or legal restrictions on boat features, or other failure of our boats to perform as expected, could harm our reputation and result in delivery delays, product recalls, product liability claims, breach of warranty claims and significant warranty and other expenses, and could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition. As a new entrant to the industry attempting to build customer relationships and earn trust, these effects could be significantly detrimental to us. Additionally, problems and defects experienced by other electric consumer vehicles could by association have a negative impact on perception and customer demand for our boats.
In addition, even if our boats function as designed, we expect that the battery efficiency, and hence the range, of our electric boats, like other electric vehicles that use current battery technology, will decline over time. Other factors, such as usage, time and stress patterns, may also impact the battery’s ability to hold a charge, or could require us to limit boat battery charging capacity, including via over-the-air or other software updates, for safety reasons or to protect battery capacity, which could further decrease our boats’ range between charges. Such decreases in or limitations of battery capacity and therefore range, whether imposed by deterioration, software limitations or otherwise, could also lead to consumer complaints or warranty claims, including claims that prior knowledge of such decreases or limitations would have affected consumers’ purchasing decisions. Further, there can be no assurance that we will be able to the performance of our battery packs, or increase our boats range, in the future. Any such battery or capacity and related decreases in range may influence potential customers’ willingness to purchase our boats and impact our brand and reputation, which could affect our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.
Our boats will rely on software and hardware that is highly technical, and if these systems contain errors, bugs, vulnerabilities, or design defects, or if we are unsuccessful in addressing or mitigating technical limitations in our systems, our business could be adversely affected.
Our boats are expected to rely on software and hardware that is highly technical and complex and may require modification and updates over the life of the boats. In addition, our boats will depend on the ability of such software and hardware to store, retrieve, process and manage large amounts of data. Our software and hardware may contain errors, bugs, vulnerabilities or design defects, and our systems are subject to certain technical limitations that may compromise our ability to meet our objectives. Some errors, bugs, vulnerabilities, or design defects inherently may be difficult to detect and may only be discovered after the code has been released for external or internal use. Although we will attempt to remedy any issues we observe in our boats effectively and rapidly, such efforts may not be timely, may hamper production or may not be to the satisfaction of our customers.
Additionally, if we deploy updates to the software (whether to address issues, deliver new features or make desired modifications) and our over-the-air update procedures fail to properly update the software or otherwise have unintended consequences to the software, the software within our customers’ boats will be subject to vulnerabilities or unintended consequences resulting from such failure of the over-the-air update until properly addressed.
If we are unable to prevent or effectively remedy errors, bugs, vulnerabilities or defects in our software and hardware, or fail to deploy updates to our software properly, we would suffer damage to our reputation, loss of customers, loss of revenue or liability for damages, any of which could adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We have no experience servicing our boats. If we are unable to adequately service our boats, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Because we have not begun commercial production of the electric boat, we have no experience servicing or repairing our electric boats. Servicing electric vehicles is different than servicing vehicles with internal combustion engines and requires specialized skills, including high voltage training and servicing techniques. In addition, we plan to partner with certain third parties, such as we have with OneWater, to perform some of the service on our vehicles, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to enter into acceptable arrangements with any such third-party providers. Further, although such servicing partners may have experience in servicing other electric vehicles, they will initially have no experience in servicing our boats. There can be no assurance that our service arrangements will adequately address the service requirements of our customers to their satisfaction, or that we and our servicing partners will have sufficient resources, experience or inventory to meet these service requirements in a timely manner as the volume of boats we deliver increases. This risk is enhanced by our limited operating history and our limited data regarding our boats’ real-world reliability and service requirements. In addition, if we are unable to roll out and establish a widespread service network that provides customer service, our customer loyalty, brand and reputation could be affected, which in turn could materially and affect our sales, results of operations, prospects and financial condition.
Our customers will also depend on our customer support team to resolve technical and operational issues relating to the integrated software underlying our boats, a large portion of which we have developed in-house. As we grow, additional pressure may be placed on our customer support team or partners, and we may be unable to respond quickly enough to accommodate short-term increases in customer demand for technical support. We also may be unable to modify the future scope and delivery of our technical support to compete with changes in the technical support provided by our competitors. Increased customer demand for support, without corresponding revenue, could increase costs and negatively affect our results of operations. If we are unable to successfully address the service requirements of our customers, or if we establish a market perception that we do not maintain high-quality support, our brand and reputation could be adversely affected, and we may be subject to claims from our customers, which could result in loss of revenue or , and our business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition could be materially and affected.
We may not be able to execute our manufacturing strategy successfully, which could cause the profitability of our products to suffer.
Our manufacturing strategy is designed to improve product quality and increase productivity, while reducing costs and increasing flexibility to respond to ongoing changes in the marketplace. To implement this strategy, we must be successful in our continuous improvement efforts, which depend on the involvement of management, production employees, and suppliers. Any inability to achieve these objectives could adversely impact the profitability of our products and our ability to deliver desirable products to our consumers.
We may need to raise additional capital that may be required to grow our business, and we may not be able to raise capital on terms acceptable to us or at all.
