|
| EntrepreneurShares Series Trust™ |
| ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF |
| (ENTR) |
| ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF |
| (ERSX) |
| The Funds are exchange-traded funds. This means that shares of the Funds are listed on NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca”) and trade at market prices. The market price for each Fund’s shares may be different from its net asset value per share (“NAV”). |
| Semi-Annual Report |
| December 31, 2022 |
| 175 Federal Street |
| Suite 875 |
| Boston, MA 02110 |
| Toll Free: 877-271-8811 |
| Fund Holdings (Unaudited) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF
| Schedule of Investments Summary Table(1) |
| as of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| Sector | % of Net Assets | |||
| Communications | 14.49 | % | ||
| Consumer Discretionary | 7.26 | % | ||
| Consumer Staples | 0.82 | % | ||
| Energy | 1.35 | % | ||
| Financials | 3.15 | % | ||
| Health Care | 11.60 | % | ||
| Industrials | 3.47 | % | ||
| Materials | 3.23 | % | ||
| Real Estate | 0.90 | % | ||
| Technology | 50.98 | % | ||
| Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities | 2.75 | % | ||
| 100.00 | % | |||
| Top Ten Equity Holdings(1)(2) |
| as of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| Issuer | % of Net Assets | |||
| NVIDIA Corp. | 3.97 | % | ||
| Qualcomm, Inc. | 2.98 | % | ||
| Alphabet, Inc. - Class A | 2.87 | % | ||
| Synopsys, Inc. | 2.55 | % | ||
| Ubiquiti, Inc. | 2.31 | % | ||
| Steel Dynamics, Inc. | 2.24 | % | ||
| Twilio, Inc. - Class A | 2.06 | % | ||
| Oracle Corp. | 2.01 | % | ||
| Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A | 2.00 | % | ||
| EPAM Systems, Inc. | 1.95 | % | ||
| (1) | Fund holdings and sector allocations are subject to change at any time and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security. |
| (2) | Short-term investments are not included. |
1
| Fund Holdings (Unaudited) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF
| Schedule of Investments Summary Table(1) |
| as of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| Sector | % of Net Assets | |||
| Communications | 9.53 | % | ||
| Consumer Discretionary | 11.87 | % | ||
| Consumer Staples | 6.47 | % | ||
| Energy | 3.36 | % | ||
| Financials | 7.75 | % | ||
| Health Care | 15.96 | % | ||
| Industrials | 4.42 | % | ||
| Information Technology | 0.75 | % | ||
| Materials | 4.13 | % | ||
| Real Estate | 4.35 | % | ||
| Technology | 24.80 | % | ||
| Utilities | 0.80 | % | ||
| Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities | 5.81 | % | ||
| 100.00 | % | |||
| Top Ten Equity Holdings(1)(2) |
| as of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| Issuer | % of Net Assets | |||
| Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. | 2.18 | % | ||
| carsales.com, Ltd. | 1.88 | % | ||
| Wilmar International Ltd. | 1.56 | % | ||
| Inter Parfums, Inc. | 1.52 | % | ||
| Entain plc | 1.45 | % | ||
| Merit Medical Systems, Inc. | 1.31 | % | ||
| SEEK Ltd. | 1.30 | % | ||
| HUB24 Ltd. | 1.28 | % | ||
| Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. | 1.25 | % | ||
| FirstService Corp. | 1.25 | % | ||
| (1) | Fund holdings and sector allocations are subject to change at any time and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security. |
| (2) | Short-term investments are not included. |
2
| ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF |
| Schedule of Investments |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks — 97.25% | ||||||||
| Communications — 14.49% | ||||||||
| Airbnb, Inc., Class A(a) | 2,917 | $ | 249,404 | |||||
| Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a) | 9,072 | 800,422 | ||||||
| AppLovin Corp.(a) | 15,345 | 161,583 | ||||||
| Bilibili, Inc. - ADR(a) | 3,139 | 74,363 | ||||||
| DoorDash, Inc., Class A(a) | 4,050 | 197,721 | ||||||
| Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a) | 4,640 | 558,378 | ||||||
