iQSTEL Inc S-1, filed Feb 13, 2024
iQSTEL Inc (IQST)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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(State or jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
Phone: (
(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices and principal place of business)
The Corporate Place, Inc.
601 E. Charleston Blvd. Ste. 100
Las Vegas, NV 89104
Phone: (877) 786-8500
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
With copy to:
Scott Doney, Esq.
The Doney Law Firm
4955 S. Durango Dr. Ste. 165
Las Vegas, NV 89113
Phone: (702) 982-5686
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | ||
| ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ||||
| Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. Neither we nor the selling shareholders may sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is prohibited.
Subject to completion, dated February 13, 2024
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
32,222,222 Shares of Common Stock
This prospectus covers the resale by the selling shareholders of iQSTEL Inc. (“iQSTEL,” “we,” “us”, “our” or the “Company”) identified in the “Selling Shareholders” section of this prospectus of up to an aggregate of 32,222,222 shares of our common stock, including 2,020,202 shares of common stock, 20,202,020 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of a secured convertible promissory note (the “Note”) and 10,000,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase option (the “Option”). We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock or conversion of the Note by the selling shareholders. We will receive cash from the sale of the Option, if exercised, which we intend to use as working capital.
The selling shareholders or their permitted transferees, pledgees, assignees, distributees, donees or successors or others who later hold any of the selling shareholders’ interests in the shares of common stock described this prospectus may offer and sell the shares of common stock described in this prospectus in a number of different ways and at varying prices. We provide more information about how the selling shareholders may sell their shares of common stock in the section titled “Plan of Distribution” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. If necessary, the specific manner in which the shares may be offered and sold will be described in a supplement to this prospectus. We will pay the expenses incurred in registering the securities covered by the prospectus, including legal and accounting fees.
Our common stock is quoted on OTCQX Market under the symbol “IQST.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on February 9, 2024, was $0.261 per share.
You should read this prospectus, together with additional information described under the headings “Information Incorporated by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information,” carefully before you invest in any of our securities.
Investing in our securities involves risks. See the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6 of this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is February 13, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS
We incorporate by reference important information into this prospectus. You may obtain the information incorporated by reference without charge by following the instructions under “Where You Can Find More Information.” You should carefully read this prospectus as well as additional information described under “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference,” before deciding to invest in our securities.
Unless the context otherwise requires, “iQSTEL,” “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to iQSTEL Inc., and M2B Funding Corp and ADI Funding LLC refer to the selling shareholders identified in the “Selling Shareholders” section of this prospectus and its respective permitted transferees, pledgees, assignees, distributees, donees or successors or others who later hold any of the selling shareholder’s interests in any of the securities. References to “securities” include any security that the selling shareholders might offer under this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.
We have filed or incorporated by reference exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.
We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which it relates, nor does this prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on its front cover or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus is delivered or securities are sold on a later date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act for the securities being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which is part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement and the exhibits. For further information about us and the securities offered by this prospectus, you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits. References in this prospectus to any of our contracts or other documents are not necessarily complete, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract or document. SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
We are subject to the reporting and information requirements of the Exchange Act and, as a result, we file periodic and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We make our periodic reports and other information filed with or furnished to the SEC, available, free of charge, through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports and other information are filed with or furnished to the SEC. Additionally, these periodic reports, proxy statements and other information are available for inspection and copying at the public reference room and website of the SEC referred to above.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information from other documents that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the information or documents listed below that we have filed with the SEC (other than any filing or portion thereof that is furnished, rather than filed, under applicable SEC rules):
| • | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on April 14, 2023; | ||
| • | our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, and September 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on May 15, 2023, August 14, 2023, and November 14, 2023, respectively; | ||
| • | our Current Reports on Form 8-K (or Form 8-K/A) filed with the SEC on February 13, 2024, February 8, 2024, February 5, 2024, January 25, 2024, January 2, 2024, June 13, 2023, March 21, 2023, February 6, 2023, December 14, 2022, November 18, 2022, November 2, 2022, October 6, 2022, October 5, 2022, May 10, 2022, and April 26, 2022, | ||
| • | the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 000-55984), filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act on September 5, 2018, as may be amended, including any further amendment or report filed hereafter for the purpose of updating such description. |
Additionally, all documents filed by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after (i) the date of the initial registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement, and (ii) the date of this prospectus and before the termination or completion of any offering hereunder, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus from the respective dates of filing of such documents, except that we do not incorporate any document or portion of a document that is “furnished” to the SEC, but not deemed “filed.”
Upon written or oral request made to us at the address or telephone number below, we will, at no cost to the requester, provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus (other than an exhibit to a filing, unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing), but not delivered with this prospectus. You may also access this information on our website at www.iqstel.com and the URL where incorporated reports and other reports may be accessed is http://iqstel.com/investors.
Alvaro Quintana Cardona
Chief Financial Officer
iQSTEL Inc.
300 Aragon Avenue, Suite 375
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Phone: (954) 951-8191
Except as expressly provided above, no other information, including none of the information on our website, is incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus. You should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus (other than those filings with the SEC that we specifically incorporate by reference into this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus).
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed modified, superseded or replaced for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus modifies, supersedes or replaces such statement.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy, prospective products, product approvals, timing and likelihood of success, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and future results of current and anticipated products are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this prospectus are only predictions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and some of which are beyond our control, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in our forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risk factors and uncertainties. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.
This prospectus also contains estimates and other statistical data made by independent parties and by us relating to market size and growth and other data about our industry. This data involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates. In addition, projections, assumptions and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of the markets in which we operate are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk.
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SUMMARY OF THE OFFERING
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding to invest in our securities. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the “Risk Factors” section in this prospectus and under similar captions in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Business Overview
iQSTEL Inc. (www.iqstel.com) is a technology company with a presence in 19 countries and 70 employees that is offering leading-edge services through its business divisions.
Our Telecom Division, which represents the majority of current operations and which also represents the source for all of our revenues for the financial periods presented, offers VoIP, SMS, proprietary Internet of Things (IoT) solutions (www.iotsmartgas.com and www.iotsmarttank.com), and international fiber-optic connectivity through its subsidiaries: Etelix (www.etelix.com), SwissLink Carrier (www.swisslink-carrier.com), Smartbiz Telecom (www.smartbiztel.com), Whisl Telecom (www.whisl.com), IoT Labs (www.iotlabs.mx), and QGlobal SMS (www.qglobalsms.com).
Our developing Fintech Business Line (www.globalmoneyone.com) (www.maxmo.vip) offers a complete Fintech ecosystem MasterCard Debit Card, US Bank Account (No SSN Needed), Mobile App/Wallet (Remittances, Mobile Top Up). Our Fintech subsidiary, Global Money One, is to provide immigrants access to reliable financial services that makes it easier to manage their money and stay connected with their families back home.
Our developing BlockChain Platform Business Line (www.itsbchain.com) offers our proprietary Mobile Number Portability Application (MNPA) to serve the in-country portability needs through its subsidiary, itsBchain.
Our developing Electric Vehicle (EV) Business Line (www.evoss.net) offers electric motorcycles for work and recreational use in the USA, Spain, Portugal, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela. EVOSS is also working on the development of an EV Mid Speed Car to serve the niche of the 2nd car in the family.
Our Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Enhanced Metaverse Division (information and content) is currently developing a groundbreaking white-label solution designed specifically for corporations, businesses, and the telecommunications industry. Delivering a full suite of immersive content services, creating a comprehensive virtual experience that can be accessed through the Web or our proprietary mobile apps. The features include up to four simultaneous video screens for versatile content presentation, various virtual halls such as the main hall, home hall, auditorium, exhibition space, shopping center, and meeting rooms. Stands for mobile application downloads, clickable gates for immediate purchasing, and direct communication tools are seamlessly integrated to foster collaboration, engagement, and interactivity. It goes beyond traditional virtual spaces by utilizing cutting-edge AI technology. This ensures video conferencing and real-time communication with other users within the Metaverse, offering our customers a collective and fully immersive experience that caters to diverse needs such as content acquisition, entertainment, and shared virtual experiences. It is a future-ready platform that encourages creativity, connectivity, and collaboration like never before.
The information contained on our websites is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and should not be considered part of this or any other report filed with the SEC.
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Going Concern Considerations
Our consolidated financial statements incorporated into this prospectus have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. We have suffered recurring losses from operations with an accumulated deficit of $25,960,018 as of September 30, 2023, and do not have an established source of revenues sufficient to cover our operating costs. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon raising capital from financing transactions, increasing revenue, and keeping operating expenses below our revenue levels in order to achieve positive cash flows, none of which can be assured.
During the next year, our foreseeable cash requirements will relate to continual development of the operations of our business, maintaining our good standing in the industry and continuing our marketing efforts. We may experience a cash shortfall and be required to raise additional capital.
Historically, we have relied upon funds from our stockholders in the sale of our securities and from third-party loans. Management may raise additional capital through future public or private offerings of our stock or through loans from investors, although there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain such financing. Our failure to do so could have a material and adverse effect upon our operations and our stockholders.
The Offering
| Common stock offered by the selling shareholder | Up to up to an aggregate of 32,222,222 shares of our common stock, including 2,020,202 shares of common stock, 20,202,020 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Note, and 10,000,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Option. | |||
| Use of Proceeds | We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock or conversion of Note by the selling shareholders pursuant to this prospectus. We will receive cash from the sale of the Option, if exercised, which we intend to use as working capital. | |||
| Offering Price | The selling shareholders may sell all or a portion of their shares through public or private transactions at prevailing market prices or privately negotiated prices. | |||
| Risk Factors | An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” of this prospectus and the similarly titled sections in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. | |||
| OTCQX symbol | IQST | |||
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors and all other information contained in this prospectus before purchasing our common stock. If any of the following risks actually occur, we may be unable to conduct our business as currently planned and our financial condition and results of operations could be seriously harmed. In addition, the trading price of our common stock could decline due to the occurrence of any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. The risks and uncertainties discussed below are not the only ones we face. Our business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects could also be harmed by risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently do not believe are material. In assessing the risks and uncertainties described below, you should also consider carefully the other information contained in this prospectus before making a decision to invest in our common stock.
Risk Factors Related to the Financial Condition of the Company
Because our auditor has issued a going concern opinion regarding our company, there is an increased risk associated with an investment in our company.
We have continually operated at a loss with an accumulated deficit of $25,960,018 as of September 30, 2023. We have not attained profitable operations and are dependent upon obtaining financing or generating revenue from operations to continue operations for the next twelve months. Our future is dependent upon our ability to obtain financing or upon future profitable operations. We reserve the right to seek additional funds through private placements of our common stock and/or through debt financing. Our ability to raise additional financing is unknown. We do not have any formal commitments or arrangements for the advancement or loan of funds. For these reasons, our auditors stated in their report that they have substantial doubt we will be able to continue as a going concern. As a result, there is an increased risk that you could lose the entire amount of your investment in our company.
