UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-QSB
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period ended June 30, 2008
Commission File Number0-50051
ARIEL WAY, INC .
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
| | |
| | |
FLORIDA | | 65-0983277 |
(State or other jurisdiction of | | (I.R.S. Employer |
incorporation or organization) | | Identification No.) |
- | | - |
3400 INTERNATIONAL DRIVE, N.W. | | |
SUITE 2K-300, WASHINGTON, D.C. | | 20008-3600 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
- | | - |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code | | (202) 609-7756 |
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yeso
Nox
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yeso
Nox
State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date: As of September 15, 2008, the Company had outstanding 651,983,983 shares of its common stock, $0.001 par value share.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one):
Yeso
Nox
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Our disclosure and analysis in this report contains forward-looking statements which provide our current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements in this report include, without limitation: information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations, trends in financial results and business plans, including those related to earnings growth and revenue growth; statements about the level of our costs and operating expenses relative to our revenues, and about the expected composition of our revenues; statements about expected future sales trends for our products or services; statements about our future capital requirements and the sufficiency of our cash, cash equivalents, and available bank borrowings to meet these requirements; information about the anticipated release dates of new products; statements about certain entities or assets we acquire or plan to acquire and our ability to integrate their operations; other sta tements about our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions; and other statements that are not historical fact.
Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “intends, “plans,” “should,” “seeks,” “pro forma,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “continues,” or other variations thereof (including their use in the negative), or by discussions of strategies, plans or intentions. Such statements include but are not limited to statements under Part I, Item 1 – Description of Business of our Form 10-KSB for the year ended September 30, 2007, and Part II, Item 6 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operations and Part I, Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operations of this Report, and elsewhere in this Report. A number of factors could cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-loo king statements, including those discussed under Part I, Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operations of this Report. The absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements for many reasons, including factors described in Part I, Item 1 – Description of Business of our Form 10-KSB for the year ended September 30, 2007 and Part I, Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operations of this Report. You should carefully consider the factors described in Part I, Item 1 – Description of Business of our Form 10-KSB for the year ended September 3 0, 2007, and Part I, Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operations of this Report in evaluating our forward-looking statements.
You should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this Report. We undertake no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this report, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should, however, review the factors and risks we describe in the reports we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
3
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements
ARIEL WAY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2008 AND 2007
(UNAUDITED)
F-1
ARIEL WAY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| | | | | | | | |
ASSETS | | June 30, 2008 | | | September 30, 2007 | |
CURRENT ASSETS | | (Unaudited) | | | (Audited) | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 4,211 | | | $ | — | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 4,392 | | | | 4,371 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total current assets | | | 8,603 | | | | 4,371 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - NET | | | 1,326 | | | | 4,014 | |
LONG TERM ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Other Assets | | | | | | | | |
Deposit Syrei acquisition | | | 150,000 | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL ASSETS | | $ | 159,929 | | | $ | 8,385 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | $ | 1,096,410 | | | $ | 2,109,976 | |
Other liabilities | | | — | | | | 304,577 | |
Promissory notes | | | 192,981 | | | | 144,159 | |
Total current liabilities | | | 1,289,391 | | | | 2,558,712 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 1,289,391 | | | | 2,558,712 | |
| | | | | | | | |
STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; | | | | | | | | |
125.75 shares issued and outstanding | | | — | | | | | |
Series A Convertible Preferred stock, $0.001 par value | | | | | | | | |
165 shares authorized, 125.75 issued and outstanding | | | — | | | | | |
Common stock, $.001 par value;1,995,000,000 shares authorized; | | | | | | | | |
594,066,669 shares issued and outstanding | | | 594,067 | | | | 134,299 | |
Deposit of forfeitable shares of common stock | | | (300,000 | ) | | | — | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 5,323,352 | | | | 2,482,908 | |
Accumulated deficit | | | (6,746,881 | ) | | | (5,167,535 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total stockholders' deficit | | | (1,129,462 | ) | | | (2,550,328 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT | | $ | 159,929 | | | $ | 8,385 | |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-2
ARIEL WAY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS AND THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2008 AND 2007
(UNAUDITED)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | NINE MONTHS ENDED | | THREE MONTHS ENDED | |
| | JUNE 30, | | JUNE 30, | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2008 | | 2007 | |
REVENUES | | $ | — | | $ | 924,927 | | $ | — | | | 184,443 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
COST OF REVENUES | | | — | | | 720,942 | | | — | | | 156,797 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
GROSS PROFIT | | | — | | | 203,985 | | | — | | | 27,646 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and Amortization | | | 2,688 | | | 12,699 | | | 1,344 | | | 4,233 | |
Selling, General and Administration | | | 306,611 | | | 609,345 | | | 169,173 | | | 225,610 | |
Rent | | | 1,339 | | | 45,330 | | | — | | | 16,483 | |
Salaries and Employee Benefits | | | — | | | 48,597 | | | — | | | 1,597 | |
Total Operating Expenses | | | 310,638 | | | 715,971 | | | 170,517 | | | 247,923 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
LOSS BEFORE OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) | | | (310,638 | ) | | (511,986 | ) | | (170,517 | ) | | (220,277 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income | | | — | | | 190 | | | — | | | 8 | |
Interest expense | | | (167,620 | ) | | (5,512 | ) | | (57,293 | ) | | (1,788 | ) |
Other Income | | | — | | | 1,132,891 | | | — | | | 1,132,891 | |
Other Expense | | | — | | | (24,249 | ) | | — | | | (24,249 | ) |
Beneficial conversion expense | | | (1,101,088 | ) | | — | | | (1,101,088 | ) | | — | |
Total Other Income (Expense) | | | (1,268,708 | ) | | 1,103,319 | | | (1,158,381 | ) | | 1,106,861 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES | | | (1,579,346 | ) | | 591,333 | | | (1,328,898 | ) | | 886,583 | |
Provision for income taxes | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET INCOME (LOSS) APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES | | $ | (1,579,346 | ) | $ | 591,333 | | $ | (1,328,898 | ) | $ | 886,583 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER BASIC AND DILUTED SHARES | | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | 0.01 | | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | 0.02 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING | | | 512,405,123 | | | 50,559,604 | | | 585,208,431 | | | 46,132,399 | |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-3
ARIEL WAY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2008 AND 2007
(UNAUDITED)
| | | | | | | |
| | June 30, 2008 | | June 30, 2007 | |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (1,579,346 | ) | $ | 591,333 | |
| | | | | | | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash | | | | | | | |
provided by (used in) operating activities: | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 2,688 | | | 8,466 | |
Issuance of warrants | | | 1,101,088 | | | — | |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | |
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable | | | — | | | 29,671 | |
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses | | | (22 | ) | | (3,723 | ) |
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses | | | 430,981 | | | (417,920 | ) |
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities and accrued interest | | | — | | | (324,168 | ) |
Total adjustments | | | 1,534,735 | | | (707,674 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
Net cash (used in) operating activities | | | (44,611 | ) | | (116,341 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | |
Acquisition of property and equipment | | | — | | | 28,482 | |
Net cash provided by investing activities | | | — | | | 28,482 | |
| | | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from promissory note | | | 42,335 | | | — | |
Proceeds from related party-officer | | | 6,487 | | | — | |
Proceeds from long— term debt | | | — | | | 44,099 | |
| | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 48,822 | | | 44,099 | |
| | | | | | | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | | | 4,211 | | | (43,760 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | | — | | | 46,050 | |
| | | | | | | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD | | $ | 4,211 | | $ | 2,290 | |
Cash paid during the period for: | | | | | | | |
Interest paid | | $ | –– | | $ | –– | |
Income taxes paid | | $ | –– | | $ | –– | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INFORMATION: | | | | | | | |
Issuance of stock for Syrei Holding acquisition | | $ | 450,000 | | $ | –– | |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-4
ARIEL WAY, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
JUNE 30, 2008 AND 2007
NOTE 1- ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The Company reports on its financial statements that a deposit has been made to acquire Syrei Holding UK Limited, a UK corporation with its wholly owned Swedish subsidiary Syrei AB effective as of January 31, 2008, as reported on current report 8-K filed on February 22, 2008 and Lime Truck, Inc. effective as of April 30, 2008 as reported on current report 8-K filed on May 6, 2008. Persuant to SEC regulation, the Company was expected to complete audits, per US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), of the financial operation for the two years prior to the deposits made for the acquisition of the two companies and disclose the audited financial statements as amendments to previously filed current reports on form 8-K within seventy five days from the effective date of the acquisitions. The Company intended to file amendments to the already filed current reports 8-K no later than the required seventy five days from the effective date of the respective acquisitions. The Company attempted to file these audits, however due to resource constraints, the Company was not able to complete within the prescribed time period. The Company intends to complete the audits for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 of both companies at earliest opportunity and expects to have full audits completed as part of the Annual Report on form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Syrei AB is by Swedish law required to conduct annual audits per Swedish GAAP standards and this has been done every year by a Swedish accounting firm. The Swedish GAAP annual audits for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 were intended to be converted by a different accounting firm from Swedish GAAP into US GAAP. However, the conversion did not comply as a full and complete audit per US GAAP. The Company intends to finalize the conversion of the annual audits for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 into fully compliant US GAAP audits. The preparation of the audit for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 of Lime Truck has been initiated and the Company intends to complete this audit soon.
For the above reasons, this Form 10-QSB includes unaudited condensed financial statements for only Ariel Way, Inc. and Ariel Way Media, Inc. and do not include the condensed consolidated financial statements for the operation of Syrei and Lime Truck. However, the Company presents unaudited pro forma information for our Company, including the subsidiaries Syrei AB and Lime Truck as if the acquisitions had occurred on October 1, 2007.
These condensed financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared by Ariel Way. Inc. (the “Company” including Ariel Way Media, Inc.) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements, and it is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements, and notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. In the opinion of management, the comparative financial statements for the periods presented herein include all adjustments that are normal and recurring, and that are necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods. The results of operations for the nine and three months ended June 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be achieved for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. The Company reports on its financial statements that a deposit has been made to acquire the Swedish company Syrei AB effective as of January 31, 2008 and Lime Truck, Inc. effective as of April 30, 2008.
Ariel Way, Inc., a Florida corporation (“Ariel Way” or the “Company” including Ariel Way Media, Inc.), is a technology and services company for global communications, multimedia and digital signage solutions and technologies. The Company is focused on developing innovative communications and multimedia services and technologies, acquiring and growing profitable communications and multimedia companies and creating strategic alliances with companies in complementary product lines and service industries.
NOTE 2- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
For the reasons stated in Note 1, this Form 10-QSB is unaudited condensed financial statements for Ariel Way, Inc. and Ariel Way Media, Inc., and do not include the operations of Syrei and Lime Truck. However, unaudited pro forma information for our Company, including the subsidiaries Syrei AB and Lime Truck as if the acquisitions had occurred on October 1, 2007, are included in the footnotes to the financial statements. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, excluding Syrei and Lime Truck. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
F-5
Deposit for Acquisitions
On February 20, 2008, the Company paid Syrei Limited, the selling Stockholder of Syrei, an aggregate of 75,000,000 shares of Ariel Way restricted common stock. In addition, the Company issued to the Stockholder of Syrei a promissory note in the principal amount of $2,000,000. In addition, the Company shall also pay to the Stockholder of Syrei an additional principal amount of $2,000,000 one year after the signing of the Merger Agreement. This additional payment shall be reduced per a formula, if the revenue and EBITDA achieved during the year prior to the payment do not meet thresholds defined in a mutually agreed to Business Plan.
Upon signing of the Lime Truck, Inc. Merger Agreement and as consideration thereof, the Company issued to the Lime Media Members an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of common stock. In addition, the Company paid or intends to issue to the Lime Media Members as deposit for the acquisition of Lime Media the following consideration: (a) an aggregate of 17,000,000 shares of our common stock, (b) promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $792,500 (the “Acquisition Promissory Notes”), and (c) promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $640,000 (the “One Year Promissory Notes”).
The following table sets forth unaudited pro forma information for our Company as if the acquisitions had occurred on October 1, 2007:
| | | | | | | | |
| | | Pro-Forma | | | | Pro-Forma | |
| | Three months ended | | | Nine months ended | |
| | June 30, 2008 | | June 30, 2008 |
Net revenues | | $ | 1,675,776 | | | $ | 5,176,518 | |
O Operating income (loss) | | | 44,349 | | | | 343,110 | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | | 44,349 | | | | 343,110 | |
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (1,114,032) | | | $ | (920,992) | |
Basic net income (loss) per common share, pro-forma: | | | (.00) | | | | (.00) | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | (.00) | | | $ | (.00) | |
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) per applicable to common shares | | $ | (.00) | | | $ | (.00) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Diluted net income (loss) per common share, pro-forma: | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | (.00) | | | | (.00) | |
I Income (loss) from discontinued operations | | $ | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (.00) | | | $ | (.00) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding | | | 585,208,431 | | | | 512,405,123 | |
The Company’s purchase price allocation is preliminary and contingent upon the audit of the acquisitions. The audit will impact the final purchase price allocation and on post-acquisition operating results.
Pro-forma Business Segment and Geographic Area Information
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 ("SFAS 131"), "Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" requires use of the "management approach" model for segment reporting. The management approach model is based on the way a company's management organizes segments within the company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure, or any other manner in which management disaggregates a company.
The Company’s management evaluates performance based on a number of factors; however, the primary measures of performance are the net sales and income or loss from operations of each segment, as these are the key performance indicators reviewed by management. Operating income or loss for each segment does not include corporate general and administrative expenses, interest expense and other miscellaneous income/expense items. Corporate general and administrative expenses include, but are not limited to: human resources, legal, finance, information technology, accounting and finance, executive compensation and various other corporate
F-6
level activity related expenses. Such unallocated expenses remain within corporate. The accounting policies of all operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.
As a result of the deposits made for the acquisitions of Syrei AB and Lime Truck, the Company will report the following segments for the next period: U.S. Mobile Advertising and International Consulting. All of the Company’s sales fall into one of these segments. The Company believes this method of segment reporting reflects both the way its business segments are managed and the way each segment’s performance is evaluated. The U.S. Mobile Advertising segment includes the Company’s operations in the U.S. and consists of sales of advertising products and services. The International Consulting segment includes the Company’s consulting operations in countries around the world.
Ariel Way, Inc. and Subsidiaries – Pro-Forma Business Segment Geographic Area Information
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Nine months ended June 30, 2008 (Thousands) | Mobile Advertising | | | Int’l Consulting | | | Total | |
Revenue | $ | 667 | | | $ | 4,510 | | | $ | 5,177 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenue | | 185 | | | | 3,610 | | | | 3,795 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross Margin | | 482 | | | | 900 | | | | 1,382 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Allocation of selling, general and administrative, and research and development expense | | 403 | | | | 636 | | | | 1,039 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Allocation of interest income | | (0 | ) | | (0 | ) | | (0 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 403 | | | | 636 | | | | 1,039 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss), not including Ariel Way, Inc. other expense | | 79 | | | | 264 | | | | 343 | |
Net income (loss), other expense Ariel Way, Inc. only | | — | | | | — | | | | (1,269 | ) |
Net income (loss), all including Ariel Way, Inc. other expense | | | | | | | (921 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Three months ended June 30, 2008 (Thousands) | Truck Advertising | | | Int’l Consulting | | | Total | |
Revenue | $ | 173 | | | $ | 1,503 | | | $ | 1,676 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenue | | 25 | | | | 1,223 | | | | 1,248 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross Margin | | 148 | | | | 280 | | | | 428 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Allocation of selling, general and administrative | | 107 | | | | 277 | | | | 384 | |
Allocation of interest expense | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 107 | | | | 277 | | | | 384 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss), not including Ariel Way, Inc. other expense | | 41 | | | | 3 | | | | 44 | |
Net income (loss), other expense Ariel Way, Inc. only | | — | | | | — | | | | (1,158 | ) |
Net income (loss), all including Ariel Way, Inc. other expense | | | | | | | | | | (1,114 | ) |
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments and other short-term investments with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash or cash equivalents.
The Company does not maintain cash and cash equivalents with a financial institution that exceeds the limit of insurability under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company operation by Syrei is Sweden, currently has several major customers in Europe where the largest customer for the period ended June 30, 2008 approximately 30% of total sales.
F-7
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price to the customer is fixed, collectibility is reasonably assured and title and risk of ownership is passed to the customer, which is usually upon shipment or when services are delivered.
Currently, there are no service guarantees provided with the purchase of the Company’s products or services. In the future, when the company deems service guarantee reserves are appropriate that such costs will be accrued to reflect anticipated service guarantee costs.
Fixed Assets
Furniture and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The costs associated with normal maintenance, repair, and refurbishment of equipment are charged to expense as incurred. The capitalized cost of equipment under capital leases is amortized over the lesser of the lease term or the asset’s estimated useful life, and is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the costs and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is recognized as income for the period. The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to income as incurred; significant renewals and betterments are capitalized. Deductions are made for retirements resulting from renewals or betterments.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using straight-line over the following estimated useful lives of the assets:
| |
Computer equipment | 3 years |
Automobile | 5 years |
Equipment | 7 years |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company periodically evaluates whether current facts or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of its depreciable assets to be held and used may not be recoverable. If such circumstances are determined to exist, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows produced by the long-lived asset, or the appropriate grouping of assets, is compared to the carrying value to determine whether impairment exists. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured based on the difference between the asset’s fair value and its carrying value. An estimate of the asset’s fair value is based on quoted market prices in active markets, if available. If quoted market prices are not available, the estimate of fair value is based on various valuation techniques, including a discounted value of estimated future cash flows. The Company reports an asset to be disposed of at the lower of its carrying value or its estimated net realizable value.
Asset Impairment
Under SFAS 121 the Company needs to measure the impairment loss by the difference between the fair value of the assets and its carry value. The Company performs an impairment test on an asset group to be discontinued, or otherwise disposed of when management has committed to the action and the action is expected to be completed within one year. We estimate fair value to approximate the expected proceeds to be received, less transaction costs and compare it to the carrying value of the asset group. An impairment charge is recognized when the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair market value. When the estimated fair market value exceeds the carrying value of the asset group, gain is recognized upon disposal.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
In June 2001, the FASB issued Statement No. 142, “ Goodwill and Other Intangible Asset. ” This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets and supersedes APB Opinion No. 17, Intangible Assets. It addresses how intangible assets that are acquired individually or with a group of other assets (but not those acquired in a business combination) should be accounted for in financial statements upon their acquisition. This Statement also addresses how goodwill and other intangible assets should be accounted for after they have been initially recognized in the financial statements.
F-8
Income Taxes
The Company has adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The Statement requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting of income taxes, and the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the financial reporting bases and tax bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management 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. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" ("SFAS No. 157"), which clarifies the definition of fair value whenever another standard requires or permits assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. Specifically, the standard clarifies that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. SFAS No. 157 does not expand the use of fair value to any new circumstances, and must be applied on a prospective basis except in certain cases. The standard also requires expanded financial statement disclosures about fair value measurements, including disclosure of the methods used and the effect on earnings.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, "Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements: an amendment of ARB No. 51" ("SFAS No. 160"). SFAS No. 160 replaces the term minority interests with the newly-defined term of non-controlling interests and establishes this line item as an element of stockholders’ equity, separate from the parent’s equity. SFAS No. 160 also includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of the parent and its non-controlling interest. The Company is continuing to review the provisions of SFAS No. 160, which is effective the first quarter of fiscal 2010, and currently does not expect this new accounting standard to have a significant impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In February 2008, FASB Staff Position ("FSP") FAS No. 157-2, "Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157" ("FSP No. 157-2") was issued. FSP No. 157-2 defers the effective date of SFAS No. 157 to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years, for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). Examples of items within the scope of FSP No. 157-2 are nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities initially measured at fair value in a business combination (but not measured at fair value in subsequent periods), and long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment and intangible assets measured at fair value for an impairment assessment under SFAS No. 144.
