美國
證券交易委員會
華盛頓特區,20549
表格:
根據1934年《證券交易所法》第12(b)條的登記聲明 |
或
根據1934年《證券交易法》第13或15(D)款提交的年度報告 |
日終了的財政年度
或
根據1934年《證券交易法》第13或15(D)款提交的過渡報告 |
或
根據1934年《證券交易法》第13或15(D)款提交的空殼公司報告 |
委員會檔案號:
(註冊人的確切姓名載於其章程)
不適用
(註冊人姓名英文譯本)
(註冊成立或組織的司法管轄權)
電話:+44 203 91 70155
(主要行政辦公室地址)
電話:
(公司聯繫人姓名、電話、電子郵件和/或傳真號碼及地址)
根據該法第12(b)條登記或將登記的證券。
每個班級的標題 | 交易代碼 | 註冊的每個交易所的名稱 | ||
根據該法第12(g)條登記的證券:
沒有一
(班級名稱)
根據該法案第15(d)條有報告義務的證券
沒有一
(班級名稱)
註明截至年度報告所述期間結束時發行人所屬各類資本或普通股的流通股數量:
● | |
用複選標記表示註冊人是否爲證券法規則第405條所定義的知名經驗豐富的發行人。
是☐
如果此報告是年度報告或過渡報告,請用複選標記表示註冊人是否不需要根據1934年《證券交易法》第13或15(D)節提交報告。
是☐
用複選標記表示註冊人(1)是否在過去12個月內(或註冊人被要求提交此類報告的較短期限內)提交了1934年《證券交易法》第13節或15(D)節要求提交的所有報告,以及(2)在過去90天內是否符合此類提交要求。
用複選標記表示註冊人是否已在過去12個月內(或在註冊人被要求提交此類文件的較短時間內)以電子方式提交了根據S-T規則第405條(本章232.405節)要求提交的每個交互數據文件。
通過勾選標記來確定註冊人是大型加速備案人、加速備案人、非加速備案人還是新興成長型公司。請參閱《交易法》第120億.2條規則中「大型加速備案人」、「加速備案人」和「新興成長公司」的定義。
大型加速文件服務器 | 非加速文件服務器 | 新興成長型公司 | |
☐ | ☑ | ☐ |
如果一家新興成長型公司根據美國公認會計原則編制財務報表,請通過勾選標記表明註冊人是否選擇不使用延長期限來遵守根據《交易法》第13(a)條提供的任何新的或修訂的財務會計準則。
†「新的或修訂的財務會計準則」一詞是指財務會計準則委員會在2012年4月5日之後對其會計準則法典發佈的任何更新。
用複選標記表示註冊人是否提交了一份報告,證明其管理層根據《薩班斯-奧克斯利法案》(《美國聯邦法典》第15編,第7262(B)節)第404(B)節對其財務報告內部控制的有效性進行了評估,該評估是由編制或發佈其審計報告的註冊會計師事務所進行的。
如果證券是根據該法第12(B)條登記的,應用複選標記表示登記人的財務報表是否反映了對以前發佈的財務報表的錯誤更正。
用複選標記表示這些錯誤更正中是否有任何重述需要對註冊人的任何執行人員在相關恢復期間根據第240.10D-1(B)條收到的基於激勵的補償進行恢復分析。 ☐
用複選標記表示註冊人在編制本文件所包括的財務報表時使用了哪種會計基礎:
美國公認會計原則 | 其他 | |
☐ | 會計準則委員會☑ | ☐ |
如果在回答前一個問題時勾選了「其他」,請用勾號表示登記人選擇遵循哪個財務報表項目。
項目17☐ 項目18 ☐
如果這是一份年度報告,請用複選標記標明註冊人是否爲空殼公司(如《交易法》第12B-2條所定義)。
是
不是☑
行業和市場數據
在這份年度報告中,我們提供關於公司競爭市場的行業數據、信息和統計數據,以及公開可獲得的信息、行業和一般出版物以及由第三方進行的研究和研究。如有需要,該等資料會補充本公司本身的內部估計及從與其客戶的討論中取得的資料,並考慮有關其他行業參與者的公開資料及本公司管理層在未公開資料的情況下的判斷。
行業出版物、研究、研究和預測一般指出,它們所包含的信息是從據信可靠的來源獲得的,但不能保證此類信息的準確性和完整性。從這些來源獲得的預測和其他前瞻性信息受到與本年度報告中其他前瞻性陳述相同的限制和不確定性。由於各種因素的影響,這些預測和前瞻性信息會受到不確定性和風險的影響,其中包括“危險因素."該等及其他因素可能導致業績與任何預測或估計所表達者有重大差異。
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常用術語
除另有說明或文意另有所指外,術語「本公司」、「註冊人」、「本公司」和「Arqit」均指Arqit Quantum Inc.。
在本年度報告中,除文意另有所指外:
“Arqit「或」公司“指Arqit Quantum Inc.,一家開曼群島豁免有限責任公司,註冊號爲374857,註冊地址爲開曼群島KY1-1104大開曼Uland House郵政信箱309號楓樹企業服務有限公司。
“文章“指Arqit的組織章程大綱和章程細則。
“英鎊,英鎊「或」£“指聯合王國的法定貨幣。
“業務合併“指根據業務合併協議於2021年9月3日完成的交易,Centricus Acquisition Corp.與Arqit Quantum Inc.合併並併入Arqit Quantum Inc.,Arqit Quantum Inc.爲尚存實體,Arqit Quantum Inc.收購Arqit Limited的全部已發行股本,Arqit Limited成爲Arqit Quantum Inc.的全資子公司。
“業務合併權證“意味着Arqit的521,557份已發行認股權證將以每股287.50美元的行使價購買其普通股,該認股權證於2022年2月8日開始可行使。在反向拆分之前,Arqit擁有13,038,904份已發行認股權證,可以每股11.50美元的行使價購買其普通股。
“《開曼公司法》“指開曼群島公司法(修訂本),可能會不時修訂。
“代碼指修訂後的《1986年美國國稅法》。
“新冠肺炎指被稱爲冠狀病毒病或新冠肺炎的疾病、被稱爲嚴重急性呼吸綜合徵冠狀病毒2(SARS-CoV-2)的病毒及其任何演變或突變。
“耳朵「指」英國出口管理規例“。《2002年出口管制法》,經修訂。
“《交易所法案》“指經修訂的1934年美國證券交易法。
“2023年2月投資者認股權證指Arqit的30萬份已發行認股權證,以每股50.00美元的行使價購買其普通股,於2023年2月22日開始可行使。在反向拆分之前,Arqit擁有750萬份流通權證,可以每股2.00美元的行使價購買其普通股。
“2023年2月配售代理認股權證意味着Arqit的22,000份已發行認股權證將以每股62.50美元的行使價購買其普通股,該認股權證於2023年2月22日開始可行使。在反向拆分之前,Arqit擁有55萬份流通權證,可以每股2.50美元的行權價購買其普通股。
“高德納指的是Gartner,Inc.。
“國際財務報告準則“指國際會計準則理事會採用的國際財務報告準則。
“美國國稅局“指美國國稅局。
“ITAR“指美國商務部工業和安全局的《國際軍火販運條例》。
“《就業法案》“指經修訂的2012年《啓動我們的企業創業法》。
“納斯達克“指納斯達克資本市場。
“北約“指北大西洋公約組織。
“NIST“指美國商務部國家標準與技術研究所。
“普通股“指公司普通股,反向股份後每股面值0.0025美元。
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“PFIC“指守則第1297條所指的被動外國投資公司。
“PKI“是指公鑰基礎設施。
“優質教育基金選舉指「守則」第1295節所指的「合資格選舉基金」選舉。
“註冊權協議“指業務合併及遺產資產SCSP完成前Arqit Limited股東Arqit、Centricus Heritage LLC、Adam M.Aron、Nicholas Taylor於2021年9月3日簽訂的註冊權協議。
「反向股份拆分」普通股和優先股的合併,即從2024年9月25日起,每25股合併爲一股。
“薩班斯-奧克斯利法案“指2002年的薩班斯-奧克斯利法案。
“美國證券交易委員會“指美國證券交易委員會。
“證券法“指經修訂的1933年美國證券法。
“2023年9月投資者認股權證意味着Arqit的830,230份已發行認股權證將以每股19.50美元的行使價購買其普通股,該認股權證於2023年9月12日開始可行使。在反向拆分之前,Arqit擁有20,755,677份流通權證,可以每股0.78美元的行使價購買其普通股。
“2023年9月配售代理認股權證意味着Arqit的28,207份已發行認股權證將以每股24.37美元的行使價購買其普通股,該認股權證於2023年9月12日開始可行使。在反向股票拆分之前,Arqit擁有705,128份流通權證,可以每股0.975美元的行權價購買其普通股。
“2024年9月投資者認股權證“指Arqit的5,440,000份已發行認股權證,按每股2.5美元的行使價購買其普通股,可在(I)發行日起一年後,(Ii)公司股東批准增加足以允許在行使2024年9月的投資者認股權證時發行股份的法定資本增加之日,及(Iii)普通股在納斯達克資本市場的連續60個交易日收市價超過5.00美元之日起行使。
“美元或「$」指的是美國的法定貨幣。
“w逮捕令指業務合併認股權證、2023年2月投資者認股權證、2023年2月配售代理權證、2023年9月投資者認股權證、2023年9月配售代理權證及2024年9月投資者認股權證。
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關於前瞻性陳述的警示說明和
風險因素摘要
本年度報告包含1995年《私人證券訴訟改革法》、1933年《證券法》第27A節(《證券法》)和1934年《交易法》第21E節(《交易法》)所指的某些「前瞻性陳述」。這些前瞻性陳述會受到風險和不確定因素的影響,包括有關公司未來可能或假定的結果、財務狀況、經營結果、流動資金、計劃和目標的信息。在某些情況下,您可以通過「相信」、「可能」、「估計」、「繼續」、「預期」、「打算」、「應該」、「計劃」、「預期」、「預測」、「潛在」等術語或這些術語的否定或其他類似表述來識別前瞻性陳述。關於以下事項的陳述具有前瞻性:
● | 由於未來十年網絡加密行業的預期轉型,該公司的產品將有巨大的市場機會; |
● | 所有地區和行業的消費者、企業和政府可能需要更換幾乎所有電子界面中使用的現有網絡加密技術,以維護網絡安全; |
● | 到2028年底,全球信息安全服務的潛在市場將達到2940美元億; |
● | 預計在政府、國防、電信、金融服務、物聯網和聯網汽車市場,對該公司產品的需求將出現新的增長機會; |
● | 「公鑰基礎設施」容易受到量子計算機的攻擊;以及 |
● | 具有足夠規模的量子計算機可能在幾年內就會出現,以打破「公鑰基礎設施」。 |
以上清單並不是本年度報告中所有前瞻性陳述的詳盡清單。前瞻性陳述是基於對公司未來業績的信念、假設和預期,並考慮到目前可獲得的信息。這些陳述只是根據公司目前對未來事件的預期和預測做出的預測。
你不應該依賴前瞻性陳述作爲對未來事件的預測。儘管公司認爲前瞻性陳述中反映的預期是合理的,但它們不能保證前瞻性陳述中反映的未來結果、活動水平、業績以及事件和情況將會實現或將會發生。除法律另有規定外,本公司沒有義務在本年度報告發布之日後以任何理由公開更新任何前瞻性陳述,使這些陳述與實際結果或預期的變化保持一致。
可能導致我們的實際結果或條件與我們的前瞻性陳述大不相同的重要風險、不確定性、假設和其他因素包括但不限於以下列表中的項目,該列表還總結了我們的一些最主要的風險:
● | 該公司是一家早期公司,有虧損歷史,未來將依賴銷售和營銷活動的顯着增加才能實現盈利。 |
● | 該公司的運營歷史有限,因此難以評估其業務和未來前景,並增加了您投資的風險。 |
● | 該公司產品的市場採用尚未得到充分證實,正在發展,並且發展速度可能比公司的預期慢或不同。其未來的成功取決於這些市場的增長和擴張以及有效適應和應對不斷變化的市場的能力。 |
● | 公司的主要分銷渠道是通過渠道合作伙伴關係,因此公司依賴於維持和增加渠道合作伙伴關係的數量,並通過這些渠道合作伙伴關係發展年度經常性收入,以繼續發展其業務。 |
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● | 該公司將需要額外的資本來爲其運營提供資金,如果無法獲得這些資本,它將無法成功地繼續發展其業務和將其產品商業化。 |
● | 該公司依賴從第三方租賃數據中心容量和光纖基礎設施,以實現其產品的商業化。 |
● | 該公司產品的複雜性可能會因軟件中未發現的缺陷、錯誤或可靠性問題而導致不可預見的延遲或費用,這可能會減少其新產品的市場採用率,損害其在現有或潛在客戶中的聲譽,並使其面臨產品責任和其他索賠,並對其運營成本產生不利影響。 |
● | 本公司可能無法充分保護或執行其知識產權,或無法防止未經授權的各方複製其產品或技術或對其進行反向工程。它保護和執行其知識產權並防止第三方侵犯其權利的努力可能代價高昂。 |
● | 第三方聲稱該公司侵犯了知識產權,無論成功與否,都可能使其面臨代價高昂且耗時的訴訟或昂貴的許可證,其業務可能受到不利影響。 |
● | 該公司的某些產品包含第三方開源軟件組件,如果不遵守基礎開源軟件許可證的條款,可能會限制其銷售其產品的能力,或使公司面臨其他風險。 |
● | 公司的知識產權申請,包括專利申請,可能不會獲得批准或授予,或可能需要比預期更長的時間才能獲得批准,這可能會對公司阻止其他公司對與其類似的產品進行商業開發的能力產生重大不利影響。 |
● | 除專利技術外,該公司還依賴非專利專有技術、商業祕密、設計、經驗、工作流程、數據、流程、軟件和專有技術。 |
● | 該公司競爭的市場以快速的技術變化爲特徵,相互競爭的產品創新可能會對其產品的市場採用產生不利影響。 |
● | 該公司的業務在很大程度上依賴於其高管和高技能人員的努力。公司需要在不同的司法管轄區吸引和留住大量熟練、專業和敬業的員工,以發展和管理其業務,如果公司失去現有關鍵員工的服務或無法實現招聘目標,其運營可能會中斷。 |
● | 不遵守政府貿易控制,包括進出口控制法律法規、制裁和相關制度,可能會使公司承擔責任或失去簽約特權,限制其在某些市場的競爭能力,或損害其在政府中的聲譽。 |
● | 在公司運營所在的司法管轄區未能或被認爲未能遵守隱私、數據保護和信息安全要求,可能會對其業務產生不利影響,此類法律要求正在演變,可能需要改進或改變其政策和運營。 |
● | 貨幣匯率的波動可能會對公司的業務和經營結果產生不利影響。 |
● | 本公司的業務合併認股權證作爲負債入賬,認股權證價值的變動可能對其財務業績產生重大影響。 |
● | 公司信息技術和通信系統的中斷或故障可能影響其有效提供產品和服務的能力。 |
● | 如果本公司的任何第三方系統、其客戶的雲或內部環境或其內部系統遭到破壞,或者如果以其他方式獲得未經授權訪問客戶或第三方數據,可能會損害公衆對其業務的看法,本公司可能會失去業務並招致損失或負債。 |
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● | 如果公司的網絡和產品無法與客戶的內部網絡和基礎設施或第三方產品、網站或服務互操作,其網絡可能會降低競爭力,其運營業績可能會受到損害。 |
本年度報告中更詳細地討論了其中一些因素,包括「第3項」。關鍵信息-風險因素”,第4項。公司信息”和「第5項。運營和財務回顧與展望。」如果其中一項或多項風險或不確定性成爲現實,或者基本假設被證明不正確,實際結果可能與本年度報告中所描述的預期、相信、估計或預期存在重大差異。
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第一部分
項目1.董事、高級管理人員和顧問的身份
不適用因
第二項報價統計及預期時間表
不適用因
第3項:關鍵資訊
3.A.[預留]
3.B.資本化和負債化
不適用因
3.C.提出和使用收益的理由
不適用因
3.風險因素
在評估我們和我們的股票時,您應該仔細考慮以下描述的風險,以及本年度報告中包含的所有其他信息。我們的業務、財務狀況或經營結果可能會受到任何這些風險的重大不利影響。由於上述任何一種風險,我們普通股的交易價格和價值可能會下降,您的投資可能會全部或部分損失。本年度報告還包含涉及風險和不確定因素的前瞻性陳述。由於某些因素的影響,我們的實際結果可能與這些前瞻性陳述中預期的結果大不相同,這些因素包括我們在下文和本年度報告中其他地方所面臨的風險。
我們目前不知道或我們目前認爲無關緊要的其他風險也可能損害我們的業務運營。
與Arqit業務和運營相關的風險
Arqit是一家處於早期階段的公司,有虧損的歷史,未來將依靠銷售和營銷活動的大幅增長來實現盈利。
Arqit才剛剛開始通過其產品的商業化產生實質性收入。在截至9月30日、2022年、2023年和2024年的四個年度,Arqit產生的營業虧損分別爲6,380美元萬、5,450美元萬和2,470美元萬。Arqit打算繼續投資並增加在銷售、營銷和產品開發方面的投資,並相信至少在其產品能夠完全商業化之前,它將繼續遭受運營和淨虧損,但這可能比預期發生得更晚,或者根本不會發生。不能保證Arqit的產品或銷售策略會在商業上取得成功。Arqit的潛在盈利能力取決於其產品的成功開發和商業引入以及接受度,但這可能不會發生。由於Arqit將在獲得任何重大收入之前產生產品商業化的成本和開支,因此它在未來可能會出現重大虧損。如果Arqit永遠無法實現或維持盈利,其運營結果可能與預期大不相同,Arqit的業務、財務狀況和運營結果可能受到重大不利影響。
Arqit有限的經營歷史使其難以評估其業務和未來前景,並增加了您的投資風險。
Arqit於2017年開始運營,運營歷史有限,運營於快速發展的後量子密碼學加密行業。因此,投資者可以用來評估Arqit的業務、戰略、運營計劃、業績和前景的信息有限。Arqit打算從其對稱密鑰協議產品Arqit SKA-Platform的交付中獲得大部分收入TM,原名QuantumCloudTM,這是一項新開發的技術。很難預測未來的收入和適當的費用預算,而且Arqit對可能出現並影響其業務的趨勢的洞察有限。如果Arqit用於規劃和運營業務的假設不正確或發生變化,其運營結果可能與其預期存在重大差異,Arqit的業務、財務狀況和運營結果可能會受到重大不利影響。
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Arqit產品的市場採用率還沒有完全得到驗證,正在發展中,發展速度可能比Arqit預期的更慢,也可能與Arqit的預期不同。它未來的成功取決於這些市場的增長和擴張,以及它適應和有效應對不斷變化的市場的能力。
市場對Arqit產品的採用是相對較新的、快速發展的,而且還沒有完全得到驗證。因此,很難預測客戶對其產品和服務的採用、續訂和需求,競爭產品的進入,現有競爭產品的成功,或其產品未來的增長率、擴張、壽命和市場規模。這些新的和不斷變化的市場的擴張和滲透能力取決於許多因素,包括:與其產品相關的成本、性能和感知價值,以及其產品提高安全性和客戶易用性的程度。如果Arqit在交付或服務過程中遇到安全事件或中斷,其產品的市場可能會受到負面影響。如果其產品沒有繼續獲得市場認可,或者由於客戶接受度下降、技術挑戰、經濟狀況減弱、隱私、數據保護和數據安全擔憂、政府監管、競爭技術和產品,或者信息技術支出減少或其他原因導致需求減少,其產品的市場可能不會繼續發展,或可能發展得比Arqit預期的更慢,這可能對其業務、財務狀況和運營結果產生不利影響。
Arqit的主要分銷渠道是通過渠道合作伙伴關係,因此Arqit依賴於維持和增加渠道合作伙伴關係的數量,並通過這些渠道合作伙伴關係發展年度經常性收入,以繼續發展其業務。
Arqit正處於業務商業化的早期階段,2022年12月開始將其分銷模式從企業許可模式過渡到通過渠道合作伙伴進行分銷。這種關係產生的收入增長的速度和規模是不確定的,可能需要比預期更長的時間才能產生實質性收入。此外,Arqit還依賴於維持現有的渠道合作伙伴關係並增加其數量,以繼續發展其業務和年度經常性收入。如果渠道合作伙伴關係的收入未能發展、發展時間比預期長,或者Arqit未能維持現有的渠道合作伙伴關係或增加渠道合作伙伴關係的數量,其影響可能會對其業務、財務狀況和運營結果產生不利影響。
Arqit將需要額外的資本來爲其運營提供資金,如果無法獲得這些資本,它將無法成功地繼續發展其業務和將其產品商業化。
截至2024年9月30日,Arqit的現金和現金等價物約爲1,870美元萬。儘管Arqit認爲,在提交本20-F年度報告時,它有足夠的資金爲未來12個月的運營提供資金,但它還需要額外的資金,才能成功地繼續發展其業務並將其產品商業化。不能保證Arqit將其產品商業化的收入足以爲其未來的運營提供資金,也不能保證當Arqit需要時,根據Arqit可以接受的條款或根本不能通過其他來源獲得額外資金。*如果Arqit無法獲得爲其運營提供資金所需的資本,其業務、財務狀況和運營結果可能會受到重大不利影響。
Arqit依賴於從第三方租賃數據中心容量和光纖基礎設施,以實現其產品的商業化。
Arqit租賃其數據中心並從第三方獲得光纖基礎設施的使用權,並將依賴這些數據中心和基礎設施的持續運營來將其產品商業化。雖然Arqit可以通過電子方式訪問由第三方託管的雲平台的組件和基礎設施,但Arqit並不控制這些設施的運營。因此,由於無法直接控制的原因,Arqit可能會受到服務中斷以及無法提供足夠支持的影響。Arqit用於交付產品的數據中心或光纖基礎設施可能容易受到各種來源的損壞或中斷,包括地震、洪水、火災、斷電、系統故障、計算機病毒、物理或電子入侵、人爲錯誤或干擾(包括心懷不滿的員工、前員工或承包商)和其他災難性事件。Arqit使用的數據中心或光纖基礎設施還可能受到當地行政行動、法律或許可要求的變化以及停止、限制或推遲運營的訴訟的影響。儘管在這些設施採取了預防措施,如災後恢復、業務連續性安排和Arqit網絡供應的多樣性,發生自然災害或恐怖主義行爲,但在沒有充分通知的情況下關閉這些設施或這些設施出現其他意想不到的問題,可能會導致其服務中斷或降級,阻礙其擴大業務規模的能力,或對其業務產生其他不利影響。此外,如果Arqit沒有準確規劃其基礎設施容量需求,並且Arqit的數據中心容量面臨巨大壓力,Arqit在安排新的數據中心時可能會遇到延遲和額外費用,其客戶可能會經歷性能下降或服務中斷,這可能會使其承擔財務責任,導致客戶流失,並對其業務造成實質性損害。如果Arqit無法高效且經濟高效地修復數據中心或光纖基礎設施的此類錯誤或其他可能被發現的問題,這可能會損害其聲譽,並對其與客戶的關係產生負面影響。如果Arqit是
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由於無法成功維護和管理Arqit使用的數據中心和光纖基礎設施,Arqit的業務、財務狀況和運營結果可能會受到重大不利影響。
Arqit產品的複雜性可能會因軟件中未發現的缺陷、錯誤或可靠性問題而導致無法預見的延遲或費用,這可能會減少其新產品的市場採用率,損害其在當前或潛在客戶中的聲譽,並使其面臨產品責任和其他索賠,並對其運營成本產生不利影響。
Arqit的產品具有很高的技術性和複雜性,對實施要求很高,在開發和商業實施的不同階段可能會遇到缺陷、錯誤或可靠性問題。Arqit可能無法及時糾正已出現的問題或糾正此類問題,使客戶滿意。此外,未被發現的錯誤、缺陷或安全漏洞可能會導致針對Arqit的訴訟、負面宣傳和其他後果。其產品中的一些錯誤或缺陷可能只有在客戶測試、商業化和部署後才能發現。如果是這樣的話,Arqit可能會在其產品方面產生巨大的額外開發成本。這些問題還可能導致客戶或其他人對Arqit提出索賠,包括集體訴訟。這些問題可能會損害Arqit的聲譽或品牌,客戶可能不願購買其產品,Arqit的業務、財務狀況和運營結果可能會受到重大不利影響。
Arqit可能無法充分保護或執行其知識產權,或無法防止未經授權的各方複製或反向工程其產品或技術。它保護和執行其知識產權並防止第三方侵犯其權利的努力可能代價高昂。
它的產品和業務的成功在一定程度上取決於它是否有能力獲得專利和其他知識產權,併爲其產品保持適當的法律保護。截至本年度報告日期,Arqit在英國擁有25項已授權專利和20項正在申請的專利。Arqit依靠專利、服務商標、商標和商業祕密法律以及保密程序和合同限制的組合來建立和保護其專有權,所有這些只提供有限的保護。
Arqit不能保證將就其當前待處理的專利申請頒發任何專利,或將以提供足夠的防禦性保護或競爭優勢的方式註冊其當前待審申請的任何商標,也不能保證向Arqit頒發的任何專利或其註冊的任何商標不會受到挑戰、無效或規避。Arqit可能會在美國、英國申請專利和商標。而且在某些國際司法管轄區,這種保護可能並不適用於Arqit開展業務或尋求強制執行其知識產權的所有國家,或者在實踐中可能難以執行。例如,在Arqit未來可能開展業務的某些新興市場國家,與知識產權保護有關的法律環境相對較弱,往往使創建和執行此類權利變得困難。其目前已登記的知識產權和今後可能簽發或登記的任何知識產權,如適用,可能無法提供足夠廣泛的保護,或可能無法在針對被指控侵權者的訴訟中予以強制執行。Arqit不能肯定Arqit採取的步驟將防止未經授權使用其技術或對其技術進行反向工程。此外,其他公司可以獨立開發與其知識產權競爭或侵犯其知識產權的技術。
防止其知識產權、產品和其他專有權利被未經授權使用是昂貴和困難的,特別是在國際上。Arqit認爲其知識產權在加密技術領域是基礎性的,並打算加強Arqit建立的知識產權組合。未經授權的各方可能試圖複製或反向工程其技術或其認爲是專有的產品的某些方面。未來可能有必要提起訴訟,以執行或捍衛其知識產權,防止未經授權的各方複製或反向工程其產品或技術,以確定他人專有權的有效性和範圍,或阻止將侵權產品進口到美國和英國。或Arqit尋求保護其知識產權的其他司法管轄區。
任何此類訴訟,無論是由Arqit還是第三方提起,都可能導致巨額成本和管理資源的轉移,其中任何一項都可能對其業務、運營業績和財務狀況產生不利影響。即使Arqit在訴訟中獲得有利結果,Arqit也可能無法獲得足夠的補救措施,特別是在未經授權的各方複製或反向工程其產品或技術的情況下。
有效的專利、商標、服務標誌、版權和商業祕密保護可能並非在其產品銷往的每個國家/地區都提供,並且其他國家/地區的競爭對手可能會在一個或多個市場銷售侵權產品。未能充分保護其知識產權可能會導致其競爭對手提供類似產品,可能導致其失去部分競爭優勢,Arqit的業務、財務狀況和運營業績可能會受到重大不利影響。
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第三方聲稱Arqit正在侵犯知識產權,無論成功與否,都可能使其面臨代價高昂且耗時的訴訟或昂貴的許可證,其業務可能受到不利影響。
Arqit行業的參與者通常通過版權和商業祕密以及專利來保護他們的技術,特別是嵌入式軟件。因此,基於侵犯、挪用或其他侵犯知識產權的指控的訴訟頻繁發生。Arqit未來可能會收到其他知識產權持有者的詢問,並可能成爲侵犯他們知識產權的指控的對象,特別是在Arqit擴大其在市場上的存在、擴展到新的用途並面臨日益激烈的競爭的情況下。此外,當事人可以聲稱Arqit產品的名稱和品牌侵犯了他們在某些國家或地區的商標權。如果這樣的索賠勝訴,Arqit可能不得不在受影響的地區更改其產品的名稱和品牌,並可能產生其他成本。
Arqit未來可能需要提起侵權索賠或訴訟,以試圖保護其知識產權。除了Arqit是原告的訴訟外,Arqit爲針對其或其客戶或供應商的知識產權索賠進行辯護,無論是否有法律依據,都可能耗時、訴訟或和解成本高昂,可能會分散管理資源和注意力,並可能迫使Arqit獲得知識產權和許可證,這可能涉及巨額使用費或其他付款,可能無法以可接受的條款或根本無法獲得。此外,提出此類索賠的一方如果勝訴,可能會獲得一項判決,要求Arqit支付巨額損害賠償金或獲得禁制令,Arqit還可能失去將其技術許可給其他人或收取特許權使用費的機會。不利的裁決還可能使Arqit的知識產權失效或縮小,並對其向客戶提供產品的能力產生不利影響,並可能要求Arqit採購或開發不侵權的替代產品,這可能需要大量的努力和費用。如果這些事件中的任何一個成爲現實,Arqit的業務、財務狀況和運營結果可能會受到實質性的不利影響。
Arqit的某些產品包含第三方開源軟件組件,如果不遵守基礎開源軟件許可證的條款,可能會限制其銷售產品的能力,或使Arqit面臨其他風險。
Arqit的產品包含由第三方作者根據「開源」許可授權給它的軟件模塊。不時有針對在其產品和服務中分發或使用開放源碼軟件的公司的索賠,聲稱開放源碼軟件侵犯了索賠人的知識產權。Arqit可能會受到訴訟,指控Arqit認爲是經過許可的開源軟件侵犯了知識產權。使用和分發開放源碼軟件可能比使用第三方商業軟件帶來更大的風險,例如,開放源碼許可人通常不提供關於侵權主張或代碼質量的擔保或其他合同保護。一些開源許可證要求Arqit提供源代碼,以便根據Arqit使用的開源軟件類型修改或派生Arqit創建的作品。如果Arqit以某種方式將其專有軟件與開放源碼軟件相結合,則在某些開放源碼許可下,Arqit可能被要求向公衆發佈其專有軟件的源代碼。這將使其競爭對手能夠以更少的開發工作量和時間創建類似的產品,並最終可能導致Arqit的產品銷售損失。
儘管Arqit監控其開源軟件的使用,以避免其產品受到Arqit無意的條件的限制,但許多開源許可證的條款尚未得到美國法院的解釋,而且這些許可證存在被解釋爲可能對其產品商業化能力施加意想不到的條件或限制的風險。在這種情況下,Arqit可能被要求向第三方尋求許可證以繼續提供其產品、以源代碼形式提供其專有代碼、重新設計其產品或在無法及時完成重新設計時停止銷售其產品,並且Arqit的業務、財務狀況和運營結果可能受到重大不利影響。
Arqit的知識產權申請,包括專利申請,可能不會獲得批准或授予,或者可能需要比預期更長的時間才能獲得批准,這可能會對Arqit阻止其他公司對與其類似的產品進行商業開發的能力產生重大不利影響。
Arqit不能確定它是向其提交特定專利申請的標的物的第一個發明人,或者它是否是提交這種專利申請的第一個當事人。獲得最終專利保護的過程可能需要五年或更長時間。如果另一方已就與Arqit相同的主題提交了專利申請,Arqit可能無權獲得該專利申請所尋求的部分或全部保護。Arqit也無法確定專利申請中包含的權利要求最終是否會在適用的已頒發專利中得到允許,或者專利申請的任何批准或授予的時間。
此外,已發佈的專利權利要求的保護範圍通常很難確定。因此,Arqit無法確定Arqit提交的專利申請是否會發布,或者其發佈的專利是否會針對擁有類似技術的競爭對手提供保護。此外,如果其競爭對手圍繞其註冊或發行的知識產權進行設計,Arqit的業務、財務狀況和運營業績可能會受到重大不利影響。
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除了專利技術,Arqit還依賴非專利專有技術、商業祕密、設計、經驗、工作流程、數據、流程、軟件和技術。
Arqit依靠專有信息(如商業祕密、設計、經驗、工作流程、數據、技術訣竅和機密信息)來保護知識產權,這些知識產權可能無法申請專利或受版權、商標、商業外觀或服務商標保護,或者Arqit認爲通過不需要公開披露的方式保護最好。Arqit通常尋求通過與其員工、顧問、客戶、承包商和第三方簽訂包含保密和不使用條款的保密協議或諮詢、服務或僱用協議來保護這些專有信息。然而,Arqit可能無法達成必要的協議,即使達成協議,此類協議也可能被違反或以其他方式無法阻止披露、第三方侵犯或挪用其專有信息,其期限可能受到限制,並且可能無法在未經授權披露或使用專有信息的情況下提供足夠的補救措施。Arqit對當前或未來製造業交易對手和供應商使用的商業祕密的保護控制有限,如果此類信息發生任何未經授權的披露,可能會失去未來的商業祕密保護。此外,其專有信息可能會被其競爭對手或其他第三方知道或獨立開發。如果Arqit的員工、顧問、客戶、承包商、顧問和其他第三方在其工作中使用他人擁有的知識產權,則可能會出現有關相關或由此產生的專有技術和發明的權利的糾紛。執行和確定其專有權的範圍可能需要昂貴和耗時的訴訟,如果不能獲得或維持對其專有信息的保護,可能會對其競爭業務地位產生不利影響。此外,在Arqit運營的某些市場上,有關商業祕密權的法律可能對其商業祕密提供很少或根本沒有保護。
Arqit還依靠物理和電子安全措施來保護其專有信息,但不能保證這些安全措施不會被破壞,也不能爲其財產提供充分的保護。第三方有可能獲取並不正當地利用其專有信息,使其在競爭中處於劣勢。Arqit可能無法發現或阻止此類信息的未經授權使用,也無法採取適當和及時的步驟來執行其知識產權,Arqit的業務、財務狀況和運營結果可能會受到重大不利影響。
Arqit競爭的市場以快速的技術變化爲特徵,相互競爭的產品創新可能會對其產品的市場採用產生不利影響。
雖然Arqit在技術開發上投入了大量資源,並相信其產品是一項獨特的創新,但量子技術的持續技術變化及其產品市場的變化可能會對其產品的採用產生不利影響,無論是一般應用還是特定應用。Arqit未來的成功將取決於其開發和推出各種新功能和創新產品的能力,以及推出各種新產品的能力,以滿足Arqit提供產品的市場不斷變化的需求。延遲交付滿足客戶要求的新產品可能會損害該公司與客戶的關係,並導致他們尋找替代供應來源。推遲推出產品和創新,未能在技術替代方案中進行正確選擇,或未能以具有競爭力的價格提供創新產品或配置,可能會導致現有和潛在客戶購買其競爭對手的產品或轉向替代技術。
如果Arqit不能投入足夠的資源來開發產品,或者不能以其他方式成功地開發出及時滿足客戶要求或保持與技術替代產品的競爭力的產品或系統配置,其產品可能會失去市場份額,收入可能會下降,Arqit的業務、財務狀況和運營結果可能會受到重大不利影響。
Arqit的業務在很大程度上依賴於其高管和高技能人員的努力。Arqit需要在不同的司法管轄區吸引和留住大量熟練、專業和敬業的員工,以發展和管理其業務,如果Arqit失去現有關鍵員工的服務或無法實現其招聘目標,其運營可能會中斷。
對高技能人才的競爭往往很激烈,Arqit在吸引和留住高技能人才方面可能會產生巨額成本。Arqit可能無法成功地吸引、整合或留住合格的人員來滿足其當前或未來的需求。隨着業務的增長,Arqit將需要在其運營的不同司法管轄區招聘大量熟練員工,並預計未來將擴展到這些司法管轄區。有經驗和高技能的員工需求量很大,對這些員工的競爭可能會很激烈,而Arqit能否聘用、吸引和留住他們取決於其提供有競爭力的薪酬的能力。Arqit還需要花費大量的時間和費用來培訓它僱傭的員工,而且它可能很難留住員工,它的競爭對手可能會積極尋求從它那裏招聘技術人員。如果Arqit不能吸引新的人員或留住和激勵現有人員,其業務和未來的增長前景可能會受到不利影響。
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不遵守政府貿易控制,包括進出口控制法律和法規、制裁和相關制度,可能會使Arqit承擔責任或失去簽約特權,限制其在某些市場的競爭能力,或損害其在政府中的聲譽。
Arqit的產品在美國和英國受到出口管制。和其他司法管轄區,Arqit在其產品中融入了加密技術。Arqit產品中的一些基礎技術只有在獲得所需出口授權的情況下才能出口到這些國家/地區以外,這可能需要許可證、許可證例外或其他適當的政府授權,包括提交加密保密請求或自我保密報告。
此外,它的活動受到美國和其他司法管轄區的經濟制裁和法律法規的約束。這種管制禁止在沒有必要的出口授權的情況下發運或轉讓某些產品和服務,或向適用制裁目標的國家、政府和個人出口。Arqit採取預防措施,防止其產品在違反這些法律的情況下出口,包括:(I)尋求對其平台進行主動分類,並在適當情況下獲得其平台的出口和/或進口授權;(Ii)實施某些技術控制和審查做法,以降低違規風險;以及(Iii)要求遵守美國在客戶和供應商合同中的出口控制和制裁義務。然而,Arqit無法保證其採取的預防措施將防止違反出口管制和制裁法律。
如上所述,如果Arqit錯誤地將產品或服務分類,違反適用的限制出口或提供產品或服務的准入,或以其他方式未能遵守出口法規,Arqit可能被拒絕出口特權或受到每次違規的巨額罰款或其他處罰,其平台可能被拒絕進入其他國家。任何對其平台的使用減少或其出口或銷售其平台的能力受到限制,都可能對其業務、運營結果和財務狀況產生不利影響。違反制裁或出口管制法律的行爲可能導致罰款或處罰,包括民事和刑事處罰。
Arqit還指出,如果Arqit或其業務合作伙伴或交易對手,包括許可方和被許可方、主承包商、分包商、分許可方、供應商、客戶或承包商,未能獲得適當的進口、出口或再出口許可證或許可,儘管監管要求或合同承諾這樣做,或者如果Arqit在必要時未能獲得此類合同承諾,Arqit還可能面臨聲譽損害以及其他負面後果,包括政府調查和處罰。
違反或明顯違反貿易管制要求的負面後果可能包括絕對喪失向美國政府或其他公共機構出售Arqit平台或服務的權利,或降低其競爭此類銷售機會的能力。此外,遵守特定銷售的出口管制和制裁條例可能會耗費時間,並可能導致銷售機會的延誤或喪失。
除了美國和英國以外的其他國家。還監管某些加密和其他技術的進出口,包括進出口許可要求,並已頒佈法律,可能限制Arqit分銷其產品的能力,或可能限制其最終客戶在這些國家實施其產品的能力。Arqit產品的變化或進出口法規的未來變化可能會延遲其平台在國際市場的推出,阻止其擁有國際業務的最終客戶在全球範圍內部署其平台,或者在某些情況下,完全阻止向某些國家、政府或個人出口或進口其產品。各個政府機構不時地提出對加密技術進行額外的監管。進出口法規、經濟制裁或相關立法的任何變化,進出口管制的加強,或這些法規針對的國家、政府、個人或技術的變化,都可能導致Arqit平台的使用量減少,或其向現有或潛在的國際業務最終客戶出口或銷售其產品的能力下降。如果出口或銷售產品的能力受到任何限制,Arqit的業務、財務狀況和運營結果可能會受到實質性的不利影響。
在Arqit運營所在的司法管轄區未能或被認爲未能遵守隱私、數據保護和信息安全要求可能會對其業務產生不利影響,並且此類法律要求正在演變,可能需要改進或更改其政策和運營。
Arqit當前和潛在的未來運營和銷售須遵守有關隱私以及各種類型數據的收集、使用、存儲、披露、傳輸和保護的法律和法規。適用於Arqit的主要數據隱私法包括英國一般數據保護法規和英國2018年數據保護法。除其他外,這些制度可能會對數據收集、使用和共享施加數據安全要求、披露要求以及限制,這可能影響其運營和業務發展。Arqit的產品收集、存儲和處理某些信息,其產品可能會演變爲收集額外信息。因此,這些隱私制度對其業務的全面影響正在各個司法管轄區迅速演變,目前仍不確定。
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Arqit還可能受到網絡攻擊和其他未經授權訪問其產品、系統和數據的手段的影響。例如,網絡罪犯或內部人士可能以Arqit或與Arqit有業務關係的第三方爲目標獲取數據,或者以擾亂其運營或危及其產品或其產品集成到的系統的方式。
Arqit不斷評估不斷髮展的隱私和數據安全制度,並實施Arqit認爲適當的應對措施。由於這些數據安全制度是不斷髮展、不確定和複雜的,特別是對於像Arqit這樣的全球企業來說,隨着其產品、市場和客戶需求的進一步發展,它可能需要更新或增強其合規措施,而這些更新或增強可能需要實施成本。此外,Arqit可能無法及時監測和應對所有事態發展,Arqit採取的合規措施可能被證明無效。
任何未能或被認爲未能遵守當前和未來的法規或客戶驅動的隱私、數據保護和信息安全要求,或未能防止或減輕安全漏洞、網絡攻擊或不當訪問、使用或披露數據,或任何影響Arqit的安全問題或網絡攻擊,都可能導致重大責任、成本(包括緩解和恢復成本),以及因對Arqit的聲譽和品牌的不利影響、專有信息和數據的丟失、業務和關係中斷以及保留或吸引客戶和業務合作伙伴的能力減弱而造成的重大收入損失。此類事件可能導致政府執法行動和起訴、私人訴訟、罰款和處罰或負面宣傳,並可能導致客戶和業務合作伙伴失去對Arqit的信任,其業務、財務狀況和運營結果可能受到重大不利影響。