Because we have a limited operating history, you may not be able to accurately evaluate our operations.
We have had limited operations to date. Therefore, we have a limited operating history upon which to evaluate the merits of investing in our company. Potential investors should be aware of the difficulties normally encountered by new companies and the high rate of failure of such enterprises. The likelihood of success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays encountered in connection with the operations that we plan to undertake. These potential problems include, but are not limited to, unanticipated problems relating to the ability to generate sufficient cash flow to operate our business and additional costs and expenses that may exceed current estimates. We expect to continue to incur significant losses into the foreseeable future. We recognize that if the effectiveness of our business plan is not forthcoming, we will not be able to continue business operations. There is no history upon which to base any assumption as to the likelihood that we will prove successful, and it is doubtful that we will generate any operating revenues or ever achieve profitable operations. If we are unsuccessful in addressing these risks, our business will most likely fail.
We are dependent on outside financing for the continuation of our operations.
Because we have generated limited revenues and currently operate at a loss, we are completely dependent on the continued availability of financing in order to continue our business operations. There can be no assurance that financing sufficient to enable us to continue our operations will be available to us in the future.
We will need additional funds to complete further development of our business plan to achieve a sustainable level where ongoing operations can be funded out of revenues. We anticipate that we must raise for the next 12 months: $1,750,000 for acquisitions to fully implement our business plan to its fullest potential and achieve our growth plans. There is no assurance that any additional financing will be available or if available, on terms that will be acceptable to us.
Our failure to obtain future financing or to produce levels of revenue to meet our financial needs could result in our inability to continue as a going concern, and, as a result, our investors could lose their entire investment.
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We may be unable to achieve some, all or any of the benefits that we expect to achieve from our plan to expand our operations.
In the future we may require additional financing for capital requirements and growth initiatives. Accordingly, we will depend on our ability to generate cash flows from operations and to borrow funds and issue securities in the capital markets to maintain and expand our business. We may need to incur debt on terms and at interest rates that may not be as favorable. If additional financing is not available when required or is not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to operate our business as planned or at all, fund our expansion, successfully promote our business, develop or enhance our products and services, take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
As a growing company, we have yet to achieve a profit and may not achieve a profit in the near future, if at all.
We have revenues but we are not profitable and may not be in the near future, if at all. Further, many of our competitors have a significantly larger industry presence and revenue stream but have yet to achieve profitability. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon raising capital from financing transactions, increasing revenue and keeping operating expenses below our revenue levels in order to achieve positive cash flows, none of which can be assured.
Risk Factors Related to the Business of the Company
Our telecommunications line of business is highly sensitive to declining prices, which may adversely affect our revenues and margins.
The telecommunications industry is characterized by intense price competition, which has resulted in declines in both our average per-minute price realizations and our average per-minute termination costs.
A reduction of our prices to compete with any other offers in the market will not always guarantee and increase in the traffic, which may result in a reduction of revenue. If these trends in pricing continue or accelerate, it could have a material adverse effect on the revenues generated by our telecommunications businesses and/or our gross margins.
The continued growth of Over-The-Top calling and messaging services, such as WhatsApp, Skype and Viber has adversely affected the use of traditional phone communications. We expect this IP-based services which offer voice communications for free to continue to increase, which may result in increased substitution on our service offerings.
Our products face intense competitive challenges, including rapid technological changes, and pricing pressure from competitors, which could adversely affect our business.
All of our product lines are subject to significant competition from existing and future competitors, market conditions and technological change, or a combination of them, and our sales revenues and gross margins may suffer protracted and serious declines with the result that we would likely incur protracted losses. Further, the barriers to entry in several of our lines of business are not so significant that we may be facing competition from others who see significant opportunities to enter the market and undercut our prices with products that possess superior technological attributes at prices that offer our customers a better value. In this instance, we could incur protracted and significant losses and persons who acquire our common stock would suffer losses thereby.
From time to time, we may need to reduce our prices in response to competitive and customer pressures and to maintain our market share. Competition and customer pressures may also restrict our ability to increase prices in response to commodity and other input cost increases. Our results of operations will suffer if profit margins decrease, as a result of a reduction in prices, increased input costs or other factors, and if we are unable to increase sales volumes to offset those profit margin decreases. We may also need to increase spending on marketing, advertising and new product innovation to protect existing market share or increase market share. The success of our investments is subject to risks, including uncertainties about trade and consumer acceptance. As a result, our increased expenditures may not maintain or enhance market share and could result in lower profitability.
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Our operating results may fluctuate, which could have a negative impact on our ability to grow our client base, establish sustainable revenues and succeed overall.
Our results of operations may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control including but not limited to:
| • | general economic conditions in the geographies and industries where we sell our services and conduct operations; legislative policies where we sell our services and conduct operations; | ||
| • | the budgetary constraints of our customers; seasonality; | ||
| • | the success of our strategic growth initiatives; | ||
| • | costs associated with the launching or integration of new or acquired businesses; | ||
| • | timing of new product introductions by us, our suppliers and our competitors; product and service mix, availability, utilization and pricing; | ||
| • | the mix, by state and country, of our revenues, personnel and assets; | ||
| • | movements in interest rates or tax rates; | ||
| • | changes in, and application of, accounting rules; | ||
| • | changes in the regulations applicable to us; | ||
| • | Litigation matters. |
As a result of these factors, we may not succeed in our business, and we could go out of business.
The termination of our carrier agreements or our inability to enter into new carrier agreements in the future could materially and adversely affect our ability to compete, which could reduce our revenues and profits.
We rely upon our carrier agreements in order to provide our telecommunications services to our customers. These carrier agreements are in most cases for finite terms and, therefore, there can be no guarantee that these agreements will be renewed at all or on favorable terms to us. Our ability to compete would be adversely affected if our carrier agreements were terminated or we were unable to enter into carrier agreements in the future to provide our telecommunications services to our customers, which could result in a reduction of our revenues and profits.
Our customers, could experience financial difficulties, which could adversely affect our revenues and profitability if we experience difficulties in collecting our receivables.
As a provider of international long-distance services, we depend upon sales of transmission and termination of traffic to other long distance providers and the collection of receivables from these customers. The wholesale telecommunications market continues to feature many smaller, less financially stable companies. If weakness in the telecommunications industry or the global economy reduces our ability to collect our accounts receivable from our major customers our profitability may be substantially reduced. While our most significant customers, from a revenue perspective, vary from quarter to quarter, our eleven largest customers (3% of our total customer base) collectively accounted for 87.8% of total consolidated revenues by the nine months ended September 30, 2023 . This concentration of revenues increases our exposure to non-payment by our larger customers, and we may experience significant write-offs if any of our large customers fail to pay their outstanding balances, which could adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
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We may fail to successfully integrate our acquisitions or otherwise be unable to benefit from pursuing acquisitions.
We believe there are meaningful opportunities to grow through acquisitions and joint ventures across all product and service categories and we expect to continue a strategy of selectively identifying and acquiring businesses with complementary products and services. We may be unable to identify, negotiate, and complete suitable acquisition opportunities on reasonable terms. There can be no assurance that any business acquired by us will be successfully integrated with our operations or prove to be profitable to us. We may incur future liabilities related to acquisitions. Should any of the following problems, or others, occur as a result of our acquisition strategy, the impact could be material:
| • | difficulties integrating personnel from acquired entities and other corporate cultures into our business; |
| • | difficulties integrating information systems; |
| • | the potential loss of key employees of acquired companies; |
| • | the assumption of liabilities and exposure to undisclosed or unknown liabilities of acquired companies; or |
| • | the diversion of management attention from existing operations. |
Natural disasters, terrorist acts, acts of war, cyber-attacks or other breaches of network or information technology security may cause equipment failures or disrupt our operations.
Our inability to operate our telecommunications networks because of such events, even for a limited period of time, may result in loss of revenue, significant expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
We could be harmed by network disruptions, security breaches, or other significant disruptions or failures of our IT infrastructure and related systems. To be successful, we need to continue to have available a high capacity, reliable and secure network for our and our customers’ use. As any other company, we face the risk of a security breach, whether through cyber-attacks, malware, computer viruses, sabotage, or other significant disruption of our IT infrastructure and related systems. There is a risk of a security breach or disruption of the systems we operate, including possible unauthorized access to our proprietary or classified information. We are also subject to breaches of our network resulting in unauthorized utilization of our services, which subject us to the costs of providing those services, which are likely not recoverable. The secure maintenance and transmission of our information is a critical element of our operations. Our information technology and other systems that maintain and transmit customer information may be compromised by a malicious third-party penetration of our network security, or impacted by advertent or inadvertent actions or inactions by our employees, or those of a third party service provider or business partner. As a result, our or our customers’ information may be lost, disclosed, accessed or taken without the customers’ consent, or our services may be used without payment.
Although we make significant efforts to maintain the security and integrity of these types of information and systems, there can be no assurance that our security efforts and measures will be effective or that attempted security breaches or disruptions would not be successful or damaging, especially in light of the growing sophistication of cyber-attacks and intrusions. We may be unable to anticipate all potential types of attacks or intrusions or to implement adequate security barriers or other preventative measures. Certain business units have been the subject of attempted and successful cyber-attacks in the past. We have researched the situation and do not believe any material internal, or customer information has been compromised.
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We operate a global business that exposes us to currency, economic and regulatory.
Our revenue comes primarily from sales outside the U.S. and our growth strategy is largely focused on emerging markets. Our success delivering solutions and competing in international markets is subject to our ability to manage various risks and difficulties, including, but not limited to:
| • | our ability to effectively staff, provide technical support and manage operations in multiple countries; |
| • | fluctuations in currency exchange rates; |
| • | timely collecting of accounts receivable from customers located outside of the U.S; |
| • | trade restrictions, political instability, disruptions in financial markets, and deterioration of economic conditions; |
| • | compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and other anti-bribery laws and regulations; |
| • | variations and changes in laws applicable to our operations in different jurisdictions, including enforceability of intellectual property and contract rights; and |
| • | compliance with export regulations, tariffs and other regulatory barriers. |
If we are unable to successfully manage growth, our operations could be adversely affected.
Our progress is expected to require the full utilization of our management, financial and other resources, which to date has occurred with limited working capital. Our ability to manage growth effectively will depend on our ability to improve and expand operations, including our financial and management information systems, and to recruit, train and manage sales personnel. There can be no absolute assurance that management will be able to manage growth effectively.
If we do not properly manage the growth of our business, we may experience significant strains on our management and operations and disruptions in our business. Various risks arise when companies and industries grow quickly. If our business or industry grows too quickly, our ability to meet customer demand in a timely and efficient manner could be challenged. We may also experience development delays as we seek to meet increased demand for our products. Our failure to properly manage the growth that we or our industry might experience could negatively impact our ability to execute on our operating plan and, accordingly, could have an adverse impact on our business, our cash flow and results of operations, and our reputation with our current or potential customers.