Operating our business and maintaining our growth efforts will require significant cash outlays and advance capital expenditures and commitments. Our current plans also involve constructing a 100,000 square foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility dedicated to developing and manufacturing our FX series electric boats, the cost of which is uncertain. Although the proceeds of our IPO should be sufficient to fund our operations, if cash on hand and cash generated from operations and from the IPO are not sufficient to meet our cash requirements, we will need to seek additional capital, potentially through debt or equity financings,
to fund our growth. We cannot assure you that we will be able to raise needed cash on terms acceptable to us or at all. Financings may be on terms that are dilutive or potentially dilutive to our stockholders, and the prices at which new investors would be willing to purchase our securities may be lower than the price per share of our common stock paid by shareholders. The holders of new securities may also have rights, preferences or privileges which are senior to those of existing holders of common stock. If new sources of financing are required, but are insufficient or unavailable, we will be required to modify our growth and operating plans based on available funding, if any, which would harm our ability to grow our business.
If we fail to manage future growth effectively, we may not be able to market or sell our products successfully.
Any failure to manage our growth effectively could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition. We plan to expand our operations in the near future. Our future operating results depend to a large extent on our ability to manage this expansion and growth successfully. Risks that we face in undertaking this expansion include:
expanding our management team;
hiring and training new personnel;
forecasting production and revenue;
expanding our marketing efforts;
controlling expenses and investments in anticipation of expanded operations;
establishing or expanding design, manufacturing, sales and service facilities;
implementing and enhancing administrative infrastructure, systems and processes; and
expanding into new markets and establishing sales, service and manufacturing operations in such markets.
We intend to continue to hire a number of additional personnel, including design and manufacturing personnel and service technicians for our electric boats and powertrains. Competition for individuals with experience designing, manufacturing and servicing electric boats is intense, and we may not be able to attract, assimilate, train or retain additional highly qualified personnel in the future. The failure to attract, integrate, train, motivate and retain these additional employees could seriously harm our business and prospects.
We depend upon our executive officers, and we may not be able to retain them and their knowledge of our business and technical expertise would be difficult to replace .
Our future success will depend in significant part upon the continued service of our executive officers. We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to attract or retain such persons. We do not have an insurance policy on the life of our Executive Chairman or our President and Chief Executive Officer, and we do not have “key person” life insurance policies for any of our other officers or advisors. The loss of the technical knowledge and management and industry expertise of any of our key personnel could result in delays in product development, loss of customers and sales and diversion of management resources, which could adversely affect our operating results.
We may attempt to grow our business through acquisitions or strategic alliances and new partnerships, which we may not be successful in completing or integrating .
We may in the future enter into acquisitions and strategic alliances that will enable us to acquire complementary skills and capabilities, offer new products, expand our consumer base, enter new product categories or geographic markets, and obtain other competitive advantages. We cannot assure you, however, that we will identify acquisition candidates or strategic partners that are suitable to our business, obtain financing on satisfactory terms, complete acquisitions or strategic alliances, or successfully integrate acquired operations into our existing operations. Once integrated, acquired operations may not achieve anticipated levels of sales or profitability,
or otherwise perform as expected. Acquisitions also involve special risks, including risks associated with unanticipated challenges, liabilities and contingencies, and diversion of management attention and resources from our existing operations. Similarly, our partnership with leading franchises from other industries to market our products or with third-party technology providers to introduce new technology to the market may not achieve anticipated levels of consumer enthusiasm and acceptance, or achieve anticipated levels of sales or profitability, or otherwise perform as expected.
We rely on network and information systems and other technologies for our business activities and certain events, such as computer hackings, viruses or other destructive or disruptive software or activities may disrupt our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Network and information systems and other technologies are important to our business activities and operations. Network and information systems-related events, such as computer hackings, cyber threats, security breaches, viruses, or other destructive or disruptive software, process breakdowns or malicious or other activities could result in a disruption of our services and operations or improper disclosure of personal data or confidential information, which could damage our reputation and require us to expend resources to remedy any such breaches. Moreover, the amount and scope of insurance we maintain against losses resulting from any such events or security breaches may not be sufficient to cover our losses or otherwise compensate us for any to our businesses that may result, and the occurrence of any such events or security could have a material effect on our business and results of operations. The risk of these systems-related events and security occurring has intensified, in part because we maintain certain information necessary to conduct our businesses in digital form stored on cloud servers. While we intend to develop and maintain systems seeking to prevent systems-related events and security from occurring, the development and maintenance of these systems is and requires ongoing monitoring and updating as technologies change and efforts to security measures become more sophisticated. these efforts, there can be no assurance that and security will not occur in the future. Moreover, we may provide certain confidential, proprietary and personal information to third parties in connection with our businesses, and while we obtain assurances that these third parties will protect this information, there is a risk that this information may be compromised.
Maintaining the secrecy of confidential, proprietary, or trade secret information is important to our competitive business position. While we have taken steps to protect such information and invested in information technology, there can be no assurance that our efforts will prevent service interruptions or security breaches in our systems or the unauthorized or inadvertent wrongful use or disclosure of confidential information that could adversely affect our business operations or result in the loss,
dissemination, or misuse of critical or sensitive information. A cyber-attack or other significant disruption involving our information technology systems, or those of our vendors, suppliers and other partners, could also result in disruptions in critical systems, corruption or loss of data and theft of data, funds or intellectual property. A breach of our security measures or the accidental loss, inadvertent disclosure, unapproved dissemination, misappropriation or misuse of trade secrets, proprietary information, or other confidential information, whether as a result of theft, hacking, fraud, trickery or other forms of deception, or for any other reason, could others to produce competing products, use our proprietary technology or information, or affect our business or financial condition. We may be to prevent or security in our systems. We remain potentially to additional known or yet unknown as, in some instances, we, our suppliers and our other partners may be of an or its magnitude and effects. We also face the risk that we our vendors or partners to cybersecurity attacks. Any or all of the foregoing could affect our results of operations and our business reputation.