貨幣匯率的波動可能會對Arqit的業務和運營結果產生不利影響。
Arqit的功能貨幣是英鎊,報告貨幣是美元。因此,由於換算重新計量,英鎊相對於美元的價值波動可能會影響其運營結果。隨着其國際業務的擴張,其收入和運營費用中越來越多的部分將以非英鎊計價。因此,Arqit的收入和運營費用將越來越多地受到外幣匯率變化的影響。如果Arqit不能成功對沖與匯率波動相關的風險,Arqit的業務、財務狀況和運營結果可能會受到重大不利影響。
Arqit的業務合併認股權證被計入負債,認股權證價值的變化可能對其財務業績產生重大影響。
根據國際財務報告準則第9號-金融工具和IAS 32-金融工具:列報Arqit已確定其業務合併認股權證應在其財務狀況表上按公允價值計量,公允價值的任何變化應在其全面收益表的每個期間的收益中報告。由於採用經常性公允價值計量,Arqit的財務報表可能會根據其無法控制的因素進行臨時波動。由於採用經常性公允價值計量,Arqit預計將在每個報告期確認其業務合併認股權證的非現金收益或虧損,此類收益或虧損的金額可能是實質性的。
Arqit的信息技術和通信系統中斷或故障可能會影響其有效提供產品和服務的能力。
Arqit服務的可用性和有效性取決於信息技術和通信系統的持續運作。它的系統將容易受到物理盜竊、火災、恐怖襲擊、自然災害、停電、戰爭、電信故障、病毒、拒絕或降低服務攻擊、勒索軟件、社會工程計劃、內部盜竊或濫用或其他損害其系統的企圖的損壞或中斷。Arqit的所有it和通信系統都使用信譽良好的第三方服務提供商或供應商,這些提供商也可能容易受到類似於可能損壞其系統的損害,包括破壞和造成潛在中斷的故意破壞行爲。它的一些系統不會完全冗餘,其災難恢復規劃不能考慮到所有可能發生的情況。其第三方雲託管提供商的任何問題都可能導致其業務長期中斷。此外,Arqit的服務和功能是高度技術性和複雜的技術,可能包含可能導致其業務中斷或系統故障的錯誤或漏洞。
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如果Arqit的任何第三方系統、客戶的雲或本地環境或其內部系統被攻破,或者如果未經授權訪問客戶或第三方數據,可能會損害公衆對其業務的看法,Arqit可能會失去業務並招致損失或責任。
Arqit的成功在一定程度上取決於其提供與其平台和服務相關的有效數據安全保護的能力,而Arqit依賴於信息技術網絡和系統來安全地存儲、傳輸、索引和處理電子信息。由於其平台和服務被其客戶用來加密通常包含專有、機密和/或敏感信息(在某些情況下包括個人或識別信息以及個人健康信息)的大型數據集,其軟件被視爲計算機黑客或其他尋求未經授權訪問的有吸引力的攻擊目標,並且其軟件面臨意外暴露、泄露、更改、刪除或丟失數據的威脅。此外,由於Arqit的許多客戶使用其平台存儲、傳輸和以其他方式處理專有、機密或敏感信息,並完成關鍵任務,因此他們對Arqit平台和服務中的安全漏洞的風險容忍度低於其他不太重要的軟件產品和服務中的漏洞。
Arqit和Arqit所依賴的第三方供應商已經並可能在未來經歷網絡安全威脅,包括威脅或企圖破壞其信息技術基礎設施,以及未經授權試圖獲取敏感或機密信息。ITS及其第三方供應商的技術系統可能會受到惡意事件的破壞或破壞,例如網絡攻擊(包括計算機病毒、惡意和破壞性代碼、網絡釣魚攻擊和拒絕服務攻擊)、物理或電子安全漏洞、自然災害、火災、斷電、電信故障、人員不當行爲和人爲錯誤。這種攻擊或安全漏洞可能是由內部不良行爲者實施的,例如僱員或承包商,也可能是第三方(包括傳統的計算機黑客、參與有組織犯罪的人、外國國家或外國政府支持的行爲者)。
網絡安全威脅可以採用各種各樣的方法和技術,其中可能包括使用社會工程技術,這些威脅正在不斷髮展,並變得越來越複雜和複雜;所有這些都增加了檢測和成功防禦它們的難度。
此外,由於用於獲取未經授權的訪問或破壞系統的技術經常變化,而且通常在針對目標啓動後才能識別,因此Arqit及其第三方供應商可能無法預測這些技術或實施足夠的預防措施。儘管之前針對Arqit的網絡攻擊沒有對其財務業績產生實質性影響,而且Arqit正在繼續加強其威脅檢測和緩解流程和程序,但Arqit不能保證未來的網絡攻擊即使成功,也不會對其業務或財務業績產生實質性影響。雖然Arqit已採取安全措施保護其信息和客戶信息,並防止數據丟失和其他安全漏洞,但不能保證Arqit能夠預見或防止其信息技術系統或Arqit所依賴的第三方供應商的信息技術系統遭到安全漏洞或未經授權的訪問。儘管實施了網絡安全措施和內部信息安全政策,但存儲在個人計算機系統上的數據也容易受到類似的安全漏洞、未經授權的篡改或人爲錯誤的影響。
許多政府已經頒佈法律,要求公司在涉及某些類型的數據(包括個人數據)的數據安全事件時提供通知。此外,Arqit的大多數客戶根據合同要求Arqit在數據安全漏洞時通知他們。如果發生實際或被認爲違反安全措施、未經授權訪問其系統或Arqit依賴的第三方供應商的系統,或任何其他網絡安全威脅,Arqit可能面臨直接或間接的責任、成本或損害、合同終止、其在行業中以及與現有和潛在客戶的聲譽可能受到損害,其吸引新客戶的能力可能受到負面影響,其業務、財務狀況和運營結果可能受到實質性和不利影響。
此外,未經授權訪問Arqit或其第三方供應商的信息技術系統或數據或其他安全漏洞可能會導致信息丟失;重大補救成本;可能導致損害、實質性罰款和處罰的訴訟、糾紛、監管行動或調查;賠償義務;業務運營中斷,包括向客戶提供新產品功能、新平台或服務的能力;運營技術網絡和信息技術系統的損壞;以及其他責任。此外,它的補救努力可能不會成功。任何或所有這些問題,或認爲其中任何一個已經發生,都可能對Arqit吸引新客戶的能力產生負面影響,導致現有客戶終止或不續簽他們的協議,阻礙Arqit獲得和維護所需或所需的網絡安全認證的能力,並導致聲譽損害,任何這些都可能對其運營結果、財務狀況和未來前景產生實質性的不利影響。不能保證Arqit與客戶的許可協議或與供應商、合作伙伴或其他人的協議中的任何責任限制條款都是可執行、適用或足夠的,或以其他方式保護其免受與任何特定索賠有關的任何此類責任或損害。
Arqit維持網絡安全保險和其他類型的保險,受適用的免賠額和保單限制的限制,但其保險可能不足以支付與潛在數據安全事件相關的所有成本。Arqit也無法確保其現有的
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網絡責任或錯誤或遺漏的一般責任保險和承保範圍將繼續以可接受的條款提供,或將以足夠的金額覆蓋一項或多項大額索賠,或者保險公司不會拒絕承保任何未來的索賠。如果成功地對Arqit提出超出可用保險範圍的一項或多項大額索賠,或其保險單發生變化,包括保費增加或實施大額免賠額或共同保險要求,可能導致其業務、財務狀況和經營業績受到重大不利影響。
如果Arqit的網絡和產品不與客戶的內部網絡和基礎設施或第三方產品、網站或服務進行互操作,其網絡可能會變得不那麼有競爭力,其運營結果可能會受到損害。
Arqit的網絡和產品必須與客戶現有的內部網絡和基礎設施進行互操作。這些複雜的內部系統由客戶以及衆多供應商和服務提供商開發、交付和維護。因此,其客戶基礎設施的組件具有不同的規格,快速演變,利用多種協議標準,包括多個版本和幾代產品,並可能高度定製化。Arqit必須能夠進行互操作,並通過高度複雜和定製的內部網絡向客戶提供產品,這需要客戶、客戶支持團隊以及在某些情況下,渠道合作伙伴之間進行仔細的規劃和執行。
此外,當客戶的基礎設施或新的行業標準或協議引入新的或更新的元素時,Arqit可能必須更新或增強其網絡,以使其能夠繼續向客戶提供產品。
Arqit可能無法快速或經濟高效地提供或維護互操作性,甚至根本不能。這些努力需要資本投資和工程資源。如果Arqit未能保持其網絡和產品與客戶的內部網絡和基礎設施的兼容性,其客戶可能無法充分利用其網絡和產品,並且Arqit可能失去或無法增加其市場份額和客戶數量,對其產品的需求減少,其業務、財務狀況和經營業績可能受到重大不利影響。
與普通股及認股權證所有權有關的風險
在美國法院執行鍼對Arqit或其董事和高級管理人員的判決,向其或其董事或高級管理人員送達法律程序文件,以及在英國的民事訴訟中追回可能是困難的。或其他地方因違反美國證券法而被起訴。
Arqit的大多數董事和高管居住在美國境外,而Arqit的大部分資產和這些人員的大部分資產位於美國境外。因此,針對Arqit或其中任何人獲得的判決,包括基於美國聯邦證券法民事責任條款的判決,可能不能在美國收取,也不能由其他司法管轄區的法院執行。它的股東可能也很難在美國向這些人送達法律程序文件,或者在英國提起的原始訴訟中主張美國證券法的索賠。或者在其他地方。英國法院可能會拒絕審理基於涉嫌違反美國證券法的索賠,理由是英國。並不是提出這種主張的最合適的論壇。此外,即使英國法院同意聽取索賠,它可能會裁定英國。法律,而不是美國法律,適用於索賠。由於在執行鍼對Arqit的判決方面存在潛在困難,Arqit的股東可能無法獲得美國或外國法院裁定的任何損害賠償。
由於Arqit是根據開曼群島的法律註冊成立的,您在保護您的利益方面可能會面臨困難,您通過美國聯邦法院保護您的權利的能力可能會受到限制。
Arqit是根據開曼群島法律註冊成立的豁免公司。因此,股東可能很難在美國境內向Arqit的董事或高管送達法律程序文件,或執行在美國法院獲得的針對Arqit董事或高管的判決。
Arqit的公司事務受Arqit修訂和重述的組織章程大綱和細則、開曼公司法和開曼群島普通法的管轄。根據開曼群島法律,股東對董事提起訴訟的權利、少數股東的訴訟以及Arqit董事的受託責任在很大程度上受開曼群島普通法的管轄。開曼群島的普通法部分源於開曼群島相對有限的司法判例以及英國普通法,其法院的裁決具有說服力,但對開曼群島的法院不具約束力。開曼群島下Arqit股東的權利和Arqit董事的受託責任
島上法律與美國某些司法管轄區的成文法或司法判例所規定的不同。特別是,與美國相比,開曼群島的證券法規定較少,某些州,如
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與特拉華州一樣,該州可能擁有更完善的公司法機構和司法解釋。此外,開曼群島公司的股東可能沒有資格在美國聯邦法院提起股東派生訴訟。
開曼群島豁免公司的股東,如Arqit,根據開曼群島法律,沒有檢查公司記錄或獲得這些公司成員登記冊副本的一般權利。根據我們的公司章程,Arqit董事有權決定是否以及在何種條件下,我們的股東可以查閱我們的公司記錄,但沒有義務向我們的股東提供這些記錄。這可能會使您更難獲得所需的信息,以確定股東動議所需的任何事實,或就委託書競爭向其他股東征集委託書。
開曼群島法院不太可能(I)承認或執行基於美國或任何州聯邦證券法民事責任條款的美國法院對Arqit的判決,以及(Ii)在開曼群島提起的原始訴訟中,根據美國或任何州聯邦證券法的民事責任條款對Arqit施加法律責任,只要這些條款施加的責任是刑事責任。在這種情況下,儘管開曼群島沒有法定強制執行在美國取得的判決,但開曼群島法院將承認和執行具有管轄權的外國法院的外國資金判決,而無需根據案情進行重審,其依據是,外國主管法院的判決規定,只要滿足某些條件,判定債務人有義務支付已作出判決的款項。要在開曼群島執行外國判決,這種判決必須是最終和決定性的,並且必須是清償的金額,不得涉及稅收、罰款或處罰,不得與開曼群島關於同一事項的判決不一致,不得以欺詐爲由受到彈劾,不得以某種方式獲得,也不得屬於違反自然正義或開曼群島公共政策的強制執行類型(懲罰性或多重損害賠償的裁決很可能被裁定爲違反公共政策)。如果同時在其他地方提起訴訟,開曼群島法院可以擱置執行程序。
由於上述原因,Arqit的股東在面對我們的管理層、董事會成員或控股股東採取的行動時,可能會比作爲美國公司的公衆股東更難保護自己的利益。
授予和未來行使登記權以及行使已發行認股權證可能會對Arqit普通股的市場價格產生不利影響。
根據本年度報告其他部分所述的註冊權協議,某些股東可在某些情況下要求Arqit註冊其應註冊的證券,並將各自擁有與Arqit承擔的某些證券註冊相關的這些證券的註冊權。Arqit將承擔註冊這些證券的費用。
2021年10月12日,Arqit的F-1表格註冊說明書生效,該註冊說明書後來在F-3表格(文件編號333-259982「轉售登記說明書」)上進行了修訂,登記了股東轉售的4,717,000股普通股、6,266,667份商業合併權證和595,667股商業合併認股權證,這些股票在行使商業合併權證時可發行。根據轉售登記聲明登記股份及轉售認股權證的股東根據登記權協議擁有登記權利。這些證券的登記允許公開出售此類證券。如此多的證券在公開市場註冊和上市交易,可能會對Arqit普通股的市場價格產生不利影響。
此外,在2023年2月及2023年9月的登記直接發售中,Arqit發行了2023年2月可行使300,000股普通股的投資者認股權證、2023年2月可行使22,000股普通股的配售代理權證、可行使830,230股普通股的2023年9月投資者認股權證及可行使28,207股普通股的2023年9月配售代理權證,所有上述認股權證目前均可行使,而行使該等認股權證後可發行的股份已在登記表登記。在2023年9月的登記直接發售中,Arqit於2024年9月發行了總計5,440,000份投資者權證,該等認股權證須於(I)發行日期起計一年,(Ii)本公司股東批准增加法定資本以允許根據行使2024年9月投資者權證而發行的股份增加之日,及(Iii)普通股在納斯達克資本市場的連續60個交易日收市價超過5.00美元之日,方可行使。Arqit有義務根據註冊聲明登記2024年9月投資者認股權證行使後可發行的股票。大量認股權證的行使可能會對Arqit普通股的市場價格產生不利影響。
某些持有Arqit相當大比例股份的股東未來可能會與Arqit或您的利益發生衝突。
Arqit的兩名股東實際擁有約50.2%的已發行Arqit普通股和當前可行使的認購權。見“證券的實益所有權.”只要這些股東繼續擁有Arqit相當大比例的股份
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除了普通股和認股權證,它們將能夠顯著影響或有效控制Arqit董事會的組成,以及通過其投票權批准需要股東批准的行動。因此,在這段時間內,這些股東將對Arqit的管理、業務計劃和政策產生重大影響,包括Arqit高管的任免。特別是,只要這些股東繼續擁有相當大比例的已發行Arqit普通股,他們將能夠導致或阻止Arqit控制權的變更或Arqit董事會組成的變化,並可能阻止對Arqit的任何主動收購。所有權的集中可能會剝奪您在出售Arqit時獲得Arqit普通股溢價的機會,並最終可能影響Arqit普通股的市場價格。
Arqit普通股的價格可能會波動。
Arqit的普通股價格可能會因多種因素而波動,包括:
● | 其中期和年度業績以及其他行業上市公司業績的實際或預期波動;其所在行業的合併和戰略聯盟; |
● | 其所在行業的市場價格和條件; |
● | 政府監管的變化; |
● | 潛在或實際的軍事衝突或恐怖主義行爲; |
● | 證券分析師沒有發表關於我們的研究報告,或者其經營業績與證券分析師預測的水平相比存在差距; |
● | 關於Arqit、其競爭對手或與特殊目的收購公司完成業務合併的公司的公告或負面宣傳; |
● | 證券市場的總體狀況。 |
這些市場和行業因素可能會大幅降低Arqit普通股的市場價格,無論其經營業績如何。
分析師發佈的報告,包括那些與Arqit實際業績不同的報告中的預測,可能會對Arqit普通股的價格和交易量產生不利影響。
普通股的交易市場正在並將受到證券或行業分析師發佈的關於Arqit或其業務的研究和報告的影響。這類證券或行業分析師的預測可能差異很大,可能無法準確預測Arqit實際實現的結果。如果Arqit的實際業績與這些證券研究分析師的預測不符,它的股價可能會下跌。同樣,如果一名或多名撰寫Arqit報告的分析師下調了Arqit的股票評級,或者發表了對其業務不準確或不利的研究報告,Arqit的股價可能會下跌。如果其中一位或多位分析師停止對Arqit的報道,或未能定期發佈有關Arqit的報告,Arqit的股價或交易量可能會下降。雖然Arqit管理層期待研究分析師的報道,但如果沒有分析師開始報道Arqit,其普通股的交易價格和交易量可能會受到不利影響。
如果不遵守繼續上市的要求,Arqit的普通股可能會被非自願地從納斯達克退市。Arqit普通股退市可能會降低普通股的流動性,並可能抑制或排除其籌集額外資本的能力。
納斯達克要求Arqit必須持續滿足一定的財務、公開流通股、投標價格和流動性標準,才能繼續其普通股上市。2023年10月19日,Arqit接獲納斯達克通知,指其不再符合納斯達克上市規則第5550(A)(2)條,原因是於通知日期前連續30個營業日,Arqit普通股每股買入價已收於低於納斯達克繼續上市所需的每股最低買入價1.00美元(「最低買入價要求」)。
2024年9月25日,Arqit通過反向股份拆分的方式合併了其普通股和優先股,即每25股合併爲一股,從而提高了Arqit普通股的每股出價。*於2024年10月10日,本公司接獲納斯達克通知,本公司已重新遵守上市規則第5550(A)(2)條。
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不過,未來如果Arqit不保持遵守最低買入價要求等納斯達克繼續上市的要求,其普通股可能會受到退市處理。*如果Arqit的普通股被除牌,它的普通股將無法在另一家全國性證券交易所上市,Arqit的股東可能面臨重大的不利後果,包括Arqit普通股的市場報價有限,以及其證券交易的流動性減少。此外,Arqit未來發行額外證券和獲得額外資本的能力可能會下降。
Arqit可能是一家被動的外國投資公司,或「PFIC」,用於美國聯邦所得稅目的。任何納稅年度的這種分類都可能給美國投資者帶來不利的聯邦所得稅後果。
如果Arqit是包含在美國持有人持有Arqit普通股或認股權證的任何應納稅年度(或其部分)的PFIC(如題爲「某些重大的美國聯邦所得稅考慮事項」一節所定義),則美國持有人可能受到不利的美國聯邦所得稅後果的影響,並可能受到額外的報告要求的約束。截至本報告日期,Arqit尚未就其最近納稅年度或當前納稅年度的PFIC地位作出決定,Arqit有可能成爲這兩個年度的PFIC。Arqit作爲PFIC的可能地位是根據其在相關納稅年度的資產、收入、活動和市值(取決於Arqit的股票價格,可能會大幅波動)的構成確定的,因此可能會發生變化。因此,不能保證Arqit在任何課稅年度都不是PFIC。如果Arqit在美國持有人持有普通股或認股權證的期間內是PFIC,除非美國持有人做出某些選擇,否則Arqit將繼續被視爲該美國持有人的PFIC,即使它在未來的納稅年度不再是PFIC。敦促美國持有者就可能將PFIC規則適用於Arqit證券的持有者諮詢他們自己的稅務顧問。有關PFIC分類對美國持有者的稅收後果的更詳細解釋,請參閱「某些重要的美國聯邦所得稅考慮因素-被動外國投資公司規則」。
與上市公司相關的風險
Arqit的管理團隊在管理和運營美國上市公司方面經驗有限。
Arqit管理團隊的大多數成員在管理和運營美國上市公司、與美國上市公司投資者互動以及遵守與美國上市公司相關的日益複雜的法律方面經驗有限。Arqit轉型爲美國上市公司,根據美國聯邦證券法,它必須承擔重大的監管監督和報告義務,以及對證券分析師和投資者的持續審查。這些新的債務和構成要素將需要其高級管理層給予大量關注,並可能將他們的注意力從其業務的日常管理上轉移開。Arqit可能沒有足夠的人員,在美國上市公司要求的會計政策、實踐或財務報告內部控制方面具有適當水平的知識、經驗和培訓。爲使Arqit達到上市公司所要求的會計準則水平,制定和實施必要的標準和控制措施可能需要比預期更高的費用。爲了支持其作爲美國上市公司的運營,Arqit計劃招聘更多員工,這將增加其未來的運營成本。如果這些因素中的任何一個成爲現實,Arqit的業務、財務狀況和運營結果都可能受到不利影響。
如果Arqit未能對財務報告維持有效的披露控制和內部控制制度,其編制及時準確的財務報表或遵守適用法規的能力可能會受到損害。
作爲一家美國上市公司,只要Arqit符合境外私人發行商和新興成長公司的資格,Arqit就必須遵守《交易所法案》、2002年《薩班斯-奧克斯利法案》(以下簡稱《薩班斯-奧克斯利法案》)以及納斯達克適用上市標準的規則和規定的申報要求。Arqit管理層預計,這些規章制度的要求將繼續增加其法律、會計和財務合規成本,使一些活動更加困難、耗時和成本高昂,並給其人員、系統和資源帶來重大壓力。
薩班斯-奧克斯利法案要求Arqit保持有效的披露控制和程序,以及對財務報告的內部控制。特別是,薩班斯-奧克斯利法案第2404條要求Arqit對其財務報告內部控制進行系統和過程評估和測試,以允許Arqit管理層報告其財務報告內部控制的有效性,並允許Arqit的獨立註冊會計師事務所證明此類控制的有效性(一旦Arqit成爲加速申報者)。作爲一家新興的成長型公司,Arqit的管理層預計將利用其獨立註冊會計師事務所根據薩班斯-奧克斯利法案第404節證明其財務報告內部控制的有效性的要求。見「-作爲一家」新興成長型公司「,Arqit無法確定降低適用於」新興成長型公司“的披露要求是否會降低Arqit普通股對投資者的吸引力。然而,當Arqit不再是一家新興成長型公司時,它可能不再利用這一豁免。此時,如果Arqit的獨立註冊會計師事務所對其財務報告內部控制的記錄、設計或操作水平不滿意,可以發佈一份不利的報告。
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在截至2022年9月30日的財年,Arqit發現其內部控制存在某些重大弱點。雖然Arqit在截至2023年9月30日的財年中彌補了這些內部弱點,但它不能向您保證,未來其財務報告內部控制不會出現更多重大弱點或重大缺陷。任何對財務報告保持內部控制的額外或持續的失敗都可能嚴重抑制Arqit準確報告其財務狀況或運營結果的能力。如果Arqit不能彌補重大弱點,或者未來無法得出其財務報告內部控制有效的結論,它可能會失去投資者對其財務報告的準確性和完整性的信心,Arqit股票的市場價格可能會下跌,它可能會受到納斯達克、美國證券交易委員會或其他監管機構的制裁或調查。未能彌補其財務報告內部控制方面的任何重大弱點,或者未能實施或維護上市公司所需的其他有效控制系統,也可能限制Arqit未來進入資本市場的機會。
任何未能對財務報告保持有效的披露控制和內部控制,都可能對Arqit的業務、運營業績和財務狀況產生重大不利影響,並可能導致Arqit普通股的交易價格下跌。
作爲一家外國私人發行人,Arqit不受美國證券法規定的一系列規則的約束,而且獲准向美國證券交易委員會提交的信息少於美國公司。這可能會限制Arqit普通股持有人可獲得的信息。
Arqit是外國私人發行人,根據證券法第405條規則定義,然而,根據第405條規則,每年在發行人最近完成的第二財季的最後一個營業日確定外國私人發行人地位,因此,將在2025年3月31日對Arqit進行下一次確定。
作爲一家外國私人發行人,Arqit不受適用於在美國境內組織的上市公司的所有披露要求的約束。例如,Arqit不受交易所法案下的某些規則的約束,這些規則監管適用於根據交易所法案註冊的證券的委託、同意或授權的相關披露義務和程序要求,包括根據交易所法案第14條規定的美國代理規則(包括適用於新興成長型公司的要求,披露其首席執行官和其他兩名薪酬最高的高管的薪酬是以個人爲基礎,而不是以整體爲基礎)。此外,Arqit的高級管理人員和董事在購買和銷售Arqit證券時,不受交易所法案第2916節的報告和“短期”利潤回收條款以及相關規則的約束。此外,雖然Arqit管理層預計將以美國證券交易委員會的Form 6-k表的名義向美國證券交易委員會提交中期綜合財務數據,但它將不像美國上市公司那樣頻繁或迅速地向美國證券交易委員會提交定期報告和財務報表,也將不被要求根據交易法提交Form 10-Q季度報告或當前Form 8-k報告。此外,Arqit普通股沒有在開曼群島的任何市場上市,Arqit目前也不打算在Arqit的母國開曼群島的任何市場上市。因此,Arqit不受開曼群島上市公司的報告和其他要求的約束。因此,與Arqit是一家在美國成立的上市公司相比,關於Arqit業務的公開信息可能會更少。
Arqit未來可能會失去外國私人發行人的身份,這可能會導致巨額額外成本和支出。
未來,如果Arqit的大多數股東、董事或管理層是美國公民或居民,並且未能滿足避免失去外國私人發行人地位所需的額外要求,Arqit將失去外國私人發行人地位。儘管Arqit的管理層已選擇遵守美國的某些監管規定,但失去外國私人發行人的地位將使此類規定成爲強制性規定。根據美國證券法,Arqit作爲美國國內發行人的監管和合規成本可能會高得多。如果Arqit不是外國私人發行人,它將被要求向美國證券交易委員會提交美國國內發行人表格的定期報告和登記說明,這些表格比外國私人發行人可以使用的表格更詳細、更廣泛。例如,Form 10-k的年度報告要求國內發行人以個人爲基礎披露高管薪酬信息,並具體披露國內薪酬理念、目標、年度總薪酬(基本工資、獎金和股權薪酬)以及與控制權變更、退休、死亡或殘疾相關的潛在支付,而Form 20-F的年度報告允許外國私人發行人在彙總的基礎上披露薪酬信息。Arqit還必須強制遵守美國聯邦委託書的要求,其高管、董事和主要股東將受到交易法第16節的短期利潤披露和追回條款的約束。Arqit還可能被要求修改其某些政策,以符合與美國國內發行人相關的良好治理做法。這種改裝和修改將涉及額外的費用。此外,Arqit可能會失去依賴外國私人發行人可以獲得的美國證券交易所某些公司治理要求豁免的能力。
Arqit作爲一家上市公司已經並預計將繼續招致更多的成本和義務。
作爲一家上市公司,Arqit已經並預計將繼續招致最近不需要招致的巨額法律、會計和其他費用,特別是在它不再是《就業法案》所定義的“新興成長型公司”之後。此外,與公司治理和公開披露有關的新的和不斷變化的法律、條例和標準,包括
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多德·弗蘭克華爾街改革和消費者保護法及其頒佈和即將頒佈的規則和法規,以及根據薩班斯-奧克斯利法案、就業法案和美國證券交易委員會和國家證券交易所的規則和法規,爲上市公司製造了不確定性,增加了阿爾奇特董事會和管理層必須致力於遵守這些規則和法規的成本和時間。Arqit管理層預計,這些規章制度將增加其法律和財務合規成本,並導致管理時間和注意力從創收活動上轉移。
此外,建立上市公司所需的企業基礎設施的需要可能會轉移管理層對Arqit業務戰略的關注,這可能會阻止Arqit改善其業務、運營結果和財務狀況。Arqit已經並將繼續對其財務報告和會計系統的內部控制程序和程序進行修改,以履行其作爲上市公司的報告義務。然而,它採取的措施可能不足以履行Arqit作爲上市公司的義務。
只要Arqit仍然是JOBS法案中定義的“新興成長型公司”,它就可以利用適用於其他非“新興成長型公司”的上市公司的各種報告要求的某些豁免。Arqit可能在2026年9月2日(Arqit關閉五週年)之前仍是一家“新興成長型公司”業務合併),或者直到它的年收入超過12.35億美元,非關聯公司持有的Arqit普通股市值超過70000美元億,或在三年內發行超過10美元的不可轉換債券萬。此外,不能保證Arqit根據《就業法案》獲得的豁免會帶來顯著的節省。如果Arqit的管理層選擇不使用JOBS法案下的各種報告要求的豁免,Arqit將產生額外的合規成本,這可能會影響收益。
作爲一家“新興成長型公司”,Arqit無法確定降低適用於“新興成長型公司”的披露要求是否會降低Arqit普通股對投資者的吸引力。
Arqit是JOBS法案中定義的“新興成長型公司”,它可以利用適用於其他非新興成長型公司的上市公司的各種報告要求的某些豁免,包括但不限於,根據薩班斯-奧克斯利法案第404節的規定,不需要從其獨立註冊公共會計師事務所獲得對其財務報告的內部控制有效性的評估。此外,在Arqit不再成爲外國私人發行人的情況下,新興成長型公司身份將使其能夠在定期報告中包括減少的高管薪酬披露義務,並免除就高管薪酬舉行不具約束力的諮詢投票和股東批准之前未批准的任何金降落傘支付的要求。Arqit的管理層無法預測,投資者是否會因爲Arqit的普通股將依賴這些豁免而降低其吸引力。如果一些投資者因此發現Arqit普通股的吸引力下降,Arqit普通股市場可能會變得不那麼活躍,其股價可能會更加波動。
如果Arqit不制定和實施所有必要的會計慣例和政策,它可能無法及時可靠地提供美國上市公司所需的財務信息。
如果Arqit未能制定並保持有效的內部控制程序和程序以及披露程序和控制程序,則可能無法提供美國上市公司必須及時可靠提供的財務信息和美國證券交易委員會報告。任何此類拖延或不足都可能對Arqit不利,包括限制其從公共資本市場或私人來源獲得融資的能力,並損害其聲譽,從而可能阻礙其實施增長戰略的能力。
第4項:公司情況
4.公司的歷史和發展
本公司的法定名稱爲Arqit Quantum Inc.。本公司是一家根據開曼群島法律於2021年4月26日成立的豁免有限責任公司。本公司的註冊辦事處爲開曼群島大開曼群島Ugland House,PO Box 309,C/o Maples Corporate Services Limited,KY1 1104。公司主要執行辦公室的地址是英國倫敦果園廣場3號,公司的電話號碼是+44(0)203 91 70155。
Arqit Limited於2017年在英國註冊成立。*2021年9月,本公司完成業務合併,據此本公司與Centricus Acquisition Corp.合併並併入Centricus Acquisition Corp.,本公司在合併後倖存下來,Centricus Acquisition Corp.的證券持有人(選擇贖回其普通股的證券持有人除外)成爲本公司的證券持有人,本公司從Arqit股東手中收購了Arqit Limited的全部已發行和已發行股本
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以換取本公司普通股,Arqit Limited爲本公司的直接全資附屬公司。Arqit的普通股和商業聯合權證在納斯達克上交易,代碼分別爲“ARQQ”和“ARQQW”。
本公司須遵守《交易法》的某些信息備案要求。由於本公司爲“外國私人發行人”,故本公司可獲豁免遵守交易所法令有關委託書的提供及內容的規則及規定,而本公司的高級管理人員、董事及主要股東就其買賣股權證券可獲豁免遵守交易所法令第(16)節所載的申報及“短線”利潤收回條款。此外,該公司不需要像美國上市公司那樣頻繁或及時地向美國證券交易委員會提交報告和財務報表,這些公司的證券是根據交易法登記的。然而,公司必須向美國證券交易委員會提交一份20-F表格的年度報告,其中包含由獨立會計師事務所審計的財務報表。美國證券交易委員會還在http://www.sec.gov上設有一個網站,其中包含公司向美國證券交易委員會提交或以電子方式向美國證券交易委員會提交的報告和其他信息。
4.B.業務概述
概述
Arqit是一家網絡安全公司,它開創了一種獨特的對稱密鑰協商技術,使任何聯網設備或靜態數據的通信鏈路都能安全地抵禦當前和未來形式的網絡攻擊-甚至是來自量子計算機的攻擊。Arqit通過其Arqit SKA平台提供其對稱密鑰協商技術TM。2024年,Arqit將其旗艦產品從QuantumCloud™重新命名爲Ska平台™,以更準確地反映其不再包含任何硬件或量子效果的產品。
Arqit SKA-平台TM是一種軟件平台即服務,它創建成本低且易於在現有信息技術標準內使用的牢不可破的軟件加密密鑰,不需要新硬件,也不需要重大軟件升級或“即拆即換”。
該軟件有可能在世界上每一臺邊緣設備和雲機上都有普遍的應用。Arqit SKA-Platform中用於在傳統IP網絡基礎設施上實現對稱密鑰協商的密鑰建立協議設計方面的安全性證明TM薩里大學於2022年獨立保證了這一點,薩里大學被英國政府的國家網絡安全中心認證爲網絡安全英才中心。Arqit認爲,其對稱密鑰協議平台符合美國國家安全局《機密對稱密鑰管理要求商業解決方案》附件1.2,其中規定了政府機構如何將量子安全對稱密鑰保護納入使用現成商業產品保護機密網絡的解決方案中。
Arqit的技術結合了兩個領域的世界領先創新:將複製的熵安全地分發到數據中心,以及可以下載到任何設備上的軟件代理,並使對稱密鑰加密的使用成爲一種可擴展的商業模式。
● | 作爲允許Arqit軟件代理在終端運行的後臺技術的一部分,必須安全且頻繁地將相同的隨機數集(“複製的熵”)傳送到數據中心。複製的熵是一個重要的組成部分Arqit SKA-平台TM 產品Arqit開發了一種適當的方法,使用經典的數字硬件和軟件元素將複製的信息安全分配到數據中心。 |
● | 第二個創新是從Arqit SKA-Platform下載的小型軟件代理TM 可以安裝到任何形式的設備上或集成到任何軟件中。通過與Arqit SKA-Platform交換信息TM,它以獨特的方式調節與所有參與方的密鑰協議過程,該軟件代理能夠與任何其他設備或雲機器或在大組設備中合作創建新的對稱加密密鑰。密鑰永遠不會被“傳遞”,而是被創建的,因此無法被攔截。它們是在終點以一種方式創建的,這意味着它們永遠不會被第三方知道,並且可以在必要時使用一次並無限替換。一旦創建,即使是通用量子計算機也無法在可用時間內(估計超過數百萬年)破解這些密鑰。 |
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Arqit在截至2021年9月30日的財年開始將其產品商業化。Arqit以主分銷協議、企業許可和平台即服務的方式向選定的早期客戶銷售其產品,包括BT plc、AUCloud和Nine23。Arqit於2022年12月宣佈,將專注於在平台即服務的基礎上銷售其產品,主要通過渠道合作伙伴和分銷商,預計這將產生年度經常性收入(ARR)。Arqit在2024財年結束前不久簽署了第一個年度經常性收入許可證。Arqit平台作爲服務將作爲標準化產品出售給特定的目標市場,或作爲私有實例出售給需要控制端到端技術的客戶。Arqit已宣佈建立渠道合作伙伴關係和分銷與Sparkle、Juniper、Fortinet、AWS、戴爾、Exclusive Networks、內華達山脈公司任務系統英國公司、SecureCloud+、DETASAD、高級國際電子設備公司、Carahsoft和SoftIron達成協議,通過這些協議,該公司將直接或間接向最終客戶銷售產品。Arqit目前正在與更多的客戶、渠道合作伙伴和分銷商進行談判,並於2024年7月宣佈已成爲與英特爾合作的獨立軟件供應商。
市場機會
Arqit認爲,由於預計未來10年網絡加密行業將發生轉型,其創新產品將擁有巨大的市場機會。由於現有加密體系結構的弱點和量子計算機未來的威脅,對改進加密的需求日益引起人們的關注。公鑰基礎設施或“PKI”是目前使用最廣泛的加密技術。然而,隨着新技術的發展,PKI正變得不那麼安全,而且不能抵禦量子計算機的安全,量子計算機預計將在未來幾年內具有足夠的規模來打破PKI。
例如,領導緩解量子對網絡安全威脅的美國商務部國家標準與技術研究所(NIST)在2021年4月底發佈了一份報告,題爲《爲後量子加密做好準備:探索與採用和使用後量子加密算法相關的挑戰》,其中表示擔心目前提出的增強PKI的替代方案不能提供足夠充分或及時的解決方案。關於量子計算機對網絡安全的近期威脅,NIST指出,“所有現在使用當前公鑰算法保護的祕密對稱密鑰和私有非對稱密鑰,以及這些密鑰保護的信息,都將受到曝光”,並且“任何仍然被認爲是私有或其他敏感的信息都將容易被曝光和未被檢測到的修改。”
因此,所有地區和行業的消費者、企業和政府都可能需要更換幾乎所有電子界面中使用的現有網絡加密技術,以維護網絡安全。對稱加密密鑰是針對量子計算機的安全密鑰。然而,到目前爲止,還沒有以電子方式創建和分發對稱密鑰的安全方法。關於可用的替代方案,NIST表示:“後量子密碼學有多種候選類別。不幸的是,每個類都至少有一個安全實現的要求,這使得插入式替換不合適。另外,2022年5月,美國國家安全局表示,對稱加密密鑰推薦給希望變得量子安全的聯邦機構使用。
2022年5月4日的白宮國家安全備忘錄10放大了NIST表達的擔憂。該備忘錄爲政府機構設定了一個關鍵的最後期限-確保在2023年底之前爲國家安全系統提供量子安全。這一授權反映出迫切需要保護機密信息不受量子計算機的計算能力的影響。備忘錄10明確表示,對NSS採用對稱密鑰保護是首選的解決方案。Arqit的對稱密鑰協議平台提供的加密方式符合美國國家安全備忘錄10和國家安全局機密對稱密鑰管理要求商業解決方案附件2.1版的要求。
與使用其他各方提出的後量子加密算法的解決方案不同,Arqit相信它擁有唯一的商業可用的對稱密鑰加密系統,該系統是NIST和白宮的首選加密體系結構。
Arqit相信,它已經開發出一種幾乎通用的解決方案,可以解決之前確定的對稱加密密鑰交付問題,特別是可伸縮性和零信任。Arqit的開創性技術提供了一種簡單、經濟高效且安全的方式來以電子方式創建和分發對稱密鑰,該密鑰可跨地理位置、行業和設備普遍應用,使其處於有利地位,能夠充分利用這一即將到來的重大市場機遇。
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總可尋址市場
根據高德納(Gartner,Inc.,預測:信息安全和風險管理,全球,2022年2028年,2Q24更新,2024年7月3日發佈),預計到2028年底,全球可尋址的信息安全服務市場將達到2940美元億。Arqit認爲,每一項連接的服務都容易受到當前和未來對PKI的攻擊,特別是在中短期內受到量子計算機的攻擊。該漏洞將影響全球每個連接的終端、網絡設備和雲機器的網絡安全,Arqit認爲其產品是唯一已知的方法,可以通過安全抵禦量子計算機攻擊的雲平台大規模、高效和低成本地創建加密密鑰。因此,Arqit假設整個信息安全市場代表其全部可尋址市場。
Arqit的技術
加密是每個人使用的通信技術的基礎。然而,我們在大多數情況下所依賴的加密技術是在30多年前開發出來的。如今,這項技術存在着衆所周知的漏洞,量子計算的近期發展將顯著增加風險。
加密的起源是對稱加密密鑰--很長的真正的隨機數。一臺通用的量子計算機平均需要比宇宙年齡更長的時間來猜測256位對稱密鑰,因爲創建隨機數不涉及數學。
因此,對稱加密密鑰在計算上是安全的,但到目前爲止,還沒有安全的方法來在大衆市場規模上以電子方式創建和分發對稱密鑰。因此,“公鑰基礎設施”或“公鑰基礎設施”被髮明,它涉及到雙方共享在實際時間段內難以模擬的計算的性能。互聯網推動了公鑰基礎設施的採用,不是因爲它是最安全的,而是因爲它足夠靈活,可以被反向工程成已經創建的東西。PKI是一種靈活的工具,但它很容易受到攻擊,特別是考慮到物聯網、基於雲的接口和其他變革性技術的發展。
這個問題將很快變得更加深刻,因爲與對稱加密密鑰不同,PKI將容易受到量子計算機的攻擊。儘管量子計算機目前的運行規模相對較小,但在幾年內可能會出現足夠規模的量子計算機來突破PKI。
對這一威脅的普遍和長期解決方案不是讓公鑰基礎設施中使用的數學變得更加困難,因爲試圖用數學來擊敗一臺能力無限的計算機器是不可持續的,也是不現實的。答案在於找到一種安全的方法來創建和分發對稱加密密鑰,這就是Arqit發明的。
Arqit已經發現了一種方法,可以在需要時在任何類型的終端設備和任何大小的組中大規模、安全地在終端創建對稱加密密鑰。使用Arqit的技術,對稱加密密鑰永遠不會“傳遞”,它們是在端點創建的,因此它們的創建不會被攔截。
創建Arqit對稱加密密鑰的一個重要元素是在多個數據中心分佈的複製熵。在密鑰創建過程中,通過終端設備上的軟件代理利用複製的熵。通過其專有的分發方法,Arqit能夠使用一套經典的數字硬件和軟件元素,將複製的熵安全地傳遞到全球數據中心。分佈式複製熵是在Arqit的Arqit SKA-Platform中在端點創建對稱加密的基礎TM.
