NIHK 10-K & 10-Q changes, risk factors and insider trading

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

The discussion contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”) contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Any statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases like “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plans,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “target,” “expects,” “management believes,” “we believe,” “we intend,” “we may,” “we will,” “we should,” “we seek,” “we plan,” the negative of those terms, and similar words or phrases. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate as of the date of this Annual Report. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that cannot be predicted, quantified or controlled and that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. Statements in this Annual Report describe factors, among others, that could contribute to or cause these differences. Actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or expected should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Because the factors discussed in this Annual Report could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statement. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly revise our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this Annual Report or the date of documents incorporated by reference herein that include forward-looking statements.

PART I

ITEM 1 BUSINESS

When we use the terms “NIHK,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and “the company,” we mean Video River Networks, Inc., a Nevada corporation.

Business Overview

Video River Networks, Inc. is a technology holding firm that operates and manages a portfolio of Electric Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Robotics (“EV-AI-ML-R”) assets, businesses and operations in North America. The Company’s current and target portfolio businesses and assets include operations that design, develop, manufacture and sell high-performance fully electric vehicles and design, manufacture, install and sell Power Controls, Battery Technology, Wireless Technology, and Residential utility meters and remote, mission-critical devices mostly engineered through Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Robotic technologies NIHK’s current technology-focused business model is a result of our board resolution on September 15, 2020 to spin-in/off our specialty real estate holding business to an operating subsidiary and then pivot back to being a technology company. The Company has now returned back to its original technology-focused businesses of Power Controls, Battery Technology, Wireless Technology, and Residential utility meters and remote, mission-critical devices. Prior to September 15, 2020, NIHK used to be a specialty real estate firm, focuses on the acquisition, ownership, and management of specialized industrial properties. Prior to its real estate business model, the Company Power Controls Division has used wireless technology to control both residential utility meters and remote, mission-critical devices since 2002.

Corporate History

Video River Networks, Inc. (“NIHK,” “PubCo” or “Company”), previously known as Nighthawk Systems Inc., a Nevada corporation, used to be a provider of wireless and IP-based control solutions for the utility and hospitality industries. Since 2002, the Company’s Power Controls Division has used wireless technology to control both residential utility meters and remote, mission-critical devices. The Set Top Box Division, acquired in October 2007, enables hotels to provide in-room high definition television (“HDTV”) broadcasts, integrated with video-on-demand, and customized guest services information.

On August 14, 2009, the Company filed Form 15D, Suspension of Duty to Report, and as a result, the Company was not required to file any SEC forms since August 14, 2009.

On October 29, 2019, Video River Networks, Inc. sold one (1) Special 2019 series A preferred share (one preferred share is convertible 150,000,000 share of common stocks) of the company for an agreed upon purchase price to Community Economic Development Capital LLC, (“CED Capital”) a California limited liability company CED. The Special preferred share controls 60% of the company’s total voting rights and thus, gave to CED Capital the controlling vote power to control and dominate the affairs of the company theretofor. Upon the closing of the transaction, the business of CED Capital was merged into the Company and CED Capital became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

Following the completion of above mentioned transactions, the Company added CED Capital real estate business operation to the company’s business portfolio. CED Capital is a specialty real estate holding company for specialized assets including, affordable housing, opportunity zones properties, medical real estate investments, industrial and commercial real estate, and other real estate related services.

On September 15, 2020, the Company spun-off its specialty real estate holding business to an operating subsidiary and then pivot back to being a technology company. A spin-off transaction Kid Castle Educational Corporation, a company related to, and controlled by, our President and CEO, in a stock purchase agreement with respect to the private placement of 900,000 shares of Kid Castle preferred stock at a purchase price of $3 in cash and a transfer of 100% interest in, and control of, Community Economic Development Capital, LLC (a California Limited Liability Company). The shares were issued to NIHK without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 based upon exemptions from registration provided under Section 4(2) of the Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder. As at the time of this transaction, all three businesses involved in the transaction were controlled by Mr. Frank I Igwealor. Because both the buyer and seller in the above acquisitions were under the control of the same person, the transaction was classified as “common control transaction and therefore fall under “Transactions Between Entities Under Common Control” subsections of ASC 805-50. Based on the September 15, 2020 transaction, NIHK thereinafter controls approximately 55% of the voting shares of Kid Castle Educational Corporation.

