Ispire Technology Inc. (ISPR)
SIC breadcrumb: Manufacturing > SIC Major Group 21 > SIC 2111 Cigarettes
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1948455. Latest filing source: 0001213900-25-087632.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 127,494,304 | USD | 2025 | 2025-09-15 |
| Net income | -39,240,226 | USD | 2025 | 2025-09-15 |
| Assets | 102,217,131 | USD | 2025 | 2025-09-15 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2025-09-15. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001948455.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 88,095,418 | 115,605,536 | 151,908,691 | 127,494,304 | |
| Net income | -1,874,153 | -6,003,626 | -14,767,822 | -39,240,226 | |
| Operating income | -988,671 | -4,474,157 | -13,894,139 | -37,849,859 | |
| Gross profit | 13,306,040 | 20,777,064 | 29,782,446 | 22,649,671 | |
| Diluted EPS | -0.04 | -0.12 | -0.27 | -0.69 | |
| Operating cash flow | -7,557,566 | -8,455,798 | -18,302,306 | -7,374,085 | |
| Capital expenditures | 121,516 | 1,020,768 | 1,969,961 | 1,100,704 | |
| Share buybacks | 60,488 | ||||
| Assets | 100,735,065 | 90,391,053 | 122,640,966 | 102,217,131 | |
| Liabilities | 88,968,322 | 61,245,371 | 88,184,626 | 101,612,437 | |
| Stockholders' equity | 13,757,981 | 11,766,743 | 31,469,910 | 34,456,340 | 604,694 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 40,300,573 | 35,071,294 | 24,351,765 | ||
| Free cash flow | -7,679,082 | -9,476,566 | -20,272,267 | -8,474,789 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | -2.13% | -5.19% | -9.72% | -30.78% | |
| Operating margin | -1.12% | -3.87% | -9.15% | -29.69% | |
| Return on equity | -15.93% | -19.08% | -42.86% | ||
| Return on assets | -1.86% | -6.64% | -12.04% | -38.39% | |
| Liabilities / equity | 7.56 | 1.95 | 2.56 | ||
| Current ratio | 1.12 | 1.45 | 1.19 | 1.01 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Income statement bridge from reported figures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Revenue: accession 0001213900-25-087632; concept Revenues; source concepts us-gaap:Revenues | Gross profit: accession 0001213900-25-087632; concept GrossProfit; source concepts us-gaap:GrossProfit | Operating income: accession 0001213900-25-087632; concept OperatingIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss | Net income: accession 0001213900-25-087632; concept NetIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001213900-25-087632; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001213900-25-087632; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001213900-25-087632; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-06-30; accession 0001213900-25-087632; filed 2025-09-15. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-06-30; accession 0001213900-25-087632; filed 2025-09-15. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-06-30; accession 0001213900-25-087632; filed 2025-09-15. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-06-30; accession 0001213900-25-087632; filed 2025-09-15. Concept: GrossProfit. Source concepts: us-gaap:GrossProfit.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-06-30; accession 0001213900-25-087632; filed 2025-09-15. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-06-30; accession 0001213900-25-087632; filed 2025-09-15. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-06-30; accession 0001213900-25-087632; filed 2025-09-15. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-06-30; accession 0001213900-25-087632; filed 2025-09-15. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-06-30; accession 0001213900-25-087632; filed 2025-09-15. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-06-30; accession 0001213900-25-087632; filed 2025-09-15. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-06-30; accession 0001213900-25-087632; filed 2025-09-15. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-06-30; accession 0001213900-25-087632; filed 2025-09-15. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-06-30; accession 0001213900-25-087632; filed 2025-09-15. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-07. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001948455.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-03-31 | -0.05 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-06-30 | 32,628,790 | -1,586,090 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2023-09-30 | 42,864,647 | -1,374,615 | -0.03 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2023-12-31 | 41,685,561 | -4,022,324 | -0.07 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-03-31 | 30,015,036 | -5,949,751 | -0.11 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-06-30 | 37,343,447 | -3,421,132 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2024-09-30 | 39,338,313 | -5,595,016 | -0.10 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2024-12-31 | 41,827,860 | -7,998,643 | -0.14 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-03-31 | 26,190,725 | -10,856,495 | -0.19 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-06-30 | 20,137,406 | -14,790,072 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2025-09-30 | 30,350,884 | -3,258,863 | -0.06 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2026-Q2 | 2025-12-31 | 20,286,556 | -6,602,911 | -0.12 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2026-Q3 | 2026-03-31 | 18,685,501 | -9,522,983 | -0.17 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001213900-26-053368; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001213900-26-053368; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001213900-26-053368; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001213900-26-053368.
ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion
and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report. See “Cautionary Forward-Looking Statements.” Actual results
could differ materially from those discussed below.
Overview
We are engaged in the research
and development, design, commercialization, sales, marketing and distribution of branded and non-branded vaping hardware products in both
the nicotine and cannabis spaces. Vaping refers to the practice of inhaling and exhaling the vapor produced by an electronic vaping device.
These products are sold into the global nicotine and cannabis markets in the form of e-cigarettes or cartridges filled with oils by our
customers, respectively.
As stated in our corporate
mission, we are committed to delivering superior products that challenge industry norms, with the goal of delivering an unmatched customer
and adult consumer experience. In achieving this, risk reduction is central to our mission, and we aim to improve the lives of our consumers
through cutting-edge research and development. Our technology platforms look to reduce youth access to vaping products, which in turn
we believe will facilitate our ability to provide adult consumers with the products they desire.
We sell our e-cigarette (or
nicotine) products globally, in markets where we are legally permitted to do so. To date, our nicotine products are marketed under the
“Aspire” brand name and are sold primarily through our expansive distribution network. However, we are expanding our international
presence via the launch of nicotine products under the Ispire platform. These products have started to be launched under licensing arrangements
with the owners of selected partner brands.
We currently sell our cannabis
vaping hardware in the United States, Canada, and South Africa. However, we are continuing to develop our sales network across Europe,
South America, and other regions in preparation for legalization in these markets. Our cannabis products are sold under the Ispire brand
name, primarily on an ODM basis to other cannabis vapor companies including multi and single-state operators, brand owners and co-packers.
ODM generally involves the design and customization of the core products to meet each brand’s unique image and needs. Our hardware
products are sold by our customers under their own brand names. We do not “touch the cannabis plant” in the production and
sale of our hardware products and thus are not subject to the specific cannabis-related regulatory and taxation provisions of the industry
(e.g., Internal Revenue Code Section 280E).
Since our initial public offering
in April 2023, we have completed three fundraising rounds. The first was executed as part of our initial public offering, from which we
raised approximately $18.3 million after underwriting and other offering expenses.
In June 2023, we raised net
proceeds of approximately $7.4 million, after placement agent and offering expenses, from the private placement of our Common Stock to
three investors.
In March 2024, we raised net
proceeds of approximately $10.6 million, after placement agent fees and offering expenses, through a public offering of our Common Stock
priced at $6.00 per share. We used the net proceeds from this offering in connection with the establishment and operation of our manufacturing
facility in Malaysia, the funding of our joint venture with Touch Point Worldwide Inc. d/b/a/ Berify and Chemular Inc. and for working
capital and general corporate purposes, including research and development.
24
Recent Developments
Malaysian Licensure
On March 17, 2026, Ispire Malaysia received full and final licensure
from the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia (“MITI”) to manufacture nicotine vapor products in the country
of Malaysia. This full and final licensure replaces Ispire Malaysia’s interim license issued in May 2025. Ispire Malaysia is the
only business in the country of Malaysia with such nicotine vapor manufacturing license, and we are now in the process of securing orders
and scheduling production for both nicotine vapor products (expected to commence production at the end of June 2026) and nicotine pouch
products.
We made the decision not to manufacture any nicotine vapor hardware
in Malaysia until the full and final license was issued. Now that such license is secured, the Ispire Malaysia and our business development
teams are fielding a backlog of customer demand for nicotine vapor production in Malaysia. We believe our production costs will be comparable
to production in China, and will continue to improve as the Ispire Malaysia business scales in volume and capacity. We will also work
to establish local supply chain partnerships, which we believe will further bring down the costs of nicotine vapor product manufacturing,
aiding in improving competitiveness and our ability to obtain increased profit margins.
The Ispire Malaysia business has also been positively impacted by policy
shifts from the Chinese government. On April 1, 2026, China cancelled the 13% export VAT rebate for nicotine-containing, non-combustion
inhalation products. This rebate cancellation caused an immediate effective price increase for exporting nicotine vapor products from
China, which we believe has directly improved the global price competitiveness for Ispire Malaysia’s nicotine vapor manufacturing
business.
Further, Chinese tobacco authorities have begun requiring nicotine
vapor manufacturers in the country to supply information on U.S. FDA PMTA Submission Tracking Numbers (“STNs”) for historical
nicotine vapor exports to the U.S. made in calendar year 2025. This development signals enhanced regulatory compliance requirements for
Chinese vapor manufacturers which previously did not exist, adding in enhanced compliance costs for shipments to the U.S. These two developments
suggest to us that there will be further tax and regulatory headwinds facing China’s domestic nicotine vapor manufacturing industry
in the coming months and years, potentially making our Malaysian nicotine vapor manufacturing business more appealing to global brands
and Chinese businesses looking to diversify their supply chain.
Management expects further
improvement in operating cash flow during 2026, driven by (i) continued quarterly operating expense reductions in U.S. operations, (ii)
revenue generation in Malaysia, (iii) continued cash generation from Hong Kong operations. Based on these initiatives, the Company expects
to achieve positive cash flow in the first half of fiscal year 2027. However, the timing and extent of such improvement remain subject
to execution and market conditions.
Ike Tech LLC Business Developments
On March 11, 2026, the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) issued draft guidance outlining evidentiary expectations for Premarket Tobacco Product
Applications (“PMTAs”) for flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems (“ENDS”), which could provide a lawful
pathway for flavored vaping products, the market for which is largely comprised of illicit products. The guidance marks the first time
the FDA has formally outlined a framework for evaluating flavored ENDS products, recognizing that device-level access technologies, or
device access restrictions (“DAR”), may factor into whether a product meets the “appropriate for the protection of public
health” standard for PMTA authorization. The draft guidance highlights DAR technologies such as biometric authentication, geofencing,
and continuous age verification as potential safeguards designed to prevent underage use of ENDS devices. The FDA also emphasized that
traditional safeguards such as local age restrictions and point-of-sale verification that do not directly prevent youth use may not, when
employed alone, sufficiently reduce youth use.