Arqit向託管Arqit SKA-Platform的數據中心提供複製的信息量TM系統。下載Arqit軟件代理的終端設備能夠安全地進入Arqit SKA-PlatformTM在不同的數據中心,這些數據中心隨後通過與終端共享加密信息來協調密鑰協商過程。根據各方可以共享的共享祕密的元素的組合,終端然後能夠創建新的共享對稱加密密鑰。端點密鑰是零信任的,永遠不會被第三方知道--包括Arqit--而且它們在計算上是安全的,即使不受量子攻擊。創建的對稱加密密鑰可用於所有標準網絡軟件系統中已包含的AES256算法或任何其他對稱算法,因此Arqit的產品實現起來非常簡單。美國國家安全局宣佈,對稱加密是立即變得量子安全的最安全、最容易的方法。他說:
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Arqit技術包括三個創新領域:
● | SKA平台TM軟件. Arqit SKA-平台TM Arqit SKA-PlatformTM在全球不同的雲提供商和本地數據中心之間創建了一個安全的全球網絡。 |
● | 終點安全. Arqit發明了一種新型的端點安全形式,稱爲「分佈式安全通信加密術」或「DSCC」,端點可以創建初始對稱密鑰保護的通道以及無限的組或會話密鑰。終點依賴於QuantumCloudTM 平台可以提供複製的信息,但自己創建密鑰,這樣密鑰總是不被任何第三方知道的。Arqit的DSCC發明允許量子安全加密技術在大衆市場上商業化。 |
SKA平台TM
Arqit的SKA-平台TM 是一個平台即服務,可在全球不同雲提供商和本地數據中心之間創建安全的全球網絡。SKA平台TM提供使終結點能夠安全共享數據以創建新密鑰的平台。它還允許Arqit爲客戶提供高度安全的服務,以存儲、通信和簽署他們的數據。這種平台即服務架構意味着Arqit的客戶可以輕鬆地將量子安全加密服務集成到新的或現有的平台中。
Arqit可以擴展這一安全平台,使客戶能夠以量子安全的方式在全球任何地方訪問他們的密鑰。SKA-平台TM在基礎設施的每一層和每條數據上使用不同的量子密鑰。該系統確保數據中心只通過量子安全通道進行通信。在這些渠道中,一種形式的技術將數據分成單獨的片段,以便跨不同的數據中心進行存儲,並訂購和記錄不同片段存儲的加密地址。交易是用量子密鑰簽署的,並嵌入到這項技術中。量子密鑰在SKA平台內移動TM使用Arqit正在申請專利、僅在SKA平台內使用的名爲ARQ20的新型對稱密鑰算法TM。最後,數據被髮送到量子加密通道內的安全端點,該通道通過使用使用DSCC過程創建的密鑰來實現。
因此,Arqit可以在雲中安全地存儲和處理數據,並在此安全邊界內包含任何形式的終端設備。這方面的應用很多,Arqit希望能夠爲許多行業的創新做出根本性貢獻。例如,區塊鏈軟件可以通過在終端使用Arqit的新簽名技術和數字錢包來實現量子安全,並且可以確保它們的交易安全。互聯汽車市場不能長期安全運行,除非
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其通信通道的加密是安全的。5G移動網絡和物聯網部署的攻擊面擴大亟待改善,沒有量子安全安全,任何存儲在雲中和從雲中傳輸的數據都不能長期依賴。
能夠在由SKA平台控制的端點處創建新的對稱密鑰TM是一項極其重要的創新,對於已經使用不頻繁刷新對稱加密密鑰的傳統方法的組織來說,這是向前邁出的一步。國防、金融服務和關鍵國家基礎設施中的許多組織從未信任過PKI,因此通過物理傳輸使用對稱加密密鑰。然而,即使是物理傳輸的對稱加密密鑰也必須刷新以提供保密性。密鑰使用的次數越多,隨着時間的推移,攻擊者了解它的可能性就越大,被竊取的機會也就越多。因此,SKA平台TM爲這些組織提供了一些非常顯著的優勢。
競爭優勢
Arqit獨特的網絡安全技術爲其提供了許多競爭優勢。
對稱密鑰是安全的
Arqit的平台創建對稱加密密鑰,這是一種網絡安全技術,可以安全地抵禦包括量子計算機在內的所有形式的攻擊。PKI是目前使用最廣泛的加密技術,但它未能阻止勒索軟件等不斷升級的網絡攻擊,而且完全容易受到量子計算機的攻擊,預計量子計算機將在未來幾年內推出。對稱加密密鑰一旦創建,在計算上是安全的。
這意味着,即使對量子計算機來說,在不到數百萬年的時間裏猜測出對稱加密密鑰也是不可能的。Arqit的技術就是圍繞這一安全加密工具構建的。
突破性和專有的分發技術
Arqit平台的重要性在於它能夠通過在終端創建對稱密鑰來安全地大規模“分發”對稱密鑰。儘管對稱加密密鑰是安全的,但到目前爲止還沒有以電子方式創建和分發對稱密鑰的安全方法。Arqit的突破性技術解決了這些已知問題。它的創新在需要時,在任何類型的終端設備上、在任何規模的終端設備上、在任何規模的組中,在終端創建對稱加密密鑰。使用Arqit的技術,對稱加密密鑰永遠不會“傳遞”,它們是在端點創建的,因此無法被攔截。這是一種創建和分發不可破解的對稱密鑰的全新方式,代表了一種突破性的新技術。密鑰是用所謂的“零信任模型”創建的,這意味着沒有第三方計算機擁有密鑰,也沒有足夠的信息來重新創建或猜測密鑰。在創建過程中,密鑰永遠不會通過任何網絡傳輸。因此,在創建過程中,任何第三方都不可能知道或猜測密鑰。
易於實施
對稱加密密鑰幾乎內置於每個主要軟件系統中,因此它們的使用以及AES256等對稱算法的部署非常簡單,無需對現有客戶基礎設施進行重大更改。對稱加密密鑰對終端設備施加了相對較低的計算負擔,而Arqit的輕量級代理足夠輕,即使在最小的物聯網傳感器上也可以工作。
可輕鬆擴展
Arqit的軟件從雲中實現,以最低的成本自動創建無限大容量的密鑰,一旦部署,資本支出就會很低。從運營成本的角度來看,Arqit的產品不需要人工分析或信息處理,因此人員成本僅限於維護核心基礎設施、營銷和客戶支持。這些因素使得Arqit的產品可以很容易地擴展到Arqit及其客戶。
Arqit的產品
SKA平台TM
Arqit的核心產品是對稱密鑰協議平台(SKA平台TM),這是一個作爲服務的平台,它與其軟件代理一起在雲中和端點創建密鑰。這些密鑰可以用於多種方式加密通道、加密靜態數據和簽署交易。
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這些產品在雲中交付,不需要客戶額外的基礎設施或硬件,並在終端使用簡單的輕量級代理,如服務器、防火牆、移動電話、汽車或物聯網傳感器。
作爲平台即服務SKA平台TM廣泛適用於所有地區和行業,爲所有應用程序和用例提供相同的密鑰創建功能。這爲Arqit提供了在身份識別、分佈式分類賬和金融支付等領域識別和開發軟件即服務產品的靈活性,這些產品將從Arqit提供的更強大、更簡單的加密中獲得足夠的好處和差異化,從而潛在地使其在某些垂直市場處於領先地位,而不是向所有傳統市場參與者銷售產品。
服務變體
· | 多租戶:這是Arqit的標準服務,客戶在Arqit擁有的服務器上使用Arqit託管在雲中的共享服務,並以多租戶的方式運營。此選項的定價通常是每個端點安裝的一次性費用,以及每個創建的密鑰的費用。定價將根據所使用的終端和密鑰的數量而有所不同。 |
· | 內網實例:SKA平台TM也可以作爲私有實例出售,通常面向希望完全控制所有基礎設施的政府或大型企業客戶。 |
· | 標準化產品:Arqit開發了標準化產品,以滿足特定客戶的使用案例。營銷標準化產品是其銷售努力的重點。 |
標準化產品
Arqit正在開發一套標準化產品,以滿足特定客戶的使用案例。通過對產品進行標準化,Arqit可以快速滿足終端市場需求,只需很少或根本不需要進行定製,即可讓個人客戶開始使用其技術。目前,Arqit正在積極營銷一種標準化產品--NetworkSecureTM。*網絡安全TM是一種標準化接口,供網絡設備(如防火牆)協商量子安全的對稱密鑰並通過互聯網安全協議(IPSec)升級VPN連接的安全性。IPSec是一種安全的網絡協議套件,它對數據分組進行身份驗證和加密,以在網絡上的兩臺計算機之間提供安全的加密通信。Arqit集成了NetworkSecureTM進入Juniper和Fortinet的防火牆產品,可通過各自的分銷渠道購買。2024年4月,Arqit宣佈與英特爾合作,展示了世界上第一款運行在英特爾至強和可擴展處理器上的量子安全、1.89 TB IPSec產品。Arqit正在與其他防火牆和網絡設備製造商就集成NetworkSecure進行討論TM。集成到防火牆和網絡設備使最終客戶的購買決策變得更簡單,因爲升級到Arqit的對稱密鑰加密系統將成爲追加銷售,而不是單獨的購買決策和實施。
在本財年,Arqit停止了其TradeSecureTM和WalletSecureTM標準化產品,以便將資源集中在我們的核心SKA產品上。*Arqit預計未來將推出更多以Arqit的SKA平台爲核心的標準化產品TM對稱密鑰技術。
進入市場策略
Arqit專注於以下關鍵終端市場:
· | 電信 |
· | 金融服務 |
· | 大型企業 |
· | 政府 |
· | 防禦 |
Arqit已經在幾個地區和行業簽訂了SKA平台™服務合同,包括沙特阿拉伯王國的DETASAD、澳大利亞的AUCloud和英國的BT和Nine23。他說:
Arqit最初的市場準入重點是開發直接面向客戶的企業許可銷售模式。2022年5月發佈了對密鑰建立協議設計方面的安全證明的獨立審查和保證,用於在SKA-Platform™內的經典IP網絡基礎設施上實現對稱密鑰協議 薩里大學(GCHQ UK國家網絡安全中心認證的網絡安全卓越中心)增加了人們對Arqit的興趣
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由領先的技術公司提供的對稱密鑰協商軟件。在2022年期間,Arqit將重點轉向建立渠道合作伙伴關係。Arqit已與Sparkle、瞻博網絡、Fortinet、AWS、戴爾、內華達山脈公司英國任務系統公司(SNC)、SecureCloud+、獨家網絡、DETASAD、Aiee Carahsoft和SoftIron建立了合作關係。根據這些關係,渠道合作伙伴將直接或間接向客戶提供SKA平台™和/或Arqit的標準化產品,作爲其集成產品的一部分。Arqit主要專注於通過這些和其他潛在的主要技術合作夥伴最大化銷售機會。以下是Arqit目前的渠道和分銷合作伙伴關係:
服務或產品: | 渠道和分銷合作伙伴: |
Arqit SKA-平台™ | BT、AUCloud、Nine23、DETASAD、AIE、SoftIron |
Arqit網絡安全™ | Spakle、Juniper、Fortinet、Dell、BT、獨家網絡 |
終端市場焦點: | 渠道和分銷合作伙伴: |
企業 | 閃耀、BT、獨家網絡、AUCloud、Nine23、AIEE、DETASAD |
政府(包括國防) | VTC,LLC dba全站解決方案,SNC,BT,DETASAD,AIEE,SecureCloud+,AUCloud,Nine23,獨家網絡,SoftIron,戴爾 |
地理焦點: | 渠道和分銷合作伙伴: |
全球 | 閃閃發光,英國電信 |
美國 | VTC,LLC dba全站解決方案,獨家網絡 |
歐洲 | 九、SecureCloud+ |
阿美 | 德塔薩德,艾艾 |
亞洲 | AUCloud |
Arqit預計將繼續對某些客戶使用企業直銷模式,包括特定項目的政府客戶。
其他技術
Arqit可能會創造其他新技術,這些技術可以利用其在量子物理、工程和軟件方面的特殊專業知識進行開發。在可以確定早期客戶可以分擔此類技術開發風險的地方,Arqit可能會與這些客戶合作開發技術。
競爭
Arqit的競爭對手是QKD、量子加密和傳統加密服務的供應商。在過去的五年裏,有相當數量的參與者進入了這些市場,主要是在量子密鑰分發和後量子密碼學領域。作爲潛在的競爭對手,Arqit相信可能會有機會與尋求競爭解決方案的實體進行合作。
· | 量子密鑰分配系統:這些主要是基於光纖的QKD系統,受距離和點對點性質的限制。雖然他們都有產品在市場上,但他們還處於早期階段,許多試點需要來自QKD供應商的大量支持。這些提供商中的大多數都以數據中心架構爲目標,其產品的限制約爲100公里,這意味着它僅適用於大都市地區。由於這項技術的成本、複雜性和點對點性質,它總是有限的。 |
· | 後量子密碼學:有許多公司正在創建基於“後量子算法”的服務,這些算法是一種旨在擴展公鑰基礎設施原則的加密算法,使其更安全地抵禦量子計算機的攻擊。此類算法永遠無法“可證明安全”來對抗量子攻擊,因爲它們的構造是數學的,因此只有在量子計算機可以編程來破解它們之前才安全。據NISt稱,這些算法都不是傳統加密的合適“直接替代品”。 與Arqit的密鑰在已經全球標準化的AES 256等算法中使用的事實相比,這些弱點賦予了Arqit強大的差異化。 |
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· | 傳統加密競爭對手:傳統的加密密鑰管理市場跨越從硬件安全模塊到密鑰管理軟件的許多不同產品類別,與大多數產品類別一起,現有的和新進入市場的企業提供這些產品的“即服務”版本。這些供應商的目標是減少PKI的管理負擔和成本,並通過自動化流程降低停機風險。因此,它們不是Arqit的直接競爭對手,因爲它們不是在解決量子計算機的短期威脅或其他公鑰基礎設施的根本問題。 |
· | 傳統密鑰管理:在密鑰管理領域有許多傳統的現任者。這些供應商中的大多數從硬件安全模塊開始,並添加了額外的密鑰管理軟件和其他功能。它們已經被該領域的初創企業分發,因爲它們難以向敏捷環境提供功能即服務。 |
· | 計算機身份管理:進入密鑰管理市場的新進入者正在圍繞“機器身份管理”而不是純傳統的密鑰管理進行調整。然而,這些技術的根本目標是緩解現代互聯網中PKI的風險和缺陷。 |
· | DevOps/雲密鑰管理:在開發人員一直在努力將PKI整合到他們的開發管道中的地方,一些雲提供商和開發自動化框架已經在他們的平台中包括了密鑰管理。雲提供商很少在自己的平台之外提供加密服務。 |
· | 手動密鑰分發:最後,還有一些公司爲目前使用對稱密鑰加密的方法提供內部設備和人工信使服務。英國政府通過國家網絡安全中心的一個名爲英國密鑰生產機構的部門提供自己的服務,該機構是對稱密鑰產品的主要信任來源,對稱密鑰產品通過這些物理信使方法交付給各種政府和商業客戶。 |
衛星基礎設施
Arqit的技術堆棧之前曾考慮使用衛星技術來分配複製的熵。通過創新,Arqit能夠用地面分發取代衛星分發,這也有利於消除未來與使用衛星相關的資本和運營支出,作爲其核心產品的一部分。Arqit在2022年12月宣佈,預計其技術戰略的這些變化可能會導致部分資本化衛星成本因出售目前正在建造的衛星、合資開發和運營衛星和/或許可其ARQ19知識產權而收回。2023年5月,Arqit聘請了一名顧問,協助尋求出售其衛星部門的進程,以及其他潛在交易。Arqit在2024年年中停止了對此類潛在交易的追求,並於2024年9月與歐洲航天局和QinetiQ Space NV續簽了與Com Dev Europe Limited(t/a Honeywell)的衛星建造合同。
智慧財產權
保護其材料知識產權的能力對Arqit的業務至關重要。Arqit依靠爲專利、設計、版權、商業祕密和商標所有者提供的保護,以及員工和第三方保密協議和其他合同限制來建立和保護其知識產權。特別是,研究、開發和工程領域的非專利商業祕密是Arqit業務的一個重要方面,它確保其技術和戰略業務資產保密。當Arqit認爲自己開發了一項可申請專利的發明,並且獲得專利的好處超過了通過專利申請將發明公之於衆的風險時,Arqit就會尋求專利保護。
截至本年度報告發布之日,Arqit在英國擁有約25項已授權專利和20項正在申請的專利。Arqit致力於其域名、產品和服務商標的全球註冊,截至本年度報告日期,Arqit擁有28個註冊商標。
根據Arqit現有專利申請的申請日期,並假設專利在其整個生命週期內被授予和續展,Arqit目前預計每項專利權將從相關申請日期起提供長達20年的保護,截至本年度報告日期,保護範圍爲2018年6月4日至2024年6月28日。
Arqit定期審查其開發工作,以評估新發明的存在和可專利性,並準備在確定對其業務有利時提交更多專利申請。
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群體結構
Arqit Limited是一家在英國註冊成立的股份有限公司,是本公司的全資子公司,也是本公司的主要運營子公司。Arqit Limited有四家全資子公司:特拉華州的Arqit Inc.、特拉華州的有限責任公司Arqit LLC、意大利的實體Arqit Italia S.R.L.和Arqit Quantum(新加坡)Pte。有限公司,一家新加坡有限責任公司。Arqit Limited的子公司目前都沒有任何實質性業務。Arqit Italia S.R.L.和Arqit Quantum(新加坡)Pte.有限公司正在被清算的過程中。
政府監管
國際武器販運條例和出口管制
Arqit受美國和英國的限制。進出口管制法律,包括美國商務部工業和安全局和英國工業和安全局的國際武器貿易條例(ITAR)和出口管理條例(EAR)《2002年出口管制法》(經2008年《出口管制令》修訂和延長)及其各自的實施細則和條例。ITAR通常限制具有國防或戰略應用的硬件、軟件、技術數據和服務的出口。EAR同樣管理具有商業或“兩用”應用(即軍事和商業應用)的硬件、軟件和技術的出口,或具有不受ITAR約束的不太敏感的軍事或空間相關應用的硬件、軟件和技術的出口。這些規定的存在是爲了促進美國的國家安全和外交政策利益。
負責管理ITAR和EAR的美國政府機構在解釋和執行這些法規方面擁有很大的自由裁量權。這些機構在批准、拒絕或限制從事受控活動的授權方面也有很大的自由裁量權。這樣的決定受到美國政府對多邊出口管制制度的承諾的影響,特別是關於航天業務的導彈技術管制制度。
需要許多不同類型的內部控制和措施,以確保遵守這種出口管制規則。無法獲得和維持其他必要的出口授權,可能會對Arqit的成功競爭能力產生負面影響。不遵守出口管制法律法規可能會使Arqit面臨民事或刑事處罰、罰款、調查、更繁瑣的合規要求、失去出口特權、被剝奪政府合同或與美國或英國簽訂合同的能力受到限制。政府。此外,出口管制法規或美國或英國的任何變化。政府許可政策,如實施美國和英國政府對多邊控制制度的承諾,可能會限制其運作。請參閱“風險因素-與Arqit業務和運營相關的風險-不遵守政府貿易控制,包括進出口控制法律法規、制裁和相關制度,可能會使Arqit承擔責任或失去簽約特權,限制其在某些市場的競爭能力,或損害其與政府的聲譽.”
反賄賂、反腐敗和制裁法律法規
Arqit的運營受到反賄賂和反腐敗法律法規的約束,包括《反海外腐敗法》和《英國反賄賂法》,以及經濟和貿易制裁,包括由美國財政部外國資產控制辦公室、美國國務院和歐盟實施的制裁。這些法規一般禁止向外國官員提供任何有價值的東西,目的是獲得或保留業務或獲得任何不正當的商業利益。Arqit可以與政府和國有企業打交道,根據這些法律,這些企業的僱員被視爲外國官員。
數據保護法律法規
Arqit的運營和銷售受涉及隱私以及各種類型數據的收集、使用、存儲、披露、傳輸和保護的法律法規的約束,包括英國2018年數據保護法、英國一般數據保護法規、歐洲指令2002/58/EC(電子隱私指令),以及執行國家立法和英國退歐後頒佈的任何數據法律和法規。除其他事項外,這些制度可能會對數據安全要求、披露要求以及對數據收集、使用和共享的限制,這可能會影響Arqit的運營及其業務發展。Arqit的產品收集、存儲和處理某些信息,其產品可能會進化以收集更多信息。遵守這些和任何其他適用的隱私和數據安全法律法規是一個嚴格且耗時的過程,Arqit可能需要建立額外的機制來確保遵守新的數據保護規則。有關更多信息,請參閱“第3.D.項風險因素-與Arqit業務相關的風險-Arqit運營所在司法管轄區未能或被認爲未能遵守隱私、數據保護和信息安全要求,可能會對其業務產生不利影響,並且此類法律要求正在演變,可能需要改進或更改其政策和運營。
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其他條例
此外,Arqit還遵守與反壟斷、競爭、知識產權和其他事項相關的法律和法規。Arqit已實施內部控制,旨在及時最大限度地減少和發現潛在的違反法律法規的行爲,但無法保證此類政策和程序將始終得到遵守,也無法保證其一名或多名員工、顧問、代理人或合作伙伴違反適用法律。
4.C.組織結構
組織結構
該公司的法定名稱爲Arqit Quantum Inc.該公司是一家根據開曼群島法律註冊成立的豁免有限責任公司。
重大附屬公司
本公司的子公司如下。
| 註冊國 |
| 普通比例 |
| |
名稱 | 和營業地點 | 其持有公司股份 |
| ||
Arqit Limited |
| 聯合王國 |
| 100 | % |
Arqit Inc. |
| 德拉瓦 |
| 100 | % |
Arqit LLC |
| 德拉瓦 |
| 100 | % |
Arqit Italia SR L | 義大利 | 100 | % | ||
Arqit Quantum(新加坡)Pte.公司 | 新加坡 | 100 | % |
Arqit Italia SRL和Arqit Quantum(新加坡)Pte.有限公司正在清算中。除Arqit Limited外,本公司所有附屬公司均無任何重大業務。
4.財產、廠房和設備
Arqit總部位於英國倫敦SW1H 0BF Orchard Place 3號的服務式辦公室內。
項目4A。未解決的員工意見
不適用因
項目5.業務和財務回顧及展望
5.經營業績
本經營和財務審查應與標題爲“第4項,公司信息-4.B”的章節一起閱讀。業務概覽“及本公司經審核綜合財務報表及本年報其他部分所載該等報表的相關附註。除其他事項外,經審計的綜合財務報表包括關於編制以下信息的基礎的更詳細信息。本公司經審核綜合財務報表乃根據國際財務報告準則編制。本討論包含涉及風險和不確定性的前瞻性陳述。由於許多因素的影響,例如在“風險因素”和本表格20-F中的其他部分陳述的那些因素,我們的實際結果可能與這些前瞻性陳述中預期的結果大不相同。請參閱本年報中的《關於前瞻性陳述的警示說明》。
概述
Arqit是一家網絡安全公司,它開創了一種獨特的對稱密鑰協商技術,使任何聯網設備或靜態數據的通信鏈路都能安全地抵禦當前和未來形式的網絡攻擊-甚至是來自量子計算機的攻擊。Arqit通過其SKA平台提供其對稱密鑰協商技術TM.
SKA-Platform™是一種軟件平台即服務,它創建成本低且易於在現有信息技術標準內使用的牢不可破的軟件加密密鑰,不需要新硬件,也不需要重大軟件升級或“淘汰和更換”。
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該軟件有可能在世界上每一臺邊緣設備和雲機上都有普遍的應用。用於在SKA平台™內實現經典IP網絡基礎設施上的對稱密鑰協商的密鑰建立協議的設計方面的安全證明於2022年由薩里大學獨立確保,該大學被英國政府的國家網絡安全中心認證爲網絡安全卓越中心。Arqit認爲,其對稱密鑰協議平台符合美國國家安全局《機密對稱密鑰管理要求商業解決方案》附件1.2,其中規定了政府機構如何將量子安全對稱密鑰保護納入使用現成商業產品保護機密網絡的解決方案中。
Arqit的技術結合了兩個領域的世界領先創新:將複製的熵安全地分發到數據中心,以及可以下載到任何設備上的軟件代理,並使對稱密鑰加密的使用成爲一種可擴展的商業模式。
● | 作爲允許Arqit軟件代理在終端運行的後臺技術的一部分,必須安全且頻繁地將相同的隨機數集(“複製的熵”)傳送到數據中心。複製熵是Arqit SKA-Platform™產品的重要組成部分。Arqit開發了一種適當的方法,使用經典的數字硬件和軟件元素將複製的熵安全地分配給數據中心。 |
● | 第二個創新是一個從SKA平台™下載到任何形式的設備上或集成到任何軟件中的小型軟件代理。通過與SKA平台™交換信息,該軟件代理以獨特的方式協調與所有參與方的密鑰協商過程,該軟件代理能夠與任何其他設備或雲機器合作,或在大型設備組中創建新的對稱加密密鑰。密鑰永遠不會被“傳遞”,它們是被創建的,因此它們不能被攔截。它們是在終結點創建的,這意味着它們永遠不會被第三方知道,並且可以在必要時使用一次,並無限更換。一旦創建了密鑰,即使是通用量子計算機也無法在一個可用時間段內破解這些密鑰,據估計,這段時間超過數百萬年。 |
Arqit在截至2021年9月30日的財年開始將其產品商業化。Arqit已經與大公司和政府機構簽署了服務合同。Arqit以主分銷協議、企業許可和平台即服務的方式向選定的早期客戶銷售其產品,包括BT plc、AUCloud和Nine23。Arqit於2022年12月宣佈,將專注於在平台即服務的基礎上銷售其產品,主要通過渠道合作伙伴和分銷商,預計這將產生年度經常性收入。Arqit平台作爲服務將作爲標準化產品出售給特定目標市場,或作爲專用實例出售給需要控制端到端技術的客戶。Arqit已與Sparkle、瞻博網絡、Fortinet、AWS、戴爾、內華達山脈公司任務系統英國公司(SNC)、SecureCloud+、獨家網絡、DETASAD、Aiee Carahsoft和SoftIron建立了關係。根據這些關係,渠道合作伙伴將直接或間接向客戶提供SKA平台™和/或Arqit的標準化產品,作爲其集成產品的一部分。展望未來,Arqit打算主要專注於通過這些和其他潛在的主要技術合作夥伴最大化銷售機會。Arqit目前正在與其他客戶、渠道合作伙伴和分銷商進行談判。
業務合併
Arqit Limited於2017年在英國註冊成立。於2021年9月,本公司完成業務合併,據此本公司與Centricus Acquisition Corp.合併並併入Centricus Acquisition Corp.,合併後本公司繼續存在,Centricus Acquisition Corp.的證券持有人(選擇贖回其普通股的證券持有人除外)成爲本公司的證券持有人,本公司從Arqit Limited的股東手中收購Arqit Limited的全部已發行及已發行股本,以換取本公司的普通股,使Arqit Limited成爲本公司的直接全資附屬公司。他說:
根據“國際財務報告準則”,該公司收購Arqit Limited的股份被視爲“反向收購”。在這種會計方法下,該公司將被視爲財務報告中的“被收購”公司。這一決定主要是基於以下事實:Arqit Limited的股東持有合併後公司的多數投票權,Arqit Limited的業務主要構成合並後公司的持續運營,Arqit Limited的指定人員構成合並後公司的多數管理機構,Arqit Limited的高級管理人員包括合併後公司的高級管理人員。因此,爲了會計目的,公司收購Arqit Limited的股份被視爲相當於Arqit Limited以公司淨資產發行股份,並伴隨着資本重組。現已確定該公司不是國際財務報告準則下的企業,因此該交易在國際財務報告準則2(基於股份的支付). 根據IFRS 2,被視爲向公司股東發行的Arqit Limited股權工具的公允價值與公司可識別淨資產公允價值的差額代表上市服務,並作爲股份付款計入發生時的費用。淨資產將按歷史成本列報,不記錄任何善意或其他無形資產。公司收購Arqit Limited股份之前的業務被視爲Arqit Limited的業務。業務合併完成後,該公司成爲SEC的繼任註冊人,Arqit Limited前期財務報表已作爲公司審計的一部分
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合併財務報表包括在本年度報告中,並將在其未來提交給美國證券交易委員會的定期報告中披露。本公司是根據證券法第405條所界定的外國私人發行人,並根據國際財務報告準則編制以美元計價的財務報表。
影響經營業績的關鍵因素
Arqit尚未開始通過產品商業化產生實質性收入,並認爲其業績和未來的成功取決於若干因素,這些因素爲Arqit帶來了重大機遇,但也帶來了風險和挑戰,包括下文和本年度報告題爲“項目3.D,風險因素--與Arqit業務和運營有關的風險”部分討論的那些因素。
企業合併的會計覈算
根據“國際財務報告準則”,Arqit收購Arqit Limited的股份與企業合併有關,被視爲“反向收購”。按照這種會計方法,Arqit在財務報告中被視爲“被收購”的公司。
這一決定主要基於以下事實:Arqit Limited的股東持有合併後公司的多數投票權,Arqit Limited的業務主要構成合並後公司的持續運營,Arqit Limited的指定人員構成合並後公司的多數管理機構,Arqit Limited的高級管理層是合併後公司的高級管理人員。
因此,出於會計目的,Arqit收購Arqit Limited的股份被視爲相當於Arqit Limited以Arqit的淨資產發行股份,並伴隨着資本重組。現已確定Arqit不是國際財務報告準則下的一項業務,因此,這筆交易在國際財務報告準則2(基於股份的支付).