Subsequent to the above spinoff, the Company has now returned back to its original technology-focused businesses of Power Controls, Battery Technology, Wireless Technology, and Residential utility meters and remote, mission-critical devices in addition to a primary focus of building a portfolio businesses and assets and operations that source, design, develop, manufacture and distribute affordable, high-performance fully electric vehicles in North America.

Going forward, the Company intends to focus its business model to operate and manage a portfolio of Electric Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Robotics (“EV-AI-ML-R”) assets, businesses and operations in addition to its Power Controls, Battery Technology, Wireless Technology, and Residential utility meters and remote, mission-critical devices businesses in North America.

On December 21, 2020 the Company filed as S-1 to raise $10 million by offering one (1) million shares of its Class B common stock. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the offering to: (1) acquire an Electric Vehicle manufacturer; or (2) capitalize our planned Electric Vehicle sourcing, designing, manufacturing and distribution operations. As at the date of this filing, the company is yet to start selling shares of its Class B common stock.

Following the change of control transaction listed above, the Company appointed Mr. Frank I Igwealor as President and CEO. Our corporate office is located at 370 Amapola Ave., Suite 200A, Torrance, California 90501. Our telephone number is (310) 895-1839 As of December 31, 2023, we had no W-2 employee, but three of our officers and directors provide all the services without pay until we formally enter into employment contract with them as full-time employees.

Our Business Objectives and Growth Strategies

Our principal business objective is to maximize stockholder returns through a combination of (1) acquisitions and rollups, (2) attracting sustainable long-term growth in cash flows from acquired assets, increased rents from real estate, which we hope to pass on to stockholders in the form of increased distributions, and (3) potential long-term appreciation in the value of our assets and properties from capital gains upon future sale.

General – Electric Vehicles (EV) Business

The Company’s Electric Vehicles (EV) business model is a newly created business model created in the 3rd quarter of 2020, for the purpose of effecting a merger, recapitalization, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar Business acquisition with one or more EV manufacturers and related businesses through our EV Business acquisition plan. We have not selected any specific EV Business acquisition target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any EV Business acquisition target. We have generated minimal revenues to date and we do not expect that we will generate significant operating revenues at the earliest until we consummate our initial EV Business acquisition. While we may pursue an acquisition opportunity in the Electric Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Robotics (“EV-AI-ML-R”) industry or sector, we intend to focus on: (1) businesses that source, design, develop, manufacture and distribute high-performance, affordable and fully electric vehicles; and (2) businesses that design, manufacture, install and sell Power Controls, Battery Technology, Wireless Technology, and Residential utility meters and remote, mission-critical devices mostly engineered using Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Robotic technologies.

Our management team is comprised of two business professionals that have a broad range of experience in executive leadership, strategy development and implementation, operations management, financial policy and corporate transactions. Our management team members have worked together in the past, at Goldstein Franklin, Inc. and other firms as executive leaders and senior managers spearheading turnarounds, rollups and industry-focused consolidation while generating shareholder value for many for investors and stakeholders.

We believe that our management team is well positioned to identify acquisition opportunities in the marketplace. Our management team’s industry expertise, principal investing transaction experience and business acumen will make us an attractive partner and enhance our ability to complete a successful Business acquisition. Our management believes that its ability to identify and implement value creation initiatives has been an essential driver of past performance and will remain central to its differentiated acquisition strategy.

Although our management team is well positioned and have experience to identify acquisition opportunities in the marketplace, past performance of our management team is not a guarantee either (i) of success with respect to any EV Business acquisition we may consummate or (ii) that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate for our initial EV Business acquisition. You should not rely on the historical performance record of our management team as indicative of our future performance. Additionally, in the course of their respective careers, members of our management team have been involved in businesses and deals that were unsuccessful. Our officers and directors have not had management experience with EV companies in the past.