We remain an advocate for technology-driven youth prevention solutions.
As previously disclosed in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 11, 2024, on April 5, 2024, the Company, Chemular
Inc., a Michigan corporation, and Touch Point Worldwide, Inc. d/b/a/ Berify, a Delaware corporation, agreed to form Ike Tech LLC (“IKE”)
as a joint venture between the entities that would be in the business of licensing, owning and developing an industry-standard biometric,
blockchain-based, point of use age-verification solution for vapor (e-cigarette) devices in the U.S. market. We believe that the FDA guidance
is a positive development for IKE and that IKE is well positioned to capitalize on the creation of a pathway to a lawful market for flavored
vaping products.
25
Since its founding, IKE has
developed two core technology offerings: (i) NFC/RFID smart tags with unique block chain TokenIDs for embedding in packaging, providing
its customers’ packaging with a unique digital identity, and (ii) Bluetooth Low Energy (“BLE”) chips embedded in devices
such as ENDS that enable live communication with mobile applications and provide services such as continuous age verification, device
activation and control, and secure user authentication ((i) and (ii) together, the “Technology”). IKE’s Technology is
supported by a secure open ecosystem built on blockchain validation and open standards designed to enable reliable authentication across
devices and markets.
IKE exclusively licenses in the nicotine vapor field or owns 11 issued
patents related to its Technology to date, and in 2025, IKE submitted the first-ever component PMTA to the FDA for a standalone, interoperable
age-verification technology designed for integration across ENDS devices. The platform combines BLE chips, biometric authentication, and
block-chain secured identity verification to ensure that only verified adult users can activate a device. In addition to age verification,
IKE’s Technology can also support product authentication and anti-counterfeiting capabilities, helping manufacturers and regulators
identify illicit or counterfeit devices that bypass regulatory safeguards, evade taxes, and undermine consumer safety. IKE’s Technology
is currently engaged in a pilot and evaluation program operating within a test environment with a large strategic collaborator, as well
as pilot programs with several additional third-party vapor product manufacturers and brands.
Regulatory Risks
The sale of nicotine and cannabis
products is subject to regulations worldwide. Many countries prohibit the sale of any cannabis products, and many countries have regulations
relating to nicotine products, with a particular emphasis on underage sales. We work closely with our various global distribution partners
to help ensure our nicotine products comply with local regulations (e.g., packaging, ingredient disclosure, health warnings, etc.). Changes
in the regulatory environment can be enacted swiftly and may lead to our products becoming non-compliant in one or more international
markets. This regulatory scenario may severely disrupt our business in these markets while we resolve the deficiencies (if possible) with
the current product offering.
E-cigarette regulation
Regulation regarding e-cigarettes
varies across countries, from limited regulation to a total ban. The legal status of e-cigarettes is currently pending in many countries.
As e-cigarettes have become more and more popular recently, many countries are considering imposing more stringent law and regulations
to regulate this market. Changes in existing law and regulations and the imposition of new laws or regulations in countries and regions
that our major customers are in may adversely affect our business. Please see the sections titled “Item 1. Business – Regulation”
and “Item 1A. Risk Factors” above for our robust discussion of this topic.
Accounts Rec
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM
7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The
following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes contained elsewhere
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The following discussion may contain
predictions, estimates, and other forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including those discussed
under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These risks could cause our actual results to differ
materially from any future performance suggested below.
Overview
As
stated in our corporate mission, we are committed to delivering superior products that challenge industry norms, with the goal of delivering
an unmatched customer and adult consumer experience. In achieving this, risk reduction is central to our mission, and we aim to improve
the lives of our consumers through cutting-edge research and development. Our technology platforms look to reduce youth access to vaping
products, which in turn, will facilitate our ability to provide adult consumers with the products they desire.
We
are engaged in the research and development, design, commercialization, sales, marketing and distribution of branded and non-branded
vaping hardware products in both the nicotine and cannabis spaces. Vaping refers to the practice of inhaling and exhaling the vapor produced
by an electronic vaping device. These products are sold into the global nicotine and cannabis markets in the form of e-cigarettes or
cartridges filled with oils by our customers, respectively.
39
We sell our e-cigarette (or
nicotine) products globally, in markets where we are legally permitted to do so. To date, our nicotine products are marketed under the
“Aspire” brand name and are sold primarily through our expansive distribution network. However, we are expanding our international
presence via the launch of nicotine products under the Ispire platform. These products have started to be launched under licensing arrangements
with the owners of selected partner brands.
We
currently sell our cannabis vaping hardware in the United States, Canada, and South Africa. However, we are continuing to develop our
sales network across Europe, South America, and other regions in preparation for legalization in these markets. Our cannabis products
are sold under the Ispire brand name, primarily on an ODM basis to other cannabis vapor companies including multi and single-state operators,
brand owners and co-packers. ODM generally involves the design and customization of the core products to meet each brand’s unique
image and needs. Our hardware products are sold by our customers under their own brand names. We do not “touch the cannabis plant”
in the production and sale of our hardware products and thus are not subject to the specific cannabis-related regulatory and taxation
provisions of the industry (e.g., IRS Code Section 280E).
Since
our initial public offering in April 2023, we have completed three fundraising rounds. The first was executed as part of our initial
public offering, from which we raised approximately $18.3 million after underwriting and other offering expenses.
In
June 2023, we raised net proceeds of approximately $7.4 million, after placement agent and offering expenses, from the private placement
of our Common Stock to three investors.
In
March 2024, we raised net proceeds of approximately $10.6 million, after placement agent fees and offering expenses, through a public
offering of our Common Stock priced at $6.00 per share. We used the net proceeds from this offering in connection with the establishment
and operation of our manufacturing facility in Malaysia, the funding of our joint venture with Touch Point Worldwide Inc. d/b/a/ Berify
and Chemular Inc. and for working capital and general corporate purposes, including research and development.
Regulatory
Risks
The
sale of nicotine and cannabis products is subject to regulations worldwide. Many countries prohibit the sale of any cannabis products,
and many countries have regulations relating to nicotine products, with a particular emphasis on underage sales. We work closely with
our various global distribution partners to help ensure our nicotine products comply with local regulations (e.g., packaging, ingredient
disclosure, health warnings, etc.). Changes in the regulatory environment can be enacted swiftly and may lead to our products becoming
non-compliant in one or more international markets. This regulatory scenario may severely disrupt our business in these markets while
we resolve the deficiencies (if possible) with the current product offering.
E-cigarette
regulation
Regulation regarding e-cigarettes varies across countries, from limited
regulation to a total ban. The legal status of e-cigarettes is currently pending in many countries. As e-cigarettes have become more and
more popular recently, many countries are considering imposing more stringent law and regulations to regulate this market. Changes in
existing law and regulations and the imposition of new laws or regulations in countries and regions that our major customers are in may
adversely affect our business. Please see the sections titled “Item 1. Business – Regulation” and “Item 1A. Risk
Factors” above for our robust discussion of this topic.
Accounts
Receivable
Our business relies on the collection of accounts receivable from our
customers in a timely manner to maintain liquidity and support our ongoing operations. The balance of the allowance for credit losses
was $18.0 million and $5.9 million at June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Our failure or inability to collect accounts receivable when due results
from a number of factors, including (i) our customer’s failure to pay as a result of adverse economic conditions affecting the customer’s
cash flow; (ii) our failure to implement effective collection efforts; and (iii) disputes over contract terms, product quality or delays
in delivery. Due to federal status of cannabis and the uncertainty of adverse economic conditions in cannabis industry, the company has
focused more on nicotine business in the past year. Although we may implement strategies to mitigate these risks, there can be no assurance
that such measures will be entirely effective, and we may continue to incur write-offs of accounts receivable, which may impair our ability
to operate profitably.
40
Key
Factors that Affect Our Results of Operations
We
believe the following key factors may affect our financial condition and results of operations:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The effect of legislation and regulations affecting non-combustable nicotine products and cannabis vaping products. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | If we elect to market nicotine vaping products in the United States, our ability to obtain regulatory approval to market additional nicotine vaping products in the United States and the significant cost of seeking such approval. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Our ability to develop and market nicotine and cannabis vaping products to meet the changing tastes of adult consumers. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The effects of competition. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The development of an international market for cannabis vaping products, which is presently primarily limited to certain states in the United States. |
Results
of Operations
The
following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the years ended June 30,
2025 and 2024 (dollars in thousands except per share amounts).
| Years Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| % of Revenue | % of Revenue | |||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 127,494 | 100.0 | % | $ | 151,909 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of revenue | (104,845 | ) | (82.2 | )% | (122,126 | ) | (80.4 | )% | ||||||||
| Gross profit | 22,649 | 17.8 | % | 29,783 | 19.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses | (60,499 | ) | (47.5 | )% | (43,677 | ) | (28.8 | )% | ||||||||
| Loss from operations | (37,850 | ) | (29.7 | )% | (13,894 | ) | (9.1 | )% | ||||||||
| Other (loss) income, net | (187 | ) | (0.1 | )% | 409 | 0.3 | % | |||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (38,037 | ) | (29.8 | )% | (13,486 | ) | (8.9 | )% | ||||||||
| Income taxes | (1,204 | ) | (0.9 | )% | (1,282 | ) | (0.8 | )% | ||||||||
| Net loss | (39,241 | ) | (30.8 | )% | (14,768 | ) | (9.7 | )% | ||||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income | (167 | ) | (0.1 | )% | 221 | 0.1 | % | |||||||||
| Comprehensive loss | (39,408 | ) | (30.9 | )% | (14,546 | ) | (9.6 | )% | ||||||||
| Net loss per ordinary share (basic and diluted) | $ | (0.69 | ) | $ | (0.27 | ) | ||||||||||
| Weighted ordinary shares outstanding | 56,853,552 | 54,812,900 |
41
Revenue
The
following table sets out the breakdown of our revenue percentage by region based on information provided to us by our distributors.
| For the year ended June 30, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Europe | 58.1 | % | 43.0 | % | ||||
| North America (the U.S. and Canada) | 25.5 | % | 41.5 | % | ||||
| Asia Pacific (excluding PRC) | 9.6 | % | 11.6 | % | ||||
| Others | 6.8 | % | 3.9 | % | ||||
| Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
Our revenue decreased by
$24,414,387, or 16.1%, from $151,908,691 for the year ended June 30, 2024, to $127,494,304 for the year ended June 30, 2025. The decrease
in revenue is the combined effect of (i) decreases in product sales in the United States of $30.5 million from $63.1 million for the
year ended June 30, 2024, to $32.6 million for the year ended June 30, 2025, (ii) decreases in product sales in the Asia Pacific (excluding
PRC) of $5.3 million from $17.6 million for the year ended June 30, 2024, to $12.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2025, (iii) increases
in sales of vaping products in Europe of $8.8 million from $65.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2024 to approximately $74.1 million
for the year ended June 30, 2025, and (iv) increases in sales of vaping products in Africa and South America of $2.5 million from $6.0
million for the year ended June 30, 2024 to approximately $8.5 million for the year ended June 30, 2025.
