As confidentially submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 16, 2021. This draft registration statement has not been filed, publicly or otherwise, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and all information contained herein remains strictly confidential.
Registration No. 333-[____]
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
LA ROSA HOLDINGS CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada | | 6531 | | 87-1641189 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
1420 Celebration Blvd., 2nd Floor
Celebration, FL 34747
(321) 250-1799
(Address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Joseph La Rosa
Chief Executive Officer
1420 Celebration Blvd., 2nd Floor
Celebration, FL 34747
(321) 250-1799
(Name, address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Please send copies of all communications to:
Ross D. Carmel, Esq. Philip Magri, Esq. Carmel, Milazzo & Feil LLP 55 West 39th Street, 18th Floor New York, NY 10018 (646) 838-1310 | | M. Ali Panjwani, Esq. Pryor Cashman LLP 7 Times Square New York, NY 10036 (212) 421-4100 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), check the following box. ¨
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer¨ | Accelerated filer ¨ |
Non-accelerated filer x | Smaller reporting company x |
| Emerging growth company x |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of Securities To Be Registered (1) | | Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (2) | | | Amount of Registration Fee | |
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (3) | | $ | 17,250,000 | | | $ | 1,599.08 | |
Representative’s Warrants (4) | | | — | | | | — | |
Common Stock underlying Representative’s Warrants (5) | | $ | 990,000 | | | $ | 91.78 | |
Total (6) | | $ | 18,240,000.00 | | | $ | 1,690.86 | (7) |
| (1) | In accordance with Rule 416(a), the Registrant is also registering an indeterminate number of additional shares of common stock that shall be issuable pursuant to Rule 416 to prevent dilution resulting from share splits, share dividends or similar transactions. |
| (2) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and includes shares of common stock that the underwriters have an option to purchase. |
| (3) | Includes common stock that may be issued upon exercise of a 45-day option granted to the underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any. |
| (4) | No additional registration fee is payable pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act. |
| (5) | The Representative’s Warrants are exercisable into a number of shares of common stock equal to 6% of the number of shares of common stock sold in this offering, excluding shares issuable upon the exercise the underwriters’ option to purchase additional securities, at an exercise price equal to 110% of the public offering price per share. |
| (6) | Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) based on an estimate of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price. |
| (7) | Registration fee will be paid when this Registration Statement is publicly filed with the SEC under Section 6(b) of Securities Act. |
The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, we are omitting our combined unaudited financial statements as of September 30, 2021 and for the nine months then ended. While this financial information is otherwise required by Regulation S-X, we reasonably believe that it will not be required to be included in the prospectus at the time of the contemplated offering. We intend to amend this registration statement to include all financial information required by Regulation S-X at the date of such amendment before distributing a preliminary prospectus to investors.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion, Dated ____________, 2021
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
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LA ROSA HOLDINGS CORP.
[ ] SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
This is our initial public offering of common stock. We are selling shares of common stock. We anticipate the initial public offering price will be between $ and $ per share.
No public market currently exists for our common stock. We intend to list the common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market, or NASDAQ, under the symbol “LRHC.” Accordingly, while the estimates set forth above represent our bona fide estimate of the range of public offering price per share and number of shares to be issued, consistent with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Nasdaq, we may ultimately issue more shares at a lower price or fewer shares at a greater price to achieve such minimum value of unrestricted publicly held shares. We will not consummate the offering unless such minimum value will be achieved and until we receive approval from Nasdaq to list our common stock.
Following the completion of this offering, our Founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Joseph La Rosa, will control approximately [ ]% of the voting power of our voting capital stock with respect to director elections and other matters (or approximately [ ]% of the voting power with respect to director elections if the underwriters exercise in full their 45-day option to purchase additional shares of our common stock to cover over-allotments, if any). Although we are a “controlled company” under the rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market, our board of directors is composed of a majority of independent directors and we will not take advantage of the “controlled company” exemptions provided under such rules. Please see “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page [•] of this prospectus for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our common stock.
We are an “emerging growth company” as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (or the JOBS Act) and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus and future filings. See “Prospectus Summary — Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company.”
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
| | Price to Public | | | Underwriting Discounts and Commissions (1) | | | Proceeds to Us (2) | |
Per Share | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Total | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| (1) | Does not include additional compensation payable to the underwriter. We have agreed to reimburse the underwriter for certain expenses incurred relating to this offering. In addition, we will issue to the underwriter a warrant to purchase the number of shares of our common stock equal to six percent (6%) of the number of shares issued at the initial closing of this offering. See “Underwriting” for additional information regarding underwriting compensation. |
| (2) | The amount of offering proceeds to us presented in this table does not give effect to any exercise of the: (i) over-allotment option we have granted to the underwriters as described below, or (ii) the warrants being issued to the Representative in this offering. |
This offering is being underwritten on a firm commitment basis. We have granted a 45-day option to the underwriters, exercisable one or more times in whole or in part, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the shares of common stock from us at the public offering price per share of common stock, less the underwriting discounts payable by us, solely to cover over-allotments, if any (the “Over-Allotment Option”).
The underwriters expect to deliver the securities against payment to the investors in this offering on or about [ ], 2022.
Sole Book-Running Manager |
|
Maxim Group LLC |
The date of this prospectus is , 2022.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Through and including [ ], 2022 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriter and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
Neither we nor any of the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any amendment or supplement to this prospectus and any related free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurances as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus or in any applicable free writing prospectus related thereto is current only as of its date, regardless of its time of delivery or any sale of shares. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects may have changed since that date.
For investors outside the United States: Neither we nor any of the underwriters have done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities and the distribution of this prospectus outside of the United States.
No person is authorized in connection with this prospectus to give any information or to make any representations about us, the securities offered hereby or any matter discussed in this prospectus, other than the information and representations contained in this prospectus. If any other information or representation is given or made, such information or representation may not be relied upon as having been authorized by us.
Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described in this prospectus under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The combined financial statements include the accounts of La Rosa Realty, LLC and its affiliates La Rosa Coaching, LLC, La Rosa CRE, LLC, La Rosa Franchising, LLC, and La Rosa Property Management which are affiliated by virtue of common management and ownership. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.
MARKET DATA
Market data and certain industry data and forecasts used throughout this prospectus were obtained from internal company surveys, market research, consultant surveys, publicly available information, reports of governmental agencies and industry publications and surveys. Industry surveys, publications, consultant surveys and forecasts generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed. To our knowledge, certain third-party industry data that includes projections for future periods does not take into account the effects of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. Accordingly, those third-party projections may be overstated and should not be given undue weight. We have not independently verified any of the data from third party sources, nor have we ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon therein. Similarly, internal surveys, industry forecasts and market research, which we believe to be reliable based on our management’s knowledge of the industry, have not been independently verified. Forecasts are particularly likely to be inaccurate, especially over long periods of time. In addition, we do not necessarily know what assumptions regarding general economic growth were used in preparing the forecasts we cite. Statements as to our market position are based on the most currently available data. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the industry data presented in this prospectus, our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus.
TRADEMARKS
The logos, and other trade names, trademarks, and service marks of La Rosa Holdings Corp. appearing in this prospectus are the property of La Rosa Holdings Corp. Other trade names, trademarks, and service marks appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective holders. Trade names, trademarks, and service marks contained in this prospectus may appear without the “®” or “™” symbols. Such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to those trade names, trademarks, and service marks.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
Throughout this prospectus, unless otherwise designated or the context suggests otherwise,
| · | all references to the “Company,” the “registrant,” “LRHC,” “we,” “our,” or “us” in this prospectus mean La Rosa Holdings Corp., a Nevada corporation, and its subsidiaries; |
| · | “year” or “fiscal year” mean the year ending December 31st; |
| · | all dollar or $ references when used in this prospectus refer to United States dollars; |
| · | all references to the Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and all references to the Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and, |
| · | all references to our common stock means our authorized common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and all references to our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock means our authorized Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, that provides 10,000 votes per share. |
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights certain information about us and this offering contained elsewhere in this prospectus. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our common stock and should be read in conjunction with the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. Before you decide to invest in our common stock, you should carefully read the entire prospectus, including “Risk Factors” beginning on page [•], “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” beginning on page [•] and the combined financial statements and related notes thereto included in this prospectus.
Overview
We operate primarily in the U.S. residential real estate market, which, according to Zillow Research1, totaled $36.2 trillion in December 2020.
We are the holding company for five agent-centric, technology-integrated, cloud-based, multi-service real estate companies. Our primary business, La Rosa Realty, LLC, has been listed in the “Top 75 Residential Real Estate Firms in the United States” from 2016 through 2020 by the National Association of Realtors (or NAR), the leading real estate industry trade association in the United States.
Our business was founded by Mr. Joseph La Rosa, a successful real estate developer, business and life coach, author, podcaster and public speaker. Mr. La Rosa’s self-help book “Do It Now” is a roadmap to personal success and well-being based on his transformative theories of family, passion and growth. His philosophy, seminars and educational forums have attracted numerous successful realtors that have spurred the growth of our business.
In addition to providing person-to-person residential and commercial real estate brokerage services to the public, we cross sell ancillary technology-based products and services primarily to our sales agents and the sales agents associated with our franchisees. Our business is organized based on the services we provide internally to our agents and to the public, which are residential and commercial real estate brokerage, franchising, real estate brokerage education and coaching, and property management. Our real estate brokerage business operates primarily under the trade name La Rosa Realty, which we own, and, to a lesser extent, under the trade name Better Homes Realty which we license. We have five La Rosa Realty corporate real estate brokerage offices located in Florida, [ ] La Rosa Realty franchised real estate brokerage offices in six states in the United States and Puerto Rico, and an international La Rosa Realty franchised office in Peru and in Turkey. Our real estate brokerage offices, both corporate and franchised, are staffed with more than approximately 2,380 licensed real estate brokers and sales associates.
We have built our business by providing the home buying public with well trained, knowledgeable realtors who have access to our proprietary and third party in-house technology tools and quality education and training, and valuable marketing that attracts some of the best local realtors who provide value-added services to our home buyers and sellers that are attracted to our brands. We give our real estate brokers and sales agents who are seeking financial independence a turnkey solution and support them in growing their brokerages while they fund their own businesses. This enables us to maintain a low fixed-cost business with several recurring revenue streams, yielding relatively high margins and cash flow.
Our agent-centric commission model enables our sales agents to obtain higher net commissions than they would otherwise receive from many of our competitors in our local markets. Moreover, we believe that our proprietary technology, training, and the support that we provide to our agents at a minimal cost to them is one of the best offered in the industry.
1 https://www.zillow.com/research/zillow-total-housing-value-2020-28704/
We believe that our focus on the interaction between our in person agents and their clients is a strong weapon against the internet-only commodity websites and the low touch discount brokerages who compete with us. By creating a custom solution offering a unique experience, our agents are able to guide their clients seamlessly through what may the most expensive purchase of their lifetime.
Disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a downturn in our local residential real estate market in 2020. However, our local real estate market rebounded significantly in 2021 and continues to be strong as the pandemic has caused what appears to be a large migration into our market areas from other states. Because nearly all of our sales agents, who are independent contractors, were working remotely before the pandemic struck, and because Florida did not mandate stay-at-home orders like many other states, the manner in which our business is conducted during the pandemic has not changed significantly and has not affected the productivity of our sales agents in 2021.
In addition, a significant driver of our past, and we believe, our future growth is our ability to create revenue by referring or requiring that our agents and our franchisee’s agents use the different business services that we provide. For example, all agents new to our Company are required to have a “coach” and to attend multi-day training sessions to learn the Company’s philosophy, technology and business practices. Concurrently, the agent works with his or her coach in obtaining listings, working with consumers and closing transactions. All of these activities are run through our La Rosa Coaching, LLC subsidiary. We plan to expand our coaching offerings in the third quarter of 2021 to teach advanced techniques for team building, personal growth and business development, which will provide increased revenue at a nominal increase in cost to us. In addition, unlike other residential real estate brokerages, we encourage our sales agents to pursue commercial real estate transactions and require them to utilize the services of our commercial real estate company. We anticipate acquiring other complementary businesses, such as title and insurance agencies and a mortgage brokerage, after the closing of this offering to enhance our gross revenues and profit margins.
We face competition from established residential real estate companies such as RE/MAX Holdings, Inc., Keller Williams Realty, Inc., HomeSmart, Realogy Holdings, Corp., which franchises the Coldwell Banker and Century 21 brands, as well as from internet-based real estate brokers including Realtor.com, Fathom Holdings Inc., Redfin.com, and Zillow.com, brokers offering deeply discounted commissions like SimpleShowing Holdings, Inc., Houwzer LLC and Real Estate Exchange, Inc. (Rexhomes.com), and “flat fee” brokers such as Homie Technology, Inc., Cottage Street Realty, LLC (FlatFeeGroup.com) and Trelora, Inc. These companies do not provide the same personalized brokerage services that we do and emphasize low price and a do-it-yourself philosophy. We believe that our highly trained agents who work one-on-one with their clients are able to successfully close residential real estate transactions with a high level of consumer satisfaction that redounds to us in future business and referrals.
Our Organization
La Rosa Holdings Corp. was incorporated in the State of Nevada on June 14, 2021 by its founder, Mr. Joseph La Rosa, to become the holding company for five Florida limited liability companies of which Mr. La Rosa held a one hundred percent (100%) ownership interest: (i) La Rosa Coaching, LLC, or Coaching; (ii) La Rosa CRE, LLC, or CRE; (iii) La Rosa Franchising, LLC, or Franchising; (iv) La Rosa Property Management, LLC, or Property Management; and (v) La Rosa Realty, LLC, or Realty. All of those limited liability companies are referred to collectively in this prospectus as the “LLCs.”
On August 4, 2021, we effected a corporate reorganization pursuant to a Reorganization Agreement and Plan of Share Exchange dated July 22, 2021 (the Reorganization Agreement) between La Rosa Holdings Corp. and each of the LLCs. Under the Reorganization Agreement, each LLC exchanged 100% of their limited liability company membership interests for one share of Company’s common stock, which share was automatically redeemed for nominal consideration upon the closing of the transaction, resulting in each LLC becoming the direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
The following chart illustrates the current corporate structure of our key operating entities:
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The Company conducts its operations through its five subsidiaries:
| · | La Rosa Coaching, LLC is engaged in the coaching, training and education of our real estate agents at every phase of the real estate business; |
| · | La Rosa CRE, LLC is a commercial real estate brokerage where we represent buyers and sellers in the sale of commercial real estate and the train and support our residential agents who are interested in pursuing commercial real estate sales; |
| · | La Rosa Franchising, LLC is engaged in the sale, oversight and provision of operating systems of independently owned and operated franchises of La Rosa Realty as well and the ongoing training and support for the franchise owners and staff; |
| · | La Rosa Property Management, LLC is engaged in providing training, compliance, support and accounting services for La Rosa Realty Agents engaged in long term rental property management; and |
| · | La Rosa Realty, LLC is engaged in the residential real estate brokerage business and providing systems, accounting, marketing tools and compliance for our real estate agents who conduct residential real estate sales. |
Selected Risks Associated with Our Business
Our business and prospects may be limited by a number of risks and uncertainties that we currently face, including the following:
| · | The outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic had a material effect on our business in 2020, and, if there are significant future outbreaks, could continue to do so. |
| · | The residential real estate market is cyclical and we can be negatively impacted by downturns in this market and general global economic conditions. |
| · | The ability of homebuyers to obtain financing in the U.S. residential real estate market at favorable rates and on favorable terms could have a material effect on our financial performance and results of operations. |
| · | Under the rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market, we will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the corporate governance rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market and, although we do not presently intend to rely on certain exemptions from the corporate governance requirements of those rules, we may do so in the future. |
| · | We may fail to successfully execute our strategies to grow our business, including acquiring a controlling interest in a number of our current franchisees and growing our agent count. |
| · | Our business depends on a strong brand, and any failure to maintain, protect and enhance our brand would hurt our ability to grow our business, particularly in new markets where we have limited brand recognition. |
| · | Loss of the services of our Founder, Joseph La Rosa, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chairman of the board of directors, and our other current executive officers could adversely affect our operations. |
| · | Competition in the residential real estate business is intense and may adversely affect our financial performance. |
| · | The failure to attract and retain highly qualified and successful franchisees and agents could compromise our ability to pursue our growth strategy. |
| · | Our financial results are affected directly by the operating results of franchisees and agents, over whom we do not have direct control. |
| · | Our operating results are subject to seasonality and vary significantly among quarters during each calendar year, making meaningful comparisons of consecutive quarters difficult. |
| · | Our business could be adversely affected if we are unable to expand, maintain, and improve the systems and technologies that we rely on to operate. |
| · | Our business, financial condition and reputation may be substantially harmed by security breaches, cybersecurity incidents, and interruptions, delays and failures in our systems and operations. |
| · | We face significant risk to our brand and revenue if we fail to maintain compliance with the law and regulations of federal, state, foreign, county governmental authorities, or private associations and governing boards. |
| · | Failure to protect our intellectual property rights could adversely affect our business. |
| · | We may evaluate entities in complementary or competitive businesses for acquisition in order to accelerate growth but might not succeed in identifying suitable candidates or may acquire businesses that negatively impact us or may have trouble integrating businesses that we acquire. |
| · | We are subject to certain risks related to litigation filed by or against us, and adverse results may harm our business and financial condition. |
In addition, we face other risks and uncertainties that may materially affect our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations. You should consider the risks discussed in “Risk Factors” starting on page [•] and elsewhere in this prospectus before investing in our common stock.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive office is located at 1420 Celebration Boulevard, Suite 200, Celebration, FL 34747. Our telephone number at our principal executive office is (321) 939-3748. Our corporate website is https://www.larosarealty.com. The information on our corporate website is not part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this prospectus.
Recent Developments
In a private placement conducted from July through October 2021, we entered into Convertible Note Purchase Agreements pursuant to which we issued unsecured convertible promissory notes to certain “accredited investors” under an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of that Act and/or Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder. In accordance with such purchase agreements, we issued convertible promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $481,000 that we used to pay the expenses of our organization and reorganization and for other general corporate purposes. Interest accrues on the principal amount of nine of the convertible promissory notes at 2.5% with a default rate of 3.0% per annum, and interest accrues on the principal amount of seven of the convertible promissory notes at 18.0%, with a default interest rate of 20.0% per annum, and interest accrues on the principal amount of one of the convertible promissory notes at 18.0%, with a default interest rate of 18.0% per annum. The convertible promissory notes rank on a parity with the Company’s other existing debt and mature on the earlier of the date that the Company’s common stock becomes listed for trading on a national securities exchange or one year from the date of issue of each such note. Prior to the maturity date, the convertible promissory notes will convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest automatically into shares of the Company’s common stock on the date of the closing of this offering at a price per share equal to the product of the public offering price multiplied by 0.80. All of the convertible promissory notes are prepayable, in whole or in part, at any time prior to maturity without penalty or premium.
Status as a Controlled Company
Because of the voting control held by Mr. La Rosa, we are considered a “controlled company” within the meaning of the listing standards of Nasdaq. Under these rules, a “controlled company” may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including the requirement to have a board of directors that is composed of a majority of independent directors. We currently do not intend to take advantage of these exemptions, but could do so at any time in the future provided that we continue to qualify as a “controlled company.”
Implications of Our Being an “Emerging Growth Company”
As a company with less than $1.07 billion in revenue during our last completed fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies. In particular, as an emerging growth company, we:
| · | are not required to obtain an attestation and report from our auditors on our management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; |
| · | are not required to provide a detailed narrative disclosure discussing our compensation principles, objectives and elements, and analyzing how those elements fit with our principles and objectives (commonly referred to as “compensation discussion and analysis”); |
| · | are not required to obtain a non-binding advisory vote from our stockholders on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements (commonly referred to as the “say-on-pay,” “say-on-frequency” and “say-on-golden-parachute” votes); |
| · | are exempt from certain executive compensation disclosure provisions requiring a pay-for-performance graph and CEO pay ratio disclosure; |
| · | may present only two years of audited financial statements; and |
| · | are eligible to claim longer phase-in periods for the adoption of new or revised financial accounting standards under §107 of the JOBS Act. |
We intend to take advantage of all of these reduced reporting requirements and exemptions, including the longer phase-in periods for the adoption of new or revised financial accounting standards under §107 of the JOBS Act. Our election to use the phase-in periods may make it difficult to compare our financial statements to those of non-emerging growth companies and other emerging growth companies that have opted out of the phase-in periods under §107 of the JOBS Act.
Certain of these reduced reporting requirements and exemptions were already available to us due to the fact that we also qualify as a “smaller reporting company” under SEC rules. For instance, smaller reporting companies are not required to obtain an auditor attestation and report regarding internal control over financial reporting, are not required to provide a compensation discussion and analysis, are not required to provide a pay-for-performance graph or CEO pay ratio disclosure, and may present only two years of audited financial statements and related MD&A disclosure.
Under the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of the above-described reduced reporting requirements and exemptions for up to five years after our initial sale of common equity pursuant to a registration statement declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, or such earlier time that we no longer meet the definition of an emerging growth company. The JOBS Act provides that we would cease to be an “emerging growth company” if we have more than $1.07 billion in annual revenue, have more than $700 million in market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates, or issue more than $1 billion in principal amount of non-convertible debt over a three-year period. Further, under current SEC rules, we will continue to qualify as a “smaller reporting company” for so long as we have a public float (i.e., the market value of common equity held by non-affiliates) of less than $250 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
SUMMARY OF THE OFFERING
Issuer: | | La Rosa Holdings Corp. |
Offered securities: | | [ ] shares of common stock. |
Offering price per share: | | $ [ ] per share. |
Over-allotment option: | | We have granted a 45-day option to the underwriter to purchase up to [ ] additional shares of common stock equal to 15% of the shares in this offering) at the public offering price per share, less the underwriting discounts payable by us, solely to cover over-allotments, if any. |
Shares of capital stock outstanding immediately before the offering (1): | | · 30,750,000 shares of common stock; and · 2,000 shares of Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock having 10,000 votes per share, all of which are owned by Mr. Rosa. |
Shares of capital stock outstanding immediately after the offering (2): | | · [ ] shares of common stock; and · 2,000 shares of Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock having 10,000 votes per share, all of which are owned by Mr. Rosa. |
Disparate voting rights: | | Our Founder, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman, Joseph La Rosa, currently holds 100% of the outstanding common stock of the Company and 2,000 shares of Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock having 10,000 votes per share. Mr. La Rosa will maintain control of the Company after this offering, including the election of our directors and the approval of any change in control transaction. See the sections titled, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Description of Capital Stock” for additional information. |
Use of Proceeds: | | We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $ [ ] million from our sale of shares in this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds we receive from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include financing our growth by acquiring more agents at a faster pace, developing new services and funding capital expenditures, acquisitions of controlling interest in a number of our franchisees and the acquisition of other independent real estate brokerages, title insurance agencies, mortgage brokerages and other complementary businesses, and the purchase and acquisition of proprietary technology. See “Use of Proceeds” for more information. |
Representative’s Warrants: | | The registration statement of which this prospectus is a part also registers for sale warrants (the “Representative’s Warrants”) to purchase up to 6.0% of the shares of our common stock sold in this offering to Maxim Group LLC (the “Representative”), as a portion of the underwriting compensation in connection with this offering. The Representative’s Warrants will be exercisable at any time, and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the period commencing 180 days from the first day of sales and expiring five years from the effective date of the offering at an exercise price of $ [ ] (110% of the assumed public offering price per share). Please see “Underwriting-Representative’s Warrants” on page [•] of this prospectus for a description of these Warrants. |
Underwriter compensation: | | In connection with this offering, the underwriters will receive an underwriting discount equal to seven percent (7.0%) of the offering price of the shares in the offering. In addition, we have agreed to: (i) reimburse certain accountable expenses of the Representative, (ii) reimburse the Representative for certain expenses incurred relating to this offering including a non-accountable expense allowance equal to one percent (1%) of the aggregate public offering price of the common stock in this offering, and (iii) indemnify the underwriters for certain liabilities in connection with this offering. See “Underwriting” starting on page [•] of this prospectus. |
Proposed Nasdaq Capital Market Listing: | | We have applied to have our common stock listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “LRHC.” No assurance can be given that our Nasdaq listing application will be approved, or that a trading market will develop for our common stock. We will not proceed with this offering if our application to list our common stock on Nasdaq is not approved. |
Lock-up agreements: | | We, and our directors and officers, have agreed with the underwriter not to offer for sale, issue, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of any of our common stock or securities convertible into common stock, subject to certain exceptions, for a period of 180- days after the date of this prospectus, which restriction may be waived in the discretion of the Representative. See “Underwriting-Lock-Up Agreements” on page [•] of this prospectus. |
Dividends: | | We do not anticipate paying dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. |
Risk factors: | | Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk and purchasers of our securities may lose their entire investment. See “Risk Factors” starting on page [•] and the other information included and incorporated by reference into this prospectus for a discussion of risk factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our securities. |
The actual number of shares we will offer will be determined based on the actual public offering price.
| (1) | The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding immediately before this offering excludes any shares of common stock issuable upon the mandatory conversion of the Convertible Promissory Notes issued by us to a number of investors in a private placement on August 18, 2021 at a conversion price equal to eighty percent (80%) of the initial offering price. |
| (2) | The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding immediately following this offering excludes: |
| ● | [ ] shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option; |
| ● | [ ] shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Representative’s Warrants; and |
| ● | 200,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants granted to Exchange Listing, LLC, a consultant to the Company (“Consultant Warrants”). |
Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus assumes:
| ● | no exercise of any options under the Company’s 2021 Equity Compensation Plan; |
| ● | no exercise of the Representative’s Warrants; |
| ● | no exercise of the Over-Allotment Option; and |
| ● | no exercise of the Consultant Warrants. |
SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
You should read the following selected financial data together with our financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” Section of this prospectus. We have derived the statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 from our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. In the opinion of management, the unaudited data reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information in those statements. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that should be expected in the future and the results for the year ended December 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2021 or any other future period.
Combined Summary of Operations
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Net Revenue | | $ | 24,012,163 | | | $ | 51,522,615 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenue | | | 20,936,021 | | | | 46,716,485 | |
Gross Profit | | | 3,076,142 | | | | 4,806,130 | |
OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | | |
General and administrative | | | 2,572,724 | | | | 3,894,623 | |
Sales and marketing | | | 258,953 | | | | 403,612 | |
Professional fees | | | 116,811 | | | | 165,040 | |
OPERATING INCOME | | | 127,654 | | | | 342,855 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) | | | 6,707 | | | | (7,279 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET INCOME | | $ | 134,361 | | | $ | 335,576 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Income per common share (basic and diluted) | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.01 | |
Combined Balance Sheet
| | Actual | | | Pro Forma | |
| | As of December 31, | | | As of December 31, | |
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | | | 2020 | |
Cash | | $ | 175,425 | | | $ | 452,280 | | | $ | [ ] | |
Working capital | | | 84,603 | | | | 24,103 | | | | [ ] | |
Restricted cash | | | 1,023,245 | | | | 852,317 | | | | [ ] | |
Total assets | | | 1,351,362 | | | | 1,471,680 | | | | [ ] | |
Total liabilities | | | 2,578,316 | | | | 2,273,067 | | | | [ ] | |
Total stockholder’s deficit | | | (1,226,954 | ) | | | (801,387 | ) | | | [ ] | |
The pro forma column in the balance sheet data above gives effect to the sale of securities for cash in this offering at the assumed public offering price of $[ ] per share, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us (of seven percent (7%) underwriters discount, one percent (1%) non-accountable expense and $[ ] of estimated offering costs), in the total amount of $[ ], as if the sale had occurred on December 31, 2020.
Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $[ ] per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), would increase (decrease) our stockholders’ equity, as adjusted, after this offering by approximately $[ ] million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase or decrease the number of securities we are offering. An increase (decrease) of [ ] in the number of shares offered by us at the assumed offering price of $[ ] per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) our stockholders’ equity, as adjusted, after this offering by approximately $[ ], assuming that the assumed public offering price remains the same, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements reflect the current view about future events. When used in this prospectus, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, identify forward-looking statements. Such statements, include, but are not limited to, statements contained in this prospectus relating to our business strategy, our future operating results and liquidity and capital resources outlook. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward–looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees of assurance of future performance. We caution you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation:
| · | the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on our business operations; |
| · | our expectations regarding consumer trends in residential real estate transactions; |
| · | our expectations regarding overall economic and demographic trends, including the continued growth of the U.S. residential real estate market; |
| · | our ability to grow our business organically in the various local markets that we serve; |
| · | our ability to attract and retain additional qualified agents and other personnel; |
| · | our ability to expand our franchises in both new and existing markets; |
| · | our ability to increase the number of closed transactions sides and sides per agent; |
| · | our ability to cross-sell our services among our LLCs; |
| · | our ability to maintain compliance with the law and regulations of federal, state, foreign, county and local governmental authorities, or private associations and governing boards; |
| · | our ability to expand, maintain and improve the information technologies and systems that we rely upon to operate; |
| · | our ability to prevent security breaches, cybersecurity incidents and interruptions, delays and failures of our technology infrastructure; |
| · | our ability to retain our founder and current executive officers and other key employees; |
| · | our ability to identify quality potential acquisition candidates in order to accelerate our growth; |
| · | our ability to manage our future growth and dependence on our contractors; |
| · | our ability to maintain the strength of our brands; |
| · | our ability to maintain and increase our financial performance; |
| · | other factors discussed elsewhere in this prospectus. |
We might not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements included in this prospectus, particularly under “Risk Factors” starting on page [•] of this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein that we believe could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make.
You should read this prospectus and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to this prospectus completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or developments. You should therefore not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this prospectus. You also should not assume that our silence over time means that actual events are bearing out as expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Before deciding to purchase our common stock, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in this prospectus.
RISK FACTORS
Our business is subject to many risks and uncertainties, which may affect our future financial performance. If any of the events or circumstances described below occur, our business and financial performance could be adversely affected, our actual results could differ materially from our expectations, and the price of our common stock could decline. The risks and uncertainties discussed below are not the only ones we face. There may be additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently do not believe are material that may adversely affect our business and financial performance. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all other information included in this prospectus including our financial statements and related notes, before making an investment decision. The statements contained in this prospectus that are not historic facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be harmed. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and investors in our securities may lose all or part of their investment.
Risks Related to Our Business and Operations
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have caused and will likely continue to cause significant disruption to our real estate market, and the severity and duration of these impacts on future financial performance and results of operations remain uncertain.
The COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the globe and is impacting economic activity worldwide. The pandemic poses significant risks to our business and our employees, franchisees and agents. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted our business and that of our franchisees in 2020. The pandemic poses the risk of an extended disruption to our business, that of our franchisees and other business partners, and the housing market generally, due to the impact of the disease itself, actions intended to limit or slow its spread, and other factors. These include government imposed lockdowns, restrictions on travel or transportation, social distancing requirements, limitations on the size of gatherings, policies that ban or severely limit in-person showings of properties, closures of work facilities, schools, public buildings and businesses, cancellation of events, curtailing other activities and quarantines.
In the spring 2020, the pandemic resulted in a significant slowing of residential real estate listings and sales as the population in our market areas endured business shutdowns, work from home requirements, shortages of consumer staples and a general retreat from normal day-to-day social interactions. This slow down, however, reversed in mid-2020, resulting in a substantial increase in listings and sales, which has continued through the date of this prospectus due to a large migration of home buyers from other states.
We applied for and received Federal government grants (“Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advances”) totaling $12,000, Economic Injury Disaster Loan’s totaling $365,100, and received loans totaling $209,200 under the Federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program. We are currently applying for forgiveness on the Paycheck Protection Program loans, but cannot be assured that such loans will be forgiven by the U.S. Small Business Administration. None of those funds were provided to our sales agents or franchisees.
The duration and magnitude of the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic depends on future developments that cannot be predicted at this time. There remains significant uncertainty regarding the continuing impact of COVID-19 on our business and the overall economy as a whole in the United States and internationally where we have, and plan to establish franchise operations. In particular, there is significant concern regarding the possibility of additional waves of COVID-19 variant cases that could cause state and local governments to reinstate more restrictive measures, which could impact our business and the housing markets. There is also uncertainty regarding viable treatment options or the efficacy of vaccines and public health mandates emanating from Federal, State and local governments that have, at times, been confusing and contradictory.
Business disruptions due to the pandemic may continue, particularly if stringent mitigation actions by government authorities are put in place or remain in place for a significant amount of time. The future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations is unknown, and its impact may be variable over time as government regulations, market conditions and consumer behavior changes in response to developments with respect to the pandemic.
The residential real estate market is cyclical and we can be negatively impacted by downturns in this market and general economic conditions.
The residential real estate market tends to be cyclical and typically is affected by changes in general economic conditions which are beyond our control. These conditions include short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, fluctuations in debt and equity capital markets, levels of unemployment, consumer confidence and the general condition of the U.S. and the global economy. The residential real estate market also depends upon the strength of financial institutions, which are sensitive to changes in the general macroeconomic environment. Lack of available credit or lack of confidence in the financial sector could impact the residential real estate market, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Due to the cyclicality of the real estate market, we cannot predict whether this period of sustained growth will continue, whether mortgage rates will remain at historically low levels and whether home prices will continue to climb. The U.S. has experienced housing “bubbles” in the past which have burst, resulting in significant price declines, mortgage defaults and home foreclosures by lenders, the last one occurring in the early 2000’s.