Likewise, data privacy breaches by employees or others with permitted access to our systems may pose a risk that sensitive data may be exposed to unauthorized persons or to the public. While we have invested in protection of data and information technology, there can be no assurance that our efforts will prevent breakdowns or breaches in our systems that could adversely affect our business. The occurrence of any of such network or information systems-related events or security breaches could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business and operations would suffer in the event of computer system failures.
Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal computer systems, and those of third parties on which we rely, are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, malware, natural disasters, terrorism, war, telecommunication and electrical failures, cyber-attacks or cyber-intrusions over the internet, attachments to emails, persons inside our organization, or persons with access to systems in side our organization. The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber-attacks or cyber-intrusions, including by computer hackers, foreign governments, and cyber-terrorists, has generally increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased. If such an event were to occur and cause interruptions in our operations, it could result in a material disruption of our current or future product development programs. For example, the loss of any data could impact our ability to attract new customers. To the extent that any or security was to result in a of or to our data or applications, or disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we could incur material legal and liability, to our reputation, and the further development of our product candidates could be .
We are increasingly dependent on information technology, and our systems and infrastructure face certain risks, including cybersecurity and data leakage risks.
Significant disruptions to our information technology systems or breaches of information security could adversely affect our business. In the ordinary course of business, we collect, store and transmit confidential information, and it is critical that we do so in a secure manner to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of such confidential information. The size and complexity of our information technology systems, and those of our third-party vendors with whom we contract, make such systems potentially vulnerable to service interruptions and security breaches from inadvertent or intentional actions by our employees, partners or vendors, from attacks by malicious third parties, or from intentional or accidental physical damage to our systems infrastructure maintained by us or by third parties. Maintaining the of this confidential, proprietary, or trade secret information is important to our competitive business position. While we have taken steps to protect such information and invested in information technology, there can be no assurance that our efforts will prevent service or security in our systems or the or use or disclosure of confidential information that could affect our business operations or result in the , dissemination, or of or sensitive information. A of our security measures or the , disclosure, dissemination, or of trade secrets, proprietary information, or other confidential information, whether as a result of theft, hacking, , trickery or other forms of , or for any other reason, could others to produce competing products, use our proprietary technology or information, or affect our business or financial condition. Further, any such , security , or disclosure of confidential information, could result in financial, legal, business, and reputational to us and could have a material effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flow.
Uninsured losses could result in payment of substantial damages, which would decrease our cash reserves and could harm our cash flow and financial condition.
In the ordinary course of business, we may be subject to losses resulting from product liability, accidents, acts of God and other claims against us, for which we may have no insurance coverage. While we currently carry commercial general liability, commercial boat liability, excess liability, product liability, cybersecurity, crime, special crime, drone, cargo stock throughput, builder’s risk, owner controlled insurance program, property, owners protective, workers’ compensation, employment practices, employed lawyers, production, fiduciary liability and directors’ and officers’ insurance policies, we may not maintain as much insurance coverage as other original equipment manufacturers do, and in some cases, we may not maintain any at all. Additionally, the policies that we have may include significant deductibles, and we cannot be certain that our insurance coverage will be sufficient to cover all or any future claims against us. A loss that is uninsured or exceeds policy limits may require us to pay substantial amounts, which could affect our financial condition and results of operations. Further, insurance coverage may not continue to be available to us or, if available, may be at a significantly higher cost, especially if insurance providers perceive any increase in our risk profile in the future.
Intellectual Property Risks
Our patent applications may not issue as patents, which may have a material adverse effect on our ability to prevent others from commercially exploiting products similar to ours.
We cannot be certain that we are the first inventor of the subject matter to which we have filed a particular patent application, or that we are the first party to file such a patent application. If another party has filed a patent application for the same subject matter as we have, we may not be entitled to the protection sought by the patent application. Further, the scope of protection of issued patent claims is often difficult to determine. As a result, we cannot be certain that the patent applications that we file will issue, or that our issued patents will afford protection against competitors with similar technology. In addition, our competitors may design around our issued patents, which may adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position.
We may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position. We rely on a combination of patent, trade secret (including those in our know-how), and other intellectual property laws, as well as employee and third-party nondisclosure agreements, intellectual property licenses, and other contractual rights to establish and protect our rights in our technology and intellectual property. Our patent or trademark applications may not be granted, any patents or trademark registrations that may be issued to us may not sufficiently protect our intellectual property and any of our issued patents, trademark registrations or other intellectual property rights may be challenged by third parties. Any of these scenarios may result in limitations in the scope of our intellectual property or restrictions on our use of our intellectual property or may adversely affect the conduct of our business. Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights,
third parties may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property or seek court declarations that they do not infringe upon our intellectual property rights. Monitoring unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and costly, and the steps we have taken or will take to prevent misappropriation may not be successful. From time to time, we may have to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources.