Cost
of Revenue
Cost of revenue mainly consists
of cost of purchases of vaping products, that are mostly purchased from Shenzhen Yi Jia. Cost of revenue decreased by $17,281,612, or
14.2%, from $122,126,245 for the year ended June 30, 2024, to $104,844,633 for the year ended June 30, 2025. The decrease in cost of
revenue is in line with decrease in sales.
Gross
Profit
The
following tables show the revenue, cost of revenue and gross profit of our products (dollars in thousands).
| Year Ended June 30, 2025 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | Cost of revenue | Gross profit | Gross profit % | |||||||||||
| $ | 127,494 | $ | 104,845 | $ | 22,649 | 17.8 | % |
| Year Ended June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | Cost of revenue | Gross profit | Gross profit % | |||||||||||
| $ | 151,909 | $ | 122,126 | $ | 29,782 | 19.6 | % |
Gross profit decreased by
$7,132,775, or 23.9%, from $29,782,446 for the year ended June 30, 2024, to $22,649,671 for the year ended June 30, 2025, while our gross
margin decreased from 19.6% to 17.8%.
The
decrease in gross margin was primarily due to changes in product mix with less higher margin products being sold during the year ended
June 30, 2025.
42
Operating
Expenses
Operating expenses increased by $16,822,945 or 38.5%, from $43,676,585
for the year ended June 30, 2024, to $60,499,530 for the year ended June 30, 2025.
Our
sales and marketing expenses mainly consist of employee salaries and benefits, marketing expenses, travel expenses, and other miscellaneous
expenses.
Sales and marketing expenses increased by $1,830,660, or 27.7%, from
$6,608,724 for the year ended June 30, 2024, to $8,439,384 for the year ended June 30, 2025. The increase in sales and marketing expenses
was primarily due to an increase in payroll from marketing personnel of $0.9 million, increase in brand advertising activities of $0.4
million and increase in marketing related professional service fee of $0.3 million.
Credit loss expenses increased by $16,019,060, or 266.3%, from $6,015,752
for the year ended June 30, 2024, to $22,034,812 for the year ended June 30, 2025. The increase is due to longer time in collection of
customer payments than expected and more allowance for credit losses were provided.
Our general and administrative expenses (excluding the credit loss
expenses) mainly consist of employee’s salaries and benefits, rental expense, professional fees, stock-based compensation expenses
and other administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased by $1,026,775, or 3.3%, from $31,052,109 for the year
ended June 30, 2024, to $30,025,334 for the year ended June 30, 2025. The decrease was primarily due to (i) a decrease of $0.5 million
of stock-based compensation expense due to cutting headcount in streamline operations by North America, and (ii) decrease in research
and development expenses of $0.4 million by North America.
Other
(expense) income, net
Other (expense) income, net includes interest income, interest expense,
exchange loss, net and other income (expense).
Interest income decreased by $278,255, from $365,251 for the year ended
June 30, 2024, to $86,996 for the year ended June 30, 2025. The decrease in interest income is mainly due to decrease in interest rate
and less interest income from bank deposits.
Other (expense) income mainly consists of interest expense, loss on
equity method investment, credits from company credit card, rental income and other miscellaneous expenses. Other (expense) income decreased
by $300,494, or 265.0%, from net income of $113,405 for the year ended June 30, 2024 to net expense of $187,089 for the year ended June
30, 2025. The decrease was mainly due to increase in interest expense of $0.2 million.
Exchange
loss, net increased by $16,277, or 23.2%, from net exchange loss of $70,293 for the year ended June 30, 2024 to net exchange loss of
$86,570 for the year ended June 30, 2025.
As
a result of these factors, total other (expense) income, net decreased by $595,026, from other income, net of $408,363 for the year ended
June 30, 2024 to other expense, net of $186,663 for the year ended June 30, 2025.
Income
Taxes
We
account for income taxes under ASC 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable
to differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective
tax bases.
Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary
differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized
in income in the period including the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets
to the amount expected to be realized.
The
provisions of ASC 740-10 prescribe a more-likely-than-not threshold for consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement
of a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) in a tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on the recognition of income
tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties
associated with tax positions, and related disclosures. For the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we did not incur any interest or
penalties related to an uncertain tax position. We do not believe that there were any uncertain tax positions as of June 30, 2025 and
2024.
Income
taxes decreased by $78,342 or 6.1%, from $1,282,046 for the year ended June 30, 2024 to $1,203,704 for the year ended June 30, 2025.
We had a consolidated net loss for both year ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, which was the combined effect of a profit by Aspire Science,
a loss by Aspire North America and Ispire Malaysia. The profit from Aspire Science resulted in a current tax expense. The increase in
valuation allowance reflects our view that the taxable income in the future will not be sufficient to utilize the carryforward loss.
43
Net
Loss
As a result of the foregoing, net loss increased by $24,472,404, from
net loss of $14,767,822, or loss of $0.27 per share (basic and diluted), for the year ended June 30, 2024 to a net loss of $39,240,226,
or loss of $0.69 per share (basic and diluted), for the year ended June 30, 2025.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
The
following table summarizes our changes in working capital from June 30, 2024 to June 30, 2025 (dollars in thousands).
| June 30, 2025 | June 30, 2024 | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Assets | $ | 72,908 | $ | 102,572 | $ | (29,664 | ) | (28.9 | )% | |||||||
| Current Liabilities | 72,540 | 85,991 | (13,451 | ) | (15.6 | )% | ||||||||||
| Working Capital | 368 | 16,581 | (16,213 | ) | (97.8 | )% |
The
following table sets forth information as to consolidated cash flow information for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 (dollars in
thousands).
| Year Ended June 30, | Increase | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated cash flow data: | 2025 | 2024 | (Decrease) | |||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (7,374 | ) | $ | (18,302 | ) | $ | 10,928 | ||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | (5,199 | ) | 2,990 | (8,189 | ) | |||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 1,853 | 10,083 | (8,230 | ) | ||||||||
| Net decrease in cash | $ | (10,720 | ) | $ | (5,229 | ) | $ | (5,491 | ) |
Net cash flow used in operating
activities for the year ended June 30, 2025, of $7.4 million, reflected our net loss of $39.2 million, adjusted primarily as follows:
add back of impairment of account receivable of $22.0 million, add back of share-based compensation expense of $5.6 million, add back
of right-of-use assets amortization of $1.5 million, an increase in accounts payable of $10.8 million, an increase in contract liabilities
of $2.6 million, offset by increase in accounts receivable of $9.3 million, and increase in payment made for operating lease liabilities
of $1.4 million.
Net
cash flow used in operating activities for the year ended June 30, 2024 of $18.3 million, reflected our net loss of $14.8 million, adjusted
primarily as follows: add back of impairment of account receivable of $6.0 million, add back of shared based payment expenses of $6.4
million, add back of depreciation and amortization of $0.5 million, an increase in accounts payable of $17.9 million, an increase in
accrued liabilities and other payables of $2.5 million, a decrease in inventory of $0.9 million, a decrease in prepaid expenses and other
current assets of $2.4 million, an increase in contract liabilities of $1.2 million offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $41.3
million.
Net cash flow used in investing activities for the year ended June
30, 2025, of $5.2 million reflected primarily the repayment of acquisition payable of $3.2 million, purchase of property, plant and equipment
of $1.1 million and acquisition of intangible assets of $0.9 million.
Net
cash flow generated from investing activities for the year ended June 30, 2024, of $3.0 million reflected primarily maturity of short
term investment of $9.1 million offset by purchase of cost other investment of $2.0 million, purchase of property, plant and equipment
of $2.0 million, acquisition of intangible assets of $1.2 million and purchase of equity method investment of $1.0 million.
Net
cash flow generated from financing activities for the year ended June 30, 2025, of $1.9 million reflected primarily proceeds from borrowing
of $2.1 million, offset by repayment of borrowing of $0.2 million.
Net
cash flow generated by financing activities for the year ended June 30, 2024, of $10.1 million reflected primarily proceeds from our
equity offering of $12.3 million, offset by payment of equity offering costs of $1.5 million.
44
To date, we have financed our operations primarily through cash flow
from operations and working capital loans from our major stockholders, who are our co-chief executive officer and his wife, when necessary.
We plan to support our future operations primarily from cash generated from our operations and cash on hand. As of the date of this Annual
Report, we believe that our current cash and cash flows provided by operating activities, and the net proceeds from our equity offerings
and borrowing will be sufficient to meet our working capital needs in the next 12 months. If we experience an adverse operating environment
or incur unanticipated capital expenditure requirements, or if we decide to accelerate our growth, then additional financing may be required.
We cannot give any assurance that additional financing will not be required or, if required, would be available on favorable terms if
at all. Such financing may include the use of additional debt or the sale of additional equity securities. Any financing which involves
the sale of equity securities or instruments that are convertible into equity securities could result in dilution to our stockholders
which may be substantial.
The
cash held at a bank by our Hong Kong operating subsidiary can be freely transferred within our corporate structure without restriction.
If our Hong Kong operating subsidiary were to incur additional debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt
may restrict the ability of our operating subsidiaries to transfer cash to our U.S. investors.
Contractual
Obligations
As
of June 30, 2025 and 2024, we had contract liabilities of $4,861,250 and $2,218,166, respectively. These liabilities are advance deposits
received from customers after an order has been placed. We expect all of the contract liabilities to be settled in less than one year.