Any of the following could be associated with cyclicality in the housing market by halting or limiting the current growth in the housing market, and have a material adverse effect on our business by causing periods of lower growth or a decline in the number of home sales and/or home prices which, in turn, could adversely affect our revenue and profitability:
| · | a period of slow economic growth or recessionary conditions; |
| · | an increase in mortgage interest rates; |
| · | a tightening of credit standards by financial institutions; |
| · | legislative, tax or regulatory changes that would adversely impact the residential real estate market, including but not limited to those relating to mortgage financing, restrictions imposed on mortgage originators as well as retention levels required to be maintained by sponsors to securitize certain mortgages, the elimination of the deductibility of certain mortgage interest expense, the application of the alternative minimum tax, and real property taxes and employee relocation expense; |
| · | insufficient home inventory levels in our markets; |
| · | a continued increase in the acquisition of single family homes by corporate buyers for rental purposes; |
| · | a decrease in the affordability of homes; |
| · | increase in the cost of premiums for home insurance due to recent hurricanes; and, |
| · | natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes and other disasters that disrupt local or regional real estate markets. |
The lack of financing for homebuyers in the U.S. residential real estate market at favorable rates and on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance and results of operations.
Our business is significantly impacted by the availability of financing at favorable rates or on favorable terms for homebuyers, which may be affected by government regulations and policies. Certain on-going governmental actions or inactions, such as the U.S. federal government’s conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, capital standards imposed on banks by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the monetary policy of the U.S. government, and any rising interest rate environment may adversely impact the housing industry, including homebuyers’ ability to finance and purchase homes.
The monetary policy of the U.S. government, and particularly the Federal Reserve Board, which regulates the supply of money and credit in the U.S., significantly affects the availability of financing at favorable rates and on favorable terms, which in turn affects the domestic real estate market. Policies of the Federal Reserve Board can affect interest rates available to potential homebuyers. Further, we will be adversely affected by any rising interest rate environment. Changes in the Federal Reserve Board’s policies, the interest rate environment and mortgage market are beyond our control, are difficult to predict and could restrict the availability of financing on reasonable terms for homebuyers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. We review all aspects of the current state of legislation, regulations and policies affecting the domestic real estate market and cannot predict whether or not such legislation, regulation and policies may result in increased down payment requirements, increased mortgage costs, and result in increased costs and potential litigation for housing market participants, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We may fail to successfully execute our strategies to grow our business, including increasing our agent count, expanding the number of our franchisees and agents, or we may fail to manage our growth effectively, which could have a material adverse effect on our brand, our financial performance and results of operations.
We intend to pursue a number of different strategies to grow our revenue and earnings. However, we may not be able to successfully execute these strategies. We intend to pursue a strategy of increasing our agent count by increasing our recruiting efforts. Recent history has shown that a strong real estate market brings in more realtors, some of whom have worked in the industry on a part-time basis. As the market continues to grow, we believe that will enable us to sell more franchises and recruit and retain higher numbers of agents, increasing our revenue and profitability. However, competition for qualified and effective agents is intense, and we may be unable to recruit and retain enough qualified and effective agents to satisfy our growth strategies. This competition creates challenges that include:
| · | our ability to discover and recruit independent brokerage firms in new markets and being able to acquire them; |
| · | our ability to increase our brand awareness in new markets in order to penetrate them with our brokerages; |
| · | our ability to effectively train and mentor a larger number of new agents and franchisees; |
| · | our ability to continually improve the performance, features and reliability of our technological developments in response to both evolving demands of the marketplace and competitive product offerings; |
| · | our ability to scale our business services and support quickly enough to meet the growing needs of our real estate agents by improving our internal systems, integrating with third-party systems, and maintaining infrastructure performance; |
| · | our ability to attract and retain senior management to operate and control the expansion of our business, organically and, potentially, through acquisitions; and |
| · | our ability to enhance our financial reporting, internal control, human resources, legal and other administrative areas to effectively manage the growth of our Company. |
If we do not effectively manage our growth, our brand could suffer. In order to successfully expand our business, we must effectively recruit, develop and motivate new franchisees, and we must maintain the beneficial aspects of our three pillars philosophy. We may not be able to hire new agents or employees and our franchisees may not be able to recruit new agents necessary to manage our growth quickly enough to meet our needs. If we fail to effectively manage our hiring needs and successfully develop our franchisees, our franchisee, agent and employee morale, productivity and retention could suffer, and our brand and results of operations could be harmed. These improvements could require significant capital expenditures and place increasing demands on our management. We may not be successful in managing or expanding our operations or in maintaining adequate financial and operating systems and controls. If we do not successfully manage these processes, our results of operations, financial condition and prospects could be adversely affected.
The failure to attract and retain highly qualified franchisees and to acquire and open new corporate offices could compromise our ability to pursue our growth strategy.
The success of our franchisees depends largely on the efforts and abilities of franchisees and their agents, which are subject to numerous factors, including the fees or sales commissions they receive, and our ability to train and oversee their operations to ensure that they provide the quality service promoted by our brands. If our franchisees do not continue to believe in the value proposition we offer with our brand, believe that we are overcharging them for the services we provide, or, for other reasons decide not to renew their franchise agreements with us, our business may be materially adversely affected. Additionally, if our franchisees are not successful, they will fail to attract and retain productive agents and will fail to generate the revenue necessary to pay the contractual fees and dues owed to us.
In addition, if we are unable to organically increase the number of, and acquire new, corporate realty offices in the future, our growth will stagnate and we could lose high producing agents to other competing brokerages, all of which would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
We might not be able to attract and retain additional qualified agents and other personnel.
In order to grow our business, we must attract and retain highly qualified agents and other personnel. In particular, we compete with both national and local real estate brokerages for qualified agents who manage our operations in each state and who are our on-the-ground representatives. With the evolving real estate brokerage market, we must find ways to attract and retain these people. And with the change in the way people work that has been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, finding qualified agents and employees has become more difficult. We might have difficulty in finding, hiring and retaining highly skilled personnel with appropriate qualifications. Many of the companies that we compete with for experienced personnel have greater resources than we do. In addition, in making decisions about where to work, in addition to cash compensation, people often consider the value of the stock options or other equity incentives they receive. We currently have an equity incentive a plan to offer stock incentives to our employees and our agents that we believe is competitive with plans offered by other publicly traded real estate brokerage companies. However, if those plans fail to encourage new hires or to motivate our existing staff, we may fail to attract new personnel or fail to retain our current personnel which would severely harm our growth prospects.
Competition in the residential real estate franchising business is intense and may adversely affect our financial performance.
We compete against national and international real estate brokerage franchisors as well as smaller franchisors. Our products are the brands we sell and their reputation in the marketplace. Potential franchisees, when shopping for a brand, look to see the level of support that they can receive compared to the fees and dues that they will have to pay. This is our value proposition. While the national and international brands far exceed us in financial resources, geographic coverage, marketing ability and infrastructure, we believe that our “family-oriented” style of business, based on our three pillars philosophy, is a strong selling point. So, while competing franchisors may offer franchisees monthly ongoing fees that are lower than those we charge, or that are more attractive in particular market environments, we believe that our “high touch” approach is able to overcome many of the factors that competitors sell. Corporate-owned competitors compete primarily on the basis of commission payments to their agents. While we believe that we are competitive in that market, our brand is not as strong as competitors who have been in the market longer and have the financial wherewithal to promote themselves in the media. Our largest competitors in this industry in the U.S. include RE/MAX Holdings, Inc., Keller Williams Realty, Inc., HomeSmart, Realogy Holdings, Corp., which franchises the Coldwell Banker and Century 21 brands, Berkshire Hathaway Homes, among others. See “Prospectus Summary- Competition” and “Business – Competition.”
Our Company owned brokerage business is subject to competitive pressures.
Our Company owned brokerage business, like that of our franchisees, is generally subject to intense competition. We compete with other national and independent real estate organizations including our franchisees and those of other national real estate franchisors, franchisees of local and regional real estate franchisors, regional independent real estate organizations, discount brokerages, internet-based brokerages and smaller niche companies competing in local areas. Competition is particularly intense in the densely populated metropolitan areas in which we operate. In addition, in the real estate brokerage industry, new participants face minimal barriers to entry into the market. We also compete for the services of qualified licensed agents as well as franchisees. The ability of our Company owned brokerage offices to retain agents is generally subject to numerous factors, including the sales commissions, the training and coaching and technological support that they receive and their perception of our brand value. Our largest competitors in the corporate-owned space include Compass Holdings, Inc. and Fathom Holdings, Inc.
Our financial results are affected directly by the operating results of franchisees and agents, over whom we do not have direct control.
Our real estate franchises generate revenue in the form of monthly ongoing royalties and fees, including monthly broker fees tied to gross commissions, training and technology fees charged to our franchisees. Our agents pay us dues out of their income from real estate transactions and new agents split their transaction-based commissions with us. Accordingly, our financial results depend upon the operational and financial success of our franchisees and their agents and our corporate agents, all of whom are independent contractors that we do not control. If industry trends or economic conditions are not sustained or do not continue to improve, our franchisees’, their and our agents’ financial results could worsen and our revenue may decline. We may also have to terminate franchisees more frequently in the future due to non-reporting and non-payment. Further, if franchisees fail to renew their franchise agreements our revenue from ongoing monthly fees may decrease, and profitability may be lower than in the past due to reduced ongoing monthly fees.
Our franchise operations are subject to additional business risks.
Our franchise business is exposed to other business risks which may impact our ability to collect recurring, contractual fees and dues from our franchisees, may harm the goodwill associated with our brand, and/or may materially and adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. One such risk is that one of our franchisees could declare bankruptcy which could have a substantial negative impact on our ability to collect fees and dues owed under such franchisee’s franchise arrangements. In a franchisee bankruptcy, the bankruptcy trustee may reject its franchise contract pursuant to Section 365 under the U.S. bankruptcy code, in which case there would be no further payments for fees and dues from such franchisee. Other risks include the risk that our franchisees may be uninsured or underinsured against certain business hazards or that insurance may be unavailable, as was hurricane insurance in Florida for a number of years. Any casualty loss happening to our franchisees could put their entire business at risk and potentially result in its failure and the termination of our franchise agreement. Any such loss or delay in an insurance payment could have a material and adverse effect on a franchisee’s ability to satisfy its obligations under its franchise agreement with us, including its ability to make payments for contractual fees and dues or to indemnify us. Each franchise agreement is subject to termination by us in the event that the franchisee breaches its contract, generally after expiration of applicable cure periods, although under certain circumstances a franchise agreement may be terminated by us upon notice without an opportunity to cure. The default provisions under the franchise arrangements are drafted broadly and include, among other things, any failure to meet operating standards and actions that may threaten our brands. In addition, each franchise agreement eventually expires and upon expiration, we or the franchisee may or may not elect to renew the franchise arrangement. If our agreement is renewed, such renewal is generally contingent on the franchisee’s execution of the then-current form of franchise contract (which may include terms the franchisee deems to be more onerous than the prior franchise agreement), the satisfaction of certain conditions and the payment of a renewal fee. If a franchisee is unable or unwilling to satisfy any of the foregoing conditions, the expiring franchise agreement will terminate upon expiration of the term of the franchise arrangement.
Our operating results are subject to seasonality and vary significantly among quarters during each calendar year, making meaningful comparisons of successive quarters difficult.
The residential real estate industry is subject to seasonality. Sales activity is typically stronger in the spring and summer months when school is not in session compared to the fall and winter seasons. This is true even in the Southeastern U.S. where weather patterns do not change significantly with the seasons. However, extreme weather does affect our business by keeping people focused on matters other than home buying. We have historically experienced lower revenues during the fall and winter seasons, as well as during periods of unseasonable weather, which reduces our operating income, net income, operating margins and cash flow. Real estate listings precede sales and a period of poor listings activity will negatively impact revenue. Our revenue and operating margins each quarter will remain subject to seasonal fluctuations, which may make it difficult to compare or analyze our financial performance effectively across successive quarters.
A significant increase in private sales of residential property, including through the internet, could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects and results of operations.
As of 2020, NAR estimated that eighty nine percent (89%) of homes in 2020 were sold with the assistance of a realtor and 5.64 million existing homes were sold in in 2020. Although the NAR survey indicates that the percentage of sales using agents has increased in recent years, a significant increase in the volume of private sales due to, for example, increased access to the internet and the proliferation of websites that facilitate such sales, and a corresponding decrease in the volume of sales through real estate agents could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects and results of operations.
The real estate brokerage business is highly regulated and any failure to comply with such regulations or any changes in such regulations could adversely affect our business.
Our Company owned real estate brokerage business and our franchising business are highly regulated and must comply with Federal and state the requirements governing the licensing and conduct of real estate brokerage and brokerage-related businesses and franchising in the jurisdictions in which we and they do business. These laws and regulations contain general standards for and prohibitions on the conduct of real estate brokers and agents, including those relating to licensing of brokers and agents, fiduciary and agency duties, administration of trust funds, collection of commissions, advertising and consumer and franchising disclosures. Under state law, the franchisees and our real estate brokers have certain duties to supervise and are responsible for the conduct of their brokerage business.
Our Company owned real estate brokerage business and our franchisees (excluding commercial brokerage transactions) must comply with the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (or RESPA). RESPA and comparable state statutes, among other things, restrict payments which real estate brokers, agents and other settlement service providers may receive for the referral of business to other settlement service providers in connection with the closing of real estate transactions. Such laws may to some extent restrict preferred vendor arrangements involving our franchisees and our Company owned brokerage business. RESPA and similar state laws also require timely disclosure of certain relationships or financial interests that a broker has with providers of real estate settlement services. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (or the Dodd Frank Act) contains the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act, or the Mortgage Act, which imposes a number of additional requirements on lenders and servicers of residential mortgage loans, by amending certain existing provisions and adding new sections to RESPA and other federal laws.
We are also subject to various other rules and regulations such as:
| · | the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act which governs the disclosure and safeguarding of consumer financial information; |
| · | various state and federal privacy laws protecting consumer data; |
| · | the sale of franchises is regulated by various state laws as well as by the Federal Trade Commission (or FTC) that generally require that franchisors make extensive disclosure to prospective franchisees and several states have “franchise relationship laws” or “business opportunity laws” that limit the ability of franchisors to terminate franchise agreements or to withhold consent to the renewal or transfer of these agreement;. |
| · | restrictions on transactions with persons on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury; |
| · | state and federal employment laws and regulations, including any changes that would require classification of independent contractors to employee status, and wage and hour regulations; |
| · | federal and state “Do Not Call,” “Do Not Fax,” and “Do Not E-Mail” laws; |
| · | laws and regulations in jurisdictions outside the U.S. in which we do business; |
| · | consumer fraud statutes that are broadly written. |
Federal, state and local regulatory authorities also have relatively broad discretion to grant, renew and revoke licenses and approvals and to implement regulations. Accordingly, such regulatory authorities could prevent or temporarily suspend our Company owned brokerages or our franchisees from carrying on some or all of our activities or otherwise penalize them if their financial condition or our practices were found not to comply with the then current regulatory or licensing requirements or any interpretation of such requirements by the regulatory authority. Our failure to comply with any of these requirements or interpretations could limit our ability to renew current franchisees or sign new franchisees or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our operations.
We might not be aware of all the laws, rules and regulations that govern our business, or be able to comply with all of them, given the rate of regulatory changes, ambiguities in regulations, contradictions in laws and regulations between jurisdictions, and the difficulties in achieving both company-wide and region-specific knowledge and compliance. If we fail, or we have been alleged to have failed, to comply with any existing or future applicable laws, rules and regulations, we could be subject to lawsuits and administrative complaints and proceedings, as well as criminal proceedings. Our noncompliance could result in significant defense costs, settlement costs, damages and penalties.
We are dependent upon the truthfulness of our franchisees to provide accurate reports and accounting to us.
While we have significant insight into the business activity of our domestic and international regional franchisees and are able to observe their books and records in real time, the franchisees self-report their agent counts, agent commissions and fees due to us. Our tools to validate or verify these reports are not equipped to ferret out under or erroneous reporting, even if unintentional or intentional fraud. If any of those circumstances occur, we may not receive all of the annual agent dues or monthly ongoing fees due to us. In addition, to the extent that we are underpaid, we may not have a definitive method for determining such underpayment. If a material number of our franchisees were to under report or erroneously report their agent counts, agent commissions or fees due to us, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance and results of operations.
Climate change and environmental risks could increase our costs and subject us to liability.
Our operations are affected by Federal, state and/or local environmental laws in the countries in which we operate, and we may face liability with respect to environmental issues occurring at properties we manage or occupy. We may face costs or liabilities under these laws r as a brokerage company if our agents violate applicable disclosure laws and regulations or as a result of our agents’ role as a property manager. The impact of climate change presents a significant risk. Damage to assets caused by extreme weather events linked to climate change is becoming more evident, highlighting the fragility of global infrastructure. We believe that the effects of climate change will increasingly impact our own operations and those of properties we manage, especially when they are in coastal cities. The impact includes the relative desirability of locations and the cost of operating and insuring acquired properties. Many countries outside the U.S. are enacting stricter regulations to protect the environment and preserve their natural resources. Firms also may face several layers of national and regional regulations. The risks may not be limited to fines and the costs of remediation. We continue to monitor the effects of climate change and the changes in law, regulation and policies of other companies, especially insurance companies and intend to adjust our business accordingly in the future.
Our international operations are subject to risks of operating in foreign countries.
We have franchisees located in Peru and Turkey. For the year ended December 31, 2020, revenue from these operations represented less than two percent (2.0%) of our total revenue. Our international operations are subject to risks that are different from those of our U.S. operations that could result in losses against which we are not insured and therefore affect our profitability. Those international risks include:
| · | fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and foreign exchange restrictions; |
| · | exposure to local economic conditions and local laws and regulations, including those relating to the agents of our franchisees; |
| · | foreign economic and credit markets; |
| · | potential adverse changes in the political stability of foreign countries or in their diplomatic relations with the U.S.; |
| · | restrictions on the withdrawal of foreign investment and earnings; |
| · | government policies against businesses owned by foreigners; |
| · | investment restrictions or requirements; |
| · | diminished ability to legally enforce our contractual rights in foreign countries; |
| · | difficulties in registering, protecting or preserving trade names and trademarks in foreign countries; |
| · | potential governmental and industry corruption; |
| · | restrictions on the ability to obtain or retain licenses required for operation; and |
| · | changes in foreign tax laws. |
We depend substantially on our Founder, Joseph La Rosa, and the loss of any our senior management or other key employees or the inability to hire additional qualified personnel could adversely affect our operations, our brand and our financial performance.
Our future success is largely dependent on the efforts and abilities of our Founder, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman, Joseph La Rosa, our senior management and other key employees. The loss of the services of Mr. La Rosa and other senior management would have a significant detrimental effect on the Company as its brand is tied to his name, image and personality. While we maintain key employee life insurance policies on Mr. La Rosa or our other senior management, their loss could make it more difficult to successfully operate our business and achieve our business goals. As a result, we may not be able to cover the financial loss we may incur in losing the services of any of these individuals.
Our ability to retain our employees is generally subject to numerous factors, including the compensation and benefits we pay, the mix between the fixed and variable compensation we pay our employees and prevailing compensation rates. As such, we could suffer significant attrition among our current key employees. Competition for qualified employees in the real estate franchising industry is intense. We may be unable to retain existing employees that are important to our business or hire additional qualified employees. The process of locating employees with the combination of skills and attributes required to carry out our goals is often lengthy. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in attracting and retaining qualified employees.
Concentration of ownership of our voting stock by Mr. La Rosa will prevent new investors from influencing significant corporate decisions.
Based on our common stock outstanding as of [ ], 2021 and including the shares to be sold in this offering, upon the closing of this offering, Mr. La Rosa will, in the aggregate, beneficially own approximately [ ]% of our outstanding common stock (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock) and 2,000 shares of our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock that provides for 10,000 votes per share when voting with the common stock. Thus, Mr. La Rosa, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and majority stockholder, will be able to control all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election and removal of directors and any merger or other significant corporate transactions. The interests of Mr. La Rosa may not coincide with the interests of other stockholders.
Mr. La Rosa may have interests different than yours and may vote in a way with which you disagree and that may be adverse to your interests. In addition, Mr. La Rosa’s concentration of ownership could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control or otherwise discouraging a potential acquirer from attempting to obtain control of us, which could cause the market price of our common stock to decline or prevent our stockholders from realizing a premium over the market price for their common stock. In addition, he may want the Company to pursue strategies that deviate from the interests of other stockholders. Investors should consider that the interests of the Mr. La Rosa may differ from their interests in material respects.
Mr. La Rosa will control all matters that come before the stockholders for a vote and thus we are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing requirements and, as a result, the Company will qualify for, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. If we take advantage of such exemptions, you will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such corporate governance requirements.
Following the completion of this offering, Mr. Joseph La Rosa, will control approximately [ ]% of the voting power of our common stock with respect to director elections and other matters (or approximately [ ]% of the voting power with respect to director elections if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock). Subject to any fiduciary duties owed to other stockholders under Nevada law, Mr. La Rosa will be able to control all matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election and removal of directors and any proposed merger, acquisition, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, due to his significant ownership stake and his service as our Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. La Rosa controls the management of our business and affairs. Mr. La Rosa may have interests that are different than yours and may support proposals and actions with which you may disagree. This concentration of ownership could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control, or impeding a merger or consolidation, takeover or other business combination that could be favorable to our other stockholders and adversely affecting the market price of our Common Stock.
Because of the voting power over our Company held by Mr. La Rosa, we are considered a “controlled company” for the purposes of the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market. A controlled company is not required to have a majority of independent directors or form an independent compensation or nominating and corporate governance committee. Nevertheless, we will have a majority of independent directors who will serve on our audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees. However, although we have no current plans to do so, for as long as we remain a controlled company, we could take advantage of such exemptions in the future.
Mr. La Rosa does not have an employment agreement with the Company and thus is not restricted from competing with us during his tenure as our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and thereafter.
Mr. La Rosa does not have an employment agreement or other agreement with the Company that precludes him from competing with the Company while he is employed by the Company or thereafter. Although he owes a fiduciary duty of loyalty to the Company and its stockholders, he may engage in other businesses, either directly or indirectly, that could compete with our business. In addition, he may become aware of business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to our Board of Directors which he may not present and may consider for his own personal business. Any business opportunities that he pursues need not be provided to us. As such, Mr. La Rosa may have a conflict of interest which may not be decided in the Company’s favor.
Infringement, misappropriation or dilution of our intellectual property could harm our business.
We regard our La Rosa Realty trademark and the “LR” logo that we own, as well as the Better Homes trademark and logo that we license, as having significant value and as being important factors in the marketing of our brands. We believe that this and other intellectual property are valuable assets that are critical to our success. We rely on a combination of protections provided by contracts, as well as copyright, trademark, trade secret and other laws, to protect our intellectual property from infringement, misappropriation or dilution. We have registered certain trademarks and service marks and have other trademark and service mark registration applications pending in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. However, not all of the trademarks or service marks that we currently use have been registered in all of the countries in which we do business, and they may never be registered in all of those countries. Although we monitor trademark portfolios internally and impose an obligation on franchisees to notify us upon learning of potential infringement, there can be no assurance that we will be able to adequately maintain, enforce and protect our trademarks or other intellectual property rights.
We are not aware of any challenges to our right to use any of our brand names or trademarks. We are vigilant in enforcing our intellectual property and protecting our brands. Unauthorized uses or other infringement of our trademarks or service marks, including ones that are currently unknown to us, could diminish the value of our brands and may adversely affect our business. Effective intellectual property protection may not be available in every market in which we have franchised or intend to franchise. Failure to adequately protect our intellectual property rights could damage our brands and impair our ability to compete effectively. Even where we have effectively secured statutory protection for our trademarks and other intellectual property, our competitors may misappropriate our intellectual property. Defending or enforcing our trademark rights, branding practices and other intellectual property, and seeking an injunction and/or compensation for misappropriation of confidential information, could result in the expenditure of significant resources and divert the attention of management, which in turn may materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.
Although we monitor and restrict our franchisees’ activities through our franchise agreements, franchisees may refer to our brands improperly in writings or conversations, resulting in the dilution of our intellectual property. Franchisee noncompliance with the terms and conditions of our franchise agreements and our brand standards may reduce the overall goodwill of our brands, whether through the failure to meet the FTC guidelines or applicable state laws, or through the participation in improper or objectionable business practices. Moreover, unauthorized third parties may use our intellectual property to trade on the goodwill of our brand, resulting in consumer confusion or dilution. Any reduction of our brand’s goodwill, consumer confusion, or dilution is likely to impact sales, and could materially and adversely impact our business and operating results.
We are subject to certain risks related to litigation filed by or against us, and adverse results may harm our business and financial condition.
The real estate industry often involves litigation, ranging from individual lawsuits by brokerage clients, sales associates, employees and franchisees to large class actions and government investigations. We often are involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. Such litigation and other proceedings has included, and may in the future include, but are not limited to, actions relating to sales agent commissions, intellectual property, commercial arrangements, negligence and fiduciary duty claims arising from our brokerage operations, fraud or failure to disclose matters in our franchise documents or agreements, standard brokerage disputes like the failure to disclose hidden defects in a property such as mold, vicarious liability based upon conduct of individuals or entities outside of our control, including our agents, third-party service or product providers, antitrust claims, general fraud claims, employment law claims, including claims challenging the classification of our agents as independent contractors and compliance with wage and hour regulations, and claims alleging violations of Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act or state consumer fraud statutes.
Each lawsuit filed against or by us has factors that are unpredictable, including but not limited to, legal fees, insurance coverage, or the ultimate outcome of litigation and remedies or damage awards. Adverse results in such litigation and other proceedings may harm our business, our brands and our financial condition.
We have general liability and an errors and omissions insurance policy to help protect us against claims of inadequate work or negligent action. This insurance might not continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or a claim otherwise covered by our insurance may exceed our coverage limits, or a claim might not be covered at all. We may be subject to errors or omissions claims that could have an adverse effect on us. Moreover, defending a suit, regardless of its merits, could entail substantial expense and require the time and attention of our senior management. Substantial financial judgments against us would have a material adverse effect on our business, brands, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
Security breaches, interruptions, delays and failures in our systems and operations could materially harm our business.
The performance and reliability of our systems and operations and third party applications are critical to our reputation and ability to attract franchisees and agents to join us. Our systems and operations, as well as the third party applications that we license are vulnerable to security breaches, interruption or malfunction due to certain events beyond our control, including natural disasters, such as earthquakes, fire and flood, power loss, telecommunication failures, break-ins, sabotage, computer viruses, intentional acts of vandalism and similar events. In addition, we rely on third-party vendors to provide the website platforms and additional systems and related support. If we cannot continue to retain these services on acceptable terms, our access to these systems and services could be interrupted. Any security breach, interruption, delay or failure in our systems and operations could substantially harm our franchisees and agents by interfering with their daily business routines, reducing their transaction volume, impairing the quality of the services we provide, increasing our costs, prompting litigation and other claims, and damaging our reputation, any of which could substantially harm our results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
If we fail to protect the privacy of employees, independent contractors, or consumers or personal information that they share with us, our reputation and business could be significantly harmed.
Consumers, agents, independent contractors, and employees have shared personal information with us during the normal course of our business processing residential real estate transactions. This includes, but is not limited to, social security numbers, annual income amounts and sources, names, addresses, telephone and cell phone numbers, and email addresses.
The application, disclosure and safeguarding of this information is regulated by federal and state privacy laws. To comply with privacy laws, we invested resources and adopted a privacy policy outlining policies and procedures for the use of safeguarding personal information. This policy includes informing consumers, independent contractors and employees that we will not share their personal information with third parties without their consent unless required by law.
Privacy policies and compliance with federal and state privacy laws presents risk and we could incur legal liability for failing to maintain compliance. We might not become aware of all privacy laws, changes to privacy laws, or third- party privacy regulations governing the real estate business or be unable to comply with all of these regulations, given the rate of regulatory changes, ambiguities in regulations, contradictions in regulations between jurisdictions, and the difficulties in achieving both Company-wide and region-specific knowledge and compliance.
Our policy and safeguards could be deemed insufficient if third parties with whom we have shared personal information fail to protect the privacy of that information. Our legal liability could include significant defense costs, settlement costs, damages and penalties, plus, damage our reputation with consumers, which could significantly damage our ability to attract and maintain customers. Any or all of these consequences would result in meaningful unfavorable impact on our brand, business model, revenue, expenses, income and margins.
Cybersecurity incidents could disrupt our business operations, result in the loss of critical and confidential information, adversely impact our reputation and harm our business.
Cybersecurity threats and incidents directed at us could range from uncoordinated individual attempts to gain unauthorized access to information technology systems to sophisticated and targeted measures aimed at disrupting business or gathering personal data of customers. In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, including proprietary business information and personal information about our customers. Our business, and particularly our cloud-based platform, is reliant on the uninterrupted functioning of our information technology systems. The secure processing, maintenance, and transmission of information are critical to our operations, especially the processing and closing of real estate transactions. Although we employ measures designed to prevent, detect, address, and mitigate these threats (including access controls, data encryption, vulnerability assessments, and maintenance of backup and protective systems), cybersecurity incidents, depending on their nature and scope, could potentially result in the misappropriation, destruction, corruption, or unavailability of critical data and confidential or proprietary information (our own or that of third parties, including potentially sensitive personal information of our customers) and the disruption of business operations. Any such compromises to our security could cause harm to our reputation, which could cause customers to lose trust and confidence in us or could cause agents to stop working for us. In addition, we may incur significant costs for remediation that may include liability for stolen assets or information, repair of system damage, and compensation to customers and business partners. We may also be subject to legal claims, government investigation, and additional state and federal statutory requirements.
The potential consequences of a material cybersecurity incident include regulatory violations of applicable U.S. and international privacy and other laws, reputational damage, loss of market value, litigation with third parties (which could result in our exposure to material civil or criminal liability), diminution in the value of the services we provide to our customers, and increased cybersecurity protection and remediation costs (that may include liability for stolen assets or information), which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our competitiveness and results of operations.
If we attempt to, or acquire other complementary businesses, we will face certain risks inherent with such activities.
Subsequent to the closing of this offering, we may seek to acquire, and acquire, certain complementary businesses, including one or more of our affiliates. Any future growth through acquisitions will depend in part on the availability of suitable acquisition targets at favorable prices and with advantageous terms and conditions, which may not be available to us. In addition, we may take on debt to finance these acquisitions which will create new financial risks, or use our common stock as currency, which could dilute our then current stockholders. Acquisitions subject us to several significant risks, any of which may prevent us from realizing the anticipated benefits or synergies of the acquisition. The integration of companies is a complex and time-consuming process that could significantly disrupt our businesses and the business of the acquired company, including the diversion of management attention, failure to identify certain liabilities and issues during the due diligence process, the inability to retain personnel and clients of the acquired business and litigation. Any negative outcomes from acquisitions or attempted acquisitions could result in a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
If we were deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (or the 1940 Act) as a result of our ownership of the LLCs, applicable restrictions could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have an adverse effect on our business.
Under Sections 3(a)(1)(A) and (C) of the 1940 Act, a company generally will be deemed to be an “investment company” for purposes of the 1940 Act if: (i) it is, or holds itself out as being, engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities or (ii) it engages, or proposes to engage, in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities and it owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. We do not believe that we are an “investment company,” as such term is defined in either of those sections of the 1940 Act and intend to conduct our operations so that we will not be deemed an investment company. However, if we were to be deemed an investment company, restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act, including limitations on our capital structure and our ability to transact with affiliates, could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects.
Risks Related to this Offering
Our management will have broad discretion over the use of any net proceeds from this offering and you may not agree with how we use the proceeds, and the proceeds may not be invested successfully.
Our management will have broad discretion as to the use of any net proceeds from this offering and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of this offering. Accordingly, you will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of any proceeds from the sale of our common stock in this offering and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. It is possible that the proceeds will be invested in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for you.
You will experience immediate and substantial dilution.
The initial public offering price will be substantially higher than the net tangible book value of each outstanding share of common stock immediately after this offering. If you purchase common stock in this offering, you will suffer immediate and substantial dilution. At an assumed initial public offering price of $[ ] (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) with net proceeds to us of $[ ] million, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, investors who purchase shares in this offering will have contributed approximately [ ]% of the total amount of funding we have received to date, but will only hold approximately [ ]% of the total voting rights. The dilution will be $[ ] per share in the net tangible book value of the common stock from the assumed initial public offering price. In addition, if options to purchase shares of our common stock under our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan are granted and exercised, there could be further dilution. For more information refer to “Dilution”.
Future sales and issuances of our capital stock or rights to purchase capital stock could result in additional dilution of the percentage ownership of our stockholders and could cause the price of our common stock to decline.
We may issue additional securities following the closing of this offering. Future sales and issuances of our capital stock or rights to purchase our capital stock could result in substantial dilution to our existing stockholders. We may sell common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities, and other equity securities in one or more transactions at prices and in a manner as we may determine from time to time. If we sell any such securities in subsequent transactions, investors may be materially diluted. New investors in such subsequent transactions could gain rights, preferences, and privileges senior to those of holders of our common stock.