Patent, trademark, and trade secret laws vary significantly throughout the world. A number of foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. Therefore, our intellectual property rights may not be as strong or as easily enforced outside of the United States. Failure to adequately protect our intellectual property rights could result in our competitors offering similar products, potentially resulting in the loss of some of our competitive advantage and a decrease in our revenue which would adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
If our patents expire or are not maintained, our patent applications are not granted or our patent rights are contested, circumvented, invalidated or limited in scope, we may not be able to prevent others from selling, developing or exploiting competing technologies or products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We cannot assure you that our pending applications will issue as patents. Even if our patent applications issue into patents, these patents may be contested, circumvented or invalidated in the future. In addition, the rights granted under any issued patents may not provide us with adequate protection or competitive advantages. The claims under any patents that issue from our patent applications may not be broad enough to prevent others from developing technologies that are similar or that achieve results similar to ours. The intellectual property rights of others could also bar us from licensing and exploiting any patents that issue from our pending applications. Numerous patents and pending patent applications owned by others exist in the fields in which we have developed and are developing our technology. Many of these existing patents and patent applications might have priority over our patent applications and could subject our patents to invalidation or our patent applications to rejection. Finally, in addition to patents and patent applications that were filed before our patents and patent applications, any of our existing or future patents may also be by others on the basis that they are or unenforceable.
We may in the future become, subject to claims that we or our employees have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of our employees’ former employers.
Many of our employees were previously employed by other companies with similar or related technology, products or services. We are, and may in the future become, subject to claims that we or these employees have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed trade secrets or other proprietary information of former employers. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. If we fail in defending such claims, we may be forced to pay monetary damages or be enjoined from using certain technology, products, services or knowledge. Even if we are successful in defending against these , could result in substantial costs and demand on management resources.
Our use of open source software in our applications could subject our proprietary software to general release, adversely affect our ability to sell our services and subject us to possible litigation, claims or proceedings.
We plan to use open source software in connection with the development and deployment of our products and services. Companies that use open source software in connection with their products have, from time to time, faced claims challenging the use of open source software and/or compliance with open source license terms. As a result, we could be subject to suits by parties claiming ownership of what we believe to be open source software or claiming noncompliance with open source licensing terms. Some open source software licenses may require users who distribute proprietary software containing or linked to open source software to publicly disclose all or part of the source code to such proprietary software and/or make available any derivative works of the open source code under the same open source license, which could include proprietary source code. In such cases, the open source software license may also restrict us from charging fees to licensees for their use of our software. While we will monitor the use of open source software and try to ensure that open source software is not used in a manner that would subject our proprietary source code to these requirements and restrictions, such use could inadvertently occur, in part because open source license terms are often ambiguous and have generally not been interpreted by U.S. or foreign courts.
Further, in addition to risks related to license requirements, use of certain open source software carries greater technical and legal risks than does the use of third-party commercial software. For example, open source software is generally provided as-is without any support or warranties or other contractual protections regarding infringement or the quality of the code, including the existence of security vulnerabilities. To the extent that our platform depends upon the successful operation of open source software, any undetected errors or defects in open source software that we use could prevent the deployment or impair the functionality of our systems and injure our reputation. In addition, the public availability of such software may make it easier for attackers to target and compromise our platform through cyber-attacks. Any of the foregoing risks could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
A significant portion of our intellectual property is not protected through patents or formal copyright registration. As a result, we do not have the full benefit of patent or copyright laws to prevent others from replicating our products, product candidates and brands.
We have not protected certain of our intellectual property rights through patents or formal copyright registration, and we do not currently have any issued patents and only have three design and four utility patent applications that we filed for, among other things, our propulsion system being developed and boat design. There can be no assurance that any patent will issue or if issued that the patent will protect our intellectual property. As a result, we may not be able to protect our intellectual property and trade secrets or prevent others from independently developing substantially equivalent proprietary information and techniques or from otherwise gaining access to our intellectual property or trade secrets. In such an instance, our competitors could produce products that are nearly identical to ours resulting in us selling less products or generating less revenue from our sales.
Confidentiality agreements with employees and others may not adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information.
We rely on trade secrets, know-how and technology, which are not protected by patents, to protect the intellectual property behind our electric powertrain and for the construction of our boats. We have recently begun to use confidentiality agreements with our collaborators, employees, consultants, outside collaborators and other advisors to protect our proprietary technology and processes. We intend to use such agreements in the future, but these agreements may not effectively prevent disclosure of confidential information and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. In addition, others may independently discover trade secrets and proprietary information, and in such cases we could not assert any trade secret rights against such party. Costly and time-consuming litigation could be necessary to enforce and determine the scope of our proprietary rights, and failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection could adversely affect our competitive business position.
We may need to defend ourselves against patent, copyright or trademark infringement claims, which may be time-consuming and would cause us to incur substantial costs.