Risks Related to Legal Uncertainty
We may be subject to securities litigation, which is expensive and could divert management attention.
In the past companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. We may be the target of this type of litigation in the future. Litigation of this type could result in substantial costs and diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could seriously hurt our business. Any adverse determination in litigation could also subject us to significant liabilities.
We may be subject to tax and regulatory audits which could subject us to liabilities.
We are subject to tax and regulatory audits which could result in the imposition of liabilities that may or may not have been reserved. We are subject to audits by taxing and regulatory authorities with respect to certain of our income and operations. These audits can cover periods for several years prior to the date the audit is undertaken and could result in the imposition of liabilities, interest and penalties if our positions are not accepted by the auditing entity.
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Our global operations subject us to many different and complex laws and rules, and we may face difficulty in compliance.
Due to our global operations, we are subject to many laws governing international relations (including but not limited to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.S. Export Administration Act the EU General Data Protection Regulation, and the U.K. Modern Anti-Slavery Act); which prohibit improper payments to government officials and restrict where and how we can do business, what information or products we can supply to certain countries, what personal information we can transfer, and what information we can provide to a non-U.S. government. Although we have procedures and policies in place that should mitigate the risk of violations of these laws, there is no guarantee that they will be sufficiently effective. If, and when we acquire new businesses, we may not be able to ensure that the pre-existing controls and procedures meant to prevent violations of the rules and laws were effective, and we may not be able to implement effective controls and procedures to prevent violations quickly enough when integrating newly acquired businesses. Acquisitions of new businesses in new non-U.S. jurisdictions may also subject us to new regulations and laws, and we may face difficulties ensuring compliance with these new requirements.
Changes in regulations or user concerns regarding privacy and protection of user data, or any failure to comply with such laws, could adversely affect our business.
Federal, state, and international laws and regulations govern the collection, use, retention, disclosure, sharing and security of data that we receive from and about our users. The use of consumer data by online service providers is a topic of active interest among federal, state, and international regulatory bodies, and the regulatory environment is unsettled. Many states have passed laws requiring notification to users where there is a security breach for personal data, such as California’s Information Practices Act. We face similar risks in international markets where our products and services are offered. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with or make effective modifications to our policies, or to comply with any applicable federal, state, or international privacy, data-retention or data-protection-related laws, regulations, orders or industry self-regulatory principles could result in proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others, a loss of user confidence, damage to our business and brand, and a loss of users, which could potentially have an adverse effect on our business.
In addition, various federal, state and foreign legislative or regulatory bodies may enact new or additional laws and regulations concerning privacy, data retention, data transfer and data protection issues, including laws or regulations mandating disclosure to domestic or international law enforcement bodies, which could adversely impact our business, our brand or our reputation with users. For example, some countries are considering or have enacted laws mandating that user data regarding users in their country be maintained in their country. In addition, there currently is a data protection regulation applicable to member states of the European Union that includes operational and compliance requirements that are different than those currently in place and that also includes significant penalties for non-compliance.
The interpretation and application of privacy, data protection, data transfer and data retention laws and regulations are often uncertain and in flux in the United States and internationally. These laws may be interpreted and applied inconsistently from country to country and inconsistently with our current policies and practices, complicating long-range business planning decisions. If privacy, data protection, data transfer or data retention laws are interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our current policies and practices, we may be fined or ordered to change our business practices in a manner that adversely impacts our operating results. Complying with these varying international requirements could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner adverse to our business and operating results.
We may be subject to legal liability associated with providing online services or content.
We host and provide a wide variety of services and technology products that enable and encourage individuals and businesses to exchange information; upload or otherwise generate photos, videos, text, and other content; advertise products and services; conduct business; and engage in various online activities both domestically and internationally. The law relating to the liability of providers of online services and products for activities of their users is currently unsettled both within the United States and internationally. We may be subject to domestic or international actions alleging that certain content we have generated or third-party content that we have made available within our services violates laws in domestic and international jurisdictions.
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It is also possible that if any information provided directly by us contains errors or is otherwise wrongfully provided to users, third parties could make claims against us. For example, we offer web-based e-mail services, which expose us to potential risks, such as liabilities or claims, by our users and third parties, resulting from unsolicited e-mail, lost or misdirected messages, illegal or fraudulent use of e-mail, alleged violations of policies, property interests, or privacy protections, including civil or criminal laws, or interruptions or delays in e-mail service. We may also face purported consumer class actions or state actions relating to our online services, including our fee-based services. In addition, our customers, third parties, or government entities may assert claims or actions against us if our online services or technologies are used to spread or facilitate malicious or harmful code or applications.
Investigating and defending these types of claims are expensive, even if the claims are without merit or do not ultimately result in liability, and could subject us to significant monetary liability or cause a change in business practices that could negatively impact our ability to compete.
Nevada law and certain anti-takeover provisions of our corporate documents could entrench our management or delay or prevent a third party from acquiring us or a change in control even if it would benefit our shareholders.
Certain provisions of Nevada law may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay or prevent a tender offer or other acquisition transaction that a shareholder might consider to be in his or her best interest. The summary of the provisions of Nevada law set forth below does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Nevada law.
The issuance of shares of preferred stock, the issuance of rights to purchase such shares, and the imposition of certain other adverse effects on any party contemplating a takeover could be used to discourage an unsolicited acquisition proposal. For instance, the issuance of a series of preferred stock might impede a business combination by including class voting rights that would enable a holder to block such a transaction. In addition, under certain circumstances, the issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of our common stock.
Under Nevada law, a director, in determining what he reasonably believes to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, does not need to consider only the interests of the corporation’s shareholders in any takeover matter but may also, in his discretion, may consider any of the following:
| (i) | The interests of the corporation’s employees, suppliers, creditors and customers; | ||
| (ii) | The economy of the state and nation; | ||
| (iii) | The impact of any action upon the communities in or near which the corporation’s facilities or operations are located; | ||
| (iv) | The long-term interests of the corporation and its shareholders, including the possibility that those interests may be best served by the continued independence of the corporation; and | ||
| (v) | Any other factors relevant to promoting or preserving public or community interests. | ||
Because our board of directors is not required to make any determination on matters affecting potential takeovers solely based on its judgment as to the best interests of our shareholders, our board could act in a manner that would discourage an acquisition attempt or other transaction that some, or a majority, of our shareholders might believe to be in their best interests or in which such shareholders might receive a premium for their stock over the then market price of such stock. Our board presently does not intend to seek shareholder approval prior to the issuance of currently authorized stock, unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange rules.
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We are no longer an “emerging growth company” and therefore no longer eligible for reduced reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies.
It has been twelve years since our first registered sale of common stock in 2012, so we are no longer eligible for the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to “emerging growth companies.”
Emerging growth companies may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
We are also a smaller reporting company, and we will remain a smaller reporting company until the fiscal year following the determination that our voting and non-voting common shares held by non-affiliates is more than $250 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter, or our annual revenues are more than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and our voting and non-voting common shares held by non-affiliates is more than $700 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter. Similar to emerging growth companies, smaller reporting companies are able to provide simplified executive compensation disclosure, are exempt from the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404, and have certain other reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, being required to provide only two years of audited financial statements and not being required to provide selected financial data, supplemental financial information or risk factors.
Since we are no longer eligible for emerging growth company status, we will be subject to the reporting obligations of a smaller reporting company and, if we continue grow, we may be subject to increased reporting requirements applicable to accelerated filers, which are more onerous than those applicable to smaller reporting companies.
As a smaller reporting company and will be exempt from certain disclosure requirements, which could make our Common Stock less attractive to potential investors.
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act defines a “smaller reporting company” as an issuer that is not an investment company, an asset-backed issuer, or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent that is not a smaller reporting company and that:
| • | had a public float of less than $250 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, computed by multiplying the aggregate worldwide number of shares of our voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates by the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average of the bid and asked prices of common equity, in the principal market for the common equity; or | ||
| • | in the case of an initial registration statement under the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, for shares of our common equity, had a public float of less than $250 million as of a date within 30 days of the date of the filing of the registration statement, computed by multiplying the aggregate worldwide number of such shares held by non-affiliates before the registration plus, in the case of a Securities Act registration statement, the number of such shares included in the registration statement by the estimated public offering price of the shares; or | ||
| • | in the case of an issuer whose public float as calculated under paragraph (1) or (2) of this definition was zero, had annual revenues of less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available. |
As a smaller reporting company, we will not be required and may not include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis section in our proxy statements; we will provide only two years of financial statements; and we need not provide the table of selected financial data. We also will have other “scaled” disclosure requirements that are less comprehensive than issuers that are not smaller reporting companies which could make our Common Stock less attractive to potential investors, which could make it more difficult for our stockholders to sell their shares.
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If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting in the future, we may not be able to accurately report our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, which may adversely affect investor confidence in us and, as a result, the value of our common shares.
We are required, under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This assessment includes disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by our management in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that results in more than a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act also generally requires an attestation from our independent registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. However, for as long as we remain a smaller reporting company, we intend to take advantage of the exemption permitting us not to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement.
Our compliance with Section 404 will require that we incur substantial accounting expense and expend significant management efforts. We may not be able to complete our evaluation, testing and any required remediation in a timely fashion. During the evaluation and testing process, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective.
As of the date of our last Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, our management identified the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, which are indicative of many small companies with small staff: (i) inadequate segregation of duties and effective risk assessment; and (ii) insufficient written policies and procedures for accounting and financial reporting with respect to the requirements and application of both US GAAP and SEC guidelines.
We cannot assure you that there will not be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting in the future. Any failure to maintain internal control over financial reporting could severely inhibit our ability to accurately report our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. This may expose us, including individual executives, to potential liability which could significantly affect our business. If we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm determines we have a material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting once that firm begins its audits of internal control over financial reporting, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our common shares could decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by FINRA, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities. Failure to remedy any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, or to implement or maintain other effective control systems required of public companies, could also restrict our future access to the capital markets.
Our disclosure controls and procedures may not prevent or detect all errors or acts of fraud.
Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to management, recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. We believe that any disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.
These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by an unauthorized override of the controls. Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in our control system, misstatements or insufficient disclosures due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
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Deficiencies in disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting could result in a material misstatement in our financial statements.
We could be adversely affected if there are deficiencies in our disclosure controls and procedures or in our internal controls over financial reporting. The design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent all errors, misstatements or misrepresentations. Consistent with other entities in similar stages of development, we have a limited number of employees currently in the accounting group, limiting our ability to provide for segregation of duties and secondary review. A lack of resources in the accounting group could lead to material misstatements resulting from undetected errors occurring from an individual performing primarily all areas of accounting with limited secondary review. Deficiencies in internal controls over financial reporting which may occur could result in material misstatements of our results of operations, restatements of financial statements, other required remediations, a decline in the price of our common shares, or otherwise materially adversely affect our business, reputation, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
Risks Related to Our Securities
We have the right to issue additional common stock and preferred stock without consent of stockholders. This would have the effect of diluting investors’ ownership and could decrease the value of their investment.