Sales of a significant number of shares of our common stock in the public markets, or the perception that such sales could occur, could depress the market price of our common stock.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public markets could depress the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our common stock would have on the market price of our common stock.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. As of the date of this prospectus, no analysts cover our stock. If we do not obtain analyst coverage or if one or more of those analysts downgrade our stock or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our Company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our stock could decrease, which might cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.
Risks Relating to Ownership of Our Common Stock
There is no active public trading market for our common stock. While we are seeking to list our Common Stock on Nasdaq, there is no assurance that our Common Stock be listed on Nasdaq.
In connection with this offering, we have applied to list our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbols “LRHC.” If Nasdaq approves our listing application, we expect to list our Common Stock upon consummation of the offering, Nasdaq’s listing requirements for the Nasdaq Capital Market include, among other things, a stock price threshold. As a result, prior to effectiveness of our registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, we will need to take the necessary steps to meet Nasdaq’s listing requirements. If Nasdaq does not approve the listing of our Common Stock, we will not proceed with this offering. There can be no assurance that our Common Stock will be listed on Nasdaq.
There is currently no market for our securities and a market for our securities may not develop, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of our securities.
There is currently no market for our securities. Stockholders therefore have no access to information about prior market history on which to base their investment decision. Following this offering, the price of our securities may vary significantly due to one or more potential business combinations and general market or economic conditions. Furthermore, an active trading market for our securities may never develop or, if developed, it may not be sustained. You may be unable to sell your securities unless a market can be established and sustained.
We may not be able to satisfy listing requirements of Nasdaq to maintain a listing of our common stock.
Even if our listing application is approved by Nasdaq, we must meet certain financial and liquidity criteria to maintain such listing. If we violate the maintenance requirements for continued listing of our common stock, our common stock may be delisted. In addition, our board may determine that the cost of maintaining our listing on a national securities exchange outweighs the benefits of such listing. A delisting of our common stock from Nasdaq may materially impair our stockholders’ ability to buy and sell our common stock and could have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for, our common stock. In addition, the delisting of our common stock could significantly impair our ability to raise capital.
The public price of our common stock may be volatile, and could, following a sale decline significantly and rapidly.
The initial public offering price for the shares will be determined by negotiations between us and the underwriters and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the open market following this offering. The market price of our common stock may decline below the initial offering price, and you may not be able to sell your shares of our common stock at or above the price you paid in the offering, or at all. Following this offering, the public price of our common stock in the secondary market will be determined by private buy and sell transaction orders collected from broker-dealers.
We are an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies or smaller reporting companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor internal controls attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our stockholders may not have access to certain information they may deem important. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the prior fiscal year’s second quarter, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following fiscal year end. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected to avail ourself of the extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accountant standards used.
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (i) the market value of our shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter, or (ii) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter. To the extent we take advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison of our financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible.
Our status as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act may make it more difficult to raise capital as and when we need it.
Because of the exemptions from various reporting requirements provided to us as an “emerging growth company” and because we will have an extended transition period for complying with new or revised financial accounting standards, we may be less attractive to investors and it may be difficult for us to raise additional capital as and when we need it. Investors may be unable to compare our business with other companies in our industry if they believe that our financial accounting is not as transparent as other companies in our industry. If we are unable to raise additional capital as and when we need it, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Our internal controls may be inadequate, which could cause our financial reporting to be unreliable and lead to misinformation being disseminated to the public.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting. As defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the principal executive and principal financial officer and effected by our board of directors, management, and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
| · | pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; and |
| · | provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and/or directors; and |
| · | provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
Our internal controls may be inadequate or ineffective, which could cause financial reporting to be unreliable and lead to misinformation being disseminated to the public. Investors relying upon this misinformation may make an uninformed investment decision.
Failure to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment could cause us to face regulatory action and also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
We have not paid dividends in the past and do not expect to pay dividends in the future, and any return on investment may be limited to the value of our stock.
We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain any future earnings to support the development of our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Our payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors after taking into account various factors, including, but not limited to, our financial condition, operating results, cash needs, growth plans and the terms of any credit agreements that we may be a party to at the time. In addition, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock may be limited by Nevada state law. Accordingly, investors must rely on sales of their common stock after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize a return on their investment. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our common stock.
Claims for indemnification by our directors and officers may reduce our available funds to satisfy successful stockholder claims against us and may reduce the amount of money available to us.
As permitted by Section 78.7502 of Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, or the NRS, our amended and restated articles of incorporation limit the liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by law. In addition, as permitted by Section 78.7502 of the NRS, our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that we shall indemnify, to the fullest extent authorized by the NRS, any person who is involved in any litigation or other proceeding because such person is or was a director or officer of ours or is or was serving as an officer or director of another entity at our request, against all expense, loss, or liability reasonably incurred or suffered in connection therewith. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation provide that indemnification includes the right to be paid expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that such advance payment will only be made upon delivery to us of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined that such director is not entitled to indemnification.
Section 78.7502 of the NRS permits a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigate, except an action by or in the right of us, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of ours, or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another company, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgment, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding if the person is not liable under Section 78.138 of the NRS, or acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful.
The above limitations on liability and our indemnification obligations limit the personal liability of our directors and officers for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors by shifting the burden of such losses and expenses to us. Certain liabilities or expenses covered by our indemnification obligations may not be covered by our directors and officers insurance policy or the coverage limitation amounts may be exceeded. As a result, we may need to use a significant amount of our funds to satisfy our indemnification obligations, which could severely harm our business and financial condition and limit the funds available to stockholders who may choose to bring a claim against us.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to provisions of the State of Nevada, the Company has been informed that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in that Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
Anti-takeover provisions in our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws, as well as provisions in Nevada law, might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our management and, therefore, depress the trading price of our securities.
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation, bylaws and Nevada law contain provisions that could have the effect of rendering more difficult or discouraging an acquisition deemed undesirable by our Board. Our corporate governance documents include provisions:
| · | providing for a single class of directors where each member of the board shall serve for a one year term and may be elected to successive terms; |
| · | authorizing blank check preferred stock, which could be issued with voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to our common stock; |
| · | limiting the liability of, and providing indemnification to, our directors, including provisions that require the company to advance payment for defending pending or threatened claims; |
| · | limiting the ability of our stockholders to call and bring business before special meetings; |
| · | requiring advance notice of stockholder proposals for business to be conducted at meetings of our stockholders and for nominations of candidates for election to our board; |
| · | controlling the procedures for the conduct and scheduling of board and stockholder meetings; and, |
| · | limiting the determination of the number of directors on our board and the filling of vacancies or newly created seats on the board to our Board then in office. |
These provisions, alone or together, could delay hostile takeovers and changes in control or changes in our management.
As a Nevada corporation, we are also subject to provisions of Nevada corporate law, including Section 78.411, et seq. of the Nevada Revised Statutes, which prohibits a publicly-held Nevada corporation from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder, generally a person which together with its affiliates owns, or within the last two years has owned, 10% of our voting stock, for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner.
The existence of the foregoing provisions and anti-takeover measures could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. They could also deter potential acquirers of our Company, thereby reducing the likelihood that our stockholders could receive a premium for their common stock in an acquisition.
You should consult your own independent tax advisor regarding any tax matters arising with respect to the securities offered in connection with this offering.
Participation in this offering could result in various tax-related consequences for investors. All prospective purchasers of our common stock are advised to consult their own independent tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences relevant to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the resold securities in their particular situations.
IRS CIRCULAR 230 DISCLOSURE: TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, WE INFORM YOU THAT ANY U.S. TAX ADVICE CONTAINED HEREIN (INCLUDING ANY ATTACHMENTS) IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE USED, AND CANNOT BE USED, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING PENALTIES UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. IN ADDITION, ANY U.S. TAX ADVICE CONTAINED HEREIN (INCLUDING ANY ATTACHMENTS) IS WRITTEN TO SUPPORT THE “PROMOTION OR MARKETING” OF THE MATTER(S) ADDRESSED HEREIN. YOU SHOULD SEEK ADVICE BASED ON YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES FROM YOUR OWN INDEPENDENT TAX ADVISOR.
IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE RISKS, BUSINESSES ARE OFTEN SUBJECT TO RISKS NOT FORESEEN OR FULLY APPRECIATED BY MANAGEMENT. IN REVIEWING THIS PROSPECTUS, POTENTIAL INVESTORS SHOULD KEEP IN MIND THAT OTHER POSSIBLE RISKS MAY ADVERSELY IMPACT THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND THE VALUE OF THE COMPANY’S SECURITIES.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the sale of the shares of common stock offered by us will be approximately $[ ] million based on an assumed initial public offering price of $[ ] per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. If the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares in this offering is exercised in full, we estimate that our net proceeds will be approximately $[ ] million. A $[ ] increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $[ ] per share would increase or decrease the net proceeds to us from this offering by $[ ] million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as indicated on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
We intend to use the net proceeds we receive from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include financing our growth by retaining more agents at a faster pace, developing new services and funding capital expenditures, acquisitions of a controlling interest in a number of our franchisees and the acquisition of other independent real estate brokerages, title insurance agencies, mortgage brokers and other complementary businesses, and the purchase and acquisition of proprietary technology.
This expected use of the net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based upon our current plans and prevailing business conditions, which could change in the future as such plans and conditions evolve. Predicting the costs to engage more agents, develop new services, and make acquisitions can be difficult, and the amounts and timing of our actual expenditures may vary significantly depending on numerous factors, including the progress of our expansion, any agreements that we may enter into with third parties, and any unforeseen cash needs. As a result, we will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds from this offering and the actual use of the net proceeds could vary substantially from the estimated uses set forth above.
Pending the uses described above, we intend to invest the net proceeds of this offering in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities such as money market funds, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government. We cannot predict whether the proceeds will yield a favorable return.
Based on our current plans, we believe that our existing cash, together with the anticipated net proceeds from this offering, will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through 2023.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our cash and our capitalization as of December 31, 2020:
| · | on a pro forma as adjusted basis to give effect to our sale of [ ] shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $[ ] per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and the application of the net proceeds as described under “Use of Proceeds” and not reflecting the exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option. |
The following information of our cash and capitalization following the completion of this offering is illustrative only and will change based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. You should read this table together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.
| | As of December 31, 2020 | |
| | Actual | | | Pro Forma | | | Pro Forma As Adjusted(1) | |
| | (in thousands, except share data) | |
Cash | | $ | 175 | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Debt | | $ | 720 | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Stockholders’ equity (deficit): | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized and 2,000 shares of Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, actual; 2,000 shares of Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock issued and outstanding pro forma and pro forma as adjusted | | | - | | | | | | | | | |
Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 30,000,000 shares issued, 30,000,000 shares outstanding, actual; 250,000,000 shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding, pro forma, and shares pro forma as adjusted | | $ | 3 | | | | | | | | | |
Additional paid-in capital | | $ | (3 | ) | | | | | | | | |
Accumulated deficit | | $ | (1,227 | ) | | | | | | | | |
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) | | $ | (1,227 | ) | | | | | | | | |
Total capitalization | | $ | (332 | ) | | | | | | | | |
Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted amount of each of cash and cash equivalents, additional paid in capital, total stockholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $[ ] million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase (decrease) of 1.0 million shares in the number of shares offered by us at the assumed initial public offering price per share of $[ ] per share would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted amount of each of cash and cash equivalents, additional paid in capital, total stockholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $[ ] million.
The number of shares of our common stock outstanding in the table above excludes [ ] shares of common stock available for future issuance under our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan as of the date of this prospectus and $481,000 of convertible promissory notes which convert into [__] shares of our common stock at the closing of this initial public offering.
DILUTION
If you invest in our common stock in this offering, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share of our common stock and the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering. We calculate net tangible book value per share by dividing the net tangible book value (tangible assets less total liabilities) by the number of outstanding shares of our common stock.
Our historical net tangible book value as of December 31, 2020 was $95,879 or $0.00 per share of common stock, based on 30,000,000 shares of our common stock outstanding.
After giving effect to our sale of [ ] shares of our common stock by us in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $[ ] per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), less the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2020, would be $[ ], or $[ ] per share. This represents an immediate increase in the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value of $[ ] per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $[ ] per share to investors purchasing shares in this offering.
The following table illustrates this per share dilution (1):
Assumed initial public offering price | | $ | [ ] | |
Historical net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2020 | | $ | 0.00 | |
Increase per share attributable to this offering | | $ | [ ] | |
Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering | | $ | [ ] | |
Net tangible book value dilution per share to investors in this offering | | $ | [ ] | |
(1) Does not include:
| ● | [ ] shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Representative’s Warrants; |
| ● | [ ] shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option; |
| ● | [ ] shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Consultant Warrants; and |
| ● | $481,000 of convertible promissory notes which convert into [ ] shares of our common stock at the closing of this initial public offering. |
If the underwriters exercise their option in full, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2020, after giving effect to this offering would be approximately $[ ] per share, and the dilution in net tangible book value per share to investors in this offering would be approximately $[ ] per share.
The following table shows, as of December 31, 2020, the difference between the number of shares of common stock purchased from us, the total consideration paid to us and the average price paid per share by existing stockholders and by investors purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering:
| | Shares Purchased | | | Total Consideration | | | | |
| | Number | | | Percentage | | | Amount | | | Percentage | | | Average Price per Share | |
Existing stockholders | | | 30,000,000 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 0 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 0 | |
New Investors | | | | | | | | % | | | | | | | | % | | | | |
Total | | | | | | | | % | | | | | | | | % | | | | |
Assuming the underwriters’ option is exercised in full, sales by us in this offering will reduce the percentage of shares held by existing stockholders to [ ]% and will increase the number of shares held by new investors to [ ], or [ ]%.
Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price per share of common stock would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value by $[ ] per share (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares) and the net tangible book value dilution to investors in this offering by $[ ] per share, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date, and our board of directors intends to continue a policy of retaining earnings, if any, for use in our operations. We are organized under the Nevada Revised Statutes, which prohibits the payment of a dividend if, after giving it effect, we would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the usual course of business or our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if we were to be dissolved, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of any preferred stockholders. Any determination by our board to pay dividends in the future to stockholders will be dependent upon our operational results, financial condition, capital requirements, business projections, general business conditions, statutory and regulatory restrictions and any other factors deemed appropriate by our board.
MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Prior to this offering, our common stock has not been listed on any stock exchange or quoted on any over-the-counter market or quotation system and there has been no public market for our common stock. We have applied to have our common stock listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “LRHC” which listing is a condition to this offering. For more information see the section “Risk Factors.”
As of December 16, 2021, 30,750,000 shares of common stock are issued and outstanding and held by two stockholders of record.
We also have outstanding:
| ● | 2,000 shares of Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock held by Mr. La Rosa, our principal executive officer. |
| ● | $481,000 of convertible promissory notes which convert into [ ] shares of our common stock at the closing of this initial public offering. |
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Incentive Plan
We intend to adopt the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”), which will be effective the day prior to the listing of our common stock on Nasdaq. The 2021 Plan allows the compensation committee to make equity-based and cash based incentive awards to our officers, employees, directors and other key persons (including consultants). The types of awards permitted under the Plan include nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and other awards.
We have reserved ______________ shares of common stock issuable under the 2021 Plan. This number is subject to adjustment in the event of a sub-division, consolidation, share dividend or other change in our capitalization.
The Board of Directors has the power to amend, suspend or terminate the 2021 Plan without stockholder approval or ratification at any time or from time to time. No change may be made that increases the total number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to incentive awards or reduces the minimum exercise price for options or exchange of options for other incentive awards, unless such change is authorized by our stockholders within one year.
The shares underlying any awards that are forfeited, cancelled, held back upon exercise or settlement of an award to satisfy the exercise price or tax withholding, reacquired by us prior to vesting, satisfied without any issuance of shares, expire or are otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) under the 2021 Plan will be added back to the shares available for issuance under the 2021 Plan.
The Board of Directors has the power to amend, suspend or terminate the Plan without stockholder approval or ratification at any time or from time to time. No change may be made that increases the total number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to incentive awards or reduces the minimum exercise price for options or exchange of options for other incentive awards, unless such change is authorized by our stockholders within one year.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our “Selected Combined Financial Data” and our combined financial statements, the accompanying notes, and other financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as our plans, estimates, and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those forward-looking statements below. Factors that could cause or contribute to those differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below and those discussed under “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Overview
We are the holding company for five agent-centric, technology-integrated, cloud-based, multi-service real estate companies. Our primary business, La Rosa Realty, LLC, has been listed in the “Top 75 Residential Real Estate Firms in the United States” from 2016 through 2020 by the National Association of Realtors (or NAR), the leading real estate industry trade association in the United States.
In addition to providing person-to-person residential and commercial real estate brokerage services to the public, we cross sell ancillary technology-based products and services primarily to our sales agents and the sales agents associated with our franchisees. Our business is organized based on the services we provide internally to our agents and to the public, which are residential and commercial real estate brokerage, franchising, real estate brokerage education and coaching, and property management. Our real estate brokerage business operates primarily under the trade name La Rosa Realty, which we own, and, to a lesser extent, under the trade name Better Homes Realty which we license. We have five La Rosa Realty corporate real estate brokerage offices located in Florida, 28 La Rosa Realty franchised real estate brokerage offices in six states in the United States and Puerto Rico, and an international La Rosa Realty franchised office in Peru and in Turkey. Our real estate brokerage offices, both corporate and franchised, are staffed with more than approximately 2,380 licensed real estate brokers and sales associates.
La Rosa Holdings Corp. was organized in June 2021 by its founder, Mr. Joseph La Rosa, to become the holding company for five Florida limited liability companies in which Mr. La Rosa held a one hundred percent ownership interest: (i) La Rosa Coaching, LLC; (ii) La Rosa CRE, LLC our commercial real estate division; (iii) La Rosa Franchising, LLC; (iv) La Rosa Property Management, LLC; and (v) La Rosa Realty, LLC (or Realty). The LLCs became direct, wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company as a result of the closing of the Reorganization Agreement and Plan of Share Exchange, dated July 22, 2021, a copy of which is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
As part of the reorganization, we amended and restated our Articles of Incorporation on July 29, 2021 such that (i) we increased our total authorized capital stock to 300,000,000 shares, of which 50,000,000 shares were designated preferred stock and 250,000,000 shares were designated common stock; and (ii) authorized 2,000 shares of Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock that has 10,000 votes per share and votes together as a class with our common stock. We issued 30,000,000 shares of our common stock to Mr. La Rosa and all 2,000 shares of the Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock were issued to Mr. La Rosa. We refer to these steps as the Exchange Transactions. The Exchange Transactions did not affect our operations, which we continue to conduct through our operating subsidiaries.
Prior to and through the date of the Exchange Transactions, Mr. La Rosa was the majority member in each of the LLCs. Therefore, the Exchange Transactions have been accounted for as acquisitions under common control and due to the similar nature of the entities, business, the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 have been presented on a combined basis.
Description of Our Revenues
Our financial results are driven by the total number of sales agents in our Company, the number of sales agents closing commercial real estate transactions, the number of sales agents utilizing our coaching services, and the number of agents who work with our franchisees. We grew our total agent count from our founding in 2004 to approximately 2,380 agents as of the date of this prospectus.
The majority of our revenue is derived from a stable set of fees paid by our brokers, franchisees and consumers. We have multiple revenue streams, with the majority of our revenue derived from commissions paid by consumers who transact business with our and our franchisee’s agents, royalties paid by our franchisees, dues and technology fees paid by our sales agents, our franchisees and our franchisees’ agents. Our major revenue streams come from such sources as: (i) residential real estate brokerage revenue, (ii) revenue from our property management services, (iii) franchise royalty fees, (iv) fees from the sale or renewal of franchises and other franchise revenue, (v) coaching, training and assistance fees, (vi) brokerage revenue generated transactionally on commercial real estate, and (vii) fees from our events and forums. Our revenue streams are illustrated in the following chart:
Our major revenue streams are illustrated in the following table:
REVENUE STREAM | | DESCRIPTION | | PERCENT OF TOTAL 2020 REVENUE | |
Brokerage Revenue | | Percentage fee paid on agent-generated residential real estate transactions. | | | 65 | % |
Property Management Revenue | | Management fees paid by the sales agents from fees earned from property owners, rental fees and rents. | | | 29 | % |
Franchise Sales and Other Franchise Revenues | | One-time fee payable upon signing of the franchise agreement. Other revenues earned upon occurrence (annual membership, technology, interest, late fees, renewal, transfer, successor, audit, other related fees). Per agent per closed transaction; payable monthly. | | | 4 | % |
Coaching/Training/Assistance Revenue | | Based on real estate commissions earned by the sales agent. Event fees and break-out sessions. | | | 2 | % |
Commercial Real Estate Revenue | | 10% of every real estate commission earned by the sales agent. | | | * | % |
TOTAL | | | | | 100 | % |
*Less than 1%
Various factors affected our results for the periods presented in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The majority of our revenue is derived from fees and dues based on the number of agents working under the La Rosa Realty brand. Due to the low fixed cost structure of both our Company and franchise models, the addition of new sales agents generally requires little incremental investment in capital or infrastructure. Accordingly, the number of commission producing sales agents in our Company and our franchisees is the most important factor affecting our results of operations and the addition of new agents can favorably impact our revenue and our earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (or EBITDA). Historically, the number of agents in the residential real estate industry has been highly correlated with overall home sale transaction activity. We believe that the number of agents and those that produce commissions in our network is the primary statistic that drives our revenue. Another major factor is the cyclicality of the real estate industry that has peaks and valleys depending on macroeconomic conditions that we cannot control. And finally, our revenues fluctuate based on the changes in the aggregate fee revenue per sales agent as a significant portion of our revenue is tied to various fees that are ultimately tied to the number of agents, including annual dues, continuing franchise fees and certain transaction or service based fees. Our revenue per agent also increases in other ways including when transaction sides and transaction sizes increase since a portion of our revenue comes from fees tied to the number and size of real estate transactions closed by our agents. Given the low fixed cost structure of our franchise model, modest increases in revenue per sales agent can have a significant impact on our profitability. Our annual fee revenue per sales agent was $100 for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Description of Our Expenses
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses include cost of revenue, selling, operating and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization and the gains and losses on sales of assets. Set forth below is a brief discussion of some of the key operating expenses that impact our results of operations:
| · | Cost of revenue. Cost of revenue primarily consists of commissions paid to selling agents and agent related expenses. |
| · | Selling, operating and administrative expenses. Selling, operating and administrative expenses primarily consists of salaries, benefits and other compensation expenses paid to our personnel as well as certain marketing and production costs, including travel and entertainment costs, costs associated with our annual convention and other events, rent expense and professional fee expenses. |
In connection with the completion of this offering, we may recognize certain compensation expenses including compensation expense of approximately $[ ] million related the granting of vested restricted stock units with respect to [ ] shares of our common stock to our senior executive officers, as described in “Executive Compensation—Equity Grants in Conjunction with this Offering”. In addition, we expect to grant restricted stock units representing shares of our common stock to our employees and directors in connection with the completion of this offering under our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan and will incur a charge of $[ ] million related to stock-based compensation for the remainder of 2021. We will incur additional charges in the future related to additional equity grants under our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. We also expect our selling, operating and administrative expenses to increase in the near-term as we add additional personnel and incur additional expenses that we did not incur as a private company, including costs related to becoming a public company and compliance with related governance and disclosure requirements.
More specifically, we expect our selling, operating and administrative expenses to increase related to obligations associated with becoming a public company including compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as legal, accounting, tax and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company.
| · | Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense consists of our depreciation expense related to our investments in property and equipment and our amortization of long-lived assets and intangibles, which consists principally of capitalized software, trademarks and franchise agreement amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense may increase as we continue to pursue acquisitions. |
| · | Gains and losses on sale of assets. Gains and losses on sale of assets are recognized when assets are disposed of for amounts greater than or less than their carrying values. |
Other Income (Expenses), Net
Other income (expenses), net include interest expense, interest income, foreign currency transactions gains and losses, losses on the early extinguishment of debt and equity in earnings of investees.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Critical Accounting Policies
The following discussion relates to critical accounting policies for our Company. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (or GAAP) requires our management to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported, including the notes thereto, and related disclosures of commitments and contingencies, if any. We have identified certain accounting policies that are significant to the preparation of our financial statements. These accounting policies are important for an understanding of our financial condition and results of operation. Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management’s difficult, subjective, or complex judgment, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their significance to financial statements and because of the possibility that future events affecting the estimate may differ significantly from management’s current judgments. We believe the following critical accounting policies involve the most significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of our financial statements:
Revenue Recognition
The Company applies the provision of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"). The Company measures revenue within the scope of ASC 606 by applying the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. At contract inception, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract that falls under the scope of ASC 606, determines those that are performance obligations and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when the performance obligation is satisfied. The application of these five steps necessitates the development of assumptions that require judgment.
The Company records revenue based upon the consideration specified in the client arrangement, and revenue is recognized when the performance obligations in the client arrangement are satisfied. A performance obligation is a contractual promise to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. The transaction price of a contract is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when or as, the customer receives the benefit of the performance obligation. Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services.
Real Estate Brokerage Services (Residential)
The Company serves as a licensed broker in the areas in which it operates for the purpose of processing residential real estate transactions. This portion of revenue consists of commissions generated from real estate brokerage services. The Company is contractually obligated to provide for the fulfillment of transfers of real estate between buyers and sellers. The Company provides these services itself and controls the services of its agents necessary to legally transfer the real estate. Consequently, the Company is defined as the principal in the transaction. The Company, as principal, satisfies its obligation upon the closing of a real estate transaction. The Company has concluded that agents are not employees of the Company, rather deemed to be independent contractors. Upon satisfaction of its obligation, the Company recognizes revenue in the gross amount of consideration it is entitled to receive. The transaction price is calculated by applying the Company's portion of the agreed-upon commission rate to the property's selling price. The Company may provide services to the buyer, seller, or both parties to a transaction. When the Company provides services to the seller in a transaction, it recognizes revenue for its portion of the commission, which is calculated as the sales prices multiplied by the commission rate for the "buy" side of the transaction. In instances in which the Company represents both the buyer and the seller in a transaction, it recognizes the full commission on the transaction. Commissions revenue contains a single performance obligation that is satisfied upon the closing of a real estate transaction, at which point the entire transaction price is earned. The Company's customers remit payment for the Company's services to the title company or attorney closing the sale of property at the time of closing. The Company receives payment upon close of property within days of the closing of a transaction. The Company is not entitled to any commission until the performance obligation is satisfied and is not owed any commission for unsuccessful transactions, even if services have been provided.
Franchising Services
The Company's franchise agreements offer the following benefits to the franchisee: common use and promotion of the La Rosa Realty trademark; distinctive sales and promotional materials; access to technology and training; and recommended procedures for operation of La Rosa Realty franchises. The Company concluded that these benefits are highly related and part of one performance obligation for each franchise agreement, a license of symbolic intellectual property that is billed through a variety of fees including (i) initial franchise fees, (ii) annual dues and (iii) royalty fees. Initial franchise fees consist of a fixed fee payable upon signing the franchise agreement. Annual dues are calculated at a fixed fee per agent (prorated for any partial year) payable annually before the 10th day of January or within 10 days after each agent commences their association with the franchise. Royalty fees are calculated as the greater of a (a) fixed percentage of gross commission income for the period which is made up of all commissions, transaction fees, property management fees, and monthly fees collected or receivable by the Franchisee and the Franchisee's independent sales associates, agents, representatives, contractors, employees, partners, directors, officers, Owners, or affiliates, regardless of whether or not such individuals or affiliates are entitled to retain all or part of such Gross Commission Income, or (b) a fixed monthly fee. Royalty fees are payable monthly on or before the 10th of each month.
Coaching Services
The Company provides mandatory training and guidance to newly licensed agents for their first three sales transactions. Revenue is recognized based on 10% of the commission earned on these transactions payable upon the closing of the transaction. Coaches also provide optional special education services throughout the year to agents. Revenue is recognized as each event occurs.
Property Management
We provide property management services on a contractual basis for owners of and investors in office, industrial and retail properties. These services include managing daily operations of the property, tenant background screening, overseeing the tenant application process, and accounting services. We are compensated for our services through a flat monthly management fee. We are also sometimes reimbursed for our repair costs directly attributable to the properties under management. These costs are not included in the transaction price as the customer is the party receiving these services. Property management services represent a series of distinct daily services rendered over time. Consistent with the transfer of control for distinct, daily services to the customer, revenue is recognized at the end of each period for the fees associated with the services performed. The amount of revenue recognized is presented gross for any services provided by our employees, as we control them. We generally do not control third-party services delivered to property management clients. As such, we generally report revenues net of third-party reimbursements.
The amount of revenue recognized is presented gross for any services provided by our employees, as we control them. This is evidenced by our obligation for their performance and our ability to direct and redirect their work, as well as negotiate the value of such services. The amount of revenue recognized related to certain project management arrangements is presented gross (with offsetting expense recorded in cost of revenue) for reimbursements of costs of third-party services because we control those services that are delivered to the client. In the instances where we do not control third-party services delivered to the client, we report revenues net of the third-party reimbursements.
Real Estate Brokerage Services (Commercial)
The Company serves as a licensed broker in the areas in which it operates for the purpose of processing commercial real estate transactions. This portion of revenue consists of commissions generated from real estate brokerage services. The Company is contractually obligated to provide for the fulfillment of transfers of real estate between buyers and sellers. The Company provides these services itself and controls the services of its agents necessary to legally transfer the real estate. Correspondingly, the Company is defined as the principal. The Company, as principal, satisfies its obligation upon the closing of a real estate transaction. The Company has concluded that agents are not employees of the Company, rather deemed to be independent contractors. Upon satisfaction of its obligation, the Company recognizes revenue in the gross amount of consideration it is entitled to receive. The transaction price is calculated by applying the Company's portion of the agreed-upon commission rate to the property's selling price. The Company may provide services to the buyer, seller, or both parties to a transaction. When the Company provides services to the seller in a transaction, it recognizes revenue for its portion of the commission, which is calculated as the sales prices multiplied by the commission rate for the "buy" side of the transaction. In instances in which the Company represents both the buyer and the seller in a transaction, it recognizes the full commission on the transaction. Commissions revenue contains a single performance obligation that is satisfied upon the closing of a real estate transaction, at which point the entire transaction price is earned. The Company's customers remit payment for the Company's services to the title company or attorney closing the sale of property at the time of closing. The Company receives payment upon close of property within days of the closing of a transaction at a rate of 10% of the gross commission income. The Company is not entitled to any commission until the performance obligation is satisfied and is not owed any commission for unsuccessful transactions, even if services have been provided. The Company also charges customers a fixed monthly membership fee.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In February 2016, the FASB established Topic 842, Leases, by issuing ASU No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”), which requires lessees to recognize leases on balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases are classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of the new standard on its combined financial statements and intends to adopt the standard on January 1, 2022.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, that changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For receivables, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward looking “expected loss” model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowance for losses. In addition, an entity will have to disclose significantly more information about allowances and credit quality indicators. The new standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of the new standard on its combined financial statements and intends to adopt the standard on January 1, 2023.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 201912, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes ("ASU 2019-12"), which modifies ASC 740 to reduce complexity while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to users of financial statements. ASU 2019-12 is effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2019-12, but it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s combined financial statements.
In January 2021 the FASB issued ASU 2021-02, Franchisors — Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 952-606). This ASU modifies the guidance applicable to franchisors under the revenue recognition standards by adding a practical expedient that allows non-public business entity franchisors to account for pre-opening services provided to a franchisee as a distinct performance obligation that is separate from the franchise license. To qualify for the new practical expedient, the pre-opening services need to be consistent with the predefined list within the standards. The ASU also allows franchisors the ability to recognize the pre-opening services as a single performance obligation. ASU 2021-02 is effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted under certain conditions. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2021-02, but it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s combined financial statements.
JOBS Act Transition Period
Section 107 of the JOBS Act, which was enacted in April 2012, provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. Thus, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to avail ourself of the extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accountant standards used.
We are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on other exemptions and reduced reporting requirements under the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions, as an emerging growth company, we may rely on certain of these exemptions, including without limitation, from the requirements of: (i) providing an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and (ii) complying with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements, known as the auditor discussion and analysis. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier to occur of : (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the effectiveness of this registration statement, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenues of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the rules of the SEC, which means the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior December 31st, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period.
Results of Operations
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019
Our statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 and for the year ended December 31, 2019 as discussed herein are presented below.
| | Year Ended | | | | |
| | December 31, | | | | |
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | | | Change | |
Revenue | | $ | 24,012,163 | | | $ | 51,522,615 | | | $ | (27,510,452 | ) |
Cost of revenue | | | 20,936,021 | | | | 46,716,485 | | | | (25,780,464 | ) |
Gross Profit | | | 3,076,142 | | | | 4,806,130 | | | | 1,729,988 | |
Selling, general and administrative | | | 2,948,488 | | | | 4,463,275 | | | | (1,514,787 | ) |
Income from operations | | | 127,654 | | | | 342,855 | | | | (215,201 | ) |
Other income (expense) | | | 6,707 | | | | (7,279 | ) | | | 13,986 | |
Net income attributable to common stockholders | | $ | 134,361 | | | $ | 335,576 | | | $ | (201,215 | ) |
Net income per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.01 | | | | | |
Shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted | | | 30,000,000 | | | | 30,000,000 | | | | | |
Revenue
Revenues totaled $24 million and $52 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and for the year ended December 31, 2019, respectively. This decrease of $28 million was due primarily to a change in the corporate model of company owned agencies to franchising. During 2019 corporate sales offices were franchised to existing team leaders under franchise arrangements where, instead of being consolidated, the company charges technology, annual and franchise purchase fees.