Our Business Plan

Returning back to its foremost business model of technology focused operations, Video River Networks, Inc. (the “Company”), a technology firm intends to operate and manage a portfolio of Electric Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Robotics (“EV-AI-ML-R”) assets, businesses and operations in North America. The Company’s current targeted portfolio businesses include those that source, design, develop, manufacture and distribute high-performance, affordable and fully electric vehicles; and design, manufacture, install and sell Power Controls, Battery Technology, Wireless Technology, and Residential utility meters and remote, mission-critical devices mostly engineered using Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Robotic technologies.

Our current technology-focused business model was a result of our board resolution on September 15, 2020 to spin-in our specialty real estate holding business to an operating subsidiary and then pivot back to being a technology company. The Company has now returned back to its original technology-focused businesses of Power Controls, Battery Technology, Wireless Technology, and Residential utility meters and remote, mission-critical devices. In addition to above list, the Company intends to spread its wings into the Electric Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Robotics (“EV-AI-ML-R”) businesses/markets, targeting acquisition, ownership and operation of acquired EV-AI-ML-R businesses or portfolio of EV-AI-ML-R businesses.

Video River Networks, Inc., prior to September 15, 2020, used to be a specialty real estate holding company, focuses on the acquisition, ownership, and management of specialized industrial properties. The Company’s real estate business objective is to maximize stockholder returns through a combination of (1) distributions to our stockholders, (2) sustainable long-term growth in cash flows from increased rents, which we hope to pass on to stockholders in the form of increased distributions, and (3) potential long-term appreciation in the value of our properties from capital gains upon future sale. As a real estate holding company, the Company is engaged primarily in the ownership, operation, management, acquisition, development and redevelopment of predominantly multifamily housing and specialized industrial properties in the United States.

Having partially freed itself from the day-to-day operation of the real estate operations, the Company now returns to its technology root with a primary purpose of acquiring Electric Vehicles manufacturer or doing a joint venture (JV) with Electric Vehicles businesses that source, design, develop, manufacture and distribute high-performance, affordable and fully electric vehicles; and design, manufacture, install and sell Power Controls, Battery Technology, Wireless Technology, and Residential utility meters and remote, mission-critical devices mostly engineered using Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Robotic technologies.

Business Strategy and Deal Origination

We have not finalized an acquisition target yet, but making progress in identifying several potential candidates from which we intend to pick those that meet our criteria for acquisition. Our acquisition and value creation strategy will be to identify, acquire and, after our initial EV Business acquisition, build an EV company that source, design, develop, manufacture and distribute high-performance, affordable and fully electric vehicles that suit the experience of our management team and can benefit from their operational expertise. Our Business acquisition strategy will leverage our management team’s network of potential transaction sources, where we believe a combination of our relationships, knowledge and experience could effect a positive transformation or augmentation of existing businesses to improve their overall value proposition.

Our management team’s objective is to generate attractive returns and create value for our shareholders by applying our disciplined strategy of underwriting intrinsic worth and implementing changes after making an acquisition to unlock value. While our approach is focused on the EV-AI-ML-R industries where we have differentiated insights, we also have successfully driven change through a comprehensive value creation plan framework. We favor opportunities where we can accelerate the target’s growth initiatives. As a management team we have successfully applied this approach over approximately 16 years and have deployed capital successfully in a range of market cycles.

We plan to utilize the network and Finance industry experience of our Chief Executive Officer and our management team in seeking an initial EV Business acquisition and employing our Business acquisition strategy described below. Our CEO is a top financial professional with designations that include, CPA, CMA, and CFM. He’s very knowledgeable in the fields of corporate law, real estate, lending, turnarounds and restructuring. Over the course of their careers, the members of our management team have developed a broad network of contacts and corporate relationships that we believe will serve as a useful source of EV acquisition opportunities. This network has been developed through our management team’s extensive experience:

In addition, drawing on their extensive investing and operating experience, our management team anticipates tapping four major sources of deal flow:

We expect this network will provide our management team with a robust flow of EV acquisition opportunities. In addition, we anticipate that target EV Business candidates will be brought to our attention by various unaffiliated sources, which may include investment market participants, private equity groups, investment banking firms, consultants, accounting firms and large business enterprises. Upon completion of this offering, members of our management team will communicate with their network of relationships to articulate the parameters for our search for a target company and a potential Business acquisition and begin the process of pursuing and reviewing potential leads.