根據國際財務報告準則第2號,被視爲已發行予Arqit股東的Arqit Limited權益工具的公允價值高於Arqit可識別淨資產的公允價值,這是一項上市服務,並作爲以股份爲基礎的付款入賬,在Arqit的綜合全面收益表中反映爲“反向收購費用”。Arqit收購Arqit Limited股份之前的業務將被視爲Arqit Limited的業務。
認股權證的估值
根據國際財務報告準則第9號的指引(金融工具),Arqit已決定其業務合併認股權證應在其財務狀況表上歸類爲按公允價值計量的衍生負債,公允價值的任何變化應在其全面收益表的每個期間的收益中報告。由於經常性的公允價值計量,Arqit的財務報表可能會基於其控制之外的因素按季度波動。由於採用經常性公允價值計量,Arqit預計將在每個報告期確認其業務合併認股權證的非現金收益或虧損,此類收益或虧損的金額可能是實質性的。
技術先進的產品組合
Arqit發明了一種獨特的對稱密鑰協商技術,該技術使任何聯網設備的通信鏈路都能安全地抵禦當前和未來形式的網絡攻擊--甚至是來自量子計算機的攻擊。Arqit的產品名爲ska-Platform™,可創建低成本且易於使用的牢不可破的軟件加密密鑰。Arqit的軟件是通過雲實現的,不需要客戶提供額外的基礎設施或硬件。其產品在包括5G網絡、互聯自動駕駛汽車、國家安全和金融服務網絡安全在內的行業中有着廣泛的應用。Arqit未來的成功將取決於其繼續按照其產品路線圖執行的能力。
商業化和夥伴關係的開始
Arqit正在通過其產品的商業化來產生物質收入的過程中處於早期階段,並於2022年12月開始將其分銷模式從企業許可模式過渡到通過渠道合作伙伴進行分銷。雖然企業許可證可以帶來更高的前期收入,但隨着Arqit對稱密鑰協議軟件的消費增加,通過渠道合作伙伴銷售的運營許可證預計將帶來不斷增長的年度經常性收入。Arqit最終實現盈利取決於其產品的成功開發、商業推出和接受程度、潛在客戶對其產品的持續興趣以及與這些客戶成功談判合同。如果Arqit對其加密技術商業化的假設被證明過於樂觀,或者Arqit無法發展、獲得或推進其合作伙伴關係,Arqit可能無法產生運營現金流,並可能導致實現盈利的能力延遲。這也可能
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導致Arqit更改其商業化計劃,這可能導致成本超支或意外延誤,進而可能對利潤率和現金流產生不利影響。
市場動向
Arqit認爲,未來十年網絡加密行業將發生一場變革,因爲隨着新技術的發展,最廣泛使用的加密技術PKI正變得不那麼安全,而且不能抵禦預計將在未來幾年內推出的量子計算機。Arqit預計其產品將有強勁的需求,因爲所有地區和行業的消費者、企業和政府都將需要更換幾乎所有電子接口中使用的現有網絡加密技術,以維護網絡安全,因此,Arqit更安全的網絡加密產品有巨大的市場機會。高德納估計,到2028年底,全球可尋址的信息安全服務市場將達到2,940美元的億。
對更安全的加密產品的需求將繼續存在,Arqit目前還不知道有任何競爭對手提供或正在開發應對量子計算機威脅的加密技術。Arqit的競爭對手是QKD、量子加密和傳統加密的供應商,每種加密都有固有的侷限性。因此,Arqit認爲自己處於有利地位,可以利用這一市場機遇。Arqit未來的增長和財務業績高度依賴於對其產品的持續需求,以及與任何現有或新競爭對手的成功競爭能力。
利潤率提升
Arqit認爲,在規模化運營時,它有機會建立高利潤率的單位經濟效益,因爲其軟件從雲中實現,以最低成本自動創建無限大容量的密鑰,從而導致部署後的低資本支出。其業務模式定位於可伸縮性,因爲軟件分發成本低,能夠在其合作伙伴基礎上利用相同的產品平台,以及有限的人員成本。從運營成本的角度來看,Arqit的產品不需要人工分析或信息處理,因此人員成本僅限於維護核心基礎設施、營銷和客戶支持。Arqit未來的表現將取決於它能否以更低的產品成本實現這些規模經濟,從而實現廣泛採用。現金流的實現取決於訂單量,訂單量將決定定價和利潤率。達到這一規模進一步取決於成功Arqit產品的採用和擴展它與現有客戶的合同。雖然Arqit認爲其獨特的技術爲有利的利潤率提供了令人信服的價值主張,並預計其產品將實現並保持高利潤率,但網絡加密行業出現的競爭可能會對其定價、利潤率和市場份額產生負面影響。
衛星基礎設施
2022年12月,Arqit更新了其技術戰略,以淘汰量子衛星和來自其核心產品的相關地面基礎設施。看見“項目4.B。業務概述 - 衛星基礎設施。
與此次更新相關的是,Arqit計劃出售或以其他方式貨幣化其目前在建的量子衛星。在截至2023年9月30日的財年,Arqit將其衛星資產從「無形資產」重新分類爲「分類爲待售資產」,與此相關的減值損失確認爲1,760美元萬。在截至2024年9月30日的財政年度內,Arqit確定其衛星資產不再被視爲「持有以待出售」,因爲它未能成功地爲衛星部門和/或相關知識產權尋找買家。因此,衛星資產完全減值,減值損失被確認爲截至2024年9月30日的財政年度「(虧損)/非持續業務利潤」的一部分。Arqit仍然願意討論如何處置衛星資產,以便在未來一段時間內有可能收回一些收益。他說:Arqit在截至2022年、2023年和2024年9月30日的年度內與歐洲航天局和QinetiQ Space NV簽訂的衛星建造合同的收入和支出Arqit在其全面收益表中確認爲「(虧損)/非持續經營利潤,稅後淨額」的一部分。*2024年9月,Arqit將其衛星建造合同續簽給第三方,因此這些合同將不會在未來期間產生收入或費用.
全面收益表的主要組成部分
陳述的基礎
目前,Arqit通過一個運營部門開展業務,即提供網絡安全服務。2021年7月之前,Arqit是一家未盈利的公司,截至本年度報告之日,其核心產品SKA-Platform ™相關的商業運營仍然有限。迄今爲止,其活動已在英國和美利堅合衆國進行。Arqit的歷史結果在IFRS中報告。
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收入
Arqit在截至2021年9月30日的財年開始商業化,並通過其核心產品ska-Platform™開始產生收入。預計大部分收入將來自通過渠道合作伙伴銷售SKA平台™和其他相關服務。
其他收入
其他收入涉及出售財產、廠房和設備的收入以及因Arqit終止其英國寫字樓租約而獲得的IFRS 16收益。
行政費用
管理費用主要包括與僱用Arqit非衛星建設員工相關的成本、法律、保險、會計和諮詢費用、差旅和營銷費用(如公關活動)、租金和一般辦公費用。
行政費用還包括折舊費。折舊費主要是指按直線折舊法計算的計算機設備在預計使用年限內的折舊。使用的利率在三到五年之間。計算機設備在三年內報廢。
Arqit運營着一項以股權結算的基於股票的激勵計劃,其基於股票的費用作爲行政費用的一部分。*此外,以英鎊以外貨幣計價的帳戶的估值變化反映在行政費用中。
Arqit預計,由於商業運營的開始和擴大,以及與上市公司相關的成本,其整體活動水平將增加,管理費用將增加。
無形資產減值損失
在持續經營期間具有確定使用年限的無形資產在確認減值跡象時進行減值測試,任何減值均確認爲「無形資產減值損失」。*在截至2024年9月30日的年度內,Arqit減值了與TradeSecure產品停產相關的數字彙票無形資產的開發成本,導致截至2024年9月30日的年度減值虧損203.2美元萬。Arqit於截至2023年9月30日止年度終止衛星業務,因此,於截至2024年9月30日止年度,與衛星資產有關的減值虧損1760萬由「無形資產減值虧損」重新分類爲「(虧損)/非持續經營溢利,扣除稅項後的淨額」。*公司沒有使用年限不確定的無形資產。
應收貿易賬款和合同資產減值損失
應收貿易賬款和合同資產的減值損失涉及被評估爲無法收回並作爲壞賬註銷的貿易債務人。Arqit於年內終止衛星業務,因此在截至2024年9月30日的年度內,將與維珍軌道公司在美國申請破產的欠Arqit的準備金有關的1,230萬美元減值損失,從「應收貿易賬款和合同資產減值損失」重新分類爲「(虧損)/非持續經營利潤,扣除稅項」。
認股權證公允價值變動
Arqit的業務合併權證按公允價值歸類爲金融負債,權證的公允價值變動反映在Arqit的綜合全面收益表中。權證的估值是在每個期末進行的,兩次估值之間的差額是反映在Arqit綜合全面收益表中的非現金損益。
35
融資成本
融資成本涉及根據國際財務報告準則第16號(租賃)進行會計確認和計量的協議的利息成本。
截至2021年9月30日止年度的財務成本亦與Arqit根據國際財務報告準則的要求於2019年6月21日及2019年11月6日發行的3,500,000 GB可轉換貸款票據(「B系列可轉換貸款票據」)的會計確認及計量有關,該等可轉換貸款票據已於業務合併完成時轉換爲股權,不再未償還。
B系列可轉換貸款票據的利率爲0%,可在到期日或之後的任何時間按本金加相當於本金20%的金額贖回。由於B系列可轉換貸款票據是應持有人的要求可贖回的,並可轉換爲數量可變的股權工具,因此根據國際財務報告準則(「國際會計準則」)32,這些票據被視爲金融負債。於首日首次確認時,B系列可轉換貸款票據以公允價值計量,按發行時的現行市場利率計算,適用於類似的不可轉換債務。由於從認購日到到期日期間的折扣逐漸減少,它在Arqit的全面收益表中反映爲財務成本。
財政收入
財務收入與Arqit現金和現金等價物存款的銀行利息收入有關。
(虧損)/非持續經營利潤,稅後淨額
(虧損)/停產利潤,稅後淨額是減值和停產資產的損益。
在截至2023年9月30日的財政年度內,Arqit將其衛星資產從「無形資產」重新分類爲「被分類爲持有待售資產」,與此重新分類相關,Arqit對其衛星資產確認了減值損失。在截至2024年9月30日的財政年度內,Arqit確定其衛星資產不再被視爲「持有以待出售」,因爲它未能成功地爲衛星部門和/或相關知識產權尋找買家。因此,衛星資產已完全減值,減值虧損於截至2024年9月30日的財政年度確認爲「非持續經營虧損(除稅後淨額)」的一部分,而與衛星資產有關的減值虧損於截至2023年9月30日的財政年度確認爲「無形資產減值虧損」,重新分類爲「非持續經營虧損(除稅後淨額)」。
在2023年9月30日終了的財政年度之前,Arqit報告了其與歐洲航天局(歐空局)達成的爲其衛星建造提供部分資金的協議的收入,作爲「其他業務收入」,作爲「營業利潤/(虧損)」的一個組成部分。然而,在截至2023年9月30日的財政年度內,Arqit將其衛星資產從「無形資產」重新歸類爲「歸類爲持有出售的資產」,因此,Arqit在其全面收益表中將截至2023年9月30日的財政年度的歐空局協議收入重新歸類爲「(虧損)/非持續業務利潤/稅後淨額」的組成部分。他說:
在截至2023年9月30日的年度內,Arqit發生了應收貿易賬款和合同資產的減值損失,這是與維珍軌道公司(Virgin Orbit Inc.)在美國申請破產的欠Arqit款項撥備相關的減值確認所致。在截至2024年9月30日的年度內,衛星部門停止運營後,這些金額已從「應收貿易賬款和合同資產減值損失」重新分類爲「(虧損)/非持續運營利潤,扣除稅項」。與破產相關的賬目清盤工作仍在進行中。追回索賠或欠款,如果有的話,不太可能在2025年之前發生。
在截至2023年9月30日的財政年度內,與衛星部門相關的應收貿易賬款、合同資產和無形資產的減值損失已從持續業務重新分類爲「非持續業務虧損,扣除稅金」。
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經營成果
截至2024年9月30日和2023年9月30日的年份比較
下表列出了Arqit的歷史經營業績:
截至的年度 | 截至的年度 |
| |||||||
| 2024年9月30日 |
| 2023年9月30日 |
| 方差 |
| |||
| $'000 |
| $'000 |
| $'000 |
| % |
| |
收入 | 293 | 640 | (347) |
| (54) | % | |||
其他收入 | 392 | 53 | 339 | — | % | ||||
行政費用 | (23,177) | (55,201) | 32,024 | (58) | % | ||||
無形資產減值損失 | (2,032) | — | (2,032) | 100 | % | ||||
貿易應收賬款和合同資產的減損損失 | (166) | — | (166) | — | % | ||||
營業(虧損)/利潤 | (24,690) | (54,508) | 29,819 | (55) | % | ||||
認股權證公允價值變動 | 6 | 10,638 | (10,632) | (100) | % | ||||
融資成本 | (223) | (284) | 61 | (21) | % | ||||
財政收入 | 930 | 41 | 889 | — | % | ||||
稅前(虧損)/利潤 | (23,977) | (44,113) | 20,137 | (46) | % | ||||
所得稅 | — | 141 | (141) | — | % | ||||
持續經營(虧損)/利潤 | (23,977) | (43,972) | 19,995 | (45) | % | ||||
(虧損)/非持續經營利潤 | (30,604) | (26,421) | (4,183) | 15 | % | ||||
本財年(虧損)/利潤 | (54,581) | (70,393) | 15,812 | (22) | % |
收入
收入從截至2023年9月30日止年度的64萬美元減少34.7萬美元至截至2024年9月30日止年度的29.3萬美元。這一減少是由於截至2024年9月30日止年度沒有出售大量永久企業許可證,而截至2023年9月30日止年度出售了兩個前期收入較高的永久企業許可證,佔該期間收入的很大一部分
其他收入
截至2024年9月30日止年度的其他收入從截至2023年9月30日止年度的5.3萬美元增加了33.9萬美元。其他收入與Arqit終止其英國辦公室租賃而導致的不動產、廠房和設備銷售以及IFRS 16收益有關。
行政費用
下表總結了Arqit在所示期間的行政費用:
截至的年度 | 截至的年度 |
| |||||||
| 2024年9月30日 |
| 2023年9月30日 |
| 方差 |
| |||
| $'000 | $'000 | $'000 |
| % |
| |||
員工成本 | 19,775 | 24,187 | (4,412) | (18) | % | ||||
員工成本資本化 | (511) | (1,956) | 1,445 | (74) | % | ||||
專業費用 | 5,935 | 12,415 | (6,480) | (52) | % | ||||
物業費 | 1,884 | 2,289 | (405) | (18) | % | ||||
基於份額的薪酬 | (1,636) | 14,118 | (15,754) | (112) | % | ||||
折舊 | 3,188 | 2,543 | 645 | 25 | % | ||||
無形資產攤銷 | 375 | 91 | 284 | — | % | ||||
外匯 | (12,248) | (8,764) | (3,484) | 40 | % | ||||
其他行政費用 | 6,415 | 10,278 | (3,863) | (37) | % | ||||
23,177 | 55,201 | (32,024) | (58) | % |
行政費用總額從截至2023年9月30日止年度的5520.1萬美元減少了3202.4萬美元至截至2024年9月30日止年度的2317.7萬美元。這一下降主要是由於Arqit之前宣佈的成本削減措施和專業費用降低,員工費用減少和運營費用減少。截至2024年9月30日的財年的行政費用還包括163.6萬美元的股票薪酬非現金抵免,而截至2024年9月30日的財年的費用爲1,4118萬美元。
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無形資產減值損失
截至2024年9月30日止年度的無形資產減值虧損爲203.2美元萬,涉及Arqit數字彙票無形資產的開發成本減值,該等成本於年內因TradeSecure產品停產而停產。*截至2023年9月30日止年度並無就持續經營確認任何無形資產減值虧損。
應收貿易賬款和合同資產減值損失
由於與無法收回的客戶餘額相關的減值確認,Arqit在截至2024年9月30日的年度發生了16.6萬的應收貿易賬款和合同資產減值虧損。*截至2023年9月30日止年度並無就持續經營確認應收貿易賬款及合約資產減值虧損。
認股權證公允價值變動
業務合併權證的公允價值變動代表Arqit權證截至2024年9月30日的估值與截至2023年9月30日的估值的差額,截至2023年9月30日的非現金利潤爲0.6萬,而截至2023年9月30日的年度的非現金利潤爲1063.8美元萬。
融資成本
融資成本下降了6.1美元萬,從截至2023年9月30日的年度的28.4美元萬降至截至2024年9月30日的年度的22.3美元萬。減少的原因是終止了對英國的租約。在這一年中,該辦公室的財務成本較低。
財政收入
截至2024年9月30日的一年,財務收入增加到93美元萬,而截至2023年9月30日的一年,財務收入爲4.1萬億美元(萬)。截至2023年9月30日止年度的財務收入與Arqit現金及現金等價物存款的銀行利息收入有關。
(虧損)/非持續經營利潤,稅後淨額
非連續性業務的虧損增加了760.7美元萬,從截至2023年9月30日的年度的2642.1美元萬增加到截至2024年9月30日的年度的3060.4美元萬。在截至2024年9月30日的財年中,Arqit確定其衛星資產不再被視爲「持有以待出售」。因此,衛星資產已完全減值,減值損失被確認爲截至2024年9月30日的財政年度「非持續經營虧損的一部分,扣除稅項」。
在截至2023年9月30日的財政年度內,與衛星部門相關的應收貿易賬款、合同資產和無形資產的減值損失已從持續業務重新分類爲「非持續業務虧損,扣除稅金」。
截至2023年9月30日及2022年9月30日止年度比較
下表列出了Arqit的歷史經營業績:
截至的年度 | 截至的年度 |
| |||||||
| 2023年9月30日 |
| 2022年9月30日 |
| 方差 |
| |||
| $'000 | $'000 | $'000 |
| % |
| |||
收入 | 640 | 7,212 | (6,572) | (91) | % | ||||
其他收入 | 53 | — | 53 | 100 | |||||
行政費用 | (55,201) | (70,977) | 15,776 | (22) | % | ||||
營業(虧損)/利潤 | (54,508) | (63,765) | 9,257 | (15) | % | ||||
認股權證公允價值變動 | 10,638 | 117,394 | (106,756) | (91) | % | ||||
融資成本 | (284) | (221) | (63) | 29 | % | ||||
財政收入 | 41 | — | 41 | 100 | % | ||||
稅前利潤/(虧損) | (44,113) | 53,408 | (97,521) | (183) | % | ||||
所得稅 | 141 | — | 141 | — | % | ||||
持續經營利潤/(損失) | (43,972) | 53,408 | (97,380) | (182) | |||||
已終止經營業務之溢利 | (26,421) | 11,667 | (38,088) | (326) | % | ||||
本財政年度溢利╱(虧損) | (70,393) | 65,075 | (135,468) | (208) | % |
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收入
收入從截至2022年9月30日止年度的721.2萬美元減少657.2萬美元至截至2023年9月30日止年度的64萬美元。這一下降是由於Arqit在截至2023年9月30日的年度內將銷售模式從主要企業銷售改爲通過渠道合作伙伴銷售後,通過渠道合作伙伴建立收入需要時間
其他收入
截至2023年9月30日止年度的其他收入從截至2022年9月30日止年度的零美元增加了53萬美元。與銷售不動產、廠房和設備相關的其他收入。
行政費用
下表總結了Arqit在所示期間的行政費用:
截至的年度 | 截至的年度 |
| |||||||
| 2023年9月30日 |
| 2022年9月30日 |
| 方差 |
| |||
$'000 | $'000 | $'000 |
| % |
| ||||
員工成本 |
| 24,187 | 21,148 | 3,039 | 14 | % | |||
員工成本資本化 | (1,956) | (4,920) | 2,964 | (60) | % | ||||
專業費用 | 12,415 | 6,355 | 6,061 | 95 | % | ||||
物業費 | 2,289 | 754 | 1,534 | 203 | % | ||||
基於份額的薪酬 | 14,118 | 21,742 | (7,624) | (35) | % | ||||
折舊 | 2,543 | 1,292 | 1,251 | 2,338 | % | ||||
無形資產攤銷 | 91 | — | 91 | 100 | % | ||||
外匯 | (8,764) | 13,535 | (22,299) | (165) | % | ||||
其他行政費用 | 10,278 | 11,071 | (793) | (8) | % | ||||
55,201 | 70,977 | (15,776) | (22) | % |
總管理費用減少了1577.6美元萬,從截至2022年9月30日的年度的7097.7美元萬減少到截至2023年9月30日的年度的5520.1美元萬。減少主要是由於截至2023年9月30日和2022年9月30日的年終匯率差異導致外匯減少,以及在截至2022年9月30日的年度因改用RSU計劃而導致基於股份的薪酬減少所致。專業費用和工作人員費用的增加部分抵消了這些減少。
認股權證公允價值變動
業務合併權證的公允價值變動代表Arqit認股權證截至2023年9月30日的估值與截至2022年9月30日的估值(截至2023年9月30日的非現金利潤爲1063.8美元萬,而截至2022年9月30日的非現金利潤爲11739.4美元萬)的差額。
融資成本
融資成本增加了6.3美元萬,從截至2022年9月30日的年度的22.1美元萬增加到截至2023年9月30日的年度的28.4萬。這一增長是由於當年簽署了美國辦事處的新租約,導致財務成本上升。
財政收入
截至2023年9月30日的一年,財務收入從截至2022年9月30日的零美元增加到4.1萬億美元(萬)。截至2023年9月30日止年度的財務收入與Arqit現金及現金等價物存款的銀行利息收入有關。
(虧損)/非持續經營利潤,稅後淨額
(虧損)/非持續業務利潤,稅後淨額減少3808.8美元萬,從截至2022年9月30日的年度的1166.7美元萬利潤下降到截至2023年9月30日的年度的2642.1美元萬虧損。在截至2023年9月30日的一年中,與截至2022年9月30日的一年中的里程碑數量相比,Arqit根據歐空局合同實現的收入確認里程碑較少。
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Arqit在截至2023年9月30日的年度發生了1233.5萬的貿易應收賬款和合同資產減值損失,這是與維珍軌道公司在美國申請破產的欠Arqit款項準備金相關的減值確認的結果。
Arqit於截至2023年9月30日止年度的無形資產減值虧損爲1760.1美元萬,因其附屬資產由「無形資產」重新分類爲「分類爲待售資產」而確認減值。*截至2022年9月30日止年度並無確認任何無形資產減值虧損。
關於市場風險的定量和定性披露
Arqit在正常業務過程中面臨市場風險。市場風險是指由於金融市場價格和利率的不利變化而可能影響Arqit財務狀況的損失風險。在整個審查期間,Arqit的政策是不使用或交易衍生品金融工具。Arqit的金融工具包括現金和現金等價物以及直接產生於其業務的貿易債權人等各種項目。Arqit金融資產和負債的主要目的是爲其短期內的運營提供資金。
利率風險管理
如果Arqit在需要時以可變利率借入資金,它將面臨利率風險。目前不存在利率風險敞口。
信用風險
信用風險是指交易對手不能履行其義務的財務損失風險。Arqit的政策是,剩餘現金在不用於償還債務時,根據A3/A的最低信用評級和最大敞口,存放在其主要關係銀行以及其他銀行或貨幣市場基金。*沒有對任何單一交易對手造成顯著的風險集中。Arqit認爲,就未償還金額而言,各種應收款的信用質量良好,因此認爲信用風險較低。沒有明顯的風險集中度。即金融資產的賬面價值,代表Arqit在報告日期的最大信用風險敞口,假設持有的任何證券沒有價值。
外匯風險
Arqit經營國際業務,面臨各種貨幣風險,主要是英鎊和歐元的匯率風險。Arqit持有英鎊、美元和歐元銀行帳戶,以限制其敞口。Arqit還面臨外匯風險,因爲其最終母實體擁有美元功能貨幣。
流動性風險
流動性風險是指Arqit沒有足夠的財政資源來履行到期債務的風險。Arqit通過持續監測預測和實際現金流來管理流動性風險,將金融資產和負債的預期現金流時間與現金和現金等價物、借款、透支和承諾的循環信貸安排的使用相匹配,至少12個月到期。*每月預測未來借款需求,並保持高於預測峯值要求的資金淨空,以應對不可預見的事件。
《就業法案》
2012年4月5日,《就業法案》簽署成爲法律。《就業法案》包含了一些條款,其中包括放寬對符合條件的上市公司的某些報告要求。根據《就業法案》,Arqit有資格成爲「新興成長型公司」。
Arqit正在評估依賴《就業法案》規定的減少報告要求的好處。在符合JOBS法案規定的某些條件的情況下,如果Arqit作爲一家「新興成長型公司」選擇依賴此類豁免,除其他事項外,可能不需要(I)根據Sarbanes-Oxley法案第404條提供關於其財務報告內部控制系統的核數師證明報告,(Ii)遵守上市公司會計監督委員會可能通過的關於強制性審計公司輪換的任何要求,或對核數師報告提供有關審計和財務報表(核數師討論和分析)的額外信息的補充要求,(Iii)提供根據《多德-弗蘭克華爾街改革和消費者保護法》可能要求非新興成長型上市公司披露的所有薪酬(僅在Arqit不再是外國私人發行人的情況下適用),以及(Iv)披露某些與高管薪酬相關的項目,例如高管薪酬與業績之間的相關性,以及CEO薪酬與員工薪酬中值的比較(僅適用於Arqit不再是外國私人發行人的情況)。這些豁免將適用到2026年9月3日(五
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業務合併結束後數年)或直至Arqit不再是「新興成長型公司」,以較早者爲準。儘管《就業法案》允許新興成長型公司遵守基於私營(非上市)公司生效日期的新的或修訂的會計聲明,但Arqit並不打算利用這一選項來推遲遵守。
5.B.流動資金和資本資源
流動性與資本資源
Arqit在截至2021年9月30日的財年開始從其主要業務--提供網絡安全服務--中獲得收入。Arqit自成立以來發生的淨虧損與其戰略和預算一致。隨着Arqit開始將其產品商業化,按照其運營計劃,Arqit將繼續出現淨虧損。
於報告期內,Arqit透過公開發售證券爲其營運、資本開支及營運資金需求提供資金,包括(1)根據其自動櫃員機計劃(定義見下文)出售普通股及(2)於2023年2月、2023年9月及2024年9月以登記直接發售方式出售普通股所得款項。從歷史上看,Arqit還通過2021年9月完成業務合併、某些風險投資者的出資、貸款和借款以及英國政府未來基金的贈款(包括與業務合併相關轉換爲普通股的可轉換貸款票據)爲其運營提供資金。在本報告所述期間,Arqit的主要流動性用途一直是營運資本要求,因爲它繼續增加其產品的商業化。
2022年12月,Arqit提交了一份F-3表格的註冊聲明,以建立一個在市場上的股權發行計劃(「ATM計劃」),根據該計劃,它可以發行和出售普通股,總髮行價最高可達3,000美元萬。*Arqit沒有義務根據其ATM計劃出售任何此類股票。實際銷售將取決於本集團不時決定的各種因素,包括(其中包括)是否需要額外資本、市場狀況、Arqit普通股的交易價格、確定本集團的適當資金來源,以及可用資金的潛在用途。Arqit打算將發行此類股票的淨收益(如果有的話)用於一般公司用途。在截至2024年9月30日的一年中,Arqit根據自動取款機計劃發行了48,803股股票,扣除費用和支出前爲公司帶來了約46.7萬美元的萬收益。在截至2023年9月30日的前一年,Arqit根據自動取款機計劃發行了312,579股股票,爲公司帶來了扣除費用和支出前的收益約1,150美元萬。
2023年2月,Arqit完成了一次登記直接發行,出售了400,000股普通股,連同購買300,000股普通股的認股權證(「2023年2月投資者認股權證」),總購買價爲每股2.00美元,並附帶認股權證,爲公司帶來了扣除費用和支出前的收益約2,000萬。2023年2月的投資者權證的行使價爲每股2.00美元,目前可行使,將於2028年2月22日到期。此外,在2023年2月的登記直接發行中,Arqit向H.C.Wainwright&Co.,LLC或其指定人發行了認股權證,以購買22,000股普通股(「2023年2月配售代理權證」)。2023年2月的配售代理權證的行使價爲每股2.50美元,目前可行使,將於2028年2月22日到期。
2023年9月,Arqit完成了一次登記直接發行,出售了830,227股普通股,連同購買830,227股普通股的權證(「2023年9月投資者認股權證」),總購買價爲每股0.78美元,並附帶認股權證,爲公司帶來了扣除費用和支出前的收益約1620美元萬。2023年9月的投資者權證的行使價爲每股0.78美元,目前可行使,將於2028年9月12日到期。此外,關於2023年9月的登記直接發行,Arqit向H.C.Wainwright&Co.,LLC或其指定人發行了28,205股普通股的認股權證(「2023年9月配售代理權證」)。2023年9月的配售代理權證的行使價爲每股0.975美元,目前可行使,將於2028年9月8日到期。2023年9月的登記直接發售包括出售317,407股普通股,連同2023年9月的投資者認股權證,以每股普通股0.78美元的合併發行價購買317,407股普通股,以及向現有股東Heritage Assets SCSP、Ropemaker Nominees Limited和Carlo Calabria出售附帶的認股權證。Arqit董事Manfredi Lefebvre d‘Ovidio對渣打銀行持有的股份擁有獨家投資和投票權,Arqit董事斯蒂芬·錢德勒是Arqit Capital Managers LLP的投資委員會成員,Concept Capital Managers LLP是Ropemaker Nominees Limited持有的公司股份的實益所有者,卡洛·卡拉布里亞是Arqit董事公司。看見“項目7.b.關聯方交易。
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2024年9月,Arqit進行了登記直接發行,以每股2.50美元的發行價出售了5,44萬股普通股。在一次同時進行的私募中,Arqit發行了無登記認股權證,按每股2.50美元的行使價購買最多5,440,000股股份(「2024年9月投資者權證」),行使價爲每股2.50美元,僅可在(I)發行日期起計一年,(Ii)本公司股東批准增加法定資本以足以發行根據行使2024年9月投資者權證而發行的股份之日,及(Iii)普通股在納斯達克資本市場的連續60個交易日收市價超過5.00美元之日行使。認股權證將在行使之日起一年內行使。認股權證將於(X)下午5:00較早者終止。(紐約時間)在運動期的最後一天或(Y)下午5:00(紐約時間)發行日期後五年的日期。2024年9月上市的投資者是現有股東Heritage Assets SCSP、Ropemaker Nominees Limited、Carlo Calabria和Garth Ritchie。由於Arqit董事Manfredi Lefebvre d‘Ovidio對遺產資產SCSP持有的股份擁有共同的投資和投票權,Arqit董事斯蒂芬·錢德勒是Concept Capital Managers LLP投資委員會的成員,該投資委員會是Ropemaker Nominees Limited持有的Arqit股份的實益所有者,卡洛·卡拉布里亞和Garth Ritchie都是Arqit董事。看見“項目7.b.關聯方交易。
現金流摘要
下表顯示了Arqit截至2024年9月30日、2023年和2022年的現金流摘要。
| 截至的年度 |
| 截至的年度 |
| 截至的年度 | |
9月30日, | 9月30日, | 9月30日, | ||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
產生的淨現金來自/(用於): |
| $'000 |
| $'000 |
| $'000 |
經營活動 |
| (34,126) | (32,825) | (26,719) | ||
投資活動 |
| (2,398) | (16,082) | (24,432) | ||
融資活動 |
| 11,188 | 44,853 | 22,176 | ||
現金和現金等價物淨額(減少)/增加 |
| (25,336) |
| (4,054) |
| (28,975) |
經營活動中使用的現金流量
迄今爲止,經營活動中使用的現金流量主要來自人員相關成本、貿易應付賬款以及其他流動資產和負債的波動。由於Arqit預計將繼續增加招聘以進一步擴大其商業運營,因此預計在開始從產品商業化中產生大量現金流之前,其用於運營活動的現金將大幅增加。
截至2024年9月30日止年度,經營活動使用的現金爲3412.6萬美元。影響期內經營現金流的主要因素是淨虧損2,397.7萬美元和非現金項目調整3,544.6萬美元。
在截至2023年9月30日的一年中,用於經營活動的現金爲3282.5美元萬。在此期間,影響營業現金流的主要因素是淨虧損4411.3美元萬和非現金項目調整3770.8美元萬。
在截至9月30日的年度內,用於經營活動的現金爲2,672萬美元。在此期間,影響營業現金流的主要因素是淨利潤爲5340.8美元萬和非現金項目調整爲9179.6美元萬。
Arqit的非現金項目主要包括認股權證估值、基於股份的費用和折舊的公允價值變動,而營運資本的變動主要是由貿易和其他應付款的變化推動的。
用於投資活動的現金流
截至2024年9月30日的年度,用於投資活動的淨現金爲239.8美元萬,而截至2023年9月30日的年度爲1608.2美元萬,截至2022年9月30日的年度爲2443.2美元萬。2022年、2023年至2024年期間用於投資活動的現金減少,是因爲開發無形固定資產的成本降低。
融資活動產生的現金流
截至2024年9月30日的一年,融資活動產生的淨現金爲1118.8美元萬,而4485.3美元萬截至2023年9月30日止的年度及截至2022年9月30日的年度萬爲2217.6美元。在截至2024年9月30日的一年中,融資活動提供的現金淨額主要與該公司根據其自動取款機計劃發行股票和2024年9月登記的直接發售的收益有關。截至2023年9月30日止年度的融資活動所提供的現金淨額主要與本公司根據其自動櫃員機計劃發行股票及以登記直接方式發行股票所得款項有關
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offerings in February 2023 and September 2023. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended September 30, 2022, was limited to proceeds from shares issued upon the exercise of Business Combination Warrants.
5.C. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, PATENTS AND LICENSES, ETC.
Arqit’s policy regarding research and development expenses is consistent with the requirements of IAS 38. Research costs are expensed as incurred through the income statement, while development costs are capitalized after technical and commercial feasibility of the asset for sale or use have been established. Capitalized development costs are recorded as intangible assets and amortized from the point at which the asset is ready for use.
For the periods ended September 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022, there were no research costs reflected in the statement of comprehensive income. This is primarily due to the research phase being deemed as complete in 2018. For all periods presented, eligible costs have been treated as development costs and capitalized. As described in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this Annual Reports, government regulations and policies can make developing or marketing our technologies expensive or uncertain due to various restrictions. See “Item 3. Key Information—3.D. Risk Factors” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—4.B. Business Overview—Government Regulation.” For further information on our research and development policies and additional product information, see “Item 4. Information on the Company— 4.B. Business Overview.”
5.D. TREND INFORMATION
Other than as described in Item 3.D. “Risk Factors” and in Item 5.A. “Operating Results—Key Factors Affecting Operating Results—Market Trends” of this Annual Report, which are incorporated by reference herein, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events since the beginning of our year ended September 30, 2024 that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our net revenues, income from operations, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial condition.
5.E. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Arqit’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. While significant accounting policies are described in more detail elsewhere in this Annual Report, management believes that the following accounting policies are those most critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its financial statements.
Warrants valuation
Estimating the fair value of warrants requires a determination of the most appropriate valuation model, which depends on the terms and conditions of the warrant. This estimate also requires determination of the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including equity value, exercise price, volatility, dividend yield, risk free rate and exercise period and making assumptions about them. For the measurement of the fair value of warrants at both the acquisition and the reporting date, Arqit uses a Binomial Option Pricing Model. The assumptions and models used for this estimation are disclosed in the notes to Arqit’s audited consolidated financial statements.
Capitalization of Development Costs
Arqit capitalizes costs for product development projects. Initial capitalization of costs is based on management’s judgement that technological and economic feasibility is confirmed, usually when a product development project has reached a defined milestone according to an established project management model, and all other recognition criteria within IAS 38 can be demonstrated. In determining the amounts to be capitalized, management makes assumptions regarding the expected future cash generation of the project, discount rates to be applied and the expected period of benefits. At September 30, 2024, the carrying amount of capitalized development costs were $1.939 million, compared with $3.414 million at September 30, 2023 and $40,291 million at September 30, 2022.
Share-Based Compensation
Estimating fair value for share-option payment transactions requires determination of the most appropriate valuation model, which depends on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determination of the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the share option or appreciation right, volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions about them. For the measurement of the fair value of equity settled transactions with employees at the grant date, Arqit uses a Black Scholes valuation. The assumptions and models used for estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions are disclosed in the notes to Arqit’s audited consolidated financial statements.