Cost of revenue
Cost of Sales totaled $21 million and $47 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and for the year ended December 31, 2019, respectively. This decrease of $26 million was due primarily due to a reduction in commissions related to the change in business model as described above.
General and administrative
General and administrative expenses totaled $3 million and $5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and for the year ended December 31, 2019, respectively. This decrease of $2 million was due primarily to the reduction in expenses related to the change to a franchising model. General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased primarily as a result of the change in our business model with specific reductions in rent, office, computer, technology, payroll and professional fees.
Income from operations
Income from operations was $0.13 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to $0.34 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Other income (expense)
Other income (expense) was $7 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to ($7) thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase is primarily the result of forgiveness of debt in 2020.
Net income
As a result of the foregoing, net income was $0.13 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to $0.34 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had cash of $0.18 and $0.45 million, respectively, available to fund our ongoing business activities. Additional information concerning our financial condition and results of operations is provided in the financial statements presented in this prospectus.
This offering is expected to generate net proceeds of $[ ]. We intend to use such proceeds as described in the section of this prospectus titled “Use of Proceeds.”
We believe that the net proceeds from this offering combined with its existing cash resources, will be sufficient to fund our projected operating requirements for at least 12 months subsequent to the closing of this offering. We anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially as we:
| ● | Incur costs with being a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; |
| ● | Incur costs with being a public company on a national exchange; |
| ● | Continue to grow our Company by the addition of employees, consultants and advisors; and |
| ● | Implement our business strategy through either growing organically or acquiring other entities, etc. |
If needed, we may finance future cash needs through public or private equity offerings, debt financings or corporate collaborations and licensing arrangements. Additional funds may not be available when we need them on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. To the extent that we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our stockholders may experience additional dilution, and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants. To the extent that we raise additional funds through collaborations and licensing arrangements, it may be necessary to relinquish some rights to our technologies or applications or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. We may seek to access the public or private capital markets whenever conditions are favorable, even if we do not have an immediate need for additional capital at that time. Management believes that our current cash reserves are sufficient for operations for at least 12 months from the date of the filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Cash Flows
Operating Activities
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company used cash of $0.33 million in operating activities, which was primarily attributable to the payment of accounts payable and accrued expenses of $.42 million and $.08 million, respectively, offset by our net income of $.13 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company provided cash of $1.16 million in operating activities which was primarily attributable to the receipt of landlord deposits of $0.85 million our net income of $0.34 million. Other changes to our operating assets and liabilities contributed to the difference.
Financing Activities
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company was provided cash of $.23 million from financing activities, primarily the result of borrowings on our line of credit.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company was provided cash of $.14 million from financing activities, primarily the result of borrowings from related parties.
Investing Activities
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BUSINESS
Overview
We operate primarily in the U.S. residential real estate market, which, according to Zillow Research2, totaled $36.2 trillion in December 2020.
We are the holding company for five agent-centric, technology-integrated, cloud-based, multi-service real estate companies. Our primary business, La Rosa Realty, LLC, has been listed in the “Top 75 Residential Real Estate Firms in the United States” from 2016 through 2020 by the National Association of Realtors (or NAR), the leading real estate industry trade association in the United States.
Our business was founded by Mr. Joseph La Rosa, a successful real estate developer, business and life coach, author, podcaster and public speaker. Mr. La Rosa’s self-help book “Do It Now” is a roadmap to personal success and well-being based on his transformative theories of family, passion and growth. His philosophy, seminars and educational forums have attracted numerous successful realtors that have spurred the growth of our business.
In addition to providing person-to-person residential and commercial real estate brokerage services to the public, we cross sell ancillary technology-based products and services primarily to our sales agents and the sales agents associated with our franchisees. Our business is organized based on the services we provide internally to our agents and to the public, which are residential and commercial real estate brokerage, franchising, real estate brokerage education and coaching, and property management. Our real estate brokerage business operates primarily under the trade name La Rosa Realty, which we own, and, to a lesser extent, under the trade name Better Homes Realty which we license. We have five La Rosa Realty corporate real estate brokerage offices located in Florida, 28 La Rosa Realty franchised real estate brokerage offices in six states in the United States and Puerto Rico, and an international La Rosa Realty franchised office in Peru and in Turkey. Our real estate brokerage offices, both corporate and franchised, are staffed with more than approximately 2,380 licensed real estate brokers and sales associates.
We have built our business by providing the home buying public with well trained, knowledgeable realtors who have access to our proprietary and third party in-house technology tools and quality education and training, and valuable marketing that attracts some of the best local realtors who provide value-added services to our home buyers and sellers that are attracted to our brands. We give our real estate brokers and sales agents who are seeking financial independence a turnkey solution and support them in growing their brokerages while they fund their own businesses. This enables us to maintain a low fixed-cost business with several recurring revenue streams, yielding relatively high margins and cash flow.
Our agent-centric commission model enables our sales agents to obtain higher net commissions than they would otherwise receive from many of our competitors in our local markets. Thus, our agents are able to obtain higher commissions than they would receive from many of our competitors in our local markets. We believe that agents that join our Company from the major real estate brokerage firms have increased their income by an average of approximately forty percent (40%). They can then use this additional income for reinvesting in their business or as take home profit. This is a strong incentive for them to compete against the discount, flat fee and internet brokerages that have sprung up in the past several years. Instead taking a greater share of their income, our agents pay what we believe to be reduced rates for training and mentorship and our proprietary technology. Our franchise models has a similar pricing methodology, permitting the franchise owner the freedom to operate his or her business with minimal control and lower expense than other franchise offerings.
2 https://www.zillow.com/research/zillow-total-housing-value-2020-28704/
Moreover, we believe that our proprietary technology, training, and the support that we provide to our agents at a minimal cost to them is one of the best offered in the industry.
We believe that our focus on the interaction between our in person agents and their clients is a strong weapon against the internet-only commodity websites and the low touch discount brokerages who compete with us. By creating a custom solution offering a unique experience, our agents are able to guide their clients seamlessly through what may the most expensive purchase of their lifetime.
Our business stands on three pillars: Family, Passion and Growth. We believe that our support and philosophy has attracted and will continue to attract and retain the highest producing realtors in our local markets. We believe that our focus on the interaction between our human agents and his or her clients is a strong weapon against the internet-only commodity websites and the low touch discount brokerages. Our agent count continues to grow organically which can be attributed the positive culture created in our Company. By creating a custom solution and a unique experience, our agents are able to guide their clients seamlessly through what may their most expensive lifetime purchase.
Disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a downturn in our local residential real estate market in 2020. However, our local real estate market rebounded significantly in 2021 and continues to be strong as the pandemic has caused what appears to be a large migration into our market areas from other states. Because nearly all of our sales agents, who are independent contractors, were working remotely before the pandemic struck, and because Florida did not mandate stay-at-home orders like many other states, the manner in which our business is conducted during the pandemic has not changed significantly and has not affected the productivity of our sales agents in 2021.
In addition, a significant driver of our past was, and we believe, our future growth is, our ability to create revenue by referring or requiring that our agents and our franchisee’s agents use the different business services that we provide. For example, all agents new to our Company are required to have a “coach” and to attend multi-day training sessions to learn the Company’s philosophy, technology and business practices. Concurrently, the agent works with his or her coach in obtaining listings, working with consumers and closing transactions. All of these activities are run through our La Rosa Coaching, LLC subsidiary. We plan to expand our coaching offerings in the third quarter of 2021 to teach advanced techniques for team building, personal growth and business development, which will provide increased revenue at a nominal increase in cost to us. In addition, unlike other residential real estate brokerages, we encourage our sales agents to pursue commercial real estate transactions and require them to utilize the services of our commercial real estate company. We anticipate acquiring other complementary businesses, such as title and insurance agencies and a mortgage brokerage, after the closing of this offering to enhance our gross revenues and profit margins.
Our Organization
La Rosa Holdings Corp. was incorporated in the State of Nevada on June 14, 2021 by its founder, Mr. Joseph La Rosa, to become the holding company for five Florida limited liability companies in which Mr. La Rosa held a one hundred percent ownership interest: (i) La Rosa Coaching, LLC (or Coaching); (ii) La Rosa CRE, LLC (or CRE); (iii) La Rosa Franchising, LLC (or Franchising); (iv) La Rosa Property Management, LLC (or Property Management); and (v) La Rosa Realty, LLC (or Realty). All of those limited liability companies are referred to collectively in this prospectus as the LLCs. The LLCs became direct, wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company as a result of the closing of the Reorganization Agreement and Plan of Share Exchange dated July 22, 2021, or the Reorganization Agreement, which was effective on August 4, 2021. Pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement, each LLC exchanged 100% of their limited liability company membership interests for one share of Company’s common stock, which share was automatically redeemed for nominal consideration upon the closing of the transaction, resulting each LLC becoming the direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
The following chart illustrates the current corporate structure of our key operating entities:
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The Company conducts its operations through its five subsidiaries:
| · | La Rosa Coaching, LLC is engaged in _______________; |
| · | La Rosa CRE, LLC is engaged in _______________; |
| · | La Rosa Franchising, LLC is engaged in _______________; |
| · | La Rosa Property Management, LLC is engaged in _______________; and |
| · | La Rosa Realty, LLC is engaged in _______________. |
Prior to the filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, the Company filed its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Nevada that increased the Company’s authorized capital stock and provided for authorized preferred stock, including 2,000 shares of Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock that provides for 10,000 votes per share when voting together with the common stock. The Company issued all of those shares to Mr. La Rosa in recognition of his prior services and for no additional cash consideration.
Following the completion of this offering, we will be a “controlled company” as defined under the corporate governance rules of Nasdaq because our Founder, Mr. Joseph La Rosa, will control approximately [ ]% of the voting power of our common stock and will have 20,000,000 votes from the Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock that votes with the common stock with respect to director elections and other matters (or approximately [ ]% of the voting power with respect to director elections if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock). Please read “Management – Our Controlled Company Status.”
Our Business
We operate primarily in the U.S. residential real estate market, which, according to Zillow Research3, totaled $36.2 trillion in December 2020. The full U.S. housing stock gained about $2.5 trillion in value in 2020, including $2.2 trillion from appreciation of existing homes and $274 billion from new construction. That $2.5 trillion gain is more than in any year since 2005 in what was a remarkably strong year for housing, and Zillow Research predicts that 2021 is likely to be stronger. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index rose 16.6% year-over-year in May 2021 (non-seasonally adjusted), up from 14.8% in April 2021. Annual growth was up from April in both the 20-city index (to 17.0%, from 15.0%) and 10-city index (to 16.4% from 14.5%). 4
The Company is the holding company for its direct, wholly-owned subsidiaries, the LLCs, and has no other operations.
3 https://www.zillow.com/research/zillow-total-housing-value-2020-28704/
4 https://www.zillow.com/research/may-2021-case-shiller-29838/
Realty was a traditional residential real estate brokerage firm that was founded in 2004 by Mr. La Rosa to serve the Florida market. In 2011, La Rosa Realty shifted to an agent-centric real estate brokerage format, offering more tools and value to agents, while also offering experienced agents a 100% commission split. Newly licensed and agent agents still in training operate on a 70% to agent / 30% to Realty commission split (10% to La Rosa Coaching, 10% to the La Rosa Coach and 10% to the specific brokerage office). Realty has expanded its geographic footprint over the years by integrating technology into its operations and creating a brokerage that provides its agents with the tools to handle their transactions, accounting, marketing, social media and customer relations. Realty’s full service, high touch engagement with its clients assists them with navigating the complexity of the home purchase/sale transaction by their intimate knowledge of the local market, guiding them on the right pricing for their sale or purchase, assisting in the negotiation of the sales contract, overseeing the home inspections and possible repairs, reviewing the financial details of the transaction to assure that there are no errors and attending the closing of the sale to ensure that there are no last minute surprises. Realty believes that its services build referrals and repeat clients who appreciate the expertise and personal relationships that they develop with our agents.
In 2018, Mr. La Rosa organized Franchising to study the potential to expand nationally by means of creating a franchise model that would be easily duplicable. Franchising began franchising real estate brokerage businesses based on its Franchise Disclosure Document filed with the Federal Trade Commission in 2019 and converted several of its largest offices in Florida to “La Rosa Realty” franchises. Better Homes Realty, Inc., a national real estate franchise founded in 1964, with offices located from coast to coast in the United States, licensed Franchising to sell Better Homes Realty franchises throughout the United States, Canada and elsewhere. Franchising also oversees and administers the offices that it sells, no matter their brand. Franchising uses the typical model for licensing the use of our two brands together with our proprietary business methodology, technology, tools, and training. Our franchisees own their own brokerage businesses and are solely responsible for its operation and its risks and are able to retain the substantial upside of their business if they are profitable. Our franchisees use our successful and well-known brands, our systems and technology, training and personal assistance and guidance to help run their businesses more efficiently and, we believe, more successfully than other branded real estate franchisees. Our franchisees pay us an initial licensing fee, a royalty fee based on their gross commissions, an annual membership fee, a coaching fee payable to Coaching for coaching services, a commercial royalty fee payable to La Rosa CRE for all commercial transactions, a training fee for its administrative personnel and a fee to use our proprietary software. Because our franchise “product” has been developed over the years and is delivered in a “package” format, our fixed costs are low and our franchising gross margins are relatively higher than our more labor intensive businesses. While we intend to continue to sell franchises, we will, in the future, concentrate on opening corporate offices which produce higher revenue and increased margins.
Coaching grew out of Mr. La Rosa’s life and business coaching seminars and was organized in 2019 to provide education and mentoring to new real estate agents who join Realty in any of our offices. Each agent in coaching is assigned an experienced real estate agent / coach who assists and advises the new agent for at a minimum their first three (3) sales transactions and the successful completion of our exclusive core competency courses and examinations Brokers compensate us for the courses and mentoring by splitting their commissions with us when they are involved in the sale and purchase of a property for which we receive 30% of their share of the real estate brokerage commission Our franchisee brokers also take in-house course and ongoing coaching that cover topics including but not limited to local real estate brokerage law, lead generation, recruiting, business management, industry trends, and leadership. We are adding a second tier of coaching in 2021 that will provide business and personal growth and advanced real estate courses to our and our franchisees’ agents for various fees based on the subject matter and length of the course.
Unlike most other residential real estate brokerage companies, we encourage our sales agents to seek out property management business. Property Management, which was organized in 2014, provides trains our sales agents to provide residential property management services to owners of single family residential properties and provides our agents with the tools to service those property owners. These tools include management, marketing, accounting and financial services. Our agents generally charge the homeowners between 8-12% of the monthly rental. Our agents pay Property Management to be the point of contact for the property owner and their tenants and to handle all tenant screenings, applications, contracts, forms and documents, and to deal with attorneys if necessary to enforce the agreements. We collect the rents and disburse payments to vendors, service providers, the agents and the property owners, while retaining $44.00 per agent per property per month. As of [ ], 2021 we provided property management services for [ ] single family properties in Florida. Consistent with industry custom, management contract terms typically range from one to three years, although some contracts can be terminated at will at any time following a short notice period, usually 30 to 120 days, as is typical in the industry. Property Management is planning to add a division to handle commercial properties in Florida in 2022 and to expand those services to our other offices in other states in the future.
Unlike like many other real estate brokerages, we encourage our sales agents to seek out commercial real estate business. CRE was organized in 2014 originally to provide “resi-commercial” real estate advisory services such as helping sales agents’ customers lease office space. CRE now assists agents who have customers who wish to purchase multifamily, office, storage, mixed use and apartment properties. We provide, on a fee basis, training to sales agents who wish to work in the commercial real estate space, and advise customers with respect to office leasing, multi-family property sales and leasing, and land and subdivision development. Our customers come primarily from referrals from our Realty brokers who are asked by their clients to assist them in with various commercial real estate property transactions.
We also have a number of affiliated companies that are wholly or majority owned by Mr. La Rosa that we refer to in this prospectus as our affiliates. While our affiliates are not owned by us, some do use our services and contribute to our revenue stream. Our affiliates operate insurance brokerage and real estate title and full commercial real estate brokerage businesses.
Our Focus
Our Mission Statement is that “we are here to support, empower and elevate those who we serve with integrity.” We are committed to excellence in all we do and are respectful, compassionate, trustworthy, responsible, joyful, inspiring and adaptive. At La Rosa, we inculcate these core values to our sales agents and employees and strive to live by them every day.
We believe, home buyers and sellers choose the agent because of their individual marketing prowess, professionalism, and personality. To capitalize on this, we focus on helping our agents improve professionally and increase their financial ability to invest in their personal marketing, and therefore capture a greater percentage of customers.
We have built our business on what we know to be our customer’s needs. The purchase of a home is likely the most expensive purchase a consumer will make in his or her lifetime. Many first time home buyers are young and require knowledgeable, experienced guidance from our agents and our franchisor’s agents. Home sellers need the market ken and potential buyer reach that our agents and our franchisee’s agents provide. Our agents and our franchisee’s agents build lasting relationships with their clients that result in repeat business and referral business. Notwithstanding claims of the internet-only brokerages that homes are a commodity that can be bought and sold like a can of beans, this consumer need is borne out in reality. Current research from the NAR5 shows that:
| · | 88% of buyers recently purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker and 89% of home sellers worked with a real estate agent to sell their home; |
| · | having an agent to help them find the right home was what buyers wanted most when choosing an agent at 51%; |
| · | 73% of buyers interviewed only one real estate agent during their home search and 77% of recent sellers contacted only one agent before finding the right agent they worked with to sell their home; and |
| · | 91% of buyers would use their agent again or recommend their agent to others, while the typical seller has recommended their agent once since selling their home and 27% of sellers recommended their agent four or more times since selling their home. |
5 https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/highlights-from-the-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers#searchprocess
Our agent’s training, knowledge of the market, access to public and non-public data related to transactions, and experience with past transactions gives them a unique insight to provide our home buyer clients with invaluable advice and judgement. Their ability to reach potential buyers and our relationships with other brokers, both within our Company and franchisors and without, helps our seller clients achieve the maximum possible price for their properties. As NAR research proves, homes “for sale by owner” (or FSBO) typically sell for less than the selling price of other homes. In 2019, FSBO homes sold at a median of $217,900 in 2019 and significantly lower than the median of agent-assisted homes at $242,300 although FSBO homes sold faster than agent listed homes, primarily because the seller knew the buyer.
Our Company works in the present but has its eye on the future. We understand that the housing market will change over time and are focusing on how to prepare for that change. The following chart is a projection of the past and future of home ownership rates based on age groups, with the projections noting either slow or fast change.6
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As the market slows slightly in out years, we intend to increase our use of our technology tools to make our agents and franchisor’s agent more efficient and more productive.
Our People
Our people are our most important asset. We spend significant time and effort in attracting and retaining talented people for our businesses. Many agents contact us after hearing of, or experiencing Mr. La Rosa’s personal and business growth seminars, his book or his podcasts. They are attracted to the Company because they desire to work in a diverse, inclusive, welcoming and learning environment that allows the agents to attain their individual potential. The financial attraction is our ability to offer competitive salaries for our employees, a 100% commission “split” with our experience realtors and a 70% / 30% commission split with our new and inexperienced agents and low monthly dues. Our agents can also receive advanced commissions through an affiliated commission advance company subject that charges a percentage fee. But, most important, we believe, is the training, education and ongoing support that we provide giving our agents the edge in a very competitive and crowded real estate brokerage marketplace.
6 https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/103501/the-future-of-headship-and-homeownership.pdf
Our businesses emphasize diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the value of home ownership. We strive to create a workplace that is inclusive of everyone, where every person can be authentic, and where that authenticity is celebrated as a strength. Management works diligently to make the Company a desirable place to work by creating learning experiences, programs, compensation, and benefits that attract, develop, train, engage, motivate, reward, and retain the best talent. With a focus on teamwork, collaboration, and diversity and inclusion, we aspire to be a company where the best people want to work and are engaged every day. Outside the office, our agents comply and observe non-discrimination laws and policies and work with all clients to ensure that they are able to acquire the home of their dreams.
Our Technology
We provide our agents and employees with cloud-based real estate brokerage services by utilizing our consumer-facing websites, including our corporate website https://www.larosarealty.com and our proprietary technology that provides brokerage operations management tools. When an agent is on-boarded, he or she is required to take our monthly Foundations Series which covers the use of our proprietary applications. Through our websites, we provide buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants with access to all of the available properties for sale or lease on the multiple listing service, or MLS, in each of the markets in which we operate. We provide each of our Company franchisees and their agents their own personal website that they can modify to match their personal branding. Our website also gives consumers access to our network of professional real estate agents and vendors. Additionally, the websites we provide use AI integrated Client Relationship Management (or CRM) software to enhance the consumers internet experience and assist our agents with lead generation and lead capture through the AI features. For example, our CRM software, which is integrated into our websites, uses artificial intelligence to generate marketing leads for our agents by sending marketing materials to a potential buyers and sellers automatically without any agent involvement. Our technology platform also provides unique automated blogging and comprehensive social media marketing campaigns for our agents to create top of mind public awareness of our brand.
Our proprietary technology and third-party services and platforms provide our agents and franchisees with commission management and accounting systems, an internal agent “intranet” application, customer relationship management applications, a transaction management solution, and automated marketing and social media applications and privacy and identity protections. The combination of our brands, proprietary technology, services, data, lead generation, and marketing tools give our agents the power to offer best-in-class service to their clients.
Internally, we use our technology to provide our Company agents, employees and franchisees with the means to find and develop new business, manage their relationships both externally with their clients and internally with the Company or their franchisor, develop better skills and knowledge in their areas of endeavor and, we believe, enhance their earning potential. While no one can predict the ups and downs of the real estate market, we believe that the “weapons” we provide to our Company agents, employees and franchisees help them fight the adverse economic conditions, a volatile market and the competition.
While our offices and our franchisor’s offices act as their “home base,” most agents use our offices primarily for real estate closings and training. We monetize our technology by charging our agents and our franchisor’s agents what we believe to be a reasonable a monthly fee for the use of our suite of tools.
Our Intellectual Property
It is important that we protect our technology and intellectual property. We rely upon a combination of trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, patents, confidentiality procedures, contractual commitments, domain names, and other legal rights to establish and protect our intellectual property. We generally enter into confidentiality agreements and invention or work product assignment agreements with our officers, employees, agents, contractors, and business partners to control access to, and clarify ownership of, our proprietary information.
As of December 31, 2020, we had trademark and service mark registrations and applications in the United States, including registrations for “La Rosa” and the La Rosa logo. We also had trademark and service mark registrations and applications in certain foreign jurisdictions. Additionally, we are the registered holder of a number of domain names, including “larosarealty.com.”
We continually review our development efforts to assess the existence and patentability of new intellectual property. We intend to continue to evaluate the benefit of patent protection with respect to our technology, and will file additional applications when we believe it will be beneficial.
Our Markets
Our primary market is in the United States. We have five La Rosa Realty corporate-owned real estate brokerage offices located in Florida, and 28 La Rosa Realty franchised real estate brokerage offices in six states in the United States and one office in Puerto Rico, and an international La Rosa Realty franchised office Peru and in Turkey.
Our U.S. corporate and franchised offices are located in more than 6 cities and towns in California, Florida, Georgia, New York, and South Carolina Shortly after the closing of this offering, we intend to acquire a controlling interest in seven of our current franchisees whose offices are primarily in Florida.
Our Revenue Streams
Our financial results are driven by the total number of sales agents in our Company, the number of sales agents closing commercial real estate transactions, the number of sales agents utilizing our coaching services, and the number of agents who work with our franchisees. We grew our total agent count from our founding in 2004 to approximately 2,380 agents as of the date of this prospectus.
The majority of our revenue is derived from a stable set of fees paid by our brokers, franchisees and consumers. We have multiple revenue streams, with the majority of our revenue derived from commissions paid by consumers who transact business with our and our franchisee’s agents, royalties paid by our franchisees, dues and technology fees paid by our sales agents, our franchisees and our franchisees’ agents. Our major revenue streams come from such sources as: (i) residential real estate brokerage revenue, (ii) revenue from our property management services, (iii) franchise royalty fees, (iv) fees from the sale or renewal of franchises and other franchise revenue, (v) coaching, training and assistance fees, (vi) brokerage revenue generated transactionally on commercial real estate, and (vii) fees from our events and forums. Our revenue streams are illustrated in the following chart:
REVENUE STREAM | | DESCRIPTION | | PERCENT OF TOTAL 2020 REVENUE | |
Brokerage Revenue | | Percentage fee paid on agent-generated residential real estate transactions. | | | 65 | % |
Property Management Revenue | | Management fees paid by the sales agents from fees earned from property owners, rental fees and rents. | | | 29 | % |
Franchise Sales and Other Franchise Revenues | | One-time fee payable upon signing of the franchise agreement. Other revenues earned upon occurrence (annual membership, technology, interest, late fees, renewal, transfer, successor, audit, other related fees). Per agent per closed transaction; payable monthly. | | | 4 | % |
Coaching/Training/Assistance Revenue | | Based on real estate commissions earned by the sales agent. Event fees and break-out sessions. | | | 2 | % |
Commercial Real Estate Revenue | | 10% of every real estate commission earned by the sales agent. | | | * | % |
TOTAL | | | | | 100 | % |
*Less than 1%
Our Industry
The residential real estate industry is cyclical in nature but has shown strong long-term growth. We believe that long-term demand for housing in the U.S. is primarily driven by the economic health of the domestic economy, low interest rates, and local factors such as demand relative to supply, and that the residential real estate market in the U.S. will also benefit over the long term from the following fundamental factors:
| · | an improving economy and job market as the United States recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic |
| · | pent up demand for affordable housing in the Millennial and Gen Z generations that are seeking to acquire single family homes; |
| · | an increase in existing home stock as the Boomer generation downsizes due to retirement, illness and death; |
| · | not enough housing starts or resales to accommodate the demand; |
| · | an increase in new housing starts that the U.S. Census Bureau stated were approximately 23.3 percent above the June 2020 rate; and, |
| · | a continuation of the current low rate of annual inflation and the maintenance of a low interest rate environment by the Federal Reserve Board to encourage economic growth in the United States. |
Our brokers deal primarily in sales of existing homes, rather than the sales of new homes that are typically sold by builders. The National Association of Realtors (or NAR) reported that for June 2021 there were 5.86 million existing home sales, reflecting a month-over-month increase of 1.4% and a year-over-year increase of 22.9%. This number is down from a peak of 6.73 million sales in October 2020. Existing for sale inventory in June 2021 was 2.6 months, down from 3.9 months a year prior and the median sales price has jumped 23.4% to $363,300.
The National Association of Realtors, an industry support and lobbying organization, has noted on its website:
| · | There are 106,548 real estate brokerage firms and over 3 million active real estate licensees operating in the United States; |
| · | 88% of all realtors are independent contractors; 5% are employees and 7% are “other;” |
| · | 5.64 million existing homes and 822,000 newly constructed homes were sold in 2020; |
| · | The median number of transaction sides in 2020: |
| · | Residential sides for all realtors: 10. |
| · | Residential sides for residential specialist broker/broker associates only: 13 |
| · | Residential sides for residential specialists only: 9 |
| · | Residential sides for commercial specialists only: 5 |
| · | Commercial sides for commercial specialists only: 4. |
| · | 70% of broker/broker associates and 69% of sales agents have a website, 74% of realtors use Facebook and 56% use LinkedIn for professional purposes, and 20% of all realtor members of the NRA get 1-5% of their business from social media, and 10% get 6-10%. |
Seasonality
Our business is affected by the seasons and weather. The spring and summer seasons, when school is out, have typically results in higher sales volumes compared to fall and winter seasons. With the slowdown in the later months, we have experienced slower listing activity, fewer transaction closings and lower revenues and have seen more agent turnover as well. Bad weather or natural disasters also negatively impact listings and sales which reduces our operating income, net income, operating margins and cash flow. While this pattern is fairly predictable, there can be no assurance that it will continue. Moreover, with the impact of climate change, we expect more business disruptions in the coming years, many of which could be unpredictable and extreme.
Our revenues and operating margins will fluctuate in successive quarters due to a wide variety of factors, including seasonality, weather, the Covid-19 pandemic and its off-shoots, other health exigencies, holidays, national or international emergencies, the school year calendar’s impact on timing of family relocations, interest This fluctuation may make it difficult to compare or analyze our financial performance effectively across successive quarters.
In addition, the residential real estate market and the real estate industry in general is cyclical, characterized by “bubbles” that reflect faster-than-usual housing price increases, heavy demand for single family homes, low interest rates, easy credit standards and lax government housing policies on the one hand, and protracted periods of depressed home values, lower buyer demand, inflated rates of foreclosure and often changing regulatory or underwriting standards applicable to mortgages on the other hand. It is unclear as to whether the U.S. is experiencing a “bubble” at the present time due to the unusual pent up demand and move to remote work created by the Covid-19 pandemic. The best example of the bubble bursting was the significant downturn in the U.S. residential real estate market between 2005 and 2011. While we believe we are well-positioned to compete during a downturn, our business is affected by these cycles in the residential real estate market, which can make it difficult to compare or analyze our financial performance effectively across successive periods.
Competition
The real estate brokerage business is highly competitive. We primarily compete against other independent real estate brokerage agencies in our local markets as well as the international and national real estate brokerage franchisors seeking to grow their franchise system. We compete against other brokerages to attract transactional clients based on our personalized service with experienced brokers who know the local market, the number and quality of listings, our brand and reputation and our marketing efforts. We also compete to attract real estate professionals based on our brand and reputation, the quality of our training and coaching, our marketing efforts, our generous 100% commission split for experienced brokers and our technology tools that make the brokers more efficient and productive.
Our largest national franchise competitors in the U.S. include RE/MAX, Realogy Holdings Corp. (which operates several brands including Century 21 and Coldwell Banker), Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, HomeSmart, and Keller Williams Realty, Inc. We believe that competition in the real estate brokerage franchise business is based principally upon the reputational strength of the brand, the quality of the services offered to franchisees, and the amount of franchise-related fees to be paid by franchisees.
We also face competition from internet-based real estate brokers including Realtor.com, Fathom Holdings Inc., Redfin.com, and Zillow.com, brokers offering deeply discounted commissions like SimpleShowing Holdings, Inc., Houwzer LLC and Real Estate Exchange, Inc. (Rexhomes.com) and “flat fee” brokers such as Homie Technology, Inc., Cottage Street Realty, LLC (FlatFeeGroup.com) and Trelora, Inc. These companies do not provide the same personalized brokerage services that we do and emphasize low price and a do-it-yourself philosophy.
In the property management arena, we compete against independent local property management companies and the major national and international commercial real estate property managers such as Jones Lang LaSalle and Cushman & Wakefield plc. While most of our property management business comes from referrals in our local market, we compete on price and our ability to be on the ground and available to handle day to day matters for our clients.
Our real estate coaching business competes against other in-house training services operated by independent real estate brokerage agencies and the international and national franchisors named above, as well as online providers including The Mike Ferry Organization, Keller Williams Mega Agent Production Systems, Buffini and Co, Tony Robbins® Coaching, Craig Proctor Coaching, and Tom Ferry Coaching. We compete on the basis of personalized instruction, our mentorship program that provides a neophyte agent with an experienced coach to guide her and answer questions on an on-going basis after the classroom instruction has ended.
Many of our existing and potential competitors have substantial competitive advantages, including a larger national and international footprint and more recognizable brand, greater financial resources, longer operating histories, a greater breadth of marketing coverage, more extensive relationships in the residential and commercial real estate industry with brokers, agents, service providers and advertisers, stronger relationships with third party data providers such as multiple listing services and listing aggregators, maintain their own in-house software development, have access to larger user bases and greater intellectual property portfolios.
Government Regulation
Overview
The residential real estate industry is regulated by federal, state and local authorities as well as private associations or state sponsored associations or organizations. We must comply with federal, state, and local laws, as well as private governing bodies’ regulations, which, when combined, results in a highly-regulated industry.
We are also subject to federal and state regulations relating to employment, contractor, and compensation practices. Except for our employed Company agents, all agents in our brokerage operations have been retained as independent contractors, either directly or indirectly through our franchisors. With respect to these independent contractors, like most brokerage firms, we are subject to the Internal Revenue Service regulations and applicable state law guidelines regarding independent contractor classification. These regulations and guidelines are subject to judicial and agency interpretation.