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115" ("SFAS No. 159"). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value, which are not otherwise currently required to be measured at fair value. Under SFAS No. 159, the decision to measure items at fair value is made at specified election dates on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable. Entities electing the fair value option are required to recognize changes in fair value in earnings and to expense upfront costs and fees associated with the item for which the fair value option is elected. The new standard did not impact the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as the Company did not elect the fair value option for any instruments existing as of t he adoption date. However, the Company will evaluate the fair value measurement election with respect to financial instruments the Company enters into in the future.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities: an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133" ("SFAS No. 161"). SFAS No. 161 changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Company is reviewing the provisions of SFAS No. 161, which is effective the first quarter of fiscal 2010, and currently does not anticipate that this new accounting standard will have a significant impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, "The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" (SFAS No. 162). SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting principles used in the preparation of financial statements. SFAS No. 162 is effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, "The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles". The implementation of this standard will not have a material impact on Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and deferred revenue approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments.
Marketing and Advertising Costs
The Company expenses the costs associated with marketing and advertising as incurred. Marketing, advertising and promotional expenses were approximately $7,165 and $0 for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Accounts Receivable
The Company conducts business and extends credit based on an evaluation of the customers’ financial condition, generally without requiring collateral. Exposure to losses on receivables is expected to vary by customer due to the financial condition of each customer. The Company monitors exposure to credit losses and maintains allowances for anticipated losses considered necessary under the circumstances.
Accounts receivable are generally due within 30 days and collateral is not required. The Company has made no allowance for doubtful accounts as of June 30, 2008.
Policy for Charging Bad Debt
The allowance for doubtful accounts is our estimate of the credit losses related to impaired receivables at the date of the financial statements. This allowance is based on factors including the credit quality of our customers and general economic measures. Additions to the allowance for doubtful accounts are made by recording charges to the bad debt expense account on our statement of income. Accounts receivable balances are charged to the allowance for doubtful accounts when an account is deemed to be uncollectible, taking into consideration the financial condition of the borrower, and other factors. Recoveries on accounts receivable balances previously charged off as uncollectible are credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts.
Stock-Based Compensation
Prior to the January 1, 2006 adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement No. 123(R), "Share-Based Payment" ("SFAS 123R"), the Company accounted for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations. As permitted by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123"), stock-based compensation was included as a pro forma disclosure.
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123R, using the modified-prospective transition method. Under this transition method, stock-based compensation expense is recognized in the consolidated financial statements for granted, modified, or settled stock options. Compensation expense recognized included the estimated expense for stock options granted on and subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R, and the estimated expense for the portion vesting in the period for options granted prior to, but not vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123. Results for prior periods have not been restated, as provided for under the modified-prospective method.
The Company measures compensation expense for its non-employee stock-based compensation under the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling Goods or Services”. The fair value of the option issued is used to measure the transaction, as this is more reliable than the fair value of the services received. The fair value is measured at the value of the Company’s common stock on the date that the commitment for performance by the counterparty has been reached or the counterparty’s performance is complete. The fair value of the equity instrument is charged directly to compensation expense and additional paid-in capital.
For the three month period ended June 30, 2008 there were no stock options and warrants that were issued or that vested and no compensation costs were recorded related to issuance of or vested stock options and warrants.
Loss Per Share of Common Stock
Historical net income (loss) per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) include additional dilution from common stock equivalents, such as stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options and warrants. Common stock equivalents were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share when the Company reported a loss because to do so would be antidilutive for periods presented.
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The following is a reconciliation of the computation for basic and diluted EPS for the nine month period ending June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively:
| | | | | |
| June 30 |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 |
Net Income (Loss) | $ | (1,579,346) | | $ | 591,333 |
| | | | | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding basic and diluted | | 512,905,123 | | | 50,559,604 |
Options and warrants outstanding to purchase stock were not included in the computation of diluted EPS for June 30, 2008 and 2007 because inclusion would have been antidilutive.
Currency Risk and Foreign Currency Translation
The Company transacts business in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar, primarily the Swedish Krona and the Euro Dollar. All currency transactions are undertaken in the spot foreign exchange market and the Company does not use currency forward contracts, currency options, currency borrowings interest rate swaps or any other derivative hedging strategy at this point in time. Foreign currency translation losses were immaterial during the nine-month period ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
NOTE 3- PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment at June 30, 2008 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | June 30, 2008 | | | Sept. 30, 2007 | |
Equipment | | $ | 13,350 | | | $ | 65,823 | |
Computers | | | 59,824 | | | | 8,116 | |
Furniture | | | 4,042 | | | | - | |
Less: accumulated depreciation | | | (75,890 | ) | | | (69,925 | ) |
Net equipment | | $ | 1,326 | | | $ | 4,014 | |
Depreciation expense for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was $2,688 and $1,344, respectively.
NOTE 4- PROMISSORY NOTES
The Company on February 2, 2005, borrowed $400,000 from Yorkville Advisors whereas the Company received the $400,000, with a promise to pay to Yorkville Advisors principal sum of $400,000 together with interest on the unpaid principal at the rate of 12% per annum and was due and payable on May 31, 2005 with an extension to February 28, 2006 and was secured by the Company’s stock. The $400,000 loan was on February 28, 2006 converted pursuant to an Investment Agreement by and between the Company and Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery Equity together with certain other outstanding indebtedness held by such parties into an aggregate of one hundred sixty (160) Series A Preferred Shares.
The Company on July 28, 2005, borrowed $600,000 from Montgomery Equity whereas the Company received the $600,000, with a promise to pay to Montgomery Equity the principal sum of $600,000 together with interest on the unpaid principal at the rate of 12% per annum and was due and payable on February 28, 2006 and was secured by the Company’s stock. The $600,000 loan was on February 28, 2006 converted pursuant to an Investment Agreement by and between the Company and Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery Equity together with certain other outstanding indebtedness held by such parties into an aggregate of one hundred sixty (160) Series A Preferred Shares. In May 2005 the Company executed a promissory note in favor of a shareholder in the amount of $70,000 with interest at rate of 12% per annum and due on May 17, 2006. The loan was not paid when due and was in default. The Company has received a waiver from the shareholder regarding th e interest rate of the loan. As of November 21, 2007, the balance due under the note was $70,786 consisting of principal and unpaid interest. On November 21, 2007, this Note was converted into 88,483,404 shares of the Company’s common stock.
In September, 2005 the Company executed a promissory note in favor of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer in the amount of $42,450 with 5% interest due and payable monthly in arrears, commencing on September 26, 2006 and shall continue on the first day of each calendar month thereafter that any amounts under this Debenture are due and payable. Principal shall be due and payable in 6 equal installments of $7,041.74 each. The installments of principal shall be due and payable commencing on October 1, 2006 and subsequent installments shall be due and payable on the first day of each calendar month thereafter until the outstanding principal balance is paid in full. The loan was not paid when due and was in default. The balance of the note as of November 21, 2007 was $10,863 consisting of principal and unpaid interest. On November 21, 2007, this Note was converted into 13,579,611 shares of the Company’s common stock. In December, 200 7 the Company executed a new promissory note in favor of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer in the amount of $3,137 with 12% interest due and payable on December 21, 2008.
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On June 13, 2007, the Company borrowed $57,000 from Yorkville Advisors pursuant to the terms of a promissory note bearing interest on the unpaid principal at the rate of 11% per annum and is due and payable on June 13, 2008. The due date was on August 18, 2008 extended to December 13, 2008. Proceeds from the note were used to pay in full the settlement payment to Loral Skynet pursuant to the Settlement Agreement and General Release, dated June 1, 2007.
On August 9, 2007, the Company borrowed $15,000 from Yorkville Advisors pursuant to a promissory note bearing interest on the unpaid principal at the rate of 11% per annum and due on August 9, 2008. The due date was on August 18, 2008 extended to December 13, 2008.
On December 21, 2007, the Company borrowed $35,000 from Eva Dunhem, the spouse of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to the terms of a promissory note which bears interest on the unpaid principal at the rate of 12% per annum and is due on December 24, 2008.
On January 31, 2008, the Company executed as part of the deposit made for the acquisition of Syrei and as monetary consideration for the acquisition, two promissory notes in favor of Syrei Limited, a Bahamas registered shareholder that held 100% ownership of Syrei prior to the deposit made for the acquisition, each in the amount of $2,000,000, each with interest at 8% due no later than July 1, 2008, but subsequently extended to October 17, 2008 and January 31, 2009 respectively. The promissory note due no later than October 17, 2008 is secured by the entire issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Syrei Holding UK Limited that is the holder of Syrei AB. We have included unaudited condensed financial statements for Ariel Way, Inc. and Ariel Way Media, Inc. and do not include the condensed consolidated financial statements for the operation of Syrei and Lime Truck. These condensed financial statements do not include the two promissory notes of $2,000,000 due on October 17, 2008 and $2,000,000 due on January 31, 2009.
On April 30, 2008, the Company executed as part of the deposit made for the acquisition of Lime Truck and as monetary consideration for the acquisition, two promissory notes in favor of individual shareholders of Lime Media Group, Inc., the sellers of Lime Truck, that held 100% ownership of Lime Truck prior to the deposit made for the acquisition, in the amount of $972,500, with interest at 8% initially due no later than June 30, 2008, but subsequently extended to September 30, 2008, and in the amount of $640,000, with interest at 8% due no later than June 30, 2009. The promissory notes due no later than September 30, 2008 are secured by the entire issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Lime Truck. As stated in Note 1, this Form 10-QSB includes unaudited condensed financial statements for Ariel Way, Inc. and Ariel Way Media, Inc. and do not include the condensed consolidated financial statements for Syrei and Lime Truck. These condensed financi al statements do not include the two promissory notes payable to the individual shareholders of Lime Media Group, Inc.
NOTE 5- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Operating Lease
The Company has maintained an office in Vienna, and McLean, Virginia, under a month to month lease obligation basis as a sub-lease. The Company is seeking an alternative location, since the lease for the sub-lessor has expired. The Company’s subsidiary Syrei AB has maintained an office in Stockholm, Sweden under a month to month lease obligation. The Company’s subsidiary Lime Truck, Inc. maintains an office in Rowlett, TX under a lease that expires October 31, 2008 with an option for a three year extension.
Contingencies
At June 30, 2008, there were no guarantees issued and outstanding.
Syrei Acquisition
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement with Syrei Limited, the Sellers of Syrei, in the event either (a) the Company fails to satisfy material conditions to the Second Closing, including payment of the principal amount and interest due under the Acquisition Promissory Notes, or (b) YA Global Investments, LP, and/or Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., in one or a series of transactions convert the shares of our Series A Preferred Shares that they own so that, following such transactions, they beneficially own in the aggregate and collectively 15% or more of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, Syrei Limited, will have the option, to purchase all of the shares of Syrei’s issued and outstanding common stock for nominal consideration (the “Repurchase Option”). The Company has an extension agreement until October 17, 2008 for promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000 (the “Acquisition Pro missory Notes”).
Lime Truck Acquisition
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement with the Sellers of Lime Truck, in the event either (a) the Company fails to satisfy material conditions to the Second Closing, including payment of the principal amount and interest due under the Acquisition Promissory Notes, or (b) YA Global Investments, LP, and/or Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., in one or a series of transactions convert the shares of our Series A Preferred Shares that they own so that, following such transactions, they beneficially own in the aggregate and collectively 15% or more of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, the Lime Media Members, the
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Sellers of Lime Truck, will have the option, jointly and not severally, to purchase all of the shares of LTAC’s issued and outstanding common stock for nominal consideration (the “Repurchase Option”). The Company has an extension agreement until September 30, 2008 for promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $792,500 (the “Acquisition Promissory Notes”).
NOTE 6 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
All related party transactions are disclosed above in Note 4.
NOTE 7- STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Issuance of Warrant
On April 21, 2008, the Company executed a Forbearance Agreement (the “Agreement”) by and between Ariel Way, Inc. (the “Company”) and YA Global Investments, L.P. (formerly Cornell Capital Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“YA Global”) or Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted Company and wholly owned subsidiary of YA Global (“Montgomery” and together with YA Global, the “Investor”). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company was, among others, obligated to issue to YA Global a warrant to purchase an aggregate of 500,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $.001 per share for a period of five years from the date of issuance. The warrant may not be exercised for shares of common stock if, upon giving effect to such exercise, such exercise would cause the holder and its affiliates to own beneficially in excess of 4.99% of the outstandin g shares of the Company’s common stock, except that such restriction may be waived upon 65 days prior notice to the Company. The warrant contains a cashless exercise provision, certain anti-dilution provisions, including a price antidilution provision, a piggy back registration right, and other customary provisions.
As a result of the issuance of the warrant, the Company recorded $1,101,088 as thebeneficial conversion expense for the issuance. The beneficial conversion expense for the issuance of the warrant was derived based on a Black Sholes calculation.
Preferred Stock
The Company has 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, authorized of which 165 have been designated as shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Shares”) pursuant to a Certificate of Designation filed with the Florida Secretary of State on March 6, 2006. On February 28, 2006, pursuant to an Investment Agreement among the Company, Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery Equity (Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery Equity, collectively, the “Buyers”), the Company sold and issued to the Buyers an aggregate of one hundred sixty (160) Series A Preferred Shares for a consideration consisting solely of the surrender of the Prior Securities. As of June 30, 2008, 125.75 Series A Preferred Shares were issued and outstanding.
The Holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive dividends or distributions on a pro rata basis according to their holdings of shares of Series A Preferred Shares when and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Company in the amount of five (5.0%) percent per year. Dividends shall be paid in cash. Dividends shall be cumulative. No cash dividends or distributions shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment on the Common Stock in any calendar year unless cash dividends or distributions on the Series A Preferred Stock for such calendar year are likewise declared and paid or set apart for payment. No declared and unpaid dividends shall bear or accrue interest.
Upon any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary (collectively, a “Liquidation”), before any distribution or payment shall be made to any of the holders of Common Stock or any series of Preferred Shares, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Company, whether such assets are capital, surplus or earnings, an amount equal to $10,031 per share of Series A Preferred Shares (the “Liquidation Amount”) plus all declared and unpaid dividends thereon, for each share of Series A Preferred Shares held by them.
If, upon any Liquidation, the assets of the Company shall be insufficient to pay the Liquidation Amount, together with declared and unpaid dividends thereon, in full to all holders of Series A Preferred Shares, then the entire net assets of the Corporation shall be distributed among the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares, ratably in proportion to the full amounts to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled and such distributions may be made in cash or in property taken at its fair value (as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors), or both, at the election of the Company’s Board of Directors.
The Series A Preferred Shares shall have registration rights pursuant to a certain Investor’s Registration Rights Agreement dated the February 28, 2006.
In lieu of payment on the Maturity Date as outlined herein the Holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall have sole right and in their discretion to elect conversion pursuant to the conversion rights, at any time and from time to time at their sole discretion, as follow (the "Conversion Rights"):
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Each share of Series A Preferred Shares shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time after the date of issuance of such share, at the office of the Company’s transfer agent, pursuant to the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions dated the date hereof, for the Series A Preferred Stock into such number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of the Liquidation Amount divided by the Conversion Price. The Conversion Price shall be equal to, the lesser of at the option of the Buyers either: i) Ten Cents ($0.10) or ii) ninety five percent (95%) of the lowest volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for the twenty (20) trading days immediately preceding the date of conversion, as quoted Bloomberg LP.
At the Option of the Holders, if there are outstanding Series A Preferred Shares on February 28, 2008, each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall convert into shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Price then in effect on February 28, 2008. As of August 14, 2008, the Holder has not exercised or provided a notice of its intent to exercise the option.
Each share of Series A Preferred Shares automatically shall convert into shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Price then in effect immediately upon the consummation of the occurrence of a stock acquisition, merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company into or with another entity through one or a series of related transactions, or the sale, transfer or lease (but not including a transfer by pledge or mortgage to a bona fide lender) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
The Conversion Price of the Series A Preferred Shares as described above shall be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Ariel Way Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. No holder of the shares of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to convert the Series A Preferred Shares to the extent, but only to the extent, that such conversion would, upon giving effect to such conversion, cause the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such holder to exceed 4.99% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock following such conversion (which provision may be waived by such Holder by written notice from such holder to the Company, which notice shall be effective sixty one (61) days after the date of such notice).
The Investment Agreement contains certain negative covenants and other agreements of the parties. We are prohibited from merging or consolidating with any person or entity or selling, leasing or disposing of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business involving aggregate consideration of less than 10% of the book value of our or any target’s assets on a consolidated basis in any 12 month period, or liquidating, dissolving, recapitalizing or reorganizing. We may not incur indebtedness or become contingently liable for such indebtedness except for trade payables or purchase money obligations in the ordinary course of business. Also, the Investment Agreement contains restrictions on our ability to issue or sell common stock, preferred stock, warrants, options, or similar securities, or on our ability to enter into security instruments granting the holder a security interest in assets of the company or any subsidiary, or filing a Form S-8 registration statement. We may be deemed to be in default under certain of these provisions or agreements.
On February 28, 2006, the Company pursuant to an Investment Agreement by and between Ariel Way, Inc. and Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery Equity (collectively referred to as the “Buyers”), Ariel Way sold and issued to the Buyers 160 Series A Preferred Shares for a consideration consisting solely of the surrender of certain Prior Securities.
On April 21, 2008, the Company executed a Forbearance Agreement (the “Agreement”) by and between Ariel Way, Inc. (the “Company”) and YA Global Investments, L.P. (formerly Cornell Capital Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“YA Global”) or Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted Company and wholly owned subsidiary of YA Global (“Montgomery” and together with YA Global, the “Investor”). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company is among others, obligated to amend (the “Amendment”) the Company’s Articles of Incorporation related to its Series A Convertible Preferred Shares (“Preferred Stock”) as follows:
a.
Holders of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive dividends or distributions on a pro rata basis according to their holdings of shares of Preferred Stock when and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors at an annual rate of eighteen percent (18%) effective as of the date hereof; and
b.
the Conversion Price as set forth in the Preferred Stock shall be equal to the lesser of (a)Ten Cents ($0.10), or (b) seventy-five percent (75%) of the lowest volume weighted average price of the Common Stock as quoted by Bloomberg, LP during the twenty (20) trading days immediately preceding the date of conversion.
The Agreement identifies the following as events of default under the provisions of the Series A Preferred Shares: (i) the Company’s inability to reserve and keep available out its authorized but unissued shares of common stock a number of shares sufficient to effect the conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares and (ii) the Company’s inability to call and hold a special meeting of its stockholders within 30 days of the time that it no longer had a number of shares sufficient to effect conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares, for purposes of increasing the number of shares of common stock. The Agreement provides that the Investor will forbear from exercising its rights under the Investment Agreement and related transaction documents relating to such events of default until September 6, 2008, so long as the Company strictly complies with the terms of the Agreement and there is no occurrence or existence of any other eve nt of default other than the existing defaults. The Agreement also provides for the amendment to common stock purchase warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of common stock that were issued on February 28, 2006, to reduce the exercise price of such warrants from $0.010 per share to $.001 per share. Also pursuant to the Agreement, the Company agreed to issue to YA Global a
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warrant to purchase an aggregate of 500,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $.001 per share for a period of five years from the date of issuance. The warrant may not be exercised for shares of common stock if, upon giving effect to such exercise, such exercise would cause the holder and its affiliates to own beneficially in excess of 4.99% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, except that such restriction may be waived upon 65 days prior notice to the Company. The warrant contains a cashless exercise provision, certain anti-dilution provisions, including a price anti-dilution provision, a piggy back registration right, and other customary provisions.