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Compensation expense for RSUs is determined based upon the market price of the shares underlying the awards on the date of the grant and expensed over the vesting period, which is generally a one to five year service period. The compensation expense is adjusted based on actual forfeitures.
Deferred Tax Asset
Judgement is required to determine whether deferred tax assets are recognised in the statement of financial position. Deferred tax assets, arising from unutilised tax losses, require Arqit to assess the likelihood it will generate sufficient taxable earnings in future periods, in order to utilise recognised deferred tax assets. To the extent that future cash flows and taxable income differ significantly from estimates, Arqit’s ability to realise the net deferred tax assets recorded at the reporting date could be impacted.
Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale
The decision to discontinue the business activities of the satellite division to an increased level of judgment and estimation uncertainties with regard to provisions recognised in this context.
For assets held for sale, judgement is required when estimating expected fair value until any sale is contractually concluded. Changes in the economic environment or other facts and circumstances may cause revisions to these assumptions and could result in a material change to the realizable value of the Group's assets held for sale within the next financial year.
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
6.A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
The following persons serve as Arqit’s directors and executive officers. For biographical information concerning the directors and executive officers, see below.
Name |
| Age |
| Position |
Andrew Leaver |
| 57 |
| Chief Executive Officer |
Nick Pointon |
| 54 |
| Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director |
Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio |
| 71 |
| Senior Independent Director |
Carlo Calabria |
| 64 |
| Director |
Stephen Chandler |
| 55 |
| Director |
Garth Ritchie |
| 56 |
| Director |
Nicola Barbiero | 38 | Director | ||
Paul Feenan |
| 51 |
| Chief Revenue Officer |
Dr. Daniel Shiu |
| 55 |
| Chief Cryptographer |
Patrick Willcocks |
| 56 |
| General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
Andrew Leaver is the Chief Executive Officer of Arqit. Prior to becoming the Chief Executive Officer in September 2024, Mr. Leaver was the acting Chief Operating Officer of Arqit from July 2024 to September 2024. Mr. Leaver has been employed by Notion Capital, a venture capital firm focused on Cloud Computing and Software-as-a-Service, since February 2020 as an Operating Partner. From July 2016 to December 2019, Mr. Leaver was a Partner at Crane Venture Partners. Mr. Leaver began his career at GE, where he managed their eCommerce activities, followed by executive international and global leadership positions with consecutive IPO’s at Ariba (2000-2007), SuccessFactors (2007-2009), Bazaarvoice (2009-2011), Workday (2011-2014) and Hortonworks (2014-2017). Mr. Leaver received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in microelectronic systems engineering from the University of Manchester.
Nick Pointon is the Chief Financial Officer and a member of the board of directors of Arqit. Prior to joining Arqit, from 2017 to 2021 Mr. Pointon was the Group CFO of Privitar, a venture capital-funded data privacy company, and from 2011 to 2016 was the Vice President of Finance at King Digital Entertainment plc, which listed on the NYSE prior to being bought by Activision Blizzard, Inc. Mr. Pointon has experience acting as Financial Controller in a number of private and public telecoms and technology businesses. Mr. Pointon holds an LLB in Law from Kings College London and trained as a Chartered Accountant with Moore Stephens before moving to KPMG for two years’ post-qualification experience.
Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio is Vice Chairman and senior independent director of Arqit. Mr. Lefebvre d’Ovidio is Chairman of Heritage Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in the cruise industry, property and financial investments. Mr. Lefebvre d’Ovidio assumed the role of Executive Chairman of Silversea Cruises from 2001 until 2020. During this period, Mr. Lefebvre d’Ovidio transformed Silversea Cruises from a cruise line with five vessels to a market leader covering over 900 destinations worldwide. Further,
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he expanded the product range of Silversea Cruises by adding an expedition fleet, which quickly became a leader in luxury expedition cruising as well. In 2018, Heritage Group sold two-thirds equity stake of Silversea Cruises to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. for approximately $1 billion. In 2019, Heritage Group acquired a majority stake in the high-end tour operator Abercrombie & Kent. Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio serves as Executive Chairman of A&K Travel Group Ltd, and has led the expansion of the group both internally and externally, notably with the acquisition of Cox & Kings and more recently (in June 2022) with the acquisition of the cruise ships Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony in addition to the Crystal Cruises brand. Mr. Lefebvre d’Ovidio serves as the Vice Chairman of the Monaco Chamber of Shipping, Vice Chairman of the World Travel and Tourism Council, and has held a number of key roles in Cruise Lines International Association, including European Chairman, Member of the Global Executive Committee, and Chairman from 2007 to 2013. Mr. Lefebvre d’Ovidio was honored by being awarded the rank of Knight of the Order of Saint Charles and Grimaldi by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, and has been Honorary Consul of Ecuador in Monaco since April 2019.
Carlo Calabria is a member of the board of directors of Arqit. Mr. Calabria has close to four decades of experience in the financial services sector and has held multiple senior leadership positions at some of the world’s largest financial institutions. In 2012, he founded CMC Capital Limited, an investment banking boutique specializing in mergers and acquisitions and debt restructuring, which he led until 2016, and then returned in 2021. Mr. Calabria is a mergers and acquisitions expert with vast experience across different sectors and regions. In 2016, he joined Barclays as Chairman of M&A and then served as Head of Banking for Barclays Europe from 2016 to 2020 and was responsible for investment banking activities in Continental Europe and Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa. Prior to joining Barclays, he served as Head of International M&A, first at Credit Suisse and then at Merrill Lynch from 2006 to 2011. Prior to this, Mr. Calabria worked at Credit Suisse from 1990 to 2006 and began his investment banking career at Morgan Grenfell & Co. Ltd in 1983. Mr. Calabria holds a Master of Arts (Honors) in Economics from Rome University, La Sapienza.
Stephen Chandler is a member of the board of directors of Arqit. Mr. Chandler is an entrepreneur, investor and company builder, with 20 years of experience in forming, funding, running, advising and investing in technology businesses. Mr. Chandler is a co-founder of several businesses with involvement in many more. Since 2009 he has been the Co-founder and Managing Partner at Notion Capital, a venture capital firm focused on Cloud Computing and Software-as-a-Service. Following an early career at Deloitte and then UBS, he was the Chief Financial Officer at MessageLabs, a cyber security company, through to its acquisition by Symantec in 2008. He is a current or former board director of several growing tech companies, including GoCardless, Griffin, Paddle, Pana seer, Novatiq and Virtual Stock. Mr. Chandler is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Accounting & Economics from the University of Exeter.
Garth Ritchie is a member of the board of directors of Arqit. Mr. Ritchie has over 25 years of experience in banking and finance where he has held a number of senior leadership positions. In 1996, Mr. Ritchie joined Deutsche Bank in the Johannesburg office and went on to become a member of the Global Markets Executive Committee in 2009 as Head of Equities. In January 2016, Mr. Ritchie was appointed to Deutsche Bank’s Management Board with responsibility for Deutsche Bank’s markets division. In 2017, he became Co-Head of the newly created Corporate & Investment Bank. In 2018, he became its sole Head and was appointed as President. In June 2020, Mr. Ritchie joined Centricus, a London-based global investment firm, where he leads the firm’s capital markets and advisory business. Mr. Ritchie earned his B.Com. in Finance and Economics from the University of Port Elizabeth.
Nicola Barbiero is a member of the board of directors of Arqit. Mr. Barbiero has nearly two decades of experience in investment management and financial operations. He has been Investment Director of the Heritage Group since 2020. From 2013 to 2020, he held the positions of CFO and CIO at Solidarietà Veneto, one of Italy’s largest pension schemes. Mr. Barbiero holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Finance from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.
Paul Feenan has served as the Chief Revenue Officer of Arqit since April 2021. Prior to this, Mr. Feenan was the Managing Director for Global Institutional Sales at Arqit since April 2020. Mr. Feenan was previously the Director for Strategic Partnerships at JUMO, a Cape Town headquartered, global financial technology company, from 2016 to 2020. Mr. Feenan was the Director for Government Services at Avanti Communications Group plc from 2012 to 2016. Prior to this, Mr. Feenan was a commissioned British Army Officer where he served for over 16 years in a variety of Command and Operational roles including as the lead for Domestic Counterterrorism in the run-up to the 2012 London Olympic Games. He has a Master of Arts (Honors) Degree in Geography from the University of Cambridge.
Dr. Daniel Shiu has served as the Chief Cryptographer of Arqit since 2021. Prior to joining Arqit, Dr. Shiu worked for the UK’s intelligence, cyber and security agency GCHQ for 19 years. He was the UK’s first National Technical Authority for Cryptographic Design and Quantum Information Processing and was part of the National Technical Authority function, assumed by the new National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). He was responsible for briefing the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser in Crypto mathematical matters. Dr. Shiu also served as Head of the Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research (HIMR) and represented GCHQ in co-directing the National Quantum Technologies Program. In 2023, Daniel Shiu was elected to the National Security Committee of the techUK trade body for which he undertakes duties for the sovereign skills subgroup. Throughout his career, Dr. Shiu’s has received multiple prizes, including an international, annual award for best crypto-mathematician and on three separate occasions an international
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award for the best cryptanalytic achievement of the year. He has a BSc (Honors) and ARCS in Mathematics from Imperial College London, and a DPhil in Mathematics from the University of Oxford (Pembroke College).
Patrick Willcocks is General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Arqit. Prior to joining Arqit, Mr. Willcocks ran a legal consultancy. From 2009 to 2018, Mr. Willcocks was General Counsel and Company Secretary of Avanti Communications Group plc. Prior to this, Patrick was a senior attorney at HP/EDS, a banking and financing solicitor at Eversheds Sutherland, and an investment banker at a number of international banks. Patrick has an LLB (Honors) Degree in Law from Trinity College Dublin, a Barrister-at-Law degree from the Honorable Society of King’s Inns in Dublin, and a Masters in Business Studies (Strategic Planning) and a Diploma in Business Studies from UCD Business School.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships between any of the executive officers and directors.
6.B. COMPENSATION
Historical Executive Officer and Director Compensation
The aggregate cash compensation paid by Arqit and its subsidiaries to its executive officers and directors for the year ended September 30, 2024 was $2.789 million. This amount includes $0.108 million, set aside or accrued to provide pension, severance, retirement or similar benefits or expenses.
As of September 30, 2024, 57,115 share options to purchase ordinary shares and 138,632 RSUs had been granted to Arqit’s executive officers and directors. During the year ended September 30, 2024, 27,320 shares were issued to Arqit’s executive officers and directors in connection with the vesting of RSUs, and 14,213 options granted to Arqit’s executive officers and directors vested.
Executive Officer and Director Compensation
Arqit’s policies with respect to the compensation of its executive officers and directors are administered by its board of directors in consultation with the compensation committee. The compensation decisions regarding Arqit’s executives is based on the need to attract individuals with the skills necessary for the company to achieve its business plan, to reward those individuals fairly over time, and to retain those individuals who continue to perform at or above the company’s expectations.
Arqit has an executive compensation program that is competitive with other similarly-situated companies in its industry. This includes a base salary, cash annual bonus and long-term equity compensation awards that are, in each case, consistent with market practices and designed to incentivize, motivate and retain key employees. Each of Arqit’s executive officers and employees is party to an employment agreement with Arqit, all of which are in substantially the same form. Under their respective agreements, each executive officer and employee is compensated with an annual base salary and most are also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, each executive officer and employee is subject to a perpetual confidentiality covenant, and non-competition and non-solicitation restrictive covenants during the term of employment and for a period of three to twelve months after the termination of employment. Each of the agreements also includes agreement by the executive officer or employee to assign all intellectual property rights created during the course of employment to Arqit. The agreements include a notice period of one week to one month if either Arqit or the executive officer or employee wishes to terminate the agreement, other than for cause, in which case termination is effective immediately. Arqit may provide payment in lieu of such notice or may require the executive officer or employee to be placed on garden leave.
Arqit has a compensation plan for its directors. Arqit, working with the compensation committee, has set director compensation at a level comparable with those directors with similar positions at comparable companies. Each non-executive director receives an annual cash retainer of $60,000. Each director who serves as the chairman of a committee receives an additional $20,000 per year and each other member of a committee receives an additional $10,000 per year per committee. Directors have the option to elect to receive their cash compensation in the form of either cash or RSUs. In addition, directors will benefit from an annual grant of 3,000 RSUs which will be awarded in accordance with Arqit’s incentive award plan.
Equity Compensation — Incentive Award Plan
Arqit’s board of directors adopted an incentive award plan (the “Incentive Award Plan”) in order to facilitate the grant of cash and equity incentives to its directors, employees (including executive officers) and consultants and its affiliates and to enable it and certain of its affiliates to obtain and retain services of these individuals, which is essential to Arqit’s long-term success.
The purpose of the Incentive Award Plan is to enhance Arqit’s ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who make (or are expected to make) important contributions by providing these individuals with equity ownership opportunities and/or equity-linked compensatory
46
opportunities. Equity awards and equity- linked compensatory opportunities are intended to motivate high levels of performance and align the interests of directors, employees and consultants with those of stockholders by giving directors, employees and consultants the perspective of an owner with an equity or equity-linked stake in the company and providing a means of recognizing their contributions to our success. Arqit’s board of directors believes that equity awards are necessary to remain competitive in its industry and are essential to recruiting and retaining the highly qualified employees who help us meet our goals.
The aggregate number of ordinary shares available for issuance under the Incentive Award Plan, excluding awards granted, is equal to 2.1% of the sum of the total number of issued and outstanding ordinary shares as of December 3, 2024, which equals an aggregate pool of one million ordinary shares. Prior to the completion of the Business Combination, Arqit Limited granted options over Arqit Limited ordinary shares to its employees, consultants and advisors. The holders of each of these options agreed to exchange these options for equivalent options to acquire ordinary shares, 125,035 of which remain outstanding as of September 30, 2024, which were issued under amended option agreements with terms consistent with the Incentive Award Plan. In addition, 180,106 restricted shares units (net of forfeitures) were granted during the year ended September 30, 2024, leaving 263,947 ordinary shares available for issuance in respect of future grants of awards under the Incentive Award Plan. The compensation committee may make grants of awards under the Incentive Award Plan to key employees, in forms and amounts to be determined by the compensation committee based on the recommendations of an independent compensation consultant.
6.C. BOARD PRACTICES
Board Composition
Director Independence
The Nasdaq corporate governance rules require that a majority of the board of directors be independent. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person who has no material relationship with the listed company (either directly or as a partner, stockholder, or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the listed company). Arqit has six directors, four of whom – directors Calabria, Chandler, d’Ovidio, and Ritchie – the board has determined qualify as independent directors as defined in the Nasdaq corporate governance rules.
Classes of Directors
The board of directors is divided into three staggered classes of directors. At each annual meeting of its shareholders, a class of directors will be elected for a three-year term to succeed the same class whose term is then expiring, as follows:
· | the Class I directors include Stephen Chandler and Nicola Barbiero; |
· | the Class II directors include Nick Pointon and Carlo Calabria; and |
· | the Class III directors include Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio and Garth Ritchie. |
Risk Oversight
The board of directors oversees the risk management activities designed and implemented by its management. The board of directors executes its oversight responsibility both directly and through its committees. The board of directors also considers specific risk topics, including risks associated with its strategic initiatives, business plans and capital structure. Arqit’s management, including its executive officers, are primarily responsible for managing the risks associated with the operation and business of the company and provides appropriate updates to the board of directors and the audit committee. The board of directors delegates to the audit committee oversight of its risk management process, and its other committees also consider risk as they perform their respective committee responsibilities. All committees report to the board of directors as appropriate, including when a matter rises to the level of material or enterprise risk.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Arqit has established a separately standing audit committee, nominations and corporate governance committee and compensation committee.
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Audit Committee
Listing Requirements
As permitted by Nasdaq Listing Rules, we have elected as a “foreign private issuer" to follow home country corporate governance practices with respect to our audit committee composition in lieu of the otherwise applicable Nasdaq corporate governance requirements. Under Nasdaq corporate governance rules, we are still required to maintain an audit committee consisting of independent directors.
The audit committee is comprised of Stephen Chandler and Garth Ritchie. Stephen Chandler serves as the chairperson of the audit committee. All members of the audit committee meet the requirements for financial literacy under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the Nasdaq corporate governance rules. The board of directors has determined that Stephen Chandler is an audit committee financial expert as defined by the SEC rules and is financially literate as defined by Nasdaq corporate governance rules.
The board of directors has determined that each member of the audit committee is independent, as such term is defined in Rule 10A3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, which is different from the general test for independence of board and committee members.
Audit Committee Role
The board of directors adopted an audit committee charter setting forth the responsibilities of the audit committee, which are consistent with the SEC rules and Nasdaq corporate governance rules. These responsibilities include:
· | retaining and terminating our independent auditors, subject to ratification by the board of directors, and in the case of retention, subject to ratification by the shareholders; |
· | pre-approving audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors and related fees and terms; |
· | overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of Arqit; |
· | managing audits of Arqit’s financial statements; |
· | preparing all reports as may be required of an audit committee under the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act; |
· | reviewing with management and Arqit’s independent auditor its annual and interim financial statements prior to publication, filing, or submission to the SEC; |
· | recommending to the board of directors the retention and termination of the internal auditor, and the internal auditor’s engagement fees and terms, as well as approving the yearly or periodic work plan proposed by the internal auditor; |
· | reviewing with Arqit’s general counsel and/or external counsel, as deemed necessary, legal and regulatory matters that may have a material impact on the financial statements; |
· | identifying irregularities in Arqit’s business administration, inter alia, by consulting with the internal auditor or with the independent auditor, and suggesting corrective measures to the board of directors; |
· | reviewing policies and procedures with respect to transactions (other than transactions related to compensation or terms of services) between Arqit and its officers and directors, affiliates of officers or directors, or transactions that are not in the ordinary course of business and deciding whether to approve such acts and transactions; and |
· | establishing procedures for handling employee complaints relating to the management of Arqit’s business and the protection to be provided to such employees. |
Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee
Arqit’s nominations and corporate governance committee is comprised of Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio and Carlo Calabria. Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio serves as the chairperson of the nominations and corporate governance committee. The board of directors adopted a nominations and corporate governance committee charter setting forth the responsibilities of the committee, which include:
· | overseeing and assisting the board of directors in reviewing and recommending nominees for election of directors; |
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· | assessing the performance of the members of the board of directors; and |
· | establishing and maintaining effective corporate governance policies and practices, including, but not limited to, developing and recommending to the board of directors a set of corporate governance guidelines applicable to Arqit’s business. |
Compensation Committee
Arqit’s compensation committee is comprised of Garth Ritchie and Carlo Calabria, all of whom are independent directors. Carlo Calabria serves as the chairperson of the compensation committee. The board of directors adopted a compensation committee charter setting forth the responsibilities of the committee.
The purpose of the compensation committee is to review and approve compensation paid to our officers and directors and to administer our incentive compensation plans, including authority to make and modify awards under such plans.
Code of Ethics
Arqit has a Code of Ethics that applies to all of its employees, officers, and directors. This includes Arqit’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. Arqit will disclose on its website any future amendments of the Code of Ethics or waivers that exempt any principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, persons performing similar functions, or directors from provisions in the Code of Ethics.
Compensation Recovery Policy
In 2023, we adopted a compensation recovery policy to provide for the recovery of erroneously-awarded incentive compensation, as required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, final SEC rules and applicable listing standards.
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against willful default, fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. The amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide for indemnification of Arqit’s officers and directors to the maximum extent permitted by law, including for any liability incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own actual fraud, willful default or willful neglect. In addition, Arqit entered into indemnification agreements with each of its executive officers and directors. The indemnification agreements provide the indemnitees with contractual rights to indemnification, and expense advancement and reimbursement, to the fullest extent permitted under Cayman Islands law, subject to certain exceptions contained in those agreements. Arqit has a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures Arqit’s officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures Arqit against its obligations to indemnify its officers and directors.
These indemnification obligations may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against Arqit’s officers or directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against Arqit’s officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit Arqit and its shareholders. Furthermore, a shareholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent Arqit pays the costs of settlement and damage awards against its officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
Arqit believes that these provisions, the insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.
6.D. EMPLOYEES
As of September 30, 2024, Arqit had 74 full-time employees based in the UK and 8 full-time employees based in the US, a majority of which are engaged in research and development and related functions. Arqit is highly dependent on human capital and a strong leadership team. It aims to attract, retain and develop staff with the skills, experience and potential necessary to implement its growth strategy.
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6.E. SHARE OWNERSHIP
For information regarding the share ownership of directors and officers, see Item 7.A. “Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Major Shareholders.” For information as to our equity incentive plans, see Item 6.B. “Director, Senior Management and Employees—Executive Officer and Director Compensation—Equity Compensation—Incentive Award Plan.”
6.F. DISCLOSURE OF A REGISTRANT’S ACTION TO RECOVER ERRONEOUSLY AWARDED COMPENSATION
Not applicable.
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
7.A. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Company as of December 3, 2024, by:
· | each beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding the Company’s Ordinary Shares; |
· | each executive officer or a director of the Company; and |
· | all of the Company’s executive officers and directors as a group. |
Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.
Each Company ordinary share will entitle the holder to one vote.
Beneficial ownership percentages are based on a total of 14,294,054 ordinary shares, which includes (i) 12,504,009 ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of December 3, 2024, (ii) 1,701,988 ordinary shares underlying our currently exercisable outstanding warrants, and (iii) 88,057 shares underlying outstanding equity incentives that are exercisable or that will become exercisable within 60 days of December 3, 2024.
|
| Approximate |
| ||
Percentage of |
| ||||
Outstanding |
| ||||
Number of | Ordinary |
| |||
Ordinary Shares | Shares |
| |||
Five Percent Holders: |
|
|
|
| |
D2BW Limited(1) |
| 871,824 |
| 6.1 | % |
David Williams(1) |
| 1,192,256 |
| 8.3 | % |
David Bestwick(1) |
| 1,114,860 |
| 7.8 | % |
Ropemaker Nominees Limited(2) |
| 1,400,462 |
| 9.8 | % |
Heritage Assets SCSp.(3) |
| 5,778,327 |
| 40.4 | % |
Directors and Executive Officers(4) |
|
|
|
| |
Andrew Leaver |
| * |
| * | |
Nick Pointon |
| * |
| * | |
Carlo Calabria(5) |
| 244,619 |
| 1.7 | % |
Stephen Chandler |
| 23 |
| * | |
Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio(3) |
| 5,789,647 |
| 40.5 | % |
Garth Ritchie |
| 131,691 |
| 0.9 | % |
Nicola Barbiero | * |
| * | ||
Paul Feenan |
| * |
| * | |
Dr. Daniel Shiu |
| * |
| * | |
Patrick Willcocks |
| * |
| * | |
All directors and executive officers of the Company as a group . |
| 6,220,562 |
| 43.5 | % |
* Less than 1.0%.
(1) The business address for each of D2BW Limited, David Williams and David Bestwick is 3 Orchard Place, London SW1H 0BF, United Kingdom. David Williams and David Bestwick are the beneficial owners of D2BW Limited, and have shared investment
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and voting power over the shares held by D2BW Limited. David Williams also has shared voting power over 317,335 shares owned by Sarah Williams pursuant to a voting agreement. Information with respect to shares held by D2BW Limited, David Williams, David Bestwick and Sarah Williams is based upon information provided by those parties in Schedule 13D filings filed with the SEC.
(2) | The business address for Ropemaker Nominees Limited is 1st Floor, Royal Chambers, St Julian’s Avenue, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 3JX. Notion Capital Managers LLP has sole investment and voting power over Ropemaker Nominees Limited’s shares. The investment decisions of Notion Capital Managers LLP are made by the majority vote of an investment committee comprised of five members, including Stephen Chandler. Under the so-called “rule of three,” if voting and dispositive decisions regarding an entity’s securities are made by three or more individuals, and a voting or dispositive decision requires the approval of at least a majority of those individuals, then none of the individuals is deemed a beneficial owner of the entity’s securities. Based upon the foregoing analysis, no individual member of the investment committee of Notion Capital Managers LLP exercises voting or dispositive control over any of the securities over which it holds sole investment and voting power. Accordingly, Mr. Chandler is not deemed to have or share beneficial ownership of such shares. Includes 76,382 shares underlying September 2023 Investor Warrants that are currently exercisable. |
(3) | The business address for Heritage Assets SCSP is c/o Heritage Services SAM Attn: Cristina Levis, 7 Rue Du Gabian, 98000, Monaco. Includes (1) 250,667 shares underlying Business Combination Warrants and 230,769 shares underlying September 2023 Investor Warrants that are currently exercisable and held by Heritage Assets SCSP, over which Mr. Lefebvre d’Ovidio has sole investment and voting power. |
(4) | The business address for each of the directors and executive officers of the Company is 3 Orchard Place, London SW1H 0BF, United Kingdom. |
(5) | Includes 10,256 shares underlying September 2023 Investor Warrants that are currently exercisable. |
Registered Holders
Based on a review of the information provided to us by our transfer agent, as of December 3, 2024, we had approximately 37 shareholders of record of our ordinary shares. We estimate that as of December 3, 2024, approximately 36.9% of our outstanding ordinary shares are held by two U.S. record holders. The actual number of shareholders is greater than this number of record holders and includes shareholders who are beneficial owners but whose shares are held in street name by brokers and other nominees. This number of holders of record also does not include shareholders whose shares may be held in trust or by other entities.
7.B. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Registration Rights Agreement
On September 3, 2021, Arqit, Centricus Heritage LLC, Adam M. Aron, Nicholas Taylor, the shareholders of Arqit Limited prior to the completion of the Business Combination and Heritage Assets SCSP entered into the Registration Rights Agreement. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, among other things, subject to certain requirements and customary conditions, including with regard to the number of demand rights that may be exercised, the Holders (as defined therein) may demand at any time or from time to time, that Arqit file a registration statement with the SEC to register the securities of Arqit held by such Holders. The Registration Rights Agreement also (i) provides the Holders with “piggy-back” registration rights, subject to certain requirements and customary conditions, and (ii) terminated the registration and shareholder rights agreement, dated as of February 3, 2021, among Centricus Acquisition Corp., Centricus Heritage LLC and the other “Holders” named therein.
September 2023 Registered Direct Offering
On September 12, 2023 the Company completed a registered direct offering of its ordinary shares and warrants to purchase ordinary shares, in which Heritage Assets SCSP, Ropemaker Nominees Limited and Carlo Calabria purchased (on a pre-Reverse Share Split basis) 7,935,164 ordinary shares, together with warrants to purchase up to (on a pre-Reverse Share Split basis) 7,935,164 ordinary shares at a combined offering price of $0.78 per ordinary share and accompanying warrant. Company director Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio has sole investment and voting power over the shares held by Heritage Assets SCSP, and Arqit director Stephen Chandler is on the investment committee of Notion Capital Managers LLP, which is the beneficial owner of the Company shares held by Ropemaker Nominees Limited, and Carlo Calabria is a director of the Company. The September 2023 Investor Warrants are currently exercisable at an exercise price of $0.78 per share.
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September 2024 Registered Direct Offering
On September 27, 2024, the Company entered into a registered direct offering in which it sold 5,440,000 ordinary shares at an offering price of $2.50 per share. In a concurrent private placement, Arqit issued unregistered warrants to purchase up to 5,440,000 shares at an exercise price of $2.50 per share, exercisable only upon the later of (i) one year from the issuance date, (ii) the date of the approval by the Company’s shareholders of an increase in authorized capital sufficient to permit the issuance of the shares issuable upon exercise of the September 2024 Investor Warrants and (iii) the date that the closing trading price of the Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market has exceeded $5.00 for 60 consecutive trading days. The warrants will be exercisable for a period of one year following the Exercise Date. The Warrants will terminate on the earlier of (x) 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the last day of the exercise period or (y) 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date falling five years after the date of issuance. The investors in the September 2024 offering were existing shareholders Heritage Assets SCSP, Ropemaker Nominees Limited, Carlo Calabria and Garth Ritchie. Arqit director Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio has shared investment and voting power over the shares held by Heritage Assets SCSP, Arqit director Stephen Chandler is on the investment committee of Notion Capital Managers LLP, which is the beneficial owner of the Arqit shares held by Ropemaker Nominees Limited, and Carlo Calabria and Garth Ritchie are both Arqit directors.
Secondment Agreement
Arqit CEO Andrew Leaver is an Operating Partner at Notion Capital Managers LLP (“Notion”), which is the beneficial owner of the Arqit shares held by Ropemaker Nominees Limited. Mr. Leaver is currently engaged as a secondee to Arqit from Notion through an agreement between Arqit and Notion Platform Ltd., an affiliate of Notion, pursuant to which Notion invoices a day rate for Mr. Leaver’s cash compensation. Mr. Leaver has also been granted Arqit restricted share units and options. He acts at the direction of Arqit’s board of directors, independently from Notion.
7.C. INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
Not Applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
8.A. COMBINED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Combined Financial Statements
See Item 18. “Financial Statements”.
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Legal Proceedings
From time to time, Arqit may become involved in legal proceedings or be subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of its business. Arqit is not currently a party to any legal proceedings, the outcome of which, if determined adversely to it, would individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition.
On or around May 6, 2022, a putative class action lawsuit was filed against Arqit and certain of Arqit’s directors in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (Case No. 1:22-cv-02604), asserting violations of federal securities laws under Sections 10(b), 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act (the “Federal Complaint”). The Federal Complaint generally alleges that Arqit and individual defendants made materially false and misleading statements relating to Arqit’s business prospects and projections. On September 8, 2023, the lead plaintiffs filed an amended version of the complaint (the “Federal Complaint”), which alleges the same general theory as the original complaint and asserts claims under Sections 10(b), 14(a), and 20(a) and Sections 11, 12(a)(2), and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). On November 15, 2023, the court set a briefing schedule which required the defendants to file their motion to dismiss on January 12, 2024. The lead plaintiffs responded to the motion to dismiss on March 12, 2024, and defendants replied on April 26, 2024. The federal court will now consider the motion, with a ruling expected in early 2025.
Similarly, on April 18, 2023, a putative class action was filed against Arqit and certain of its directors in the Supreme Court of the State of New York (Index No. 153555/2023) (the “State Court Action”). The State Court Action is based on nearly identical allegations as the Federal Complaint, and asserts claims under Sections 11, 12(a)(2), and 15 of the Securities Act. On October 2, 2023, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint, asserting the same causes of action as in the original state court complaint. On November 1, 2023, Defendants filed a motion to stay the State Court Action pending resolution of the federal action. The plaintiffs responded to the motion to stay on December 1, 2023. On January 9, 2024, the Supreme Court of the State of New York granted the motion to stay.
Arqit believes it has strong defenses and intends to vigorously defend against the nearly identical claims in both the Federal Complaint and the State Court Action. The proceedings are subject to uncertainties inherent in the litigation process. Arqit cannot predict the outcome of this matter or estimate the possible loss or range of possible loss, if any.
Arqit continues to cooperate with and respond to queries from the SEC in connection with their ongoing investigation, including through voluntary document productions and interviews. Arqit can offer no assurances as to the outcome of this investigation or its potential effect, if any, on the company or its results.
Dividend Policy
We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date. Our board of directors will consider whether or not to institute a dividend policy. It is presently intended that we will retain our earnings for use in business operations and, accordingly, it is not anticipated that our board of directors will declare dividends in the foreseeable future.
8.B. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
We have not experienced any significant changes since the date of our audited annual consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
9.A. OFFER AND LISTING DETAILS
Our ordinary shares and Business Combination Warrants are listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “ARQQ” and “ARQQW”, respectively.
9.B. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Not Applicable.
9.C. MARKETS
Our ordinary shares and Business Combination Warrants are listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “ARQQ” and “ARQQW”, respectively.
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9.D. SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
Not Applicable.
9.E. DILUTION
Not Applicable.
9.F. EXPENSES OF THE ISSUE
Not Applicable.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
10.A. SHARE CAPITAL
Not Applicable.
10.B. MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
The following description of the material terms of the securities of the Company includes a summary of specified provisions of the Articles. This description is qualified by reference to the Articles, which are attached as Exhibit 1.1 to this Annual Report.
The Company is a Cayman Islands exempted company (company number 374857) and its affairs are governed by the Articles, the Cayman Companies Act and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The Company is authorized to issue 18,760,000 ordinary shares, $0.0025 par value each and 1,240,000 preference shares, $0.0025 par value each. The Company currently has only one class of issued ordinary shares, which have identical rights in all respects and rank equally with one another.
New Ordinary Shares
Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders.
There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voted for the election of directors can elect all of the directors.
Holders of ordinary shares do not have any conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights and there is no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the ordinary shares.
Dividends
Subject to the foregoing, the payment of cash dividends in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of the board of directors and will depend upon such factors as earnings levels, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, the Company’s overall financial condition, available distributable reserves and any other factors deemed relevant by the board of directors.
Liquidation
On a winding-up or other return of capital, subject to any special rights attaching to any other class of shares, holders of ordinary shares will be entitled to participate in any surplus assets in proportion to their shareholdings.
Differences in Company Law
Cayman Islands companies are governed by the Cayman Companies Act. The Cayman Companies Act is modelled on English Law but does not follow recent English Law statutory enactments and differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the material differences between the provisions of the Cayman Companies Act applicable to the Company and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements
In certain circumstances, the Cayman Companies Act allows for mergers or consolidations between two Cayman Islands companies, or between a Cayman Islands exempted company and a company incorporated in another jurisdiction (provided that is facilitated by the laws of that other jurisdiction).
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Where the merger or consolidation is between two Cayman Islands companies, the directors of each company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation containing certain prescribed information. That plan or merger or consolidation must then be authorized by either (a) a special resolution (usually a majority of two thirds of the voting shares voted at a general meeting) of the shareholders of each company; and (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association. No shareholder resolution is required for a merger between a parent company (i.e., a company that owns at least 90% of the issued shares of each class in a subsidiary company) and its subsidiary company.
The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest of a constituent company must be obtained, unless the court waives such requirement. If the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands is satisfied that the requirements of the Cayman Companies Act (which includes certain other formalities) have been complied with, the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands will register the plan of merger or consolidation.
Where the merger or consolidation involves a foreign company, the procedure is similar, save that with respect to the foreign company, the directors of the Cayman Islands exempted company are required to make a declaration to the effect that, having made due enquiry, they are of the opinion that the requirements set out below have been met: (i) that the merger or consolidation is permitted or not prohibited by the constitutional documents of the foreign company and by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the foreign company is incorporated, and that those laws and any requirements of those constitutional documents have been or will be complied with; (ii) that no petition or other similar proceeding has been filed and remains outstanding or order made or resolution adopted to wind up or liquidate the foreign company in any jurisdictions; (iii) that no receiver, trustee, administrator or other similar person has been appointed in any jurisdiction and is acting in respect of the foreign company, its affairs or its property or any part thereof; and (iv) that no scheme, order, compromise or other similar arrangement has been entered into or made in any jurisdiction whereby the rights of creditors of the foreign company are and continue to be suspended or restricted.
Where the surviving company is the Cayman Islands exempted company, the directors of the Cayman Islands exempted company are further required to make a declaration to the effect that, having made due enquiry, they are of the opinion that the requirements set out below have been met: (i) that the foreign company is able to pay its debts as they fall due and that the merger or consolidation is bona fide and not intended to defraud unsecured creditors of the foreign company; (ii) that in respect of the transfer of any security interest granted by the foreign company to the surviving or consolidated company (a) consent or approval to the transfer has been obtained, released or waived; (b) the transfer is permitted by and has been approved in accordance with the constitutional documents of the foreign company; and (c) the laws of the jurisdiction of the foreign company with respect to the transfer have been or will be complied with; (iii) that the foreign company will, upon the merger or consolidation becoming effective, cease to be incorporated, registered or exist under the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction; and (iv) that there is no other reason why it would be against the public interest to permit the merger or consolidation.
Where the above procedures are adopted, the Cayman Companies Act provides for a right of dissenting shareholders to be paid a payment of the fair value of their shares upon their dissenting to the merger or consolidation if they follow a prescribed procedure. In essence, that procedure is as follows: (a) the shareholder must give his written objection to the merger or consolidation to the constituent company before the vote on the merger or consolidation, including a statement that the shareholder proposes to demand payment for his shares if the merger or consolidation is authorized by the vote; (b) within 20 days following the date on which the merger or consolidation is approved by the shareholders, the constituent company must give written notice to each shareholder who made a written objection; (c) a shareholder must within 20 days following receipt of such notice from the constituent company, give the constituent company a written notice of his intention to dissent including, among other details, a demand for payment of the fair value of his shares; (d) within seven days following the date of the expiration of the period set out in paragraph (b) above or seven days following the date on which the plan of merger or consolidation is filed, whichever is later, the constituent company, the surviving company or the consolidated company must make a written offer to each dissenting shareholder to purchase his shares at a price that the company determines is the fair value and if the company and the shareholder agree the price within 30 days following the date on which the offer was made, the company must pay the shareholder such amount; and (e) if the company and the shareholder fail to agree a price within such 30 day period, within 20 days following the date on which such 30 day period expires, the company (and any dissenting shareholder) must file a petition with the Cayman Islands courts to determine the fair value and such petition must be accompanied by a list of the names and addresses of the dissenting shareholders with whom agreements as to the fair value of their shares have not been reached by the company. At the hearing of that petition, the court has the power to determine the fair value of the shares together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid by the company upon the amount determined to be the fair value. Any dissenting shareholder whose name appears on the list filed by the company may participate fully in all proceedings until the determination of fair value is reached. These rights of a dissenting shareholder are not available in certain circumstances, for example, to dissenters holding shares of any class in respect of which an open market exists on a recognized stock exchange or recognized interdealer quotation system at the relevant date or where the consideration for such shares to be contributed are shares of any company listed on a national securities exchange or shares of the surviving or consolidated company.
