Correspondence 0001213900-23-068272 from Meta Data Ltd (CIK 0001722380)
Meta Data Ltd (CIK 0001722380)
Date: Aug. 16, 2023 · CIK: 0001722380 · Accession: 0001213900-23-068272
AI Filing Summary & Sentiment
File numbers found in text: 001-38430
Referenced dates: July 21, 2023
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Meta Data Limited
Flat H3/F, Haribest Industrial Building , 45-47
Au Pui Wan Street
Sha Tin New Territories, Hong Kong
August 16, 2023
VIA EDGAR
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
Office of Life Sciences
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549
Attn:
Brian Fetterolf
Jennifer López Molina
Keira Nakada
Linda Cvrkel
Re:
Meta Data Ltd
Annual Report on Form 20-F for the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2022
Filed December 30, 2022
Response dated July 21, 2023
File No. 001-38430
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Meta Data Limited (the “Company”,
“AIU,” “we”, “us” or “our”) hereby transmits its response
to the letter received from the staff (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”),
dated August 10, 2023 regarding our Form 20-F for fiscal year ended August 31, 2022 and our response letter dated July 21, 2023. For ease
of reference, we have repeated the Commission’s comments in this response and numbered them accordingly.
Response Letter dated July 21, 2023
Transfers Between Our Company and Our Subsidiaries, page 4
3.
We note your response to comment 3, as well as your revised disclosure that “[c]ash, not in the form of earnings distribution, was transferred between our Company, our subsidiaries and the former VIEs for the purpose of providing working capital between Meta Data, its subsidiaries, VIEs and its subsidiaries and WFOE.” Please quantify the amounts and state the direction of transfer and any tax consequences. Tell us what your disclosure will look like.
Response: In response
to the Staff’s comment, we propose to revise the following disclosures (revisions in italic):
Transfers
Between Our Company and Our Subsidiaries
As of the date
of this amendment to the annual report, our current corporate structure does not contain any variable interest entity in mainland China
and we do not have intention establishing any VIEs in mainland China in the future.
Our management
is directly supervising cash management. Our finance department is responsible for establishing the cash management policies and procedures
among our departments and the operating entities. Each department or operating entity initiates a cash request by putting forward a cash
demand plan, which explains the specific amount and timing of cash requested, and submitting it to designated management members of our
Company, based on the amount and the use of cash requested. The designated management member examines and approves the allocation of cash
based on the sources of cash and the priorities of the needs, and submit it to the cashier specialists of our finance department for a
second review. Other than the above, we currently do not have other cash management policies or procedures that dictate how funds are
transferred.
During the fiscal
years ended August 31, 2022 and 2021, our Company, our subsidiaries, and the former VIEs have not distributed any earnings or settled
any amounts owed under the VIE Agreements. Cash, not in the form of earnings distribution, was transferred between our Company, our subsidiaries
and the former VIEs for the purpose of providing working capital between Meta Data, its subsidiaries, VIEs and its subsidiaries and WFOE.
As set forth in the tables below, intercompany receivables were cash transferred from Meta Data (for example) to other entities that are
consolidated, while intercompany payables were cash received by Meta Data (for example). There is no tax consequence arising from the
cash transfer. Please refer to Note 2(d) to the Consolidated Financial Statements – Consolidated of variable interest entities
– for a more detailed description in regard to these matters.
The condensed consolidating table below
disaggregated the Consolidated Balance Sheets of the Company into Meta Data, the former VIEs and their subsidiaries, the former WFOE that
is the primary beneficiary of the former VIEs, of which assets and liabilities are classified as discontinued operation, and an aggregation
of other entities that are consolidated as of August 31, 2022 and 2021.