On June 20, 2008, Ariel Way, Inc. (the “Company”), amended and restated (the “Amendment”) its Certificate of Designation (the “Certificate of Designation”) for the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”). The Amendment was filed on June 13, 2008, and was accepted for filing by the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State on June 20, 2008. The Amendment was made pursuant to the terms of a Forbearance Agreement, dated April 21, 2008, among the Company, YA Global Investments, L.P. (formerly Cornell Capital Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“YA Global”)), and Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of YA Global.
The Amendment effected the following changes to the designations and preferences of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock:
1.
Increased the amount of dividends or distributions that holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive pro rata on their shares when and if declared by the board of directors from 5% to 18% per year of the liquidation amount. The Amendment now provides that such dividends or distribution shall be paid quarterly on the first day of March, June, September and December of each year, and that such dividends shall begin to accrue and shall be cumulative as of May 31, 2008. Further, the Amendment provides that accrued but unpaid dividends may be paid, at the option of the holder of the Series A Preferred Stock, in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock. Prior to the Amendment, the Certificate of Designation provided that such dividends and distributions were payable in cash.
2.
Reduced the price at which shares of Series A Preferred Stock are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock to a price that shall equal the lesser of $0.10 or 75% of the lowest volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock for the 20 trading days immediately preceding the date of conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, as quoted by Bloomberg, L.P. (“VWAP”). Prior to the Amendment, the Certificate of Designation provided that the conversion price was equal to the lesser of $0.10 or 95% of the VWAP of the common stock for the 20 trading days immediately preceding the date of conversion, as quoted by Bloomberg, L.P.
Common Stock
As of June 30, 2008, the Company had 1,995,000,000 shares of common stock authorized at $0.001 par value per share, and 594,066,669 issued and outstanding.
On February 28, 2008, Arne Dunhem, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company cancelled an aggregate 75,000,000 shares of his personal shares of common stock of the Company in order to facilitate an acquisition transaction with Syrei Holding UK Limited (“Syrei”). Pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, the Company will issue the same number of shares of common stock to Mr. Dunhem as soon as an increase of the authorized number of shares has become effective.
On February 28, 2008, we issued to Syrei Limited, the selling Stockholder in connection with the deposit made for the acquisition of Syrei, an aggregate of 75,000,000 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock.
On April 10, 2008 we mailed to our stockholders an Information Statement to inform the holders of record of shares of our common stock as of the close of business on the record date,March 17, 2008, that our Board of Directors had recommended, and that the holders of a majority of our common stock, as of such record date, had approved, by written consent in lieu of a special meeting of stockholders dated March 17, 2008, amending our Articles of Incorporation to increase the total number of authorized shares of our capital stock from 600,000,000 shares, consisting of 595,000,000 shares of our common stock and 5,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock, to 2,000,000,000 shares, consisting of 1,995,000,000 shares of our common stock and 5,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock.
On May 6, 2008, we filed with the Secretary of State of State of Florida, Articles of Amendment of our Articles of Incorporation, amending our Articles of Incorporation to increase the total number of authorized shares of our capital stock from 600,000,000 shares, consisting of 595,000,000 shares of our common stock and 5,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock, to 2,000,000,000 shares, consisting of 1,995,000,000 shares of our common stock and 5,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock. The amendment became effective on May 16, 2008.
On April 10, 2008, the Company received a conversion notice from YA Global requesting the conversion of 8 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, or the sum of $80,248.32, representing the conversion under the terms of the Certificate of Designation dated February 28, 2006, into 25,077,600 shares of its restricted common stock at a conversion price of $0.0032 per share.
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On April 18, 2008, the Company received a conversion notice from YA Global requesting the conversion of 7 1/2 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, or the sum of $75,232.80, representing the conversion under the terms of the Certificate of Designation dated February 28, 2006, into 25,077,600 shares of its restricted common stock at a conversion price of $0.003 per share.
On April 10, 2008, Arne Dunhem, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company cancelled an aggregate 65,000,000 shares of his personal shares of common stock of the Company pursuant to a demand from YA Global Investments, LP (“YA Global”, f/k/a Cornell Capital Partners, LLP). Pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, the Company will issue the same number of shares of common stock to Mr. Dunhem as soon as an increase of the authorized number of shares has become effective.
On April 21, 2008, the Company executed a Forbearance Agreement (the “Agreement”) by and between Ariel Way, Inc. (the “Company”) and YA Global Investments, L.P. (formerly Cornell Capital Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“YA Global”) and Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted Company and wholly owned subsidiary of YA Global (“Montgomery” and together with YA Global, the “Investor”). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company was among others obligated to:
(a)
The Company shall issue to YA Global a Warrant to purchase 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an
exercise price of $0.001 per share for a period of five years from the issuance date.
(b)
The Company shall amend the Company’s Articles of Incorporation related to its Series A Convertible Preferred Shares so
that: (i) Holders of Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive dividends or distributions on a pro rata basis according to their holdings of shares of Preferred Stock when and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors at an annual rate of eighteen percent (18%) effective as of the date hereof; and (ii) the conversion price as set forth in the Preferred Stock shall be equal to the lesser of (a)Ten Cents ($0.10), or (b) a seventy-five percent (75%) of the lowest volume weighted average price of the Common Stock as quoted by Bloomberg, LP during the twenty (20) trading days immediately preceding the date of conversion. Also, the Company is required to reduce the exercise price of an outstanding warrant to purchase 1,000,000 held by the investor to an exercise price of $.001 per share.
The Agreement identifies the following as events of default under the provisions of the Series A Preferred Shares: (i) the Company’s inability to reserve and keep available out its authorized but unissued shares of common stock a number of shares sufficient to effect the conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares and (ii) the Company’s failure to call and hold a special meeting of its stockholders within 30 days of the time that it no longer had a number of shares sufficient to effect conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares, for purposes of increasing the number of shares of common stock. The Agreement provides that the Investor will forbear from exercising its rights under the Investment Agreement and related transaction documents relating to such events of default until September 6, 2008, so long as the Company strictly complies with the terms of the Agreement and there is no occurrence or existence of any other event of de fault other than the existing defaults. The Agreement also provides for the amendment to common stock purchase warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of common stock that were issued on February 28, 2006, to reduce the exercise price of such warrants from $0.010 per share to $.001 per share. Also pursuant to the Agreement, the Company agreed to issue to YA Global a warrant to purchase an aggregate of 500,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $.001 per share for a period of five years from the date of issuance. The warrant may not be exercised for shares of common stock if, upon giving effect to such exercise, such exercise would cause the holder and its affiliates to own beneficially in excess of 4.99% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, except that such restriction may be waived upon 65 days prior notice to the Company. The warrant contains a cashless exercise provision, certain anti-dilution provisions, including a price anti-dilution provision, a piggy back r egistration right, and other customary provisions.
On May 2, 2008, the Company received a conversion notice from YA Global requesting the conversion of 1 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, or the sum of $10,031.04, representing the conversion under the terms of the Certificate of Designation dated February 28, 2006, into 4,012,416 shares of its restricted common stock at a conversion price of $0.0025 per share.
NOTE 7- LITIGATION/ LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
NOTE 8- PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
Income taxes are provided for the tax effects of transactions reported in the financial statements and consist of taxes currently due. Deferred taxes related to differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial and income tax reporting will either be taxable or deductible when the assets or liabilities are recovered or settled. The difference between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial and income tax reporting are not material therefore, the provision for income taxes from operations consist of income taxes currently payable.
There was no provision for income taxes for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2008.
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Due to substantial financial constraints, the Company has not completed the filing of its corporate income tax returns for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005. The Company intends to complete the filing of these returns upon receipt of funding. Management believes there is no tax liability due to the losses incurred for the period of non-filing.
At June 30, 2008, deferred tax assets approximated the following:
| | | | |
Deferred tax assets | | $ | 2,698,752 | |
Valuation for deferred asset | | | (2,698,752 | ) |
Net deferred tax assets | | $ | - | |
At June 30, 2008, the Company had an accumulated deficit of approximately ($6,746,881), available to offset future taxable income through 2028. The Company established a valuation allowance equal to the full amount of the deferred tax asset due to the uncertainty of the utilization of the operating losses in the future period.
NOTE 9- GOING CONCERN
The Company and its Subsidiaries’ consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that it will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of asset values and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm’s reports on the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the years ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, contained an explanatory paragraph wherein they expressed an opinion that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Accordingly, careful consideration of such opinions should be given in determining whether to continue or become a stockholder of the Company. Further, certain conditions indicate that the Company may be unable to continue as a going concern:
The Company reported for the three month period ended June 30, 2008 net loss of ($1,328,898) and net income of $886,583 for the three month period ended June 30, 2007, respectively. The Company reported for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2008 net loss of ($1,579,346) and net income of $591,333 for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2007, respectively. The main reason for the significant loss for the nine month period and the three month period ended June 30, 2008 is the issuance on April 21, 2008 of 500,000,000 warrants of the Company’s common stock to YA Global Investments, L.P. (formerly Cornell Capital Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“YA Global”) and the recording of $1,101,088 as an expense for the issuance. The expense for the issuance of the warrants was derived based on a Black Sholes calculation.
Net cash used in the Company's operating activities was ($44,611) and net cash used was ($116,341) for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
At June 30, 2008, stockholder's deficit was ($1,129,462) compared with a stockholder's deficit of ($2,561,387) at June 30, 2007 and included an accumulated deficit at June 30, 2008 of ($6,746,831) compared with an accumulated deficit of ($5,175,673) at June 30, 2007.
At June 30, 2008 there was working capital deficit of ($1,280,788) compared with a working capital deficit of ($2,565,402) at June 30, 2007. Not considering the acquisition considerations, the Company has significantly reduced the working capital deficit. However, the Company will be unable to satisfy its current debt obligations related to current acquisitions, unless additional financing is obtained. The Company intends to actively attempt to improve the deficit.
Unless the Company can acquire profitable operations that can provide adequate cash flow, it will require additional funding to cover any negative cash flows until end fiscal year 2008.
The Company's ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Company acquiring profitable operations with revenues and gross profit margins to cover cost of services and other operating expenses, generating positive cash flows from operations, obtaining debt or equity capital to fund any negative operating cash flows and returning the Company to profitable operations. In this connection, the Company has adopted the following operating and management plans to in order to provide positive cash flow from operations:
·
Raise additional capital.
·
Expand operation and revenue base through an aggressive acquisition program of profitable companies with operation and services with synergy to its current operation.
·
Continue to develop and expand its digital signage business through targeted marketing initiatives in both the US and Europe.
·
Continue overall cost and expense control and adoption of efficient service and equipment roll-out approaches resulting in adequate gross profits and reduced operating expenses.
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·
Develop strategic partnerships with major companies in the area of multimedia services supporting the Company’s strategy. This strategic initiative is believed to provide supporting revenues and result in reduced operating expenses
·
strategic partnerships with major companies providing content and advertising services for the Company’s digital signage operation roll-out.
·
Negotiate with creditors to convert current debt to equity to further improve the Company’s working capital deficit.
Although the results of these actions cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that if the Company can acquire new profitable operations with adequate revenues and to continue to increase its revenues and gross profit margins, reduce expenses, and can obtain additional debt or equity financing to fund any negative cash flow from operations in 2008, the Company has the ability ultimately to return to profitability.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement with Syrei Limited, the Sellers of Syrei, in the event either (a) the Company fails to satisfy material conditions to the Second Closing, including payment of the principal amount and interest due under the Acquisition Promissory Notes, or (b) YA Global Investments, LP, and/or Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., in one or a series of transactions convert the shares of our Series A Preferred Shares that they own so that, following such transactions, they beneficially own in the aggregate and collectively 15% or more of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, Syrei Limited, will have the option, to purchase all of the shares of Syrei’s issued and outstanding common stock for nominal consideration (the “Repurchase Option”). The Company has an extension agreement until October 17, 2008 for promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000 (the “Acquisition Promisso ry Notes”).
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement with the Sellers of Lime Truck, in the event either (a) the Company fails to satisfy material conditions to the Second Closing, including payment of the principal amount and interest due under the Acquisition Promissory Notes, or (b) YA Global Investments, LP, and/or Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., in one or a series of transactions convert the shares of our Series A Preferred Shares that they own so that, following such transactions, they beneficially own in the aggregate and collectively 15% or more of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, the Lime Media Members, the Sellers of Lime Truck, will have the option, jointly and not severally, to purchase all of the shares of LTAC’s issued and outstanding common stock for nominal consideration (the “Repurchase Option”). The Company has an extension agreement until September 30, 2008 for promissory notes in the aggregate principa l amount of $792,500 (the “Acquisition Promissory Notes”).
If we are unable to satisfy the conditions in the merger agreements with either or both of Syrei Limited, the Sellers of Syrei, and the Sellers of Lime Truck, including not being able to pay timely the outstanding promissory notes, this could cause us to be forced to sell the companies back to the sellers of Syrei or Lime Truck.
We have been and are still actively engaged in discussions with potential investors for potential funding of the payments for both Syrei and Lime Truck. However, we are uncertain whether we will be successful or not.
NOTE 10 – ACQUISITIONS
For the reasons stated in Note 1, this Form 10-QSB is unaudited condensed financial statements for Ariel Way, Inc. and Ariel Way Media, Inc., and do not include the condensed consolidated financial statements for Syrei and Lime Truck. However, the footnotes include unaudited pro forma information that include subsidiaries Syrei AB and Lime Truck as if the acquisitions had occurred on October 1, 2007.
Acquisition of Lime Media, LLC
On April 30, 2008, the Company, made deposits for the acquisition of Lime Media, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Lime Media”). The Merger was effected pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 30, 2008 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Lime Truck Acquisition Corporation (LTAC), a newly-formed and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Lime Media, Melody Mayer, Heath Hill, Charles Warren (Melody Mayer, Heath Hill and Charles Warren, collectively, the “Lime Media Members”) and Lime Truck, Inc., a Texas corporation. The deposit for the acquisition was effected by means of the merger of Lime Media with and into LTAC, so that following the merger LTAC is the surviving corporation in the merger (the “Merger”). The Merger was effected contemporaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement and certain related agreements, and became effective May 2, 2008.
Lime Media provides mobile advertising solutions to its clients and provides its services in approximately 40 locations nationwide. Lime Media’s principal offices are located in Dallas, Texas.
Upon signing of the Merger Agreement and as consideration therefor, the Company issued to the Lime Media Members an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of common stock. In addition, the Company paid or issued to the Lime Media Members for the deposit for the acquisition of Lime Media the following consideration: (a) an aggregate of 17,000,000 shares of our common stock, (b) promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $792,500 (the “Acquisition Promissory Notes”), and (c) promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $640,000 (the “One Year Promissory Notes”).
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The notes bear interest at the rate of 8% per annum and may not be assigned or negotiated without our consent. The aggregate principal amount and accrued interest under the Acquisition Promissory Notes are due on the earlier of 45 days after the completion and delivery of audited financial statements with regard to the company or June 30, 2008 (the earlier of such dates, the “Second Closing,” the date of the Second Closing, the “Second Closing Date”) and subsequently extended to September 30, 2008. The aggregate principal amount and accrued interest under the One Year Promissory Notes are due June 30, 2009. The Acquisition Promissory Notes and One Year Promissory Notes are secured by all of the shares of outstanding common stock of LTAC pursuant to the terms of an Acquisition Pledge and Escrow Agreement and by certain assets of LTAC, including certain truck leases, pursuant to a Security Agreement among the parties.
The aggregate principal amount of the Acquisition Promissory Notes is subject to adjustment, as follows. For each dollar amount the liabilities as shown on the closing balance sheet for the company exceed $100,000, the aggregate principal amount of the Acquisition Promissory Notes shall be reduced by an equivalent amount. Also, if the year-end audited balance sheet for the company reveals liabilities greater than as shown on the closing balance sheet, the aggregate principal amount of the Acquisition Promissory Notes and the One Year Promissory Notes shall each be reduced $0.50 for each dollar amount such liabilities exceed the amount of such liabilities reflected on the closing balance sheet, except that no adjustment will be made until the amount of such difference exceeds $100,000. Further, the aggregate principal amount of the One Year Promissory Notes shall be adjusted in the event certain sales and performance targets are not met, so that, if the shortfa ll in gross revenue is $150,000 or greater compared to the revenue projections, the aggregate principal amount of the One Year Promissory Notes shall be reduced by an equivalent amount.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, in the event either (a) the Company fails to satisfy material conditions to the Second Closing, including payment of the principal amount and interest due under the Acquisition Promissory Notes, or (b) YA Global Investments, LP, and/or Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., in one or a series of transactions convert the shares of our Series A Preferred Shares that they own so that, following such transactions, they beneficially own in the aggregate and collectively 15% or more of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, the Lime Media Members will have the option, jointly and not severally, to purchase all of the shares of LTAC’s issued and outstanding common stock for nominal consideration (the “Repurchase Option”). The Lime Media Members are required to exercise their Repurchase Option within 15 days of the occurrence of an event set forth in the immediately preceding sentence . In the event the Lime Media Members exercise their Repurchase Option, they will have the right to retain (i) the 10,000,000 shares issued to them upon signing of the Merger Agreement and (ii) 5,000,000 of the shares of common stock issued to them as part of the stock consideration for the Merger. Upon the exercise of the Repurchase Option, the Company will have no further liability or obligation to the Lime Media Members or LTAC under the Merger Agreement or any other agreement among the parties.
At the Second Closing, the Lime Media Members are required to deposit in an escrow account an amount equal to one year’s payments with regard to the truck’s owned by LTAC and acquired in the Merger which deposit amount is to be used by LTAC to pay the monthly truck lease payments for a period of twelve months.
The Merger Agreement contains provisions prohibiting the Lime Media Members from competing with the business of LTAC for two years following closing and prohibiting solicitation of clients and customers of LTAC for a period of three years following closing. The Merger Agreement also contains certain representations and warranties of the parties and certain indemnification provisions.
Effective as of the closing date, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Melody Mayer. The employment agreement is for a term of six months and will automatically renew for successive additional one year periods unless 30 days prior to the expiration of any such term, the Company or Ms. Mayer elect not to renew the agreement. The agreement is terminable at will following the initial six month term, will automatically terminate upon the employee’s death or disability, or, during the initial six month term, for cause upon thirty days’ prior written notice. The Company has agreed to pay the employee a base salary of $8,500 per month and to provide a 50% bonus in the event certain performance criteria are met. Also, the employee may participate in the Company’s employee benefit and welfare plans and employee stock option plan.
Also effective as of the closing, the Company entered into an Advertising Placement Agreement with Lime Truck, Inc., a Texas corporation, Melody Mayer, Heath Hill and Charles Warren that grants LTAC the right of first refusal to service all truck related media advertisement projects procured by Lime Truck in an amount of revenue per project of not less than $4,500 per month.
In connection with the transaction and so that the Company would have sufficient shares for issuance in connection with the Merger, prior to the closing of the Merger, the Company entered into a Stock Cancellation Agreement with Mr. Arne Dunhem. Under the agreement, Mr. Dunhem cancelled 27,000,000 shares of common stock. The Company agreed to issue to Mr. Dunhem a like number of shares upon the Company’s effecting an increase in its authorized shares of common stock.