Federal Regulation
The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974, as amended, or RESPA, became effective on June 20, 1975. RESPA requires lenders, mortgage agents, or servicers of home loans to provide borrowers with pertinent and timely disclosures regarding the nature and costs of the real estate settlement process. RESPA also protects borrowers against certain abusive practices, such as kickbacks, and places limitations upon the use of escrow accounts. RESPA also requires detailed disclosures concerning the transfer, sale, or assignment of mortgage servicing, as well as disclosures for mortgage escrow accounts. RESPA is administered and enforced by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (or the CFPB). We are also subject to the Fair Housing Act of 1968 (or FHA) which prohibits discrimination in the purchase or sale of homes and applies to real estate brokers and agents, among others. The FHA prohibits expressing any preference or discrimination based on race, religion, sex, handicap, and certain other protected characteristics, and applies broadly to many forms of advertising and communications. Other federal laws and regulations applicable to our business include (i) the Federal Truth in Lending Act of 1969; (ii) the Federal Equal Credit Opportunity; (iii) the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act; (iv) the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act; (v) the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act; (vi) the Consumer Financial Protection Act; (vii) the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act; and (viii) the Do Not Call/Do Not Fax Act and other federal and state laws pertaining to the privacy rights of consumers, our collection, use, and disclosure of data collected from our website and mobile users, and the manner and circumstances under which we or third parties may market and advertise our services to consumer which affects our opportunities to solicit new clients.
State and Local Regulation
We are subject to state real estate and brokerage licensing laws and requirements that vary from state to state. In general, all individuals and entities lawfully conducting businesses as real estate agents or sales associates must be licensed in the state in which they carry on business and must at all times be in compliance.
Real estate brokers are required to be employed by the brokerage firm or as an independent contractor and the broker may work for another broker conducting business on behalf of the sponsoring broker. Generally, attorneys may act as brokers in some states without being separately licensed.
States may require a person licensed as a real estate agent, sales associate or salesperson, to be affiliated with a broker, as either an employee or an independent contractor, in order to engage in licensed real estate brokerage activities or allow the agent, sales associate or salesperson to work for another agent, sales associate or salesperson conducting business on behalf of the sponsoring agent, sales associate or salesperson.
Engaging in the real estate brokerage business requires obtaining a real estate broker license (although in some states the licenses are personal to individual agents). In order to obtain this license, most jurisdictions require that a member or manager be licensed individually as a real estate broker in that jurisdiction. If applicable, this member or manager is responsible for supervising the licensees and the entity’s real estate brokerage activities within the state.
Real estate licensees, whether they are salespersons, individuals, agents or entities, must follow the state’s real estate licensing laws and regulations. These laws and regulations generally specify minimum duties and obligations of these licensees to their clients and the public, as well as standards for the conduct of business, including contract and disclosure requirements, record keeping requirements, requirements for local offices, escrow trust fund management, agency representation, advertising regulations and fair housing requirements. Our Company’s management and our franchisors provide oversight with respect to the observance of the statutes and regulations set forth in each state where we or our franchisors, respectively, operate.
Many jurisdictions have local county or city regulations that govern the conduct of the real estate brokerage business. Local regulations generally require additional disclosures by the parties to a real estate transaction or their agents, or the receipt of reports or certifications, often from the local governmental authority, prior to the closing or settlement of a real estate transaction as well as prescribed review and approval periods for documentation and broker conditions for review and approval.
Other regulation
We are also subject to rules established by private real estate groups and/or trade organizations, including, among others, the NAR, state and local associations of realtors, local Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) and homeowners’ associations that have rules governing the sale of properties within their neighborhoods. Each third-party organization generally has prescribed policies, bylaws, codes of ethics or conduct, and fees and rules governing the actions of members in dealings with other members, clients and the public, as well as how the third-party organization’s brand and services may or might not be deployed or displayed.
Employees
As of December 31, 2020, we had [ ] full-time employees and [ ] part time employees in our Company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and approximately 2,380 real estate agents that are independent contractors with Realty. Our operations are overseen directly by management. Our management functions cover corporate administration, training, agent relations, business development, technology, and research. We intend to expand our current management to retain skilled employees with experience relevant to our business. Our management’s relationships with our agents and technology team is good. We do not have any collective bargaining agreements and our employees are not represented by a union.
Our Properties
We own our principal executive office, which is located in the La Rosa Building at 1420 Celebration Boulevard, Suite 200, Celebration, Florida 34747. All of our LLC’s use this office as their principal executive offices. Our total office space at the principal executive office is approximately 5,500 square feet consisting of an open agent bullpen and technology and print resource area, private and group offices for staff, storage, a conference room, and several multi-purpose spaces including a media set, zoom room, and a training / large conference room. We believe our office space is adequate for at least the next 12 months.
We also lease 360 square feet of office space located at 3388 Magic Oak Lane, Sarasota, Florida, 34232, approximately 1,200 square feet of office space at the shopping center Crosscreek Village, St. Cloud, Florida 34772, and approximately 662 square feet of office space at 377-381 N. Krome Avenue, Homestead, Florida 33030. The leases expire in January, 2022 for our Sarasota office, July, 2023 for our St. Cloud office, and May 31, 2022 for our Homestead office. We primarily use these offices to house Realty and Coaching.
Legal Proceedings
We may become, involved in legal proceedings or be subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not presently a party to any other legal proceedings that in the opinion of our management, if determined adversely to us, would individually or taken together have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of our executive officers, threatened against or affecting our Company or our officers or directors in their capacities as such.
MANAGEMENT
The following are our executive officers, our director and director nominees and their respective ages and positions as of the date of this Prospectus.
Name | | Age | | Position | | Director Since |
Joseph La Rosa | | 47 | | President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors (Principal Executive Officer) (Principal Financial and Accounting) | | 2021 |
Mark Gracy | | 55 | | Chief Operating Officer | | — |
Michael A. La Rosa | | 39 | | Director Nominee | | * |
Jodi R. White | | 46 | | Independent Director Nominee | | * |
Ned L. Siegel | | 70 | | Independent Director Nominee | | * |
Thomas Stringer | | 46 | | Independent Director Nominee | | * |
* Director Nominees will be appointed to the Board of Directors as of the date that the Common Stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
Joseph La Rosa is our Founder and has been serving as the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of the board of directors since its inception in 2004. A former police officer in Orlando, Florida, Mr. La Rosa entered his family’s commercial and residential real estate development business in 2001 and became President of La Rosa Development, LLC, a position he holds today. From 2008 to 2010, as President of the Casa Latino group of companies, he co-developed the first Latino real estate franchise throughout the United States, which in 2010 was ranked by the National Association of Realtors as one of the Fastest Growing Real Estate Franchises in the U.S. In 2004, Mr. La Rosa founded La Rosa Realty, LLC and is responsible for its past and current growth into a customer oriented agent-centric model of real estate brokerage powered by AI based technology tools. In addition to being home to over 2,000 real estate professionals internationally and being one of the top three brokerages in the State of Florida and in the top 20 brokerages in the National Association of Realtors, La Rosa Realty has continued its growth and expansion into supporting auxiliary services such as La Rosa Property Management, La Rosa CRE (commercial), La Rosa Coaching and La Rosa Franchising. Mr. La Rosa graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelors of Science degree in criminal justice. We believe that Mr. La Rosa’s entrepreneurial, real estate, investment and leadership experience makes him well qualified to serve as Chairman of our Board Directors.
Mark Gracy has served as the Chief Operating Officer/Vice President for Operations for the La Rosa Companies since 2020 and was formerly the Vice President of Operations for La Rosa Franchising, LLC from 2019 to 2020 and the South Florida Regional Director for La Rosa Realty, LLC from 2017 to 2019. Prior thereto, Mr. Gracy had over 30 years’ experience in the real estate industry as an owner, top producing agent, trainer and team leader with REMAX New England and Keller Williams Realty of New England. He is a Licensed Sales Associate in Massachusetts, a Certified Buyer Representative, Certified Loss Mitigation Specialist, and an Accredited Buyers Representative. In addition, Mr. Gracy was the Executive Producer of the ACT Theater, a regional live performance theater company in Andover, Massachusetts from 2008 to 2016. Mr. Gracy attended Boston University.
Michael A. La Rosa is currently serving a four year term as a Governor-appointed member of the Florida Public Service Commission which is responsible for regulating the state's telecommunications, electrical, gas, water, and transport companies. In addition, he has been a realtor with La Rosa Realty, LLC since 2004. Mr. La Rosa was elected in 2012 to the Florida House of Representatives and served until November 2020. During his tenure he was Vice Chairman of Energy and Utilities Subcommittee (2013-2014), Republican Caucus Deputy Whip (2014), Regulatory Affairs Committee Vice Chairman (2015-2016), Gaming Control and Tourism Subcommittee Chairman (2017-2018) and Chairman of Commerce Committee (2019-2020) where he oversaw energy, regulatory and business related policies. Mr. La Rosa holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Florida. Mr. La Rosa is the brother of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Joseph La Rosa. We believe that Mr. La Rosa’s real estate, investment and government service experience makes him well qualified to serve on our Board and as a member of the Board’s committees.
Jodi R. White has been the Senior Leader, Learning Strategy and Leadership Development at The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), Orlando, Florida, since February 2019. From November 2016 to January 2019, she was the Operations Strategy and Client Engagement Director for FanHero LLC, a white label, all-in-one live streaming and OTT solution. Prior thereto, from September 2014 to October 2016, she was the Senior Manager, Client Relations for Paylocity Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: PCTY) and previously worked for 12 years in various roles, the most recent of which was Senior Manager of Operations, at The Walt Disney Company. Ms. White attended the University of Pittsburgh and Webster University, majoring in Business Administration. We believe that Ms. White’s operations, client engagement, project management and leadership development experience makes her well qualified to serve on our Board and as an independent member of the Board’s committees.
Ambassador Ned L. Siegel was appointed a director June 30, 2021. Ambassador Seigel is the President of The Siegel Group, a multi-disciplined international business management advisory firm he founded in 1997 in Boca Raton, Florida, specializing in real estate, energy, utilities, infrastructure, financial services, oil and gas and cyber & secure technology. Mr. Ambassador Siegel has served since 2013 as Of Counsel to the law firm of Wildes & Weinberg, P.C. From October 2007 until January 2009, he served as the United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Prior to his Ambassadorship, in 2006, he served with Ambassador John R. Bolton at the United Nations in New York, as the Senior Advisor to the U.S. Mission and as the United States Representative to the 61st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. From 2003 to 2007, Mr. Ambassador Siegel served on the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), which was established to help U.S. businesses invest overseas, fostering economic development in new and emerging markets, complementing the private sector in managing the risk associated with foreign direct investment and supporting U.S. foreign policy. Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush, Mr. Ambassador Siegel served as a Member of the Board of Directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) from 1999-2004. EFI is the state of Florida’s primary organization promoting statewide economic development through its public-private partnership Ambassador Siegel presently serves on the Board of Directors of the following companies: CIM City, U.S. Medical Glove Company, Global Supply Team, Moveo, LLC and the Caribbean Israel Leadership Coalition (CILC), Caribbean Israel Venture Services, Inc. He also presently serves on the following Advisory Boards: Usecrypt, Brand Labs International (BLI), Elminda Ltd., Findings, and Sol Chip Ltd and Maridose, LLC. Ambassador Siegel received a B.A. from the University of Connecticut in 1973 and J.D. from the Dickinson School of Law in 1976. In December 2014, he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. We believe that Mr. Ambassador Siegel’s vast professional experience, education, and professional credentials qualify him to serve as a member of the Company’s Board Directors, and as an independent member of the Board’s committees.
Thomas Stringer is the National Site Selection and Incentives Service leader at the consulting firm BDO USA, LLP and has been with that firm from July 2015 to the present. Prior thereto, from November 2010 to July 2015, he was the Principal and Practice Leader for Credits and Incentives, Site Selection and Economic Development Services with a national tax consulting firm. From February 2007 to November 2010, Mr. Stringer was the Director of Site Selection and Business Incentives with Duff & Phelps (now owned by Kroll Inc.) and from August 2004 to January 2007 he was the Senior Manager, Business Incentives and Site Selection for BDO USA, LLP. Prior thereto, he was a Senior Associate at the international accounting firm of KPMG International Limited. Mr. Stringer has a Juris Doctor degree from St. John’s University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Villanova University. Mr. Stringer is a member of the Bar of the State of New York and a licensed realtor in that State. We believe that Mr. Stringer’s real estate, accounting and legal experience makes him well qualified to serve on our Board and as an independent member of the Board’s committees.
Our Controlled Company Status
Because Mr. La Rosa will control 30,000,000 shares of our common stock and 2,000 shares of our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock which has 10,000 votes per share voting together with the common stock, which will represent in the aggregate approximately [ ] % of the voting power with respect to director elections and other matters immediately after the closing of this offering (or approximately [ ] % of the voting power if the Over-allotment Option is exercised but excluding the Representative’s Warrants and the Consultant Warrants), we expect to be a “controlled company” as of the completion of this offering under the Nasdaq rules. A controlled company is not required to have a majority of independent directors or form an independent compensation or nominating and corporate governance committee.
However, we intend to have a majority of independent directors on our board of directors and do not currently intend to utilize the exemptions provided by the Nasdaq rules. Nevertheless, for as long as we remain a “controlled company,” we could take advantage of these exemptions at any time. Accordingly, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the Nasdaq Rules. In the event that we cease to be a “controlled company,” we will be required to comply with these provisions within the transition periods specified in the Nasdaq Rules.
Director Independence
At the closing of this offering, our board of directors will have three independent directors.
Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) provides that an “independent director” is a person other than an officer or employee of the Company or any other individual having a relationship which, in the opinion of the Company’s board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The Nasdaq listing rules provide that a director cannot be considered independent if:
| · | the director is, or at any time during the past three years was, an employee of the Company; |
| · | the director or a family member of the director accepted any compensation from the Company in excess of $120,000 during any period of twelve consecutive months within the three (3) years preceding the independence determination (subject to certain exemptions, including, among other things, compensation for board or board committee service); |
| · | the director or a family member of the director is a partner in, controlling shareholder of, or an executive officer of an entity to which the company made, or from which the Company received, payments in the current or any of the past three fiscal years that exceed 5% of the recipient’s consolidated gross revenue for that year or $200,000, whichever is greater (subject to certain exemptions); |
| · | the director or a family member of the director is employed as an executive officer of an entity where, at any time during the past three (3) years, any of the executive officers of the Company served on the compensation committee of such other entity; or |
| · | the director or a family member of the director is a current partner of the company’s outside auditor, or at any time during the past three (3) years was a partner or employee of the company’s outside auditor, and who worked on the company’s audit. |
In determination the independence of our directors, our board of directors applied the standards set forth in the Nasdaq Rules and in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. Under such definitions, our Board has undertaken a review of the independence of each director. Based on information provided by each director concerning his or her background, employment and affiliations, our Board has determined that Mr. Stringer, Mr. Siegel and Ms. White are all independent directors of the Company. Under such rules, Mr. Joseph La Rosa is not independent due to his position as our Chief Executive Officer. Also, as the brother of Joseph La Rosa, Michael A. La Rosa not deemed to be independent.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors will establish an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee upon the closing of this offering. Each of our audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees will be composed entirely of independent directors. The composition and responsibilities of each of the committees of our board of directors are as set forth below. Members will serve on these committees until their resignation or removal or until otherwise determined by our board of directors.
Audit Committee
Our audit committee will consist of Mr. Stringer, Mr. Siegel and Ms. White. Mr. Stringer will be the Chairman of the audit committee. The responsibilities of the audit committee are included in a written charter. The audit committee will act on behalf of our board of directors in fulfilling our board of directors’ oversight responsibilities with respect to our accounting and financial reporting processes, the systems of internal control over financial reporting and audits of financial statements and reports and also will assist our board of directors in its oversight of the quality and integrity of our financial statements and reports and the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm. For this purpose, the audit committee will perform several functions. The audit committee’s responsibilities will include, among others, the following:
| · | reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor the annual audited financial statements, and recommending to the board whether the audited financial statements should be included in our annual disclosure report; |
| · | discussing with management and the independent auditor significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of our financial statements; |
| · | discussing with management major risk assessment and risk management policies; |
| · | monitoring the independence of the independent auditor; |
| · | verifying the rotation of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit as required by law; |
| · | reviewing and approving all related-party transactions; |
| · | inquiring and discussing with management our compliance with applicable laws and regulations; |
| · | pre-approving all audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditor, including the fees and terms of the services to be performed; |
| · | appointing or replacing the independent auditor; |
| · | determining the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work; |
| · | establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or reports which raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies; and |
| · | approving reimbursement of expenses incurred by our management team in identifying potential target businesses. |
Under applicable Nasdaq Rules and SEC rules and regulations for companies completing their initial public offering, we are permitted to phase in our compliance with the audit committee independence requirements as follows: (i) one independent member at the time of listing; (ii) a majority of independent members within 90 days of listing; and (iii) all independent members within one year of listing. Currently, all members of our audit committee meet the applicable independence requirements under Nasdaq Rules and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. However, in the event of a change in the composition of our audit committee following this offering, it may become necessary for us to rely on the foregoing phase-in rules.
The audit committee will review, discuss and assess its own performance and composition at least annually. The audit committee will also periodically review and assesses the adequacy of its charter, including its role and responsibilities as outlined in its charter, and recommend any proposed changes to our board of directors for its consideration and approval.
Financial Expert on Audit Committee
The audit committee will have at all times at least one “independent director” who is “financially literate” as defined under the Nasdaq listing standards. The Nasdaq listing standards define “financially literate” as being able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company’s balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement.
In addition, we must certify to Nasdaq that the committee has, and will continue to have, at least one member who has past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or other comparable experience or background that results in the individual’s financial sophistication. The board of directors has determined that Mr. Stringer qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined under rules and regulations of the SEC.
Compensation Committee
Nasdaq requires that listed companies have a compensation committee of their board of directors, consisting of at least two directors, each of whom qualify as an independent director. Upon the closing of this offering, we will establish a compensation committee of the board of directors, consisting consist of Mr. Stringer, Mr. Siegel and Ms. White, with Ms. White serving as the Chairman of the committee. All three members of the compensation committee qualify as independent directors under the Nasdaq and SEC standards.
The compensation committee will act on behalf of our board of directors to fulfill our board of directors’ responsibilities in overseeing our compensation policies, plans and programs; and in reviewing and determining the compensation to be paid to our executive officers and non-employee directors. The responsibilities of the compensation committee are included in its written charter. The compensation committee’s responsibilities will include, among others:
| · | reviewing, modifying and approving and making recommendations to our board of directors regarding our overall compensation strategy and policies, and reviewing, modifying and approving corporate performance goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our executive officers and other senior management; |
| · | determining and approving (or, if it deems appropriate, recommending to our board of directors for determination and approval) the compensation and terms of employment of our Chief Executive Officer, including seeking to achieve an appropriate level of risk and reward in determining the long-term incentive component of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation; |
| · | determining and approving (or, if it deems appropriate, recommending to our board of directors for determination and approval) the compensation and terms of employment of our executive officers and other members of senior management; |
| · | reviewing and approving (or, if it deems appropriate, making recommendations to our board of directors regarding) the terms of employment agreements, severance agreements, change-of-control protections and other compensatory arrangements for our executive officers and other senior management; |
| · | conducting periodic reviews of the base compensation levels of all of our employees generally; |
| · | reviewing and approving the type and amount of compensation to be paid or awarded to non-employee directors; |
| · | reviewing and approving the adoption, amendment and termination of our stock option plans, stock appreciation rights plans, pension and profit sharing plans, incentive plans, stock bonus plans, stock purchase plans, bonus plans, deferred compensation plans, 401(k) plans, supplemental retirement plans and similar programs, if any; and administering all such plans, establishing guidelines, interpreting plan documents, selecting participants, approving grants and awards and exercising such other power and authority as may be permitted or required under such plans; and |
| · | reviewing our incentive compensation arrangements to determine whether such arrangements encourage excessive risk-taking, reviewing and discussing at least annually the relationship between our risk management policies and practices and compensation and evaluating compensation policies and practices that could mitigate any such risk. |
In addition, once we cease to be an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, the responsibilities of the compensation committee will also include:
| · | reviewing and recommending to our board of directors for approval the frequency with which we conduct a vote on executive compensation, taking into account the results of the most recent stockholder advisory vote on the frequency of the vote on executive compensation, and |
| · | reviewing and approving the proposals regarding the frequency of the vote on executive compensation to be included in our annual meeting proxy statements; and |
| · | reviewing and discussing with management our Compensation Discussion and Analysis, and recommending to our board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be approved for inclusion in our annual reports on Form 10-K, registration statements and our annual meeting proxy statements. |
Under its charter, the compensation committee may form, and delegate authority to, subcommittees as appropriate. The compensation committee will review, discuss and assess its own performance and composition at least annually. The compensation committee will also periodically review and assess the adequacy of its charter, including its role and responsibilities as outlined in its charter, and recommend any proposed changes to our board of directors for its consideration and approval.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Upon the closing of this offering, we will establish a nominating and corporate governance committee that will consist of Mr. Stringer, Mr. Siegel and Ms. White, each of whom is an independent director. Mr. Siegel will serve the Chairman of the committee. Our nominating and corporate governance committee will be composed entirely of independent directors. The responsibilities of the nominating and corporate governance committee are included in its written charter. The nominating and corporate governance committee will act on behalf of our board of directors to fulfill our board of directors’ responsibilities in overseeing all aspects of our nominating and corporate governance functions. The responsibilities of the nominating and corporate governance committee include, among others:
| · | making recommendations to our board of directors regarding corporate governance issues; |
| · | identifying, reviewing and evaluating candidates to serve as directors (consistent with criteria approved by our board of directors); |
| · | determining the minimum qualifications for service on our board of directors; |
| · | reviewing and evaluating incumbent directors; |
| · | instituting and overseeing director orientation and director continuing education programs; |
| · | serving as a focal point for communication between candidates, non-committee directors and our management; |
| · | recommending to our board of directors for selection candidates to serve as nominees for director for the annual meeting of stockholders; |
| · | making other recommendations to our board of directors regarding matters relating to the directors; |
| · | reviewing succession plans for our Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officers; |
| · | reviewing and overseeing matters of corporate responsibility and sustainability, including potential long- and short-term trends and impacts to our business of environmental, social, and governance issues, and our public reporting on these topics; and |
| · | considering any recommendations for nominees and proposals submitted by stockholders. |
The nominating and corporate governance committee will periodically review, discuss and assess the performance of our board of directors and the committees of our board of directors. In fulfilling this responsibility, the nominating and corporate governance committee will seek input from senior management, our board of directors and others. In assessing our board of directors, the nominating and corporate governance committee will evaluate the overall composition of our board of directors, our board of directors’ contribution as a whole and its effectiveness in serving our best interests and thee best interests of our stockholders. The nominating and corporate governance committee will review, discuss and assess its own performance and composition at least annually. The nominating and corporate governance committee will also periodically review and assess the adequacy of its charter, including its role and responsibilities as outlined in its charter, and recommend any proposed changes to our board of directors for its consideration and approval.
Board Leadership Structure
Our board of directors recognizes that one of its key responsibilities is to evaluate and determine its optimal leadership structure so as to provide effective oversight of management. Our amended and restated bylaws and corporate governance guidelines will provide our board of directors with flexibility to combine or separate the positions of Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer. Our board of directors currently believes that our existing leadership structure, under which Mr. La Rosa serves as our Chief Executive Officer and as Chairman of the board of directors, is effective, provides the appropriate balance of authority between independent and non-independent directors, and achieves the optimal governance model for us and for our stockholders.
Role of Board in Risk Oversight Process
Our board of directors is responsible for overseeing our overall risk management process. The responsibility for managing risk rests with executive management while the committees of our board of directors and our board of directors as a whole participate in the oversight process. Our board of directors’ risk oversight process builds upon management’s risk assessment and mitigation processes, which include reviews of long-term strategic and operational planning, executive development and evaluation, regulatory and legal compliance and financial reporting and internal controls with respect to areas of potential material risk, including operations, finance, legal, regulatory, cybersecurity, strategic and reputational risk.
Family Relationships
Except for our director, Mr. Michael A. La Rosa, who is the brother of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Joseph La Rosa, there are no family relationships among any of our officers or directors.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
Except as disclosed below, to our knowledge, none of our current directors or executive officers has, during the past ten (10) years:
| · | been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses); |
| · | had any bankruptcy petition filed by or against the business or property of the person, or of any partnership, corporation or business association of which he was a general partner or executive officer, either at the time of the bankruptcy filing or within two (2) years prior to that time; |
| · | been subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction or federal or state authority, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting, his involvement in any type of business, securities, futures, commodities, investment, banking, savings and loan, or insurance activities, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity; |
| · | been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated; |
| · | been the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated (not including any settlement of a civil proceeding among private litigants), relating to an alleged violation of any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or |
| · | been the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member. |
Executive Officers
Our executive officers are elected by, and serve at the discretion of, our board of directors, subject to the terms of any employment or other agreements.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We plan to adopt a code of business conduct and ethics, which will become effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering and will apply to all of our employees, officers and directors, including those officers responsible for financial reporting. Following its completion, the code of business conduct and ethics will be available on our website. We intend to disclose any amendments to the code, or any waivers of its requirements, on our website to the extent required by the applicable rules and exchange requirements.
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The following discussion of compensation arrangements should be read with the compensation tables and related disclosures set forth below. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current plans and expectations regarding future compensation programs, see “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Actual compensation programs that we adopt may differ materially from the programs summarized in this discussion.
The discussion below includes a review of our compensation decisions with respect to the last two completed fiscal years for our “named executive officers,” or NEOs, namely our principal executive officer and our two other most highly compensated executive officers. The Company was organized in 2021. Our NEOs for fiscal year 2021 were Mr. La Rosa and Mr. Gracy.
We compensated our NEOs through base salary, as described below. Our officers are also eligible for the standard benefits programs we offer all employees.
Summary Compensation Table
| | | | | | | | | | | Stock | | | Option | | | All other | | | | |
| | | Fiscal | | | Salary | | | Bonus | | | awards | | | awards | | | compensation | | | Total | |
Name and principal position | | | Year | | | ($)(1) | | | ($) | | | ($) | | | ($) | | | ($) | | | ($) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Joseph La Rosa, Founder, President and | | | 2020 | | | $ | 300,000 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $300,000 | |
Chief Executive Officer | | | 2019 | | | $ | 300,000 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $300,000 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mark Gracy, Chief | | | 2020 | | | $ | 125,000 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $125,000 | | |
Operating Officer | | | 2019 | | | $ | 125,000 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $125,000 | | |
(1) Reflects base salary earned during the fiscal year covered.
Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2020
There were no outstanding equity awards held by our NEOs as of December 31, 2020.
Employment Agreements; Severance Bonuses
Joseph La Rosa
We have entered into employment agreement with Mr. Joseph La Rosa to act as our Chief Executive Officer. In addition, the board will appoint him as a director of Company and will, during the term, of his agreement, nominate and recommend him for election as a director but he will not receive any additional compensation in respect of his appointment as a director of Company. The employment agreement will be for an initial term of [ ] years, and will renew automatically for successive [ ] year periods thereafter unless prior to 90 days before the anniversary date, either party notices the other that it will not extend the agreement for another year. The Company will pay Mr. La Rosa an annual base salary during the term of the agreement at the rate of $[ ] per year, subject to increase by the board from time to time. Further, Mr. La Rosa is eligible to earn an incentive bonus equal to [ ]% of his base salary for such fiscal year which will be payable to the extent the applicable performance goals are achieved (which goals and payment matrices will be set by the compensation committee of the board. Mr. La Rosa will also be entitled to receive equity awards on terms and conditions similar to those applicable to other executive officers of the Company generally, inside or outside of any established equity plan. The amount and terms of the long-term incentive awards awarded to him will be set by the compensation committee. In addition, he will be entitled to receive a “change in control transaction bonus upon the closing of a change in control of the Company (as defined in the agreement) if the price per share of Company’s common stock at the time of the change in control is two times or more than the closing price per share of the common stock upon the listing of the common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The change in control transaction bonus will equal two times his base salary as in effect immediately before such the occurrence of the change in control. Mr. La Rosa will be entitled to 20 days of annual vacation plus Company observed holidays per calendar year, and will be reimbursed for his business travel expenses.
If Mr. La Rosa’s employment is terminated by his death, disability or for “cause” or if he terminates for other than “good reason” (both terms as defined in the employment agreement), the Company will pay him or his estate an amount equal to the sum of: (i) the base salary earned but not paid through the date of termination of employment, (ii) any business and related expenses and allowances incurred by him but unreimbursed on the date of termination of employment, and (iii) any other supplemental compensation, insurance, retirement or other benefits due and payable or otherwise required to be provided any applicable plan or agreement (“Final Compensation”). If Mr. La Rosa’s employment is terminated other than for cause or if he terminates the agreement for “good reason” (as defined by the agreement), he will receive from the Company: (i) the continuation of his base salary, at the rate in effect as of the date immediately preceding the date of termination, until the earlier of: (x) the date of expiration of the term of the employment agreement and (y) the first anniversary of the date of termination (provided, however, if the date of termination of employment is after the first anniversary of the agreement, the period will be 18 months after the date of termination; (ii) if the date of termination occurs after the end of a calendar year but prior to the date on which a bonus is paid, the payment of such bonus; (iii) payment of a pro-rata portion of the amount of his bonus for the year in which termination occurs that would have been payable based on actual performance determined under the terms of the bonus as then in effect for such year, with such pro-rata portion calculated by multiplying the amount of such bonus for the year in which such termination occurs (as determined by the board based on actual performance for such year) by a number: (x) the numerator of which is the number of days worked by Mr. La Rosa during the year of such termination, (y) the denominator of which is 365; and .(iv) if elected, reimburse the him for the monthly COBRA premium paid for himself and his dependents until the earliest of: (x) the first anniversary of the date of termination (provided, however, if the date of termination is after the first anniversary of the agreement the period will be 18 months after the date of termination); (y) the date Mr. La Rosa is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (z) the date on which he receives substantially similar coverage from another employer or other source.
Mr. La Rosa is also entitled to severance in the event of the change in control of the Company or if, in the 24 months thereafter (x) the Company terminates his employment for any reason other than Cause or Disability, or (y) he terminates his employment for good reason. The severance payable will include: (i) a payment of two his base salary and bonus (the full, non-prorated bonus for the year of termination assuming attainment of the targeted performance goals at the 100% payout level); (ii) any and all vested benefits accrued under any other incentive plans to the date of termination of employment; (iii) if, upon the date of termination, Mr. La Rosa holds any awards with respect to securities of the Company, (w) all such awards that are options shall immediately become vested and exercisable upon such date and shall be exercisable thereafter until the earlier of the third year anniversary of his termination or the expiration of the term of the options; (x) all restrictions on any such awards of restricted stock, restricted stock units or other awards shall terminate or lapse, and all such awards of restricted stock, restricted stock units or other awards shall be vested and payable; and (y) all performance goals applicable to any such performance-based awards that are “in cycle” (i.e., the performance period is not yet complete) shall be deemed satisfied at the “target” level (assuming 100% payout), and (z) all such awards shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the applicable award agreement; (iv) payment for any accrued but unused vacation; (v) pay for 12 months of executive outplacement services with a professional outplacement firm selected by the Company; and (vi) pay as incurred (within ten calendar days following the Company’s receipt of an invoice from Mr. La Rosa) his out-of-pocket expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by him at any time from the date of the employment agreement through his remaining lifetime or, if longer, the statute of limitations for contract claims under applicable state law, in connection with any action taken to enforce his rights under the agreement or construe or determine the validity of the agreement or otherwise, including any claim or legal action or proceeding, whether brought by Mr. La Rosa or the Company or another party; provided that he must be successful through judgment in his favor with respect to such action in order to recover fees under this provision. In addition, if Mr. La Rosa and his spouse or other qualified beneficiaries are enrolled under a group health plan as defined by COBRA, on the date of termination of his employment, the Company will pay a portion of the COBRA costs for two years for them (subject to any earlier termination of COBRA). The portion to be paid by the Company will equal the amount necessary so that the total of the COBRA costs paid by him is equal to the costs that would have been paid by him for such coverage as an active employee immediately prior to termination of his employment or, if less, prior to the change in control. This severance is subject to limitation if any payments would result in the loss of a deduction under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, or the imposition of an excise tax under Code Section 4999 and will be reduced to the extent that they do not result in such loss or imposition of such tax.
The Company has agreed to indemnify Mr. La Rosa to the fullest extent permitted by law, for all amounts (including, without limitation, judgments, fines, settlement payments, expenses and reasonable out of pocket attorneys’ fees) incurred or paid by him in connection with any action, suit, investigation or proceeding, or threatened action, suit, investigation or proceeding, arising out of or relating to his performance of services for, or the acting by him as a director or officer of, the Company, or any subsidiary of Company. Any fees or other necessary expenses incurred by Mr. La Rosa in defending any such action, suit, investigation or proceeding will be paid by Company in advance, subject to the Company’s right to seek repayment from him if a determination is made that he was not entitled to indemnification.
During the term of his employment agreement and for 12 months thereafter, Mr. La Rosa has agreed not to, without the prior written consent of Company, directly or indirectly, and whether as principal or investor or as an officer, director, manager, partner, consultant, agent, or otherwise, alone or in association with any other person or other business organization, engage or otherwise become involved in any other real estate brokerage, real estate franchise or real estate technology and any other business directly competing with the business of the Company as currently conducted or otherwise conducted by the Company in any country in which the Company conducted business during the term; provided, however, that the provisions of these restrictions apply solely to those activities of a competing business which are congruent with those activities with which he was personally involved or for which he was responsible while employed by the Company. During such same period, he has further agreed not to, directly or indirectly for the purpose of conducting or engaging in a competing business, solicit, advise or otherwise attempt to do business with any person who is, or was, during the then most recent 12 month period, a customer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or interfere with any business or affairs of Company or any of its subsidiaries, or hire or attempt to hire any person who is, or was during the most recent 12 month period, an officer, representative or agent of Company or any of its subsidiaries, or solicit, induce, or attempt to solicit or induce any person who is an officer, representative or agent of Company or any of its subsidiaries to leave the employ or agency of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or violate the terms of their contract, or any employment consulting or agent agreement, with it.
