Equity investment, net:
ETAO had made an equity investment of $3,766,000 into Changsha Zhenghe Orthopedics Hospital Limited for a 41% equity interest in the business. Due to a pending lawsuit likely leading to a liquidation, ETAO took the full impairment of its investment cost as of June 30, 2021.
ETAO had made an investment in Beijing Zhongqihuashang Venture Investment Management Co. Ltd. for a 10% equity interest in the business, without any board seats. Due to very limited information subsequently provided by Beijing Zhongqihuashang Venture Investment Management Co., Ltd., ETAO took the full impairment of its investment cost of $139,417 as of June 30, 2021.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash flows and working capital
ETAO’s principal sources of liquidity have been cash provided from capital contributions from its shareholders and short-term/long-term borrowings. As of June 30, 2022, ETAO had $4,417,961, in cash and cash equivalents. ETAO’s cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash at banks and cash on hand, and are primarily denominated in RMB.
As of June 30, 2022, ETAO had a net working capital (defined as total current assets deducted by total current liabilities) deficit of $(11,703,666), accumulated deficit of $11,653,423, net loss of $623,181, and net cash inflows from operating activities of $6,888,027.
ETAO remains an early stage, growth technology company and had indicated doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern in its financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The combination of operating losses since inception, cash expected to be used in operating activities in the future, uncertain conditions relating to additional capital raises and continued revenue growth created uncertainty about ETAO’s ability to continue as a going concern.
ETAO’s Management plans to continue improve operations by leveraging its distribution channels from its diverse subsidiaries across the entire healthcare ecosystem in order to generate sustainable profits and positive cash flows. The Company also plans to undertake a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) and raise additional capital through the private and public markets by using the SPAC as a financial platform. Management believes that the valuation and liquidity brought by a merger will allow for the Company to re-organize its debt and raise additional capital to expand operations to generate re-occurring sustainable profits and positive working capital. If the Company is not able to continue generating profits and positive operating cash flows, raise additional capital, or complete a merger with the SPAC, there is the risk that the Company may become insolvent.
Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021
Operating Activities
Net cash generated from operating activities was $6,888,027 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, primarily resulting from a from decrease in restricted cash of $5,138,464, depreciation of $1,011,828, bad debt provision of $151,132, non-controlling interest of $143,838, decrease of inventories of $93,407, increase of accounts payable of $607,138, increase of advances from customers of $306,470, increase of accruals and other payables of $1,803,692, and an increase of lease liability of $148,549, and reduced by a net loss attributed to Etao’s shareholders of $791,878, an increase of accounts receivable of 1,409,645, an increase of advance to suppliers of $101,591, and an increase of prepaid expenses and other receivables of $213,377.
Net cash used in operating activities was $4,165,116 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily resulting from a net loss attributed to Etao’s shareholders of $4,986,477, non-controlling interest of $15,496, increase of restricted cash, accounts receivable, advances to suppliers, prepaid and other receivables, and inventories of $1,024,184, $149,308, $120,836, $188,384, and $197,693, respectively, and decrease of accounts payables, accrual and other payables, and lease liabilities of $301,449, $1,816,819 and $102,262, respectively, and reduced by a decrease of deferred tax assets of $25,480, an increase of advances from customers of