Effective May 2, 2008, LTAC changed its name to “Lime Truck, Inc.” Also, Lime Truck, Inc., a Texas corporation, has agreed to change its name to “Lime Media Group, Inc.”
F-19
Deposit Made for the Acquisition of Syrei Holding UK Limited
On February 20, 2008, the Company, completed the First Closing of Syrei Holding UK Limited, a UK corporation ("Syrei") pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Syrei, Syrei AB, a Swedish corporation anda wholly owned subsidiary to Syrei,Syrei Acquisition Ltd., a UK corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and Syrei Limited (the "Stockholder of Syrei"), pursuant to which, at the First Closing of the Merger, Syrei became a wholly owned UK subsidiary to the Company. The Merger Agreement was dated January 31, 2008 but was entered into by the Company on February 13, 2008.
At the First Closing on February 20, 2008, we paid Syrei Limited, the selling Stockholder of Syrei, an aggregate of 75,000,000 shares of Ariel Way restricted common stock. These restricted shares of common stock were provided by the Company’s CEO on behalf of the Company, until the Company can increase its authorized number of shares and can issue shares. In addition, the Company issued to the Stockholder of Syrei a promissory note in the principal amount of $2,000,000, for a payment to take place no later than 135 days after completed audit of the financial statements of Syrei and its Subsidiary, but no later than 150 days after the First Closing. The promissory note is secured by all shares of the common stock of Syrei and will be held in escrow, pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Acquisition Pledge and Escrow Agreement. The payment of the $2,000,000 is defined as the Second Closing. In addition, the Company shall also pay to the Stockholder of Syrei an additional principal amount of $2,000,000 one year after the signing of the Merger Agreement. This additional payment shall be reduced per a formula, if the revenue and EBITDA achieved during the year prior to the payment do not meet thresholds defined in a mutually agreed to Business Plan.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement with Syrei Limited, the Sellers of Syrei, in the event either (a) the Company fails to satisfy material conditions to the Second Closing, including payment of the principal amount and interest due under the Acquisition Promissory Notes, or (b) YA Global Investments, LP, and/or Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., in one or a series of transactions convert the shares of our Series A Preferred Shares that they own so that, following such transactions, they beneficially own in the aggregate and collectively 15% or more of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, Syrei Limited, will have the option, to purchase all of the shares of Syrei’s issued and outstanding common stock for nominal consideration (the “Repurchase Option”). The Company has an extension agreement until October 17, 2008 for promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000 (the “Acquisition Promisso ry Notes”).
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement with the Sellers of Lime Truck, in the event either (a) the Company fails to satisfy material conditions to the Second Closing, including payment of the principal amount and interest due under the Acquisition Promissory Notes, or (b) YA Global Investments, LP, and/or Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., in one or a series of transactions convert the shares of our Series A Preferred Shares that they own so that, following such transactions, they beneficially own in the aggregate and collectively 15% or more of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, the Lime Media Members, the Sellers of Lime Truck, will have the option, jointly and not severally, to purchase all of the shares of LTAC’s issued and outstanding common stock for nominal consideration (the “Repurchase Option”). The Company has an extension agreement until September 30, 2008 for promissory notes in the aggregate principa l amount of $792,500 (the “Acquisition Promissory Notes”).
If we are unable to satisfy the conditions in the merger agreements with either or both of Syrei Limited, the Sellers of Syrei, and the Sellers of Lime Truck, including not being able to pay timely the outstanding promissory notes, this could cause us to be forced to sell the companies back to the sellers of Syrei or Lime Truck.
We have been and are still actively engaged in discussions with potential investors for potential funding of the payments for both Syrei and Lime Truck. However, we are uncertain whether we will be successful or not.
NOTE 11 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On July 29, 2008, the Company received a conversion notice from YA Global requesting the conversion of 4 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, or the sum of $40,124.16, representing the conversion under the terms of the Certificate of Designation dated February 28, 2006, into 28,660,114 shares of its restricted common stock at a conversion price of $0.0014 per share.
On August 15, 2008, the Company executed an amendment with Syrei Limited, the Sellers of Syrei, such that one outstanding promissory note issued by the Company to Syrei Limited at a principal amount $2,000,000 originally due and payable July 1, 2008 was extended to October 17, 2008.
On August 18, 2008, the Company was notified by YA Global that two outstanding promissory notes issued by the Company to YA Global, the first at principal amount $57,000 originally due and payable June 13, 2008, and the second at principal amount $15,000 originally due and payable August 9, 2008, had both been extended to December 13, 2008.
On August 18, 2008, the Company extended its promissory note due in the Lime Truck merger. The terms of the extension was for the aggregate principal sum of Seven Hundred Ninety Two Thousand Five Hundred Fifty U.S. Dollars and 00/100 ($792,500.00) (the “Principal Amount”) together with interest at the annual rate of eight percent (8%) on the principal amount, in one installment in immediately available United States’ funds due upon the earlier of (i) either the earlier of (a) the business day immediately following
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the date the Company receives gross proceeds from a financing of $3,500,000.00 or more, (b) 45 days after the Company’s completion of the audit of the Financial Statements in accordance 2 with Section 1.7(b) of the Merger Agreement, or (c) September 30, 2008; or (ii) the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default.
On August 19, 2008, the Company received a conversion notice from YA Global requesting the conversion of 3.5 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, or the sum of $35,408.64, representing the conversion under the terms of the Certificate of Designation dated February 28, 2006, into 29,257,200 shares of its restricted common stock at a conversion price of $0.0012 per share.
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Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation
The Company reports on its financial statements that a deposit has been made to acquire Syrei Holding UK Limited, a UK corporation with its wholly owned Swedish subsidiary Syrei AB effective as of January 31, 2008, as reported on current report 8-K filed on February 22, 2008 and Lime Truck, Inc. effective as of April 30, 2008 as reported on current report 8-K filed on May 6, 2008. Persuant to SEC regulation, the Company was expected to complete audits per US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), of the financial operation for the two years prior to the deposit made for the acquisition of the two companies and disclose the audited financial statements as amendments to previously filed current reports on form 8-K within seventy five days from the effective date of the acquisitions. The Company intended to file amendments to the already filed current reports 8-K no later than the required seventy five days from the effective date of th e respective acquisitions. The Company attempted to complete audits of both companies in a timely fashion, however due to financial constraints, the Company was not able to complete within the prescribed time period. The Company intends to complete the audits for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 of both companies at earliest opportunity and expects to have full audits completed as part of the Annual Report on form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Syrei AB is by Swedish law required to conduct annual audits per Swedish GAAP standards and this has been done every year by a Swedish accounting firm. The Swedish GAAP annual audits for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 were intended to be converted by a different accounting firm from Swedish GAAP into US GAAP. However, the conversion did not comply as a full and complete audit per US GAAP. The Company, in an expedited manner, intends to request the first accounting firm to finalize the conversion of the annual audits for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 into ful ly compliant US GAAP audits. The preparation of the audit for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 of Lime Truck has been initiated and the Company intends, in an expedited manner, to complete this audit at earliest opportunity.
For the reasons stated in Note 1, this Form 10-QSB is unaudited condensed financial statements for Ariel Way, Inc. and Ariel Way Media, Inc., and do not include the condensed consolidated financial statements for Syrei and Lime Truck. However, the footnotes include unaudited pro forma information that include subsidiaries Syrei AB and Lime Truck as if the acquisitions had occurred on October 1, 2007.
The following is a discussion and analysis of the results of operations and financial position as of and for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, not including the operation of Syrei and Lime Truck, and the factors that could affect our future financial condition and results of operations. Historical results may not be indicative of future performance.
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this 10-QSB and in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended September 30, 2007. Except as indicated above, our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). All references to dollar amounts in this section are in United States dollars.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm’s reports on the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the years ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, contained an explanatory paragraph wherein they expressed an opinion that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Accordingly, careful consideration of such opinions should be given in determining whether to continue or become a stockholder of the Company.
Forward Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The statements contained in this document that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including without limitation statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding our business. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB includes forward-looking statements about our business including, but not limited to, the level of our expenditures and savings for various expense items and our liquidity in future periods. We may identify these statements by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “migh t,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and other similar expressions. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, except as may otherwise be required by law. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.
Factors that may cause such differences include those discussed under the caption Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September, 2007, as well as the following:
·
volatility and changes in our advertising revenues and in our domestic advertising market;
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restrictions on our operations due to, and the effect of, our significant indebtedness;
·
effects of complying with accounting standards, including with respect to the treatment of our intangible assets;
·
increases in our cost of borrowings or unavailability of additional debt or equity capital;
4
·
increased competition in our services, or changes in the popularity or availability of services;
·
increased costs, including increased capital expenditures as a result of acquisitions or necessary technological enhancements such as additional expenditures related to industry transitions;
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effects of our control relationships, including the control that Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery Equity and its affiliates have with respect to corporate transactions and activities we undertake;
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adverse state or federal legislation or regulation or adverse determinations by regulators, including adverse changes in, or interpretations of, foreign and local jurisdictions;
·
adverse changes in the national or local economies in which our companies operate;
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further consolidation of competitors;
·
global or local events that could disrupt our operations;
·
risks associated with acquisitions including integration of our acquired businesses;
·
changes in customer values, preferences, or demographics.
Many of these factors are beyond our control. Forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Overview of the Company
Our Business
The Company is a technology and services company for global communications, multimedia and digital signage solutions and technologies. The Company is focused on developing innovative communications and multimedia services and technologies, acquiring and growing profitable communications and multimedia companies and creating strategic alliances with companies in complementary product lines and service industries. We were initially named Netfran Development Corp., and we provided franchise Internet web site design and consulting services. On February 2, 2005, we acquired Ariel Way, Inc. a Delaware corporation (Old Ariel Way), in a share exchange transaction. Old Ariel Way was engaged in the development of highly secure global communications technologies. After the acquisition of Old Ariel Way, we ceased to conduct the franchise business we had previously conducted in order to concentrate solely on the development of the highly secure global communications t echnology business.
As of February 1, 2008, through Syrei AB (deposits made to acquire in January 2008) we provide global telecommunications and systems network consulting services. Syrei comprises of senior specialists and experts in the evolving global telecommunications market. Syrei's management and technical experts have since 1997 successfully delivered professional services to service providers, telecom equipment manufacturers and operators in more than 40 countries around the world.
As of April 30, 2008, we made deposits to acquire the Dallas, TX based company Lime Truck, Inc. that operates mobile advertising trucks in 40 markets nationwide with major advertising clients within telecommunications, airlines, automobiles, furniture chains, newspapers, and beverages. The business is to build powerful brand awareness, give clients the maximum advertising exposure for their investment, and to create the kind of results for their clients that build long-term relationships.
Our Acquisition Strategy
Acquisitions are a key component of our overall business strategy. We are proposing to acquire certain additional strategic businesses related to multimedia and digital signage business provided on a US nationwide basis and in Europe, which is our strategic business focus going forward. The Company’s intent is to offer a multimedia client a complete offering of Out-of-Home advertising campaigns, over the Company’s own digital signage network combined with mobile outdoor advertising nationwide. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in implementing our acquisition strategy, that we will be able to identify any acquisition target, that we will have sufficient cash to effect any acquisition, or that we will be able to effect any acquisition upon terms satisfactory to us.
Our Company
We were incorporated under the laws of Florida in January, 2000. Our principal executive offices are located at 3400 International Drive, N.W., Washington D.C. 20008-3006 and our telephone number at that address is (202) 609-7756. We maintain a corporate web site at www.arielway.com. We make available free of charge through our web site our annual report on Form 10-KSB, quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such material with or to the SEC. The contents of our web site are not a part of this report. The SEC also maintains a web site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding various companies including Ariel Way, Inc.
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Forbearance and Other Recent Agreements with Holders of Series A Preferred Shares
On April 10, 2007, the Company received a conversion notice from YA Global requesting the conversion of 8 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, or the sum of $80,248.32, representing the conversion under the terms of the Certificate of Designation dated February 28, 2006, into 25,077,600 shares of its restricted common stock at a conversion price of $0.0032 per share.
On April 18, 2007, the Company received a conversion notice from YA Global requesting the conversion of 7 1/2 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, or the sum of $75,232.80, representing the conversion under the terms of the Certificate of Designation dated February 28, 2006, into 25,077,600 shares of its restricted common stock at a conversion price of $0.003 per share.
On April 10, 2008, Arne Dunhem, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company cancelled an aggregate 65,000,000 shares of his personal shares of common stock of the Company pursuant to negotiations between YA Global Investments, LP (“YA Global”, f/k/a Cornell Capital Partners, LLP) and the Company’s Directors and Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, the Company will issue the same number of shares of common stock to Mr. Dunhem as soon as an increase of the authorized number of shares has become effective.
On April 21, 2008, the Company ,with its Directors and Chief Executive Officer, negotiated and executed a Forbearance Agreement (the “Agreement”) by and between Ariel Way, Inc. (the “Company”) and YA Global Investments, L.P. (formerly Cornell Capital Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“YA Global”) and Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted Company and wholly owned subsidiary of YA Global (“Montgomery” and together with YA Global, the “Investor”). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company is among others obligated to the following:
1.
The Company shall issue to YA Global a Warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.001 per share for a period of five years from the issuance date.
2.
The Company shall amend (the “Amendment”) of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation related to its Series A Convertible Preferred Shares (“Preferred Stock”) as to the following:
a.
Holders of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive dividends or distributions on a pro rata basis
according to their holdings of shares of Preferred Stock when and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors at an annual rate of eighteen percent (18%) effective as of the date hereof; and
b.
the Conversion Price as set forth in the Preferred Stock shall be equal to the lesser of (a)Ten Cents ($0.10), or (b) seventy-five percent (75%) of the lowest volume weighted average price of the Common Stock as quoted by Bloomberg, LP during the twenty (20) trading days immediately preceding the date of conversion.
The Agreement identifies the following as events of default under the provisions of the Series A Preferred Shares: (i) the Company’s failure to reserve and keep available out its authorized but unissued shares of common stock a number of shares sufficient to effect the conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares and (ii) the Company’s failure to call and hold a special meeting of its stockholders within 30 days of the time that it no longer had a number of shares sufficient to effect conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares, for purposes of increasing the number of shares of common stock. The Agreement provides that the Investor will forbear from exercising its rights under the Investment Agreement and related transaction documents relating to such events of default until September 6, 2008, so long as the Company strictly complies with the terms of the Agreement and there is no occurrence or existence of any other event of defa ult other than the existing defaults. The Agreement also provides for the amendment to common stock purchase warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of common stock that were issued on February 28, 2006, to reduce the exercise price of such warrants from $0.010 per share to $.001 per share. Also pursuant to the Agreement, the Company agreed to issue to YA Global a warrant to purchase an aggregate of 500,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $.001 per share for a period of five years from the date of issuance. The warrant may not be exercised for shares of common stock if, upon giving effect to such exercise, such exercise would cause the holder and its affiliates to own beneficially in excess of 4.99% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, except that such restriction may be waived upon 65 days prior notice to the Company. The warrant contains a cashless exercise provision, certain anti-dilution provisions, including a price anti-dilution provision, a piggy back reg istration right, and other customary provisions.
On April 29, 2008, the Company received a conversion notice from YA Global requesting the conversion of 3/4 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, or the sum of $7,523.28, representing the conversion under the terms of the Certificate of Designation dated February 28, 2006, into 3,761,640 shares of its restricted common stock at a conversion price of $0.002 per share.
On April 30, 2008, the Company, made deposit for the acquisition of Lime Media, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Lime Media”). The Merger was effected pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 30, 2008 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, LTAC, Lime Media, Melody Mayer, Heath Hill, Charles Warren (Melody Mayer, Heath Hill and Charles Warren, collectively, the “Lime Media Members”) and Lime Truck, Inc., a Texas corporation.
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On June 20, 2008, Ariel Way, Inc. (the “Company”), amended and restated (the “Amendment”) its Certificate of Designation (the “Certificate of Designation”) for the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”). The Amendment was filed on June 13, 2008, and was accepted for filing by the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State on June 20, 2008. The Amendment was made pursuant to the terms of a Forbearance Agreement, dated April 21, 2008, among the Company, YA Global Investments, L.P. (formerly Cornell Capital Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“YA Global”)), and Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of YA Global.
The Amendment effected the following changes to the designations and preferences of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock:
1.
Increased the amount of dividends or distributions that holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive pro rata on their shares when and if declared by the board of directors from 5% to 18% per year of the liquidation amount. The Amendment now provides that such dividends or distribution shall be paid quarterly on the first day of March, June, September and December of each year, and that such dividends shall begin to accrue and shall be cumulative as of May 31, 2008. Further, the Amendment provides that accrued but unpaid dividends may be paid, at the option of the holder of the Series A Preferred Stock, in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock. Prior to the Amendment, the Certificate of Designation provided that such dividends and distributions were payable in cash.
2.
Reduced the price at which shares of Series A Preferred Stock are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock to a price that shall equal the lesser of $0.10 or 75% of the lowest volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock for the 20 trading days immediately preceding the date of conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, as quoted by Bloomberg, L.P. (“VWAP”). Prior to the Amendment, the Certificate of Designation provided that the conversion price was equal to the lesser of $0.10 or 95% of the VWAP of the common stock for the 20 trading days immediately preceding the date of conversion, as quoted by Bloomberg, L.P.
Recent Developments
On July 29, 2008, the Company received a conversion notice from YA Global requesting the conversion of 4 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, or the sum of $40,124.16, representing the conversion under the terms of the Certificate of Designation dated February 28, 2006, into 28,660,114 shares of its restricted common stock at a conversion price of $0.0014 per share.
On August 19, 2008, the Company received a conversion notice from YA Global requesting the conversion of 3.5 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, or the sum of $35,408.64, representing the conversion under the terms of the Certificate of Designation dated February 28, 2006, into 29,257,200 shares of its restricted common stock at a conversion price of $0.0012 per share.
Deposit Made for the Acquisition of Syrei Holding UK Limited
On February 20, 2008, the Company, completed the First Closing of Syrei Holding UK Limited, a UK corporation ("Syrei") pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Syrei, Syrei AB, a Swedish corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary to Syrei, Syrei Acquisition Ltd., a UK corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and Syrei Limited (the "Stockholder of Syrei"), pursuant to which, at the First Closing of the Merger, Syrei became a wholly owned UK subsidiary to the Company. The Merger Agreement was dated January 31, 2008 but was entered into by the Company on February 13, 2008.
At the First Closing on February 20, 2008, we paid Syrei Limited, the selling Stockholder of Syrei, an aggregate of 75,000,000 shares of Ariel Way restricted common stock. These restricted shares of common stock were provided by the Company���s CEO on behalf of the Company, until the Company can increase its authorized number of shares and can issue shares. In addition, the Company issued to the Stockholder of Syrei a promissory note in the principal amount of $2,000,000, for a payment to take place no later than 135 days after completed audit of the financial statements of Syrei and its Subsidiary, but no later than 150 days after the First Closing, but subsequently extended to October 17, 2008. The promissory note is secured by all shares of the common stock of Syrei and will be held in escrow, pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Acquisition Pledge and Escrow Agreement. The payment of the $2,000,000 is defined as the Second Closing. In additio n, the Company shall also pay to the Stockholder of Syrei an additional principal amount of $2,000,000 one year after the signing of the Merger Agreement. This additional payment shall be reduced per a formula, if the revenue and EBITDA achieved during the year prior to the payment do not meet thresholds defined in a mutually agreed to Business Plan.