Any amounts payable under Mr. La Rosa’s employment agreement are subject to any policy by the Company providing for clawback or recovery of amounts that were paid to him. The Company will make any determination for clawback or recovery in its sole discretion and in accordance with any applicable law or regulation. As of the date of this prospectus, the Company does not have a clawback policy with respect to the compensation of officers of the Company.
Mark Gracy
Before the commencement of this offering, we will enter into an employment agreement with Mr. Mark Gracy to act as our Chief Operating Officer as of the effective date of this offering. The employment agreement will be for an initial term of three years, and will renew automatically for one year periods thereafter unless prior to 90 days before the anniversary date, either party notices the other that it will not extend the agreement for another year. Mr. Gracy will receive a base salary of $195,000 for the first year and on the second anniversary date of the agreement and each anniversary date thereafter his base salary will rise automatically to the greater of: (i) $245,000, or (ii) the base salary being paid to any other “C” level executive of the Company other than the Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) the base salary approved by the Board of Directors or its Compensation Committee (if such Committee has the power to set salaries without the need for Board approval) (the “Salary”). In addition, Mr. Gracy will be eligible, following the end of each calendar year beginning with the 20221 calendar year, to receive an annual performance bonus targeted of up to 50% of the his Salary based upon periodic assessments of his performance as well as the achievement of specific individual and corporate objectives determined by the board of directors or the compensation committee thereof after consultation with Mr. Gracy and provided to him in writing no later than the end of the first calendar quarter of the applicable bonus year. The target bonus must be approved by the audit and compensation committee. No amount of annual bonus is guaranteed, and Mr. Gracy must be an employee on December 31 of the applicable bonus year in order to be eligible for any annual bonus for such year. Effective as of the closing date of this offering , the board or a committee thereof will grant to Mr. Gracy: (x) a number of “restricted” shares of the Company’s common stock equal to 2% of the total outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, and (y) an option to purchase shares of common stock of the Company equal to 2% of the total outstanding shares of the Company, both calculated at the closing date of this offering with the options exercisable at a per share exercise price equal to the public offering price. Both of these equity awards will be subject to a quarterly vesting schedule and vest evenly over a three year period. Mr. Gracy will also be entitled to receive other benefits generally available to other Company employees and will be reimbursed for his documented and approved expenses related to the business of the Company. The employment agreement contains covenants of Mr. Gracy concerning: (i) the confidentiality of Company information; (ii) the assignment of his work product to the Company; (iii) his non-solicitation of Company clients or employees during his term of employment and for three years thereafter; and (iv) his non-disparagement of the Company or its directors, officers and employees. If his employment is terminated under any circumstances other than a termination by the Company without cause or a termination by him for good reason (including a voluntary termination by Executive without good reason or a termination by the Company for cause or due to Mr. Gracy’s death or disability), the Company’s obligations under the employment agreement will immediately cease and Executive will only be entitled to receive: (i) the Salary that has accrued and is unpaid and to which Executive is entitled as of the effective date of such termination and to the extent consistent with general Company policy; (ii) unreimbursed business expenses; (iii) any Bonus earned and approved by the board but not yet paid; (iv) any amounts or benefits to which he is then entitled under the terms of the benefit plans then-sponsored by the Company. If Mr. Gracy’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by him for good reason, he will be entitled to the payments in the preceding sentence. In addition, the Company will: (i) continue to pay his Salary for a period of twelve months, and (ii) pay him, in a single lump sum an amount in cash equal to the pro-rated amount of any annual bonus for the number of days from the last anniversary date of the agreement to the date of termination.
2021 Equity Incentive Plan
We intend to adopt the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”), which will be effective the day prior to the listing of our common stock on Nasdaq. The following is a summary of the material features of the 2021 Plan which is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 2021 Plan which was filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Purpose. The Plan is intended to secure for the Company the benefits arising from ownership of the Company’s common stock by the employees, officers, directors, and consultants of the Company, all of whom are responsible for the Company’s future growth. The Plan is designed to attract and retain qualified personnel, reward employees, officers, directors, and consultants for their services to the Company, and motivate such individuals through added incentives to further contribute to the Company’s success.
Eligibility. The Plan will provide an opportunity for any employee, officer, director, or consultant of the Company (which may include agents of the Company), subject to any limitations provided by federal or state securities laws, to receive incentive stock options (to eligible employees only), non-qualified stock options; restricted stock awards, other stock awards, or any combination of the foregoing. In making such determinations, the Compensation Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered by such person, his or her present and potential future contribution to the Company’s success, and such other factors as the Compensation Committee in its discretion shall deem relevant. Incentive stock options granted under the 2021 Plan are intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. Non-qualified (non-statutory stock options) granted under the 2021 Plan are not intended to qualify as incentive stock options under the Code. No awards can be issued to any person in consideration for services rendered where such services are in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, or they directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.
No incentive stock option may be granted under the 2021 Plan to any person who, at the time of the grant, owns (or is deemed to own) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of our Company or any affiliate of our Company unless the exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date of grant and the term of the option does not exceed five years from the date of grant.
Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee will have the exclusive right to interpret and construe the 2021 Plan, to select the eligible persons who shall receive an award, and to act in all matters pertaining to the grant of an award and the determination and interpretation of the provisions of the related award agreement, including, without limitation, the determination of the number of shares subject to stock options and the option period(s) and option price(s) thereof, the number of shares of restricted stock or shares subject to stock awards or performance shares subject to an award, the vesting periods (if any) and the form, terms, conditions and duration of each award, and any amendment thereof consistent with the provisions of the 2021 Plan.
Shares Subject to the 2021 Plan. Subject to adjustment in connection with the payment of a stock dividend, a stock split or subdivision or combination of the shares of common stock, or a reorganization or reclassification of the Company’s common stock, the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock which may be issued pursuant to awards under the 2021 Plan is [ ] shares. Such shares of common stock will be made available from the authorized and unissued shares of the Company.
If shares of common stock subject to an option or performance award granted under the 2021 Plan expire or otherwise terminate without being exercised (or exercised in full), such shares will become available again for grants under the 2021 Plan. If shares of restricted stock awarded under the 2021 Plan are forfeited to us or repurchased by us, the number of shares forfeited or repurchased shall not again be available under the 2021 Plan. Similarly, any shares canceled in cashless exercises are not available for re-issuance under the 2021 Plan.
No shares of common stock, options, or other securities have been issued under the 2021 Plan since the date it was approved by the Board of Directors.
The Company cannot determine the amounts of awards that will be granted or allocated under the 2021 Plan or the benefits of any awards to the executive officers and directors of the Company or employees who are not executive officers as a group. Under the terms of the 2021 Plan, the number of awards to be granted is within the discretion of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee may issue options, shares of restricted stock, or other awards under the 2021 Plan for such consideration as determined in their sole discretion, subject to applicable law.
Pricing; Vesting; Expiration. The Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, will determine the exercise price of any options granted under the 2021 Plan which exercise price will be outlined in an agreement evidencing the option, provided, however, that at no time will the exercise price be less than the par value per share of the Company’s common stock. Also, the exercise price of incentive stock options may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock subject to the option on the date of the grant and, in some cases, may not be less than 110% of such fair market value. The exercise price of non-statutory options may not be less than the common stock’s fair market value on the grant date. The exercise price of options granted under the 2021 Plan must be paid either in cash at the time the option is exercised or, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee: (i) by delivery of already-owned shares of our common stock, (ii) pursuant to a deferred payment arrangement, (iii) pursuant to a net exercise arrangement, or (iv) pursuant to a cashless exercise as permitted under applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.
Options and other Awards granted under the 2021 Plan may be exercisable in cumulative increments, or “vest,” as determined by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the power to accelerate the time as of which an option may vest or be exercised. Shares of restricted stock acquired under a restricted stock purchase or grant agreement may, but need not, be subject to forfeiture to us or other restrictions that will lapse in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Compensation Committee. In the event a recipient’s employment or service with our Company terminates, any or all of the shares of common stock held by such recipient that have not vested as of the date of termination under the terms of the restricted stock agreement may be forfeited to our Company in accordance with such restricted stock agreement.
The Compensation Committee will determine the expiration date of options and other awards granted under the 2021 Plan. The maximum term of options and performance shares under the 2021 Plan is ten years, except that the maximum term is five years in certain cases.
Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of: (i) the adoption of a plan of merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or association as a result of which the holders of the voting capital stock of the Company as a group would receive less than 50% of the voting capital stock of the surviving or resulting corporation; (ii) the approval by the Board of Directors of an agreement providing for the sale or transfer (other than as security for obligations of the Company) of substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (iii) in the absence of a prior expression of approval by the Board of Directors, the acquisition of more than 20% of the Company’s voting capital stock by any person within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act (other than the Company or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company); and unless otherwise provided in the award agreement with respect to a particular award, all outstanding stock options will become immediately exercisable in full, subject to any appropriate adjustments, and will remain exercisable for the remaining option period, regardless of any provision in the related award agreement limiting the ability to exercise such stock option or any portion thereof for any length of time. All outstanding performance shares with respect to which the applicable performance period has not been completed will be paid out as soon as practicable, and all outstanding shares of restricted stock with respect to which the restrictions have not lapsed will be deemed vested, and all such restrictions shall be deemed lapsed and the restriction period ended.
Additionally, after the merger of one or more corporations into the Company, any merger of the Company into another corporation, any consolidation of the Company and one or more corporations, or any other corporate reorganization of any form involving the Company as a party thereto and involving any exchange, conversion, adjustment or other modification of the outstanding shares of the common stock, each participant shall, at no additional cost, be entitled, upon any exercise of such participant’s stock option, to receive, in lieu of the number of shares as to which such stock option shall then be so exercised, the number and class of shares of stock or other securities or such other property to which such participant would have been entitled to pursuant to the terms of the agreement of merger or consolidation or reorganization, if at the time of such merger or consolidation or reorganization, such participant had been a holder of record of a number of shares of common stock equal to the number of shares as to which such stock option shall then be so exercised.
Modification of Awards. The Compensation Committee may reprice any stock option without the approval of the stockholders of the Company. For this purpose, “reprice” means: (i) any of the following or any other action that has the same effect: (A) lowering the exercise price of a stock option after it is granted, (B) any other action that is treated as a repricing under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), or (C) canceling a stock option at a time when its exercise price exceeds the fair market value of the underlying common stock, in exchange for another stock option, restricted stock or other equity, unless the cancelation and exchange occur in connection with a merger, acquisition, spin-off or other similar corporate transaction; and (ii) any other action that is considered to be a repricing under formal or informal guidance issued by the exchange or market on which the Company’s common stock then trades or is quoted. In addition to, and without limiting the above, the Compensation Committee may permit the voluntary surrender of all or a portion of any stock option granted under the 2021 Plan to be conditioned upon the granting to the participant of a new stock option for the same or a different number of shares of common stock as the stock option surrendered, or may require such voluntary surrender as a condition precedent to a grant of a new stock option to such participant. Subject to the provisions of the 2021 Plan, such new stock option will be exercisable at such option price, during such option period and on such other terms and conditions as are specified by the Compensation Committee at the time the new stock option is granted. Upon surrender, the stock options surrendered will be canceled, and the shares of common stock previously subject to them will be available for the grant of other stock options.
Termination of Employment or Consulting. The incentive stock options will lapse and cease to be exercisable upon the termination of service of an employee or director as defined in the 2021 Plan, or within such period following termination of service as determined by the Compensation Committee and set forth in the related award agreement; provided, further, that such period will not exceed the period of time ending on the date three (3) months following termination of service. Non-incentive stock options are governed by the related award agreements.
Tax Withholding. To the extent provided by the terms of an option or other award, a participant may satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise of such option, or award by a cash payment upon exercise, or in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, by authorizing our Company to withhold a portion of the stock otherwise issuable to the participant, by delivering already-owned shares of our common stock or by a combination of these means.
Federal Tax Consequences. The following is a summary of the principal United States federal income tax consequences to the recipient and our Company with respect to participation in the 2021 Plan. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not discuss the income tax laws of any city, state, or foreign jurisdiction in which a participant may reside.
Incentive Stock Options. There will be no federal income tax consequences to either the recipient upon the grant of an incentive stock option or us. Upon exercise of the option, the excess of the stock’s fair market value over the exercise price, or the “spread,” will be added to the alternative minimum tax base of the recipient unless a disqualifying disposition is made in the year of exercise. A disqualifying disposition is the stock sale before the expiration of two years from the date of grant and one year from exercise. If the shares of common stock are disposed of in a disqualifying disposition, the recipient will realize taxable ordinary income in an amount equal to the spread at the time of exercise, and will be entitled (subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation) to a federal income tax deduction equal to such amount. If the recipient sells the shares of common stock after the specified periods, the gain or loss on the shares’ sale will be long-term capital gain or loss, and will not be entitled to a federal income tax deduction.
Non-statutory Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards. Non-statutory stock options and restricted stock awards granted under the 2021 Plan generally have the following federal income tax consequences.
There are no tax consequences to the participant or us because of the grant. Upon acquiring the stock, the recipient will recognize taxable ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the stock’s fair market value on the acquisition date over the purchase price. However, to the extent the stock is subject to “a substantial risk of forfeiture” (as defined in Section 83 of the Code), the taxable event will be delayed until the forfeiture provision lapses unless the recipient elects to be taxed on receipt of the stock by making a Section 83(b) election within 30 days of receipt of the stock. If such an election is not made, the recipient will generally recognize income as and when the forfeiture provision lapses and the income recognized will be based on the stock’s fair market value on such a future date. On that date, the recipient’s holding period for purposes of determining the long-term or short-term nature of any capital gain or loss recognized on a subsequent disposition of the stock will begin. If a recipient makes a Section 83(b) election, the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between the stock’s fair market value and the purchase price, if any, as of the date of receipt and the holding period for purposes of characterizing as long-term or short-term any subsequent gain or loss will begin at the date of receipt.
With respect to employees, we are generally required to withhold from regular wages or supplemental wage payments an amount based on the ordinary income recognized. Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a business expense deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the participant.
Upon disposition of the stock, the recipient will recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the selling price and the sum of the amount paid for such stock plus any amount recognized as ordinary income with respect to the stock. Such gain or loss will be long-term or short-term, depending on whether the stock has been held for more than one year.
Section 162(m) of the Code denies a deduction to any publicly held corporation for compensation paid to certain senior executives of our Company (referred to as a covered employee) in a taxable year to the extent that compensation to such employees exceeds $1,000,000. It is possible that compensation attributable to awards, when combined with all other types of compensation received by a covered employee from our Company, may cause this limitation to be exceeded in any particular year.
Modification; Amendment; Termination. The Compensation Committee may adopt, establish, amend and rescind such rules, regulations, and procedures as it may deem appropriate for the proper administration of the 2021 Plan, make all other determinations which are, in the Compensation Committee’s judgment, necessary or desirable for the proper administration of the 2021 Plan, amend the 2021 Plan or a stock award as provided under the 2021 Plan, or terminate or suspend the 2021 Plan as provided therein. The Compensation Committee may also amend the 2021 Plan at any time and from time to time. However, except for adjustments upon changes in common stock, no amendment will be effective unless approved by our stockholders to the extent that stockholder approval is necessary to preserve incentive stock option treatment for federal income tax purposes. The Compensation Committee may submit any other amendment to the 2021 Plan for stockholder approval if it concludes that stockholder approval is otherwise advisable.
Unless sooner terminated, the 2021 Plan will terminate ten years from the date of its adoption by our Board of Directors.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2020
The following table sets forth information with respect to outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2020.
Director Compensation
Our directors who are employed by us do not receive any additional compensation for serving on our board.
Effective as of the date that the Common Stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market, each non-employee director will receive an annual retainer of $12,000 per quarter in cash compensation, as well as a one- time-grant of 100,000 fully vested stock options with an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price of the common stock offered hereby. The options shall vest equally over the course of twelve months with the first tranche of options vesting thirty days after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. In addition, we will pay the Audit Committee chairman a quarterly cash fee of $3,750 and will pay the chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and of the Compensation Committee a quarterly cash fee of $3,000 for each quarter they serve in such position.
We will also pay the transportation, room and meal expenses for board members to attend in-person regular and special board meetings.
The Company has also executed an Indemnification Agreement with each non-employee director pursuant to which the Company has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless each director to the fullest extent permitted by law if he or she was or is or becomes a party to or witness or other participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to or witness or other participant in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism, or any hearing, inquiry or investigation that the director believes might lead to the institution of any such action, suit, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other (a “Claim”) by reason of (or arising in part or in whole out of) any event or occurrence related to the fact that the director is or was or may be deemed a director (or performed duties in another capacity) of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, or is or was or may be deemed to be serving at the request of the Company as a director (or performing duties in another capacity) of another entity, or by reason of any action or inaction by such director while serving in such capacity including, without limitation, any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses and liabilities, joint or several (including any investigation, legal and other expenses incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit, proceeding or any claim asserted) under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise or which relate directly or indirectly to any securities of the Company or to any fiduciary obligation owed with respect thereto or as a direct or indirect result of any Claim made by any stockholder of the Company against the director and arising out of or related to any round of financing of the Company, or made by a third party against the director based on any misstatement or omission of a material fact by the Company in violation of any duty of disclosure imposed on the Company by federal or state securities or common laws against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees and all other costs, expenses and obligations incurred in connection with investigating, defending a witness in or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness in or participate in, any such action, suit, proceeding, alternative dispute resolution mechanism, hearing, inquiry or investigation), judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (if, and only if, such settlement is approved in advance by the Company) of such Claim and any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on the director as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under the indemnity agreement. If such indemnification is not permitted, then the Company may contribute to the above expenses as described in the agreement and the Company will advance such expenses incurred. Notwithstanding the above, the Company will not ultimately indemnify a director for: (i) successful Claims that he or she violated Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act; (ii) any reimbursement to the Company for accounting restatements; (ii) the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by the director of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; (iii) claims brought by the director (except to enforce the indemnity agreement); (iv) for Claims determined by a final court decision that the indemnification is unlawful; (v) Claims determined by a final court decision that the director committed fraud; or (vi) where insurance has covered the director’s expenses.
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
Set forth below is a description of certain relationships and related person transactions since January 1, 2019 between us or our subsidiaries, and our directors, executive officers and holders of more than 5% of our voting securities that involve the lower of $120,000 or 1% of the average of total assets in the last two fiscal years. We believe that all of the following transactions were entered into with terms as favorable as could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
Prior to the filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, we effected a corporate reorganization, where, according to the Reorganization Agreement, all of the LLCs that were either owned by Franchising (Coaching, CRE, Property Management) or Franchising and Mr. La Rosa (Realty) or by Mr. La Rosa (Franchising), agreed to exchange all of their limited liability company membership interests for one share of Company common stock, which share was automatically redeemed upon the closing of the transaction, resulting in the Company becoming the one hundred percent owner of each of the LLCs.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information, as of December 16, 2021, with respect to the holdings of: (i) each person who is the beneficial owner of more than 5% of Company voting stock, (ii) each of our directors, (iii) each executive officer, and (iv) all of our current directors and executive officers as a group.
Beneficial ownership of the voting stock is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes any shares of Company voting stock over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power, or of which a person has a right to acquire ownership at any time within 60 days. Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the persons named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of voting stock held by them. Applicable percentage ownership in the following table is based on 30,750,000 shares of common stock issued and outstanding December 16, 2021 and [ ] after the offering assuming a common stock offering of [ ] shares (excluding [ ] shares which may be sold upon exercise of the underwriters’ Over-Allotment Option), plus, for each individual, any securities that individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of December 16, 2021.
To the best of our knowledge, except as otherwise indicated, each of the persons named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of our common stock beneficially owned by such person, except to the extent such power may be shared with a spouse. To our knowledge, none of the shares listed below are held under a voting trust or similar agreement, except as noted. To our knowledge, there is no arrangement, including any pledge by any person of securities of the Company, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Company.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) | | Beneficial Ownership | | | Percentage Before Offering (2) | | | Percentage After Offering (3) | |
Officers and Directors | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Joseph La Rosa (President, CEO, and Chairman) | | | 30,000,000 | (4) | | | 98 | % | | | [*] | % |
Mark Gracy (Chief Operating Officer) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Michael A. La Rosa (Director Nominee) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Ned L. Siegel (Director Nominee) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Thomas Stringer (Director Nominee) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Jodi R. White (Director Nominee) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
All Officers and Director Nominees as a group (5 persons) | | | 30,000,000 | | | | 98 | % | | $ | [*] | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
5% Stockholders | | | | | | | | | | | | |
[*] | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the principal address of the executive officers, directors and 5% stockholders of the Company is c/o 1420 Celebration Boulevard, Suite 200, Celebration, Florida 34747.
(2) Based on 30,750,000 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and all shares of common stock the beneficial owner has the right to acquire within the proceeding 60 days.
(3) Based on [ ] shares of common stock issued and outstanding upon the closing of this offering (excluding shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise the Over-Allotment Option and the exercise of the Representative’s Warrant and the exercise of the Consultant Warrants) and all shares of common stock the beneficial owner has the right to acquire within the proceeding 60 days.
(4) Mr. La Rosa also owns 2,000 shares of Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock that has 10,000 votes per share and votes together as a class with our common stock.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following description of our securities is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual terms and provisions of the capital stock contained in our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws.
General
Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation filed with the Nevada Secretary of State of July 29, 2021, the Company is authorized to issue two classes of stock. The total number of shares of stock which the Company is authorized to issue is 300,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of 250,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share.
Common Stock
The holders of our common stock are entitled to the following rights:
| · | Voting Rights. Each share of our common stock entitles its holder to one vote per share on all matters to be voted or consented upon by the stockholders. |
| · | Dividend Rights. Subject to limitations under Nevada law and preferences that may apply to any shares of preferred stock that we may decide to issue in the future, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends or other distributions, if any, as may be declared by our board out of funds legally available therefor. |
| · | Liquidation Rights. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our business, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in the assets available for distribution after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities, subject to the prior rights of the holders of our preferred stock. |
| · | Other Matters. The holders of our common stock have no subscription, redemption or conversion privileges. Our common stock does not entitle its holders to preemptive rights. All of the outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our common stock are subject to the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock which we may issue in the future. |
Preferred Stock
On July 29, 2021, we filed an Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Nevada authorizing 50,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock and designating 2,000 shares of the authorized preferred stock as “Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock” and issued100% of the Super X Super Voting Preferred Stock to Mr. Joseph La Rosa, our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman. The holder of our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock are entitled to the following rights:
| · | Voting Rights. Each share of our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock entitles its holder to 10,000 votes per share and votes with our common stock as a single class on all matters to be voted or consented upon by the stockholders. |
| · | Conversion The Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock is not convertible into common stock or any other securities of the Company. |
Dividend Rights. The holders of our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock are not entitled to any dividend rights.
| · | Liquidation Rights. The holders of the Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock are not entitled to any liquidation preference. |
| · | Other Matters. The holders of our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock have no subscription, redemption or conversion privileges and are not subject to redemption. Our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock does not provide for preemptive rights. All of the outstanding shares of our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock are fully paid and non-assessable. |
| · | Additional Preferred Stock. Our board has the authority to issue additional preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the designations, powers, preferences, and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any class or series, without further vote or action by the stockholders. |
While we do not currently have any plans for the issuance of any additional preferred stock, the issuance of additional preferred stock could adversely affect the rights of the holders of common stock and, therefore, reduce the value of the common stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock on the rights of holders of the common stock until the board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of the preferred stock; however, these effects may include:
| · | restricting dividends on the common stock; |
| · | diluting the voting power of the common stock; |
| · | impairing the liquidation rights of the common stock; or |
| · | delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company without further action by the stockholders. |
2021 Equity Incentive Plan
We intend to adopt the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”), which will be effective the day prior to the listing of our common stock on Nasdaq. The 2021 Plan allows the compensation committee to make equity-based and cash based incentive awards to our officers, employees, directors and other key persons (including consultants). The types of awards permitted under the Plan include nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and other awards.
We have reserved [ ] shares of common stock issuable under the 2021 Plan. This number is subject to adjustment in the event of a sub-division, consolidation, share dividend or other change in our capitalization.
If eligible at the time, we may file one or more registration statements on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register the shares of common stock issued or issuable under our Plan. Any such Form S-8 registration statement will become effective automatically upon filing. Once these shares are registered, they can be sold in the public market upon issuance, subject to Rule 144 limitations applicable to affiliates and vesting restrictions.
Warrants
On May 12, 2021, we entered into a Capital Market Advisory Agreement with Exchange Listing, LLC pursuant to which we issued to that consultant five year warrants for 200,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $4.00 per share.
Rule 144
The shares of our common stock sold in this offering will generally be freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except that any shares of our common stock held by an “affiliate” of ours may not be resold publicly except in compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act or under an exemption under Rule 144 or otherwise. Rule 144 permits our common stock that has been acquired by a person who is an affiliate of ours, or has been an affiliate of ours within the past three months, to be sold into the market in an amount that does not exceed, during any three-month period, the greater of:
| · | one percent of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding; or |
| · | the average weekly reported trading volume of our common stock for the four calendar weeks prior to the sale. |
Such sales are also subject to specific manner of sale provisions, a six-month holding period requirement, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us.
Rule 144 also provides that a person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has for at least six months beneficially owned shares of our common stock that are restricted securities, will be entitled to freely sell such shares of our common stock subject only to the availability of current public information regarding us. A person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned for at least one year shares of our common stock that are restricted securities, will be entitled to freely sell such shares of our common stock under Rule 144 without regard to the current public information requirements of Rule 144.
Rule 701
Rule 701 generally allows a shareholder who purchased shares of our common stock pursuant to a written compensatory plan or contract and who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of the Company during the immediately preceding 90 days to sell these shares in reliance upon Rule 144, but without being required to comply with the public information, holding period, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144. Rule 701 also permits affiliates of the Company to sell their Rule 701 shares under Rule 144 without complying with the holding period requirements of Rule 144. All holders of Rule 701 shares, however, are required to wait until 90 days after the date of this prospectus before selling those shares pursuant to Rule 701.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Nevada Law and our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
Nevada law, our amended and restated articles of incorporation, and our bylaws contain certain provisions that have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of us. These provisions, which are summarized below, are intended to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board. We believe that the benefits of the increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock. Mr. La Rosa is the owner of 2,000 shares of our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock that has 10,000 votes per share when voting with the common stock on all matters. These 20,000,000 votes will have a significant, if not a controlling, effect on the vote of the common stock in any mater that deals with the potential change of control of the Company and will likely provide Mr. La Rosa the ability to control any extraordinary corporate transaction by the Company.
Undesignated Preferred Stock. The ability of our board, without action by the stockholders, to issue up to 49,998,000 shares of preferred stock, which was previously authorized but remain undesignated, with voting or other rights or preferences as designated by our board could impede the success of any attempt to change control of us. These and other provisions may have the effect of deferring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of us.
Stockholder Meetings. Our bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by our board Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, the board pursuant to a resolution adopted by directors representing a quorum of or by the holders of shares entitled to cast not less than 33 1/3 % of the votes at the meeting.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent. Our bylaws allow for any action that may be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders to be taken without a meeting and without prior notice, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
Nevada Business Combination Statutes. The “business combination” provisions of Sections 78.411 to 78.444, inclusive, of the Nevada Revised Statutes, (the “NRS”), generally prohibit a Nevada corporation with at least 200 stockholders of record from engaging in various “combination” transactions with any interested stockholder for a period of two years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the transaction is approved by the board prior to the date the interested stockholder obtained such status or the combination is approved by the board and thereafter is approved at a meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of stockholders representing at least 60% of the outstanding voting power held by disinterested stockholders, and extends beyond the expiration of the two-year period, unless the combination was approved by the board prior to the person becoming an interested stockholder or the transaction by which the person first became an interested stockholder was approved by the board before the person became an interested stockholder or the combination is later approved by a majority of the voting power held by disinterested stockholders; or if the consideration to be paid by the interested stockholder is at least equal to the highest of: (a) the highest price per share paid by the interested stockholder within the two years immediately preceding the date of the announcement of the combination or in the transaction in which it became an interested stockholder, whichever is higher, (b) the market value per share of common stock on the date of announcement of the combination and the date the interested stockholder acquired the shares, whichever is higher, or (c) for holders of preferred stock, the highest liquidation value of the preferred stock, if it is higher. A “combination” is generally defined to include mergers or consolidations or any sale, lease exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer, or other disposition, in one transaction or a series of transactions, with an “interested stockholder” having: (a) an aggregate market value equal to 5% or more of the aggregate market value of the assets of the corporation, (b) an aggregate market value equal to 5% or more of the aggregate market value of all outstanding voting shares of the corporation, (c) more than 10% of the earning power or net income of the corporation, and (d) certain other transactions with an interested stockholder or an affiliate or associate of an interested stockholder. In general, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, beneficially owns (or within two years, did own) 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares of a corporation. The statute could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire us even though such a transaction may offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the prevailing market price.
Nevada Control Share Acquisition Statutes. The “control share” provisions of Sections 78.378 to 78.3793, inclusive, of the NRS apply to “issuing corporations” that are Nevada corporations with at least 200 stockholders of record, including at least 100 stockholders of record who are Nevada residents, and that conduct business in Nevada directly or through an affiliated corporation. The control share statute prohibits an acquirer, under certain circumstances, from voting its shares of a target corporation’s stock after crossing certain ownership threshold percentages, unless the acquirer obtains approval of the target corporation’s disinterested stockholders. The statute specifies three thresholds: one-fifth or more but less than one-third, one-third or more but less than a majority, and a majority or more, of the outstanding voting power. Generally, once an acquirer crosses one of the above thresholds, those shares in an offer or acquisition and acquired within 90 days thereof become “control shares” and such control shares are deprived of the right to vote until disinterested stockholders restore the right. These provisions also provide that if control shares are accorded full voting rights and the acquiring person has acquired a majority or more of all voting power, all other stockholders who do not vote in favor of authorizing voting rights to the control shares are entitled to demand payment for the fair value of their shares in accordance with statutory procedures established for dissenters’ rights. A corporation may elect to not be governed by, or “opt out” of, the control share provisions by making an election in its articles of incorporation or bylaws, provided that the opt-out election must be in place on the 10th day following the date an acquiring person has acquired a controlling interest, that is, crossing any of the three thresholds described above. We have not opted out of the control share statutes, and will be subject to these statutes if we are an “issuing corporation” as defined in such statutes. The effect of the Nevada control share statutes is that the acquiring person, and those acting in association with the acquiring person, will obtain only such voting rights in the control shares as are conferred by a resolution of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting. The Nevada control share law, if applicable, could have the effect of discouraging takeovers of us.
Amendment of Charter and Bylaw Provisions. The amendment of any of the above provisions would require approval by the board or by the holders of at least a majority of the total voting power of all of our outstanding voting stock.
The provisions of Nevada law, our amended and restated articles of incorporation, and our bylaws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in the composition of our board and management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock will be VStock Transfer, LLC. VStock Transfer LLC’s address is 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, New York 11598 and its telephone number is (212) 828-8436.
Nasdaq Listing Application
Currently, no public market exists for our common stock. In connection with this offering, we have applied to list our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “LRHC.” If Nasdaq approves our listing application, we expect to list our common stock upon consummation of the offering, Nasdaq’s listing requirements for the Nasdaq Capital Market include, among other things, a stock price threshold. As a result, prior to effectiveness of our registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, we will need to take the necessary steps to meet Nasdaq’s listing requirements. If Nasdaq does not approve the listing of our common stock, we will not proceed with this offering. There can be no assurance that our Common Stock will be listed on Nasdaq.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Upon completion of the sale of shares of common stock pursuant to this offering, we will have [ ] shares of common stock issued and outstanding. In the event the underwriters exercise the Over-Allotment Option in full, we will have [ ] shares of common stock issued and outstanding. The common stock sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration or qualification under the Securities Act. We have issued 750,000 shares of our common stock to a consultant that possessed anti-dilution rights for share issuances prior to the closing date of this offering.
All 30,750,000 shares of our common stock and 2,000 shares of our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock previously issued that were not offered and sold in this offering, as well as shares subject to employee stock options, are or will be upon issuance, “restricted securities,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. These restricted securities are eligible for public sale only if such public resale is registered under the Securities Act or if the resale qualifies for an exemption from registration under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which are summarized below.
In general, a person who has beneficially owned restricted shares of our common stock for at least six months in the event we have been a reporting company under the Exchange Act for at least ninety (90) days before the sale, would be entitled to sell such securities, provided that such person is not deemed to be an affiliate of ours at the time of sale or to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the ninety (90) days preceding the sale. A person who is an affiliate of ours at such time would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of the following:
| · | 1% of the number of shares of our common stock then outstanding; or |
| · | 1% of the average weekly trading volume of our common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing by such person of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale; |
provided that, in each case, we are subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for at least 90 days before the sale. Rule 144 trades must also comply with the manner of sale, notice and other provisions of Rule 144, to the extent applicable.