The status of the protection of our intellectual property is unsettled as we do not have any issued patents, registered trademarks or registered copyrights and other than three design and four utility patent applications, we have not applied for the same. Companies, organizations or individuals, including our competitors, may hold or obtain patents, trademarks or other proprietary rights that would prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use, develop, sell or market our powerboats and electric powertrains or use third-party components, which could make it more difficult for us to operate our business. In the future, we may receive communications from third parties that allege our products or components thereof are covered by their patents or trademarks or other intellectual property rights, we have not received any communication of this kind to date. Companies holding patents or other intellectual property rights may bring suits alleging infringement of such rights or otherwise assert their rights. If we are determined to have infringed upon a third-party’s intellectual property rights, we may be required to do one or more of the following:
cease making, using, selling or offering to sell processes, goods or services that incorporate or use the third-party intellectual property;
pay substantial damages;
seek a license from the holder of the infringed intellectual property right, which license may not be available on reasonable terms or at all;
redesign our boats or other goods or services to avoid infringing the third-party intellectual property;
establish and maintain alternative branding for our products and services; or
find-third providers of any part or service that is the subject of the intellectual property claim.
In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us and our failure or inability to obtain a license to the infringed technology or other intellectual property right, our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In addition, any litigation or claims, whether or not valid, could result in substantial costs, negative publicity and diversion of resources and management attention.
Risks Related to Our Industry
Demand in the powerboat industry is highly volatile.
Volatility of demand in the powerboat industry, especially for recreational powerboats and electric powerboats, may materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition. The markets in which we will be competing have been subject to considerable volatility in demand in recent periods. Demand for recreational powerboats depends to a large extent on general, economic and social conditions in a given market. Historically, sales of recreational powerboats decrease during economic downturns. We have fewer financial resources than more established powerboat manufacturers to withstand adverse changes in the market and disruptions in demand.
Our industry is characterized by intense competition, which affects our sales and profits.
The performance sport boat category and the powerboat industry as a whole are highly competitive for consumers and dealers. We also compete against consumer demand for used boats. Competition affects our ability to succeed in both the markets we currently plan to serve and new markets that we may enter in the future. Competition is based primarily on brand name, price, product selection, and product performance. We will compete with several large manufacturers that may have greater financial, marketing, and other resources than we do and who are represented by dealers in the markets in which we now operate and into which we plan to expand. We also will compete with a variety of small, independent manufacturers. In addition, when marketing our boats through OneWater, we will compete with other boats marketing by OneWater. We cannot assure you that we will not face greater competition from existing large or small manufacturers or that we will be able to compete successfully with new competitors. Our failure to compete effectively with our current and future competitors would adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
General economic conditions, particularly in the U.S., affect our industry, demand for our products and our business, and results of operations .
Demand for premium boat brands has been significantly influenced by weak economic conditions, low consumer confidence, high unemployment, and increased market volatility worldwide, especially in the U.S. In times of economic uncertainty and contraction, consumers tend to have less discretionary income and tend to defer or avoid expenditures for discretionary items, such as our products. Sales of our products are highly sensitive to personal discretionary spending levels. Our business is cyclical in nature and its success is impacted by economic conditions, the overall level of consumer confidence and discretionary income levels. Any substantial deterioration in general economic conditions that diminishes consumer confidence or discretionary income may reduce our sales and materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We cannot predict the duration or strength of an economic recovery, either in the U.S. or in the specific markets where we sell our products. Corporate , , in the value of investments and residential real estate, higher gas prices, higher interest rates, and increases in federal and state taxation may each materially affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Consumers often finance purchases of our products. Although consumer credit markets have improved, consumer credit market conditions continue to influence demand, especially for boats, and may continue to do so. There continue to be fewer lenders, tighter underwriting and loan approval criteria, and greater down payment requirements than in the past. If credit conditions worsen, and adversely affect the ability of consumers to finance potential purchases at acceptable terms and interest rates, it could result in a decrease in the sales of our products.
The uncertain financial markets, disruptions in supply chains, mobility restraints, and changing priorities as well as volatile asset values could impact our business in the future. The COVID-19 outbreak and government measures taken in response to the pandemic have also had a significant impact, both direct and indirect, on businesses and commerce, as worker shortages have occurred; supply chains have been disrupted; facilities and production have been suspended; and demand for certain goods and services, such as medical services and supplies, have spiked, while demand for other goods and services, such as travel, have fallen. The future progression of the pandemic and its effects on our business and operations are uncertain. In addition, the outbreak of a pandemic could disrupt our operations due to absenteeism by infected or ill members of management or other employees, or absenteeism by members of management and other employees who elect not to come to work due to the illness affecting others in our office or laboratory facilities, or due to quarantines. Pandemics could also impact members of our Board of Directors resulting in from meetings of the directors or committees of directors and making it more to convene the quorums of the full Board of Directors or its committees needed to conduct meetings for the management of our affairs.
Further, due to increasing inflation, operating costs for many businesses including ours have increased and, in the future, could impact demand or pricing manufacturing of our drug candidates or services providers, foreign exchange rates or employee wages. Inflation rates, particularly in the United States, have increased recently to levels not seen in years, and increased inflation may result in increases in our operating costs (including our labor costs), reduced liquidity and limits on our ability to access credit or otherwise raise capital. In addition, the Federal Reserve has raised, and may again raise, interest rates in response to concerns about inflation, which coupled with reduced government spending and volatility in financial markets may have the effect of further increasing economic uncertainty and heightening these risks.