Deposit Made for the Acquisition of Lime Media, LLC
On April 30, 2008, the Company, closed on the deposits made for the acquisition of Lime Media, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Lime Media”). The Merger was effected pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 30, 2008 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Lime Truck Acquisition Corporation (LTAC), a newly-formed wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Lime Media, Melody Mayer, Heath Hill, Charles Warren (Melody Mayer, Heath Hill and Charles Warren, collectively, the “Lime Media Members”) and Lime Truck, Inc., a Texas corporation. The deposits made for the acquisition was effected by means of the merger of Lime Media with and into LTAC, so that following the merger LTAC is the surviving corporation
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in the merger (the “Merger”). The Merger was effected contemporaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement and certain related agreements, and became effective May 2, 2008.
Lime Media provides mobile advertising solutions to its clients and provides its services in approximately 40 locations nationwide. Lime Media’s principal offices are located in Dallas, Texas.
Upon signing of the Merger Agreement and as consideration therefore, the Company issued to the Lime Media Members an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of common stock. In addition, the Company paid or issued to the Lime Media Members for the deposit made for the acquisition of Lime Media the following consideration: (a) an aggregate of 17,000,000 shares of our common stock, (b) promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $792,500 (the “Acquisition Promissory Notes”), and (c) promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $640,000 (the “One Year Promissory Notes”).
The notes bear interest at the rate of 8% per annum and may not be assigned or negotiated without our consent. The aggregate principal amount and accrued interest under the Acquisition Promissory Notes are due on the earlier of 45 days after the completion and delivery of audited financial statements with regard to the company or June 30, 2008 , subsequently extended to September 30, 2008, (the earlier of such dates, the “Second Closing,” the date of the Second Closing, the “Second Closing Date”). The aggregate principal amount and accrued interest under the One Year Promissory Notes are due April 30, 2009. The Acquisition Promissory Notes and One Year Promissory Notes are secured by all of the shares of outstanding common stock of LTAC pursuant to the terms of an Acquisition Pledge and Escrow Agreement and by certain assets of LTAC, including certain truck leases, pursuant to a Security Agreement among the parties.
The aggregate principal amount of the Acquisition Promissory Notes is subject to adjustment, as follows. For each dollar amount the liabilities as shown on the closing balance sheet for the company exceed $100,000, the aggregate principal amount of the Acquisition Promissory Notes shall be reduced by an equivalent amount. Also, if the year-end audited balance sheet for the company reveals liabilities greater than as shown on the closing balance sheet, the aggregate principal amount of the Acquisition Promissory Notes and the One Year Promissory Notes shall each be reduced $0.50 for each dollar amount such liabilities exceed the amount of such liabilities reflected on the closing balance sheet, except that no adjustment will be made until the amount of such difference exceeds $100,000. Further, the aggregate principal amount of the One Year Promissory Notes shall be adjusted in the event certain sales and performance targets are not met, so that, if the shortfa ll in gross revenue is $150,000 or greater compared to the revenue projections, the aggregate principal amount of the One Year Promissory Notes shall be reduced by an equivalent amount.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, in the event either (a) the Company fails to satisfy material conditions to the Second Closing, including payment of the principal amount and interest due under the Acquisition Promissory Notes, or (b) YA Global Investments, LP, and/or Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., in one or a series of transactions convert the shares of our Series A Preferred Shares that they own so that, following such transactions, they beneficially own in the aggregate and collectively 15% or more of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, the Lime Media Members will have the option, jointly and not severally, to purchase all of the shares of LTAC’s issued and outstanding common stock for nominal consideration (the “Repurchase Option”). The Lime Media Members are required to exercise their Repurchase Option within 15 days of the occurrence of an event set forth in the immediately preceding sentence . In the event the Lime Media Members exercise their Repurchase Option, they will have the right to retain (i) the 10,000,000 shares issued to them upon signing of the Merger Agreement and (ii) 5,000,000 of the shares of common stock issued to them as part of the stock consideration for the Merger. Upon the exercise of the Repurchase Option, the Company will have no further liability or obligation to the Lime Media Members or LTAC under the Merger Agreement or any other agreement among the parties.
At the Second Closing, the Lime Media Members are required to deposit in an escrow account an amount equal to one year’s payments with regard to the truck’s owned by LTAC and acquired in the Merger which deposit amount is to be used by LTAC to pay the monthly truck lease payments for a period of twelve months.
The Merger Agreement contains provisions prohibiting the Lime Media Members from competing with the business of LTAC for two years following closing and prohibiting solicitation of clients and customers of LTAC for a period of three years following closing. The Merger Agreement also contains certain representations and warranties of the parties and certain indemnification provisions.
Effective as of the closing date, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Melody Mayer. The employment agreement is for a term of six months and will automatically renew for successive additional one year periods unless 30 days prior to the expiration of any such term, the Company or Ms. Mayer elect not to renew the agreement. The agreement is terminable at will following the initial six month term, will automatically terminate upon the employee’s death or disability, or, during the initial six month term, for cause upon thirty days’ prior written notice. The Company has agreed to pay the employee a base salary of $8,500 per month and to provide a 50% bonus in the event certain performance criteria are met. Also, the employee may participate in the Company’s employee benefit and welfare plans and employee stock option plan.
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Also effective as of the closing, the Company entered into an Advertising Placement Agreement with Lime Truck, Inc., a Texas corporation, Melody Mayer, Heath Hill and Charles Warren that grants LTAC the right of first refusal to service all truck related media advertisement projects procured by Lime Truck in an amount of revenue per project of not less than $4,500 per month.
In connection with the transaction and so that the Company would have sufficient shares for issuance in connection with the Merger, prior to the closing of the Merger, the Company entered into a Stock Cancellation Agreement with Mr. Arne Dunhem. Under the agreement, Mr. Dunhem cancelled 27,000,000 shares of common stock. The Company agreed to issue to Mr. Dunhem a like number of shares upon the Company’s effecting an increase in its authorized shares of common stock.
Effective May 2, 2008, LTAC changed its name to “Lime Truck, Inc.” Also, Lime Truck, Inc., a Texas corporation, has agreed to change its name to “Lime Media Group, Inc.”
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
We prepare our consolidated financial statement in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.
We consider the accounting policies related to revenue and related cost recognition, valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets and accounting for income taxes to be critical to the understanding of our results of operations. Critical accounting policies include the areas where we have made what we consider to be particularly subjective or complex judgments in making estimates and where these estimates can significantly impact our financial results under different assumptions and conditions. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management bases its estimates on historical experience, where available, and on various ot her assumptions and information that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Management believes the following reflect its more significant accounting policies and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. Our senior management has discussed the development of each of the following accounting policies and estimates and the following disclosures with the audit committee of our board of directors.
Goodwill
Goodwill must be reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. There can be no assurance that upon review at a later date material impairment charges will not be required.
The intangible asset impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of the intangible asset to the carrying amount of the intangible asset. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference. The goodwill impairment test is a two-step process. The first step compares the fair value of the goodwill unit to its carrying value. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, the second step of the test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step compares the implied fair value of the goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The more complete methodology to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill, is that an enterprise allocates the fair value of a reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of that reporting unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit is the implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying amount exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for that difference.
The fair value of an intangible asset, such as a software technology license, and reporting unit goodwill is the amount at which that asset or reporting unit could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties. Therefore, quoted market prices in active markets are the best evidence of fair value and should be used when available. If quoted market prices are not available, the estimate of fair value is based on the best information available, including prices for similar assets and the use of other valuation techniques. Other valuation techniques include present value analysis, multiples of earnings or revenue or a similar performance measure. The use of these techniques involves assumptions by management about factors that are highly uncertain including future cash flows, the appropriate discount rate and other inputs. Different assumptions for these inputs or valuation methodologies could create materially different results.
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Property, Plant and Equipment
Annually, property, plant and equipment lives are reviewed to ensure that the estimated useful lives are appropriate. The estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment is a critical accounting estimate because changing the lives of assets can result in larger or smaller charges for depreciation expense. Factors used in determining useful lives include technology changes, regulatory requirements, obsolescence and type of use. We did not change the useful lives of any property, plant and equipment during the six-month period ended June 30, 2008.
We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Financial Condition
The Company reports on its financial statements that a deposit has been made to acquire Syrei Holding UK Limited, a UK corporation with its wholly owned Swedish subsidiary Syrei AB effective as of January 31, 2008, as reported on current report 8-K filed on February 22, 2008 and Lime Truck, Inc. effective as of April 30, 2008 as reported on current report 8-K filed on May 6, 2008. Persuant to SEC regulation, the Company was expected to complete audits per US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), of the financial operation for the two years prior to the deposits made for the acquisition of the two companies and disclose the audited financial statements as amendments to previously filed current reports on form 8-K within seventy five days from the effective date of the deposits made for the acquisitions. The Company intended to file amendments to the already filed current reports 8-K no later than the required seventy five days from t he effective date of the respective acquisitions. The Company attempted to complete audits of both companies in a timely fashion, however due to financial constraints, the Company was not able to complete within the prescribed time period. The Company intends to complete the audits for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 of both companies at earliest opportunity and expects to have full audits completed as part of the Annual Report on form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Syrei AB is by Swedish law required to conduct annual audits per Swedish GAAP standards and this has been done every year by a Swedish accounting firm. The Swedish GAAP annual audits for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 were intended to be converted by a different accounting from Swedish GAAP into US GAAP. However, the conversion did not comply as a full and complete audit per US GAAP. The Company, in an expedited manner, intends to request the first accounting firm to finalize the conversion of the annual audits for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 into fully compliant US GAAP audits. The preparation of the audit for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 of Lime Truck has been initiated and the Company intends to complete this audit soon.
For the reasons stated in Note 1, this Form 10-QSB is unaudited condensed financial statements for Ariel Way, Inc. and Ariel Way Media, Inc., and do not include the condensed consolidated financial statements for Syrei and Lime Truck. However, the footnotes include unaudited pro forma information that include subsidiaries Syrei AB and Lime Truck as if the acquisitions had occurred on October 1, 2007.
During the nine-month period ended June 30, 2008, the Company assumed debt in an aggregate of $5,432,500 from the issuance of promissory notes and $38,137 from related parties to include $35,000 from the spouse of the Chief Executive Officer and $3,137 from the Chief Executive Officer. As of the balance sheet date, the Company’s revenue generating activities have not produced sufficient funds for profitable operations and the Company has incurred operating losses since inception. In view of these matters, realization of certain of the assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet is dependent upon continued operations of the Company which, in turn, is dependent upon the Company’s ability to meet its financial requirements, raise additional financing on acceptable terms to the Company, and the success of its future operations.
Management believes that we will require an additional $6,000,000 to fund our operations for the next 12 months, including approximately $4,000,000 to pay the holder of two notes at $2,000,000 each due July 1, 2008, subsequently extended to October 17, 2008, and January 31, 2009, respectively, issued in connection with the Company’s deposit made for the acquisition of Syrei, $792,500 to pay the holders of certain notes issued in the Company’s deposit made for the acquisition of Lime Truck, and, on June 30, 2009, $640,000 to pay the holders of certain additional promissory notes issued in connection with the Lime Media deposit made for the acquisition, or an aggregate of $1,432,500. We expect to raise such additional capital through one or more equity or debt financing or though bank borrowing. Currently, we are in discussions with certain investment banking firms and investors regarding the raising of such financing, and may seek to ra ise funds through bank borrowing. There can be no assurances that we will be successful in our efforts to secure such additional financing or any bank borrowing. If we are unable to pay the amounts due to the former owners of Lime Truck, when due, or if YA Global Investments, LP, and/or Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., in one or a series of transactions convert the shares of our Series A Preferred Shares that they own so that, following such transactions, they beneficially own in the aggregate and collectively 15% or more of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, the former owners of Lime Truck will have the option, jointly and not severally, to purchase all of the issued and outstanding common stock of our subsidiary Lime Truck, Inc., for nominal consideration. Similarly, if we are unable to pay the amounts due to the former owner of Syrei, when due, or if YA Global Investments, LP, and/or Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., in one or a series of transactions convert
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the shares of our Series A Preferred Shares that they own so that, following such transactions, they beneficially own in the aggregate and collectively 15% or more of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, the former owner of Syrei will have the option, to purchase all of the issued and outstanding common stock of our subsidiary Syrei, for nominal consideration. Also, under our Investment Agreement with Yorkville and Montgomery, we may not incur indebtedness or become contingently liable for such indebtedness without their consent, except for trade payables or purchase money obligations in the ordinary course of business. Also, we may not issue or sell common stock, preferred stock, warrants, options, or similar securities, or enter into security instruments granting the holder a security interest in assets of the company or any subsidiary without their agreement or consent. Such restrictions may limit our ability to ra ise additional financing unless such restrictions are waived or amended.
In view of the foregoing, from time-to-time, management is required to seek additional capital through one or more equity or debt financings in the event that the cash on hand, collections from customers, and sales of our products do not provide sufficient cash to fund operations. If adequate funds are not available to us, we may be required to curtail operations significantly or to obtain funds through entering into arrangements with collaborative partners or others that may require us to relinquish rights to certain of our technologies or products. If we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or equity-related securities, the issuance of such securities could result in dilution to our current stockholders. No assurance can be given that we will have access to the capital markets in the future, or that financing will be available on terms acceptable to satisfy our cash requirements or to implement our business strategies. If we are unable to acce ss the capital markets or obtain acceptable financing, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. We may be required to raise substantial additional funds through other means.
Going concern
Our independent registered public accounting firm’s reports on the consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-KSB for the years ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, contained an explanatory paragraph wherein they expressed an opinion that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Accordingly, careful consideration of such opinions should be given in determining whether to continue or become our stockholder.
The Company and its Subsidiaries’ condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that it will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of asset values and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. Certain conditions indicate that the Company may be unable to continue as a going concern as follows:
·
The inability of the company to fund current operations and satisfy all of its current debts when due.
·
The inability to fund acquisition opportunities that could provide operational cash flow for the operation going forward.
The Company's ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon acquiring new profitable business and increasing its revenues and gross profit margins to cover cost of services and other operating expenses, generating positive cash flows from operations, obtaining debt or equity capital to fund any negative operating cash flows and returning the Company to profitable operations. In this connection, the Company has adopted the following operating and management plans in order to provide positive cash flow from operations and fiscal year 2008:
·
Raise additional capital or secure funding from equity and credit sources.
·
Expand and develop its prior experience with Business TV business into digital signage business.
·
Continue to develop our global telecommunications and systems network consulting services.
·
Continue to develop, roll-out and expand its digital signage business through targeted marketing initiatives in both the US and Europe.
·
Continue overall cost and expense control and adoption of efficient service and equipment roll-out approaches resulting in improved gross profits and reduced operating expenses.
·
Expand operation and revenue base through an aggressive acquisition program of profitable companies with operation and services with synergy to its current operation.
·
Develop strategic partnerships with major companies in the area of multimedia services, wireless communications, installation, and equipment maintenance supporting the Company’s strategy. This strategic initiative is believed to provide increased revenues and result in reduced operating expenses.
·
Develop strategic partnerships with major companies providing content and advertising services for the Company’s digital signage operation roll-out.
Although the results of these actions cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty, management believes that if the Company can acquire new profitable operation and continue to increase its revenues and gross profit margins, reduce expenses, and can obtain additional debt or equity financing to fund any negative cash flow from operations in 2008, the Company has the ability ultimately to return to profitability.
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Pursuant to the Merger Agreement with Syrei Limited, the Sellers of Syrei, in the event either (a) the Company fails to satisfy material conditions to the Second Closing, including payment of the principal amount and interest due under the Acquisition Promissory Notes, or (b) YA Global Investments, LP, and/or Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., in one or a series of transactions convert the shares of our Series A Preferred Shares that they own so that, following such transactions, they beneficially own in the aggregate and collectively 15% or more of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, Syrei Limited, will have the option, to purchase all of the shares of Syrei’s issued and outstanding common stock for nominal consideration (the “Repurchase Option”). The Company has an extension agreement until October 17, 2008 for promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000 (the “Acquisition Promisso ry Notes”).
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement with the Sellers of Lime Truck, in the event either (a) the Company fails to satisfy material conditions to the Second Closing, including payment of the principal amount and interest due under the Acquisition Promissory Notes, or (b) YA Global Investments, LP, and/or Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., in one or a series of transactions convert the shares of our Series A Preferred Shares that they own so that, following such transactions, they beneficially own in the aggregate and collectively 15% or more of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, the Lime Media Members, the Sellers of Lime Truck, will have the option, jointly and not severally, to purchase all of the shares of LTAC’s issued and outstanding common stock for nominal consideration (the “Repurchase Option”). The Company has an extension agreement until September 30, 2008 for promissory notes in the aggregate principa l amount of $792,500 (the “Acquisition Promissory Notes”).
If we are unable to satisfy the conditions in the merger agreements with either or both of Syrei Limited, the Sellers of Syrei, and the Sellers of Lime Truck, including not being able to pay timely the outstanding promissory notes, this could cause us to be forced to sell the companies back to the sellers of Syrei or Lime Truck.
We have been and are still actively engaged in discussions with potential investors for potential funding of the payments for both Syrei and Lime Truck. However, we are uncertain whether we will be successful or not.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At June 30, 2008, the Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" ("SFAS No. 157"), which clarifies the definition of fair value whenever another standard requires or permits assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. Specifically, the standard clarifies that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. SFAS No. 157 does not expand the use of fair value to any new circumstances, and must be applied on a prospective basis except in certain cases. The standard also requires expanded financial statement disclosures about fair value measurements, including disclosure of the methods used and the effect on earnings.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, "Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements: an amendment of ARB No. 51" ("SFAS No. 160"). SFAS No. 160 replaces the term minority interests with the newly-defined term of non-controlling interests and establishes this line item as an element of stockholders’ equity, separate from the parent’s equity. SFAS No. 160 also includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of the parent and its non-controlling interest. The Company is continuing to review the provisions of SFAS No. 160, which is effective the first quarter of fiscal 2010, and currently does not expect this new accounting standard to have a significant impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In February 2008, FASB Staff Position ("FSP") FAS No. 157-2, "Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157" ("FSP No. 157-2") was issued. FSP No. 157-2 defers the effective date of SFAS No. 157 to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years, for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). Examples of items within the scope of FSP No. 157-2 are nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities initially measured at fair value in a business combination (but not measured at fair value in subsequent periods), and long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment and intangible assets measured at fair value for an impairment assessment under SFAS No. 144.
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115" ("SFAS No. 159"). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value, which are not otherwise currently required to be measured at fair value. Under SFAS No. 159, the decision to measure items at fair value is made at specified election dates on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable. Entities electing the fair value option are required to recognize changes in fair value in earnings and to expense upfront costs and fees associated with the item for which the fair value option is elected. The new standard did not impact the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as the Company did not elect the fair value option for any instruments
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existing as of the adoption date. However, the Company will evaluate the fair value measurement election with respect to financial instruments the Company enters into in the future.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities: an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133" ("SFAS No. 161"). SFAS No. 161 changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Company is reviewing the provisions of SFAS No. 161, which is effective the first quarter of fiscal 2010, and currently does not anticipate that this new accounting standard will have a significant impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, "The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" (SFAS No. 162). SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting principles used in the preparation of financial statements. SFAS No. 162 is effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, "The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles". The implementation of this standard will not have a material impact on Consolidated Financial Statements.
Inflation
Our monetary assets, consisting primarily of cash and receivables, and our non-monetary assets, consisted primarily of intangible assets and goodwill, are not affected significantly by inflation. We believe that replacement costs of equipment, furniture and leasehold improvements will not materially affect our operations. However, the rate of inflation affects our expenses, such as those for employee compensation and costs of network services, which may not be readily recoverable in the price of services offered by us.