We have additional authorized, but unissued shares of our common stock that may be issued by us for any purpose without the consent or vote of our stockholders that would dilute stockholders’ percentage ownership of our company.
In addition, our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of shares of preferred stock and/or the conversion of existing outstanding preferred stock into common stock, the rights, preferences, designations and limitations of which may be set by the Board of Directors. Our certificate of incorporation has authorized issuance of up 300,000,000 shares of common stock and up to 1,200,000 shares of preferred stock in the discretion of our Board.
The shares of authorized but unissued preferred stock may be issued upon Board of Directors approval; no further stockholder action is required. If issued, the rights, preferences, designations and limitations of such preferred stock would be set by our Board and could operate to the disadvantage of the outstanding common stock. Such terms could include, among others, preferences as to dividends and distributions on liquidation.
Our largest shareholders, officers and directors and related parties, Leandro Iglesias and Alvaro Cardona, have substantial control over us and our policies as a result of their holdings in Series A Preferred Stock, and will be able to influence all corporate matters, which might not be in other shareholders’ interests.
There were 10,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding as of the date of this prospectus, with Mr. Iglesias holding 7,000 shares and Mr. Cardona the other 3,000 shares. There were 175,319,832 shares of common stock outstanding as of the date of this prospectus, with Mr. Iglesias holding 542,932 shares and Mr. Cardona holding 1,121,842 shares, which together accounts for just over 0.9% of our outstanding common stock. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of our common stock on all matters submitted to shareholders at a rate of 51% of the total vote of shareholders, including the election of directors. Our common stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. By virtue of their ownership of Series A Preferred Stock and common stock, they are able to vote at a rate of approximately 51.47% of the total vote of shareholders. They are therefore able to exercise significant influence over all matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors, the approval of significant corporate transactions, and any change of control of our company. They could prevent transactions, which would be in the best interests of the other shareholders. Their interests may not necessarily be in the best interests of the shareholders in general.
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We do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. Any return on investment may be limited to the value of our common stock.
We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends on our common stock will depend on earnings, financial condition and other business and economic factors affecting it at such time as the board of directors may consider relevant. If we do not pay dividends, our common stock may be less valuable because a return on your investment will occur only if our stock price appreciates.
Risks Related to the Offering and the Market for our Stock
If a market for our common stock does not develop, shareholders may be unable to sell their shares.
Our common stock is quoted under the symbol “IQST” on the OTCQX operated by OTC Markets Group, Inc., an electronic inter-dealer quotation medium for equity securities. We do not currently have an active trading market. There can be no assurance that an active and liquid trading market will develop or, if developed, that it will be sustained.
Our securities are very thinly traded. Accordingly, it may be difficult to sell shares of our common stock without significantly depressing the value of the stock. Unless we are successful in developing continued investor interest in our stock, sales of our stock could continue to result in major fluctuations in the price of the stock.
The market price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile and could fluctuate widely in price in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control.
Our stock price is subject to a number of factors, including:
| • | Technological innovations or new products and services by us or our competitors; |
| • | Government regulation of our products and services; |
| • | The establishment of partnerships with other telecom companies; |
| • | Intellectual property disputes; |
| • | Additions or departures of key personnel; |
| • | Sales of our common stock; |
| • | Our ability to integrate operations, technology, products and services; |
| • | Our ability to execute our business plan; |
| • | Operating results below or exceeding expectations; |
| • | Whether we achieve profits or not; |
| • | Loss or addition of any strategic relationship; |
| • | Industry developments; |
| • | Economic and other external factors; and |
| • | Period-to-period fluctuations in our financial results. |
Our stock price may fluctuate widely as a result of any of the above. In addition, the securities markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
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Because we are subject to the “Penny Stock” rules, the level of trading activity in our stock may be reduced.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted regulations which generally define “penny stock” to be any listed, trading equity security that has a market price less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exemptions. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer must also provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. In addition, the penny stock rules generally require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock, the broker-dealer make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for a stock that becomes subject to the penny stock rules which may increase the difficulty Purchasers may experience in attempting to liquidate such securities.
We will likely conduct further offerings of our equity securities in the future, in which case your proportionate interest may become diluted.
We will likely be required to conduct equity offerings in the future to finance our current projects or to finance subsequent projects that we decide to undertake. If our common stock shares are issued in return for additional funds, the price per share could be lower than that paid by our current shareholders. We anticipate continuing to rely on equity sales of our common stock shares in order to fund our business operations. If we issue additional common stock shares or securities convertible into shares of our common stock, your percentage interest in us could become diluted.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or publish negative reports about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will, to some extent, depend on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our shares or change their opinion of our shares, our share price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our share price or trading volume to decline.
MANAGEMENT
The following information sets forth the names, ages, and positions of our current directors and executive officers.
| Name | Age | Positions and Offices Held | ||||
| Leandro Iglesias | 58 | President, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||||
| Alvaro Quintana Cardona | 52 | Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director | ||||
| Juan Carlos Lopez Silva | 56 | Chief Commercial Officer | ||||
| Raul Perez | 72 | Director | ||||
| Jose Antonio Barreto | 65 | Director | ||||
| Italo Segnini | 58 | Director | ||||
Set forth below is a brief description of the background and business experience of each of our current executive officers and directors.
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Leandro Iglesias
Before founding Etelix in year 2008, where he has acted as President and CEO, Mr. Iglesias was the International Business Manager at CANTV/Movilnet (the Venezuelan biggest telecommunications services provider). He held this position between January 2003 and July 2008, while the company was under the control of Verizon. Previous to his position in Cantv/Movilnet Mr. Iglesias was Executive Vice President and responsible of the Latin America marketing division of American Internet Communications (August 1998 – December 2002). Leandro Iglesias has developed a career for more than 20 years in the telecommunications industry with a particular emphasis in the international long-distance traffic business, submarine cables, satellite communications and international roaming services. He is Electronic Engineer graduate from Universidad Simon Bolivar and graduated from the Management Program at IESA Business School. He also holds an MBA from Universidad Nororiental Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho.
Aside from that provided above, Mr. Iglesias does not hold and has not held over the past five years any other directorships in any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
We believe that Mr. Iglesias is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors because of his wealth of experience in the telecom industry.
Alvaro Quintana Cardona
Alvaro Quintana has developed a career of more than twenty years of experience in the telecommunication industry with particular focus on regulatory affairs, strategic planning, value added services and international interconnection agreements. Before joining Etelix in year 2013 as Chief Operation Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Quintana acted between June 2004 and May 2013 as Interconnection and Value-Added Services Manager at Digitel (a mobile service provider in Venezuela, formerly a Telecom Italia Mobile subsidiary). He holds a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration and a Specialist Degree in Economics, both from the Universidad Catolica Andres Bello. He also holds a Master in Telecommunications from the EOI Business School in Spain.
Aside from that provided above, Mr. Cardona does not hold and has not held over the past five years any other directorships in any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
We believe that Mr. Quintana is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors because of his wealth of experience in the telecom industry.
Juan Carlos Lopez Silva
Juan Carlos Lopez Silva is an Engineer graduated from Universidad de Los Andes, with a Master degree in Project Management from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; and MBA from EADA Business School; with more than 20 years of experience in project management, negotiation, business development and management on international companies. Previous to joining Etelix in August 2011 as Chief Commercial Officer, Juan Carlos was International Carrier Relations Manager at Colombia Telecomunicaciones S.A. Esp. a subsidiary of Telefonica of Spain, between September 2003 and June 2011.
Aside from that provided above, Mr. Silva does not hold and has not held over the past five years any other directorships in any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
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Raul A Perez
From December 1, 2014 to present, Mr. Perez serves as CFO of Deerbrook Family Dentistry, PC, Dental Practice in Humble, Texas. From November 1, 2017 to January 31, 2019, he served as Senior Accountant to Principrin School, PC, Day Care in Houston, Texas.
Mr. Perez has been in finance for more than 40 years, starting in 1970 as analyst in treasury and finance departments and progressively assuming different positions up to corporate treasurer for large corporations. He served for Sudamtex of Venezuela, C.A for 5 years and Polar Brewery in Caracas, Venezuela for 10 year. Beginning in 2000, he accepted a position as a Director of the Security and Exchange Commission of Venezuela to have the surveillance of Venezuelan stock market participants. Also, in 2004 he completed the requirements and received his certification as a Venezuelan Investment Advisor. Later, as an independent contractor for three years, he was selected as the Corporate Compliance Officer for an especially important stock market broker dealer in Venezuela, Activalores Casa de Bolsa, in which he developed the Compliance Unit and manuals required by local and international anti money laundering laws. He also taught Advanced Institute of Finance (IAF) in Caracas being a professor of Corporate Finance and Managerial Accounting for 5 years.
Mr. Perez has a Bachelor’s degree in accounting (1976), and MBA Finance (1982), gave me the overall knowledge of finance and how to plan, start up, run, and control a business.
We have selected Mr. Perez to serve as an independent director because of his education, skills and experience in finance and his regulatory history.
Jose Antonio Barreto
From 2006 to the present, Mr. Barreto has been Chief Business Development Officer of Xpectra Remote Management / Mexico. There he was in charge of directing all aspects of account development and sales effort to close specific private and government opportunities and developing strategic accounts in Mexico and the LATAM region. From 2020 to present, he has been an advisor to our Board of Directors.
Mr. Barreto has more than 30 years of experience working in telecommunications and technology companies. He has been directly responsible of leading the business development and operational in several telecommunication and technology companies’ acquisition activity, with the responsibility of leading the technical, operation and financial analysis. Over the last 14 years, Jose Antonio has been the North and Central American leader, spanning from Mexico to Panama, in the development of commercial processes in the technology security field, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) platforms, as well as cutting edge technology solutions and software systems.
He studied Electronic Engineering at the Universidad Simón Bolivar followed by a Master of Science Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rice University. He also completed the Master in Telecommunications Management offered by Universidad Simon Bolivar and the Telecom SudParis Institute.
We have selected Mr. Barreto to serve as an independent director because of his education, skills and experience in technology companies.
Italo R. Segnini
From March 2020 to the present, Mr. Segnini has been serving as Global Carrier Partnership Director of Sierra Wireless. From June 2019 to February 2020, he served as an Independent Telecom Consultant. From 2017 to 2019, he served as Director of International Carrier Business for Televisa Telecom. From 2012 to 2019, he served as Director International Carrier Business for Millicom.