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our shares of common stock, which we refer to as our securities. This discussion applies only to securities that are held as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is applicable only to holders who purchased stock in this offering.
This discussion is a summary only and does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances, including but not limited to the alternative minimum tax, the Medicare tax on certain investment income and the different consequences that may apply if you are subject to special rules that apply to certain types of investors, including but not limited to:
| • | financial institutions or financial services entities; |
| • | governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof; |
| • | regulated investment companies; |
| • | real estate investment trusts; |
| • | expatriates or former long-term residents of the U.S.; |
| • | persons that actually or constructively own five percent or more of our voting shares; |
| • | dealers or traders subject to a mark-to-market method of accounting with respect to the securities; |
| • | persons holding the securities as part of a “straddle,” hedge, integrated transaction or similar transaction; |
| • | U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; |
| • | partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes and any beneficial owners of such entities; and |
If you are a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of your partners will generally depend on the status of the partners and your activities.
This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations as of the date hereof, which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis, and changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this prospectus may affect the tax consequences described herein. This discussion does not address any aspect of state, local or non-U.S. taxation, or any U.S. federal taxes other than income taxes (such as gift and estate taxes).
We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the IRS as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the discussion herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions will not adversely affect the accuracy of the statements in this discussion. You are urged to consult your tax advisor with respect to the application of U.S. federal tax laws to your particular situation, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction.
Personal Holding Company Status
We could be subject to a second level of U.S. federal income tax on a portion of our income if we are determined to be a personal holding company, or PHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. corporation generally will be classified as a PHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes in a given taxable year if (i) at any time during the last half of such taxable year, five or fewer individuals (without regard to their citizenship or residency and including as individuals for this purpose certain entities such as certain tax-exempt organizations, pension funds and charitable trusts) own or are deemed to own (pursuant to certain constructive ownership rules) more than 50% of the stock of the corporation by value and (ii) at least 60% of the corporation’s adjusted ordinary gross income, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, for such taxable year consists of PHC income (which includes, among other things, dividends, interest, certain royalties, annuities and, under certain circumstances, rents).
No assurance can be given that we will not be a PHC following this offering or in the future. If we are or were to become a PHC in a given taxable year, we would be subject to an additional PHC tax, currently 20%, on our undistributed PHC income, which generally includes our taxable income, subject to certain adjustments.
U.S. Holders
This section applies to you if you are a “U.S. holder.” A U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of our shares of common stock or warrants who or that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| · | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| · | a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation) organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; or |
| · | an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or |
| · | a trust, if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons (as defined in the Code) have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
Taxation of Distributions. If we pay distributions in cash or other property (other than certain distributions of our stock or rights to acquire our stock) to U.S. holders of shares of our common stock, such distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the common stock and will be treated as described under “U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants” below.
Dividends we pay to a U.S. holder that is a taxable corporation generally will qualify for the dividends received deduction if the requisite holding period is satisfied. With certain exceptions (including, but not limited to, dividends treated as investment income for purposes of investment interest deduction limitations), and provided certain holding period requirements are met, dividends we pay to a non-corporate U.S. holder may constitute “qualified dividends” that will be subject to tax at the maximum tax rate accorded to long-term capital gains. If the holding period requirements are not satisfied, then a corporation may not be able to qualify for the dividends received deduction and would have taxable income equal to the entire dividend amount, and non-corporate holders may be subject to tax on such dividend at regular ordinary income tax rates instead of the preferential rate that applies to qualified dividend income.
Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants. Upon a sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock or warrants which, in general, would include a redemption of common stock or warrants that is treated as a sale of such securities as described below, and including as a result of a dissolution and liquidation, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock or warrants. Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for the common stock or warrants so disposed of exceeds one year. If the running of the holding period for the common stock is suspended, then non-corporate U.S. holders may not be able to satisfy the one-year holding period requirement for long-term capital gain treatment, in which case any gain on a sale or taxable disposition of the shares or warrants would be subject to short-term capital gain treatment and would be taxed at regular ordinary income tax rates. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. holders will be eligible to be taxed at reduced rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Generally, the amount of gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder is an amount equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received in such disposition and (ii) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common stock or warrants so disposed of. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common stock or warrants generally will equal the U.S. holder’s acquisition cost less, in the case of a share of common stock, any prior distributions treated as a return of capital.
Exercise or Lapse of a Warrant. Except as discussed below with respect to the cashless exercise of a warrant, a U.S. holder generally will not recognize taxable gain or loss on the acquisition of common stock upon exercise of a warrant for cash. The U.S. holder’s tax basis in the share of our common stock received upon exercise of the warrant generally will be an amount equal to the sum of the U.S. holder’s initial investment in the warrant and the exercise price. It is unclear whether the U.S. holder’s holding period for the common stock received upon exercise of the warrants will begin on the date following the date of exercise or on the date of exercise of the warrants; in either case, the holding period will not include the period during which the U.S. holder held the warrants. If a warrant is allowed to lapse unexercised, a U.S. holder generally will recognize a capital loss equal to such holder’s tax basis in the warrant.
The tax consequences of a cashless exercise of a warrant are not clear under current tax law. A cashless exercise may be tax-free, either because the exercise is not a gain realization event or because the exercise is treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In either tax-free situation, a U.S. holder’s basis in the common stock received would equal the holder’s basis in the warrants exercised therefor. If the cashless exercise were treated as not being a gain realization event, it is unclear whether a U.S. holder’s holding period in the common stock would be treated as commencing on the date following the date of exercise or on the date of exercise of the warrant; in either case, the holding period would not include the period during which the U.S. holder held the warrants. If the cashless exercise were treated as a recapitalization, the holding period of the common stock would include the holding period of the warrants exercised therefor.
It is also possible that a cashless exercise could be treated in part as a taxable exchange in which gain or loss would be recognized. In such event, a U.S. holder could be deemed to have surrendered warrants having an aggregate fair market value equal to the exercise price for the total number of warrants to be exercised. The U.S. holder would recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the common stock received in respect of the warrants deemed surrendered and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in such warrants. Such gain or loss would be long-term or short-term, depending on the U.S. holder’s holding period in the warrants deemed surrendered. In this case, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock received would equal the sum of the U.S. holder’s initial investment in the exercised warrants and the exercise price of such warrants. It is unclear whether a U.S. holder’s holding period for the common stock would commence on the date following the date of exercise or on the date of exercise of the warrant; in either case, the holding period would not include the period during which the U.S. holder held the warrant. There may also be alternative characterizations of any such taxable exchange that would result in similar tax consequences, except that a U.S. Holder’s gain or loss would be short-term.
Due to the absence of authority on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise, including when a U.S. holder’s holding period would commence with respect to the common stock received, there can be no assurance which, if any, of the alternative tax consequences and holding periods described above would be adopted by the IRS or a court of law. Accordingly, U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of a cashless exercise.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. In general, information reporting requirements may apply to dividends paid to a U.S. holder and to the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of our shares of common stock and warrants, unless the U.S. holder is an exempt recipient. Backup withholding may apply to such payments if the U.S. holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number, a certification of exempt status or has been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding (and such notification has not been withdrawn).
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Non-U.S. Holders
This section applies to you if you are a “Non-U.S. holder.” As used herein, the term “Non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of our common stock or warrants who or that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| · | a non-resident alien individual (other than certain former citizens and residents of the U.S. subject to U.S. tax as expatriates); |
| · | a foreign corporation or |
| · | an estate or trust that is not a U.S. holder; |
but generally does not include an individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition. If you are such an individual, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership or sale or other disposition of our securities.
Taxation of Distributions. In general, any distributions we make to a Non-U.S. holder of shares of our common stock, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, provided such dividends are not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States, we will be required to withhold tax from the gross amount of the dividend at a rate of 30%, unless such Non-U.S. holder is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding tax under an applicable income tax treaty and provides proper certification of its eligibility for such reduced rate (usually on an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E). Any distribution not constituting a dividend will be treated first as reducing (but not below zero) the Non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares of our common stock and, to the extent such distribution exceeds the Non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis, as gain realized from the sale or other disposition of the common stock, which will be treated as described under “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants” below. In addition, if we determine that we are likely to be classified as a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (see “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants” below), we will withhold 15% of any distribution that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits.
The withholding tax does not apply to dividends paid to a Non-U.S. holder who provides a Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. income tax as if the Non-U.S. holder were a U.S. resident, subject to an applicable income tax treaty providing otherwise. A Non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” imposed at a rate of 30% (or a lower treaty rate).
Exercise of a Warrant. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a Non-U.S. holder’s exercise of a warrant, or the lapse of a warrant held by a Non-U.S. holder, generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the exercise or lapse of a warrant by a U.S. holder, as described under “U.S. holders — Exercise or Lapse of a Warrant” above, although to the extent a cashless exercise results in a taxable exchange, the consequences would be similar to those described below in “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants.”
Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants.
A Non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of gain recognized on a sale, taxable exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock, which would include a dissolution and liquidation, unless:
| · | the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the Non-U.S. holder within the United States (and, under certain income tax treaties, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S. holder); or |
| · | we are or have been a “U.S. real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the period that the Non-U.S. holder held our common stock, and, in the case where shares of our common stock are regularly traded on an established securities market, the Non-U.S. holder has owned, directly or constructively, more than 5% of our common stock at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or such Non-U.S. holder’s holding period for the shares of our common stock. There can be no assurance that our common stock will be treated as regularly traded on an established securities market for this purpose. |
Unless an applicable treaty provides otherwise, gain described in the first bullet point above will be subject to tax at generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rates as if the Non-U.S. holder were a U.S. resident. Any gains described in the first bullet point above of a Non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or lower treaty rate).
If the second bullet point above applies to a Non-U.S. holder, gain recognized by such holder on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock or warrants will be subject to tax at generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rates. In addition, a buyer of our common stock or warrants from such holder may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 15% of the amount realized upon such disposition. We cannot determine at this time whether we will be a U.S. real property holding corporation in the future. We will be classified as a U.S. real property holding corporation if the fair market value of our “U.S. real property interests” equals or exceeds 50 percent of the sum of the fair market value of our worldwide real property interests plus our other assets used or held for use in a trade or business, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments of dividends and the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our shares of common stock and warrants. A Non-U.S. holder may have to comply with certification procedures to establish that it is not a United States person in order to avoid information reporting and backup withholding requirements. The certification procedures required to claim a reduced rate of withholding under a treaty will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid the backup withholding as well. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a Non-U.S. holder will be allowed as a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
FATCA Withholding Taxes. Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance promulgated thereunder (commonly referred as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act” or “FATCA”) generally impose withholding at a rate of 30% in certain circumstances on dividends in respect of our securities which are held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless any such institution (1) enters into, and complies with, an agreement with the IRS to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to interests in, and accounts maintained by, the institution that are owned by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments, or (2) if required under an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, reports such information to its local tax authority, which will exchange such information with the U.S. authorities. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. Accordingly, the entity through which our securities are held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of our securities held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exceptions will generally be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (1) certifies to us or the applicable withholding agent that such entity does not have any “substantial United States owners” or (2) provides certain information regarding the entity’s “substantial United States owners,” which will in turn be provided to the U.S. Department of Treasury. Previously, withholding with respect to the gross proceeds of a disposition of any stock, debt instrument, or other property that can produce U.S.-source dividends or interest was scheduled to begin on January 1, 2019; however, such withholding has been eliminated under proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations, which can be relied upon until final regulations become effective. All prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in our securities.
UNDERWRITING
Under the terms and subject to the conditions in an underwriting agreement dated [ ], 2021, the underwriters named below, for whom Maxim Group, LLC. (or Maxim Group) is acting as the lead managing underwriter and book runner and the representative of the several underwriters, have severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to them, severally, the number of shares indicated below:
Underwriter | | Number of Shares | | Number of Shares if Over-allotment Option is Fully Exercised | |
Maxim Group, LLC | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Totals: | | | | | |
The underwriters are collectively referred to as the “underwriters” and the “representative” is Maxim Group, LLC. The underwriters are offering the shares of common stock subject to their acceptance of the shares from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus if any such shares are taken. However, the underwriters are not required to take or pay for the shares covered by the underwriters’ Over-Allotment Option described below.
The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the shares of common stock directly to the public at the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus and part to certain dealers. After the initial offering of the shares of common stock, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the representative.
Over-Allotment Option
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to [ ] additional shares of common stock, or 15% of the shares offered hereby, at the public offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase about the same percentage of the additional shares of common stock as the number listed next to the underwriter’s name in the preceding table bears to the total number of shares of common stock listed next to the names of all underwriters in the preceding table.
Discounts and Commissions and Expenses
We have agreed to pay the underwriters a cash fee equal to seven percent (7.0%) of the aggregate gross proceeds unless any proceeds received by the Company in the offering come from investors identified and introduced by the Company and unknown to Maxim, in which case the underwriting discount or spread shall be reduced to 5.0% for those investors.
The representative has advised us that the underwriters propose to offer the shares directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. In addition, the representative may offer some of the shares to other securities dealers at such price less a concession of up to $[ ] per share. After the offering to the public, the offering price and other selling terms may be changed by the representative without changing the Company’s proceeds from the underwriters’ purchase of the shares.
The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discounts and proceeds, before expenses, to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their Over-Allotment Option. The underwriting discounts are equal to the public offering price per share less the amount per share the underwriters pay us for the shares.
| | Per Share of common stock | | | Total without Over- allotment Option | | | Total with Over- allotment Option | |
Public offering price | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Underwriting discounts | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Proceeds, before expenses, to us | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
We have agreed to pay the representative a non-accountable expense allowance of one percent (1.0%) of the gross proceeds of the offering. We estimate that the total expenses, but excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and the one percent (1.0%) non-accountable expense allowances, will be approximately $[ ], all of which are payable by us. This figure includes expense reimbursements we have agreed to pay the representative for reimbursement of its expenses related to the offering up to a maximum aggregate expense allowance of $125,000, for which we have paid a $25,000 advance, which will be returned to us to the extent not offset by actual expenses in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(C).
Representative’s Warrants
As additional compensation to the underwriters, upon consummation of this offering, we will issue to the underwriters or their designees non-redeemable warrants to purchase an aggregate number of shares of our common stock equal to six percent (6.0%) of the number of shares of common stock issued in this offering (excluding shares of common stock sold to cover over-allotments, if any), at an exercise price per share equal to 110% of the initial public offering price (referred to in this prospectus as the Representative’s Warrants) which may be via a “cashless exercise.” The Representative’s Warrants and the underlying shares of common stock shall not be sold during the offering, or sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of six months immediately following the date of the public offering’s effectiveness in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1). The Representative’s Warrants will be exercisable, in whole or in part, commencing on the six month anniversary of the effective date of the offering and will expire on the fifth anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement related to the offering in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(G)(i). In addition, we have granted the underwriters a one-time demand registration right at our expense, an additional demand registration at the holder’s expense and unlimited “piggyback” registration rights with respect to the underlying shares. The demand registration rights will not be greater than five years from the effective date of the registration statement related to the offering in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(G)(iv).The piggyback registration rights will not be greater than three years from the effective date of the registration statement related to the offering in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(G)(v).
Pricing of the Offering
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. In determining the initial public offering price, we and the underwriters have considered a number of factors including:
| · | the information set forth in this prospectus and otherwise available to the underwriters; |
| · | our prospects and the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete; |
| · | an assessment of our management; |
| · | our prospects for future earnings; |
| · | the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering; |
| · | the recent market prices of, and demand for, publicly traded common stock of generally comparable companies; and |
| · | other factors deemed relevant by the underwriters and us. |
Neither we nor the underwriters can assure investors that an active trading market will develop for shares of our common stock, or that the shares will trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.
Lock-Up Agreements
Each of our officers and directors, affiliates and certain existing stockholders have agreed, for a period of six months after the effective date of the registration statement for this offering, subject to certain exceptions, not to offer, issue, sell, contract to sell, encumber, grant any option for the sale of or otherwise dispose of any shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our common stock without the prior written consent of the representative.
The representative may in its sole discretion and at any time without notice release some or all of the shares subject to lock-up agreements prior to the expiration of the lock-up period. When determining whether or not to release shares from the lock-up agreements, the representative will consider, among other factors, the security holder’s reasons for requesting the release, the number of shares for which the release is being requested and market conditions at the time.
Right of First Refusal
According to the terms of the underwriting agreement, the representative shall have the right of first refusal for a period of twelve months after the closing of this offering to act as underwriter and bookrunning manager and/or placement agent for any and all future public and private equity and debt (excluding commercial bank debt) offerings during such twelve month period of the Company, or any successor to or any subsidiary of the Company.
The Company has also agreed that it will use its commercially reasonable best efforts to use the representative’s Corporate Services Department with respect to our stock option incentive program.
Indemnification
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.
Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by the representative and may also be made available on a website maintained by other underwriters. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representative to underwriters that may make internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. In connection with the offering, the underwriters or syndicate members may distribute prospectuses electronically. No forms of electronic prospectus other than prospectuses that are printable as Adobe® PDF will be used in connection with this offering.
The underwriters have informed us that they do not expect to confirm sales of shares offered by this prospectus to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s website and any information contained in any other website maintained by an underwriter is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or any underwriter in its capacity as underwriter and should not be relied upon by investors.
Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids
The underwriters have advised us that, following the completion of this offering, they currently intend to make a market in our common stock as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. However, the underwriters are not obligated to do so, and the underwriters may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice in their sole discretion. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for our common stock, that you will be able to sell any of the common stock held by you at a particular time, or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.
The underwriters have advised us that they, pursuant to Regulation M under the Exchange Act, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in short sale transactions, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions, or the imposition of penalty bids in connection with this offering. These activities may have the effect of stabilizing or maintaining the market price of the common stock at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Establishing short sales positions may involve either “covered” short sales or “naked” short sales.
“Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of our common stock in this offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock or purchasing shares of our common stock in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares.
“Naked” short sales are sales in excess of the option to purchase additional shares of our common stock. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares of our common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.
A stabilizing bid is a bid for the purchase of shares of common stock on behalf of the underwriters for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the common stock. A syndicate covering transaction is the bid for or the purchase of shares of common stock on behalf of the underwriters to reduce a short position incurred by the underwriters in connection with the offering. Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters’ purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. A penalty bid is an arrangement permitting the underwriters to reclaim the selling concession otherwise accruing to a syndicate member in connection with the offering if the common stock originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction and therefore have not been effectively placed by such syndicate member.
Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. The underwriters are not obligated to engage in these activities and, if commenced, any of the activities may be discontinued at any time.
The underwriters may also engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of shares of our common stock in this offering and extending through the completion of distribution. A passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, that bid must then be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded.
Certain Relationships
Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have provided and may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates for which they have or may in the future receive customary fees, however, except for the right of first refusal and use of the representative’s Corporate Services Department disclosed in this prospectus, we have no present arrangements with any of the underwriters for any further services.
Selling Restrictions
Canada. The securities may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31 103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the securities must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33 105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33 105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriters conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
European Economic Area. In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”) an offer to the public of any securities may not be made in that Relevant Member State, except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any securities may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:
•to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;
•to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or
•in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of securities shall result in a requirement for the publication by us or any underwriters of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any securities in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any securities, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State, the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State, and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.
United Kingdom. Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:
•it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the securities in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and
•it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the securities in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
Switzerland. The securities may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (the SIX) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, or the securities have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, and the offer of securities has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (CISA). Accordingly, no public distribution, offering or advertising, as defined in CISA, its implementing ordinances and notices, and no distribution to any non-qualified investor, as defined in CISA, its implementing ordinances and notices, shall be undertaken in or from Switzerland, and the investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under CISA does not extend to acquirers of securities.
Australia. No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), in relation to the offering.
This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the Corporations Act) and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.
Any offer in Australia of the securities may only be made to persons (the Exempt Investors) who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the securities without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.
The securities applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring securities must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.
This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the Cayman Islands. No invitation, whether directly or indirectly, may be made to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for our securities.
Taiwan. The securities have not been and will not be registered with the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be sold, issued or offered within Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which constitutes an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan that requires a registration or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer, sell, give advice regarding or otherwise intermediate the offering and sale of the securities in Taiwan.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong. The contents of this prospectus have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If you are in any doubt about any of the contents of this prospectus, you should obtain independent professional advice. Please note that (i) our shares may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of this prospectus or any document other than to “professional investors” within the meaning of Part I of Schedule 1 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) (SFO) and any rules made thereunder, or in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong) (CO) or which do not constitute an offer or invitation to the public for the purpose of the CO or the SFO, and (ii) no advertisement, invitation or document relating to our shares may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere) which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the SFO and any rules made thereunder.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the People’s Republic of China. This prospectus may not be circulated or distributed in the PRC and the shares may not be offered or sold, and will not offer or sell to any person for re-offering or resale directly or indirectly to any resident of the PRC except pursuant to applicable laws, rules and regulations of the PRC. For the purpose of this paragraph only, the PRC does not include Taiwan and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
Israel. This document does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, or the Securities Law, and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In the State of Israel, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer of the shares is directed only at, investors listed in the first addendum, or the Addendum, to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds, provident funds, insurance companies, banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, underwriters, venture capital funds, entities with equity in excess of NIS 50 million and “qualified individuals”, each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors (in each case purchasing for their own account or, where permitted under the Addendum, for the accounts of their clients who are investors listed in the Addendum). Qualified investors will be required to submit written confirmation that they fall within the scope of the Addendum, are aware of the meaning of same and agree to it.
EXPERTS
Marcum LLP, an independent certified public accounting firm, audited our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. We have included our financial statements in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement in reliance on the reports of Marcum LLP, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus will be passed upon by Carmel, Milazzo & Feil LLP, New York, New York. Pryor Cashman LLP, New York, New York, is acting as counsel for the representative of the underwriters with respect to the offering.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, some of which is contained in exhibits to the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and our common stock, we refer you to the registration statement, including the exhibits filed as a part of the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or any other document is not necessarily complete. If a contract or document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see the copy of the contract or document that has been filed. Each statement in this prospectus relating to a contract or document filed as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by the filed exhibit. You may obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference rooms by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.
We are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with this law, are required to file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports, proxy statements and other information are available for inspection and copying at the SEC’s public reference facilities and the website of the SEC referred to above. We also maintain a website at www.larosarealty.com. You may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.
La Rosa Holdings Corp. and Subsidiaries
Combined Financial Statements
La Rosa Holdings Corp. and Subsidiaries
Index to the Combined Financial Statements
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Unitholder and Manager of La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related combined statements of income, equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Marcum llp | |
| |
Marcum llp | |
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.
New York, NY
December 16, 2021
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Combined Balance Sheets
| | December 31, | |
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Assets | | | | | | | | |
Current Assets | | | | | | | | |
Cash | | $ | 175,425 | | | $ | 452,280 | |
Restricted cash | | | 1,023,245 | | | | 852,317 | |
Accounts receivable, net | | | 106,614 | | | | 55,529 | |
Other current assets | | | 2,294 | | | | 3,600 | |
Due from related party | | | 32,508 | | | | 81,127 | |
Total Current Assets | | | 1,340,086 | | | | 1,444,853 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Security deposits | | | 11,276 | | | | 26,827 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | | $ | 1,351,362 | | | $ | 1,471,680 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and Equity (Deficit) | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Line of credit | | $ | 145,064 | | | $ | - | |
Accounts payable | | | 180,375 | | | | 599,085 | |
Accrued Expenses | | | 56,680 | | | | 140,311 | |
Due to related party | | | 698,652 | | | | 681,354 | |
Notes payable, current | | | 174,712 | | | | - | |
Total Current Liabilities | | | 1,255,483 | | | | 1,420,750 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Notes payable, net of current | | | 399,588 | | | | - | |
Security deposits payable | | | 923,245 | | | | 852,317 | |
Total Liabilities | | | 2,578,316 | | | | 2,273,067 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Commitments and contingencies | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Equity (Deficit) | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock - $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively | | | - | | | | - | |
Preferred stock, Series X - $0.0001 par value; 2,000 shares authorized; 2,000 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively | | | - | | | | - | |
Common stock - $0.0001 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 30,000,000 issued or outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively | | | 3,000 | | | | 3,000 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | (3,000 | ) | | | 3,000 | |
Accumulated deficit | | | (1,226,954 | ) | | | (801,387 | ) |
Equity (Deficit) | | | (1,226,954 | ) | | | (801,387 | ) |
Total Liabilities and Equity (Deficit) | | $ | 1,351,362 | | | $ | 1,471,680 | |
See notes to the combined financial statements. | F-3 |
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Combined Statements of Income
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
| | | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | 24,012,163 | | | $ | 51,522,615 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenue | | | 20,936,021 | | | | 46,716,485 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Gross Profit | | | 3,076,142 | | | | 4,806,130 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Operating Expenses | | | | | | | | |
General and administrative expenses | | | 2,689,535 | | | | 4,059,663 | |
Sales and marketing expenses | | | 258,953 | | | | 403,612 | |
Total Operating Expenses | | | 2,948,488 | | | | 4,463,275 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Income From Operations | | | 127,654 | | | | 342,855 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Other Income (Expense) | | | | | | | | |
Other Income | | | 12,000 | | | | - | |
Interest expense | | | (5,293 | ) | | | (7,279 | ) |
Other Income (Expense) | | | 6,707 | | | | (7,279 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Income Before Income Taxes | | | 134,361 | | | | 335,576 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Income Tax Expense | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Income | | $ | 134,361 | | | $ | 335,576 | |
Earnings Per Share, basic and diluted | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.01 | |
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding, basic and diluted | | | 30,000,000 | | | | 30,000,000 | |
See notes to the combined financial statements. | F-4 |
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Combined Statements of Equity (Deficit)
| | Preferred Stock | | | Preferred Stock Series X | | | Common Stock | | | Additional | | | Accumulated | | | | |
| | Shares | | | Par Value | | | Shares | | | Par Value | | | Shares | | | Par Value | | | Paid-in Capital | | | Deficit | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, January 1, 2019 | | | - | | | $ | - | | | | 2,000 | | | $ | - | | | | 30,000,000 | | | $ | 3,000 | | | $ | (3,000 | ) | | $ | (1,123,259 | ) | | $ | (1,123,259 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Member distributions | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (13,704 | ) | | | (13,704 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 335,576 | | | | 335,576 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2019 | | | - | | | | - | | | | 2,000 | | | | - | | | | 30,000,000 | | | | 3,000 | | | $ | (3,000 | ) | | | (801,387 | ) | | | (801,387 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Member distributions | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (559,928 | ) | | | (559,928 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 134,361 | | | | 134,361 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2020 | | | - | | | | - | | | | 2,000 | | | | - | | | | 30,000,000 | | | $ | 3,000 | | | $ | (3,000 | ) | | $ | 1,226,954 | | | $ | (1,226,954 | ) |
See notes to the combined financial statements. | F-5 |
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Combined Statements of Cash Flows
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
| | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Operating Activities | | | | | | | | |
Net Income | | $ | 134,361 | | | $ | 335,576 | |
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: | | | | | | | | |
(Increase) Decrease in Operating Assets: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | | (51,085 | ) | | | 108,849 | |
Prepaid expenses | | | 1,306 | | | | 13,379 | |
Security deposits | | | 15,551 | | | | 36,913 | |
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | | (418,710 | ) | | | (292,449 | ) |
Accrued expenses | | | (83,631 | ) | | | 105,084 | |
Security deposits payable | | | 70,928 | | | | 852,317 | |
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities | | | (331,280 | ) | | | 1,159,669 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Financing Activities | | | | | | | | |
Borrowings on bank line of credit | | | 145,064 | | | | - | |
Proceeds from notes payable | | | 574,300 | | | | - | |
Payments on notes payable | | | (13,358 | ) | | | - | |
Due from related party | | | 48,619 | | | | 123,377 | |
Borrowings from related party | | | 30,656 | | | | 34,910 | |
Distributions paid | | | (559,928 | ) | | | (13,704 | ) |
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities | | | 225,353 | | | | 144,583 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Restricted Cash | | | (105,927 | ) | | | 1,304,252 | |
Cash and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Year | | | 1,304,597 | | | | 345 | |
Cash and Restricted Cash at End of Year | | $ | 1,198,670 | | | $ | 1,304,597 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: | | | | | | | | |
Cash Paid During the Year for: | | | | | | | | |
Interest | | $ | 5,293 | | | $ | 7,279 | |
Income taxes | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Reconciliation of Cash and Restricted Cash | | | | | | | | |
Cash | | $ | 175,425 | | | $ | 452,280 | |
Restricted Cash | | | 1,023,245 | | | | 852,317 | |
Cash and Restricted Cash | | $ | 1,198,670 | | | $ | 1,304,597 | |
See notes to the combined financial statements. | F-6 |
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Notes to the Combined Financial Statements
NOTE 1 - DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Nature of Organization
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates (the "Company") is the holding company for five agent-centric, technology-integrated, cloud-based, multi-service real estate companies. In addition to providing person-to-person residential and commercial real estate brokerage services to the public, the Company cross sells ancillary technology-based products and services primarily to sales agents and the sales agents associated with the Company's franchisees. The business is organized based on the services provided internally to agents and to the public, which are residential and commercial real estate brokerages, franchising, real estate brokerage education and coaching, and property management services.
Liquidity
The Company is subject to the risks and challenges associated with companies at a similar stage of development. These include dependence on key individuals, successful development and marketing of its offerings, and competition with larger companies with greater financial, technical, and marketing resources. Furthermore, during the period required to achieve substantially higher revenue in order to become consistently profitable, the Company may require additional funds that might not be readily available or might not be on terms that are acceptable to the Company. Based on the Company’s current cash position and resources, management believes the Company has adequate resources to fund its operations for the next twelve months from the date these financial statements are made available.
COVID19
Our management believes that these social and economic impacts, which to date have included but not been limited to the following, could have a significant impact on the Company's future financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations: (i) restrictions on in person activities associated with residential real estate transactions arising from shelter in place, or similar isolation orders; (ii) decline in consumer demand for in person interactions and physical home tours; and (iii) deteriorating economic conditions, such as increased unemployment rates, recessionary conditions, lower yields on individual investment portfolios, and more stringent mortgage financing conditions.
Considering the evolution of COVID 19 and the global responses to curb its spread, the Company is not able to estimate the effects of COVID 19 on its results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity for the year ending December 31, 2020 and beyond. If COVID 19 continues, it may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, liquidity, and future results of operations.
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The combined financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and include the accounts of La Rosa Realty, LLC and its affiliates La Rosa Coaching, LLC, La Rosa CRE, LLC, La Rosa Franchising, LLC, and La Rosa Property Management which are affiliated by virtue of common management and ownership. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.
La Rosa Holdings Corp. was incorporated in the State of Nevada on June 14, 2021 by its founder, Mr. Joseph La Rosa, to become the holding company for five Florida limited liability companies of which Mr. La Rosa held a one hundred percent (100%) ownership interest: (i) La Rosa Coaching, LLC, or Coaching; (ii) La Rosa CRE, LLC, or CRE; (iii) La Rosa Franchising, LLC, or Franchising; (iv) La Rosa Property Management, LLC, or Property Management; and (v) La Rosa Realty, LLC, or Realty.
As part of a reorganization, we amended and restated our Articles of Incorporation on July 29, 2021 such that (i) we increased our total authorized capital stock to 300,000,000 shares, of which 50,000,000 shares were designated preferred stock and 250,000,000 shares were designated common stock; and (ii) authorized 2,000 shares of Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock that has 10,000 votes per share and votes together as a class with our common stock. All 30,000,000 issued and outstanding shares of our common stock and all 2,000 shares of the Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock were issued to Mr. La Rosa. We refer to these steps as the Exchange Transactions. The Exchange Transactions did not affect our operations, which we continue to conduct through our operating subsidiaries.
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Notes to the Combined Financial Statements
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Basis of Presentation (continued)
On August 4, 2021, we effected a corporate reorganization pursuant to a Reorganization Agreement and Plan of Share Exchange dated July 22, 2021 (the Reorganization Agreement) between La Rosa Holdings Corp. and each of the LLCs. Under the Reorganization Agreement, each LLC exchanged 100% of their limited liability company membership interests for one share of Company’s common stock, which share was automatically redeemed for nominal consideration upon the closing of the transaction, resulting in each LLC becoming the direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
Prior to and through the date of the Exchange Transactions, Mr. La Rosa was the sole member in each of the LLCs. Therefore, the Exchange Transactions have been accounted for as a recapitalization under common control and due to the similar nature of the entities business, the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 have been presented on a combined basis and retroactively restated to reflect the Exchange Transaction.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the Company's combined financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s significant estimates include allowance for doubtful accounts and depreciable lives of property and equipment.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists of cash held by the Company for rent collected by the Company due to owners as well as rent security deposits. The Company recognizes a corresponding deposit liability until the funds are released. Once the cash is transferred from escrow, the Company reduces the respective customers’ deposit liability.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consist of balances due from agents, tenants, and Franchisees. The Company records no allowances due to the Company's ability to collect substantially all receivables. In determining collectability, historical trends are evaluated, and specific customer issues are reviewed on a periodic basis to arrive at appropriate allowances. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, allowance for doubtful accounts were not material.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided for financial reporting purposes based on a straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
Equipment | 3 to 5 years |
Furniture and fixtures | 7 years |
The Company's property and equipment consisted of furnishings and equipment having a cost of $28,013 and was fully depreciated as of January 1, 2019.