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the following risk factors, other information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, and the extensive discussion of “Risks Related to Our Business” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Our future results may also be impacted by other risk factors listed from time to time in our future filings with the SEC, including, but not limited to, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB and our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB. We are subject to various risks that may materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this filing before deciding to purchase our common stock. If any of these risks or uncertainties occur o ur business, financial condition or operating results could be materially harmed. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could loose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related To Our Business
We have a working capital deficit; we need to raise additional capital to finance operations.
We have relied on significant external financing to fund our operations. We have a working capital deficit of ($1,280,788) primarily as a result of our deposit made for the acquisition of Syrei and Lime Truck. In connection with our deposit made for the acquisition of Syrei, we issued two promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $4,000,000 with the two promissory notes at principal amount of $2,000,000 each bearing interest at the rate of 8% per annum and are due and payable July 2008, subsequently extended to October 17, 2008 and January 2009, respectively, secured by all of the stock of the acquisition subsidiary we formed to acquire Syrei. In connection with our deposit made for the acquisition of Lime Truck, we issued two promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1,432,500 with the two promissory notes at principal amount of $792,500 and $640,000 each bearing interest at the rate of 8% per annum and are due and payable J une 30, 2008, subsequently extended to September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2009, respectively, secured by all of the stock of the acquisition subsidiary we formed to acquire Lime Truck.
We will need to raise additional capital to fund our working capital deficit, our anticipated operating expenses, outstanding promissory notes as a result of acquisitions, other acquisitions, and implement our strategic business plan. Unless we obtain profitable operations, it is unlikely that we will be able to secure additional financing from external sources. If we are unable to secure additional financing, we may be forced to curtail or cease our business operations. We estimate that we will require up to approximately $10,000,000 to fund our anticipated operating expenses and acquisitions during the next 12 months. The sale of our common stock to raise capital may cause dilution to our existing shareholders. Our inability to obtain adequate financing will result in the need to curtail business operations. Any of these events would be materially harmful to our business, may result in a lower stock price and you could lose your entire investment. Our financ ial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Also, under our Investment Agreement with Yorkville Advisorsand Montgomery, we may not incur indebtedness or become contingently liable for such indebtedness except for trade payables or purchase money obligations in the ordinary course of business without the prior consent from Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery. Also, we may not issue or sell common stock, preferred stock, warrants, options, or similar securities, or enter into security instruments granting the holder a security interest in assets of the company or any subsidiary without the agreement or consent of Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery. Such restrictions may limit our ability to raise additional financing unless such restrictions are waived or amended.
We have not yet completed the audit of Syrei and Lime Truck, but intend to complete in an expedited manner.
The Company reports on its financial statements that a deposit has been made to acquire Syrei Holding UK Limited, a UK corporation with its wholly owned Swedish subsidiary Syrei AB effective as of January 31, 2008, as reported on current report 8-K filed on February 22, 2008 and Lime Truck, Inc. effective as of April 30, 2008 as reported on current report 8-K filed on May 6, 2008. Persuant to SEC regulation, the Company was expected to complete audits per US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), of the financial operation for the two years prior to the deposits made for the acquisition of the two companies and disclose the audited financial statements as amendments to previously filed current reports on form 8-K within seventy five days from the effective date of the deposits made for the acquisitions. The Company intended to file amendments to the already filed current reports 8-K no later than the required seventy five days from t he effective date of the respective acquisitions. The Company attempted to complete audits of both companies in a timely fashion, however due to financial constraints, the Company was not able to complete within the prescribed time period. The Company intends to complete the audits for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 of both companies at earliest opportunity and expects to have full audits completed as part of the Annual Report on form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Syrei AB is by Swedish law required to conduct annual audits per Swedish GAAP standards and this has been done every year by a Swedish accounting firm. The Swedish GAAP annual audits for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 were intended to be converted by a different accounting firm from Swedish GAAP into US GAAP. However, the conversion did not comply as a full and complete audit per US GAAP, The Company, in an expedited manner, intends to request the first accounting firm to finalize the conversion of the annual audits for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 into fully compliant US GAAP audits. The preparation of the audit for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 of Lime Truck has been initiated and the Company intends to complete this audit soon.
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For the above reasons, the Company presents in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, unaudited condensed financial statements for Ariel Way, that do not include the condensed consolidated financial statements for the operation of Syrei and Lime Truck. However, the Company presents unaudited pro forma information for our Company, including the subsidiaries Syrei AB and Lime Truck as if the acquisitions had occurred on October 1, 2007. The fact that we have not yet completed the audit of Syrei and Lime Truck, but intend to complete in an expedited manner, could cause the market price of our common stock to drop.
We have contingencies related to the acquisitions of Syrei and Lime Truck
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement with Syrei Limited, the Sellers of Syrei, in the event either (a) the Company fails to satisfy material conditions to the Second Closing, including payment of the principal amount and interest due under the Acquisition Promissory Notes, or (b) YA Global Investments, LP, and/or Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., in one or a series of transactions convert the shares of our Series A Preferred Shares that they own so that, following such transactions, they beneficially own in the aggregate and collectively 15% or more of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, Syrei Limited, will have the option, to purchase all of the shares of Syrei’s issued and outstanding common stock for nominal consideration (the “Repurchase Option”). The Company has an extension agreement until October 17, 2008 for promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000 (the “Acquisition Pro missory Notes”).
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement with the Sellers of Lime Truck, in the event either (a) the Company fails to satisfy material conditions to the Second Closing, including payment of the principal amount and interest due under the Acquisition Promissory Notes, or (b) YA Global Investments, LP, and/or Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., in one or a series of transactions convert the shares of our Series A Preferred Shares that they own so that, following such transactions, they beneficially own in the aggregate and collectively 15% or more of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, the Lime Media Members, the Sellers of Lime Truck, will have the option, jointly and not severally, to purchase all of the shares of LTAC’s issued and outstanding common stock for nominal consideration (the “Repurchase Option”). The Company has an extension agreement until September 30, 2008 for promissory notes in the aggregate pri ncipal amount of $792,500 (the “Acquisition Promissory Notes”).
If we are unable to satisfy the conditions in the merger agreements with either or both of Syrei Limited, the Sellers of Syrei, and the Sellers of Lime Truck, including not being able to pay timely the outstanding promissory notes, this could cause us to be forced to sell the companies back to the sellers of Syrei or Lime Truck. This could cause the market price of our common stock to drop.
Dilutive effect of conversion of our Series A Preferred Shares.
Under a Investment Agreement, dated February 28, 2006, among the Company and Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., and related transaction documents, we issued an aggregate of 160 shares of Series A Preferred Shares in exchange for and in cancellation of an aggregate of $1,604,967 in indebtedness then held by Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery. The $10,031.04 liquidation amount of each share of Series A Preferred Shares is convertible into shares of our common stock at the lesser of $.10 per share or 95% of the lowest weighted average price of our common stock for the 20 trading days immediately preceding the date of conversion, subject to adjustment. As of May 16, 2008, an aggregate of 34 Series A Preferred Shares have been converted into 270,540,570 shares of our common stock and 126 Series A Preferred Shares remain issued and outstanding. If holders were to convert their Series A Preferred Shares as of Ma y 16, 2008, we would be required to issue to them an aggregate of 300,931,200 shares of our common stock. Increased sales volume of our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock to drop.
We may be deemed to be in default under certain provisions of our agreements with Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery and the terms of our Series A Preferred Shares. Also, provisions of our agreement with Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery restrict our ability to issue shares of our common stock, incur indebtedness and enter into certain other transactions without their prior consent.
Under our Investment Agreement with Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery, we were required to reserve and keep available out of our authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, a number of shares sufficient to effect conversion of Series A Preferred Shares. Furthermore, the Company failed to call and hold a special meeting of its stockholders within thirty (30) days of the time that it no longer had a number of shares sufficient to effect conversion of the Preferred Stock, for the purpose of increasing the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. Accordingly, we may be deemed to be in default under our agreements with Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery and the terms of our Series A Preferred Shares. Also under our agreements with Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery, we have agreed not to merge or consolidate with any person or entity or sell or lease or otherwise dispose of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business involving an aggregate consideration of more than ten percent of the book value of our assets on a consolidated basis. Since we made deposits to acquire Syrei AB, we were deemed by Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery to be in default under our agreements with Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery and the terms of our Series A Preferred Shares. Further, we may not issue or sell common stock, preferred stock, warrants, options, or similar securities, or enter into security instruments granting the holder a security interest in assets of the company or any subsidiary without the agreement or consent of Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery. We may be deemed to be in default under these provisions. In the event of the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under our Series A Preferred Shares, all outstanding principal and interest under the Series A
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Preferred Shares shall be due and payable and the holders may convert the Series A Preferred Shares without regard to any limitation on the conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares. On April 21, 2008, the Company, with its Directors and Chief Executive Officer, negotiated and executed a Forbearance Agreement (“the Agreement”) by and between the Company and YA Global Investments L.P. (Formerly Cornell Capital Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“YA Global”) and Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted Company and wholly owned subsidiary of YA Global (“Montgomery” and together with YA Global, the “Investor”). In the Agreement, the Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery provided the Company with formal notice of the actions and inactions set forth below, each of which can trigger an Event of Default under the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock Preferred Shares and rel ated transaction documents (“existing defaults”).
The Company has failed to reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, a number of shares sufficient to effect conversion of the Preferred Stock. Furthermore, the Company has failed to call and hold a special meeting of its stockholders within thirty (30) days of the time that it no longer had a number of shares sufficient to effect conversion of the Preferred Stock, for the purpose of increasing the number of authorized shares of Common Stock.
The Company was also notified by the Investor that the Company was in breach of the Series A Preferred Shares and related transaction documents by not receiving a consent from the Investor in connection with the Company’s deposit made for the acquisition of Syrei Holdings UK Limited.
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company was among others obligated to:
(a) The Company shall issue to YA Global a Warrant to purchase 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.001 per share for a period of five years from the issuance date.
(b) The Company shall amend the Company’s Articles of Incorporation related to its Series A Convertible Preferred Shares so that: (i) Holders of Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive dividends or distributions on a pro rata basis according to their holdings of shares of Preferred Stock when and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors at an annual rate of eighteen percent (18%) effective as of the date hereof; and (ii) the conversion price as set forth in the Preferred Stock shall be equal to the lesser of (a)Ten Cents ($0.10), or (b) a seventy-five percent (75%) of the lowest volume weighted average price of the Common Stock as quoted by Bloomberg, LP during the twenty (20) trading days immediately preceding the date of conversion. Also, the Company is required to reduce the exercise price of an outstanding warrant to purchase 1,000,000 held by the investor to an exercise price of $.001 per share.
We have incurred substantial debt which could affect our ability to obtain additional financing and may increase our vulnerability to business downturns.
In connection with our deposit for the acquisition of Syrei, we issued two promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000 each which bear interest at the rate of 8% per annum and are due and payable July 2008, subsequently extended to October 17, 2008, and January 2009, respectively, secured by all of the stock of the acquisition subsidiary we formed to acquire Syrei. Also, in connection with our deposit for the acquisition of Lime Media, we issued promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $792,500 which are due on the earlier of 45 days after the completion and delivery of audited financial statements with regard to the company or June 30, 2008, subsequently extended to September 30, 2008, and promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $640,000 due June 30, 2009. The notes issued when we made deposit for the acquisition of Lime Truck bear interest at the rate of 8% per annum and are secured by all o f the shares of outstanding common stock of Lime Truck, Inc., our subsidiary, and by certain assets of Lime Truck, Inc.
As a result, we are subject to the risks associated with substantial indebtedness, including that we are required to dedicate a portion of our cash flows from operations to pay debt service costs; it may be more expensive and difficult to obtain additional financing; we are more vulnerable to economic downturns; and if we default under our indebtedness, we may not have sufficient funds to repay any accrued interest or outstanding principal.
Historically, we have lost money and we expect such losses will continue in the near term, which means that we may not be able to continue to operate as a going concern unless we obtain additional funding.
Historically, we have lost money. We have an accumulated deficit as of June 30, 2008. Future losses may occur. Accordingly, we are experiencing and may continue to experience liquidity and cash flow problems and we may not be able to raise additional capital or other financing as needed and on acceptable terms to implement our business plan and to make acquisitions. No assurances can be given that we will be successful in reaching or maintaining profitable operations; or that we will be able to raise or borrow adequate funds to execute our business plan and consummate any current or future acquisitions.
There is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
As of September 30, 2007, the Company’s independent public accounting firm issued a “going concern opinion” wherein they stated that the accompanying financial statements were prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed previously in the financial statements as of June 30, 2008, we did not generate sufficient cash flows from revenues during the fiscal
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year ended September 30, 2007, to fund our operations. Such notes are due and payable October 17, 2008 and February 2009, respectively, and are secured by all of the stock of the acquisition subsidiary we formed to acquire Syrei. It is also a result of the issuance of promissory notes in an aggregate amount of $1,432,500 in connection with our deposit made for the acquisition of Lime Truck. Such notes are due and payable October 15, 2008 and June 30, 2009, respectively, and are secured by all of the stock of the acquisition subsidiary we formed to acquire Syrei. Excluding amounts due under suchnotes, our net working capital position has, however, improved. These matters raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plan in regard to these matters is discussed in previously in the accompanying financial statements as of June 30, 2008. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Unless we are successful in generating additional sources of revenue, or obtaining additional capital, or restructuring its business, the Company is at risk of ceasing operations or filing bankruptcy.
We have a material weakness in our internal controls due to a limited segregation of duties and, if we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, current and potential stockholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting which could harm the trading price of our stock.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our management identified certain material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2007. A material weakness is defined as a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and prevent fraud. Inferior internal controls could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our stock. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, we reduced our sta ffing in order to conserve cash, as our level of business activity declined. During the nine-month period ended June 30, 2008, we maintained a minimum level of staffing at the corporate headquarters level in order to conserve cash. As a result, currently, there is very limited segregation of duties. This is a material weakness in internal controls. However, up to June 30, 2008, we have implemented procedures to both limit access to bank accounts and to segregate the approval of invoices from disbursements of cash. However, with only few employees at the Company and the remaining being consultants, segregation of duties was not practicable. If these remedial measures are insufficient to address these material weaknesses, or if additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control are discovered or occur in the future, we may fail to meet our future reporting obligations on a timely basis, our consolidated financial statements may contain material misstatements, we could be require d to restate our prior period financial results, our operating results may be harmed, we may be subject to class action litigation, and our common stock could be delisted from the OTC Bulletin Board or any exchange on which our common stock is then listed or quoted. For example, material weaknesses that remain unremediated could result in material post-closing adjustments in future financial statements. Any failure to address the identified material weaknesses or any additional material weaknesses in our internal control could also adversely affect the results of the periodic management evaluations regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting that are required to be included in our annual reports on Form 10-KSB. Internal control deficiencies could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. We can give no assurance that the measures we have taken to date or any future measures will remediate the material weaknesses identified or that any additional material weaknesses or additional restatements of financial results will not arise in the future due to a failure to implement and maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting or circumvention of these controls. In addition, even if we are successful in strengthening our controls and procedures, those controls and procedures may not be adequate to prevent or identify irregularities or errors or to facilitate the fair presentation of our consolidated financial statements. A determination that there is a significant deficiency or material weakness in the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting could also reduce our ability to obtain financing or could increase the cost of any financing we obtain and require additional expenditures to comply with applicable requirements. These deficiencies did not result in errors to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Investor confidence in the price of our stock may be adversely affected if we are unable to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
As an SEC registrant, we are subject to the rules adopted by the SEC pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which require us to include in our annual report on Form 10-KSB our management’s report on, and assessment of the effectiveness of, our internal control over financial reporting (“management’s report”). In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting (“independent registered public accountant’s report”). The requirement pertaining to management’s report is effective on our annual report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and the requirement pertaining to the independent registered publicaccountant’s report is expected to first apply to the annual report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, although the SEC has proposed to extend the date such requirement would first apply to non-accelerated filers to December 31, 2009. Our independent registered public accounting firm identified material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting as of September 30, 2007, although management is undertaking specific measures to cure or mitigate the ineffective controls and procedures identified in our Exchange
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Act filings. If we fail to achieve and maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, there is a risk that we will not comply with all of the requirements imposed by Section 404. Moreover, effective internal control over financial reporting, particularly that relating to revenue recognition, is necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and is important in helping to prevent financial fraud. Any of these possible outcomes could result in an adverse reaction in the financial marketplace due to a loss in investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which ultimately could harm our business and could negatively impact the market price of our common stock. Investor confidence and the price of our common stock may be adversely affected if we are unable to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
We have historically generated revenue which has not been adequate to support our full operation and this may continue in the future, which means that we may not be able to continue operations unless we can increase our generated revenue.
We have generated revenue from operations; however, if we do not begin generating more revenue we may have to cease operations. In order to become profitable, we will need to generate revenues to offset our cost of operations and general and administrative expenses. We may not achieve or sustain our revenue or profit objectives and our losses may increase in the future and ultimately, we may have to cease operations.
Our operating results are not possible to predict because we have limited operations. As a result, we cannot determine if we will be successful in our proposed plan of operation. Accordingly, we cannot determine what the future holds for our proposed plan of business. As such an investment in our business is extremely risky and could result in the entire loss of your investment.
We will need to raise additional capital to continue our operations and consummate any proposed or future acquisitions or we may be unable to fund our operations, promote our products or develop our technology
We have relied on external financing to fund our operations and acquisitions to date. Such financing has historically come from a combination of borrowings from, and sale of common stock to, third parties and funds provided by certain officers and directors. Over the next two years we need to raise additional capital to fund additional acquisitions and/or to fund operations. We anticipate that these additional funds will be up to $20 million, depending on the pace and size of our acquisitions. We cannot assure you that financing, whether from external sources or related parties, will be available if needed or on favorable terms. The sale of our common stock to raise capital may cause dilution to our existing shareholders. If additional financing is not available when required or is not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to fund our operations and expansion, successfully promote our brand name, products or services, develop or enhance our tech nology, take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive market pressures, any of which could make it more difficult for us to continue operations. Any reduction in our operations may result in a lower stock price. Under our Investment Agreement with Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery, we may not incur indebtedness or become contingently liable for such indebtedness except for trade payables or purchase money obligations in the ordinary course of business, without the prior agreement or consent of Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery. Also, we may not issue or sell common stock, preferred stock, warrants, options, or similar securities, or enter into security instruments granting the holder a security interest in assets of the company or any subsidiary, without the prior agreement or consent of Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery. Such restrictions may limit our ability to raise additional financing unless such restrictions are waived or amended. There can be no assurance we will be success ful in effecting any such waiver or amendment.
A portion of our future revenue is dependent upon the success of long-term projects, which require significant up-front expense to us. We are dependent on external financing to fund our operations and the up-front costs. There can be no assurance that revenues will be realized until the projects are completed or certain significant milestones are met. Our failure or any failure by a third-party with which we may contract to perform services or deliver products on a timely basis could force us to curtail or cease our business operations.
Current shareholdings may be diluted if we make future equity issuances or if outstanding debentures, warrants, and options are exercised for or converted into shares of common stock.
“Dilution” refers to the reduction in the voting effect and proportionate ownership interest of a given number of shares of common stock as the total number of shares increases. Our issuance of additional stock, convertible preferred stock and convertible debt may result in dilution to the interests of shareholders and may also result in the reduction of your stock price. The sale of a substantial number of shares into the market, or even the perception that sales could occur, could depress the price of the common stock. Also, the exercise of warrants and options may result in additional dilution.