Mr. Segnini is a long time Telecommunicaction industry professional who has had high level positions at Global Tier Ones for more than 20 years, Telefonica, Millicon and Televisa, Sierra Wireless to mention a few. Mr. Segnini has extensive executive experience in the Telecom areas like Voice, A2P, SMS, Data, Roaming, Mobility Services, B2B, MNO, MVNO, IoT, Interconnection, etc., and a solid business performance record spanning multiple functions including International commercial negotiations, management, sales, business development, sales, regulatory and operations. Italo R. Segnini holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Andres Bello Catholic University, a Telecommunication Masters Degree from Madrid Pontificia Comillas University and an MBA from IESA Business School
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Term of Office
Our Directors are appointed for a one-year term to hold office until the next annual general meeting of our stockholders or until removed from office in accordance with our bylaws. Our officers are appointed by our board of directors and hold office until removed by the board, subject to their respective employment agreements.
Significant Employees
We have no significant employees other than our officers and directors.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships between or among the directors, executive officers or persons nominated or chosen by us to become directors or executive officers.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
During the past 10 years, none of our current directors, nominees for directors or current executive officers has been involved in any legal proceeding identified in Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K, including:
1. Any petition under the Federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency law filed by or against, or a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer was appointed by a court for the business or property of such person, or any partnership in which he or she was a general partner at or within two years before the time of such filing, or any corporation or business association of which he or she was an executive officer at or within two years before the time of such filing;
2. Any conviction in a criminal proceeding or being named a subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);
3. Being subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining him or her from, or otherwise limiting, the following activities:
i. Acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or an associated person of any of the foregoing, or as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or employee of any investment company, bank, savings and loan association or insurance company, or engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with such activity;
ii. Engaging in any type of business practice; or
iii. Engaging in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity or in connection with any violation of Federal or State securities laws or Federal commodities laws;
4. Being subject to any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any Federal or State authority barring, suspending or otherwise limiting for more than 60 days the right of such person to engage in any type of business regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, securities, investment, insurance or banking activities, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;
5. Being found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC to have violated any Federal or State securities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the Commission has not been subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated;
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6. Being found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any Federal commodities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated;
7. Being subject to, or a party to, any Federal or State judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of:
| i. | Any Federal or State securities or commodities law or regulation; or | ||
| ii. | Any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order; or | ||
| iii. | Any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or |
8. Being subject to, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26))), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1(a)(29))), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.
Director Independence
The Board of Directors reviews the independence of our directors on the basis of standards adopted by the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”). As a part of this review, the Board of Directors considers transactions and relationships between our company, on the one hand, and each director, members of the director’s immediate family, and other entities with which the director is affiliated, on the other hand. The purpose of such a review is to determine which, if any, of such transactions or relationships were inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent under NASDAQ rules. As a result of this review, the Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Perez, Barreto and Segnini are “independent directors” within the meaning of applicable NASDAQ listing standards.
Committees of the Board
On August 25, 2021, the Board authorized the creation of an Audit Committee. Raul Perez (chair), Italo Segnini and Jose Antonio Barreto were appointed to serve on the Audit Committee.
Each of Messrs Perez, Segnini and Barreto have been determined by the Board to be independent directors within the meaning of NASDAQ Rule 5605. Mr. Perez was identified and designated by the Board as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by the SEC in Item 407 of Regulation S-K.
On November 17, 2022, we authorized the creation of a Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee’s responsibilities, which are discussed in detail in its Charter, include the following:
| • | In consultation with our senior management, establish our general compensation philosophy and oversee the development and implementation of our compensation programs; | ||
| • | Recommend the base salary, incentive compensation and any other compensation for our Chief Executive Officer to the Board of Directors and review and approve the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations for the compensation of all other officers of our company and its subsidiary; | ||
| • | Administer our incentive and stock-based compensation plans, and discharge the duties imposed on the Compensation Committee by the terms of those plans; | ||
| • | Review and approve any severance or termination payments proposed to be made to any current or former officer of our company; and | ||
| • | Perform other functions or duties deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. |
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The Committee is comprised of, Raul Perez, Jose Antonio Barreto, and Italo Segnini, with Mr. Segnini serving as Chairperson. Each of Messrs. Perez, Barreto and Segnini have been determined by the Board to be an independent director within the meaning of NASDAQ Rule 5605.
On June 12, 2023, our Board of Directors adopted a charter for our newly created Nominating and Governance Committee (the “Committee”). The Committee is responsible for the oversight of our director nominations process, including recommending nominees to the Board of Directors for approval and for the development and maintenance of our corporate governance policies.
Our Board of Directors appointed the following persons to the Committee: Raul Perez, Jose Antonio Barreto and Italo Segnini, with Mr. Barreto serving as Chairperson.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To the best of our knowledge based solely on a review of Forms 3, 4, and 5 (and any amendments thereof) received by us, no persons have failed to file, on a timely basis, the identified reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Code of Ethics
On October 31, 2022, our Board of Directors approved and adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”). The Code of Ethics is applicable to all directors, officers and employees of our company, our company’s subsidiaries and any subsidiaries that may be formed in the future. The Code of Ethics addresses such individuals’ conduct with respect to, among other things, conflicts of interests; compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure; competition and fair dealing; corporate opportunities; confidentiality; insider trading; protection and proper use of our assets; fair treatment; and reporting suspected illegal or unethical behavior.
A copy of our Code of Ethics is posted on our website at http://iqstel.com/. We will make any legally required disclosures regarding amendments to, or waivers of, provisions of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on our website. The reference to the iQSTEL website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained at or available through our website, and you should not consider it to be part of this prospectus.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The table below summarizes all compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our former or current executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
|
Name and principal Position |
Year | Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Stock Awards ($) |
Option Awards ($) |
All Other Compensation ($) (1)(2) |
Total ($) |
|
Leandro Iglesias President, CEO and Director |
2023 2022 |
268,000 204,000 |
- - |
- - |
- - |
- - |
268,000 204,000 |
|
Alvaro Quintana Treasury, Secretary and Director |
2023 2022 |
156,000 144,000 |
- - |
- - |
- - |
- - |
156,000 144,000 |
|
Juan Carlos López Chief Commercial Officer |
2023 2022 |
60,000 120,000 |
- - |
- - |
- - |
- - |
60,000 120,000 |
On May 2, 2019, the Company entered into Employment Agreements with the following persons: (i) Leandro Iglesias as President, CEO and Chairperson of the Company’s Board of Directors with an annual salary of $168,000 with an annual bonus of 3% of our net income; (ii) Juan Carlos Lopez Silva as Chief Commercial Officer with an annual salary of $120,000 with an annual bonus of 3% of our net income; and Alvaro Quintana Cardona as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer with an annual salary of $144,000 with an annual bonus of 3% of our net income. The Employment Agreements have a term of 36 months, are renewable automatically for 24-month periods, unless the Company gives written notice at least 90 days prior to termination of the initial 36-month term. The Company shall have the right to terminate any of the employment agreements at any time without prior notice, but in that event, the Company shall pay these persons salaries and other benefits they are entitled to receive under their respective agreements for three years. The above executive officers agreed to two year non-compete and non-solicit restrictive covenants with the Company. If any of the executive officers are terminated for cause they shall forfeit any rights to severance.
On November 1, 2020, our board of directors approved amended employments in favor of our Chief Executive Officer, Leandro Iglesias, our Chief Financial Officer, Alvaro Quintana, and our Chief Commercial Officer, Juan Carlos Lopez Silva.
The amended employment agreement in favor of Mr. Iglesias extended the term of employment from 36 months to 60 months. The now five year employment agreement with Mr. Iglesias provides that we will compensate him with a salary of $17,000 monthly and he is eligible for quarterly bonus of 250,000 shares of our common stock. If we do not have the cash available, the agreement provides that Mr. Iglesias may convert his accrued salary/bonus into shares of our common stock or newly created Series A Preferred Stock. For common shares, the amount of accrued salary to be converted into shares must be determined by considering the average price per share of the Company’s common stock on the OTC Markets during the last 10 days and applying a discount of 25%.” For Series A Preferred Shares, the amount of accrued salary to be converted into shares is the per share conversion price for common shares multiplied by ten US Dollars ($10). Mr. Iglesias has a further right to convert any common shares under his control into Series A Preferred shares at any time at a rate of ten (10) common shares for each Series A Preferred share.
The amended employment agreement in favor of Mr. Quintana extended the term of employment from 36 months to 60 months. The now five year employment agreement with Mr. Quintana provides that he is eligible for quarterly bonus of 200,000 shares of our common stock. If we do not have the cash available, the agreement provides that Mr. Quintana may convert his accrued salary/bonus into shares of our common stock or newly created Series A Preferred Stock. For common shares, the amount of accrued salary to be converted into shares must be determined by considering the average price per share of the Company’s common stock on the OTC Markets during the last 10 days and applying a discount of 25%.” For Series A Preferred Shares, the amount of accrued salary to be converted into shares is the per share conversion price for common shares multiplied by ten US Dollars ($10). Mr. Quintana has a further right to convert any common shares under his control into Series A Preferred shares at any time at a rate of ten (10) common shares for each Series A Preferred share.
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The amended employment agreement in favor of Mr. Silva extended the term of employment from 36 months to 60 months. Mr. Silva is eligible for quarterly bonuses of 150,000 shares of our common stock. If we do not have the cash available, the agreement provides that Mr. Iglesias may convert his accrued salary/bonus into shares of our common stock at the average price of our common stock during the last 10 days after applying a discount of 25%.
Option Grants
We have not granted any options or stock appreciation rights to our named executive officers or directors since inception. We do not have any stock option plans.
Compensation of Directors
All Directors shall receive reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses incurred to attend Board and committee meetings.
Effective on July 1, 2021 and thereafter, all Directors shall be compensated monthly up to 4,000 shares of common stock cash of $1,000 for their service as Directors. The Chairman and Secretary of the Board shall receive an additional $2,000 per month in addition to the Director compensation.
In lieu of the cash compensation set forth above, each Director may elect to receive shares of the Corporation's Common Stock equal to the total cash compensation divided by the average market value of the Company's Common Stock during the last 10 trading days and applying a discount of 25%.
Pension, Retirement or Similar Benefit Plans
There are no arrangements or plans in which we provide pension, retirement or similar benefits to our directors or executive officers. We have no material bonus or profit sharing plans pursuant to which cash or non-cash compensation is or may be paid to our directors or executive officers, except that stock options may be granted at the discretion of the board of directors or a committee thereof.
Compensation Committee
We do not currently have a compensation committee of the board of directors or a committee performing similar functions. The board of directors as a whole participates in the consideration of executive officer and director compensation.
Indebtedness of Directors, Senior Officers, Executive Officers and Other Management
None of our directors or executive officers or any associate or affiliate of our company during the last two fiscal years is or has been indebted to our company by way of guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar agreement or understanding currently outstanding.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Other than described below or the transactions described under the heading “Executive Compensation” (or with respect to which such information is omitted in accordance with SEC regulations), there have not been, and there is not currently proposed, any transaction or series of similar transactions to which we were or will be a participant in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any director, executive officer, holder of 5% or more of any class of our capital stock or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Due from related parties
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had amounts due from related parties of $427,194 and $326,324, respectively. The loans are unsecured, non-interest bearing and due on demand.