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Moreover, Cayman Islands law has separate statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction or amalgamation of companies in certain circumstances, schemes of arrangement will generally be more suited for complex mergers or other transactions involving widely held companies, commonly referred to in the Cayman Islands as a “scheme of arrangement” which may be tantamount to a merger. In the event that a merger was sought pursuant to a scheme of arrangement (the procedures for which are more rigorous and take longer to complete than the procedures typically required to consummate a merger in the United States), the arrangement in question must be approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at an annual general meeting, or extraordinary general meeting summoned for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the terms of the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Cayman Islands courts. While a dissenting shareholder would have the right to express to the court the view that the transaction should not be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it satisfies itself that:
· | we are not proposing to act illegally or beyond the scope of our corporate authority and the statutory provisions as to majority vote have been complied with; |
· | the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question; |
· | the arrangement is such as a businessman would reasonably approve; and |
· | the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Cayman Companies Act or that would amount to a “fraud on the minority.” |
If a scheme of arrangement or takeover offer (as described below) is approved, any dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights (providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares), which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations.
Squeeze-out Provisions
When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares to whom the offer relates within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Cayman Islands courts, but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith, collusion or inequitable treatment of the shareholders.
Further, transactions similar to a merger, reconstruction and/or an amalgamation may in some circumstances be achieved through means other than these statutory provisions, such as a share capital exchange, asset acquisition or control, or through contractual arrangements of an operating business.
Shareholders’ Suits
Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP, our Cayman Islands legal counsel, is not aware of any reported class action having been brought in a Cayman Islands court. Derivative actions have been brought in the Cayman Islands courts, and the Cayman Islands courts have confirmed the availability for such actions. In most cases, we will be the proper plaintiff in any claim based on a breach of duty owed to us, and a claim against (for example) our officers or directors usually may not be brought by a shareholder. However, based both on Cayman Islands authorities and on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority and be applied by a court in the Cayman Islands, exceptions to the foregoing principle apply in circumstances in which:
· | a company is acting, or proposing to act, illegally or beyond the scope of its authority; |
· | the act complained of, although not beyond the scope of the authority, could be effected if duly authorized by more than the number of votes which have actually been obtained; or |
· | those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.” |
A shareholder may have a direct right of action against us where the individual rights of that shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed.
Enforcement of Civil Liabilities
The Cayman Islands has a different body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides less protection to investors. Additionally, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the Federal courts of the United States.
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We have been advised by Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP, our Cayman Islands legal counsel, that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities against us predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands (awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). A Cayman Islands court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
Special Considerations for Exempted Companies
We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Cayman Companies Act. The Cayman Companies Act distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except for the exemptions and privileges listed below:
· | an exempted company does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands; |
· | an exempted company’s register of members is not open to inspection; |
· | an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting; |
· | an exempted company may issue shares with no par value; |
· | an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 200 years in the first instance); |
· | an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands; |
· | an exempted company may register as a limited duration company; and |
· | an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio company. |
“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).
Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against willful default, willful neglect, civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. The Articles permit indemnification of officers and directors for any liability, action, proceeding, claim, demand, costs damages or expenses, including legal expenses, incurred in their capacities as such unless such liability (if any) arises from actual fraud, willful neglect or willful default which may attach to such directors or officers. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and senior executive officers that provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in the Articles.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under 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.
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Anti-Takeover Provisions in the Articles
Some provisions of the Articles may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including a provision that authorizes our board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.
Such shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue these preference shares, the price of our ordinary shares may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares may be materially adversely affected.
However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under the Articles for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.
Directors’ Fiduciary Duties
Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself or herself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction.
The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. A director must not use his or her corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.
Under Cayman Islands law, directors and officers owe the following fiduciary duties:
· | duty to act in good faith in what the director or officer believes to be in the best interests of the company as a whole; |
· | duty to exercise powers for the purposes for which those powers were conferred and not for a collateral purpose; |
· | directors should not improperly fetter the exercise of future discretion; |
· | duty to exercise powers fairly as between different sections of shareholders; |
· | duty not to put themselves in a position in which there is a conflict between their duty to the company and their personal interests; and |
· | duty to exercise independent judgment. |
In addition to the above, directors also owe a duty of care which is not fiduciary in nature. This duty has been defined as a requirement to act as a reasonably diligent person having both the general knowledge, skill and experience that may reasonably be expected of a person carrying out the same functions as are carried out by that director in relation to the company and the general knowledge skill and experience of that director.
As set out above, directors have a duty not to put themselves in a position of conflict and this includes a duty not to engage in self-dealing, or to otherwise benefit as a result of their position. However, in some instances what would otherwise be a breach of this duty can be forgiven and/or authorized in advance by the shareholders provided that there is full disclosure by the directors. This can be done by way of permission granted in the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or alternatively by shareholder approval at general meetings.
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Shareholder Action by Written Consent
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. The Articles provide that shareholders may approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.
Shareholder Proposals
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.
The Cayman Companies Act provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. The Articles do not permit our shareholders to requisition either an annual general meeting or an extraordinary general meeting, or to put forth a proposal at a general meeting. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by law to call annual general meetings.
Cumulative Voting
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. As permitted under Cayman Islands law, the Articles do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.
Removal of Directors
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under the Articles, directors may be removed only for cause by a special resolution (usually a majority of two thirds of the voting shares voted at a general meeting) of our shareholders. A director will also cease to be a director if he or she (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; (ii) dies or is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; (iii) resigns his office by notice in writing; (iv) the director absents himself or herself (for the avoidance of doubt, without being represented by proxy) from three consecutive meetings of the board of directors without special leave of absence from the directors, and the directors pass a resolution that he or she has by reason of such absence vacated office; or (v) all of the other directors (being not less than two in number) determine that he or she should be removed as a director for “Cause” (i.e., a conviction for a criminal offence involving dishonesty or engaging in conduct which brings a director or the Company into disrepute or which results in a material financial detriment to the Company) (and not otherwise), either by a resolution passed by all of the other directors at a meeting of the directors duly convened and held in accordance with the Articles or by a resolution in writing signed by all of the other directors.
Transactions with Interested Shareholders
The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute under its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting stock within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.
Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and for a proper corporate purpose and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.
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Dissolution; Winding Up
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board.
Under Cayman Islands law, a company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of its members. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so.
Under the Articles, if the Company is wound up, the liquidator of our company may distribute the assets with the sanction of an ordinary resolution of the shareholders and any other sanction required by law.
Variation of Rights of Shares
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise.
Under the Articles, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, the rights attached to any such class may, whether or not the Company is being wound up, be varied without the consent of the holders of the issued shares of that class where such variation is considered by the directors not to have a material adverse effect upon such rights; otherwise, any such variation shall be made only with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two thirds of the issued shares of that class or with the approval of a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two thirds of the votes cast at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.
Amendment of Governing Documents
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the matter, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. As permitted by Cayman Islands law, the Articles may only be amended by a special resolution of the shareholders.
Rights of Non-Resident or Foreign Shareholders
There are no limitations imposed by the Articles on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in the Articles governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
Directors’ Power to Issue Shares
Subject to applicable law, our board of directors is empowered to issue or allot shares or grant options and warrants with or without preferred, deferred, or other rights or restrictions.
Inspection of Books
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, any shareholder of a corporation may for any proper purpose inspect or make copies of the corporation’s stock ledger, list of shareholders and other books and records.
Holders of our shares have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our register of members or our corporate records.
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Directors
Appointment and Removal
The Directors are divided into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively. Directors were assigned to each class in accordance with a resolution or resolutions adopted by the board of Directors. At the 2024 annual general meeting of the Company, the term of office of the Class III Directors shall expire and Class III Directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the 2025 annual general meeting of the Company, the term of office of the Class I Directors shall expire and Class I Directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the 2026 annual general meeting of the Company, the term of office of the Class II Directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding annual general meeting of the Company, Directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to succeed the Directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual general meeting.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, each Director shall hold office until the expiration of his term, until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.
There is no cumulative voting with respect to the appointment of directors.
An ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shareholders who attend and vote at a general meeting of the company, is required to elect a director.
The office of a Director shall be vacated if all of the other Directors (being not less than two in number) determine that he or she should be removed as a Director for Cause (and not otherwise) (as such term is defined in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association), either by a resolution passed by all of the other Directors at a meeting of the Directors duly convened and held in accordance with the Articles or by a resolution in writing signed by all of the other Directors.
Enforceability of Civil Liability under Cayman Islands Law
The Company has been advised by Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP, its Cayman Islands legal counsel, that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize, or enforce against the Company, judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any State; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities against the Company predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any State, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands (awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). A Cayman Islands court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere. There is recent Privy Council authority (which is binding on the Cayman Islands court) in the context of a reorganization plan approved by the New York Bankruptcy Court which suggests that due to the universal nature of bankruptcy/insolvency proceedings, foreign money judgments obtained in foreign bankruptcy/insolvency proceedings may be enforced without applying the principles outlined above. However, a more recent English Supreme Court authority (which is highly persuasive but not binding on the Cayman Islands court), has expressly rejected that approach in the context of a default judgment obtained in an adversary proceeding brought in the New York Bankruptcy Court by the receivers of the bankruptcy debtor against a third party, and which would not have been enforceable upon the application of the traditional common law principles summarized above and held that foreign money judgments obtained in bankruptcy/insolvency proceedings should be enforced by applying the principles set out above, and not by the simple exercise of the Courts’ discretion. Those cases have now been considered by the Cayman Islands court. The Cayman Islands court was not asked to consider the specific question of whether a judgment of a bankruptcy court in an adversary proceeding would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands, but it did endorse the need for active assistance of overseas bankruptcy proceedings. We understand that the Cayman Islands court’s decision in that case has been appealed and it remains the case that the law regarding the enforcement of bankruptcy/ insolvency related judgments is still in a state of uncertainty.
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Anti-Money Laundering — Cayman Islands
If any person in the Cayman Islands knows or suspects or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting that another person is engaged in criminal conduct or money laundering or is involved with terrorism or terrorist financing and property and the information for that knowledge or suspicion came to their attention in the course of business in the regulated sector, or other trade, profession, business or employment, the person will be required to report such knowledge or suspicion to (i) the Financial Reporting Authority of the Cayman Islands, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands if the disclosure relates to criminal conduct or money laundering, or (ii) a police officer of the rank of constable or higher, or the Financial Reporting Authority, pursuant to the Terrorism Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, if the disclosure relates to involvement with terrorism or terrorist financing and property. Such a report shall not be treated as a breach of confidence or of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by any enactment or otherwise. If the Company was determined by the Cayman Islands authorities to be in violation of the Proceeds of Crime Act (As Revised), the Terrorism Act (As Revised) or the Cayman Anti-Money Laundering Regulations, the Company could be subject to substantial criminal penalties and/or administrative fines.
Data Protection — Cayman Islands
We have certain duties under the Data Protection Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands (the “DPL”) based on internationally accepted principles of data privacy.
Privacy Notice
Introduction
This privacy notice puts our shareholders on notice that through your investment in the Company you will provide us with certain personal information which constitutes personal data within the meaning of the DPL (“personal data”). In the following discussion, the “company” refers to us and our affiliates and/or delegates, except where the context requires otherwise.
Investor Data
We will collect, use, disclose, retain and secure personal data to the extent reasonably required only and within the parameters that could be reasonably expected during the normal course of business. We will only process, disclose, transfer or retain personal data to the extent legitimately required to conduct our activities of on an ongoing basis or to comply with legal and regulatory obligations to which we are subject. We will only transfer personal data in accordance with the requirements of the DPL, and will apply appropriate technical and organizational information security measures designed to protect against unauthorized or unlawful processing of the personal data and against the accidental loss, destruction or damage to the personal data.
In our use of this personal data, we will be characterized as a “data controller” for the purposes of the DPL, while our affiliates and service providers who may receive this personal data from us in the conduct of our activities may either act as our “data processors” for the purposes of the DPL or may process personal information for their own lawful purposes in connection with services provided to us.
We may also obtain personal data from other public sources. Personal data includes, without limitation, the following information relating to a shareholder and/or any individuals connected with a shareholder as an investor: name, residential address, email address, contact details, corporate contact information, signature, nationality, place of birth, date of birth, tax identification, credit history, correspondence records, passport number, bank account details, source of funds details and details relating to the shareholder’s investment activity.
Who this Affects
If you are a natural person, this will affect you directly. If you are a corporate investor (including, for these purposes, legal arrangements such as trusts or exempted limited partnerships) that provides us with personal data on individuals connected to you for any reason in relation your investment in the company, this will be relevant for those individuals and you should transmit the content of this Privacy Notice to such individuals or otherwise advise them of its content.
How the Company May Use a Shareholder’s Personal Data
The company, as the data controller, may collect, store and use personal data for lawful purposes, including, in particular:
· | where this is necessary for the performance of our rights and obligations under any purchase agreements; |
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· | where this is necessary for compliance with a legal and regulatory obligation to which we are subject (such as compliance with anti-money laundering and FATCA/CRS requirements); and/or |
· | where this is necessary for the purposes of our legitimate interests and such interests are not overridden by your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms. |
Should we wish to use personal data for other specific purposes (including, if applicable, any purpose that requires your consent), we will contact you.
Why We May Transfer Your Personal Data
In certain circumstances we may be legally obliged to share personal data and other information with respect to your shareholding with the relevant regulatory authorities such as the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority or the Tax Information Authority. They, in turn, may exchange this information with foreign authorities, including tax authorities.
We anticipate disclosing personal data to persons who provide services to us and their respective affiliates (which may include certain entities located outside the United States, the Cayman Islands or the European Economic Area), who will process your personal data on our behalf.
The Data Protection Measures We Take
Any transfer of personal data by us or our duly authorized affiliates and/or delegates outside of the Cayman Islands shall be in accordance with the requirements of the DPL.
We and our duly authorized affiliates and/or delegates shall apply appropriate technical and organizational information security measures designed to protect against unauthorized or unlawful processing of personal data, and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.
We shall notify you of any personal data breach that is reasonably likely to result in a risk to your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms or those data subjects to whom the relevant personal data relates.
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10.C. MATERIAL CONTRACTS
In December 2022, Arqit entered into an At-the-Market Offering Agreement pursuant to which H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC agreed to act as sales agent in connection with Arqit’s ATM Program. Arqit has no obligation to sell any shares under its ATM Program. Actual sales will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by the Group from time to time, including, among others, whether additional capital is required, market conditions, the trading price of Arqit’s ordinary shares, determination of the appropriate sources of funding for the Group, and potential uses of available funding.
In February 2023, Arqit entered into a securities purchase agreement with investors pursuant to which it sold 10,000,000 ordinary shares, together with warrants to purchase 7,500,000 ordinary shares at a combined purchase price of $2.00 per share and accompanying warrant. The February 2023 Investor Warrants have an exercise price of $2.00 per share, are currently exercisable and will expire on February 22, 2028. In addition, in connection with the February 2023 registered direct offering Arqit issued warrants to purchase 550,000 ordinary shares to H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC or its designees. The February 2023 Placement Agent Warrants have an exercise price of $2.50 per share, are currently exercisable and will expire on February 22, 2028.
In September 2023, Arqit entered into securities purchase agreements with investors pursuant to which it sold 20,755,677 ordinary shares, together with warrants to purchase 20,755,677 ordinary shares at a combined purchase price of $0.78 per share and accompanying warrant. The September 2023 Investor Warrants have an exercise price of $0.78 per share, are currently exercisable and will expire on September 12, 2028. In addition, in connection with the September 2023 registered direct offering Arqit issued warrants to purchase 705,128 ordinary shares to H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC or its designees. The September 2023 Placement Agent Warrants have an exercise price of $0.975 per share, are currently exercisable and will expire on September 8, 2028. The September 2023 registered direct offering included the sale of 7,935,164 ordinary shares, together with 7,935,164 September 2023 Investor Warrants at a combined offering price of $0.78 per ordinary share and accompanying warrant to existing shareholders Heritage Assets SCSP, Ropemaker Nominees Limited and Carlo Calabria. Arqit director Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio has sole investment and voting power over the shares held by Heritage Assets SCSP, and Arqit director Stephen Chandler is on the investment committee of Notion Capital Managers LLP, which is the beneficial owner of the Company shares held by Ropemaker Nominees Limited, and Carlo Calabria is an Arqit director. See “Item 7.B. Related Party Transactions.”
In September 2024, Arqit entered into a securities purchase agreement pursuant to which it sold 5,440,000 ordinary shares at an offering price of $2.50 per share. In a concurrent private placement, Arqit issued unregistered warrants to purchase up to 5,440,000 shares at an exercise price of $2.50 per share, exercisable only upon the later of (i) one year from the issuance date, (ii) the date of the approval by the Arqit’s shareholders of an increase in authorized capital sufficient to permit the issuance of the shares issuable upon exercise of the September 2024 Investor Warrants and (iii) the date that the closing trading price of the Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market has exceeded $5.00 for 60 consecutive trading days. The warrants will be exercisable for a period of one year following the Exercise Date. The Warrants will terminate on the earlier of (x) 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the last day of the exercise period or (y) 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date falling five years after the date of issuance. The investors in the September 2024 offering were existing shareholders Heritage Assets SCSP, Ropemaker Nominees Limited, Carlo Calabria and Garth Ritchie. Arqit director Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio has shared investment and voting power over the shares held by Heritage Assets SCSP, Arqit director Stephen Chandler is on the investment committee of Notion Capital Managers LLP, which is the beneficial owner of the Arqit shares held by Ropemaker Nominees Limited, and Carlo Calabria and Garth Ritchie are both Arqit directors. See “Item 7.B. Related Party Transactions.”
10.D. EXCHANGE CONTROLS
There is no exchange control legislation or regulation in the Cayman Islands, except by way of such as freezing of funds of, and/or prohibition of new investments in, certain jurisdictions subject to international sanction.
10.E. TAXATION
Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
General
The following discussion summarizes certain United States federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of the Company’s ordinary shares and Business Combination Warrants (collectively referred to herein as the “Company Securities”) by U.S. Holders (as defined below). This discussion is limited to certain United States federal income tax considerations to beneficial owners of the Company Securities that hold such Company Securities as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) (generally, property held for investment). This discussion assumes that any distributions made (or deemed made) by the Company on the Company Securities and any consideration received (or deemed
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received) by a holder in consideration for the sale or other disposition of the Company Securities will be in U.S. dollars. This discussion does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders of any warrants other than the Business Combination Warrants.
This discussion is a summary only and does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to the ownership and disposition of the Company Securities by an investor in light of its particular circumstances, including but not limited to, the alternative minimum tax, the Medicare tax on net investment income and the different consequences that may apply to investors that are subject to special rules under U.S. federal income tax laws, including but not limited to:
· | banks, financial institutions or financial services entities; |
· | broker-dealers; |
· | taxpayers that are subject to the mark-to-market tax accounting rules; |
· | tax-exempt entities; |
· | governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof; |
· | insurance companies; |
· | regulated investment companies; |
· | real estate investment trusts; |
· | expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States; |
· | persons that actually or constructively own five percent or more (by vote or value) of the Company’s shares; |
· | persons that acquired the Company Securities pursuant to an exercise of employee share options, in connection with employee share incentive plans or otherwise as compensation; |
· | persons that hold the Company Securities as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedge, wash sale, conversion or other integrated or similar transaction; |
· | U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; |
· | controlled foreign corporations; |
· | passive foreign investment companies; and |
· | partnerships (or entities or arrangements classified as partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and any beneficial owners of such partnerships or other pass-through entities. |
If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership or other pass-through entity for United States federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of the Company Securities, the United States federal income tax treatment of a partner, member or other beneficial owner in such partnership or other pass-through entity generally will depend on the status of the partner, member or other beneficial owner and the activities of the partnership or other pass-through entity. Partnerships and other pass-through entities holding the Company Securities, as well as partners, members or other beneficial owners of such partnerships or other pass-through entities, are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to them of the ownership and disposition of the Company Securities.
Moreover, the discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code, the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as of the date hereof, and such provisions may be repealed, revoked, modified or subject to differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis, which may result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. Furthermore, this discussion does not address any aspect of United States federal non-income tax laws, such as gift or estate tax laws, or state, local or non-United States tax laws.
The Company has not sought, and does not expect to seek, a ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) as to any United States federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the discussion herein, and its determination
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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.
THIS DISCUSSION IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE COMPANY’S ORDINARY SHARES AND BUSINESS COMBINATION WARRANTS. EACH INVESTOR IN THE ORDINARY SHARES OR WARRANTS IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SUCH INVESTOR OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE ORDINARY SHARES OR WARRANTS, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, AND NON-UNITED STATES TAX LAWS.
For purposes of this summary, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of ordinary shares or Business Combination Warrants who or that is, for United States 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; |
· | an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax 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 United States 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 United States person (as defined in the Code). |
Taxation of Distributions
Subject to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to include in gross income as dividends in the year actually or constructively received by the U.S. Holder the amount of any distribution of cash or other property (other than certain distributions of the Company’s shares or rights to acquire the Company’s shares) paid on the Company’s ordinary shares to the extent the distribution is paid out of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under United States federal income tax principles). Distributions in excess of such earnings and profits generally will be applied against and reduce the U.S. Holder’s basis in its ordinary shares (but not below zero) and, to the extent in excess of such basis, will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such ordinary shares (the treatment of which is described under “— Gain or Loss on Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Ordinary Shares and Business Combination Warrants” below).
Dividends paid by the Company will be taxable to a corporate U.S. Holder at regular rates and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to domestic corporations in respect of dividends received from other domestic corporations. With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, dividends generally will be taxed as “qualified dividend income” at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rate (see “— Gain or Loss on Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Ordinary Shares and Business Combination Warrants” below) only if the ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, certain holding period and at-risk requirements are met, the Company is not a PFIC in the taxable year in which the dividend was paid or in the previous year, and certain other requirements are met. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of such lower rate for any dividends paid with respect to the ordinary shares.
Gain or Loss on Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Ordinary Shares and Business Combination Warrants
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of the ordinary shares or Business Combination Warrants (including a redemption of Business Combination Warrants that is treated as a taxable disposition). Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for such ordinary shares or Business Combination Warrants exceeds one year. Long-term capital gain realized by a non-corporate U.S. Holder may be taxed at reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
The amount of gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale or other taxable disposition of the ordinary shares or Business Combination Warrants generally will be 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 of the ordinary shares or Business Combination Warrants and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its ordinary shares or Business Combination Warrants so disposed of. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its ordinary shares or Business Combination Warrants generally will equal the U.S. Holder’s acquisition cost reduced, in the case of an ordinary share, by any prior distributions treated as a return of capital. See “Exercise, Lapse or Redemption of a Business Combination Warrant”
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below for a discussion regarding a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ordinary share acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Business Combination Warrant.
Exercise, Lapse or Redemption of a Business Combination Warrant
A U.S. Holder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the acquisition of an ordinary share on the exercise of a Business Combination Warrant for cash. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in an ordinary share received upon exercise of the Business Combination Warrant generally will equal the sum of the U.S. Holder’s initial investment in the Business Combination Warrant and the exercise price of such Business Combination Warrant. It is unclear whether a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary share received will commence on the date of exercise of the Business Combination Warrant or the day following the date of exercise of the Business Combination Warrant; in either case, the holding period will not include the period during which the U.S. Holder held the Business Combination Warrant. If a Business Combination 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 Business Combination Warrant.
The tax consequences of a cashless exercise of a Business Combination Warrant are not clear under current law. Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a cashless exercise may not be taxable, either because the exercise is not a realization event or because the exercise is treated as a recapitalization for United States federal income tax purposes. In either situation, a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ordinary shares received generally should equal the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Business Combination Warrants exercised therefor. If the cashless exercise was not a realization event, it is unclear whether a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares received would be treated as commencing on the date of exercise of the Business Combination Warrants or the day following the date of exercise of the Business Combination Warrants; in either case, the holding period will not include the period during which the U.S. Holder held the Business Combination Warrants. If the cashless exercise were treated as a recapitalization, the holding period of the ordinary shares received would include the holding period of the Business Combination Warrants.
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 a number of Business Combination Warrants representing a number of ordinary shares with an aggregate fair market value equal to the aggregate exercise price for the total number of Business Combination Warrants to be exercised. In such case, subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, the U.S. Holder would recognize capital gain or loss with respect to the Business Combination Warrants deemed surrendered in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of ordinary shares that would have been received in a regular exercise of the Business Combination Warrants deemed surrendered and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Business Combination Warrants deemed surrendered. In this case, a U.S. Holder’s aggregate tax basis in the ordinary shares received would equal the sum of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Business Combination Warrants deemed exercised and the aggregate exercise price of such Business Combination Warrants. It is unclear whether a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares would commence on the date of exercise of the Business Combination Warrants or the day following the date of exercise of the Business Combination Warrants; in either case, the holding period will not include the period during which the U.S. Holder held the Business Combination Warrants.
Due to the absence of authority on the United States federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise, including when a U.S. Holder’s holding period would commence with respect to the ordinary shares received, there can be no assurance regarding 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.
Subject to the PFIC rules described below, if the Company redeems Business Combination Warrants for cash pursuant to the redemption provisions described in Exhibit 2.9 “Description of Securities” to this Annual Report under the heading “— Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants” or if the Company purchases Business Combination Warrants in an open market transaction, such redemption or purchase generally will be treated as a taxable disposition to the U.S. Holder, taxed as described above under “— Gain or Loss on Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Ordinary Shares and Business Combination Warrants.”
Possible Constructive Distributions
The terms of each Business Combination Warrant provide for an adjustment to the number of ordinary shares for which the Business Combination Warrant may be exercised or to the exercise price of the Business Combination Warrant in certain events, as discussed in Exhibit 2.9 “Description of Securities” to this Annual Report under the heading “— Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants.” An adjustment which has the effect of preventing dilution generally is not taxable. The U.S. Holders of the Business Combination Warrants would, however, be treated as receiving a constructive distribution from the Company if, for example, the adjustment increases such U.S. Holders’ proportionate interest in the Company’s assets or earnings and profits (e.g., through an increase in the number of ordinary shares that would be obtained upon exercise or through a decrease in the exercise price of the Business Combination Warrants), which adjustment may be made as a result of a distribution of cash or other property to the holders of the ordinary shares. Such constructive distribution to a U.S. Holder of Business Combination Warrants would be treated as if such U.S. Holder had received a cash distribution
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from the Company generally equal to the fair market value of such increased interest (taxed as described above under “— Taxation of Distributions”).
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
A foreign (i.e., non-U.S.) corporation will be classified as a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes if either (i) at least 75% of its gross income in a taxable year, including its pro rata share of the gross income of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of its assets in a taxable year (ordinarily determined based on fair market value and averaged quarterly over the year), including its pro rata share of the assets of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, are held for the production of, or produce, passive income. Passive income generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of assets giving rise to passive income. For purposes of the PFIC asset test, cash and other assets readily convertible into cash are considered passive assets, and the aggregate fair market value of the assets of a publicly traded non-U.S. corporation generally is treated as being equal to the sum of the aggregate value of the outstanding stock and the total amount of the liabilities of such corporation (the “Market Capitalization”) and the excess of the fair market value of such corporation’s assets as so determined over the book value of such assets is generally treated as goodwill that is a non-passive asset to the extent attributable to such corporation’s non-passive income.
As of the date hereof, the Company has not made a determination as to its PFIC status for its most recent taxable year or its current taxable year, and it may be possible that the Company is a PFIC for either such years. The Company’s possible status as a PFIC is determined on an annual basis based on the composition of its assets, income, activities and Market Capitalization in the relevant taxable year and therefore may be subject to change. For example, because cash is generally considered to be an asset held for the production of passive income and the value of the Company’s assets for purposes of the asset test will generally be determined based on the market price of the Company’s ordinary shares, the Company’s PFIC status will depend in large part on the market price of the Company’s ordinary shares (which may fluctuate significantly) and how quickly the Company spends the cash proceeds received in connection with the Business Combination. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company is not a PFIC for any taxable year. In addition, the Company’s U.S. counsel expresses no opinion with respect to the Company’s PFIC status for any taxable year.
It is not entirely clear how various aspects of the PFIC rules apply to the Business Combination Warrants. Section 1298(a)(4) of the Code provides that, to the extent provided in Treasury regulations, any person who has an option to acquire stock in a PFIC shall be considered to own such stock in the PFIC for purposes of the PFIC rules. No final Treasury regulations are currently in effect under Section 1298(a)(4) of the Code. However, proposed Treasury regulations under Section 1298(a)(4) of the Code have been promulgated with a retroactive effective date (the “Proposed PFIC Option Regulations”). Each U.S. Holder is urged to consult its tax advisors regarding the possible application of the Proposed PFIC Option Regulations to an investment in the Business Combination Warrants. Solely for discussion purposes, the following discussion assumes that the Proposed PFIC Option Regulations will apply to the Business Combination Warrants.
Although the Company’s PFIC status is determined annually, an initial determination that the Company is a PFIC generally will apply for subsequent years to a U.S. Holder who held (or was deemed to hold) ordinary shares or Business Combination Warrants while the Company is a PFIC, whether or not the Company meets the test for PFIC status in those subsequent years. If the Company is determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder of the ordinary shares or Business Combination Warrants and, in the case of the ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder did not timely make either a mark-to-market election or a qualified electing fund (“QEF”) election for the Company’s first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) ordinary shares, as described below, such U.S. Holder generally will be subject to special rules (such special rules, the “Default PFIC Regime”) with respect to (i) any gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of its ordinary shares or Business Combination Warrants (which may include gain realized by reason of transfers of ordinary shares or Business Combination Warrants that would otherwise qualify as nonrecognition transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and (ii) any “excess distribution” made to the U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions to such U.S. Holder during a taxable year of the U.S. Holder that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by such U.S. Holder in respect of the ordinary shares during the three preceding taxable years of such U.S. Holder or, if shorter, the portion of such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares that preceded the taxable year of the distribution).
Under the Default PFIC Regime:
· | the U.S. Holder’s gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares or Business Combination Warrants; |
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· | the amount allocated to the U.S. Holder’s taxable year in which the U.S. Holder recognized the gain or received the excess distribution, or to the period in the U.S. Holder’s holding period before the first day of the Company’s first taxable year in which the Company is a PFIC, will be taxed as ordinary income; |
· | the amount allocated to each other taxable year (or portion thereof) of the U.S. Holder and included in its holding period will be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and applicable to the U.S. Holder without regard to the U.S. Holder’s other items of income and loss for such year; and |
· | an additional amount equal to the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the U.S. Holder with respect to the tax attributable to each such other taxable year of the U.S. Holder. |
In general, if the Company is determined to be a PFIC, a U.S. Holder may be able to avoid the Default PFIC Regime described above in respect to the ordinary shares (but, under current law, not the Business Combination Warrants) by making a timely and valid QEF election (if eligible to do so) to include in income its pro rata share of the Company’s net capital gains (as long-term capital gain) and other earnings and profits (as ordinary income), on a current basis, in each case whether or not distributed, in the taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which or with which the Company’s taxable year ends. A U.S. Holder generally may make a separate election to defer the payment of taxes on undistributed income inclusions under the QEF rules, but if deferred, any such taxes will be subject to an interest charge.
If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF election with respect to its ordinary shares in a year after the Company’s first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) ordinary shares, then notwithstanding such QEF election, the Default PFIC Regime discussed above, adjusted to take into account the current income inclusions resulting from the QEF election, will continue to apply with respect to such U.S. Holder’s ordinary shares, unless the U.S. Holder makes a purging election under the PFIC rules. Under one type of purging election, the U.S. Holder will be deemed to have sold such ordinary shares at their fair market value and any gain recognized on such deemed sale will be treated as an excess distribution, as described above. As a result of such purging election, the U.S. Holder will have additional basis (to the extent of any gain recognized on the deemed sale) and, solely for purposes of the PFIC rules, a new holding period in the ordinary shares.
Under current law, a U.S. Holder may not make a QEF election with respect to its Business Combination Warrants to acquire ordinary shares. As a result, if a U.S. Holder sells or otherwise disposes of such Business Combination Warrants (other than upon exercise of such Business Combination Warrants) and the Company were a PFIC at any time during the U.S. Holder’s holding period of such Business Combination Warrants, any gain recognized generally will be treated as an excess distribution, taxed as described above. If a U.S. Holder that exercises such Business Combination Warrants properly makes and maintains a QEF election with respect to the newly acquired ordinary shares (or has previously made a QEF election with respect to their ordinary shares), the QEF election will apply to the newly acquired ordinary shares. Notwithstanding such QEF election, the Default PFIC Regime discussed above, adjusted to take into account the current income inclusions resulting from the QEF election, will continue to apply with respect to such newly acquired ordinary shares (which, while not entirely clear, generally will be deemed to have a holding period for purposes of the PFIC rules that includes the period the U.S. Holder held the Business Combination Warrants), unless the U.S. Holder makes a purging election under the PFIC rules. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the application of the rules governing purging elections to their particular circumstances.
The QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and, once made, can be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. A U.S. Holder generally makes a QEF election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 (Information Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund), including the information provided in a PFIC annual information statement, to a timely filed United States federal income tax return for the tax year to which the election relates. Retroactive QEF elections generally may be made only by filing a protective statement with such return and if certain other conditions are met or with the consent of the IRS. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a retroactive QEF election under their particular circumstances.
In order to comply with the requirements of a QEF election, a U.S. Holder must receive a PFIC annual information statement from the Company. There is no assurance, however, that the Company will have timely knowledge of its status as a PFIC in the future or that the Company will timely provide the required information for such years. The failure of the Company to provide such information on an annual basis could prevent a U.S. Holder from making a QEF election or result in the invalidation or termination of a U.S. Holder’s prior QEF election.
If a U.S. Holder has made a QEF election with respect to its ordinary shares, and the Default PFIC Regime discussed above does not apply to such shares (because of a timely QEF election for the Company’s first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) such shares or a purge of the PFIC taint pursuant to a purging election, as described above), any gain recognized on the sale of the ordinary shares generally will be taxable as capital gain and no additional interest charge will be imposed under the
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PFIC rules. As discussed above, if the Company is a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder of ordinary shares that has made a QEF election will be currently taxed on its pro rata share of the Company’s earnings and profits, whether or not distributed for such year. A subsequent distribution of such earnings and profits that were previously included in income generally should not be taxable when distributed to such U.S. Holder. The tax basis of a U.S. Holder’s shares in a QEF will be increased by amounts that are included in income, and decreased by amounts distributed but not taxed as dividends, under the above rules. In addition, if the Company is not a PFIC for any taxable year, such U.S. Holder will not be subject to the QEF inclusion regime with respect to the ordinary shares for such a taxable year.
Alternatively, if a U.S. Holder, at the close of its taxable year, owns shares in a PFIC that are treated as marketable stock, the U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election with respect to such shares for such taxable year. If the U.S. Holder makes a valid mark-to-market election for the first taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) ordinary shares and for which the Company is determined to be a PFIC, such U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to the Default PFIC Regime described above with respect to its ordinary shares. Instead, in general, the U.S. Holder will include as ordinary income in each taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its ordinary shares at the end of its taxable year over its adjusted basis in its ordinary shares. These amounts of ordinary income would not be eligible for the favorable tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income or long-term capital gains. The U.S. Holder also will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of its adjusted basis in its ordinary shares over the fair market value of its ordinary shares at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). The U.S. Holder’s basis in its ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts, and any further gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of its ordinary shares will be treated as ordinary income and any further loss recognized will be treated as ordinary loss (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of a mark-to-market election, and any loss in excess of such prior inclusions generally would be treated as capital loss). Under current law, a mark-to-market election may not be made with respect to Business Combination Warrants. The mark-to-market election is available only for stock that is regularly traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Nasdaq, or on a foreign exchange or market that the IRS determines has rules sufficient to ensure that the market price represents a legitimate and sound fair market value. If made, a mark-to-market election would be effective for the taxable year for which the election was made and for all subsequent taxable years unless the ordinary shares ceased to qualify as “marketable stock” for purposes of the PFIC rules or the IRS consented to the revocation of the election. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a mark-to-market election in respect to the ordinary shares under their particular circumstances.
The Company is a holding company which conducts its business activities through one or more non-U.S. subsidiaries. If the Company is a PFIC and, at any time, have a non-U.S. subsidiary that is classified as a PFIC, U.S. Holders generally would be deemed to own a portion of the shares of such lower-tier PFIC, and generally could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest charge under the Default PFIC Regime described above if the Company receives a distribution from, or dispose of all or part of the Company’s interest in, the lower- tier PFIC or the U.S. Holders otherwise were deemed to have disposed of an interest in the lower-tier PFIC, even though the US Holders may not receive proceeds from any such distribution or disposition. There is no assurance that the Company will have timely knowledge of the status of any such lower-tier PFIC, or that any such lower-tier PFIC will provide the required information necessary for a U.S. Holder to make or maintain a QEF election with respect to such lower-tier PFIC. A mark-to-market election generally would not be available with respect to such lower-tier PFIC. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the tax issues raised by lower-tier PFICs.