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Notes to the Combined Financial Statements
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Fair Value Measurements
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that could be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Financial assets are marked to bid prices and financial liabilities are marked to offer prices. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. The methodology establishes consistency and comparability by providing a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques into three broad levels as follows:
| - | Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets that are unadjusted and accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities; |
| - | Level 2 - Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; and |
| - | Level 3 - Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable. |
ASC 820 requires the use of observable data if such data is available without undue cost and effort. When available, the company uses unadjusted quoted market prices to measure the fair value and classifies such items within Level 1. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that use current market-based or independently sourced market parameters such as interest rates and currency rates. Items valued using internally generated models are classified according to the lowest level input or value driver that is significant to the valuation.
The determination of fair value considers various factors including interest rate yield curves and time value underlying the financial instruments. In the event of an other-than-temporary impairment of a nonpublic equity method investment, the Company uses the net asset value of its investment in the investee, adjusted using discounted cash flows, for the company's estimate of the price that it would consider all factors that would impact the investment's fair value. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019 the Company did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset might not be recoverable. An impairment loss, measured as the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value, is triggered if the carrying amount exceeds estimated undiscounted future cash flows. Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates, which would result in additional impairment losses or losses on disposal of the assets.
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Notes to the Combined Financial Statements
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Revenue Recognition
The Company applies the provision of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"). The Company measures revenue within the scope of ASC 606 by applying the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. At contract inception, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract that falls under the scope of ASC 606, determines those that are performance obligations and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when the performance obligation is satisfied. The application of these five steps necessitates the development of assumptions that require judgment.
The Company records revenue based upon the consideration specified in the client arrangement, and revenue is recognized when the performance obligations in the client arrangement are satisfied. A performance obligation is a contractual promise to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. The transaction price of a contract is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when or as, the customer receives the benefit of the performance obligation. Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services.
Real Estate Brokerage Services (Residential)
The Company serves as a licensed broker in the areas in which it operates for the purpose of processing residential real estate transactions. This portion of revenue consists of commissions generated from real estate brokerage services. The Company is contractually obligated to provide for the fulfillment of transfers of real estate between buyers and sellers. The Company provides these services itself and controls the services of its agents necessary to legally transfer the real estate. Consequently, the Company is defined as the principal in the transaction. The Company, as principal, satisfies its obligation upon the closing of a real estate transaction. The Company has concluded that agents are not employees of the Company, rather deemed to be independent contractors. Upon satisfaction of its obligation, the Company recognizes revenue in the gross amount of consideration it is entitled to receive. The transaction price is calculated by applying the Company's portion of the agreed-upon commission rate to the property's selling price. The Company may provide services to the buyer, seller, or both parties to a transaction. When the Company provides services to the seller in a transaction, it recognizes revenue for its portion of the commission, which is calculated as the sales prices multiplied by the commission rate for the "buy" side of the transaction. In instances in which the Company represents both the buyer and the seller in a transaction, it recognizes the full commission on the transaction. Commissions revenue contains a single performance obligation that is satisfied upon the closing of a real estate transaction, at which point the entire transaction price is earned. The Company's customers remit payment for the Company's services to the title company or attorney closing the sale of property at the time of closing. The Company receives payment upon close of property within days of the closing of a transaction. The Company is not entitled to any commission until the performance obligation is satisfied and is not owed any commission for unsuccessful transactions, even if services have been provided.
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Notes to the Combined Financial Statements
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Revenue Recognition (continued)
Franchising Services
The Company's franchise agreements offer the following benefits to the franchisee: common use and promotion of La Rosa Realty trademark; distinctive sales and promotional materials; access to technology and training; and recommended procedures for operation of La Rosa Realty franchises. The Company concluded that these benefits are highly related and part of one performance obligation for each franchise agreement, a license of symbolic intellectual property that is billed through a variety of fees including (i) initial franchise fees, (ii) annual dues and (iii) royalty fees. Initial franchise fees consist of a fixed fee payable upon signing the franchise agreement. Annual dues are calculated at a fixed fee per agent (prorated for any partial year) payable annually before the 10th day of January or within 10 days after each agent commences their association with the franchise. Royalty fees are calculated as the greater of a (a) fixed percentage of gross commission income for the period which is made up of all commissions, transaction fees, property management fees, and monthly fees collected or receivable by the Franchisee and the Franchisee's independent sales associates, agents, representatives, contractors, employees, partners, directors, officers, Owners, or affiliates, regardless of whether or not such individuals or affiliates are entitled to retain all or part of such Gross Commission Income, or (b) a fixed monthly fee. Royalty fees are payable monthly on or before the 10th of each month.
Coaching Services
The Company provides mandatory training and guidance to newly licensed agents for their first three sales transactions. Revenue is recognized based on 10% of the commission earned on these transactions payable upon closing of the transaction. Coaches also provide optional special education services throughout the year to agents. Revenue is recognized as each events occur.
Property Management
We provide property management services on a contractual basis for owners of and investors in office, industrial and retail properties. These services include managing daily operations of the property, tenant background screening, overseeing the tenant application process, and accounting services. We are compensated for our services through a flat monthly management fee. We are also sometimes reimbursed for our repair costs directly attributable to the properties under management. These costs are not included in the transaction price as the customer is the party receiving these services. Property management services represent a series of distinct daily services rendered over time. Consistent with the transfer of control for distinct, daily services to the customer, revenue is recognized at the end of each period for the fees associated with the services performed. The amount of revenue recognized is presented gross for any services provided by our employees, as we control them. We generally do not control third-party services delivered to property management clients. As such, we generally report revenues net of third-party reimbursements.
The amount of revenue recognized is presented gross for any services provided by our employees, as we control them. This is evidenced by our obligation for their performance and our ability to direct and redirect their work, as well as negotiate the value of such services. The amount of revenue recognized related to certain project management arrangements is presented gross (with offsetting expense recorded in cost of revenue) for reimbursements of costs of third-party services because we control those services that are delivered to the client. In the instances where we do not control third-party services delivered to the client, we report revenues net of the third-party reimbursements.
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Notes to the Combined Financial Statements
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Revenue Recognition (continued)
Real Estate Brokerage Services (Commercial)
The Company serves as a licensed broker in the areas in which it operates for the purpose of processing commercial real estate transactions. This portion of revenue consists of commissions generated from real estate brokerage services. The Company is contractually obligated to provide for the fulfillment of transfers of real estate between buyers and sellers. The Company provides these services itself and controls the services of its agents necessary to legally transfer the real estate. Correspondingly, the Company is defined as the principal. The Company, as principal, satisfies its obligation upon the closing of a real estate transaction. The Company has concluded that agents are not employees of the Company, rather deemed to be independent contractors. Upon satisfaction of its obligation, the Company recognizes revenue in the gross amount of consideration it is entitled to receive. The transaction price is calculated by applying the Company's portion of the agreed-upon commission rate to the property's selling price. The Company may provide services to the buyer, seller, or both parties to a transaction. When the Company provides services to the seller in a transaction, it recognizes revenue for its portion of the commission, which is calculated as the sales prices multiplied by the commission rate for the "buy" side of the transaction. In instances in which the Company represents both the buyer and the seller in a transaction, it recognizes the full commission on the transaction. Commissions revenue contains a single performance obligation that is satisfied upon the closing of a real estate transaction, at which point the entire transaction price is earned. The Company's customers remit payment for the Company's services to the title company or attorney closing the sale of property at the time of closing. The Company receives payment upon close of property within days of the closing of a transaction at a rate of 10% of the gross commission income. The Company is not entitled to any commission until the performance obligation is satisfied and is not owed any commission for unsuccessful transactions, even if services have been provided. The Company also charges customers a fixed monthly membership fee.
Revenues from contracts with customers are summarized by category as follows for the years ended December 31:
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Real Estate Brokerage Services (Residential) | | $ | 15,583,413 | | | $ | 44,320,956 | |
Franchising Services | | | 853,968 | | | | 459,079 | |
Coaching Services | | | 475,668 | | | | 59,480 | |
Property Management | | | 6,991,444 | | | | 6,650,600 | |
Real Estate Brokerage Services (Commercial) | | | 107,670 | | | | 32,500 | |
Revenue | | $ | 24,012,163 | | | $ | 51,522,615 | |
The following table disaggregates the Company’s revenue based on the type of sale or service and the timing of satisfaction of performance obligations for the years ended December 31:
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Performance obligations satisfied at a point in time | | $ | 15,229,233 | | | $ | 43,026,563 | |
Performance obligations satisfied over time | | | 8,782,930 | | | | 8,496,052 | |
Revenue | | $ | 24,012,163 | | | $ | 51,522,615 | |
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue consists primarily of agent commissions less fees paid to us by our agents.
Advertising
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $137,442 and $102,098, respectively and included in sales and marketing expenses in the Combined Statements of Income.
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Notes to the Combined Financial Statements
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Income Taxes
In the U.S., the Company, a limited liability company (LLC), is taxed as a partnership under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company’s income is included in the members’ income tax returns. Accordingly, the Company generally is not subject to federal or certain state income taxes.
The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax loss and tax credit carry forwards. ASC 740 additionally requires a valuation allowance to be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized.
ASC 740 also clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim period, disclosure and transition.
The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2020. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position.
The Company has identified the United States as its only “major” tax jurisdiction.
Earnings Per Share
In accordance with FASB ASC 260-10-5 Earnings Per Share, basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) adjusted for income or loss that would result from the assumed conversion of potential common shares from contracts that may be settled in stock or cash by the weighted average number of shares of common stock, common stock equivalents and potentially dilutive securities outstanding during each period. There were no common stock equivalents or dilutive securities at December 31, 2020 and 2019.
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Notes to the Combined Financial Statements
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In February 2016, the FASB established Topic 842, Leases, by issuing ASU No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”), which requires lessees to recognize leases on balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases are classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the income statement.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, that changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For receivables, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward looking “expected loss” model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowance for losses. In addition, an entity will have to disclose significantly more information about allowances and credit quality indicators. The new standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of the new standard on its combined financial statements and intends to adopt the standard on January 1, 2023.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes ("ASU 2019-12"), which modifies ASC 740 to reduce complexity while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to users of financial statements. ASU 2019-12 is effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2019-12, but it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s combined financial statements.
In January 2021 the FASB issued ASU 2021-02, Franchisors — Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 952-606). This ASU modifies the guidance applicable to franchisors under the revenue recognition standards by adding a practical expedient that allows non-public business entity franchisors to account for pre-opening services provided to a franchisee as a distinct performance obligation that is separate from the franchise license. To qualify for the new practical expedient, the pre-opening services need to be consistent with the predefined list within the standards. The ASU also allows franchisors the ability to recognize the pre-opening services as a single performance obligation. ASU 2021-02 is effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted under certain conditions. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2021-02, but it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s combined financial statements.
Subsequent Events Evaluation Date
The Company has evaluated events through December 16, 2021, the date the financial statements were available to be issued. There were no subsequent events that have occurred through December 16, 2021 which have not already been reflected in these financial statements and/or disclosed in the notes to these financial statements. See Note 9.
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Notes to the Combined Financial Statements
NOTE 3 - CONCENTRATIONS OF BUSINESS AND CREDIT RISK
At times throughout the year, the Company may maintain certain bank accounts in excess of FDIC insured limits of $250,000.
NOTE 4 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The member leases a corporate office to the Company. The rent expense was $143,800 and $87,046 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. There is no written agreement and the rent is determined on month-to-month basis. There are no future minimum rental payments and the lease may be cancelled at any time by the member.
The owner provided an interest free, due on demand, advance to the Company for the general operations of the Company. The outstanding balance was $52,729 and $66,086, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
On March 18, 2016, the Company entered into a loan with an entity owned by a relative of the owner. The loan is interest free and has no fixed payment terms. The outstanding balance was $556,268 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
A relative to the owner of the Company, provided an interest free, due on demand, advance to the Company for the general operations of the Company. The outstanding balance was $48,000 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
A relative to the owner of the Company, provided an interest free, due on demand, advance to the Company for the general operations of the Company. The outstanding balance was $41,655 and $11,000 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
The Company receives advances from member owned companies to fund the general operations of the Company. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the amounts due from these companies was $32,508 and $81,127, respectively.
NOTE 5 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Leases
The Company is obligated under multiple noncancellable operating lease terms for office spaces, which will expire on June 2024 with escalating monthly payments ranging from $800 to $2,347, plus certain occupancy expenses as prescribed in the lease, including without limitation certain utility costs. Rent expense plus certain occupancy expenses as prescribed in the lease for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $244,093 and $575,312, respectively.
The following is a schedule of future minimum rental payments (exclusive of common area charges) required under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2020.
Year Ending December 31, | | | |
2021 | | $ | 61,521 | |
2022 | | | 53,709 | |
2023 | | | 48,442 | |
2024 | | | 14,085 | |
| | $ | 177,757 | |
Legal Proceedings
From time to time the Company is involved in litigation, claims, and other proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Such litigation and other proceedings may include, but are not limited to, actions relating to employment law and misclassification, intellectual property, commercial or contractual claims, brokerage or real estate disputes, or other consumer protection statutes, ordinary-course brokerage disputes like the failure to disclose property defects, commission disputes, and vicarious liability based upon conduct of individuals or entities outside of the Company’s control, including agents and third-party contractor agents. Litigation and other disputes are inherently unpredictable and subject to substantial uncertainties and unfavorable resolutions could occur. As of December 31, 2020, there was no material litigation against the Company.
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Notes to the Combined Financial Statements
NOTE 6 - DEBT
Line of Credit
On April 9, 2020, the Company entered into a line of credit with Regions bank. The line of credit allows for advances up to $150,000 with interest at the Prime Rate plus 4.75% with a floor of 4.75% and no maturity date. At December 31, 2020, the outstanding advances on the line of credit was $145,064. The line of credit is collateralized by Company assets.
Notes Payable
The Company's notes payable balance consists of the following at December 31:
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Paycheck Protection Program Loans | | $ | 209,200 | | | $ | - | |
Economic Injury Disaster Loans | | | 365,100 | | | | - | |
Total Notes Payable | | | 574,300 | | | | - | |
Less: Current Portion | | | (174,712 | ) | | | - | |
| | $ | 399,588 | | | $ | - | |
Paycheck Protection Program Loan
On May 1, 2020, the Company received loan proceeds under the Paycheck Protection Program pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) as administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) in the principal amount of $209,200 (the “PPP Loan”). The Lender will have 90 days to review borrower’s forgiveness application and the United States Small Business Administration ("SBA") will have an additional 60 days to review the Lender’s decision as to whether the borrower’s loan may be forgiven. Under the CARES Act, loan forgiveness is available for the sum of documented payroll costs, covered rent payments, covered utilities, and certain covered mortgage interest payments during the twenty-four week period beginning on the date of first disbursement of the PPP Loan. As part of the PPP Loan, the Company received a $12,000 advance from the EIDL. On December 27, 2020, the Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus COVID Relief Deal eliminated the requirement that PPP borrowers deduct the amount of EIDL advance from their PPP forgiveness amount. As of December 31, 2020, the $12,000 advance was recognized as other income.
For purposes of the CARES Act, payroll costs exclude compensation of an individual employee earning more than $100,000, prorated annually. Not more than 40% of the forgiven amount may be for non payroll costs. Forgiveness is reduced if full time headcount declines, or if salaries and wages for employees with salaries of $100,000 or less annually are reduced by more than 25%. Although the Company currently believes that its use of the PPP Loan will meet the conditions for forgiveness of the PPP Loan, the Company cannot assure that the PPP Loan will be forgiven, in whole or in part. The loan was forgiven in 2021.
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Notes to the Combined Financial Statements
NOTE 6 – DEBT (continued)
Economic Injury Disaster Loan
On June 1, 2020, the Company received the net proceeds from an Economic Injury Disaster Loan ("EIDL" or "the "Loan") from the Small Business Administration ("SBA"), in the amount of $365,300. After a processing fee, net proceeds were $365,100 under the terms. The Loan, which is in the form of a promissory note dated May 27, 2020, matures on May 27, 2050 and bears interest at a rate of 3.75% per annum. Payments are to be made monthly beginning as of May 27, 2021. Each payment is to be applied first to the interest accrued to the date of receipt of each payment, and the remaining balance, if any, will be applied to the principal. The loan terms provide for a collateral interest for the SBA, and limits the use of proceeds to working capital to alleviate the effects of COVID-19 on the Company's economic condition. Unlike the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"), established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") enacted March 27, 2020, the EIDL program does not currently provide a mechanism for loan forgiveness.
Future maturities of the loan payable, if not forgiven, are as follows:
Year ending December 31, | | | |
2021 | | $ | 174,712 | |
2022 | | | 42,987 | |
2023 | | | 8,204 | |
2024 | | | 8,517 | |
2025 | | | 8,842 | |
Thereafter | | | 331,038 | |
| | $ | 574,300 | |
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Notes to the Combined Financial Statements
NOTE 7 – EQUITY
General
Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation filed with the Nevada Secretary of State of July 29, 2021, the Company is authorized to issue two classes of stock. The total number of shares of stock which the Company is authorized to issue is 300,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of 250,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share.
Common Stock
The holders of our common stock are entitled to the following rights:
| · | Voting Rights. Each share of our common stock entitles its holder to one vote per share on all matters to be voted or consented upon by the stockholders. |
| · | Dividend Rights. Subject to limitations under Nevada law and preferences that may apply to any shares of preferred stock that we may decide to issue in the future, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends or other distributions, if any, as may be declared by our board out of funds legally available therefor. |
| · | Liquidation Rights. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our business, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in the assets available for distribution after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities, subject to the prior rights of the holders of our preferred stock. |
| · | Other Matters. The holders of our common stock have no subscription, redemption or conversion privileges. Our common stock does not entitle its holders to preemptive rights. All of the outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our common stock are subject to the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock which we may issue in the future. |
Preferred Stock
On July 29, 2021, we filed an Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Nevada authorizing 50,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock and designating 2,000 shares of the authorized preferred stock as “Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock” and issued 100% of the Super X Super Voting Preferred Stock to Mr. Joseph La Rosa, our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman. The holder of our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock are entitled to the following rights:
| · | Voting Rights. Each share of our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock entitles its holder to 10,000 votes per share and votes with our common stock as a single class on all matters to be voted or consented upon by the stockholders. |
| · | Conversion The Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock is not convertible into common stock or any other securities of the Company. |
| · | Dividend Rights. The holders of our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock are not entitled to any dividend rights. |
| · | Liquidation Rights. The holders of the Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock are not entitled to any liquidation preference. |
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Notes to the Combined Financial Statements
NOTE 7 – EQUITY (continued)
| · | Other Matters. The holders of our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock have no subscription, redemption or conversion privileges and are not subject to redemption. Our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock does not provide for preemptive rights. All of the outstanding shares of our Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock are fully paid and non-assessable. |
| · | Additional Preferred Stock. Our board has the authority to issue additional preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the designations, powers, preferences, and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any class or series, without further vote or action by the stockholders. |
While we do not currently have any plans for the issuance of any additional preferred stock, the issuance of additional preferred stock could adversely affect the rights of the holders of common stock and, therefore, reduce the value of the common stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock on the rights of holders of the common stock until the board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of the preferred stock; however, these effects may include:
| · | restricting dividends on the common stock; |
| · | diluting the voting power of the common stock; |
| · | impairing the liquidation rights of the common stock; or |
| · | delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company without further action by the stockholders. |
NOTE 8 - SEGMENTS
The Company's business is organized into five material reportable segments which aggregate 100% of revenue:
1) Real Estate Brokerage Services (Residential)
2) Franchising Services
3) Coaching Services
4) Property Management
5) Real Estate Brokerage Services (Commercial)
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Notes to the Combined Financial Statements
NOTE 8 – SEGMENTS (continued)
The reporting segments follow the same accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company's combined financial statements. The following represents the information for the Company's reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Revenue by segment | | | | | | | | |
Real Estate Brokerage Services (Residential) | | $ | 15,583,413 | | | $ | 44,320,956 | |
Franchising Services | | | 853,968 | | | | 459,079 | |
Coaching Services | | | 475,668 | | | | 59,480 | |
Property Management | | | 6,991,444 | | | | 6,650,600 | |
Real Estate Brokerage Services (Commercial) | | | 107,670 | | | | 32,500 | |
| | $ | 24,012,163 | | | $ | 51,522,615 | |
Cost of goods sold by segment | | | | | | | | |
Real Estate Brokerage Services (Residential) | | $ | 14,026,744 | | | $ | 40,152,213 | |
Franchising Services | | | 9,126 | | | | 66,500 | |
Coaching Services | | | 231,525 | | | | 701 | |
Property Management | | | 6,668,626 | | | | 6,497,071 | |
Real Estate Brokerage Services (Commercial) | | | - | | | | - | |
| | $ | 20,936,021 | | | $ | 46,716,485 | |
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Gross profit (loss) by segment | | | | | | | | |
Real Estate Brokerage Services (Residential) | | $ | 1,556,669 | | | $ | 4,168,743 | |
Franchising Services | | | 844,842 | | | | 392,579 | |
Coaching Services | | | 244,143 | | | | 58,779 | |
Property Management | | | 322,818 | | | | 153,529 | |
Real Estate Brokerage Services (Commercial) | | | 107,670 | | | | 32,500 | |
| | $ | 3,076,142 | | | $ | 4,806,130 | |
The following table disaggregates the Company’s revenue based on the type of sale or service and the timing of satisfaction of performance obligations for the years ended December 31:
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Performance obligations satisfied at a point in time | | $ | 15,229,233 | | | $ | 43,026,563 | |
Performance obligations satisfied over time | | | 8,782,930 | | | | 8,496,052 | |
Revenue | | $ | 24,012,163 | | | $ | 51,522,615 | |
La Rosa Realty, LLC and Affiliates
Notes to the Combined Financial Statements
NOTE 9 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Notes Payable
On February 9, 2021 the Company received loan proceeds under the Paycheck Protection Program pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) as administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) in the principal amount of $62,500 (the “PPP Loan”). The Lender will have 90 days to review borrower’s forgiveness application and the United States Small Business Administration ("SBA") will have an additional 60 days to review the Lender’s decision as to whether the borrower’s loan may be forgiven. Under the CARES Act, loan forgiveness is available for the sum of documented payroll costs, covered rent payments, covered utilities, and certain covered mortgage interest payments during the twenty-four week period beginning on the date of first disbursement of the PPP Loan. The loan was forgiven in 2021.
Reorganization
La Rosa Holdings Corp. was organized in June 2021 by its founder, Mr. Joseph La Rosa, to become the holding company for five Florida limited liability companies in which Mr. La Rosa held a one hundred percent ownership interest: (i) La Rosa Coaching, LLC; (ii) La Rosa CRE, LLC our commercial real estate division; (iii) La Rosa Franchising, LLC; (iv) La Rosa Property Management, LLC; and (v) La Rosa Realty, LLC (or Realty). The LLCs became direct, wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company as a result of the closing of the Reorganization Agreement and Plan of Share Exchange dated July 22, 2021.
As part of the reorganization, we amended and restated our Articles of Incorporation on July 29, 2021 such that (i) we increased our total authorized capital stock to 300,000,000 shares, of which 50,000,000 shares were designated preferred stock and 250,000,000 shares were designated common stock; and (ii) authorized 2,000 shares of Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock that has 10,000 votes per share and votes together as a class with our common stock. All 30,000,000 issued and outstanding shares of our common stock and all 2,000 shares of the Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock were issued to Mr. La Rosa. We refer to these steps as the Exchange Transactions. The Exchange Transactions did not affect our operations, which we continue to conduct through our operating subsidiaries.
Prior to and through the date of the Exchange Transactions, Mr. La Rosa was the sole member in each of the LLCs. Therefore, the Exchange Transactions have been accounted for as a recapitalization under common control and due to the similar nature of the entities business, the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 have been presented on a combined basis.
On May 12, 2021, the Company issued to a consultant, Exchange Listing, LLC, warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock exercisable for five years with an exercise price of $4.00 per share and 750,000 shares of Common Stock as partial compensation for services.
On July 22, 2021, the Company issued of 30,000,000 shares of common stock and 2,000 shares of the Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock to Mr. La Rosa as compensation for services and the founding of the Company.
In a private placement conducted from July through October 2021, the Company entered into Convertible Note Purchase Agreements pursuant to which we issued unsecured convertible promissory notes. In accordance with such purchase agreements, we issued convertible promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $481,000 that we used to pay the expenses of our organization and reorganization and for other general corporate purposes. Interest accrues on the principal amount of nine of the convertible promissory notes at 2.5% with a default rate of 3.0% per annum, interest accrues on the principal amount of seven of the convertible promissory notes at 18.0%, with a default interest rate of 20.0% per annum, and interest accrues on the principal amount of one of the convertible promissory notes at 18.0%, with a default interest rate of 18.0% per annum. The convertible promissory notes rank on a parity with the Company’s other existing debt and mature on the earlier of the date that the Company’s common stock becomes listed for trading on a national securities exchange or one year from the date of issue of each such note. Prior to the maturity date, the convertible promissory notes will convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest automatically into shares of the Company’s common stock on the date of the closing of this offering at a price per share equal to the product of the public offering price multiplied by 0.80. All of the convertible promissory notes are prepayable, in whole or in part, at any time prior to maturity without penalty or premium.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
LA ROSA HOLDINGS CORP.
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[ ] Shares of Common Stock
Sole Book-Running Manager
Maxim Group LLC
___________________, 2022
Until [ ], 202[ ] (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade shares of our common stock, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered. All amounts shown are estimated, except the SEC registration fee.
SEC registration fee | | $ | | |
FINRA filing fee | | $ | | |
Nasdaq listing fee | | $ | | |
Legal fees and expenses | | $ | | |
Accounting fees and expenses | | $ | | |
Printing and engraving expenses | | $ | | |
Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses | | $ | | |
Miscellaneous | | $ | | |
Total | | $ | | |
Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
The Company’s amended and restated articles of incorporation provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Nevada, every person who was or is a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he, or a person of whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be indemnified and held harmless to the fullest extent legally permissible under the laws of the State of Nevada from time to time against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by him in connection therewith. Such right of indemnification shall be a contract right which may be enforced in any manner desired by such person. The expenses of officers and directors incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding must be paid by the Company as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. Such right of indemnification is not exclusive of any other right which such directors, officers or representatives may have or hereafter acquire, and, without limiting the generality of such statement, they are entitled to their respective rights of indemnification under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders, provision of law, or otherwise, as well as their rights under our amended and restated articles of incorporation. The indemnification provided will continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.
The amended and restated articles of incorporation further provide that the board of directors may adopt bylaws from time to time with respect to indemnification, to provide at all times the fullest indemnification permitted by the laws of the State of Nevada, and may cause the Company to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as director or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprises against any liability asserted against such person and incurred in any such capacity or arising out of such status, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such person.
The bylaws provide that the Company shall advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or executive officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or executive officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final disposition of the proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses incurred by any director or executive officer in connection with such proceeding; provided, however, that, if the Nevada Revised Statutes require, an advancement of expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the Company to an executive officer of the Company (except by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the Company, in which event this paragraph shall not apply) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly made: (i) by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the proceeding, even if not a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company.
The underwriting agreement, filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement, will provide for indemnification, under certain circumstances, by the underwriter of us and our officers and directors for certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act or otherwise
To the extent that indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling our company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. If a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by us of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of our Company in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by any of our directors, officers or controlling persons in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of that issue.
Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
On May 12, 2021, the Company issued to a consultant, Exchange Listing, LLC, warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock exercisable for five years with an exercise price of $4.00 per share and 750,000 shares of Common Stock as partial compensation for services.
On July 22, 2021, the Company issued of 30,000,000 shares of common stock and 2,000 shares of the Series X Super Voting Preferred Stock to Mr. La Rosa as compensation for services and the founding of the Company.
The foregoing issuances were made in a transaction not involving a public offering pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance upon Section 4(a)(2) thereof.
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following exhibits are included herein or incorporated by reference.
Exhibit No. | | Description |
1.1* | | Form of Underwriting Agreement |
3.1 | | Articles of Incorporation of La Rosa Holdings Corp. |
3.2 | | Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of La Rosa Holdings Corp. |
3.3 | | Bylaws of La Rosa Holdings Corp. |
4.1 | | Form of common stock certificate |
4.2* | | Form of Representative’s Warrant |
4.3 | | Warrant issued to Exchange Listing, LLC |
5.1* | | Opinion of Carmel, Milazzo & Feil LLP* |
10.1* | | 2021 Equity Incentive Plan* |
10.2* | | Form of Stock Option Agreement* |
10.3 | | Reorganization Agreement And Plan of Share Exchange dated July 22, 2021 by and among La Rosa Holdings Corp., La Rosa Coaching, LLC, La Rosa CRE, LLC, La Rosa Franchising, LLC, La Rosa Property Management, LLC, and La Rosa Realty, LLC. |
10.4# | | Form of Employment Agreement by and between La Rosa Holdings Corp. and Joseph La Rosa dated November 1, 2021 |
10.5# | | Form of Employment Agreement by and between La Rosa Holdings Corp. and Mark Gracy dated November 18, 2021 |
10.6# | | Director Agreement by and between La Rosa Holdings Corp. and Thomas Stringer |
10.7# | | Director Agreement by and between La Rosa Holdings Corp. and Jodi R. White |
10.8# | | Director Agreement by and between La Rosa Holdings Corp. and Michael La Rosa |
10.9# | | Director Agreement by and between La Rosa Holdings Corp. and Ned L. Siegel |
10.10 | | Form of Convertible Note Purchase Agreement |
10.11 | | Convertible Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to Rodney and Jennifer Bosley dated August 18, 2021 |
10.12 | | Convertible Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to Capital Pro LLC dated July 22, 2021 |
10.13 | | Convertible Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to Andres L. Hebra dated July 22, 2021 |
10.14 | | Convertible Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to ROI Funding LLC dated July 22, 2021 |
10.15 | | Convertible Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to Nadia Tattrie dated August 27, 2021 |
10.16 | | Convertible Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to Sonia Fuentes-Blanco dated September 14, 2021 |
10.17 | | Convertible Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to Patricia Jacome dated August 16, 2021 |
10.18 | | Convertible Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to Reyex Consulting, LLC dated October 12, 2021 |
10.19 | | Convertible Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to Anderson Correa dated October 11, 2021 |
10.20 | | Convertible Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to Katherine Lemieux dated October 15, 2021 |
10.21 | | Convertible Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to Luz Josanny Colon dated September 28, 2021 |
10.22 | | Convertible Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to Junior A. Morales Barreto dated October 15, 2021 |
10.23 | | Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to ELP Global, PLLC dated July 15, 2021 |
10.24 | | Convertible Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to Michael Kerns dated October 15, 2021 |
10.25 | | Convertible Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to Seana Abdelmajid dated October 20, 2021 |
10.26 | | Convertible Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to Milton Ocasio dated September 28, 2021 |
10.27 | | Convertible Promissory Note by La Rosa Holdings Corp. to Gihan Awad dated October 12, 2021 |
10.28 | | Franchise disclosure document of La Rosa Franchising, LLC dated March 2, 2020 and template Franchise Agreement |
10.29 | | Capital Market Advisory Agreement by and between La Rosa Realty Corp. and Exchange Listing, LLC dated May 12, 2021 |
10.30 | | Lease Agreement by and between Crosscreek Village Station LLC and La Rosa Realty, LLC dated August 2, 2018for office space located at Crosscreek Village shopping center, St. Cloud Florida |
10.31 | | Lease Agreement by and between LJR Partners LLC and La Rosa Realty, LLC dated May 28, 2021 for office space located at 377-381 N. Krome Avenue, Homestead, Florida |
10.32 | | Lease Agreement by and between Baez-Pavon Ins Group LLC and La Rosa Realty, LLC dated November 16, 2021 for office space located at 3388 Magic Oak LN, Sarasota, Florida |
10.33 | | Amendment to Capital Market Advisory Agreement dated December 16, 2021 |
14.1 | | Code of Business Conduct and Ethics |
21.1 | | List of subsidiaries |
23.1* | | Consent of Marcum LLP |
23.2* | | Consent of Carmel, Milazzo & Feil LLP (to be included in Exhibit 5.1) |
# Management contracts or compensatory plans, contracts or arrangements.
*To be filed by amendment.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules.
The financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or the information is included in the combined financial statements or notes thereto.
Item 17. Undertakings.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) (§ 230.424(b) of this chapter) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Celebration, State of Florida, on December 16, 2021.
| LA ROSA HOLDINGS CORP. | |
| | | |
| By: | /s/ Joseph La Rosa | |
| Name: | Joseph La Rosa | |
| Title: | President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors (Principal Executive Officer) (Principal Financial and Accounting) | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Name | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
/s/ Joseph La Rosa | | President, Chief Executive Officer, | | |
Joseph La Rosa | | Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors (Principal Executive Officer) (Principal Financial and Accounting) | | December 16, 2021 |