Due to related parties
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had amounts due to related parties of $26,613. The amounts are unsecured, non-interest bearing and due on demand.
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth, as of February 12, 2024, certain information as to shares of our voting stock owned by (i) each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding voting stock, (ii) each of our directors, and (iii) all of our executive officers and directors as a group.
Unless otherwise indicated below, to our knowledge, all persons listed below have sole voting and investment power with respect to their shares of voting stock, except to the extent authority is shared by spouses under applicable law. Unless otherwise indicated below, each entity or person listed below maintains an address of 300 Aragon Avenue, Suite 375, Coral Gables, FL 33134.
The number of shares beneficially owned by each stockholder is determined under rules promulgated by the SEC. The information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual or entity has sole or shared voting or investment power and any shares as to which the individual or entity has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days through the exercise of any stock option, warrant or other right. The inclusion in the following table of those shares, however, does not constitute an admission that the named stockholder is a direct or indirect beneficial owner.
| Common Stock | ||||||||
| Name of Beneficial Owner |
Number of Shares Owned (1) |
Percent of Class (2) | ||||||
| Leandro Iglesias | 542,932 | 0.310 | % | |||||
| Alvaro Quintana Cardona | 1,121,842 | 0.640 | % | |||||
| Juan Carlos Lopez Silva | 925,497 | 0.528 | % | |||||
| Raul Perez | 8,000 | 0.005 | % | |||||
| Jose Antonio Barreto | 8,000 | 0.005 | % | |||||
| Italo Segnini | 8,000 | 0.005 | % | |||||
| All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (6 persons) | 2,614,271 | 1.491 | % | |||||
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| Series A Preferred Stock(4) | ||||||||
| Name of Beneficial Owner |
Number of Shares Owned (1) |
Percent of Class (3) | ||||||
| Leandro Iglesias | 7,000 | 70.00 | % | |||||
| Alvaro Quintana Cardona | 3,000 | 30.00 | % | |||||
| Juan Carlos Lopez Silva | — | — | ||||||
| Raul Perez | — | — | ||||||
| Jose Antonio Barreto | — | — | ||||||
| Italo Segnini | — | — | ||||||
| All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (6 persons) | 10,000 | 100.00 | % | |||||
| Total Voting Power | ||||||||
| Name of Beneficial Owner |
Number of Votes (5) |
Percent of Vote (5) |
||||||
| Leandro Iglesias | 128,275,952 | 35.85 | % | |||||
| Alvaro Quintana Cardona | 55,864,565 | 15.61 | % | |||||
| Juan Carlos Lopez Silva | 925,497 | * | ||||||
| Raul Perez | 8,000 | * | ||||||
| Jose Antonio Barreto | 8,000 | * | ||||||
| Italo Segnini | 8,000 | * | ||||||
| All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (6 persons) | 185,090,015 | 51.73 | % | |||||
| * Less than 1% | ||||||||
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity named in the table has sole voting power and investment power (or shares that power with that person’s spouse) with respect to all shares of voting stock listed as owned by that person or entity.
(2) Pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which a shareholder has sole or shared voting power or investment power, and also any shares which the shareholder has the right to acquire within 60 days, including upon exercise of common shares purchase options or warrants. The percent of class is based on 175,319,832 voting shares as of February 12, 2024
(3) Pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which a shareholder has sole or shared voting power or investment power, and also any shares which the shareholder has the right to acquire within 60 days, including upon exercise of common shares purchase options or warrants. The percent of class is based on 10,000 voting shares as of February 12, 2024.
(4) Under the Certificate of Designation, holders of Series A Preferred Stock will participate on an equal basis per-share with holders of our common stock in any distribution upon winding up, dissolution, or liquidation. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of our common stock on all matters submitted to shareholders at a rate of 51% of the total vote of shareholders.
(5) There are 175,319,832 total shares of common stock outstanding entitled to one vote per share. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of our common stock on all matters submitted to shareholders at a rate of 51% of the total vote of shareholders, including the election of directors. Our common stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. As a result of voting feature of the Series A Preferred Stock, there are 175,319,832 votes represented by the common stock, which means that there are approximately 182,475,744 votes available to the holders of the 10,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock for 51% of the total vote. Combining the common stock and the Series A Preferred Stock, there are a total of 357,795,576 votes that may be cast.
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
Our authorized capital stock consists of 300,000,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share, and 1,200,000 shares of preferred stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share. As of the date of this prospectus, there were 175,319,832 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, 10,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, 31,080 shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued and outstanding , 0 shares of Series C Preferred Stock issued and outstanding and 0 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. Our shares of common stock are held by 16 stockholders of record.
Common Stock
Our common stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. The holders of our common stock possess all voting power. Generally, all matters to be voted on by stockholders must be approved by a majority (or, in the case of election of directors, by a plurality) of the votes entitled to be cast by all shares of our common stock that are present in person or represented by proxy, subject to any voting rights granted to holders of any preferred stock. Holders of our common stock representing a majority of our capital stock issued, outstanding and entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, are necessary to constitute a quorum at any meeting of our stockholders. A vote by the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares is required to effectuate certain fundamental corporate changes such as liquidation, merger or an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation. Our Articles of Incorporation do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors may become authorized to authorize preferred shares of stock and to divide the authorized shares of our preferred stock into one or more series, each of which must be so designated as to distinguish the shares of each series of preferred stock from the shares of all other series and classes. Our board of directors is authorized, within any limitations prescribed by law and our articles of incorporation, to fix and determine the designations, rights, qualifications, preferences, limitations and terms of the shares of any series of preferred stock including, but not limited to, the following:
1. The number of shares constituting that series and the distinctive designation of that series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter or title;
2. The dividend rate on the shares of that series, whether dividends will be cumulative, and if so, from which date(s), and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of dividends on shares of that series;
3. Whether that series will have voting rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights;
4. Whether that series will have conversion privileges, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion, including provision for adjustment of the conversion rate in such events as the Board of Directors determines;
5. Whether or not the shares of that series will be redeemable, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such redemption, including the date or date upon or after which they are redeemable, and the amount per share payable in case of redemption, which amount may vary under different conditions and at different redemption dates;
6. Whether that series will have a sinking fund for the redemption or purchase of shares of that series, and, if so, the terms and amount of such sinking fund;
7. The rights of the shares of that series in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the corporation, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of shares of that series; and
8. Any other relative rights, preferences and limitations of that series.
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Series A Preferred Stock
On November 1, 2020, pursuant to Article III of our Articles of Incorporation, our Board of Directors voted to designate a class of preferred stock entitled Series A Preferred Stock, consisting of up 10,000 shares, par value $0.001. Under the Certificate of Designation, holders of Series A Preferred Stock will participate on an equal basis per-share with holders of our common stock in any distribution upon winding up, dissolution, or liquidation. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of our common stock on all matters submitted to shareholders at a rate of 51% of the total vote of shareholders.
Series B Preferred Stock
On November 11, 2020, pursuant to Article III of our Articles of Incorporation, our Board of Directors voted to designate a class of preferred stock entitled Series B Preferred Stock, consisting of up 200,000 shares, par value $0.001. Under the Certificate of Designation, holders of Series B Preferred Stock will receive $81 per share in any distribution upon winding up, dissolution, or liquidation before junior security holders. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive as, when, and if declared by the Board of Directors, dividends in kind at an annual rate equal to twenty four percent (24%) of $81 per share for each of the then outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock do not have voting rights but may convert into common stock after twelve months from the issuance date. Upon conversion, the shares are subject to a one-year leak-out restriction on sales into the market of no more than 5% previous month’s stock liquidity.
On January 15, 2021, we entered into Conversion Agreements with Leandro Iglesias, our Chief Executive Officer and director, Alvaro Quintana, Chief Financial Officer and director, and Juan Carlos Lopez, our Chief Commercial Officer, pursuant to which we agreed to convert 21,000,000 shares of common stock from each officer into 21,000 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock, as follows:
| Shareholders |
Number of Shares of Common Stock Converting Into Series B Preferred Stock |
Number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock acquired in conversion | Number of shares of Serie B Preferred Stock received as dividend |
| Leandro Iglesias | 12,200,000 | 12,200 | 5,856 |
| Alvaro Cardona | 5,300,000 | 5,300 | 2,544 |
| Juan Carlos Lopez | 3,500,000 | 3,500 | 1,680 |
| Total | 21,000,000 | 21,000 | 10,080 |
The parties entered into these Conversion Agreements to, among other things, allow more common stock to be available for future issuances in connection with note conversions and as a means to lock-up the shares of common stock underlying the Series B Preferred held by our officers from trading and to establish a leak-out agreement upon any future conversions back to common stock.
Series C Preferred Stock
On January 7, 2021, pursuant to Article III of our Articles of Incorporation, our Board of Directors voted to designate a class of preferred stock entitled Series C Preferred Stock, consisting of up 200,000 shares, par value $0.001. Under the Certificate of Designation, holders of Series C Preferred Stock will rank junior to the Series B Preferred Stock, but on par with common stock and Series A Preferred Stock in any distribution upon winding up, dissolution, or liquidation of the company, as provided in the designation. The holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock have no dividend rights except as may be declared by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion, out of funds legally available for that purpose. Holders of Series C Preferred Stock do not have voting rights but may convert into common stock after twenty four months from the issuance date, at a conversion rate of one thousand (1,000) shares of Common Stock for every one (1) share of Series C Preferred Stock. Upon conversion, the shares are subject to a one-year leak-out restriction on sales into the market of no more than 5% previous month’s stock liquidity.
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Series D Preferred Stock
On November 3, 2023, pursuant to Article III of our Articles of Incorporation, our Board of Directors voted to designate a class of preferred stock entitled Series D Preferred Stock, consisting of up 75,000 shares, par value $0.001. Under the Certificate of Designation, in the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, the Holders of Series D Preferred Stock shall be entitled to participate in any distribution out of the assets of the Corporation before the holders of the Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, but shall be considered on parity to the liquidation rights of the Series B Preferred Stockholders. The holders of shares of Series D Preferred Stock have no dividend rights except as may be declared by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion, out of funds legally available for that purpose. Holders of Series D Preferred Stock do not have voting rights but may convert into common stock at a conversion rate of one thousand (1,000) shares of Common Stock for every one (1) share of Series D Preferred Stock.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the expansion of our business. As a result, we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Nevada Anti-Takeover Laws
Nevada Revised Statutes sections 78.378 to 78.379 provide state regulation over the acquisition of a controlling interest in certain Nevada corporations unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation provide that the provisions of these sections do not apply. Our articles of incorporation and bylaws do not state that these provisions do not apply. The statute creates a number of restrictions on the ability of a person or entity to acquire control of a Nevada company by setting down certain rules of conduct and voting restrictions in any acquisition attempt, among other things. The statute is limited to corporations that are organized in the state of Nevada and that have 200 or more stockholders, at least 100 of whom are stockholders of record and residents of the State of Nevada; and does business in the State of Nevada directly or through an affiliated corporation. Because of these conditions, the statute currently does not apply to our company.