A U.S. Holder that owns (or is deemed to own) shares in a PFIC during any taxable year of the U.S. Holder, may have to file an IRS Form 8621 (whether or not a QEF or mark-to-market election is made) and such other information as may be required by the U.S. Treasury Department. Failure to do so, if required, will extend the statute of limitations until such required information is furnished to the IRS.
The rules dealing with PFICs and with the QEF, purging, and mark-to-market elections are very complex and are affected by various factors in addition to those described above. Accordingly, U.S. Holders of the ordinary shares and Business Combination Warrants should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the PFIC rules to the ordinary shares and Business Combination Warrants under their particular circumstances.
Tax Reporting
Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals and certain entities will be required to report information with respect to such U.S. Holder’s investment in “specified foreign financial assets” on IRS Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets), subject to certain exceptions. Specified foreign financial assets generally include any financial account maintained with a non-U.S. financial institution and should also include the Company Securities if they are not held in an account maintained with a U.S. financial institution. Persons who are required to report specified foreign financial assets and fail to do so may be subject to substantial penalties, and the period of limitations on assessment and collection of United States federal income taxes may be extended in the event of a failure to comply.
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Potential investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the foreign financial asset and other reporting obligations and their application to an investment in the Company Securities.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to the ordinary shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of, the ordinary shares or Business Combination Warrants may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and possible United States backup withholding. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes other required certifications, or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding and establishes such exempt status.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a holder’s United States federal income tax liability, and a holder generally may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules, by timely filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information.
Cayman Islands Tax Considerations
The following is a discussion on certain Cayman Islands income tax consequences of an investment in the securities of the company. The discussion is a general summary of present law, which is subject to prospective and retroactive change. It is not intended as tax advice, does not consider any investor’s particular circumstances and does not consider tax consequences other than those arising under Cayman Islands law.
Under existing Cayman Islands Laws, payments of dividends and capital in respect of our securities will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of the securities nor will gains derived from the disposal of the securities be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporate tax. The Cayman Islands currently has no income, corporate or capital gains tax and no estate duty, inheritance tax or gift tax.
No stamp duty is payable in respect of the issue of the warrants. An instrument of transfer in respect of a warrant is stampable if executed in or brought into the Cayman Islands.
No stamp duty is payable in respect of the issue of our ordinary shares or on an instrument of transfer in respect of such shares.
The Company has been incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability and, as such, has applied for and received an undertaking from the Financial Secretary of the Cayman Islands in the following form:
The Tax Concessions Law Undertaking as to Tax Concessions
In accordance with the Tax Concessions Law, the following undertaking is hereby given to Arqit Quantum Inc. (the “Company”):
1. | That no law which is hereafter enacted in the Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations shall apply to the company or its operations; and |
2. | In addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax shall be payable: |
2.1 | on or in respect of the shares, debentures or other obligations of the company; or |
2.2 | by way of the withholding in whole or part, of any relevant payment as defined in the Tax Concessions Law. |
These concessions shall be for a period of twenty years from the 28th day of April 2021.
10.F. DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS
Not Applicable.
10.G. STATEMENT BY EXPERTS
Not Applicable.
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10.H. DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, we are required to file reports and other information with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K. The SEC maintains an Internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information we have filed electronically with the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.
10.I. SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
Not Applicable.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Arqit is exposed to market risk in the ordinary course of business. Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact Arqit’s financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. It is, and has been throughout the period under review, Arqit’s policy not to use or trade in derivative financial instruments. Arqit’s financial instruments comprise its cash and cash equivalents and various items such as trade creditors that arise directly from its operations. The main purpose of Arqit’s financial assets and liabilities is to provide finance for its operations in the near term.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
12.A. DEBT SECURITIES
Not Applicable.
12.B. WARRANTS AND RIGHTS
See Exhibit 2.9 “Description of Securities” to this Annual Report under the heading “— Warrants” of this Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.
12.C. OTHER SECURITIES
Not Applicable.
12.D. AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
Not Applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Effective September 25, 2024, Arqit effected a reverse share split whereby 25 shares were consolidated into one shares.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2024. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of September 20, 2024, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective such that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) and for the assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets, (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (iii) provide reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors, and (iv) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2024 based upon the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2024, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.
Attestation Report of the Registered Accounting Firm
This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of the company’s independent registered public accounting firm because we qualify as an emerging growth company as such term is defined in the JOBS ACT and as such, we are exempted from such attestation requirement.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the period covered by this annual report on Form 20-F, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting, as disclosed above in “Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.”
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16.A. AUDIT COMMITTEE AND FINANCIAL EXPERT
The board of directors has determined that Stephen Chandler qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under rules and regulations of the SEC and satisfies the “independence” requirements set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
16.B. CODE OF ETHICS
We have adopted a code of ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. This includes our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. Our Code of Ethics is intended to meet the definition of “code of ethics” under Item 16B of 20-F under the Exchange Act. We will disclose on our website any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our Code of Ethics that applies to our directors or executive officers to the extent required under the rules of the SEC or Nasdaq. The code of ethics is available on our website as: ir.arqit.uk/investors/corporate-governance/governance-documents. The information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.
16.C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Our audit committee of the board of directors is required to pre-approve the audit and non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm and associated fees prior to the engagement with respect to such services. Pursuant to this policy, which is designed to assure that such engagements do not impair the independence of our auditors, the audit committee pre-approves annually a catalogue of specific audit and non-audit services that may be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm.
| 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||
September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 | |||||
PKF Littlejohn LLP |
|
|
|
| ||
Audit Fees |
| £ | 110,000 | £ | 110,000 | |
Audited-Related Fees |
| £ | 30,000 | £ | 30,000 | |
Total |
| £ | 140,000 | £ | 140,000 |
16.D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not Applicable.
16.E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
None.
16.F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
Not Applicable.
16.G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
We are a “foreign private issuer” (as such term is defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act) and our ordinary shares and warrants are listed on Nasdaq. The Nasdaq Listing Rules allow foreign private issuers, such as us, to follow home country corporate governance practices (in our case Cayman Islands Laws) in lieu of the otherwise applicable Nasdaq corporate governance requirements. In order to rely on this exception, we are required to disclose each Nasdaq Listing Rule that we do not follow and describe the home country practice we do follow in lieu thereof.
We currently rely on this “foreign private issuer exemption” with respect to shareholder approval requirements and audit committee composition. We will seek shareholder approval for all corporate actions requiring such approval under requirements of Cayman Islands Laws, rather than seeking approval for corporate actions in accordance with Nasdaq Capital Market Listing Rule 5635. In particular, under this Nasdaq Capital Market rule, shareholder approval is generally required for: (i) an acquisition of shares or assets of another company that involves the issuance of 20% or more of the acquirer’s shares or voting rights or if a director, officer or 5% shareholder has greater than a 5% interest in the target company or the consideration to be received; (ii) the issuance of shares leading to a change of control; (iii) adoption or amendment of equity compensation arrangements; and (iv) issuances of 20% or more of the shares or voting rights (including securities convertible into, or exercisable for, equity) of a listed company via a private placement (or via sales by directors, officers or 5% shareholders) if such equity is issued (or sold) at below the greater of the book or market value of shares. Cayman Islands Laws do not require shareholder approval prior to any of the foregoing types of issuances. In addition, we will maintain
74
an audit committee comprised of independent directors as required by the Nasdaq Listing Rules, however we will follow any applicable requirements of Cayman Islands Laws in respect of other audit committee composition requirements.
16.H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not Applicable.
16.I DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not Applicable.
16.J INSIDER TRADING POLICIES
We have
16.K CYBERSECURITY
We maintain a cyber risk management program designed to identify, manage, mitigate, and respond to cybersecurity threats. This program is a vital component of our overall risk management program as we recognize that cybersecurity risks may have significant operational, financial, and reputational impacts on us. This program supports the management of information security risks in accordance with our risk profile and business strategy, which is informed by recognized industry standards, such as ISO 27001.
We have adopted a risk management process where our Board of Directors, aided by our Audit Committee, is ultimately responsible for overseeing our risk management efforts. Our security team has established cybersecurity policies and frameworks, defining roles and responsibilities and setting goals to implement such policies and frameworks. We have also developed and integrated planned mitigation measures and programs into our overall risk management framework, including security protocols, system updates, cybersecurity awareness training for employees, and incident response plans. For additional guidance, we also refer to the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework. With respect to third party service providers, we obligate our vendors to adhere to privacy and cybersecurity measures, and we perform risk assessments of vendors, including their ability to protect data from unauthorized access.
As described in Part 3D “Risk Factors— Risks Related to Arqit’s Business and Operations,” Arqit, and the third-party vendors upon which Arqit relies, have experienced, and may in the future experience, cybersecurity threats, including threats or attempts to disrupt its information technology infrastructure and unauthorized attempts to gain access to sensitive or confidential information, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business. While we have experienced such threats, we have not identified any cybersecurity threats or incidents that have materially affected us or are reasonably likely to materially affect us, including our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. For more information on risks to us from cybersecurity threats, see “If any of Arqit’s third parties’ systems, its customers’ cloud or on-premises environments, or its internal systems are breached or if unauthorized access to customer or third-party data is otherwise obtained, public perception of its business may be harmed, and Arqit may lose business and incur losses or liabilities” in Part 3D “Risk Factors— Risks Related to Arqit’s Business and Operations”.
Governance
The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for risk oversight and has delegated oversight of our cybersecurity program to the Audit Committee which in turn receives regular briefings from our security team on our cybersecurity and information security posture, key risks, and the progress of cybersecurity risk reduction initiatives. Our security team conducts regular compliance assessments, which are documented and discussed at monthly management risk meetings.
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PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Our audited consolidated financial statements are included at the end of this Annual Report.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Not Applicable.
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
We have filed the following documents as exhibits to this Form 20-F:
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit | Description |
1.1* | Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company. |
2.1* | |
2.2 | |
2.3 | |
2.4 | |
2.5 | |
2.6 | |
2.7 | |
2.8 | |
2.9 | |
2.10* | |
4.1 | |
4.2* | |
4.3 | |
4.4 | |
4.5 | |
4.6 | |
4.7 | |
4.8 | |
4.9 | |
8.1* | |
12.1* |
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12.2* | |
13.1** | |
13.2** | |
15.1* | |
19.1* | |
97.1 | |
101.INS* | Inline XBRL Instance Document. |
101.SCH* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
101.CAL* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. |
101.DEF* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
101.LAB* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. |
101.PRE* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. |
104* | Cover Page Interactive Data File - (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
* | Filed herewith. |
** | Furnished herewith. |
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SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on its behalf.
ARQIT QUANTUM INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Andrew Leaver | |
Name: Andrew Leaver | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
Date: December 5, 2024 |
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Arqit Quantum Inc.
Consolidated audited financial statements
as of and for the year ended 30 September 2024
Contents |
| Page |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID | F-2 | |
F-3 | ||
F-4 | ||
F-5 | ||
F-6 | ||
F-7-F-42 | ||
F-1
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Arqit Quantum Inc.
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying Consolidated Statements of financial position of Arqit Quantum Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) as of September 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, the related Consolidated Statements of comprehensive income, cash flow and changes in equity for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Group as of September 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2024, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Basis for opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Group’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated 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 Group 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. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Group 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 Group’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.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.
/s/ PKF Littlejohn LLP
5 December 2024
F-2
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 30 September 2024
|
|
| ||||||
Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | ||||||
30 September | 30 September | 30 September | ||||||
| Note |
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
| $'000 | $'000 |
| $'000 | ||||
Revenue | 2 |
| | | | |||
Other income | 3 | | | — | ||||
Administrative expenses |
| 4 |
| ( | ( | ( | ||
Impairment loss on intangible assets | 10 | ( | — | — | ||||
Impairment loss on trade receivables and contract assets | 13 | ( | — | — | ||||
Operating (loss)/profit |
| ( | ( | ( | ||||
Change in fair value of warrants | 16 | | | | ||||
Finance costs |
| 5 |
| ( | ( | ( | ||
Finance income |
| 6 |
| | | — | ||
(Loss)/profit before tax |
| ( | ( | | ||||
Income tax |
| 7 |
| — | | — | ||
(Loss)/profit from continuing operations | ( | ( | | |||||
(Loss)/profit from discontinued operation, net of tax | 12 | ( | ( | | ||||
(Loss)/profit for the financial year attributable to equity holders |
| ( | ( | | ||||
Other comprehensive (loss)/income : | ||||||||
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss | ||||||||
Currency translation differences | ( | ( | | |||||
Total comprehensive (loss)/profit for the year attributable to equity holders |
| ( | ( | | ||||
Total comprehensive (loss)/profit for the year attributable to equity holders arises from: | ||||||||
Continuing operations | ( | ( | | |||||
Discontinued operations | ( | ( | | |||||
Total comprehensive (loss)/profit for the year attributable to equity holders | ( | ( | | |||||
Earnings per ordinary share from continuing operations attributable to equity holders |
|
| ||||||
Basic earnings per share | 8 | ( | ( | | ||||
Diluted earnings per share | 8 | ( | ( | | ||||
Earnings per ordinary share for the loss attributable to equity holders | ||||||||
Basic earnings per share | 8 | ( | ( | | ||||
Diluted earnings per share | 8 | ( | ( | |
F-3
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at 30 September 2024
|
| 30 September |
| 30 September |
| 30 September | ||
Note | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| $'000 |
| $'000 |
| $'000 | |||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Non-current assets | ||||||||
Property, plant and equipment |
| 9 |
| |
| |
| |
Right of use asset | 20 | | | | ||||
Intangible assets |
| 10 |
| |
| |
| |
Fixed asset investments |
| 11 |
| — |
| |
| |
Trade and other receivables | 13 | — | | | ||||
Total non-current assets |
| |
| |
| | ||
Current assets |
|
|
|
| ||||
Trade and other receivables |
| 13 |
| |
| |
| |
Cash and cash equivalents |
| 15 |
| |
| |
| |
Assets classified as held for sale | 12 | — | | — | ||||
Total current assets |
| |
| |
| | ||
Total assets |
|
| |
| |
| | |
LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Trade and other payables |
| 14 |
| |
| |
| |
Lease liabilities | 20 | | | | ||||
Liabilities classified as held for sale | 12 | — | | — | ||||
Total current liabilities |
|
| |
| |
| | |
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
|
| ||||
Trade and other payables |
| 14 |
| |
| |
| |
Lease liabilities | 20 | | | | ||||
Warrants liability | 16 | — | | | ||||
Total non-current liabilities |
|
| |
| |
| | |
Total liabilities |
|
| |
| |
| | |
Net assets/(liabilities) |
|
| |
| |
| | |
EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Share capital |
| 21 |
| |
| |
| |
Share premium | 23 | | | | ||||
Other reserves | 23 | | | | ||||
Foreign currency translation reserve | 23 | ( | | | ||||
Share-based payment reserve | 23 | | | | ||||
Retained earnings |
| 22 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Total Equity |
|
| |
| |
| |
F-4
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 30 September 2024
Foreign | ||||||||||||||
|
| currency | Share |
|
| |||||||||
Share | Share | Other | translation | option | Retained | |||||||||
Capital |
| Premium |
| reserves |
| reserve |
| reserve |
| Earnings |
| Total | ||
| $'000 | $'000 | $'000 | $'000 | $'000 |
| $'000 |
| $'000 | |||||
Balance at 1 October 2021 |
| | |
| | | |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Profit for the year |
| — | — |
| — | — | — |
| |
| | |||
Other comprehensive income |
| — | — |
| — | | — |
| — |
| | |||
Total comprehensive income |
| — | — |
| — | | — |
| |
| | |||
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners: |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Share option charge |
| — | — |
| — | — | |
| — |
| | |||
Earnout shares | | — | ( | — | — | — | — | |||||||
Exercise of warrants | — | | — | — | — | — | | |||||||
Balance at 30 September 2022 attributable to owners of the Group |
| | |
| | | |
| ( |
| | |||
Balance at 1 October 2022 |
| | |
| | | |
| ( |
| | |||
Loss for the year |
| — | — |
| — | — | — |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Other comprehensive income |
| — | — |
| — | ( | — |
| — |
| ( | |||
Total comprehensive income |
| — | — |
| — | ( | — |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners: |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Share option charge |
| — | — |
| — | — | |
| — |
| | |||
Issue of ordinary shares | | |
| — | — | — |
| — |
| | ||||
Balance at 30 September 2023 attributable to owners of the Group |
| | |
| | | |
| ( |
| | |||
Balance at 1 October 2023 |
| | |
| | | |
| ( |
| | |||
Loss for the year |
| — | — |
| — | — | — |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Other comprehensive income |
| — | — |
| — | ( | — |
| — |
| ( | |||
Total comprehensive income |
| — | — |
| — | ( | — |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners: |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Share option credit |
| — | — |
| — | — | ( |
| — |
| ( | |||
Issue of ordinary shares |
| | |
| — | — | — |
| — |
| | |||
Balance at 30 September 2024 |
| | | | ( | | ( |
| |
F-5
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 30 September 2024
|
| Year ended |
| Year ended | Year ended | |||
30 September | 30 September | 30 September | ||||||
| Note |
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
| $'000 |
| $'000 | $'000 | ||||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
Cash (used in)/generated from operations |
| 15 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Movement on foreign exchange | ( | ( | | |||||
Tax received |
| — |
| — |
| — | ||
Net cash (used in)/generated from operating activities |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Interest received | | | ||||||
Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Capital expenditure on intangibles |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Investment in subsidiaries | — | — | — | |||||
Net cash (used in) investing activities |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Proceeds from issue of shares | | | — | |||||
Shares issued on exercise of warrants | — | — | | |||||
Proceeds from government grants | | | | |||||
Payment of principal on lease liabilities | ( | ( | ( | |||||
Payments of interest portion of lease liabilities | ( | ( | ( | |||||
Net cash generated from financing activities |
| |
| |
| | ||
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
| |
| |
| | ||
Foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents | ( | ( | ( | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
| |
| |
| |
The net cash flows associated with the satellite division discontinued operations are presented in note 12
F-6
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 September 2024
1. General information and significant accounting policies
General information
Arqit Quantum Inc. (the “Company”) is a Cayman Islands exempted limited liability company with registered number 374857. The address of its registered office and its principal place of trading is c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.
These consolidated financial statements comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Group”).
The principal activity of the Group is provision of cybersecurity services.
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Securities Act, and 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 limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation.
Basis of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the IASB. The financial statements are prepared on the historical cost basis, other than investor warrants held at fair value through profit or loss, and the accounting policies set out below have been consistently applied. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies.
The consolidated financial statements have been presented in United States Dollars “USD” which is also the Group’s functional currency. All values are rounded to the nearest units (USD '000), except when otherwise indicated.
Comparative information has been re-presented due to a discontinued operation (note 12).
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries as at September 30, 2024.
Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group and deconsolidated from the date that control ceases.
The financial statements of the subsidiaries are prepared for the same financial year as the parent company, applying consistent accounting policies throughout the Group. Inter-company balances and transactions, including unrealised profits or losses are eliminated on consolidation.
Reverse Share Split
On September 25, 2024, we effected a
Except as otherwise provided herein, all share and per-share amounts of our ordinary shares, equity awards, warrants and other outstanding equity rights have been adjusted to give effect to the Reverse Share Split for all periods presented. The Reverse Share Split amended the par value of our common stock to $
F-7
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
shares.
Going Concern
The directors believe that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis. In assessing whether the going concern assumption is appropriate, the Directors have taken into account all relevant available information about the current and future position of the Group and Company. As part of their assessment, the Directors have also taken into account the ability to raise additional funding whilst maintaining sufficient cash resources to meet all commitments.
The Company has prepared detailed forecasts with strong cost control measures in place to enable the Group to grow according to its plans. Given the current economic and political climate and uncertainties, the Company has controls in place to monitor spend and ensure that it can continue to operate for the foreseeable period.
Based on the above, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group and Company will have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, such that they will be able to realise their assets and discharge their liabilities in the normal course of business for a period of at least 12 months from the date of signing these financial statements, and beyond. Therefore, the financial statements are prepared on the going concern basis.
Standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards
The Group has adopted the following standards and amendments to standards for the first time for their annual reporting period commencing 1 October 2023, none of which had a material impact:
● | IFRS 17 - Insurance Contracts |
● | Amendments to IAS 1: Presentation of Financial Statements: Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current |
● | Amendments to IAS 1: Presentation of Financial Statements and IFRS Practice Statement 2: Disclosure of Accounting policies |
● | Amendments to IAS 8: Accounting policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors: Definition of Accounting Estimates |
● | Amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes: Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction |
● | Amendments to IAS 12: Income taxes: International tax reform |
● | IFRIC Agenda Decision - Disclosure of Revenues and Expenses for Reportable Segments (IFRS 8) |
The Group has not early adopted the following new and amended standards that have been issued but are not yet effective:
● | Amendment to IAS 1 - Non - current liabilities with covenants |
● | Amendment to IFRS 16 - Leases on sale and leaseback |
● | Amendment to IAS 7 and IFRS 7 - Supplier finance |
The directors of the Group anticipate that the application of all new and amended standards will have no material impact on the future results of the Group in the foreseeable future.
Operating Segments
The Directors consider the Group to operate within
Government grants
Government grants are recognised only when there is reasonable assurance that (a) the entity will comply with any conditions attached to the grant and (b) the grant will be received.
F-8
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
Grants related to research and development are included in non-current or current liabilities as deferred income and recognised in profit or loss over the period necessary to match them with the costs that they are intended to compensate. The grants will be systematically amortised to profit or loss over a period matching the useful life of the acquired asset.
Intangible assets - Research and development expenditure
Research costs are expensed through the income statement as they are incurred. Under IAS 38, development costs are only capitalised after technical and commercial feasibility of the asset for sale or use have been established. The Company must intend and be able to complete the asset and either use it or sell it and be able to demonstrate how the asset will generate future economic benefit. Capitalised development costs are recorded as intangible assets and amortised from the point at which the asset is ready for use.
Amortisation of intangible assets in use is calculated under the straight-line method to write off the amortisable amount of the intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. The principal annual rates used for this purpose are between
The amortisation method, useful lives and residual values are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period to ensure that the amounts, method and years of amortisation are consistent with previous estimates and the expected pattern of consumption of the future economic benefits embodied in the items of the intangible assets.
Intangible assets not yet subject to amortisation are tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying value exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs of disposal and value in use.
The Group has historically claimed Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC) through its subsidiary, Arqit Limited, under the U.K.’s RDEC program, which incentivises research and development activities that are directed and overseen from the U.K., resulting in advancements in knowledge or technology. The total value of the RDEC received during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024 was $
Current and deferred income tax
The current income tax expense or credit is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the statement of financial position date in the countries where the Company operates and generates taxable income, adjusted by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary differences and to unused tax losses. Management periodically evaluate positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and establishes provisions where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.
The research and development (“R&D”) tax credit is calculated using the current rules as prescribed by HMRC. The estimation is based on the actual UK R&D projects that qualify for the scheme that have been carried out in the period. This is treated on a accruals basis when the R&D tax credit has been calculated for the relevant period.
Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements. However, the deferred income tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit nor loss.
Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax assets is realised or the deferred income tax liability is settled. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and where the deferred tax balances relate to the same taxation authority.
Deferred income tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.
F-9
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
Revenue
The Company adopts IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from contracts with customers’ for revenue including other income which is recognised in accordance with this standard. Revenue from services related to the SKA-PlatformTM product has been recognised in the year once the service has been performed and accepted by the customer. Other income represents income derived from contracts for the provision of goods and services by the Company to customers in exchange for consideration in the ordinary course of the Company’s activities.
Performance obligations
Upon approval by the parties to a contract, the contract is assessed to identify each promise to transfer either a distinct good or service or a series of distinct goods or services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer. Goods and services are distinct and accounted for as separate performance obligations in the contract if the customer can benefit from them either on their own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer and they are separately identifiable in the contract.
Transaction price
At the start of the contract, the total transaction price is estimated as the amount of consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised goods and services to the customer, excluding sales taxes. The transaction price does not include estimates of consideration resulting from contract modifications, such as change orders, until they have been approved by the parties to the contract.
The total transaction price is allocated to the performance obligations identified in the contract in proportion to their relative standalone selling prices. Given the bespoke nature of many of the Company’s products and services, which are designed and/or manufactured under contract to the customer’s individual specifications, there are sometimes no observable standalone selling prices. Instead, standalone selling prices are typically estimated based on expected costs.
The Company utilizes a practical expedient in the standard to not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component, when it is expected at contract inception, that the period between when the entity transfers a promised good or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or less.
Contract liabilities
Contract liabilities represent the obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which consideration has been received, or consideration is due, from the customer.
The Company utilizes a practical expedient in the standard to recognise the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred, if the amortisation period of the asset that would otherwise be recognised is one year or less.
Accounting for Joint Ventures
A joint venture is an arrangement in which the Group has joint control, whereby the Group has the rights to the net assets of the arrangement as opposed to the rights to its assets and obligations for its liabilities.
This is initially recognised as an investment at cost and subsequently accounted for using the equity method in accordance with IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures.
Financial instruments
A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of on entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another.
F-10
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
(a) Financial assets
Initial recognition and measurement
Financial assets are classified, at initial recognition, and subsequently measured at amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income, or fair value through profit or loss.
The classification of financial assets at initial recognition that are debt instruments depends on the financial asset’s contractual cash flow characteristics and the Company’s business model for managing them. The Company initially measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs.
In order for a financial asset to be classified and measured at amortised cost or fair value through other comprehensive income, it needs to give rise to cash flows that are ‘solely payments of principal and interest (SPPI)’ on the principal amount outstanding.
Principal for the purpose of this test is defined as the fair value of the financial asset at initial recognition and may change over the life of the financial asset, for example, if there are repayments of principal or amortization of the premium/discount. The most significant elements of interest within a debt instrument are typically the consideration for the time value of money and credit risk. To make the SPPI assessment, the Company applies judgement and considers relevant factors such as the currency in which the financial asset is denominated, and the period for which the interest rate is set.
This assessment is referred to as the SPPI test and is performed at an instrument level.
The Company’s business model for managing financial assets refers to how it manages its financial assets in order to generate cash flows. The business model determines whether cash flows will result from collecting contractual cash flows, selling the financial assets, or both.
Subsequent measurement
For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial assets are classified in four categories:
● | Financial assets at amortised cost (debt instruments) |
● | Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income with recycling of cumulative gains and losses (debt instruments) |
● | Financial assets designated at fair value through other comprehensive income with no recycling of cumulative gains and losses upon derecognition (equity instruments) |
● | Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
Financial assets at amortised cost (debt instruments)
This category is the most relevant to the Company. The Company measures financial assets at amortised cost if both of the following conditions are met:
● | The financial asset is held within a business model with the objective to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows; and |
● | The contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. |
Financial assets at amortised cost are subsequently measured using the effective interest rate (“EIR”) method and are subject to impairment. Interest received is recognised as part of finance income in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised, modified or impaired. The Company’s financial assets at amortised cost include trade receivables (not subject to provisional pricing) and other receivables.
F-11
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
Offsetting financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the consolidated statement of financial position when, and only when, the Group currently has a legally enforceable right to set off the recognized amounts; and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.
Derecognition
A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a Company of similar financial assets) is primarily derecognised (i.e., removed from the Company’s consolidated statement of financial position) when:
● | The rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired; or |
● | The Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full without material delay to a third party under a ‘pass-through’ arrangement; and either (a) the Company has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (b) the Company has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset. |
Impairment of financial assets
The Company recognises an allowance for expected credit losses (“ECLs”) for all debt instruments not held at fair value. For trade receivables (not subject to provisional pricing) and other receivables due in less than 12 months, the Company applies the simplified approach in calculating ECLs, as permitted by IFRS 9. Therefore, the Company does not track changes in credit risk, but instead, recognises a loss allowance based on the financial asset’s lifetime ECL at each reporting date.
The Company considers a financial asset in default when contractual payments are 90 days past due. However, in certain cases, the Company may also consider a financial asset to be in default when internal or external information indicates that the Company is unlikely to receive the outstanding contractual amounts in full before taking into account any credit enhancements held by the Company.
A financial asset is written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovering the contractual cash flows and usually occurs when past due for more than one year and not subject to enforcement activity. At each reporting date, the Company assesses whether financial assets carried at amortised cost are impaired. A financial asset is credit-impaired when one or more events that have a detrimental impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset have occurred.
(b) Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, loans and borrowings, payables, or as derivatives designated as hedging instruments in an effective hedge, as appropriate. All financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value and, in the case of loans and borrowings and payables, net of directly attributable transaction costs. The Company’s financial liabilities include trade and other payables and loans.
Subsequent measurement
The measurement of financial liabilities depends on their classification, as described below:
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include financial liabilities held for trading and financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit or loss. Financial liabilities are classified as held for trading if they are incurred for the purpose of repurchasing in the near term. This category also includes derivative financial instruments entered into by the Company that are not designated as hedging instruments in hedge relationships as defined by IFRS 9. Separated embedded derivatives are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments. Gains or losses on liabilities held for trading are recognised in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
F-12
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
Loans and borrowings and trade and other payables
After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings and trade and other payables are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the EIR method. Gains and losses are recognised in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income when the liabilities are derecognised, as well as through the EIR amortisation process.
Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included as finance costs in the statement of comprehensive income.
This category generally applies to trade and other payables.
Derecognition
A financial liability is derecognised when the associated obligation is discharged or cancelled or expires.
When an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as the derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognised in profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
Defined contribution pension
For defined contribution plans, the Group pays contributions to publicly or privately administered pension insurance plans on a mandatory, contractual or voluntary basis. The Group has no further payment obligations once the contributions have been paid. The contributions are recognized as employee benefit expense when they are due. Prepaid contributions are recognized as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in the future payments is available.
Employee leave entitlements
Employee entitlements to annual leave are recognized when they accrue to employees. A provision is made for the estimated liability for annual leave as a result of services rendered by employees up to the end of the reporting period. Employee entitlements to sick leave and maternity leave are not recognized until the time of leave.
Non-financial assets
At each reporting date, the Company reviews the carrying amount of its non-financial assets to determine whether there is any indication for impairment. If such indication exists, then the assets recoverable amount is estimated.
For impairment testing, assets are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash flows from continuing to use the asset (CGU). The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its fair value less cost to sell or its value in use.
An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds the recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss.
Share-based compensation
Share options
Where share options are awarded to employees, the fair value of the options at grant date is charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income over the vesting period. Nonmarket vesting conditions are taken into account by adjusting the number of equity instruments expected to vest at each reporting date so that, ultimately, the cumulative amount recognised over the vesting period is based on the number of options or warrants that eventually vest. Market vesting conditions are factored into the fair value of the options granted. The cumulative expense is not adjusted for failure to achieve a market vesting condition.
F-13
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
The fair value of the award also considers non-vesting conditions. These are either factors beyond the control of either party (such as a target based on an index) or factors which are within the control of one or other of the parties (such as the Company keeping the scheme open or the employee maintaining any contributions required by the scheme).
Where the terms and conditions of options are modified before they vest, the increase in the fair value of the options, measured immediately before and after the modification, is also charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income over the remaining vesting period.
Where equity instruments are granted to persons other than employees, the Statement of Comprehensive Income is charged with fair value of goods and services received.
The share option charge was calculated using the Black Scholes Option pricing model which requires the use of various estimates and assumptions (note 18).
When share options lapse, any amounts credited to the share-based payments reserve are released to the retained earnings reserve.
RSUs (Restricted Stock Units)
Where RSUs are granted to employees, the fair value of the RSUs at grant date is based upon the market price of the shares underlying the awards and this is charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income over the vesting period. There are no internal performance conditions. The expense charged is adjusted based on actual forfeitures.
Warrants
Warrants are classified as derivatives and are initially recognised at their fair value on the date of inception of the contract. The Company’s warrants are subsequently re-measured at each reporting date with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss. The warrants are valued using the Binomial Option Pricing Model.
As the fair value of the warrants fluctuate with movement in the underlying Arqit Quantum Inc share price, these warrants are considered a derivative as a variable amount of cash will be settled on exercise.
Foreign currencies
Functional and presentation currency
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the “functional currency”). The functional currency of Arqit Quantum Inc. is U.S. dollars. The Group financial statements are presented in U.S Dollars which is considered to be the Group’s presentation currency.
Transactions and balances
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transactions or valuation where items are re-measured. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at period-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the income statement.
Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates as at the dates of the initial transactions.
F-14
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
Group companies
The results and financial position of all the Group entities (none of which has the currency of a hyper-inflationary economy) that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated as follows:
a) | assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date are translated at the closing rate as at that balance sheet date; |
b) | income and expenses for each income statement are translated at average exchange rates; and |
c) | all resulting exchange differences are recognised in other comprehensive income |
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks and all other cash amounts with maturities of three months or less.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at historic cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, if any.
Depreciation is calculated under the straight-line method to write off the depreciable amount of the assets over their estimated useful lives. Depreciation of an asset does not cease when the asset becomes idle or is retired from active use unless the asset is fully depreciated. The principal annual rates used for this purpose are between
The depreciation method, useful lives and residual values are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period to ensure that the amounts, method and years of depreciation are consistent with previous estimates and the expected pattern of consumption of the future economic benefits embodied in the items of the property, plant and equipment.
Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when the cost is incurred and it is probable that the future economic benefits associated with the asset will flow to the Group and the cost of the asset can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of parts that are replaced is derecognised. The costs of the day-to-day servicing of property, plant and equipment are recognised in profit or loss as incurred. Costs also comprise the initial estimate of dismantling and removing the asset and restoring the site on which it is located for which the Group are obligated to incur when the asset is acquired, if applicable.
Discontinued operations
A part of the Group, whose operations and cash flows can be clearly distinguished operationally and for financial reporting purposes from the other operating businesses, is classified as a discontinued operation if the component has either been disposed of or is classified as held for sale, and:
● | represents a separate major line of business or geographic area of operations, |
● | is part of a single coordinated plan to dispose of a separate major line of business or geographic area of operations, or |
● | is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale. |
Discontinued operations are excluded from the net income/loss from continuing operations and are presented as a single amount as gain/loss from discontinued operations, net of tax in the consolidated income statement. When an operation is classified as a discontinued operation, the comparative consolidated income statement and consolidated statement of cash flows are restated and presented as if the operation had been classified as such from the start of the comparative year.
Assets/liabilities and disposal groups classified as held for sale
F-15
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
Assets/liabilities and disposal groups classified as held for sale are non-current assets and liabilities expected to be realized principally through a sale rather than through continuing use. The criteria for held for sale classification is regarded as met only when the sale is highly probable, and the asset or disposal group is available for immediate sale in its present condition. It being unlikely that significant changes to the sale will be made or that the decision to sell will be withdrawn is also a prerequisite for the classification.
The sale must be expected to be completed within one year from the date of the classification. Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale are hence presented separately as current items in the consolidated statement of financial position.
These are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Costs to sell are the incremental costs directly attributable to the disposal of an asset (disposal group), excluding finance costs and income tax expense.
Assets classified as held for sale are not depreciated on a straight-line basis.
Impairment losses on initial classification as held-for-sale or held for distribution and subsequent gains and losses on remeasurement are recognized in profit or loss. Reversals of impairment losses due to a subsequent increase in fair value are recognized up to a maximum of the amount of impairment losses that, unless attributable to goodwill, were recognized prior to classification of the asset or disposal group in accordance with IFRS 5 and IAS 36, or were recognized at or after the date of classification in accordance with IFRS 5.
Leases
At inception of a contract, the Group assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains, a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.
As a lessee
At commencement or on modification of a contract that contains a lease component, the Group allocates the consideration in the contract to each lease component on the basis of its relative stand-alone prices. However, for the leases of property the Group has elected not to separate non-lease components and account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.
The Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset or the site on which it is located, less any lease incentives received.
The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the end of the lease term, unless the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the Group by the end of the lease term or the cost of the right-of-use asset reflects that the Group will exercise a purchase option. In that case the right-of-use asset will be depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset, which is determined on the same basis as those of property and equipment. In addition, the right-of-use asset is periodically reduced by impairment losses, if any, and adjusted for certain remeasurements of the lease liability.
The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Group’s incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate.
The Group determines its incremental borrowing rate by obtaining interest rates from various external financing sources and makes certain adjustments to reflect the terms of the lease and type of the asset leased.
Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise the following:
● | fixed payments, including in-substance fixed payments; |
● | variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date; |
● | amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee; and the exercise price under a purchase option that the Group is reasonably certain to exercise, lease payments in an optional renewal period if the Group is reasonably certain to |
F-16
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
exercise an extension option, and penalties for early termination of a lease unless the Group is reasonably certain not to terminate early. |
The lease liability is measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. It is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, if there is a change in the Group’s estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee, if the Group changes its assessment of whether it will exercise a purchase, extension or termination option or if there is a revised in-substance fixed lease payment.
When the lease liability is remeasured in this way, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset, or is recorded in profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero.
The Group presents right-of-use assets that do not meet the definition of investment property and lease liabilities in the statement of financial position.
Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets
The Group has elected not to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases of low-value assets and short-term leases, including IT equipment. The Group recognises the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Share capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Any incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.
Financial risk management
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, fair value interest rate risk, cash flow interest rate risk and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.