Acquisition/Business acquisition Criteria

Consistent with this strategy, we have identified the following general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target EV businesses. We will use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating acquisition opportunities. While we intend to acquire EV companies that we believe exhibit one or more of the following characteristics, we may decide to enter into our initial EV Business acquisition with a target EV business that does not meet these criteria and guidelines. We intend to acquire EV companies that source, design, develop, manufacture and distribute high-performance, affordable and fully electric vehicles:

These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial EV Business acquisition may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into our initial EV Business acquisition with a target EV Business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target EV Business does not meet the above criteria in our shareholder communications related to our initial EV Business acquisition.

Acquisition/Business acquisition Process

In evaluating a prospective target EV business, we expect to conduct a thorough due diligence review that will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, inspection of EV manufacturing facilities, as well as a review of financial and other information. We will also utilize our operational and capital allocation experience.

In order to execute our business strategy, we intend to:

Assemble a team of EV industry and financial experts: For each potential transaction, we intend to assemble a team of EV industry and financial experts to supplement our management’s efforts to identify and resolve key issues facing a target EV Business. We intend to construct an operating and financial plan that optimizes the potential to grow shareholder value. With extensive experience investing in both healthy and underperforming businesses, we expect that our management will be able to demonstrate to the target EV business and its stakeholders that we have the resources and expertise to lead the combined company through complex and potentially turbulent market conditions and provide the strategic and operational direction necessary to grow the business in order to maximize cash flows and improve the overall strategic prospects for the company.

Conduct rigorous research and analysis: Performing disciplined, fundamental research and analysis is core to our strategy, and we intend to conduct extensive due diligence to evaluate the impact that a transaction may have on a target EV Business.

Business acquisition driven by trend analysis: We intend to understand the underlying purchase and industry behaviors that would enhance a potential transaction’s attractiveness. We have extensive experience in identifying and analyzing evolving industry and consumer trends, and we expect to perform macro as well as bottoms-up analysis on consumer and industry trends.

Acquire the target company at an attractive price relative to our view of intrinsic value: Combining rigorous analysis as well as input from industry and financial experts, our management team intends to develop its view of the intrinsic value of a potential Business acquisition. In doing so, our management team will evaluate future cash flow potential, relative industry valuation metrics and precedent transactions to inform its view of intrinsic value, with the intention of creating a Business acquisition at an attractive price relative to its view of intrinsic value.

Implement operational and financial structuring opportunities: Our management team has the ability to structure and execute a Business acquisition that will establish a capital structure that will support the growth in shareholder value and give it the flexibility to grow organically and/or through strategic acquisitions. We intend to also develop and implement strategies and initiatives to improve the business’ operational and financial performance and create a platform for growth.

Seek strategic acquisitions and divestitures to further grow shareholder value: Our management team intends to analyze the strategic direction of the company, including evaluating potential non-core asset sales to create financial and/or operational flexibility for the company to engage in organic and/or inorganic growth. Our management team intends to evaluate strategic opportunities and chart a clear path to take the EV business to the next level after the Business acquisition.

After the initial EV Business acquisition, our management team intends to apply a rigorous approach to enhancing shareholder value, including evaluating the experience and expertise of incumbent management and making changes where appropriate, examining opportunities for revenue enhancement, cost savings, operating efficiencies and strategic acquisitions and divestitures and developing and implementing corporate strategies and initiatives to improve profitability and long-term value. In doing so, our management team anticipates evaluating corporate governance, opportunistically accessing capital markets and other opportunities to enhance liquidity, identifying acquisition and divestiture opportunities and properly aligning management and board incentives with growing shareholder value. Our management team intends to pursue post-merger initiatives through participation on the board of directors, through direct involvement with company operations and/or calling upon a stable of former managers and advisors when necessary.

Strategic Approach to Management. We intend to approach the management of a company as strategy consultants would. This means that we approach business with performance-based metrics based on strategic and operational goals, both at the overall company level and for specific divisions and functions.