As of August 31, 2022
Other
entities
that are
WFOE
that is the
primary
beneficiary
VIEs and their
Meta Data
Consolidated
consolidated
of the VIE
subsidiaries
Ltd.
total
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
Intercompany receivables
22,734
-
-
173,602
196,336
Current assets excluding intercompany receivables
200,902
18,354
106,629
15,669
341,554
Current assets
223,636
18,354
106,629
189,271
537,890
Non-current assets excluding investment in subsidiaries
-
-
-
-
Non-current assets
-
-
-
-
-
Total assets
223,636
18,354
106,629
189,271
537,890
Intercompany payables
196,336
-
-
-
196,336
Current liabilities excluding intercompany payables
25,979
18,264
4,939,851
499,785
5,483,879
Current liabilities
222,315
18,264
4,939,851
499,785
5,680,215
Non-current liabilities
-
-
-
241,115
241,115
Total liabilities
222,315
18,264
4,939,851
740,900
5,921,330
Total shareholders’ equity (net assets)
1,321
90
(4,833,222 )
(551,629 )
(5,383,440 )
2
As of August 31, 2021
Other
entities
that are
WFOE
that is the
primary
beneficiary
VIEs and their
Consolidated
consolidated
of the VIE
subsidiaries
Meta Data
total
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
Intercompany receivables
3,670,240
3,608,176
6,275,233
2,081,389
-
Current assets excluding intercompany receivables
6,239
59,187
293,021
107,771
466,218
Current assets
3,676,479
3,667,363
6,568,254
2,189,160
466,218
Non-current assets excluding investment in subsidiaries
191
15,038
21,726
-
36,955
Non-current assets
191
15,038
21,726
-
36,955
Total assets
6,430
74,225
314,747
107,771
503,173
Intercompany payables
5,301,895
3,208,560
6,878,456
246,127
-
Current liabilities excluding intercompany payables
3,613
4,370
4,295,643
413,951
4,717,577
Current liabilities
5,305,508
3,212,930
11,174,099
660,078
4,717,577
Non-current liabilities
22,643
-
158,084
226,114
406,841
Total liabilities
26,256
4,370
4,453,727
640,065
5,124,418
Total shareholders’ equity (net assets)
(19,826 )
69,855
(4,138,980 )
(532,294 )
(4,621,245 )
The condensed consolidating table below
disaggregated the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) of the Company into Meta Data, the former VIEs
and their subsidiaries, the WFOE that is the primary beneficiary of the former VIEs and an aggregation of other entities that are consolidated
for the financial years ended August 31, 2021 and 2022.
For the years ended August 31, 2022
WFOE
Other
entities
that is the
primary
that are
beneficiary
VIEs and their
Consolidated
consolidated
of the VIE
subsidiaries
Meta Data
total
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
Net revenues
14,605
-
-
-
14,605
Cost of revenues
(12,787 )
-
-
-
(12,787 )
Gross profit
1,818
-
-
-
1,818
Operating expenses
(418 )
-
-
(367,698 )
(368,116 )
Income (loss) from operations
1,400
-
-
(367,698 )
(366,298 )
Other expenses
(79 )
-
-
(50,930 )
(51,009 )
Income (loss) before income taxes
1,321
-
-
(418,628 )
(417,307 )
Provision for income taxes
-
-
-
-
-
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
1,321
-
-
(418,628 )
(417,307 )
Net income (loss) from discontinuing operations
-
(470,413 )
(312,272 )
-
(782,685 )
3
For the years ended August 31, 2021
WFOE
Other
entities
that is the
primary
that are
beneficiary
VIEs and their
Consolidated
consolidated
of the VIE
subsidiaries
Meta Data
total
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
Net revenues
-
-
-
-
-
Cost of revenues
-
-
-
-
-
Gross profit
-
-
-
-
-
Operating expenses
-
-
-
(62,602 )
(62,602 )
Income (loss) from operations
-
-
-
(62,602 )
(62,602 )
Other expenses
-
-
-
(47,312 )
(47,312 )
Income (loss) before income taxes
-
-
-
(109,914 )
(109,914 )
Provision for income taxes
-
-
-
-
-
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
-
-
-
(109,914 )
(109,914 )
Net income (loss) from discontinuing operations
(2,442 )
(165,383 )
(4,747,755 )
-
(4,915,580 )
The condensed consolidating table below
disaggregated the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of the Company into Meta Data, the VIEs and their subsidiaries, the WFOE that
is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs and an aggregation of other entities that are consolidated for the financial years ended August
30, 2021 and 2022.