The holders of outstanding options, warrants and convertible securities have the opportunity to profit from a rise in the market price of the common stock, if any, without assuming the risk of ownership, with a resulting dilution in the interests of other shareholders. We may find it more difficult to raise additional equity capital if it should be needed for our business while the options, warrants and convertible securities are outstanding. At any time at which the holders of the options, warrants or convertible securities might be expected to exercise or convert them, we would probably be able to obtain additional capital on terms more favorable than those provided by those securities. Also, some holders of the options and warrants have piggy back registration rights requiring us to register
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their shares underlying such options and warrants in any registration statement we file under the Securities Act. The cost to us for such required registration may be substantial.
Our common stock is deemed to be “penny stock,” which may make it more difficult for investors to resell their shares due to suitability requirements.
Our common stock is deemed to be “penny stock” as that term is defined in Rule 3a51-1 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Penny stocks are stocks:
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With a price of less than $5.00 per share;
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That are not traded on a “recognized” national exchange;
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Whose prices are not quoted on the NASDAQ automated quotation system (NASDAQ listed stock must still have a price of not less than $5.00 per share); or
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Of issuers with net tangible assets less than $2.0 million (if the issuer has been in continuous operation for at least three years) or $5.0 million (if in continuous operation for less than three years), or with average revenues of less than $6.0 million for the last three years.
Broker/dealers dealing in penny stocks are required to provide potential investors with a document disclosing the risks of penny stocks. Moreover, broker/dealers are required to determine whether an investment in a penny stock is a suitable investment for a prospective investor. These requirements may reduce the potential market for our common stock by reducing the number of potential investors. This may make it more difficult for investors in our common stock to sell shares to third parties or to otherwise dispose of them. This could cause our stock price to decline and you could lose your entire investment.
Our securities are covered by the penny stock rules, which impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other than established customers and “accredited investors”. The term “accredited investor” refers generally to institutions with assets in excess of $5,000,000 or individuals with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 jointly with their spouse. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document in a form prepared by the SEC which provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction and monthly account st atements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. The bid and offer quotations, and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information, must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer’s confirmation. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from these rules, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for the stock that is subject to these penny stock rules. Consequently, these penny stock rules may affect the ability of broker-dealers to trade our securities. We believe that the penny stock rules discourage investor interest in and limit the marketability of, our common stock.
FINRA has adopted sales practice requirements which may also limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our stock.
In addition to the “penny stock” rules described above, FINRA has adopted rules that require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common stock, which may limit investors’ ability to buy and sell our stock and have an adverse effect on the market for our shares.
Our common stock has a small public float and future sales of our common stock, may negatively affect the market price of our common stock.
As of June 30, 2008, there were 594,066,669 shares of our common stock outstanding, at a closing market price of $0.0035 for a total market valuation of approximately $2,080,000. As a group, our officers, directors and all other persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our total outstanding shares, beneficially own approximately 314,173,258 shares of our common stock, including vested options and vested warrants. Our common stock has a public float of approximately 290.0 million shares, which shares in the hands of public investors, and which, as the term "public float" excludes shares that are held directly or indirectly by any of our officers or directors or any other person who is the beneficial owner of more than 10% of our total shares outstanding. These shares are held by approximately 380 stockholders of record, not including holders of our common stock in “street name” or beneficial holders, whose shares are held of record by banks, brokers and other financial institutions. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that future sales of
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shares of our common stock into the market will have on the market price of our common stock. However, sales of substantial amounts of common stock, including future shares issued upon the exercise of warrants, or stock options (of which 15,922,320 are presently outstanding) and/or conversion of preferred stock into common stock, or the perception that such transactions could occur, may materially and adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock.
Our stock price is volatile.
The stock market from time to time experiences significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may cause the market price of our common stock to drop. In addition, the market price of our common stock is highly volatile. Factors that may cause the market price of our common stock to drop include:
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Fluctuations in our results of operations;
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Timing and announcements of new customer orders, new products, or those of our competitors;
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Any acquisitions that we make or joint venture arrangements we enter into with third parties;
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Changes in stock market analyst recommendations regarding our common stock;
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Failure of our results of operations to meet the expectations of stock market analysts and investors;
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Increases in the number of outstanding shares of our common stock resulting from sales of new shares, or the exercise of warrants, stock options or convertible securities;
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Reluctance of any market maker to make a market in our common stock;
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Changes in investors’ perception of our business or the businesses we may acquire; and
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General stock market conditions.
There is a limited market for our common stock.
Our common stock is quoted on OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “AWYI.” As a result, relatively small trades in our stock could have disproportionate effect on our stock prices. No assurance can be made that an active market will develop for our common stock or, if it develops, that it will continue.
The OTC Bulletin Board is a regulated quotation service that displays real-time quotes, last-sale prices and volume information for shares of stock that are not designated for quotation on a national securities exchange. Trades in OTC Bulletin Board quoted stocks will be displayed only if the trade is processed by an institution acting as a market maker for those shares. Although there are approximately 15 market makers for our stock, these institutions are not obligated to continue making a market for any specific period of time. Thus, there can be no assurance that any institution will be acting as a market maker for our common stock at any time. If there is no market maker for our stock and no trades in those shares are reported, it may be difficult for you to dispose of your shares or even to obtain accurate quotations as to the market price for your shares. Moreover, because the order handling rules adopted by the SEC that apply to other listed stocks do not apply to OTC Bulletin Board quoted stock, no market maker is required to maintain an orderly market in our common stock. Accordingly, an order to sell our stock placed with a market maker may not be processed until a buyer for the shares is readily available, if at all, which may further limit your ability to sell your shares at prevailing market prices.
Because we became public because of a reverse acquisition, we may not be able to attract the attention of major brokerage firms or institutional investors.
We became a public company through a reverse acquisition in February 2005. Accordingly, securities analysts and major brokerage firms and securities institutions may not cover our common stock since there is no incentive to recommend the purchase of our common stock. No assurance can be given that established brokerage firms will want to conduct any financing for us in the future.
We have and will continue to incur increased costs as a result of being a public company.
As a public company, we have and will continue to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. We will incur costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. We also anticipate that we will incur costs associated with recently adopted corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as new rules implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the NYSE and NASDAQ. We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time-consuming and costly. We also expect that these new rules and regulations may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our Board of Directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these new rules, and we cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs. However, we believe
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that that it is important to provide a mechanism to grant stock options and other stock awards to employees, non-employee directors and consultants as an incentive, and to tie their interests closer to those of our stockholders.
Our board of directors may issue additional shares of preferred stock without stockholder approval.
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock of which 165 have been designated as Series A Preferred Shares of which 121.25 shares are outstanding on the date of the filing of this report. Accordingly, our board of directors may, without shareholder approval, issue one or more new series of preferred stock with rights which could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of outstanding shares of common stock. In addition, the issuance of additional shares of preferred stock may have the effect of rendering more difficult or discouraging, an acquisition or change of control of the Company. Although we do not have any current plans to issue any shares of preferred stock, we may do so in the future.
We have only a small executive team that has to be expanded and we may not be successful in integrating the management teams of companies acquired which could adversely affect the leadership of Ariel Way, divert management time and adversely affect the business and results of operations.
As a result of completion of our acquisition of Old Ariel Way on February 2, 2005, Mr. Arne Dunhem became our new Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. In addition, we have to expand our smallmanagement team. As a result of the acquisition of new operations we will expand with new members to our executive management team. Failure to successfully integrate the management teams of acquired companies could divert management time and resources, which would adversely affect our operations. Our future success also depends on our ability to identify, attract, hire, retain and motivate other well-qualified managerial, technical, sales and marketing personnel.
Management and directors of Ariel Way have a significant percentage of the fully diluted number of common shares and such concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of Ariel Way.
Our management and directors beneficially own a significant percentage of our outstanding common stock, including shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and warrants. As a result, management and a director will have significant influence in matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election and removal of directors, the approval of significant corporate transactions, the issuance of blank check preferred stock, and any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and the control of our management and affairs. Accordingly, such concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us, impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us or discouraging a potential acquirer from attempting to obtain control of us.
Our certifying officers evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2008, and concluded that our disclosure controls were not effective and that we had certain weaknesses in our internal controls over timely reporting.
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (the “Certifying Officers”) are responsible for establishing and maintaining our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)). The Certifying Officers designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under their supervision, to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms, and is made known to management (including the Certifying Officers) by others within the Company, including its subsidiaries. We regularly evaluate the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls quarterly in our Forms 10-QSB and annuall y in our Forms 10-KSB. In completing such reporting, we disclose, as appropriate, any significant change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal period that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. As we disclosed in this Form 10-QSB, our Certifying Officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. While management is responsible for establishing and maintaining our disclosure controls and procedures and has taken steps to ensure that the disclosure controls are effective and free of “significant deficiencies” and/or “material weaknesses,” the ability of management to implement the remediation of such weaknesses and deficiencies and the inherent nature of our business and rapidly changing environment may affect management’s ability to be successful with this initiative .
We have never paid a cash dividend
We have not declared a cash dividend and we do not anticipate paying such dividends in the foreseeable future.
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Risks Related to Our Operations
Provisions of the agreements we entered into in connection with our deposit made for the acquisition of Syrei permit the former owner of Syrei to purchase the shares of our subsidiary, Syrei AB, in the event we are unable to pay the principal amount of the promissory notes we issued in connection with the acquisition or upon the occurrence of certain other events.
Under the Merger Agreement we entered into in connection with our deposit made for the acquisition of Syrei, in the event either (a) the Company fails to satisfy material conditions to the Second Closing, including payment of the principal amount and interest due under the Acquisition Promissory Note, or (b) YA Global Investments, LP, and/or Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., in one or a series of transactions convert the shares of our Series A Preferred Shares that they own sothat, following such transactions, they beneficially own in the aggregate and collectively 15% or more of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, the former Syrei owner company will have the option, to purchase all of the shares of Syrei’s issued and outstanding common stock for nominal consideration (the “Repurchase Option”). Theformer Syrei owner company is required to exercise his Repurchase Option within 15 days of the occurrence of such an event. In the event the former Syrei owner exercises his Repurchase Option, he will have the right to retain (i) the 10,000,000 shares issued to them upon signing of the Merger Agreement and (ii) 5,000,000 of the shares of common stock issued to them as part of the stock consideration for the Merger.
Provisions of the agreements we entered into in connection with our deposit made for the acquisition of Lime Media permit the former members of Lime Media to purchase the shares of our subsidiary, Lime Truck, Inc., in the event we are unable to pay the principal amount of the promissory notes we issued in connection with the acquisition or upon the occurrence of certain other events.
Under the Merger Agreement we entered into in connection with our deposit made for the acquisition of Lime Media, in the event either (a) the Company fails to satisfy material conditions to the Second Closing, including payment of the principal amount and interest due under the Acquisition Promissory Note, or (b) YA Global Investments, LP, and/or Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., in one or a series of transactions convert the shares of our Series A Preferred Shares that they own so that, following such transactions, they beneficially own in the aggregate and collectively 15% or more of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, the Lime Media members will have the option, jointly and not severally, to purchase all of the shares of Lime Truck, Inc.’s issued and outstanding common stock for nominal consideration (the “Repurchase Option”). The Lime Media members are required to exercise their Repurchase Option w ithin 15 days of the occurrence of such an event. In the event the Lime Media Members exercise their Repurchase Option, they will have the right to retain (i) the 10,000,000 shares issued to them upon signing of the Merger Agreement and (ii) 5,000,000 of the shares of common stock issued to them as part of the stock consideration for the Merger.
We are a technology and multimedia company with a revised and new and unproven enterprise technology and multimedia model and a short operating history, which makes it difficult to evaluate our current business and future prospects and may increase the risk of your investment.
We have only a limited operating history with our revised and new business model upon which to base an evaluation of our current business and future prospects. Our limited operating history with the new business model makes an evaluation of our business and prospects very difficult. You must consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and difficulties we may encounter as a developing company with a revised and new business model in the rapidly evolving market for technology and services supporting the business of highly secure global communications. These risks and difficulties include, but are not limited to, the following:
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our revised and new and unproven business, technology and multimedia model;
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a limited number of service offerings and risks associated with developing new product and service offerings;
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the difficulties we may face in managing rapid growth in personnel and operations;
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a failure of our physical infrastructure or internal systems caused by a denial of service, third-party attack, employee error or malfeasance, or other causes;
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a general failure of satellite services and the Internet that impairs our ability to deliver our service;
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a loss or breach of confidentiality of customer data;
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the negative impact on our brand, reputation or trustworthiness caused by any significant unavailability of our services;
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the systematic failure of a core component of our services from which it would be difficult for us to recover;
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the timing and success of new service introductions and new technologies by our competitors;
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our ability to acquire and merge subsidiaries in a highly competitive market; and
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we may not be able to successfully address any of these risks or others.
Failure to adequately do so could force us to curtail or cease our business operations.
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Consolidations in the industry in which we compete could adversely affect our businesses to include a reduction or elimination of our proportionate share of those markets
The global communications and digital signage solutions, multimedia and technologies industry has experienced consolidation of participants, and this trend may continue. If highly secure global communications and digital signage solutions and technologies providers consolidate with companies that utilize technologies that are similar to or compete with our secure technology, our proportionate share of the emerging market for highly secure global communications and digital signage solutions and technologies may be reduced or eliminated. This reduction or elimination of our market share could reduce our ability to obtain profitable operations and could cause us to curtail or cease our business operations.
We believe that our ability to compete successfully in the global communications, multimedia and digital signage solutions and technologies market depends on a number of factors, including market presence; the adequacy of its member and technical support services; the capacity, reliability and security of its network infrastructure; the ease of access to and navigation of the capabilities provided by our solutions and technologies; our pricing policies, our competitors and suppliers; the timing of introductions of new services by us and our competitors; our ability to support existing and emerging industry standards; and industry and general economic trends. If any of these factors negatively impact us, we may be forced to curtail or cease our business operations.
We may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights, the foundation of our business, which could harm our business by making it easier for our competitors to duplicate our services
We regard certain aspects of our products, processes, services and technology as proprietary. We intend to take steps to protect them with patents, copyrights, trademarks, restrictions on disclosure and other methods. Despite these precautions, we cannot be certain that third parties will not infringe or misappropriate our proprietary rights or that third parties will not independently develop similar products, services and technology. Any infringement, misappropriation or independent development could cause us to cease operations.
We own several Internet domain names, includingwww.arielway.com,www.syrei.com,www.syrei.se andwww.limetruck.com. The regulation of domain names in the United States and in foreign countries may change. Regulatory bodies could establish additional top-level domains or modify the requirements for holding domain names, any or all of which may dilute the strength of our name. We may not acquire or maintain our domain name or additional common names in all of the countries in which our marketplace may be accessed, or for any or all of the top-level domains that may be introduced. The relationship between regulations governing domain names and laws protecting proprietary rights is unclear. Therefore, we may not be able to prevent third parties from acquiring domain names that infringe or otherwise decrease the value of our trademarks and other proprietary rights.
We may have to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, protect our trade secrets, determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others, or defend ourselves from claims of infringement, invalidity or unenforceability. Litigation may be expensive and divert resources even if we win. This could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results such that it could cause us to reduce or cease operations.
Our business revenue generation model is unproven and could fail .
Our revenue model is revised and new and evolving, and we cannot be certain that it will be successful. Our ability to generate revenue depends, among other things, on our ability to provide quality highly secure global communications and digital signage solutions and technologies to our customers and to develop and ultimately sell various security appliances products and digital signage services. We have limited experience with our highly secure global communications and digital signage solutions and technologies business and our success is largely dependent upon our ability to successfully integrate and manage any acquisitions we may consummate. If we are unable to sell our services and provide them efficiently, we will be forced to curtail or cease our business operations.
The disposition of activities by and of operations of dbsXmedia with its subsequent sale and its business and transfer our Company to a new business model based on prior dbsXmedia experience may not be successful and could fail
During year 2006, we experienced growth in revenues and related expenses. Our increase in revenues was due primarily to our acquisition of dbsXmedia and its Business TV operation. However, due to dbsXmedia not achieving anticipated profitability and cash flow, failing in the execution of its financial business plan, and mounting debt to Loral Skynet Network Services, Inc. for satellite services, and its management team departing dbsXmedia, we decided to wind-up the activities of, and services provided by, dbsXmedia. dbsXmedia was disposed of on February 22, 2008. Subsequently, we have embarked on building on the experience gained from the Business TV operation and expanding into the dynamic digital signage business. In addition, we are taking a number of measures designed to improve our financial condition such as looking into potential new acquisitions, cost reductions, expansion of the Business TV multimedia experience and the integration of various new acquisitions. However, if revenue and cash provided by operations do not exceed expenses, if economic conditions weaken or, if competitive pressures increase, our ability to meet our debt
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obligations and our financial condition could be materially and adversely affected, and the company could be forced to cease operations.
If we are not able to compete effectively in the highly competitive global communications, multimedia and digital signage solutions and technologies industries we may be forced to curtail or cease operations
Our ability to compete effectively with our competitors depends on the following factors, among others:
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the performance of our products, services and technology in a manner that meets customer expectations;
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the success of our efforts to develop effective channels of distribution for our products and services;
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our ability to price our products and services that are of a quality and at a price point that is competitive with similar or comparable products and services offered by our competitors;
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general conditions in the global communications and digital signage solutions and technologies industries;
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the success of our efforts to develop, improve and satisfactorily address any issues relating to our technology;
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our ability to effectively compete with companies that have substantially greater market presence and financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we have; and
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our ability to adapt to the consolidation of providers of global communications, multimedia and digital signage solutions and technologies with or into larger entities, or entry of new entities into the highly secure global communications and digital signage solutions and technologies market, would likely result in greater competition for us.
If we are unable to successfully compete in our industry, we may be forced to curtail or cease our business operations.
Other parties may assert that our technology infringes on their intellectual property rights, which could divert management time and resources and possibly force us to redesign our technology
Technology-based industries, such as ours, are characterized by an increasing number of patents and frequent litigation based on allegations of patent infringement. From time to time, third parties may assert patent, copyright and other intellectual property rights to technologies that are important to us. While there currently are no outstanding infringement claims pending by or against us, we cannot assure you that third parties will not assert infringement claims against us in the future, that assertions by such parties will not result in costly litigation, or that they will not prevail in any such litigation. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will be able to license any valid and infringed patents from third parties on commercially reasonable terms or, alternatively, be able to redesign products on a cost-effective basis to avoid infringement. Any infringement claim or other litigation against or by us could have a material adverse effect on us and could cause us to reduce or cease operations.
If we are unable to successfully develop the technology necessary for our solutions, products and processes, we will not be able to bring our products to market and may be forced to reduce or cease operations
Our ability to commercialize our solutions and products is dependent on the advancement of our existing technology. In order to obtain and maintain market share we will continually be required to make advances in technology. We cannot assure you that our research and development efforts will result in the development of such technology on a timely basis or at all. Any failures in such research and development efforts could result in significant delays in product development and cause us to reduce or cease operations. We cannot assure you that we will not encounter unanticipated technological obstacles, which either delay or prevent us from completing the development of our products and processes.
If we cannot deliver the features and functionality our customers demand, we will be unable to attract customers
Our future success depends upon our ability to determine the needs of our customers and to design and implement technology products and global communications, multimedia and digital signage solutions and technologies that meet their needs in a cost efficient manner. If we are unable to successfully determine customer requirements or if our current or future services do not adequately satisfy customer demands, we will be forced to curtail or cease our business operations.