Corporate Governance and Oversight. Active participation as board members can include many activities ranging from conducting monthly or quarterly board meetings to chairing standing (compensation, audit or investment committees) or special committees, replacing or supplementing company management teams when necessary, adding outside directors with industry expertise which may or may not include members of our own board of directors, providing guidance on strategic and operational issues including revenue enhancement opportunities, cost savings, brand repositioning, operating efficiencies, reviewing and testing annual budgets, reviewing acquisitions and divestitures and assisting in the accessing of capital markets to further optimize financing costs and fund expansion.

Direct Operational Involvement. Our management team members, through ongoing board service, intend to actively engage with company management. These activities may include: (i) establishing an agenda for management and instilling a sense of accountability and urgency; (ii) aligning the interest of management with growing shareholder value; (iii) providing strategic planning and management consulting assistance, particularly in regards to re-invested capital and growth capital in order to grow revenues, achieve more optimal operating scale or eliminate costs; (iv) establishing measurable key performance metrics; and (v) complementing product lines and brands while growing market share in attractive market categories. These skill sets will be integral to shareholder value creation.

M&A Expertise and Add-On Acquisitions. Our management team has expertise in identifying, acquiring and integrating synergistic, margin-enhancing and transformational businesses. We intend to, wherever possible, utilize M&A as a strategic tool to strengthen the financial profile of an EV business we acquire, as well as its competitive positioning. We would seek to enter into accretive Business acquisitions where our management team or an acquired company’s management team can seamlessly transition to working together as one organization and team.

Access to Portfolio Company Managers and Advisors. Through their combined 32+ year history of investing in and controlling businesses, our management team members have developed strong professional relationships with former company managers and advisors. When appropriate, we intend to bring in outside directors, managers or consultants to assist in corporate governance and operational turnaround activities. The use of supplemental advisors should provide additional resources to management to address time intensive issues that may be delaying an organization from realizing its full potential shareholder returns.

Our acquisition criteria, due diligence processes and value creation methods are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial EV Business acquisition may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into our initial EV Business acquisition with a target EV Business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target EV Business does not meet the above criteria in our shareholder communications related to our initial EV Business acquisition, which, as discussed in this prospectus, would be in the form of tender offer documents or proxy solicitation materials that we would file with the SEC.

Sourcing of Potential Business acquisition Targets

We believe that the operational and transactional experience of our management team and their respective affiliates, and the relationships they have developed as a result of such experience, will provide us with a substantial number of potential Business acquisition targets. These individuals and entities have developed a broad network of contacts and corporate relationships around the world. This network has grown through sourcing, acquiring and financing businesses and maintaining relationships with sellers, financing sources and target management teams. Our management team members have significant experience in executing transactions under varying economic and financial market conditions. We believe that these networks of contacts and relationships and this experience will provide us with important sources of investment opportunities. In addition, we anticipate that target EV Business candidates may be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment market participants, private equity funds and large business enterprises seeking to divest noncore assets or divisions.

Other Acquisition Considerations

We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial EV Business acquisition with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial EV Business acquisition with a company that is affiliated with our officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent firm that commonly renders valuation opinions for the type of company we are seeking to acquire or an independent accounting firm that our initial EV Business acquisition is fair to our company from a financial point of view.

Unless we complete our initial EV Business acquisition with an affiliated entity, or our Board of Directors cannot independently determine the fair market value of the target EV Business or businesses, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, another independent firm that commonly renders valuation opinions for the type of company we are seeking to acquire or from an independent accounting firm that the price we are paying for a target is fair to our company from a financial point of view. If no opinion is obtained, our shareholders will be relying on the business judgment of our Board of Directors, which will have significant discretion in choosing the standard used to establish the fair market value of the target or targets, and different methods of valuation may vary greatly in outcome from one another. Such standards used will be disclosed in our tender offer documents or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, related to our initial EV Business acquisition.

Members of our management team may directly or indirectly own our ordinary shares and/or private placement warrants following this offering, and, accordingly, may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target EV Business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial EV Business acquisition. Further, each of our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular Business acquisition if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target EV Business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial EV Business acquisition.