Risk management is overseen by the Board of Directors. The Board provides written principles for overall risk management, as well as written policies covering specific areas, such as foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, use of derivative financial instruments and non-derivative financial instruments, and investment of excess liquidity.
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, regardless of whether that price is directly observable or estimated using another valuation technique. In estimating the fair value of an asset or a liability, the Group takes into account the characteristics of the asset or liability if market participants would take those characteristics into account when pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.
In addition, for financial reporting purposes, fair value measurements are categorised into Level 1, 2 or 3 based on the degree to which the inputs to the fair value measurements are observable and the significance of the inputs to the fair value measurement in its entirety, which are described as follows:
● | Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date; |
● | Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and |
● | Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. |
Please see note 24 for financial instruments and fair value disclosures.
F-17
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the Group’s accounting policies, management is required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. The directors consider the below to be the critical judgements in respect of the period.
Warrants valuation
Estimating the fair value of warrants requires a determination of the most appropriate valuation model, which depends on the terms and conditions of the warrant. This estimate also requires determination of the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including equity value, exercise price, volatility, dividend yield, risk free rate and exercise period and making assumptions about them. For the measurement of the fair value of warrants at both the acquisition and the reporting date, the Group uses a Binomial Option Pricing Model. The assumptions and models used for this estimation are disclosed in note 17.
Capitalisation of development costs
The Group capitalises costs for product development projects. Initial capitalisation of costs is based on management’s judgement that technological and economic feasibility is confirmed, usually when a product development project has reached a defined milestone according to an established project management model, and all other recognition criteria within IAS 38 can be demonstrated. In determining the amounts to be capitalised, management makes assumptions regarding the expected future cash generation of the project, discount rates to be applied and the expected period of benefits. At September 30, 2024, the carrying amount of capitalised development costs were $
Share-based compensation
Estimating fair value for share option payment transactions requires determination of the most appropriate valuation model, which depends on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determination of the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the share option or appreciation right, volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions about them. For the measurement of the fair value of equity settled transactions with employees at the grant date, the Group uses a Black Scholes valuation. The assumptions and models used for estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions are disclosed in note 18.
Compensation expense for RSUs is determined based upon the market price of the shares underlying the awards on the date of the grant and expensed over the vesting period, which is generally a
Deferred tax asset
Judgement is required to determine whether deferred tax assets are recognised in the statement of financial position. Deferred tax assets, arising from unutilised tax losses, require the Group to assess the likelihood it will generate sufficient taxable earnings in future periods, in order to utilise recognised deferred tax assets. To the extent that future cash flows and taxable income differ significantly from estimates, the ability of the Group to realise the net deferred tax assets recorded at the reporting date could be impacted.
Discontinued operations and Assets held for sale
The decision to discontinue the business activities of the satellite division led to an increased level of judgment and estimation uncertainties with regard to provisions recognised in this context.
For assets held for sale, judgement is required when estimating expected fair value until any sale is contractually concluded. Changes in the economic environment or other facts and circumstances may cause revisions to these assumptions and could result in a material change to the realizable value of the Group's assets held for sale within the next financial year.
F-18
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
2. Revenue
Year ended 30 | Year ended 30 | Year ended 30 | ||||
September | September | September | ||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
$'000 | $'000 | $'000 | ||||
SKA-Platform™ – provision of services | |
| |
| | |
Geographical markets | ||||||
UK | | | | |||
Other | — | — | | |||
| | |
Revenue with a total of
The group has no material contract balances.
The following table provides information about the nature and timing of the satisfaction of performance obligations in contracts with customers, including significant payment terms, and the related revenue recognition policies.
Type of product/service | Nature and timing of satisfaction of performance obligations | Revenue recognition policies |
SKA-PlatformTM | Customer can benefit from the license when it is delivered. The license is separately identifiable from other goods or services. License provides a right for customer to use the Company’s Intellectual Property perpetually. | Revenue is recognised when the license is delivered to and accepted by the customer. Invoices are usually payable within |
SKA-PlatformTM as a service | Customer can benefit from the license when it is delivered. The license is separately identifiable from other goods or services. License provides a right for customer to use the Company’s Intellectual Property for a limited period. | Revenue is recognised over the course of the subscription period. Invoices are usually payable within |
F-19
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
Maintenance and support | Services are provided to the customer over the contract term. | Revenue is recognised over time as the services are provided. Invoices are usually payable within |
Professional services | Statements of work including details and timings are agreed with the customer at contract inception. They can typically be amended during the performance of the services if agreed by both parties. | Revenue is recognised over time as the services are provided. The stage of completion for determining the amount of revenue to recognise is assessed based on statements of work performed which are approved by both parties. Invoices are usually payable within |
3. Other income
Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | ||||
30 September | 30 September | 30 September | ||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
| $'000 | $'000 |
| $'000 | ||
Gain on disposal of fixed assets | | — | ||||
Gain on termination of UK office lease | | — | — | |||
Other | | — | — | |||
| | |
| — |
4. Expenses by Nature
|
| |||||
Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | ||||
30 September | 30 September | 30 September | ||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
| $'000 | $'000 |
| $'000 | ||
Employee benefit expense and other staff costs | | | | |||
Capitalised within intangible assets | ( | ( | ( | |||
Legal and professional | | | | |||
Foreign exchange |
| ( | ( | | ||
Property costs | | | | |||
Share based compensation |
| ( | | | ||
Depreciation | | | | |||
Depreciation of right of use asset | | | | |||
Amortisation of intangible assets | | | | |||
Other expenses | | | | |||
Total administrative expenses | | | |
F-20
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
5. Finance costs
|
|
| ||||
Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | ||||
30 September | 30 September | 30 September | ||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
| $'000 | $'000 |
| $'000 | ||
Interest payable on lease liabilities |
| | | |
6. Finance income
|
|
| ||||
Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | ||||
30 September | 30 September | 30 September | ||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
| $'000 | $'000 |
| $'000 | ||
Bank interest | | | — |
7. Income tax
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
| $'000 | $'000 |
| $'000 | ||
The tax (charge)/credit on the profit/(loss) on ordinary activities for the year was as follows: |
|
|
|
| ||
Current tax |
| — | — |
| — | |
Deferred Tax |
| — | — |
| — | |
Income tax |
| — | — |
| — |
Factors affecting tax charge/credit for the year
The tax assessed for the period is higher than (2023 – higher than; 2022 – lower than) the standard rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom of
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
$'000 | $'000 | $'000 | ||||
Profit / (Loss) from continuing operations |
| ( | ( | | ||
Tax at the applicable rate of |
| ( | ( | | ||
Disallowable expenditure |
| | | | ||
Difference in tax rate between UK and other jurisdictions | ( | ( | | |||
Fixed asset timing differences |
| | | — | ||
Other differences | | | | |||
Difference in rates between current and deferred tax | — | ( | ( | |||
Unutilised tax losses on which deferred tax is not recognised |
| | | | ||
Deferred tax not recognised in respect of share options | ( | | | |||
R&D tax credit |
| — | | — | ||
Fair valuation of warrants | — | — | ( | |||
Total tax |
| — | | — |
F-21
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
8. (Loss)/Earnings per share
Basic earnings/(loss) per share is calculated by dividing the profit/(loss) attributable to shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.
|
|
|
|
| ||
Basic EPS in relation to profit/(loss) from continuing operations |
| Earnings |
| Weighted average number of shares |
| Per share amount |
| $ |
| $ | |||
2024 | ( | | ( | |||
2023 |
| ( | | ( | ||
2022 |
| | |
| | |
Diluted EPS in relation to profit/(loss) from continuing operations | ||||||
2024 | ( | | ( | |||
2023 | ( | | ( | |||
2022 | | |
| | ||
|
|
|
|
| ||
Basic EPS in relation to profit/(loss) from discontinued operations |
| Earnings |
| Weighted average number of shares |
| Per share amount |
| $ |
| $ | |||
2024 | ( | | ( | |||
2023 |
| ( | | ( | ||
2022 |
| | |
| | |
Diluted EPS in relation to profit/(loss) from discontinued operations | ||||||
2024 | ( | | ( | |||
2023 | ( | | ( | |||
2022 | | | | |||
|
|
|
|
| ||
Basic EPS in relation to profit/(loss) attributable to equity holders |
| Earnings |
| Weighted average number of shares |
| Per share amount |
| $ |
| $ | |||
2024 | ( | | ( | |||
2023 |
| ( | | ( | ||
2022 |
| | |
| | |
Diluted EPS in relation to profit/(loss) attributable to equity holders | ||||||
2024 | ( | | ( | |||
2023 | ( | | ( | |||
2022 | | | |
F-22
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
Diluted earnings per share is computed similar to basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional ordinary shares, where applicable, that would have been outstanding if potential ordinary shares had been issued if such additional ordinary shares were dilutive. The share options and RSUs are dilutive and therefore have been included in the calculation for diluted earnings per share.
The average market value of the Company’s shares for the purpose of calculating the dilutive effect of share options and RSUs was based on quoted market prices for the year during which the options were outstanding.
9. Property, plant and equipment
| Computer | Office | Furniture & | |||||
| equipment | equipment | fittings | Total | ||||
$'000 | $'000 | $'000 | $'000 | |||||
Cost |
| |||||||
At 1 October 2021 |
| | — | — | | |||
Additions |
| | | | | |||
Foreign exchange on translation | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||
At 30 September 2022 |
| | | | | |||
At 1 October 2022 | | | | | ||||
Additions |
| | | | | |||
Disposals | ( | — | — | ( | ||||
Foreign exchange on translation | | — | ( | | ||||
At 30 September 2023 | | | | | ||||
At 1 October 2023 | | | | | ||||
Additions | | — | | | ||||
Disposals | ( | ( | — | ( | ||||
Foreign exchange on translation | | | | | ||||
At 30 September 2024 |
| | | | | |||
Depreciation |
| |||||||
At 1 October 2021 |
| ( | — | — | ( | |||
Charge |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||
Foreign exchange on translation | | — | | | ||||
At 30 September 2022 |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||
At 1 October 2022 | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||
Charge |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||
Disposals | | — | — | | ||||
Foreign exchange on translation | ( | — | ( | ( | ||||
At 30 September 2023 | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||
At 1 October 2023 | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||
Charge | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||
Impairment charge | ( | — | ( | ( | ||||
Disposals | | | — | | ||||
Foreign exchange on translation | ( | — | ( | ( | ||||
At 30 September 2024 |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||
Net Book Value |
|
|
|
|
| |||
At 30 September 2024 |
| | | | | |||
At 30 September 2023 |
| | | | | |||
At 30 September 2022 |
| | | | |
F-23
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
10. Intangible fixed assets
| Digital | Project | ||||||||
| Bills of | Development | ||||||||
Exchange | Costs | SKA-PlatformTM | Website | Total | ||||||
| $'000 | $'000 | $'000 | $'000 | $'000 | |||||
Cost |
|
| ||||||||
At 1 October 2021 |
| — | | | — | | ||||
Additions |
| — | | | — | | ||||
Foreign exchange on translation | — | ( | — | — | ( | |||||
At 30 September 2022 |
| — | | | — | | ||||
Additions |
| | | | | | ||||
Impairment | — | ( | — | — | ( | |||||
Assets reclassified as held for sale | — | ( | — | — | ( | |||||
Foreign exchange on translation | — | | — | — | | |||||
At 30 September 2023 |
| | | | | | ||||
Additions | | | — | — | | |||||
Impairment | ( | ( | — | — | ( | |||||
Foreign exchange on translation | | ( | | | | |||||
At 30 September 2024 | — | | | | | |||||
Amortisation and impairment |
| |||||||||
At 1 October 2021 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||
Charge |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||
At 30 September 2022 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||
Charge |
| — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||
At 30 September 2023 |
| — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||
Charge | — | — | ( | ( | ( | |||||
Foreign exchange on translation | — | — | ( | ( | ( | |||||
At 30 September 2024 | — | — | ( | ( | ( | |||||
Net Book Value |
|
| ||||||||
At 30 September 2024 |
| — | | | | | ||||
At 30 September 2023 |
| | | | | | ||||
At 30 September 2022 |
| — | | | — | |
The Group’s intangible assets under development are internally generated and the Group has not yet begun amortisation of these finite useful economic life assets with the exception of the SKA-PlatformTM which has started to generate revenue and the Website which is now in use. Amortisation on intangible assets is calculated under the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of between
An impairment test was performed for the year ended September 30, 2024, which considered the value of existing contracts and forecasted revenues. An impairment of $
F-24
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
11. Equity accounted investees
| Investment in | |
| Joint Venture | |
| $'000 | |
Cost |
|
|
At 1 October 2021 |
| |
Additions |
| — |
Foreign exchange on translation | ( | |
At 30 September 2022 |
| |
Additions |
| — |
Foreign exchange on translation | | |
At 30 September 2023 | | |
Additions | — | |
Impairment charge | ( | |
Foreign exchange on translation | — | |
At 30 September 2024 |
| — |
Joint venture
Quantum Keep Limited is a joint venture (JV) of Arqit Limited, which is a
Quantum Keep Limited was incorporated on 12 August 2020 with Arqit Limited taking a
An impairment charge of $
12. Discontinued operations and Assets classified as held for sale
(i) General Description
In May 2023, Arqit announced that it was selling its satellite division consisting of satellite assets under construction, patents, customer contracts and an engineering team. Following that announcement, the satellite division was reported as discontinued operations and classified as a disposal group held for sale in the 2023 annual financial statements.
During the year ended 30 September 2024, Arqit was unsuccessful in its efforts to identify a buyer for the satellite division and/or related IP, and as a result determined that its satellite assets were no longer considered as held for sale as at 30 September 2024. At 30 September 2023, the carrying amount of assets classified as held for sale was $
F-25
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
(ii) Assets and liabilities held for sale
The following major classes of assets and liabilities relating to these operations have been classified as held for sale in the consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 September:
2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||
$'000 | $'000 | $'000 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment | — | — | — | |||
Investment property | — | — | — | |||
Intangible assets | — | | — | |||
Trade and other receivables | — | — | — | |||
Other financial assets | — | — | — | |||
Assets held for sale | — | | — | |||
Deferred government grants | — | | — | |||
Employee benefits | — | — | — | |||
Other financial liabilities | — | — | — | |||
Liabilities held for sale | — | | — |
The impact on the statement of comprehensive income is as below:
2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||
$'000 | $'000 | $'000 | ||||
Other operating income | — | | | |||
Administrative expenses | ( | ( | ( | |||
Impairment loss on asset held for sale and derecognition of liability held for sale | ( | ( | — | |||
R&D tax credit | | — | — | |||
(Loss)/Profit from discontinued operations, net of tax | ( | ( | |
Arqit discontinued the satellite division during the year and as a result reclassified $
The net cash flows associated with the discontinued operations are as follow:
2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||
$'000 | $'000 | $'000 | ||||
Net cash used in operating activities | ( | | | |||
Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | ( | |||
Net cash generated from financing activities | | | | |||
Net cash flows for the year | ( | ( | ( |
Net cash flow of the discontinued operations is indicative of the cash investment Arqit made in developing the quantum satellite.
F-26
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
13. Trade and other receivables
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
| $'000 |
| $'000 |
| $'000 | |
Current assets | ||||||
Trade debtors | | | | |||
Other debtors |
| |
| |
| |
Prepayments and accrued income |
| |
| |
| |
Total |
| |
| |
| |
The directors consider that the carrying amount of financial assets recorded at amortised cost in the financial statements approximate their fair value.
The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of each class of receivable mentioned above.
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
$'000 | $'000 | $'000 | ||||
Non-current Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepayments |
| — |
| — |
| |
Trade debtors | — | — | | |||
Other debtors |
| — |
| |
| |
Total |
| — |
| |
| |
There has been
At September 30, 2024 $
In 2022, Non-current prepayments comprised the payment of a non-refundable deposit towards the cost of the first satellite launch service.
14. Trade and other payables
| ||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
| $'000 |
| $'000 |
| $'000 | |
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade payables |
| |
| |
| |
Other tax and social security |
| |
| |
| |
Other creditors |
| |
| |
| |
Accruals |
| |
| |
| |
Deferred income | | | | |||
Total |
| |
| |
| |
Trade payables and accruals relate to amounts payable at the balance sheet date for services received during the year. The Group has financial risk management policies in place to ensure that all payables are paid within the credit timeframe. The directors consider that the carrying amount of financial liabilities recorded at amortised cost in the financial statements approximate their fair value.
F-27
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
Within other creditors, a total of $
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
| $'000 |
| $'000 |
| $'000 | |
Non-current Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade payables | | — | — | |||
Deferred government grants | — | | | |||
| |
| |
| |
15. Cash generated from operations
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
| $'000 | $'000 |
| $'000 | ||
(Loss)/profit on continuing operations before tax |
| ( | ( | | ||
Profit from discontinued operations before tax | ( | ( | | |||
Adjustments for: |
|
| ||||
Depreciation and impairment |
| | | | ||
Amortisation of intangible assets | | | — | |||
Gain on disposal of fixed assets | ( | ( | — | |||
Impairment loss on trade receivables and contract assets | | | — | |||
Impairment loss on intangible assets | | | — | |||
Change in trade and other receivables |
| | | ( | ||
Change in trade and other payables |
| ( | ( | | ||
Share option (credit)/charge |
| ( | | | ||
Finance income |
| ( | ( | — | ||
Interest payable |
| | | | ||
Change in fair value of warrants | ( | ( | ( | |||
Cash (used in)/generated from operations |
| ( | ( | ( | ||
Reconciliation of net cashflow to movements in net debt: |
|
|
|
| ||
Opening net cash/(debt) |
| | | | ||
Movement in cash |
| ( | ( | ( | ||
Movement on foreign exchange | ( | ( | ( | |||
Movement in net cash/ (debt) |
| ( | ( | ( | ||
Closing net cash/(debt) |
| | | | ||
Composition of closing net cash/(debt) |
| |||||
Cash |
| | | | ||
Bank loans | — | — | — | |||
Net cash/(debt) |
| | | |
F-28
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
16. Warrants
Warrant liabilities
Warrants in connection with the Business Combination are classified as financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss. The warrants are valued at the acquisition date September 3, 2021, for the purpose of determining the deemed acquisition cost. At this date, Arqit Limited (accounting acquiree) acquired all the assets and liabilities of the Company at their fair value. A further valuation of the warrants is performed at each subsequent reporting date.
The key terms of the warrants are:
Warrant exercise
Warrants are exercisable:
− | In the period from 8 February 2022 (“First Exercise Date”), being the later of |
−to 3 September 2026 (“Expiry Date”), being the date
−in exchange for
Public warrant redemption
The following terms apply to Public Warrants only:
− | AQI may redeem the Public Warrants in whole and not in part during the Exercise Period for $ |
− | AQI may redeem the Public Warrants in whole and not in part during the Exercise Period for $ |
Private warrant redemption
The following terms apply to Private Warrants only:
− | AQI may redeem the Private Warrants in whole and not in part during the Exercise Period for $ |
−AQI may not redeem the Private Warrants in whole and not in part if the Shares trade above $
−Private Warrant holders may not transfer their warrants to any party not defined as a permitted transferee.
Exercise after redemption notice
The Company is required to provide investors with
During the Redemption Notice Period, warrant holders may elect to exercise their Warrants on a cash basis (i.e. by paying the Exercise Price of $
F-29
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
If redemption is triggered by the Shares trading between $
(1)the
(2)the number of months elapsed since the business combination.
IFRS 13 Fair Value prescribes a fair value hierarchy made up of 3 levels of inputs based on the reliability of the underlying data used in establishing the fair value. Public warrant liabilities at fair value through profit and loss are level 2 instruments. Level 2 of the hierarchy includes instruments that are not traded in an active market and is determined using valuation techniques which maximise the use of observable market data and rely as little as possible on entity-specific estimates. Private warrant liabilities are classified as level 3 instruments. The fair value is determined using the fair value of the public warrants, adjusted for a lack of marketability discount because these warrants may only be transferred to a specified group of permitted transferees, therefore limiting the depth of the market (refer to note 24). The key inputs into the Binomial Option Pricing Model were as follows: dividend yield (
| Number of | Number of | Fair value of | |||
Private | Public | warrant | ||||
| warrants | warrants |
| liability | ||
|
|
| $'000 | |||
Balance at 30 September 2021 |
| | | |||
Warrants exercised | — | ( | — | |||
Change in fair value |
| — | — | ( | ||
Balance at 30 September 2022 |
| | | |||
Warrants exercised | — | — | — | |||
Change in fair value | — | — | ( | |||
Balance at 30 September 2023 | | | | |||
Warrants issued | — | — | — | |||
Warrants exercised | — | — | — | |||
Change in fair value | — | — | ( | |||
Balance at 30 September 2024 |
| | | — |
Equity settled registered direct warrants
In February 2023, Arqit completed a registered direct offering in which it sold
In September 2023, Arqit completed a registered direct offering in which it sold
F-30
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
Heritage Assets SCSP, Ropemaker Nominees Limited and Carlo Calabria. Arqit director Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio has sole investment and voting power over the shares held by Heritage Assets SCSP, and Arqit director Stephen Chandler is on the investment committee of Notion Capital Managers LLP, which is the beneficial owner of the Company shares held by Ropemaker Nominees Limited, and Carlo Calabria is an Arqit director.
In September 2024, Arqit entered into a securities purchase agreement pursuant to which it sold
17. Share-based compensation
The Group has incentive awards for employees, share options which ceased in 2021 and RSUs. The below table summaries share-based compensation expense for the years ended September 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
|
| |||||
Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | ||||
30 September | 30 September | 30 September | ||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
| $'000 | $'000 |
| $'000 | ||
Share option (credit)/charge included in administrative expenses | ( | ( | | |||
RSU compensation for the year included in administrative expenses |
| ( | | | ||
| ( | |
| |
Share options
Share options are exercisable at the price agreed at the time of the issue of the share option. The vesting periods are consistent between employees. Options are typically forfeited if the employee leaves the Group before the options vest. Details of the share options granted during the period are as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
|
| Weighted |
| Weighted |
|
| Weighted | |||||
Average | Average | Average | ||||||||||
Number of | Exercise | Number of | Exercise | Number of | exercise | |||||||
| Share options |
| Price ($) |
| Share options |
| Price (£) |
| Share options |
| Price (£) | |
Outstanding at beginning of period | | | | | | | ||||||
Granted during the period |
| — |
| — | — |
| — |
| — |
| ||
Forfeited/lapsed during the period |
| ( |
| | ( |
| |
| ( |
| | |
Exercised during the period |
| ( |
| — | ( | — |
| — |
| — | ||
Outstanding at end of period |
| |
| | | |
| |
| | ||
Exercisable at end of period |
| | |
| |
|
|
The options outstanding at 30 September 2024 had a weighted average exercise price of $
F-31
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
over Arqit Limited ordinary shares to its employees, consultants and advisors. The holders of each of these options agreed to exchange these options for equivalent options to acquire ordinary shares at a conversion rate of
The inputs into the Black-Scholes model are as follows:
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| |
Weighted average share price (£) |
| — | — |
| | ||
Weighted average exercise price (£) |
| — | — |
| | ||
Expected volatility |
| — | — | | % | ||
Expected life |
| — |
| — | |||
Risk-free rate |
| — | — | | % | ||
Expected dividend yield |
| — | — | | % |
RSUs
In October 2021, the compensation committee of the board of directors approved the grant of RSUs to employees. Compensation expense for RSUs is determined based upon the market price of the shares underlying the awards on the date of grant and expensed over the vesting period, which is generally a
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
|
| Weighted |
| Weighted |
| Weighted |
| Weighted |
| Weighted |
| Weighted | ||||||
Average | Average | Average | Average | Average | Average | |||||||||||||
grant date fair | remaining term | grant date fair | remaining term | grant date fair | remaining term | |||||||||||||
Number | value per share | to vest/distribute | Number | value per share | to vest/distribute | Number | value per share | to vest/distribute | ||||||||||
| of awards |
| Price ($) |
| (yrs) | of awards |
| Price ($) |
| (yrs) | of awards |
| Price ($) |
| (yrs) | |||
Outstanding at beginning of period | | — | | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Granted during the period |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | ||||||||
Forfeited/lapsed during the period |
| ( |
| | ( |
| | ( |
| | ||||||||
Vested during the period |
| ( |
| | ( |
| | — |
| — | ||||||||
Outstanding at end of period |
| | | | | | |
F-32
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
18. Staff costs
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
$'000 | $'000 | $'000 | ||||
The aggregate remuneration comprised: |
|
|
|
| ||
Wages and salaries |
| | | | ||
Social security costs |
| | | | ||
Pension costs |
| | | | ||
Share based compensation |
| ( | | | ||
| | |
| |
A total of $
Total remuneration for key management personnel for 2024 was $
During the year remuneration payable to directors was as follows:
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
$'000 | $'000 | $'000 | ||||
Directors’ remuneration |
| | | |
The highest paid Directors remuneration totaled $
19. Deferred Tax
| 2024 | 2023 |
| 2022 | ||
| $'000 |
| $'000 |
| $'000 | |
At the beginning of the period |
| — | — |
| — | |
Movement in the year recognised in profit or loss |
| — | — |
| — | |
Foreign exchange on translation | — | — | — | |||
At the end of the year |
| — | — |
| — | |
The deferred tax liability/(asset) is made up as follows: |
|
|
| |||
Intangible asset and other timing differences |
| — | | | ||
Unrelieved tax losses |
| — | ( | ( | ||
| — | — |
| — |
In total there are $
F-33
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
20. Leases
Leases as lessee
The Group leases several assets including an office building and IT equipment. The average lease term for buildings is
The Group leases a building, laboratory and IT equipment which is a short term and/or leases of low-value items. The Group has elected not to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for these leases. The Group’s commitment for short-term leases at 30 September 2024 is not material.
Right-of-use assets
| Land & | IT | ||||
| buildings | equipment | Total | |||
$'000 | $'000 | $'000 | ||||
Cost |
| |||||
At 1 October 2021 |
| — | — | — | ||
Additions |
| | | | ||
Foreign exchange on translation | ( | — | ( | |||
At 30 September 2022 |
| | | | ||
At 1 October 2022 | | | | |||
Additions |
| | — | | ||
Foreign exchange on translation | | — | | |||
At 30 September 2023 | | | | |||
At 1 October 2023 | | | | |||
Additions | — | — | — | |||
Modifications | — | ( | ( | |||
Disposals | ( | ( | ( | |||
Foreign exchange on translation | | - | | |||
At 30 September 2024 |
| | | | ||
Depreciation |
| |||||
At 1 October 2021 |
| ( | ( | ( | ||
Charge |
| | | | ||
Foreign exchange on translation | — | — | — | |||
At 30 September 2022 |
| ( | ( | ( | ||
At 1 October 2022 | ( | ( | ( | |||
Charge |
| ( | ( | ( | ||
Foreign exchange on translation | ( | ( | ( | |||
At 30 September 2023 | ( | ( | ( | |||
At 1 October 2023 | ( | ( | ( | |||
Charge | ( | ( | ( | |||
Disposals | | | | |||
Foreign exchange on translation | ( | ( | ( | |||
At 30 September 2024 |
| ( | ( | ( | ||
Net Book Value |
|
|
|
| ||
At 30 September 2024 |
| | | | ||
At 30 September 2023 |
| | | | ||
At 30 September 2022 |
| | | |
F-34
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
Lease liability
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
$'000 | $'000 | $'000 | ||||
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease liabilities | | | | |||
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease liabilities |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Amounts recognised in profit or loss
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
$'000 | $'000 | $'000 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Depreciation expense on right of use assets |
| |
| |
| |
Interest on lease liabilities |
| |
| |
| |
Expense relating to short-term leases | |
| |
| | |
|
|
| ||||
Total |
| |
| |
| |
Amounts recognised in statement of cash flows
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
$'000 | $'000 | $'000 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Total cash outflow for leases |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
|
|
| ||||
Total |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
21. Share capital
As of September 30, 2024, the total number of ordinary shares of the Company outstanding is
| Number of ordinary |
| Share capital | |
shares | $ | |||
September 30, 2021 – par value $ |
| | | |
Warrants exercised |
| | | |
Shares issued in exchange for Arqit Limited shares |
| | | |
September 30, 2022 – par value $ |
| | | |
Warrants exercised | — | — | ||
Shares issued | | | ||
September 30, 2023 – par value $ |
| | | |
Warrants exercised | — | — | ||
Shares issued | | | ||
September 30, 2024 – par value $ |
| | |
F-35
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
22. Retained earnings
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
$'000 | $'000 | $'000 | ||||
At 1 October |
| ( | ( | ( | ||
Profit/(Loss) for the year |
| ( | ( | | ||
At 30 September |
| ( | ( |
| ( |
23. Reserves
Share premium
Includes the difference in price between the par value of shares, and the total price the Group received for those shares, net of expenses.
Foreign currency translation reserve
Includes other comprehensive income relating to the translation of subsidiaries into the functional currency of the group.
Share based payment reserve
Cumulative charges in respect of share options issued.
Retained earnings
Includes cumulative profit and loss and all other net gains and losses and transactions with owners (e.g. dividends) not recognised elsewhere.
Other reserves
Other reserve includes the IFRS 2 deemed acquisition cost and other reserves assumed as part of the reverse acquisition.
F-36
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
24. Financial instruments and fair value disclosures
Capital management
The Group’s policy is to maintain a strong balance sheet for the business and to have an appropriate funding structure. Shareholders’ equity and long-term debt are used to finance assets under construction. The Group is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.
Financial assets and financial liabilities
Categories of financial assets and financial liabilities are as follows:
Financial assets at amortised cost
Carrying value | Fair value | |||
$'000 |
| 30 September 2024 |
| 30 September 2024 |
Cash and cash equivalents | |
| | |
Trade and other receivables | |
| | |
|
| |
| Carrying value |
| Fair value | |
$'000 |
| 30 September 2023 |
| 30 September 2023 |
Cash and cash equivalents |
| |
| |
Trade and other receivables |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Carrying value |
| Fair value | |
$'000 |
| 30 September 2022 |
| 30 September 2022 |
Cash and cash equivalents |
| |
| |
Trade and other receivables |
| |
| |
| |
| |
The Directors consider the carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded at amortised cost in the consolidated financial statements to approximate their fair value.
F-37
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
Financial liabilities at amortised cost
| Carrying value |
| Fair value | |
$'000 | 30 September 2024 | 30 September 2024 | ||
Trade and other payables | |
| | |
Lease liabilities | | | ||
|
| |
| Carrying value |
| Fair value | |
$'000 |
| 30 September 2023 |
| 30 September 2023 |
Trade and other payables |
| |
| |
Lease liabilities | | | ||
| |
| |
| Carrying value |
| Fair value | |
$'000 |
| 30 September 2022 |
| 30 September 2022 |
Trade and other payables |
| |
| |
Lease liabilities | | | ||
| |
| |
The Directors consider the carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded at amortised costs in the financial statements to approximate their fair value.
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss
IFRS 13 Fair Value prescribes a fair value hierarchy made up of 3 levels of inputs based on the reliability of the underlying data used in establishing the fair value. The fair value of public warrants is determined using level 2 inputs. Level 2 of the hierarchy includes instruments that are not traded in an active market and is determined using valuation techniques which maximise the use of observable market data and rely as little as possible on entity-specific estimates. Private warrants are classified as a level 3 financial instrument. The fair value is determined using the fair value of the public warrants, adjusted for a lack of marketability discount of
Fair value | Fair value | |||||
Carrying value | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||
30 September | 30 September | 30 September | ||||
$'000 |
| 2024 |
| 2024 |
| 2024 |
Warrant liability | — |
| — |
| — | |
— |
| — |
| — | ||
Fair value | Fair value | |||||
Carrying value | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||
30 September | 30 September | 30 September | ||||
$'000 |
| 2023 |
| 2023 |
| 2023 |
Warrant liability | |
| |
| | |
|
| |
| |
Market risk
It is, and has been throughout the period under review, the Group’s policy not to use or trade in derivative financial instruments. The Group’s financial instruments comprise its cash and cash equivalents and various items such as trade debtors and creditors that arise directly from its operations. The main purpose of the financial assets and liabilities is to provide finance for the Group’s operations in the period.
F-38
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
Interest rate risk management
The Group would be exposed to interest rate risk if the Group borrows funds, when required, at variable interest rates. There is currently
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss where counterparties are not able to meet their obligations. Group policy is that surplus cash, when not used to repay borrowings, is placed on deposit with the Group’s main relationship banks and with other banks or money market funds based on a minimum credit rating of A3/A- and maximum exposure.
There is no significant concentration of risk to any single counterparty.
Management consider that the credit quality of the various receivables is good in respect of the amounts outstanding and therefore credit risk is considered to be low. There is no significant concentration of risk.
The carrying amount of financial assets, as detailed above, represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date assuming that any security held has no value.
Having considered the Group’s exposure to bad debts and the probability of default by customers,
Foreign Exchange risk
The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures, primarily with respect to Sterling (“£”) and Euro (“€”). The Group holds Sterling, US Dollar and Euro bank accounts in order to limit its exposure.
The Group is also exposed to foreign exchange risk to the extent that its ultimate parent entity has a US dollar functional currency. This is limited to the parent consolidated accounts.
The table below summarises the FX exposure on the net monetary position of each group entity against its respective functional currency, expressed in the group’s presentation currency.
Year ended 30 September 2024 |
| £'000 |
Parent |
| — |
UK subsidiary |
| |
Total |
| |
The reasonable shifts in exchange rates below are based on historic volatility.
If the $/£ rates moved by +/-
Year ended 30 September 2024 |
| $'000 |
|
Reasonable shift |
| ( | % |
Total effect on Loss of +ve movements |
| ( | |
Total effect on Loss of -ve movements |
| |
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group does not have sufficient financial resources available to meet its obligations as they fall due. The Group manages liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows, matching the expected cash flow timings of financial assets and liabilities with the use of cash and cash equivalents, borrowings, overdrafts and committed revolving credit facilities with a minimum of 12 months to maturity.
F-39
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
Future borrowing requirements are forecast on a monthly basis and funding headroom is maintained above forecast peak requirements to meet unforeseen events.
The maturity profile of the anticipated future cash flows including interest, using the latest applicable relevant rate, based on the earliest date on which the Group can be required to pay financial liabilities on an undiscounted basis, is as follows:
Trade and |
| Deferred |
| Lease | ||||
2024 | other | government | Liabilities | |||||
$'000 |
| payables |
| grants |
| Total | ||
On demand | — |
| — |
| — | — | ||
Within one year | |
| — |
| | | ||
More than one year but less than two years | — |
| — |
| | | ||
More than two year but less than five years | |
| — |
| | | ||
More than five years | — |
| — |
| — | — | ||
|
| — |
| | |
| Trade and |
| Deferred |
| Lease |
|
| |
2023 | other | government | Liabilities | |||||
$'000 |
| payables |
| grants |
|
| Total | |
On demand |
| — |
| — |
| — | — | |
Within one year |
| |
| — |
| | | |
More than one year but less than two years |
| — |
| — |
| | | |
More than two year but less than five years |
| — |
| |
| | | |
More than five years |
| — |
| — |
| — | — | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Trade and |
| Deferred |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
2022 | other | government | Convertible | |||||||
$'000 |
| payables |
| grants |
| Loans |
| loan notes |
| Total |
On demand |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Within one year |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| |
More than one year but less than two years |
| — |
| — |
| |
| |
| |
More than two year but less than five years |
| — |
| |
| |
| |
| |
More than five years |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
25. Contingent Liabilities
As detailed in ‘Item 8 – Financial Information’ above, the Company is aware of legal proceedings relating to it, however given their nature and the uncertainties involved in the outcomes and financial impact,
F-40
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
26. Subsidiaries
Details of the company’s subsidiaries at 30 September 2024 are as follows:
Name of undertaking |
| Registered office |
| Domicile |
| % held |
Arqit Limited |
| 3 Orchard Place, London, SW1H 0BF, United Kingdom |
| U.K. |
| |
Arqit Inc. |
| 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, County of Newcastle, Delaware 19801 |
| U.S. |
| |
Arqit LLC |
| 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, County of Newcastle, Delaware 19801 |
| U.S. |
| |
Arqit Italia S.R.L | Via Delle Quattro Fontane, 20, 00184 Roma | Italy | | |||
Arqit Quantum (Singapore) Pte. Ltd | 68 Circular Road, #02-01, Singapore, 049422, Singapore | Singapore | |
Arqit Italia S.R.L. and Arqit Quantum (Singapore) Pte. Ltd are in the process of being liquidated. None of the subsidiaries other than Arqit Limited has any material operations.
27. Ultimate controlling party
The Directors consider there to be no ultimate controlling party.
28. Post balance sheet events
There were no material events subsequent to 30 September 2024 and up until the authorisation of the financial statements for issue.
29. Related party transactions
On September 27, 2024, the Company entered into a registered direct offering in which it sold
In the year ended September 30, 2024, Arqit Limited paid $
In the year ended September 30, 2024, Arqit Inc. paid $
In the year ended September 30, 2024, Arqit Inc. paid $
F-41
Arqit Quantum Inc.
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2024
In the year ended September 30, 2024, Arqit Limited paid $
On September 12, 2023, the Company completed a registered direct offering of its ordinary shares and warrants to purchase ordinary shares, in which Heritage Assets SCSP, Ropemaker Nominees Limited and Carlo Calabria purchased
In the year ended September 30, 2024, Arqit Limited paid $
As at September 30, 2022, there was an amount owing of $
There were no further related party transactions.
F-42