We
have operating lease arrangements for office and factory premises for Hong Kong, California and Malaysia, which are treated as right-of-use
assets. These leases typically have terms of two to five years. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not presented as
right-of-use assets and are expensed over the lease term. All other lease assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present
value of lease payments over the lease term at commencement date.
The
balances for the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities where we are the lessee are presented as follow:
| As of | As of | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | June 30, 2024 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | $ | 5,181,521 | $ | 3,579,140 | |||
| Impairment | (151,516 | ) | - | ||||
| Total | $ | 5,030,005 | $ | 3,579,140 | |||
| Operating lease liabilities – current | $ | 1,838,815 | $ | 1,207,832 | |||
| Operating lease liabilities – non-current | 3,267,522 | 2,194,094 | |||||
| Total | $ | 5,106,337 | $ | 3,401,926 |
As
of June 30, 2025, the maturities of our lease liabilities (excluding short-term leases) are as follows:
| As of June 30, 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 | $ | 2,110,799 | ||
| July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 | 1,583,109 | |||
| July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028 | 777,402 | |||
| July 1, 2028 to June 30, 2029 | 696,727 | |||
| July 1, 2029 to June 30, 2030 | 464,484 | |||
| Total future lease payments | 5,632,521 | |||
| Less: imputed interest | (526,184 | ) | ||
| Total lease liabilities | $ | 5,106,337 |
As of June 30, 2025, we have a borrowing balance of $1,952,127 outstanding.
The maturities of our borrowing are as follows:
| As of June 30, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 | 1,146,766 | ||
| July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 | 805,361 | ||
| Total borrowing | 1,952,127 |
As
of June 30, 2025, we recorded an unpaid $5.8 million consideration in accrued liabilities and other payables on the consolidated balance
sheet for a committed investment of $9 million into a joint venture investment named IKE Tech LLC.
45
Trend
Information
Other
than as disclosed elsewhere in this Form 10-K, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments, or events that are
reasonably likely to have a material effect on our net revenues, income from operations, profitability, liquidity or capital resources,
or that would cause reported financial information not necessarily to be indicative of future operating results or financial condition.
Seasonality
Seasonality
does not materially affect our business or the results of our operations.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We
do not have off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical
Accounting Estimates
Revenue
recognition
We
sell our vaping products to customers and recognize revenue in accordance with the guidance of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
In certain sales contracts, a right of return is offered. With a right of return, a customer is given the right to return the products
if they are not satisfied with the product, and a credit would be given. The return rate historically is low, and we recognize a sales
return reserve based on historical return rate and apply the rate on sales for the latest three months, as it is unlikely to have sales
return after the three-month period. Should there be a change in our estimate of the return rate, or a change in the periods in which
we expect return, the return reserves would be affected, and our revenue would be affected as well.
Allowance
for credit losses
We adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 “Financial Instruments
– Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” on July 1, 2023, under the modified retrospective
method of adoption. In establishing the required allowance for credit losses, we consider historical collection experience, aging of the
receivables, economic environment, and the credit history and financial conditions of the customers. We review its receivables on a regular
basis to determine if the allowance is adequate and adjusts the allowance when necessary. Delinquent account balances are written off
against allowance for credit losses after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
The
discussion of the recent accounting pronouncements contained in our consolidated financial statements, “Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies,” is incorporated herein by reference.
Emerging
Growth Company
As
a company with less than $1.235 billion in revenue for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” pursuant
to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise
applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting.
The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards
until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. We have elected
to take advantage of such exemptions. We could lose Emerging Growth Company status if we become a “Large Accelerated Filer.”
This would occur if we had a public float of $700 million or more, as of the last business day of our most recently completed second
fiscal quarter.
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001213900-24-082378.
ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in
conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and
in our other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The following discussion may contain predictions, estimates, and other forward-looking
statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These risks could cause our actual results to differ materially from any future performance suggested
below.
Overview
As stated in our corporate mission, we are committed
to delivering superior products that challenge industry norms, with the goal of delivering an unmatched customer and adult consumer experience.
In achieving this, risk reduction is central to our mission, and we aim to improve the lives of our consumers through cutting-edge research
and development. Our technology platforms look to reduce youth access to vaping products, which in turn, will facilitate our ability
to provide adult consumers with the products they desire.
We are engaged in the research and development,
design, commercialization, sales, marketing and distribution of branded and non-branded vaping hardware products in both the nicotine
and cannabis spaces. Vaping refers to the practice of inhaling and exhaling the vapor produced by an electronic vaping device. These
products are sold into the global nicotine and cannabis markets in the form of e-cigarettes or cartridges filled with oils by our customers,
respectively.
We sell our e-cigarette (or nicotine) products
globally, in markets where we are legally permitted to do so. To date, our nicotine products are marketed under the “Aspire”
brand name and are sold primarily through our expansive distribution network. However, we are currently preparing to expand our international
presence via the launch of nicotine products under the Ispire platform. These products will be launched under licensing arrangements
with the owner(s) of selected partner brand(s).
We currently sell our cannabis vaping hardware in the United States,
Canada, South Africa, and Germany. However, we are continuing to develop our sales network across Europe, South America, and other regions
in preparation for legalization in these markets. Our cannabis products are sold under the Ispire brand name, primarily on an ODM basis
to other cannabis vapor companies including multi and single-state operators, brand owners and co-packers. ODM generally involves the
design and customization of the core products to meet each brand’s unique image and needs. Our hardware products are sold by our
customers under their own brand names. We do not “touch the cannabis plant” in the production and sale of our hardware products
and thus are not subject to the specific cannabis-related regulatory and taxation provisions of the industry(e.g., IRS Code Section 280E).
Since our initial public offering in April 2023,
we have completed three fundraising rounds. The first was executed as part of our initial public offering, from which we raised approximately
$18.3 million after underwriting and other offering expenses.
In June 2023, we raised net proceeds of approximately
$7.4 million, after placement agent and offering expenses, from the private placement of our Common Stock to three investors.
In March 2024, we raised net proceeds of approximately $10.6 million,
after placement agent fees and offering expenses, through a public offering of our Common Stock priced at $6.00 per share. We used the
net proceeds from this offering in connection with the establishment and operation of our manufacturing facility in Malaysia, the funding
of our joint venture with Touch Point Worldwide Inc. d/b/a/ Berify and Chemular Inc. and for working capital and general corporate purposes,
including research and development.
45
Regulatory Risks
The sale of nicotine and cannabis products is
subject to regulations worldwide. Many countries prohibit the sale of any cannabis products, and many countries have regulations relating
to nicotine products, with a particular emphasis on underage sales. We work closely with our various global distribution partners to
help ensure our nicotine products comply with local regulations (e.g., packaging, ingredient disclosure, health warnings, etc.). Changes
in the regulatory environment can be enacted swiftly and may lead to our products becoming non-compliant in one or more international
markets. This regulatory scenario may severely disrupt our business in these markets while we resolve the deficiencies (if possible)
with the current product offering.
E-cigarette regulation
Regulation regarding e-cigarettes varies across
countries, from limited regulation to a total ban. The legal status of e-cigarettes is currently pending in many countries. As e-cigarettes
have become more and more popular recently, many countries are considering imposing more stringent law and regulations to regulate this
market. Changes in existing law and regulations and the imposition of new laws or regulations in countries and regions that our major
customers are in may adversely affect our business.
In many markets e-cigarettes and other nicotine
products are subject to an excise tax. The amount of excise tax on our products is a key determining factor in our pricing and the value
proposition to our adult consumer target market. The structure (i.e., ad valorem vs. specific) and tax burden can vary significantly from
market to market. According to a 2023 study by Dauchy E, Fuss C. Global Taxation of Electronic Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems,
the tax burden on nicotine vape products in Norway is 81.2% while the tax burden on the same products in Paraguay is 2.9%. The tax burden
and resulting retail sales price is a key factor in determining how competitive our products are compared to illicit vaping products.
The greater the price gap between legal and illicit vaping products the greater the incentive for adult consumers to buy illicit products.
These illicit vaping products are not subject to the same quality standards as our products and undermine the efforts of legal operators
seeking to help adult consumers switch from combustible tobacco products to vaping alternatives.
United States E-Cigarette Market
In the United States, the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act requires all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (“ENDS”) product manufacturers that market products in
the United States to submit Premarket Tobacco Product Applications (“PMTAs”) to the FDA. For ENDS products that were on the
U.S. market on or before August 8, 2016, a PMTA was required to be submitted to the FDA before September 9, 2020. For ENDS products that
were not on the U.S. market prior to August 8, 2016, and for which a PMTA was not filed before September 9, 2020, a PMTA premarket authorization
issued by FDA is required before the subject product may enter the U.S. market. We have submitted a PMTA filing for one ENDS product,
and, under apparent FDA policies, the agency will not enforce the premarket review requirements for that product pending review of its
PMTA. However, even with submission of the PMTA application, the FDA may reject our application and may prevent our ENDS products from
being sold in U.S., which will adversely affect our business.
As a result of ENDS regulation noted above, we
can sell only one tobacco vaping product line, the Nautilus Prime, in the U.S. Our tobacco vaping sales related to this line in the U.S.
were approximately $0.6 million and $0.2 million for the twelve months ended June 30, 2023, and 2024, respectively. Because the volume
of sales did not justify the marketing and regulatory costs, we have ceased marketing tobacco vaping products in the U.S.
On September 6, 2024, we submitted a PMTA application
for a disposable ENDS product with 4 flavors. This is an important milestone for us, as it signals our re-entry into the US ENDS market.
It is our intention to amend or resubmit this application in the coming months, once we have finalized the age-gating technology solution
with our IKE Tech LLC joint venture. We have further plans to submit additional PMTA applications for pod-based ENDS systems, which will
include age-gating technology, in the future as well.
46
Amendments to the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking
(“PACT”) Act, which became law in 2021, extend the PACT Act to include e-cigarettes and all vaping products, and place significant
burdens on sellers of vaping products in the United States which may make it difficult to operate profitably in the United States. Because
of tighter government regulations, we have stopped marketing tobacco vaping products in the United States, as the volume of sales from
the one tobacco vaping product which we may sell in the United States does not justify the marketing and regulatory costs involved.