Listing of Common Stock
Our Common Stock is currently quoted on the OTCQX under the trading symbol “IQST.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar of our Common Stock is VStock Transfer, LLC.
Penny Stock Regulation
The SEC has adopted regulations which generally define “penny stock” to be any equity security that has a market price (as defined) of less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share. Such securities are subject to rules that impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell them. For transactions covered by these rules, the broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser of such securities and have received the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to the purchase. Additionally, for any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require the delivery, prior to the transaction, of a disclosure schedule prepared by the SEC relating to the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must disclose the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative, current quotations for the securities and, if the broker-dealer is the sole market-maker, the broker-dealer must disclose this fact and the broker-dealer’s presumed control over the market. Finally, among other requirements, monthly statements must be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stocks. As the Shares immediately following this Offering will likely be subject to such penny stock rules, purchasers in this Offering will in all likelihood find it more difficult to sell their Shares in the secondary market.
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PRIVATE PLACEMENT OF NOTE AND OPTION
On January 24, 2024, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “SPA”) with M2B Funding Corp., a Florida corporation, for it to purchase up to the principal amount of US $3,888,888.89 in a 12 moth secured convertible promissory notes for an aggregate purchase price of US $3,500,000.00 (the “Purchase Price”), which notes are convertible into shares of our common stock with an initial conversion price of $0.11 per share. Each noteholder shall receive shares of common stock (“Kicker Shares”) in an amount equal to ten percent of the principal amount of any Note issued divided by $0.11. The notes are secured by all of our assets under a Security Agreement signed with the SPA.
The initial tranche will be for US $2,222,222.22 in face value of notes and Kicker Shares, with an original issue discount of US $222,222.22, and the second tranche will be for US $1,666,666.67 in face value of Notes and Kicker Shares, with an original issue discount of US $166,666.67. Each one-year note bears interest at 18% per annum.
Provided no default has occurred, we may prepay the notes at 110% of the outstanding principal amounts plus all other sums due and owing.
We have agreed with certain covenants in connection with the financing, including a prohibition on us entering any variable rate transactions, restrictions on future offerings or incurring indebtedness, and a most favored nation clause, among other provisions.
We have also agreed, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, to register the shares of common stock underlying the notes and the Kicker Shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission in a registration statement.
We have received the initial tranche under the Note, and we have registered 20,202,020 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Note and 2,020,202 Kicker Shares in favor of the selling shareholder as required by the Registration Rights Agreement.
On February 12, 2024, we issued a Common Stock Purchase Option (the “Option”) to ADI Funding LLC (“ADI Funding”) for $100,000 that expires on December 31, 2024, for the right to acquire up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock. The exercise price per share of the common stock under the Option shall be (i) 70% of the VWAP of the common stock during the then 10 Trading Days immediately preceding, but not including the date of exercise if the VWAP is below $2.00 or (ii) seventy five percent (75%) of the VWAP of the common stock during the then 10 Trading Days immediately preceding, but not including the date of exercise if the VWAP is equal or above $2.00.
ADI Funding has the right and the obligation to exercise, on a “ cash basis”, not less than (i) 2,000,000 of the shares of common stock underlying the option not later than the later of March 31, 2024 or the date on which there is an effective registration statement permitting the resale of the shares by ADI Funding. From and after the occurrence of the above-referenced exercise, each additional exercise of the Option shall be in an amount not less than 1,000,000 shares, which shall occur every thirty (30) days and shall be exercised only on a cash basis. ADI Funding’s obligation to exercise each specified portion of the Option is subject to the exercise price being not less than $0.11 per share on the relevant option exercise date.
Exercises are required to be made in recognition of ADI Funding’s beneficial ownership limitation of 4.99% of our outstanding common stock, which upon notice may be increased to 9.99%.
If we issued securities less than the exercise price option, ADI Funding has a right to also use that lesser price in the exercise of its Option. The Option also contains rights to any company distributions and consideration in fundamental transactions, subject to the beneficial ownership limitation.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock pursuant to this prospectus. We will not receive any proceeds from the conversion of Note. We will receive cash from the sale of the Option, if exercised, which we intend to use as working capital.
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SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
The shares of common stock being offered by the selling shareholders are those currently held by the selling shareholders and those issuable to the selling shareholders pursuant to the terms of the Note and Option.
For purposes of this prospectus, “selling shareholders” mean the shareholders listed below and their permitted transferees, pledgees, assignees, distributees, donees or successors or others who later hold any of the selling shareholders’ interests in the securities. To the extent required, we will file a supplement to this prospectus (or a post-effective amendment hereto, if necessary) to name successors to the named selling shareholder who are able to use this prospectus to resell the common shares registered hereby.
Except for the ownership of the Note and Option, the selling shareholders have not had any material relationship with us within the past three years.
The table below lists the selling shareholders and other information regarding the beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock by each of the selling shareholders. The second column lists the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by the selling shareholders, based on their ownership of the shares of common stock, the Note and Option, as of the date of this prospectus, assuming full conversion of the Note and full exercise of the Option held by the selling shareholders on that date, without regard to any limitation on conversion.
In accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement with the holder of the Note and the agreement to register the shares underlying the Option, this prospectus generally covers the resale of that number of shares of common stock equal to the number of shares of common stock currently held by the selling shareholders and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion and exercise of the Note and Option, respectively, until all of the shares may be sold without any restrictions pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act.
.
The amounts listed in the third and fourth columns reflect the number of shares being offered by the selling shareholders and the number of shares remaining following the sale of such shares, respectively.
Under the terms of the Note and Option, the selling shareholders may not convert or be issued shares of common stock to the extent such conversion or issuance would cause such selling shareholder, together with its affiliates and attribution parties and any group of which it is a member, to beneficially own a number of shares of common stock which would exceed 4.99% of our then outstanding common stock following such conversion or issuance. The number of shares in the second and fourth columns do not reflect this limitation. The selling shareholders may sell all, some or none of their shares in this offering. See “Plan of Distribution.”
| Name and Address of Selling Shareholder | Number of Shares of Common Stock Owned Prior to Offering (1) |
Maximum Number of Shares of Common Stock to be Sold Pursuant to this Prospectus |
Shares of Common Stock to be Owned After Offering (1) |
|||||||||
| M2B Funding Corp. (2) | 3,235,702 | 22,222,222 | 0% | |||||||||
| ADI Funding LLC (3) | 0 | 10,000,000 | 0% | |||||||||
| (1) |
“Beneficial ownership” is a term broadly defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act and includes more than the typical form of stock ownership, that is, stock held in a person’s name. The term also includes what is referred to as “indirect ownership,” meaning ownership of shares as to which a person has or shares investment power. For purposes of this column, a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus.
The amounts listed do not give effect to any limitation on conversion or the issuance of shares pursuant to the terms of the Note or Option (including the limitations on beneficial ownership discussed above). |
||
| (2) | Mr. Daniel Kordash holds voting and dispositive power over the shares of common stock beneficially owned by M2B Funding Corp. Includes (i) 3,235,705 shares of common stock and (ii) 20,202,020 shares issuable upon conversion of the Note held by the selling stockholder (but without giving effect to the limitation on beneficial ownership contained therein). | ||
| (3) | Mr. Yohan Naraine holds voting and dispositive power over the shares of common stock beneficially owned by ADI Funding LLC. Includes 10,000,000 shares issuable upon exercise of the Option held by the selling stockholder (but without giving effect to the limitation on beneficial ownership contained therein). |
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering the shares of common stock described in this prospectus to permit the resale of these shares of common stock by the selling shareholders from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock or conversion of the Note by the selling shareholders. We will receive cash from the sale of the Option, if exercised, which we intend to use as working capital. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to our obligation to register the shares of common stock.
Sales of shares of our common stock by the selling shareholders named in this prospectus may be made from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, on any exchange or quotation system on which shares of our common stock may be listed or quoted, in negotiated transactions or in a combination of any such methods of sale, at fixed prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The shares may be offered directly, to or through agents designated from time to time or to or through brokers or dealers, or through any combination of these methods of sale. The methods by which the shares may be sold include:
| • | block trades (which may involve crosses) in which the broker or dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; | ||
| • | purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resales by the broker or dealer for its own account pursuant to this prospectus; | ||
| • | exchange distributions or secondary distributions in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange; | ||
| • | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker or dealer solicits purchasers; | ||
| • | privately negotiated transactions; | ||
| • | the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise; | ||
| • | the settlement of short sales; | ||
| • | a combination of any of the foregoing methods of sale; and | ||
| • | any other method permitted by applicable law. |
An agent, broker or dealer may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling shareholders or the purchasers of the shares for whom such brokers or dealers may act as agents or to whom they sell as principals, or both (which compensation as to a particular broker or dealer might be in excess of customary commissions). A member firm of an exchange on which our common stock is traded may be engaged to act as the selling shareholder’s agent in the sale of shares by the selling shareholders.
In connection with distributions of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus or otherwise, the selling shareholders may enter into hedging transactions with brokers or dealers or other financial institutions with respect to our common stock. In connection with these transactions, the brokers or dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short sales of our common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume with the selling shareholder. The selling shareholder may also sell our common stock short to effect its hedging transactions and deliver shares of common stock covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The selling shareholder may also loan or pledge shares of common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares.
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In addition, any shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
The aggregate proceeds to the selling shareholders from the sale of the shares of common stock offered by them pursuant to this prospectus will be the purchase price of the shares less discounts or commissions, if any. The selling shareholders reserve the right to accept and, together with its agents from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of shares of common stock to be made directly or through agents.
To the extent required, the shares to be sold, the name of the selling shareholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any agents, dealers or underwriters, any applicable commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.
Each broker-dealer that receives our common stock for its own account pursuant to this prospectus must acknowledge that it will deliver the prospectus in connection with any sale of our common stock. If required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented on a continual basis to describe a specific plan of distribution. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the selling shareholder, brokers and dealers for purposes of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, if applicable.
In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the shares may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with as part of such sale.
The selling shareholders and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to certain provisions of the Exchange Act. The Exchange Act rules include Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of our common stock by the selling shareholders and any other such person. In addition, Regulation M of the Exchange Act may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of our common stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to the common stock. In addition, the anti-manipulation rules under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of the securities in the market. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the securities and the ability of any person to engage in market-making activities with respect to the securities.
The selling shareholders and any brokers, dealers, agents or others that participate with the selling shareholders in the distribution of the shares offered by this prospectus may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any underwriting discounts, commissions or fees received by such persons and any profit on the resale of the shares purchased by such persons may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. If the selling shareholders are deemed to be an “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, they will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. We will make copies of this prospectus (as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time) available to the selling shareholders, brokers and dealers for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, if applicable.