For the years ended August 31, 2022
WFOE
Other
that is the
entities
primary
that are
beneficiary
VIEs and their
Consolidated
consolidated
of the VIE
subsidiaries
Meta Data
total
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations
200,902
-
-
(253,029 )
(52,127 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from discontinuing operations
-
(53,524 )
(196,293 )
-
(249,817 )
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations
-
58,965
58,965
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinuing operations
20,750
-
20,750
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations
-
-
-
211,361
211,361
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from discontinuing operations
-
-
(55,110 )
-
(55,110 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and restricted cash from continuing operations
-
-
-
(54,983 )
(54,983 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and restricted cash from discontinuing operations
-
-
49,622
-
49,622
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash
200,902
(53,524 )
(181,031 )
(37,686 )
(71,339 )
Cash and restricted cash from continuing and discontinued operations, beginning of year
-
57,926
287,521
39,196
384,643
Cash and restricted cash from continuing and discontinued operations, end of year
200,902
4,402
106,490
1,510
313,304
4
For the years ended August 31, 2021
WFOE
Other
that is the
entities
primary
that are
beneficiary
VIEs and their
Consolidated
consolidated
of the VIE
subsidiaries
Meta Data
total
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
RMB
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations
-
-
-
(54,033 )
(54,033 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from discontinuing operations
(1,167 )
29,266
164,277
-
192,376
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations
-
-
-
219,010
219,010
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinuing operations
-
15
(366,972 )
-
(366,957 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations
-
-
-
(483,965 )
(483,965 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from discontinuing operations
-
-
(451,225 )
-
(451,225 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and restricted cash from continuing operations
-
-
-
(15,848 )
(15,848 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and restricted cash from discontinuing operations
-
-
-
-
-
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash
(1,167 )
29,281
(653,920 )
(334,836 )
(960,642 )
Cash and restricted cash from continuing and discontinued operations, beginning of year
11,677
28,645
930,931
374,032
1,345,285
Cash and restricted cash from continuing and discontinued operations, end of year
10,510
57,926
277,011
39,196
384,643
Cash is transferred within the Company through
the banking system in PRC. Under the VIE agreements, the Company intends to distribute all or part of VIEs’ earnings after eliminating
VIEs’ accumulated losses and making appropriation of VIEs’ after-tax net income into the statutory surplus reserve based on
at least 10% of the after-tax net income determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the PRC. When there
are retained earnings available for distribution, the distribution of VIEs’ earnings will be through payment of service fees to
Meta Data, such service fee is subject to 6% value-added sales tax, other taxes of 12% which calculation is based on 6% value-added taxes.
Under the VIE agreements, when there is a change of shareholder in VIEs, amount owed by VIEs to the Company should be first settled. Cash
transfers were mainly for the purpose of providing working capital between Meta Data and its subsidiaries, VIEs and its subsidiaries and
WFOE that is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs.
Dividends, Distributions
or Transfers Made to our Company and U.S. Investors and Tax Consequences
Under the Cayman
Islands law, we are permitted to provide funding to our subsidiaries through loans or capital contributions without restrictions on the
amount of the funds, and we are permitted to pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium amount, provided that in no circumstances
may a dividend be paid if this would result in us being unable to pay our debts due in the ordinary course of business.
Meta HK is permitted
under the laws of Hong Kong to provide funding to Meta Data, the holding company incorporated in Cayman Islands through dividend distribution
without restrictions on the amount of the funds. Both Meta Data and Meta HK currently intend to retain all available funds and future
earnings, if any, for the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any dividends in the foreseeable
future. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors after considering
our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, contractual requirements, business prospects and ot