In the United States, cannabis vaping products
are governed by state laws, which vary from state to state. Most states do not permit the adult recreational use of cannabis, and no states
permit the sale of recreational cannabis products to minors.. Further, States may be more willing to permit recreational cannabis use
in the future given the DEA’s intention to reschedule cannabis as a Schedule III controlled substance allowing for medicinal use.
We cannot predict what action states will take or the nature and amount of taxes they may impose. However, to the extent the PACT Act
applies to cannabis products that aerosolize liquids, it may be more difficult to sell our products in states that permit the sale of
cannabis.
However, cannabis and its derivatives containing
more than 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol on a dry weight basis remain Schedule I controlled substances under U.S. federal law, meaning
that federal law generally prohibits their manufacture and distribution. United States federal law also deems it unlawful to sell, offer
for sale, transport in interstate commerce, import, or export “drug paraphernalia,” which includes “any equipment,
product, or material of any kind which is primarily intended or designed for use in manufacturing, compounding, converting, concealing,
producing, processing, preparing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body a controlled substance”
the possession of which federal law prohibits, including Schedule I “marijuana.” Limited exemptions exist, most notably when
state or local law authorizes these items’ manufacture, possession, or distribution.
European Market
The European Commission issued the Tobacco Products
Directive (the “TPD”), which became effective on May 19, 2014, and became applicable in the European Union member states on
May 20, 2016. The TPD regulates e-cigarettes on the packaging, labelling and ingredients of the products on the European Union market,
the creation of smoke-free environments, tax measures and activities against illegal trade and anti-smoke campaigns. Member states of
the European Union are required to ensure that advertisements for any tobacco-related product are prohibited, and no promotion shall be
made as to those devices with an intention to promote e-cigarettes. For the e-cigarettes released after May 20, 2016, TPD requires e-cigarette
manufacturers to submit product sales applications to the regulatory market six months in advance and ensure their products can meet the
TPD requirements before they can be released. We have complied with TPD requirements for all our tobacco products sold in Europe.
The sale of cannabis vaping products is illegal in the European Union,
save for Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Accounts Receivable
Our business relies on the collection of accounts
receivable from our customers in a timely manner to maintain liquidity and support our ongoing operations. The balance of the allowance
for credit losses was $1.5 million and $5.9 million at June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2024, respectively.
Our failure or inability to collect accounts
receivable when due results from a number of factors, including (i) our customer’s failure to pay as a result of adverse economic
conditions affecting the customer’s cash flow; (ii) our failure to implement effective collection efforts; and (iii) disputes over contract
terms, product quality or delays in delivery. Although we may implement strategies to mitigate these risks, there can be no assurance
that such measures will be entirely effective, and we may continue to incur write-offs of accounts receivable, which may impair our ability
to operate profitably.
47
Key Factors that Affect Our Results of Operations
We believe the following key factors may affect
our financial condition and results of operations:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The effect of legislation and regulations affecting tobacco and cannabis vaping products. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | If we elect to market tobacco vaping products in the United States, our ability to obtain regulatory approval to market additional tobacco vaping products in the United States and the significant cost of seeking such approval. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Our ability to develop and market tobacco and cannabis vaping products to meet the changing tastes of adult consumers. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The effects of competition. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The development of an international market for cannabis vaping products, which is presently primarily limited to certain states in the United States. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The effect of both the outbreak any other pandemic or other disease outbreak results in restrictions imposed by governments which may impact our ability to purchase or assemble products as well as the ability of end users to purchase our products. |
Results
of Operations
The following table sets forth a summary of our
consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the years ended June 30, 2023 (as restated) and 2024 (dollars in thousands
except per share amounts).
| Years Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 (Restated) | 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| % of Revenue | % of Revenue | |||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 115,606 | 100.0 | % | $ | 151,909 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of revenue | (94,828 | ) | (82.0 | )% | (122,126 | ) | (80.4 | )% | ||||||||
| Gross profit | 20,777 | 18.0 | % | 29,783 | 19.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses | (25,251 | ) | (21.8 | )% | (43,677 | ) | (28.8 | )% | ||||||||
| Loss from operations | (4,474 | ) | (3.9 | )% | (13,894 | ) | (9.1 | )% | ||||||||
| Other (loss) income, net | (285 | ) | (0.2 | )% | 409 | 0.3 | % | |||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (4,758 | ) | (4.1 | )% | (13,486 | ) | (8.9 | )% | ||||||||
| Income taxes | (1,245 | ) | (1.1 | )% | (1,282 | ) | (0.8 | )% | ||||||||
| Net loss | (6,004 | ) | (5.2 | )% | (14,768 | ) | (9.7 | )% | ||||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income | 21 | (0.0 | )% | 221 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss | (5,983 | ) | (5.2 | )% | (14,546 | ) | (9.6 | )% | ||||||||
| Net loss per ordinary share (basic and diluted) | $ | (0.12 | ) | $ | (0.27 | ) | ||||||||||
| Weighted ordinary shares outstanding | 50,725,814 | 54,812,900 |
48
Revenue
The following table sets out the breakdown of
our revenue percentage by region based on information provided to us by our distributors.
| For the year ended June 30, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | |||||||
| Europe | 50.8 | % | 43.0 | % | ||||
| North America (the U.S. and Canada) | 36.0 | % | 41.5 | % | ||||
| Asia Pacific (excluding PRC) | 12.9 | % | 11.6 | % | ||||
| Others | 0.3 | % | 3.9 | % | ||||
| Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
Our revenue increased by $36,303,155, or 31.4%, from $115,605,536 for
the year ended June 30, 2023, to $151,908,691 for the year ended June 30, 2024. The increase in revenue is the combined effect of (i)
increases in product sales in the United States of $21.5 million from $41.6 million for the year ended June 30, 2023, to $63.1 million
for the year ended June 30, 2024, (ii) increases in sales of vaping products in Europe of $6.5 million from $58.8 million for the year
ended June 30, 2023 to approximately $65.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2024, and (iii) increases in sales of vaping products in
others of $5.7 million from $0.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2023 to approximately $6.0 million for the year ended June 30, 2024,
mainly contributed by increase in sales to South Africa of $5.2 million.
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue mainly consists of cost of purchases
of vaping products, that are mostly purchased from Shenzhen Yi Jia though there has been decreased reliance on this factory in 2024 vs
2023. Cost of revenue increased by $27,297,773, or 28.8%, from $94,828,472 for the year ended June 30, 2023 (as restated), to $122,126,245
for the year ended June 30, 2024. The increase in cost of revenue is in line with increase in sales.
Gross Profit
The following tables show the revenue, cost of revenue and gross profit
of our products (dollars in thousands).
| Year Ended June 30, 2023 (Restated) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | Cost of revenue | Gross profit | Gross profit % | |||||||||||
| $ | 115,606 | $ | 94,828 | $ | 20,778 | 18.0 | % |
| Year Ended June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | Cost of revenue | Gross profit | Gross profit % | |||||||||||
| $ | 151,909 | $ | 122,126 | $ | 29,782 | 19.6 | % |
49
Gross profit increased by $9,005,382, or 43.3%,
from $20,777,064 for the year ended June 30, 2023 (as restated), to $29,782,446 for the year ended June 30, 2024, while our gross margin
increased from 18.0% to 19.6%.
The increase in gross margin was primarily due
to changes in product mix with more higher margin products being sold during the year ended June 30, 2024.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased $18,425,364, or 73.0%,
from $25,251,221 for the year ended June 30, 2023 (as restated), to $43,676,585 for the year ended June 30, 2024.
Our sales and marketing expenses mainly consist
of employee salaries and benefits, marketing expenses, travel expenses, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Sales and marketing expenses increased by $2,192,504,
or 49.6%, from $4,416,220 for the year ended June 30, 2023 (as restated), to $6,608,724 for the year ended June 30, 2024. The increase
in sales and marketing expenses was primarily due to an increase in (i) our marketing activities, marketing campaign and trade shows of
$1.1 million, (ii) stock-based compensation expense related to selling personnels of $0.5 million incurred in 2024 and (iii) headcount
and payroll expense for Aspire Science of $0.2 million.
Our general and administrative expenses mainly
consist of employee’s salaries and benefits, rental expense, professional fees, share based payment expenses and other administrative
expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by $16,232,860, or 77.9%, from $20,835,001 for the year ended June 30, 2023 (as
restated), to $37,067,861 for the year ended June 30, 2024. The increase was primarily due to (i) stock-based compensation expense of
$5.9 million incurred in 2024, as compensation and incentive for management, employees and service providers, (ii) an increase of $4.8
million for payroll and contract worker expenses as more employees were hired and contract workers were engaged by us for expansion of
our cannabis business and building our manufacturing plant, (iii) increase in bad debt expense as an allowance for credit losses of $2.7
million from accounts that are under dispute due to delayed shipment, (iv) an increase in professional fees of $2.3 million incurred for
expansion of cannabis business.
Other (expense) income, net
Other income, net includes interest income, interest
expense, exchange gain (loss), net and other income (expense).
Interest income increased $170,042, from $195,209
for the year ended June 30, 2023, to $365,251 for the year ended June 30, 2024. The increase in interest income is mainly due to increase
in interest rate and more interest income from bank deposits.
Other
(expense) income mainly consists of interest expense, loss on equity method investment, credits from company credit card and other miscellaneous
expenses. Other (expense) income increased by $268,555, or 173.1%, from net expense of $155,150 for the year ended June 30, 2023 to net
income of $113,405 for the year ended June 30, 2024.
Exchange loss, net decreased by $253,932, or 78.3%,
from net exchange loss of $324,225 for the year ended June 30, 2023 to net exchange loss of $70,293 for the year ended June 30, 2024.
As a result of these factors, total other (expense)
income increased by $692,529, from other expense of $284,166 for the year ended June 30, 2023 to other expenses of $408,363 for the year
ended June 30, 2024.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under ASC 740. Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the consolidated financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.
50
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered
or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period including
the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be
realized.
The provisions of ASC 740-10 prescribe a more-likely-than-not
threshold for consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) in a tax
return. This interpretation also provides guidance on the recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current
and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, and related disclosures.
For the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, we did not incur any interest or penalties related to an uncertain tax position. We do not
believe that there were any uncertain tax positions as of June 30, 2023 and 2024.