There can be no assurance that the selling shareholders will sell any or all of the shares of our common stock offered hereby.
We will bear all fees and expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The fees and expenses of registration to be borne by us referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include registration, filing and qualification fees, word processing, duplicating, printers’ and accounting fees, listing fees, messenger and delivery expenses, all fees and expenses of complying with state securities or blue sky laws, fees and disbursements of our counsel. We will indemnify the selling shareholder against liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act. We may be indemnified by the selling shareholder against liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, that may arise from any written information furnished to us by the selling shareholder specifically for use in this prospectus.
Any underwriter, dealers and agents engaged by the selling shareholders may engage in transactions with us or the selling shareholders, or perform services for us or the selling shareholders, in the ordinary course of business.
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LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the rights and the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus have been passed upon for us by The Doney Law Firm, Las Vegas, Nevada.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of IQSTEL Inc. as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for the years then ended, appearing in iQSTEL Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, have been audited by Urish Popeck & Co., LLC, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon (which contains an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern), included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. The financial statements of Qxtel Limited as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for the years then ended, appearing in iQSTEL Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, have been audited by Urish Popeck & Co., LLC, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon (which contains an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern), included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report of Urish Popeck & Co., LLC pertaining to such financial statements given on the authority of such firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
MATERIAL CHANGES
There have been no material changes in the registrant’s affairs which have occurred since the end of the latest fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 for which audited financial statements were included in the latest Form 10-K and that have not been described in a Form 10-Q or Form 8-K filed under the Exchange Act.
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In addition, indemnification may be limited by state securities laws.
32,222,222 Shares of Common Stock
PROSPECTUS
February 13, 2024
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities of IQSTEL Inc. (the “Registrant”) which are registered under this Registration Statement on Form S-1 (this “Registration Statement”). All amounts are estimates except the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.
The following expenses will be borne solely by the Registrant.
| Amount to | |||
| be Paid | |||
| SEC Registration fee | $ | 1,260.34 | |
| Legal fees and expenses | 5,000 | ||
| Accounting fees and expenses | 5,000 | ||
| Total | $ | 11,260.34 | |
Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Under our bylaws, every person who was or is a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, or is involved in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was our director or officer, or is or was serving at our request as a director or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, shall be indemnified and held harmless to the fullest extent legally permissible under the laws of the State of Nevada from time to time against all expenses, liability, and loss (including attorneys’ fees judgments, fines, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by him or her in connection therewith. Such right of indemnification shall be a contract right, which may be enforced in any manner desired by such person. The expenses of officers and directors incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding must be paid by us as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that he is not entitled to be indemnified by us. Such right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other right which such directors, officers, or representatives may have or hereafter acquire, and, without limiting the generality of such statement, they shall be entitled to their respective rights of indemnification under any bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders, provision of law, or otherwise.
Without limiting the application of the foregoing, our board of directors may adopt bylaws from time to time with respect to indemnification, to provide at all times the fullest indemnification permitted by the laws of the State of Nevada, and may cause us to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was our director or officer, or is or was serving at our request as a director or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred in any such capacity or arising out of such status, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person. The indemnification provided shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
We have not entered into any agreements with our directors and executive officers that require us to indemnify these persons against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred (including expenses of a derivative action) in connection with any proceeding, whether actual or threatened, to which any such person may be made a party by reason of the fact that the person is or was our director or officer or any of our affiliated enterprises. We have an insurance policy covering our officers and directors with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act, or otherwise.
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Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company issued 8,635,884 shares of common stock, valued at fair market value on issuance as follows:
| • | 180,000 shares for compensation to our directors valued at $30,945; and | ||
| • | 8,455,884 shares for exercise of warrants for $1,150,000. |
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company issued 14,118,153 shares of common stock, valued at fair market value on issuance as follows:
| • | 2,000,000 shares issued for cash of $1,000,000 | ||
| • | 5,066,667 shares for acquisitions of Whisl and Smartbiz valued at $1,550,000 | ||
| • | 550,000 shares for asset acquisition valued at $357,500 | ||
| • | 240,000 shares for compensation to our directors valued at $107,600 | ||
| • | 161,367 shares for settlement of debt valued at $80,674 | ||
| • | 6,100,119 shares for exercise of warrants for $400,000 |
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued 51,638,526 shares of common stock, valued at fair market value on issuance as follows:
| • | 41,562,500 shares issued for cash of $6,536,250, of which $100,000 was recorded as subscription receivable as of December 31, 2021. The Company received the $100,000 on January 3, 2022. | ||
| • | 2,230,394 shares, valued at $2,056,530, issued for settlement of debt of $1,516,667 | ||
| • | 195,000 shares for services valued at $284,700 | ||
| • | 1,320,000 shares issued to our management for compensation valued at $1,037,568 | ||
| • | 250,000 shares for forbearance of debt valued at $49,925 | ||
| • | 6,080,632 shares issued for conversion of debt of $422,295 |
The offers, sales, and issuances of the securities described above were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. The recipients of securities in each of these transactions acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof and appropriate legends were affixed to the securities issued in these transactions. Each of the recipients of securities in these transactions was an accredited or sophisticated person and had adequate access, through employment, business or other relationships, to information about us.
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
See Exhibit Index attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.
Item 17. Undertakings
(A) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
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(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increases or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or
(ii) If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
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(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(6) To provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
(B) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(C) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on February 13, 2024.
| IQSTEL Inc. | |
| By: | /s/ Leandro Iglesias |
|
Leandro Iglesias Chief Executive Officer, Principal Executive Officer and Director |
| By: | /s/ Alvaro Quintana Cardona |
| Alvaro Quintana Cardona | |
| Title: | Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Director |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Leandro Iglesias and Alvaro Quintana Cardona with full power to act alone and without the others, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with the authority to execute in the name of each such person, any and all amendments (including without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, to sign any and all additional registration statements relating to the same offering of securities as this registration statement that are filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file such registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission, together with any exhibits thereto and other documents therewith, necessary or advisable to enable the registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, which amendments may make such other changes in the registration statement as the aforesaid attorney-in-fact executing the same deems appropriate.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| By: | /s/ Leandro Iglesias |
Leandro Iglesias Chief Executive Officer, Principal Executive Officer and Director | |
| February 13, 2024 |
| By: | /s/ Alvaro Quintana Cardona |
| Alvaro Quintana Cardona | |
| Title: | Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Director |
| Date: | February 13, 2024 |
| By: | /s/ Raul Perez |
| Raul Perez | |
| Title: | Director |
| Date: | February 13, 2024 |
| By: | /s/ Jose Antonio Barreto |
| Jose Antonio Barreto | |
| Title: | Director |
| Date: | February 13, 2024 |
| By: | /s/ Italo Segnini |
| Italo Segnini | |
| Title: | Director |
| Date: | February 13, 2024 |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
(a) Exhibits:
Filed herewith**
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| 1. | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 2018. | |
| 2. | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on August 18, 2011. | |
| 3. | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on August 31, 2018. | |
| 4. | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2020. | |
| 5. | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2020. | |
| 6. | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 2020. | |
| 7. | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2020. | |
| 8. | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on January 6, 2020. | |
| 9. | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on December 11, 2019. | |
| 10. | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2019. | |
| 11. | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on April 4, 2019. | |
| 12 | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 2022. | |
| 13 | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2022. | |
| 14 | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form S-1/A filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22, 2022. | |
| 15 | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K/A filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on October 6, 2022. | |
| 16 | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form S-1/A filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on October 11, 2022. | |
| 17 | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2022. | |
| 18 | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s DEF 14C filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 2020. | |
| 19 | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2022. | |
| 20 | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on January 8, 2021. | |
| 21 | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2020. | |
| 22 | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2020. | |
| 23 | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on January 25, 2024. | |
| 24 | Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2024. |
| 42 |
February 13, 2024
iQSTEL Inc.
300 Aragon Avenue, Suite 375
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Re: IQSTEL Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel iQSTEL Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), and any amendments thereto, pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), relating to the offering for resale, on a delayed or continuous basis, by the selling shareholders named in the Registration Statement, up to an aggregate of 32,222,222 shares of our common stock, of which 2,020,202 shares (the “Shares”) are currently outstanding, 20,202,020 shares (the “Note Shares”) are issuable upon conversion of the Company’s secured convertible promissory note (the “Note”) and 10,000,000 shares (the “Option Shares”) are issuable upon exercise of the Company’s common stock purchase option (the “Option”).
In rendering the opinion set forth below, we have reviewed: (a) the Registration Statement and the exhibits attached thereto; (b) the Company's Articles of Incorporation; (c) the Company's Bylaws; (d) certain records of the Company's corporate proceedings as reflected in its minute books; and (e) such statutes, records and other documents as we have deemed relevant. In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof. In addition, we have made such other examinations of law and fact, as we have deemed relevant in order to form a basis for the opinion hereinafter expressed.
Based upon such examination, and subject to the further assumptions, qualifications and limitations contained herein, it is our opinion that (i) the Shares are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, (ii) the Note Shares, when issued upon conversion of the Note pursuant to its terms, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and (iii) the Option Shares, when issued upon exercise of the Option pursuant to its terms, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
This opinion is based on Nevada general corporate law, including the statutory provisions, all applicable provisions of the Nevada constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting those laws.
The foregoing opinion is qualified to the extent that the enforceability of any applicable agreement, document, or instrument discussed herein may be limited by or subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer or conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and general equitable or public policy principles.
Our opinion letter is expressly limited to the matters set forth above, and we render no opinion, whether by implication or otherwise, as to any other matters relating to the Company, the shares of common stock or the agreements and instruments addressed herein, or in the Registration Statement. This opinion is based upon currently existing statutes, regulations, rules and judicial decisions, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change in any of these sources of law or subsequent legal or factual developments which might affect any matters or opinions set forth herein.
Very truly yours,
/s/ The Doney Law Firm
CONSENT
WE HEREBY CONSENT to the use of the firm’s opinion and reference in “Experts” in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-1 Registration Statement and any amendments thereto filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as counsel for the registrant, iQSTEL Inc.
Very truly yours,
/s/ The Doney Law Firm
| 2 |
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
iQSTEL, Inc.
Coral Gables, Florida
We hereby consent to the use in the Preliminary Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our report dated April 15, 2022, relating to the consolidated financial statements of iQSTEL, Inc., which is incorporated by reference to that Prospectus. Our report contains an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
We also consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in the Preliminary Prospectus.
/s/ Urish Popeck & Co., LLC Pittsburgh, PA
February 13, 2024
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Qxtel Limited
London, United Kingdom
We hereby consent to the use in the Preliminary Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our report dated February 5, 2024, relating to the financial statements of Qxtel Limited, which is incorporated by reference to that Prospectus.
We also consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in the Preliminary Prospectus.
/s/ Urish Popeck & Co., LLC Pittsburgh, PA
February 13, 2024