Actual events involving reduced or limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that affect financial institutions or other companies in the financial services industry or the financial services industry generally or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds, have in the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems. For example, on March 10, 2023, Silicon Valley Bank, was closed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as receiver. Although we did not have any cash or cash equivalent balances on deposit with Silicon Valley Bank, uncertainty and liquidity concerns in the broader financial services industry remain and the failure of Silicon Valley Bank and its potential near- and long-term effects on the biotechnology industry and its participants such as our vendors, suppliers, and investors, may also adversely affect our operations and stock price.
We are actively monitoring the effects these disruptions and increasing inflation could have on our operations.
These conditions make it extremely difficult for us to accurately forecast and plan future business activities.
Global economic conditions could materially adversely impact demand for our products and services.
Our operations and performance depend significantly on economic conditions. Global financial conditions continue to be subject to volatility arising from international geopolitical developments and global economic phenomenon, as well as general financial market turbulence. Uncertainty about global economic conditions could result in material adverse effects on our business, results of operations or financial condition. Access to public financing and credit can be negatively affected by the effect of these events on U.S. and global credit markets. The health of the global financing and credit markets may affect our ability to obtain equity or debt financing in the future and the terms at which financing, or credit is available to us. These instances of volatility and market turmoil could adversely affect our operations and the trading price of our common shares resulting in.
customers postponing purchases of our products and services in response to tighter credit, unemployment, negative financial news and/or declines in income or asset values and other macroeconomic factors, which could have a material negative effect on demand for our products and services; and
third-party suppliers being unable to produce parts and components for our products in the same quantity or on the same timeline or being unable to deliver such parts and components as quickly as before or subject to price fluctuations, which could have a material adverse effect on our production or the cost of such production.
In addition, the global macroeconomic environment could be negatively affected by, among other things, COVID-19 or other pandemics or epidemics, instability in global economic markets, increased U.S. trade tariffs and trade disputes with other countries, instability in the global credit markets, supply chain weaknesses, instability in the geopolitical environment as a result of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the war in the Middle East and other political tensions, and foreign governmental debt concerns. Such challenges have caused, and may continue to cause, uncertainty and instability in local economies and in global financial markets.
Our sales may be adversely impacted by increased consumer preference for other leisure activities or used boats or the supply of new boats by competitors in excess of demand .
Our boats are not necessities and in times of economic hardship, consumers may cease purchasing non-essential items. Demand for our boats may be adversely affected by competition from other activities that occupy consumers’ leisure time and by changes in consumer lifestyle, usage pattern or taste. Similarly, an overall decrease in consumer leisure time may reduce consumers’ willingness to purchase and enjoy our boats.
During the economic downturn that commenced in 2008, for example, there was a shift in consumer demand toward purchasing more used boats, primarily because prices for used boats are typically lower than retail prices for new boats. If this were to occur again, it could have the effect of reducing demand among retail purchasers for our new boats. Also, while we have balanced production volumes for our boats to meet demand, our competitors could choose to reduce the price of their products, which could have the effect of reducing demand for our new boats. Reduced demand for new boats could lead to reduced sales by us, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Risks Relating to Ownership of our Common Stock
Terms of subsequent financings may adversely impact your investment.
We may have to engage in common equity, debt, or preferred stock financing in the future. Stockholders’ rights and the value of any investment in our securities could be reduced. Interest on debt securities could increase costs and negatively impacts operating results. Preferred stock could be issued in series from time to time with such designation, rights, preferences, and limitations as needed to raise capital. The terms of preferred stock could be more advantageous to those investors than to the holders of common shares. In addition, if we need to raise more equity capital from the sale of common shares, institutional or other investors may negotiate terms at least as, and possibly more, favorable than the terms of your investment. Common shares which we sell could be sold into any market which develops, which could adversely affect the market price and could result in dilution to existing shareholders.
Future sales and issuances of our common stock or rights to purchase common stock, including pursuant to our equity incentive plans and outstanding warrants, could result in additional dilution of the percentage ownership of our stockholders and could cause our stock price to fall.
We expect that significant additional capital may be needed in the future to continue our planned operations, including conducting clinical trials, commercialization efforts, expanded research and development activities and costs associated with operating a public company. To raise capital, we may sell common stock, convertible securities or other equity securities in one or more transactions at prices and in a manner we determine from time to time. If we sell common stock, convertible securities or other equity securities, investors may be materially diluted by subsequent sales. Such sales may also result in material dilution to our existing stockholders, and new investors could gain rights, preferences and privileges senior to the holders of our common stock. Pursuant to the Forza X1, Inc. 2022 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2022 Plan”) our management is authorized to grant equity awards to our employees, officers, directors and consultants.
Initially, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that might be issued pursuant to stock awards under our 2022 Plan was 1,500,000 shares, which has been since increased to 2,680,398 pursuant to the evergreen provision in the 2022 Plan, and of which 790,481 remain available for grant as of the date hereof. Increases in the number of shares available for future grant or purchase may result in additional dilution, which could cause our stock price to decline.
At December 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding warrants to purchase 172,500 shares of common stock issuable at a weighted-average exercise price of $6.25 per share that were issued to the representative of the underwriters on August 16, 2022 in connection with the Company’s IPO. The Company also had outstanding warrants to purchase 306,705 shares of common stock issuable at a weighted-average exercise price of $1.88 per share that were issued to the representative of the underwriters on June 14, 2023 in connection with the Company’s secondary offering. The representative’s warrants are exercisable at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, and expire on August 16, 2027 and June 16, 2028, respectively. There was no warrant activity during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
The issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the options and warrants will have a dilutive effect on the percentage ownership held by holders of our common stock.