Income taxes increased by $36,743 or 3.0%, from
$1,245,303 for the year ended June 30, 2023 to $1,282,046 for the year ended June 30, 2024. We had a consolidated net loss for both year
ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, which was the combined effect of a profit by Aspire Science and a loss by Aspire North America. The profit
from Aspire Science resulted in a current tax expense. The increase in valuation allowance reflects our view that the taxable income in
the future will not be sufficient to utilize the carryforward loss.
Net Loss
As
a result of the foregoing, net loss increased by $8,764,196, from net loss of $6,003,626, or $(0.12) per share (basic and diluted) for
the year ended June 30, 2023 (as restated) to a net loss of $14,767,822, or $(0.27) per share (basic and diluted), for the year ended
June 30, 2024.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following table summarizes our changes in
working capital from June 30, 2023 (as restated) to June 30, 2024 (dollars in thousands).
| June 30, 2023 (Restated) | June 30, 2024 | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Assets | $ | 84,811 | $ | 102,572 | $ | 17,761 | 20.9 | % | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities | 55,855 | 85,991 | 30,136 | 54.0 | % | |||||||||||
| Working Capital | 28,956 | 16,581 | (12,375 | ) | (42.7 | )% |
The following table sets forth information as
to consolidated cash flow information for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2024 (dollars in thousands).
| Year Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated cash flow data: | 2023 (Restated) | 2024 | Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (8,456 | ) | $ | (18,302 | ) | $ | (9,846 | ) | |||
| Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | (10,154 | ) | 2,990 | 13,144 | ||||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (15,570 | ) | 10,083 | 25,653 | ||||||||
| Net decrease in cash | $ | (34,180 | ) | $ | (5,229 | ) | $ | 28,951 |
Net cash flow used in operating activities for
the year ended June 30, 2023 (as restated), of $8.5 million, reflected our net loss of $6.0 million, adjusted primarily as follows: add
back of impairment of account receivable of $3.3 million, an increase in accounts payable of $10.6 million, a decrease in inventories
of $7.1 million, offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $19.6 million, an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets
of $3.1 million and payment made for operating lease liabilities of $1.4 million.
51
Net cash flow used in operating activities for
the year ended June 30, 2024 of $18.3 million, reflected our net loss of $14.8 million, adjusted primarily as follows: add back of impairment
of account receivable of $6.0 million, add back of shared based payment expenses of $6.4 million, add back of depreciation and amortization
of $0.5 million, an increase in accounts payable of $17.9 million, an increase in accrued liabilities and other payables of $2.5 million,
a decrease in inventory of $0.9 million, a decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $2.4 million, an increase in contract
liabilities of $1.2 million offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $41.3 million.
Net cash flow used in investing activities for
the year ended June 30, 2023 (as restated), of $10.2 million reflected primarily the purchase of short term investment of $9.1 million
and purchase of property, plant and equipment of $1.0 million.
Net cash flow generated from investing activities
for the year ended June 30, 2024, of $3.0 million reflected primarily maturity of short term investment of $9.1 million offset by purchase
of cost other investment of $2.0 million, purchase of property, plant and equipment of $2.0 million, acquisition of intangible assets
of $1.2 million and purchase of equity method investment of $1.0 million.
Net cash flow used in financing activities for
the year ended June 30, 2023 (as restated), of $15.6 million reflected primarily proceeds from our initial public offering of $21.7 million,
and proceeds from equity offering of $8.0 million, offset by repayment of advances to related parties of $37.9 million, payment of initial
public offering costs of $3.5 million and dividend payment of $3.4 million.
Net cash flow generated by financing activities
for the year ended June 30, 2024, of $10.1 million reflected primarily proceeds from our equity offering of $12.3 million, offset by
payment of equity offering costs of $1.5 million.
To date, we have financed our operations primarily through cash flow
from operations and working capital loans from our major stockholders, who are our co-chief executive officer and his wife, when necessary.
We plan to support our future operations primarily from cash generated from our operations and cash on hand. As of the date of this Annual
Report, we believe that our current cash and cash flows provided by operating activities, and the net proceeds from our equity offerings
will be sufficient to meet our working capital needs in the next 12 months. If we experience an adverse operating environment or incur
unanticipated capital expenditure requirements, or if we decide to accelerate our growth, then additional financing may be required. We
cannot give any assurance that additional financing will not be required or, if required, would be available on favorable terms if at
all. Such financing may include the use of additional debt or the sale of additional equity securities. Any financing which involves the
sale of equity securities or instruments that are convertible into equity securities could result in dilution to our stockholders which
may be substantial.
The cash held at a bank by our Hong Kong operating
subsidiary can be freely transferred within our corporate structure without restriction. If our Hong Kong operating subsidiary were to
incur additional debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict the ability of our operating subsidiaries
to transfer cash to our U.S. investors.
Contractual Obligations
We are a smaller reporting company as defined
by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are not required to provide the information under this item.
52
Trend Information
Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this Form
10-K, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments, or events that are reasonably likely to have a material effect
on our net revenues, income from operations, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause reported financial information
not necessarily to be indicative of future operating results or financial condition.
Seasonality
Seasonality does not materially affect our business
or the results of our operations.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Revenue recognition
We sell our vaping products to customers and recognize
revenue in accordance with the guidance of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. In certain sales contracts, a right
of return is offered. With a right of return, a customer is given the right to return the products if they are not satisfied with the
product, and a credit would be given. The return rate historically is low, and we recognize a sales return reserve based on historical
return rate and apply the rate on sales for the latest three months, as it is unlikely to have sales return after the three-month period.
Should there be a change in our estimate of the return rate, or a change in the periods in which we expect return, the return reserves
would be affected, and our revenue would be affected as well.
Allowance for credit losses
We adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 “Financial Instruments
– Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” in July 2023. We estimate the allowance
for current expected credit losses based on an expected loss model. Certain quantitative and qualitative factors used to estimate credit
losses are subject to uncertainty. With this model, some of the factors that are considered are based on our judgment and estimates, including
age of balance, past events, any historical default, current information available about the customers, current economic conditions, and
certain forward-looking information, including reasonable and supportable forecasts. The assumptions and estimates have not changed significantly
since the adoption of the standard. Although management believes it uses the best information necessary to establish the allowance for
credit losses, future adjustments to the allowance for credit losses may be necessary and our results of operations could be adversely
affected if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the determinations.
53
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The discussion of the recent accounting pronouncements
contained in our consolidated financial statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” is incorporated herein
by reference.
Emerging Growth Company
As a company with less than $1.235 billion in
revenue for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth
company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies.
These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the
assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging
growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company
is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. We have elected to take advantage of such exemptions.
We could lose Emerging Growth Company status if we become a “Large Accelerated Filer.” This would occur if we had a public
float of $700 million or more, as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001213900-23-077437.
ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion
should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes contained elsewhere in this Annual Report
on Form 10-K and in our other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The following discussion may contain predictions, estimates,
and other forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under “Risk Factors”
and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These risks could cause our actual results to differ materially from any future performance
suggested below.
Overview
We are engaged in the research and development,
design, commercialization, sales, marketing and distribution of branded e-cigarettes and cannabis vaping products. We sell our tobacco
products worldwide except for the PRC and Russia. Our tobacco products are marketed under the Aspire brand name and are sold primarily
through our distribution network. We currently sell our cannabis vaping hardware only in the United States, and we have recently commenced
marketing activities in Canada and Europe, primarily in the European Union. All of our products are vaping hardware. Vaping refers to
the practice of inhaling and exhaling the vapor produced by an electronic vaping device, and includes dabbing, which is the recreational
inhalation of concentrated tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychotropic cannabinoid derived from the Cannabis Sativa L. plant, commonly
known as marijuana. Our cannabis products are marketed under the Ispire brand name, primarily on an ODM basis to other cannabis vapor
companies. ODM generally involves the design and customization of the core products to meet each brand’s unique image and needs,
and our products are sold by our customers under their own brand names although they may also include our brand name on the products.
In April 2023, we completed our initial public
offering, from which we raised net proceeds, after underwriting expenses and other offering expenses, of approximately $18.3 million.
In June 2023, we raised net proceeds of approximately $7.4 million, after placement agent fees and offering expenses, from the private
placement of our common stock to three investors. We plan to use the proceeds from both of our initial public offering and the private
placement for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include, but not be limited to, the development of manufacturing
operations in Southeast Asia, completion of establishing manufacturing operations in California, research and development activities and
continued marketing and promotion.
Restatement of Unaudited Financial Statements
We were required to restate our unaudited financial
statements at December 31, 2022 and for the six months then ended and at March 31, 2023 and for the three and nine months then ended.
The unaudited financial statements have been restated to correct the amount at which intangible assets consisting of intellectual property
rights which were transferred to us by a controlling shareholder was recorded. Under GAAP, assets transferred by a controlling stockholder
should be recorded at the transferor’s book value. Our unaudited financial statements recorded the intangible assets that were transferred
by the controlling stockholder at $74,259,915, which represents a third party evaluation of the assets.
We determined that the intangible assets were incorrectly recorded
in our unaudited financial statements, which were restated to record the acquired intangible assets at the transferor’s book value,
which was nil. Accordingly, the unaudited financial statements have been restated to reverse the intangible assets, related amortization
and contributed capital. As a result of the restatement, our net loss for the six months ended December 31, 2022 decreased from $2,950,921,
or $0.06 per share (basic and diluted), to $2,178,290, or $0.04 per share (basic and diluted), and our net loss for the nine months ended
March 31, 2023 decreased from $6,057,776, or $0.12 per share (basic and diluted), to $4,512,513, or $0.09 per share (basic and diluted),
and a decline in stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2022 from $83,218,167 to $ 9,730,883, and at March 31, 2023 from $79,953,608
to $7,238,957.
Regulatory Risks
The sale of tobacco and cannabis products is subject
to regulations worldwide. Many countries prohibit the sale of any cannabis products, and many countries have regulations relating to tobacco
products, with a particular emphasis on underage sales. As a result of regulations in the United States, we are able to sell only one
tobacco vaping product line, the Nautilus Prime, in the United States. Our tobacco vaping sales in the United States were approximately
$0.9 million and $0.9 million for the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. Because the volume of sales did not justify the
marketing and regulatory costs, we have ceased marketing tobacco vaping products in the United States. If any similar regulations are
adopted with respect to cannabis products, our business will be severely impacted since all of our cannabis revenue for the year ended
June 30, 2022 and 2023 was generated from sales in the United States. See “Regulations.”
Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic
In December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
was first reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China. During 2020, the disease spread to many parts of the world. The epidemic has resulted
in quarantines, travel restrictions, and the temporary closure of stores and facilities in much of the world, most of which are no longer
in effect. The World Health Organization ended the global emergency status for COVID-19 on May 5, 2023, and the United States Department
of Health and Human Services declared that the public health emergency from COVID-19 expired at the end of the day on May 11, 2023.
The extent to which
COVID-19 impacts our operations on an ongoing basis is highly uncertain. Since our products are presently manufactured in the PRC by a
related party, any changes in the outbreak in the PRC and any changes in the PRC government’s policy may affect our supplier’s
operations which could affect its ability to manufacture and deliver product in a timely manner.
44
Supply Chain Risks
One of the effects of the COVID-19 has been delays
resulting from supply chain issues, which relate to the difficulty that companies have in having their products manufactured, shipped
to the country of destination, and delivered from the port of entry to the customer’s location. As the port delays have significantly
decreased, we do not believe that the supply chain issues that affected our operations are currently affecting us. We cannot assure you
that delays will not affect our business in the future.
In 2021, Shenzhen Yi Jia suffered a chip shortage
resulting in a slowdown in delivery of its products to the Company from April to August 2021. To secure the supply of chips, Shenzhen
Yi Jia changed the payment terms to chip suppliers from 30 days after delivery in the past to prepayment, and it engaged two new chip
suppliers. Since September 2021, Shenzhen Yi Jia has advised us that it obtained a supply of chips to meet its production needs and the
chip shortage no longer affects its production. In 2022, a slowdown in the delivery of components to Shenzhen Yi Jia resulting from supply
chain slowdowns as a result of the effects of the PRC’s COVID policy resulted in an increase in cost of revenue during the period.
We cannot assure you that we will not suffer from a chip shortage or that the effects of COVID or the PRC’s COVID policy will not
affect Shenzhen Yi Jia’s ability or the ability of its suppliers to delivery products in a timely manner.
Accounts Receivables
Our business relies on the collection of accounts receivable from our
customers in a timely manner to maintain liquidity and support our ongoing operations. We recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts
of $0 for the year ended June 30, 2022 and approximately $1.5 million for the year ended June 30, 2023. Our failure or inability to collect
accounts receivable when due results from a number of factors, including (i) our customer’s failure to pay as a result of adverse
economic conditions affecting the customers; (ii) our failure to accurately assess the creditworthiness of our customers; (iii) our failure
to implement effective collection efforts; and (iv) disputes over contract terms, product quality or delays in delivery. Although we may
implement strategies to mitigate these risks, but there can be no assurance that such measures will be entirely effective, and we may
continue to incur write-offs of accounts receivable, which may impair our ability to operate profitably.
Key Factors that Affect Our Results of Operations
We believe the following key factors may affect our financial condition
and results of operations:
| ● | The effect of legislation and regulations affecting the tobacco and cannabis vaping products. | |
|---|---|---|
| ● | If we elect to market tobacco vaping products in the United States, our ability to obtain regulatory approval to market additional tobacco vaping products in the United States and the cost of seeking such approval. | |
| ● | Our ability to develop and market tobacco and cannabis vaping products to meet the changing tastes of users. | |
| ● | The effects of competition. | |
| ● | The development of an international market for cannabis vaping products, which is presently primarily limited to certain states in the United States. | |
| ● | The effect of both the outbreak any other pandemic or other disease outbreak results in restrictions imposed by governments which may impact our ability to purchase or assemble products as well as the ability of end users to purchase our products. |
45
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth a summary of our
consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2023 (dollars in thousands except
per share amounts).
| Year Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| % of Revenue | % of Revenue | |||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 88,095 | 100.0 | % | $ | 115,606 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of revenue | (74,789 | ) | (84.9 | )% | (94,530 | ) | (81.8 | )% | ||||||||
| Gross profit | 13,306 | 15.1 | % | 21,076 | 18.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses | (14,295 | ) | (16.2 | )% | (25,645 | ) | (22.2 | )% | ||||||||
| Loss from operations | (989 | ) | (1.1 | )% | (4,569 | ) | (4.0 | )% | ||||||||
| Other income(loss), net | 186 | 0.2 | % | (285 | ) | (0.2 | )% | |||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (803 | ) | (0.9 | )% | (4,854 | ) | (4.2 | )% | ||||||||
| Income taxes | (1,071 | ) | (1.2 | )% | (1,245 | ) | (1.1 | )% | ||||||||
| Net loss | (1,874 | ) | (2.1 | )% | (6,099 | ) | (5.3 | )% | ||||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss)income | (117 | ) | (0.1 | )% | 21 | (0.1 | )% | |||||||||
| Comprehensive loss | (1,991 | ) | (2.3 | )% | (6,078 | ) | (5.3 | )% | ||||||||
| Net loss per ordinary share (basic and diluted) | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.12 | ) | ||||||||||
| Weighted ordinary shares outstanding | 50,000,000 | 50,725,814 |
Years Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022
Revenue
The following table sets out the breakdown of our revenue percentage
by region based on information provided to us by our distributors.
| Years ended June 30, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2023 | |||||||
| Europe | 58.9 | % | 50.8 | % | ||||
| Asia Pacific (excluding China) | 15.0 | % | 12.9 | % | ||||
| North America | 25.9 | % | 36.0 | % | ||||
| Others | 0.2 | % | 0.3 | % | ||||
| Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
Our revenue increased by $27,510,118, or 31.2%,
from $88,095,418 for the year ended June 30, 2022, to $115,605,536 for the year ended June 30, 2023. The increase in revenue is the combined
effect of (i) increases in sales of cannabis vaping products in the United States of $20.0 million from $20.0 million for the year ended
June 30, 2022 to $40.0 million for the year ended June 30, 2023 and (ii) increases in sales of tobacco vaping products in Europe of $6.9
million from $51.9 million for the year ended June 30, 2022 to approximately $58.8 million for the year ended June 30, 2023.
46
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue mainly consists of cost of purchases
of vaping products, that are mostly purchased from Shenzhen Yi Jia. Cost of revenue increased by $19,740,391, or 26.4%, from $74,789,378
for the year ended June 30, 2022 to $94,529,769 for the year ended June 30, 2023. The increase in cost of revenue reflects both the increase
in period-to-period unit sales and the effects of a slowdown in the delivery of components to Shenzhen Yi Jia resulting from supply chain
slowdowns as a result of the effects of mainland China’s COVID policy which impacted both years ended June 30, 2022 and 2023.
Gross Profit
The following tables show the revenue, cost of
revenue and gross profit of our tobacco and cannabis vaping products (dollars in thousands).
| Year Ended June 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | Cost of revenue | Gross profit | Gross profit % | |||||||||||||
| Tobacco vaping products | $ | 68,117 | $ | 57,503 | $ | 10,614 | 15.6 | % | ||||||||
| Cannabis vaping products | 19,978 | 17,286 | 2,692 | 13.5 | % | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 88,095 | $ | 74,789 | $ | 13,306 | 15.1 | % |
| Year Ended June 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | Cost of revenue | Gross profit | Gross profit % | |||||||||||||
| Tobacco vaping products | $ | 75,563 | $ | 63,669 | $ | 11,894 | 15.7 | % | ||||||||
| Cannabis vaping products | 40,043 | 30,861 | 9,182 | 22.9 | % | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 115,606 | $ | 94,530 | $ | 21,076 | 18.2 | % |
Gross profit increased by $7,769,727, or 58.4%,
from $13,306,040 for the year ended June 30, 2022 to $21,075,767 for the year ended June 30, 2023, while our gross margin increased from
15.1% to 18.2%. The gross margin for tobacco vaping products remains constant. The increase in gross margin for cannabis vaping products
was primarily due to (i) a lower margin on cannabis vaping products in the year ended June 30, 2022 as a result of greater discounts in
price offered as we commenced the cannabis business in late 2021 and our primary focus was on capturing market of cannabis vaping products;
(ii) a change in product mix with more higher margin products being sold during the year ended June 30, 2023, and (iii) an increase in
sales volume that led to economies of scale.
47
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased $11,350,190, or 79.4%,
from $14,294,711 for the year ended June 30, 2022 to $25,644,901 for the year ended June 30, 2023.
Our sales and marketing expenses mainly consist
of employees’ salaries and benefits, marketing expense, travel expenses and others.
Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $788,707,
or 14.3%, from $5,503,630 for the year ended June 30, 2022 to $4,714,923 for the year ended June 30, 2023. The decrease in sales and marketing
expenses was primarily due to a reduction in our marketing activities of our tobacco vaping products of $0.6 million and a reduction in
marketing and advertising for cannabis vaping products of $0.2 million.
Our general and administrative expenses mainly consist of employee’s
salaries and benefits, rental expense, professional fees and other administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased
by $12,138,897, or 138.1%, from $8,791,081 for the year ended June 30, 2022 to $20,929,978 for the year ended June 30, 2023. The increase
was primarily due to (i) an increase of $3.7 million for payroll and contract worker expenses as more employees were hired and contract
workers were engaged by us for expansion of our cannabis business and building our proposed manufacturing plant, (ii) bad debt expense
as an allowance for doubtful accounts of $2.4 million was recorded by Aspire North America on accounts under dispute due to delayed shipment,
and a direct write off of doubtful accounts of $0.9 million, (iii) an increase of patent expenses of $0.9 million incurred by the transferred
patents from Tuanfang Liu, Aspire Global and Shenzhen Yi Jia at zero cost in September 2022, (iv) an increase in rental and warehouse
expenses of $2.0 million incurred by us in connection with our plan to establish a manufacturing facility in Los Angeles, (v) an increase
in professional fees of $1.5 million incurred for expansion of cannabis business, (vi) an increase in insurance expenses incurred by cannabis
business of $0.4 million, and (vii) an increase in other miscellaneous expenses totaling approximately $0.3 million. The increase in our
expenses in both years is not the result of inflation. Inflation in Hong Kong, was relatively stable. The increase in expenses for our
United States business results from the growth of our business. The cannabis vapor business commenced in late calendar 2021, and the increase
in expenses resulted from our growth relating to this increase in business. However, inflationary pressures may affect our operations
in the future. As a result of our public offering, we anticipate that our general and administrative expenses will significantly increase
as a result of our being a public corporation, including additional legal, audit and insurance expenses as well as expenses in implementing
and maintaining our disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting. Professional fees relating to our initial public
offering were included in general and administrative expenses during both years ended June 30 2022 and 2023. The offering was completed
in April 2023, and the financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2023 treats these professional fees of $0.9 million as a reduction
of the proceeds of the offering and, accordingly, are charged to additional paid-in capital.
