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Investment in equity securities
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]  
Investment in equity securities

Note 5 – Investment in equity securities

 

On January 2, 2024, AEI Capital Ltd., the Company’s controlling stockholder (“AEI Capital”), entered into a Letter of Engagement with a privately held company (the “Client”), pursuant to which AEI Capital agreed to provide certain listing advisory services relating to the preparation and facilitation of an initial public offering for the Client (the “Engagement Agreement”). In consideration for such services, AEI Capital is entitled to receive a fee consisting of: (i) 3.5% of the outstanding equity interests of the Client (the “Equity Consideration”) and (ii) $200,000 (the “Cash Consideration,” and collectively, with the Equity Consideration, the “Consideration”).

 

On October 2, 2024, CapForce, which was organized by the Company for purposes of repositioning itself as a new business in the digital investment banking industry powered by financial technology, entered into an Agreement of Assignment of Mandate with AEI Capital in respect of Direct Listing Sponsorship Advisory Services (the “Assignment Agreement”), pursuant to which AEI Capital assigned its rights and obligations within Clause 3.1 of the Engagement Agreement for the advisory fee equivalent to 2.1% of the outstanding equity interests of the Client and $120,000 to CapForce. As a result, pursuant to the Assignment Agreement, CapForce performed part of the listing sponsorship and consulting services in the fourth quarter of 2024 and completed the first performance obligation within the Engagement Agreement, generating proceeds of $5.0 million in the Client’s equity.

 

John Tan Honjian, the CEO of AEI Capital Ltd. and OpGen, Inc., serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Client, making the Client a related party. The Engagement Agreement and Assignment Agreement were conducted in the ordinary course of business and on terms comparable to those with unrelated third parties. The Company’s management and Board of Directors have evaluated the relationship and concluded that appropriate governance and conflict of interest procedures were followed.

 

As of December 31, 2024, the Company held an investment in the equity securities of the Client valued at $5.0 million, which is classified as a current asset on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The investment was received as consideration for services rendered and represents a non-controlling equity interest in a privately held entity. The Company accounts for this investment under ASC 321, Investments – Equity Securities. Since the equity securities do not have a readily determinable fair value, the Company has elected the measurement alternative and, accordingly, it is carried at its estimated fair value calculated as its cost less any impairment charges until such time as there is evidence of an orderly transaction. As of December 31, 2024, no fair value adjustments have been recognized, nor have there been any impairment charges. This investment is considered a financial asset that is measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.

 

As of December 31, 2024, the Company estimated the fair value of the investment based on an anticipated initial public offering by the Client expected to occur within the next twelve months. The estimated valuation is derived from pricing and valuation metrics provided by the issuer and underwriters in connection with the planned initial public offering. This estimate is subject to significant judgment and market risk and is not based on observable inputs. In the event the final initial public offering valuation results in proceeds to the Company of less than $5.0 million for these shares of equity securities, the Client has contractually agreed to issue additional shares to the Company to ensure that the total value of the equity consideration received for this first performance obligation equals $5.0 million.