If securities analysts do not publish research or reports about our company, or if they issue unfavorable commentary about us or our industry or downgrade our common stock, the price of our common stock could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will depend in part on the research and reports that third-party securities analysts publish about our company and our industry. We may be unable or slow to attract research coverage and if one or more analysts cease coverage of our company, we could lose visibility in the market. In addition, one or more of these analysts could downgrade our common stock or issue other negative commentary about our company or our industry. As a result of one or more of these factors, the trading price of our common stock could decline.
The obligations associated with being a public company will require significant resources and management attention, which may divert from our business operations.
As a result of the IPO, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly, and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we establish and maintain effective internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. As a result, we will incur significant legal, accounting, and other expenses that we did not previously incur.
Our failure to meet the continued listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market could result in a de-listing of our common stock.
Our shares of common stock are listed for trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FRZA.” If we fail to satisfy the continued listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market such as the corporate governance requirements, the stockholder’s equity requirement or the minimum closing bid price requirement, The Nasdaq Capital Market may take steps to de-list our common stock or warrants. Such a de-listing or even notification of failure to comply with such requirements would likely have a negative effect on the price of our common stock and warrants would impair your ability to sell or purchase our common stock when you wish to do so. In the event of a de-listing, we would take actions to restore our compliance with The Nasdaq Capital Market’s listing requirements, but we can provide no assurance that any such action taken by us would allow our common stock become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of our common stock, prevent our common stock from dropping below The Nasdaq Capital Market, minimum bid price requirement or prevent future non-compliance with The Nasdaq Capital Market’s listing requirements.
On October 4, 2023, we received written notice from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying us that for the preceding 30 consecutive business days (August 22, 2023 through October 3, 2023), our common stock did not maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 (“Minimum Bid Price Requirement”) per share as required by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). The notice has no immediate effect on the listing or trading of our common stock and the common stock will continue to trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FRZA.”
In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we have a compliance period of 180 calendar days, or until April 1, 2024, to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). Compliance is generally achieved by meeting the price requirement for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days. However, Nasdaq may, in its discretion, require a company to satisfy the applicable price-based requirement for a period in excess of 10 consecutive business days, but generally no more than 20 consecutive business days, before determining that a company has demonstrated an ability to maintain long-term compliance. If, however,
we do not achieve compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement by April 1, 2024, we may be eligible for additional time to comply. In order to be eligible for such additional time, we will be required to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for The Nasdaq Capital Market, with the exception of the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, and must notify Nasdaq in writing of our intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period.
We intend to actively monitor the bid price of our common stock and will consider available options to regain compliance with the Nasdaq listing requirements, including such actions as effecting a reverse stock split to maintain our Nasdaq listing.
The National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Because our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market, our common stock is covered securities. Although the states are preempted from regulating the sale of covered securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. Further, if we were to be delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market, our common stock would cease to be recognized as covered securities and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
For as long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with certain reporting requirements, including those relating to accounting standards and disclosure about our executive compensation, that apply to other public companies.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies,” including, but not limited to, (i) not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (ii) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and (iii) exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and of stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We have elected to adopt these reduced disclosure requirements. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive as a result of our taking advantage of these exemptions and as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.
We could remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years or until the earliest of (a) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.235 billion, (b) 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 common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed fiscal quarter, and (c) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the preceding three-year period.
We are also a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the Exchange Act and have elected to take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies. To the extent that we continue to qualify as a “smaller reporting company” as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, after we cease to qualify as an emerging growth company, certain of the exemptions available to us as an “emerging growth company” may continue to be available to us as a “smaller reporting company,” including exemption from compliance with the auditor attestation requirements pursuant to SOX and reduced disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements. We will continue to be a “smaller reporting company” until we have $250 million or more in public float (based on our common stock) measured as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter or, in the event we have no public float (based on our common stock) or a public float (based on our common stock) that is less than $700 million, annual revenues of $100 million or more during the most recently completed fiscal year.
Our common stock price has been and may continue to be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the price paid for your stock.
The trading price of our common stock has been and is expected to continue to be volatile and has been and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control, including limited trading volume. On August 12, 2022, the reported closing price of our common stock was $7.49, while on January 4, 2024 the closing price of our common stock was $0.47. We may incur rapid and substantial decreases in our stock price in the foreseeable future that are unrelated to our operating performance for prospects.
Volatility in the market price of our common stock may prevent stockholders from being able to sell their shares at or above the price they paid for them. Many factors, which are outside our control, may cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate significantly, including those described elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section and this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the following:
Our operating and financial performance and prospects;
Our quarterly or annual earnings or those of other companies in our industry compared to market expectations;
Conditions that impact demand for our products;
Future announcements concerning our business or our competitors’ businesses;
The public’s reaction to our press releases, other public announcements, and filings with the SEC;
The size of our public float;
Coverage by or changes in financial estimates by securities analysts or failure to meet their expectations;
Market and industry perception of our success, or lack thereof, in pursuing our growth strategy;
Strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;
Changes in laws or regulations that adversely affect our industry or us;
Changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations, or principles;
Changes in senior management or key personnel;
Issuances, exchanges or sales, or expected issuances, exchanges or sales of our capital stock;
Changes in our dividend policy;
Adverse resolution of new or pending litigation against us; and
Changes in general market, economic, and political conditions in the U.S. and global economies or financial markets, including those resulting from natural disasters, terrorist attacks, acts of war, and responses to such events.