Our limited operating history with the revised and new business model may impede acceptance of our technologies and service by medium-sized and large customers
Our ability to increase revenue and achieve profitability depends, in large part, on widespread acceptance of our technologies and services by various sized and type of businesses. Our efforts to sell to these customers may not be successful. In particular, because we are a relatively new company with a revised and new business model and a limited operating history, these target customers may have concerns regarding our viability and may prefer to purchase critical hardware and/or software applications or other services from one of our larger, more established competitors. Even if we are able to sell our service to these types of customers, they may insist on
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additional assurances from us that we will be able to provide adequate levels of service, which could harm our business and forced to curtail or cease our business operations.
Our future financial performance will depend on the introduction and widespread acceptance of new features to, and enhanced editions of, our technologies and services
Our future financial performance will depend on our ability to develop and introduce new features to, and new editions of, our technologies and services. The success of new features and editions depends on several factors, including the timely completion, introduction and market acceptance of the feature or edition. Failure in this regard may significantly impair our revenue growth. In addition, the market for our technologies and solutions may be limited if prospective customers, particularly medium and large customers, require customized features or functions that are incompatible with our application delivery model. If we are unable to develop new features or enhanced editions of our technologies and solutions that achieve widespread levels of market acceptance or if prospective customers require customized features or functions, we will be forced to curtail or cease our business operations.
We may be dependent on third parties to complete certain projects with the risk of failure of the project if the third party does not adequately perform
A potential difficulty in completing a project could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business and results of operations. In certain instances, we may be dependent on the efforts of third parties to adequately complete our portion of a project and, even if our products and processes perform as required, a project may still fail due to other components of the project supplied by third parties. Any such project failure could force us to curtail a crease our business operations.
If we fail to develop our brand cost-effectively, our business may suffer
We believe that developing and maintaining awareness of our brand in a cost-effective manner is critical to achieving widespread acceptance of our existing and future solutions and technologies and is an important element in attracting new customers. Furthermore, we believe that the importance of brand recognition will increase as competition in our markets develops. Successful promotion of our brand will depend largely on the effectiveness of our marketing efforts and on our ability to provide reliable and useful technologies and services at competitive prices. Brand promotion activities may not yield increased revenue, and even if they do, any increased revenue may not offset the expenses we incurred in building our brand. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our brand, or incur substantial expenses in an unsuccessful attempt to promote and maintain our brand, we may fail to attract enough new customers or retain our existing customers to the exte nt necessary to realize a sufficient return on our brand-building efforts, and we could be forced to curtail or cease our business operations.
Any failure to adequately expand our direct sales force will impede our growth
We expect to be substantially dependent on a direct sales force to obtain new customers, particularly medium and large enterprise customers, and to manage our customer base. We believe that there is significant competition for direct sales personnel with the advanced sales skills and technical knowledge we need. Our ability to achieve significant growth in revenue in the future will depend, in large part, on our success in recruiting, training and retaining sufficient direct sales personnel. New hires require significant training and may, in some cases, take more than a year before they achieve full productivity. Our recent hires and planned hires may not become as productive as we would like, and we may be unable to hire sufficient numbers of qualified individuals in the future in the markets where we do business. If we are unable to hire and develop sufficient numbers of productive sales personnel, sales of our services will suffer and we could be forced to curtail or cease our business operations.
Sales to customers outside the United States expose us to risks inherent in international sales
Our anticipated sales outside the United States represent, in addition to our anticipated sales in the Americas, a significant portion of our future total revenue. We intend to expand our domestic and international sales efforts. As a result, we will be subject to risks and challenges that we would otherwise not face if we conducted our business only in the United States. These risks and challenges include:
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localization of our technologies and services, including translation into foreign languages and associated expenses;
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laws and business practices favoring local competitors;
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more established competitors with greater resources;
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compliance with multiple, conflicting and changing governmental laws and regulations,
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including tax, privacy and data protection laws and regulations;
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different employee/employer relationships and the existence of workers’ councils and labor unions;
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different pricing environments;
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difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations;
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longer accounts receivable payment cycles and other collection difficulties; and
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regional economic and political conditions.
These factors could force us to curtail or cease our business operations.
We may not be able to keep up with rapid technological changes, which could render our solutions, technologies and processes obsolete
The global communications and digital signage solutions and technologies industry is characterized by rapid technological change, changes in customer requirements and preferences, frequent introduction of products and services embodying new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards and practices that could render our existing technology and systems obsolete. Our future success will depend on our ability to enhance and improve the responsiveness, functionality, accessibility and features of our products. We expect that our marketplace will require extensive technological upgrades and enhancements to accommodate many of the new products and services that we anticipate will be added to our marketplace. If we are unable to expand and upgrade our technology and systems, and successfully integrate new technologies or systems in the future, to accommodate such increases in a timely manner, we may be forced to curtail or cease our business operations.
We may not effectively manage the growth necessary to execute our business plan, which could adversely affect the quality of our operations and our costs
In order to achieve the critical mass of business activity that we believe is necessary to successfully execute our business plan; we must significantly increase the business operation through acquisitions in addition to increasing the number of strategic partners and customers that use our solutions, technologies and services. This growth will place significant strain on our personnel, systems and resources. We also expect that we will continue to hire employees, including technical, management-level employees, and sales staff for the foreseeable future. This growth will require us to improve management, technical, information and accounting systems, controls and procedures. We may not be able to maintain the quality of our operations, control our costs, continue complying with all applicable regulations and expand our internal management, technical information and accounting systems in order to support our desired growth. If we do not manage our growth effec tively, we could be forced to curtail or cease our business operations.
We may not successfully execute or integrate acquisitions
Our business model is dependent upon growth through acquisition of other technology and communications solutions providers. We expect to attempt to complete acquisitions that we anticipate will enable us to build our highly secure global communications solutions and technologies business. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including the following:
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Difficulties in integrating the operations, technologies, products and personnel of the acquired companies;
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Diversion of management’s attention from normal daily operations of the business;
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Acquisitions may also cause us to have difficulties in entering markets in which we have no or limited direct prior experience and where competitors in such markets have stronger market positions;
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Initial dependence on unfamiliar partners;
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Insufficient revenues to offset increased expenses associated with acquisitions; and
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The potential loss of key employees of the acquired companies.
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Issue common stock that would dilute our current shareholders’ percentage ownership;
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Assume liabilities;
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Record goodwill and non-amortizable intangible assets that will be subject to impairment testing on a regular basis and potential periodic impairment charges;
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Incur amortization expenses related to certain intangible assets;
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Incur large and immediate write-offs, and restructuring and other related expenses; or
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Become subject to litigation.
Risks Associated With Acquisitions
As part of its business strategy, the Company expects to acquire assets and businesses relating to or complementary to its operations. These acquisitions by the Company will involve risks commonly encountered in acquisitions of companies. These risks include, among other things, the following: the Company may be exposed to unknown liabilities of the acquired companies; the Company may incur acquisition costs and expenses higher than it anticipated; fluctuations in the Company's quarterly and annual operating results may occur due to the costs and expenses of acquiring and integrating new businesses or technologies; the Company may experience
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difficulties and expenses in assimilating the operations and personnel of the acquired businesses; the Company's ongoing business may be disrupted and its management's time and attention diverted; the Company may be unable to integrate successfully.
Mergers and acquisitions of high-technology companies are inherently risky, and no assurance can be given that our previous or future acquisitions will be successful and will not materially adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition. Failure to manage and successfully integrate acquisitions we make could force us to curtail or cease our business operations.
If we were to lose the services of members of our management team, we may not be able to execute our business strategy.
Our future success depends in a large part upon the continued service of key members of our senior management team. In particular, our CEO Arne Dunhem is critical to the overall management of Ariel Way as well as the development and implementation of our business strategy. Although we do not have a formal employment agreement with Mr. Dunhem and other key personnel, we intend to design each of their employment agreements to provide incentives to our executives to fulfill the terms of their agreements with us, each executive or employee may terminate their employment with us at any time. We do not maintain any key-person life insurance policies. The loss of any of our management or key personnel could seriously harm our business.
Our business depends upon the growth and maintenance of the global satellite, telecommunications and internet infrastructure.
Our success will depend on the continued growth and maintenance of the global satellite, telecommunications and Internet infrastructure. This includes maintenance of a reliable network backbone with the necessary speed, data capacity and security for providing reliable Internet services. Satellite, telecommunications and Internet infrastructures may be unable to support the demands placed on it if the number of users continues to increase, or if existing or future users access the Internet more often or increase their bandwidth requirements. In addition, viruses, worms and similar programs may harm the performance of the Internet. The Internet has experienced a variety of outages and other delays as a result of damage to portions of its infrastructure, and it could face outages and delays in the future. These outages and delays could reduce the level of telecommunications and Internet usage as well as our ability to provide our solutions. Any failure of the In ternet infrastructure could force us to curtail or cease our business operations.
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Item 3A(T)
Controls and Procedures .
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Bagell, Josephs, Levine and Company, LLC, our independent registered public accounting firm, has advised management and the board of directors that it has identified the following material weakness in our internal controls:
A material weakness exists as of June 30, 2008, with regard to our design and maintenance of adequate controls over the preparation, review, presentation and disclosure of amounts included in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, as of March 31, 2008, which resulted in misstatements therein. The changes in cash flows from accounts payable and accrued expenses were not appropriately classified as cash inflows and outflows on the Statement of Cash Flows. In addition, a promissory note and stock issued in an acquisition and net transfers of subsidiaries to a related party were not appropriately reported as investing and financing cash flows in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
In order to remediate these material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, management is in the process of designing and implementing and continuing to enhance controls to aid in the correct preparation, review, presentation and disclosures of our Consolidated Financial Statements. We are continuing to monitor, evaluate and test the operating effectiveness of these controls.
As of the end of the period covered by this Report, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company (the “Certifying Officers”) conducted evaluations of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. As defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the term “disclosure controls and procedures” means controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure the information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including the Certifying Officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Based on this evaluation and for the reason outlined below, the Certifying Officers determined that, as of the end of the period covered by this Report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the Reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
Management has identified a material weakness in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. This material weakness consisted primarily of inadequate staffing and supervision that could lead to the untimely identification and resolution of accounting and disclosure matters and failure to perform timely and effective reviews. However, the size of the Company prevents us from being able to employ sufficient resources to enable us to have adequate segregation of duties within its internal control system. Management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Management intends to allocate additional resources in addition to reassigning tasks and duties within the Company such that the identified deficiencies will be mitigated with priority.
Changes in Internal Controls
There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the period covered by the Report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
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PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following provides information concerning all sales of our securities during the three-month period ended June 30, 2008 that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933.
On April 10, 2008, Arne Dunhem, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company cancelled an aggregate 65,000,000 shares of his personal shares of common stock of the Company pursuant to a demand from YA Global Investments, LP (“YA Global”, f/k/a Cornell Capital Partners, LLP). Pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, the Company will issue the same number of shares of common stock to Mr. Dunhem as soon as an increase of the authorized number of shares has become effective.
On April 10, 2007, the Company received a conversion notice from YA Global requesting the conversion of 8 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, or the sum of $80,248.32, representing the conversion under the terms of the Certificate of Designation dated February 28, 2006, into 25,077,600 shares of its restricted common stock at a conversion price of $0.0032 per share.
On April 18, 2007, the Company received a conversion notice from YA Global requesting the conversion of 7 1/2 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, or the sum of $75,232.80, representing the conversion under the terms of the Certificate of Designation dated February 28, 2006, into 25,077,600 shares of its restricted common stock at a conversion price of $0.003 per share.
On May 2, 2008, the Company received a conversion notice from YA Global requesting the conversion of 1 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, or the sum of $10,031.04, representing the conversion under the terms of the Certificate of Designation dated February 28, 2006, into 4,012,416 shares of its restricted common stock at a conversion price of $0.0025 per share.
Except as otherwise noted, the securities described in this Item were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Each such issuance was made pursuant to individual contracts, which are discrete from one another and are made only with persons who were accredited investors, sophisticated in such transactions and who had knowledge of and access to sufficient information about us to make an informed investment decision. Among this information was the fact that the securities were restricted securities.
Item 3.
Defaults upon Senior Securities
Under our Investment Agreement with Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery, we were required to reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, a number of shares sufficient to effect conversion of Series A Preferred Shares. Furthermore, the Company failed to call and hold a special meeting of its stockholders within thirty (30) days of the time that it no longer had a number of shares sufficient to effect conversion of the Preferred Stock, for the purpose of increasing the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. Accordingly, we were deemed to be in default under our agreements with Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery and the terms of our Series A Preferred Shares. Also under our agreements with Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery, we have agreed not to merge or consolidate with any person or entity or sell or lease or otherwise dispose of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business involving a n aggregate consideration of more than ten percent of the book value of our assets on a consolidated basis. Since we made deposit for Syrei, we were deemed by Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery to be in default under our agreements with Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery and the terms of our Series A Preferred Shares. Further, we may not issue or sell common stock, preferred stock, warrants, options, or similar securities, or on our ability to enter into security instruments granting the holder a security interest in assets of the company or any subsidiary without the prior consent from Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery and we may be deemed to be in default under this provision. In the event of the occurrence and continuance of an event of default, all outstanding principal and interest under the Series A Preferred Shares shall be due and payable and the holders may convert the Series A Preferred Shares without regard to any limitation on the conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares . On April 21, 2008, the Company, with its Directors and Chief Executive Officer, negotiated and executed a Forbearance Agreement (the “Agreement”) by and between the Company and YA Global Investments, L.P. (formerly Cornell Capital Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“YA Global”) and Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted Company and wholly owned subsidiary of YA Global (“Montgomery” and together with YA Global, the “Investor”). In the Agreement, the Yorkville Advisors and Montgomery provided the Company with formal notice of the actions and inactions set forth below, each of which can trigger an Event of Default under the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) and the Transaction Documents (referred to herein as the “Existing Defaults”):
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Due to various equity transactions, the Company has been unable to keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, a number of shares sufficient to effect conversion of the Preferred Stock. Furthermore, the Company has not called and held a special meeting of its stockholders within thirty (30) days of the time that it no longer had a number of shares sufficient to effect conversion of the Preferred Stock, for the purpose of increasing the number of authorized shares of Common Stock.
The Company was also through correspondence notified by the Investor that the Company was in breach of the Preferred Stock and the Transaction Documents by not receiving a consent from the Investor for the deposit made for the acquisition of Syrei Holdings UK Limited.
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company was among others obligated to:
(a)
The Company shall issue to YA Global a Warrant to purchase 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.001 per share for a period of five years from the issuance date.
(b)
The Company shall amend the Company’s Articles of Incorporation related to its Series A Convertible Preferred Shares so that: (i) Holders of Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive dividends or distributions on a pro rata basis according to their holdings of shares of Preferred Stock when and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors at an annual rate of eighteen percent (18%) effective as of the date hereof; and (ii) the conversion price as set forth in the Preferred Stock shall be equal to the lesser of (a)Ten Cents ($0.10), or (b) a seventy-five percent (75%) of the lowest volume weighted average price of the Common Stock as quoted by Bloomberg, LP during the twenty (20) trading days immediately preceding the date of conversion. Also, the Company is required to reduce the exercise price of an outstanding warrant to purchase 1,000,000 held by the investor to an exercise price of $.001 per share. &nb sp;
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
On April 11, 2008 we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission an Information Statement on Schedule 14C. The purpose of the Information Statement was to inform the holders of record of shares of our common stock as of the close of business on the record date,March 17, 2008, that our Board of Directors had recommended, and that the holders of a majority of our common stock, as of such record date, had approved, by written consent in lieu of a special meeting of stockholders dated March 17, 2008, amending our Articles of Incorporation to increase the total number of authorized shares of our capital stock from 600,000,000 shares, consisting of 595,000,000 shares of our common stock and 5,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock, to 2,000,000,000 shares, consisting of 1,995,000,000 shares of our common stock and 5,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stoc k.
The Information Statement was circulated to advise our stockholders of a corporate action that had already been approved by written consent of our stockholders who collectively hold a majority of our common stock. Therefore, the Information Statement was being sent to the stockholders for informational purposes only. Pursuant to Rule 14c-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the corporate action would not be effective until twenty days after the date that the Information Statement was mailed to our stockholders.
On May 6, 2008, we filed with the Secretary of State of State of Florida, Articles of Amendment of our Articles of Incorporation, amending our Articles of Incorporation to increase the total number of authorized shares of our capital stock from 600,000,000 shares, consisting of 595,000,000 shares of our common stock and 5,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock, to 2,000,000,000 shares, consisting of 1,995,000,000 shares of our common stock and 5,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock. The amendment became effective on May 19, 2008.
On June 20, 2008, Ariel Way, Inc. (the “Company”), amended and restated (the “Amendment”) its Certificate of Designation (the “Certificate of Designation”) for the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”). The Amendment was filed on June 13, 2008, and was accepted for filing by the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State on June 20, 2008. The Amendment was made pursuant to the terms of a Forbearance Agreement, dated April 21, 2008, among the Company, YA Global Investments, L.P. (formerly Cornell Capital Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“YA Global”)), and Montgomery Equity Partners, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of YA Global.
The Amendment effected the following changes to the designations and preferences of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock:
1.
Increased the amount of dividends or distributions that holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive pro rata on their shares when and if declared by the board of directors from 5% to 18% per year of the liquidation amount. The Amendment now provides that such dividends or distribution shall be paid quarterly on the first day of March, June, September and December of each year, and that such dividends shall begin to accrue and shall be cumulative as of May 31, 2008. Further, the Amendment provides that accrued but unpaid dividends may be paid, at the option of the holder of the Series A Preferred Stock, in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock. Prior to the Amendment, the Certificate of Designation provided that such dividends and distributions were payable in cash.
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2.
Reduced the price at which shares of Series A Preferred Stock are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock to a price that shall equal the lesser of $0.10 or 75% of the lowest volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock for the 20 trading days immediately preceding the date of conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, as quoted by Bloomberg, L.P. (“VWAP”). Prior to the Amendment, the Certificate of Designation provided that the conversion price was equal to the lesser of $0.10 or 95% of the VWAP of the common stock for the 20 trading days immediately preceding the date of conversion, as quoted by Bloomberg, L.P.
Item 5.
Other Information
None.
Item 6.
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
A.
Exhibits:
| |
2.1 | Amendment No. 2 to Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Ariel Way, Inc., Syrei Acquisition Ltd., Syrei Holding UK Limited, Syrei AB, and Syrei Limited, dated July 1, 2008 |
2.2 | Amendment No. 2, Acquisition Promissory Note by and among Ariel Way, Inc., and Syrei Limited, dated July 1, 2008 |
2.3 | Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among Ariel Way, Inc., Lime Truck, Inc., Lime Media Group, Inc., Melody Mayer, Heath Hill, and Charles Warren dated June 30, 2008 |
2.4 | Amendment No. 1 to Acquisition Promissory Note, by and among Ariel Way, Inc., Melody Mayer, Heath Hill, and Charles Warren dated June 30, 2008 |
21.1 | List of Subsidiaries of Registrant, incorporated herein by reference thereto and filed herewith. |
31.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, filed herewith. |
31.2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, filed herewith. |
32.1* | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. |
* These certifications are not deemed filed by the SEC and are not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, irrespective of any general incorporation language in any filings.
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| | |
| ARIEL WAY, INC. |
| | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Arne Dunhem |
| | Arne Dunhem Chief Executive Officer, Acting Chief Financial Officer, Acting Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer) |
| |
Date: September 18, 2008
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