48
Other income(expense), net
Other income, net includes interest income, interest
expense, exchange gain (loss), net and other income (expense).
Interest income increased $190,131, from $5,078
for the year ended June 30, 2022, to $195,209 for the year ended June 30, 2023. The increase in interest income is mainly due to increase
in interest rate and more interest income from bank deposits.
Other income (expense) mainly consists of interest
expense, mold charge income and other miscellaneous expenses. decreased by $277,544, or 226.8%, from income of $122,394 for the year ended
June 30, 2022 to expense of $155,150 for the year ended June 30, 2023.
Exchange gain (loss), net decreased by $382,368,
or 657.6%, from net exchange gain of $58,143 for the year ended June 30, 2022 to net exchange loss of $324,225 for the year ended June
30, 2023.
As a result of these factors, total other income
(expense) decreased by $469,781, from other income of $185,615 for the year ended June 30, 2022 to other expense of $284,166 for the year
ended June 30, 2023
Income Taxes
Income
taxes increased by $174,206 or 16.3%, from $1,071,097 for the year ended June 30, 2022 to $1,245,303 for the year ended June 30, 2023.
We had a consolidated net loss for both year ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, which was the combined effect of a profit by Aspire Science
and a loss by Aspire North America. The profit from Aspire Science resulted in a current tax expense. The increase in valuation allowance
reflects our view that the taxable income in the future will not be sufficient to utilize the carryforward loss.
Net Loss
As a result of the foregoing, net loss increased by
$4,224,450, from net loss of $1,874,153, or $(0.04) per share (basic and diluted) for the year ended June 30, 2022 to a net loss of $6,098,603,
or $(0.12) per share (basic and diluted), for the year ended June 30, 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following table summarizes our changes in
working capital from June 30, 2022 to June 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands).
| June 30, 2022 | June 30, 2023 | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Assets | $ | 99,449 | $ | 84,811 | $ | (14,638 | ) | (14.7 | )% | |||||||
| Current Liabilities | 88,968 | 55,962 | (33,006 | ) | (37.1 | )% | ||||||||||
| Working Capital | 10,481 | 28,849 | 18,368 | 175.3 | % |
The following table sets forth information as
to consolidated cash flow information for the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2023 (dollars in thousands).
| Year Ended June 30, | Increase | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated cash flow data: | 2022 | 2023 | (Decrease) | |||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (7,558 | ) | $ | (7,582 | ) | $ | (24 | ) | |||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (122 | ) | (10,154 | ) | (10,032 | ) | ||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (3,089 | ) | (16,444 | ) | (13,355 | ) | ||||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | (10,769 | ) | (34,180 | ) | (23,411 | ) |
Net cash flow used in operating activities for
the year ended June 30, 2022 of $7.6 million, reflected our net loss of $1.9 million, adjusted primarily as follows: an increase in accounts
payable of $8.9 million offset by an increase in inventories of $11.5 million, and an increase in accounts receivable of $4.0 million.
49
Net cash flow used in operating activities for the
year ended June 30, 2023 of $7.6 million, reflected our net loss of $6.1million, adjusted primarily as follows: add back of impairment
of account receivable of $3.3 million, an increase in accounts payable of $10.6 million, a decrease in inventory of $7.1 million, offset
by an increase in accounts receivable of $19.6 million, and an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $3.1 million.
Net cash flow used in investing activities for
the year ended June 30, 2022 of $0.1 million reflected primarily the purchase of property, plant and equipment of $0.1 million.
Net cash flow used in investing activities for
the year ended June 30, 2023 of $10.1 million reflected primarily purchase of short term investments of $9.1 million, and purchase of
property, plant and equipment of $1.0 million.
Net cash flow used in financing activities for
the year ended June 30, 2022 of $3.0 million reflected primarily payments of previously declared dividends of $0.5 million and $2.4 million
of repayment of advances to related parties.
Net cash flow used in financing activities for
the year ended June 30, 2023 of $16.4 million reflected primarily proceeds from initial public offering of $21.7 million, and proceeds
from private placement of $8.0 million, offset by repayment of advances to related parties of $37.9 million, payment of initial public
offering costs of $3.5 million and dividend payment of $3.4 million.
To date, we have financed our operations primarily
through cash flow from operations and working capital loans from our major stockholders, who are our co-chief executive officer and his
wife, when necessary. We plan to support our future operations primarily from cash generated from our operations and cash on hand. We
believe that our current cash and cash flows provided by operating activities, and the net proceeds from our initial public offering of
$18.3 million will be sufficient to meet our working capital needs in the next 12 months. If we experience an adverse operating environment
or incur unanticipated capital expenditure requirements, or if we decide to accelerate our growth, then additional financing may be required.
We cannot give any assurance that additional financing will not be required or, if required, would be available on favorable terms if
at all. Such financing may include the use of additional debt or the sale of additional equity securities. Any financing which involves
the sale of equity securities or instruments that are convertible into equity securities could result in dilution to our stockholders
which may be substantial.
The cash at bank held by our Hong Kong operating
subsidiary can be freely transferred within our corporate structure without restriction. If our Hong Kong operating subsidiary were to
incur additional debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict the ability of our operating subsidiaries
to transfer cash to our U.S. investors.
Contractual Obligations
We are a smaller reporting company as defined
by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are not required to provide the information under this item.
Trend Information
Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this registration
statement, particularly with respect to government regulations relating to nicotine and cannabis, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties,
demands, commitments, or events that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our net revenues, income from continuing operations,
profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause reported financial information not necessarily to be indicative of
future operating results or financial condition.
Seasonality
Seasonality does not materially affect our business
or the results of our operations.
50
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial
statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses
during the reporting period. Significant estimates include allowance for doubtful accounts, the useful lives of property and equipment
and intangible asset, impairment of long-lived assets, and deferred cost. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Basis of consolidation
Our consolidated financial statements include
the financial statements of us and our subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Because we acquired 100% of the equity of Aspire North America and Aspire Science from a related party for no consideration on July 29,
2022, the acquisitions are treated as the subsidiaries were acquired on July 1, 2020, the first day of the year ended June 30, 2021, and
the outstanding common stock was issued on July 1, 2020.
Revenue
We sell our products to customers around the world
and recognize revenue in accordance with the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
Revenue is recognized when control of goods has transferred to customers. For the majority of our customer arrangements, control transfers
to customers at a point-in-time when goods have been delivered to the pickup location specified by the customer or a forwarder appointed
by the customer, as that is generally when legal title, physical possession and risks and rewards of goods transfer to the customer.
Revenue is recognized at the transaction price,
based on the purchase order as adjusted for the anticipated rebates, discounts and other sales incentives. When determining the transaction
price, management estimates variable consideration applying the portfolio approach practical expedient under ASC 606. The main sources
of variable consideration for us are customer rebates, trade promotion funds and cash discounts. These sales incentives are recorded as
a reduction of revenue at the time of the initial sale using the most-likely amount estimation method. The most-likely amount method is
based on the single most likely outcome from a range of possible consideration outcomes. The range of possible consideration outcomes
is primarily derived from the following inputs: sales terms, historical experience, trend analysis, and projected market conditions in
the various markets served. Because we serve numerous markets, the sales incentive programs offered vary across businesses, but the most
common incentive relates to amounts paid or credited to customers for achieving defined volume levels or growth objectives.
There are no material instances where variable
consideration is constrained and not recorded at the initial time of sale. Product returns are recorded as a reduction of revenue based
on anticipated sales returns that occur in the normal course of business. We have elected to present revenue net of sales taxes and other
similar taxes.
Our warranties are of an assurance-type and come
standard with all of our products to cover repair or replacement should a product not perform as expected. We offer a warranty for all
major products, including all types of E-vapor kits, atomizers, replacement coils and mods, but no warranty for accessories such as spare
parts or packaging consumables. We generally offer a 90-day warranty period from date of purchase for products sold to all regions, but
from May 2019, we offer a six-month warranty period from date of purchase for products sold in the UK and France. We offer a refund or
replacement of products for manufacturer defective items, dead on arrival items and items that do not appear the same as listed on our
website, and exclude damaged goods caused by misuse or unauthorized repair. Provisions for estimated expenses related to product warranties
are made at the time products are sold. These estimates are established using historical information about the nature, frequency and average
cost of warranty claim settlements as well as product manufacturing and recovery from suppliers. Management actively studies trends of
warranty claims and takes action to improve product quality and minimize warranty costs. We estimate the actual historical warranty claims
coupled with an analysis of unfulfilled claims to record a liability for specific warranty purposes. As of 2022 and June 30, 2023, products
returned for repair or replacement have been immaterial. Accordingly, a warranty liability has not been deemed necessary.
51
Disaggregated Revenue
In accordance with ASC 606-10-50-5, we have taken
into consideration the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows, and have determined to disaggregate our net
sales by whether the products are tobacco or cannabis products, as it is important information for the Company to make resource allocation
decisions. The net sales disaggregated by products for the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2023 were as follows, respectively:
| Years ended June 30, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net sales by products branded | 2022 | 2023 | |||||
| Tobacco vaping products | $ | 68,116,810 | $ | 75,562,711 | |||
| Cannabis vaping products | 19,978,608 | 40,042,825 | |||||
| Total | $ | 88,095,418 | $ | 115,605,536 |
Income Tax
We account for income taxes under ASC 740. Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the consolidated financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered
or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period including
the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
The provisions of ASC 740-10 prescribe a more-likely-than-not
threshold for consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) in a tax
return. This interpretation also provides guidance on the recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current
and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, and related disclosures.
For the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we did not incur any interest or penalties related to an uncertain tax position. We do not
believe that there were any uncertain tax positions as of June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The discussion of the recent accounting pronouncements
contained in our consolidated financial statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” is incorporated herein by
reference.
As a company with less than
$1.235 billion in revenue for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the JOBS Act.
An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally
to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002 in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also provides
that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a
private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. We have elected to take advantage of such
exemptions.