As a result, volatility in the market price of our common stock may prevent investors from being able to sell their common stock at or above the price paid for such shares or at all. These broad market and industry factors may materially reduce the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. In addition, price volatility may be greater if the public float and trading volume of our common stock is low. As a result, shareholders may suffer a loss on their investment.
Additionally, recently, securities of certain companies have experienced significant and extreme volatility in stock price due to short sellers of shares of common stock, known as a “short squeeze.” These short squeezes have caused extreme volatility in those companies and in the market and have led to the price per share of those companies to trade at significantly inflated rates that is disconnected from the underlying value of the company. Many investors who have purchased shares in those companies at an inflated rate face the risk of losing a significant portion of their original investment as the price per share has declined steadily as interest in those stocks have abated. While we have no reason to believe our shares would be the target of a short squeeze, there can be no assurance that we won’t be in the future, and shareholders may lose a significant portion or all of their investment if they purchase our shares at a rate that is significantly disconnected from our underlying value.
Our common stock has often been thinly traded, so you may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or at all if you need to sell your shares to raise money or otherwise desire to liquidate your shares.
To date, there have been many days on which limited trading of our common stock took place. We cannot predict the extent to which investors’ interests will lead to an active trading market for our common stock or whether the market price of our common stock will be volatile. If an active trading market does not develop, investors may have difficulty selling any of our common stock that they buy. We are likely to be too small to attract the interest of many brokerage firms and analysts. We cannot give you any assurance that an active public trading market for our common stock will develop or be sustained. The market price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to quarterly variations in our revenues and operating expenses, announcements of new products or services by us, significant sales of our common stock, including “short” sales, the operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors may deem comparable to us, and news reports relating to trends in our markets or general economic conditions.
We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future.
We presently have no intention to pay dividends on our common stock at any time in the foreseeable future. Any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, contractual restrictions, and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. Furthermore, our ability to declare and pay dividends may be limited by instruments governing future outstanding indebtedness we may incur.
FINRA sales practice requirements may limit your ability to buy and sell our common shares, which could depress the price of our shares.
FINRA rules require broker-dealers to have reasonable grounds for believing that an investment is suitable for a customer before recommending that investment to the customer. Prior to recommending speculative low-priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status and investment objectives, among other things. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability such speculative low-priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. Thus, FINRA requirements may make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common shares, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our shares, have an adverse effect on the market for our shares and, thereby, depress their market prices.
Volatility in our common shares price may subject us to securities litigation.
The market for our common shares may have, when compared to seasoned issuers, significant price volatility, and we expect that our share price may continue to be more volatile than that of a seasoned issuer for the indefinite future. In the past, plaintiffs have often initiated securities class action litigation against a company following periods of volatility in the market price of its securities. We may, in the future, be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and liabilities and could divert management’s attention and resources.
Provisions in our corporate charter documents and under Delaware law could make an acquisition of our company, which may be beneficial to our stockholders, more difficult and may prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management.
Provisions in our corporate charter and our bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or other change in control of our company that stockholders may consider favorable, including transactions in which you might otherwise receive a premium for your shares. These provisions could also limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock, thereby depressing the market price of our common stock. In addition, because our board of directors is responsible for appointing the members of our management team, 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. Among other things, these provisions:
our board of directors is divided into three classes, one class of which is elected each year by our stockholders with the directors in each class to serve for a three-year term;
the authorized number of directors can be changed only by resolution of our board of directors;
directors may be removed only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty percent (60%) of our voting stock, whether for cause or without cause;
our bylaws may be amended or repealed by our board of directors or by the affirmative vote of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of our stockholders;
stockholders may not call special meetings of the stockholders or fill vacancies on the board of directors;
our board of directors will be authorized to issue, without stockholder approval, preferred stock, the rights of which will be determined at the discretion of the board of directors and that, if issued, could operate as a “poison pill” to dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer to prevent an acquisition that our board of directors does not approve;
our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights, and therefore our stockholders holding a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding will be able to elect all of our directors; and
our stockholders must comply with advance notice provisions to bring business before or nominate directors for election at a stockholder meeting.
Moreover, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits a person who owns in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock from merging or combining with us for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person acquired in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock, unless the merger or combination is approved in a prescribed manner.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for certain types of state actions that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or employees
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of us, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, or other employees to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. The exclusive forum provision does not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. To the extent that any such claims may be based upon federal law claims, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
These exclusive-forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, employees, control persons, underwriters, or agents, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, employees, control persons, underwriters, or agents. Additionally, a court could determine that the exclusive forum provision is unenforceable, and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. If a court were to find these provisions of our bylaws inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
We presently intend to retain our earnings, if any, to finance the development and growth of our business and operations and do not anticipate declaring or paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on then-existing conditions, including our operating results, financial condition, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects, and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Ownership of Our Common Stock — We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future”.”