| Netflix, Inc. (a) | 711 | 209,660 | ||||||
| Playtika Holding, Corp.(a) | 26,813 | 228,179 | ||||||
| Roblox Corp., Class A(a) | 4,955 | 141,019 | ||||||
| Roku, Inc.(a) | 5,656 | 230,199 | ||||||
| Shopify, Inc., Class A(a) | 3,220 | 111,766 | ||||||
| Shutterstock, Inc. | 5,683 | 299,608 | ||||||
| Snap, Inc., Class A(a) | 18,957 | 169,665 | ||||||
| Spotify Technology SA(a) | 2,697 | 212,928 | ||||||
| Trade Desk, Inc. (The), Class A(a) | 5,974 | 267,814 | ||||||
| ZoomInfo Technologies, Inc., Class A(a) | 4,078 | 122,789 | ||||||
| 4,035,498 | ||||||||
| Consumer Discretionary — 7.26% | ||||||||
| Amazon.com, Inc.(a) | 1,920 | 161,280 | ||||||
| Chewy, Inc.(a) | 5,872 | 217,734 | ||||||
| Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.(a) | 299 | 414,859 | ||||||
| Copart, Inc.(a) | 3,813 | 232,174 | ||||||
| DraftKings, Inc., Class A(a) | 16,061 | 182,935 | ||||||
| Etsy, Inc.(a) | 2,020 | 241,955 | ||||||
| MercadoLibre, Inc.(a) | 162 | 137,091 | ||||||
| RH(a) | 471 | 125,846 | ||||||
| Tesla, Inc.(a) | 998 | 122,934 | ||||||
| Wayfair, Inc., Class A(a) | 5,649 | 185,796 | ||||||
| 2,022,604 | ||||||||
| Consumer Staples — 0.82% | ||||||||
| Five Below, Inc.(a) | 1,284 | 227,101 | ||||||
| Energy — 1.35% | ||||||||
| Chevron Corp. | 977 | 175,362 | ||||||
| Enphase Energy, Inc.(a) | 757 | 200,574 | ||||||
| 375,936 | ||||||||
| Financials — 3.15% | ||||||||
| Ares Management Corp., Class A | 6,079 | 416,047 | ||||||
| Blackstone Group L.P. (The), Class A | 691 | 51,265 | ||||||
| Capital One Financial Corp. | 1,956 | 181,830 | ||||||
| First Republic Bank | 1,134 | 138,223 | ||||||
| Icahn Enterprises, L.P. | 122 | 6,179 | ||||||
| Robinhood Markets, Inc., Class A(a) | 10,313 | 83,948 | ||||||
| 877,492 | ||||||||
| Health Care — 11.60% | ||||||||
| 10X Genomics, Inc., Class A(a) | 5,650 | 205,886 | ||||||
| BeiGene Ltd. - ADR(a) | 474 | 104,251 | ||||||
| CRISPR Therapeutics AG(a) | 1,725 | 70,121 | ||||||
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.
3
| ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF |
| Schedule of Investments (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks — 97.25% (continued) | ||||||||
| Health Care — 11.60% (continued) | ||||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 1,571 | $ | 416,975 | |||||
| Exact Sciences Corp.(a) | 3,457 | 171,156 | ||||||
| Exelixis, Inc.(a) | 24,519 | 393,285 | ||||||
| Masimo Corp.(a) | 1,777 | 262,907 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | 450 | 324,671 | ||||||
| ResMed, Inc. | 2,179 | 453,515 | ||||||
| Royalty Pharma PLC, Class A | 6,153 | 243,167 | ||||||
| Seagen, Inc.(a) | 3,241 | 416,500 | ||||||
| Teladoc Health, Inc.(a) | 7,248 | 171,415 | ||||||
| 3,233,849 | ||||||||
| Industrials — 3.47% | ||||||||
| Cintas Corp. | 1,188 | 536,524 | ||||||
| Cognex Corp. | 9,142 | 430,680 | ||||||
| 967,204 | ||||||||
| Materials — 3.23% | ||||||||
| Franco-Nevada Corp. | 2,024 | 276,236 | ||||||
| Steel Dynamics, Inc. | 6,379 | 623,228 | ||||||
| 899,464 | ||||||||
| Real Estate — 0.90% | ||||||||
| Public Storage | 892 | 249,929 | ||||||
| Technology — 50.98% | ||||||||
| Affirm Holdings, Inc. (a) | 8,977 | 86,808 | ||||||
| Alteryx, Inc., Class A(a) | 2,335 | 118,314 | ||||||
| Arista Networks, Inc.(a) | 3,399 | 412,469 | ||||||
| Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A(a) | 1,382 | 177,836 | ||||||
| Bentley Systems, Inc. | 9,350 | 345,576 | ||||||
| Bill.com Holdings, Inc.(a) | 1,460 | 159,082 | ||||||
| Block, Inc., Class A(a) | 4,599 | 289,001 | ||||||
| Cloudflare, Inc., Class A (a) | 5,894 | 266,468 | ||||||
| CoStar Group, Inc.(a) | 5,266 | 406,956 | ||||||
| Coupa Software, Inc.(a) | 1,997 | 158,102 | ||||||
| Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A(a) | 1,968 | 207,211 | ||||||
| Datadog, Inc.(a) | 2,952 | 216,972 | ||||||
| Dropbox, Inc., Class A(a) | 5,905 | 132,154 | ||||||
| EPAM Systems, Inc.(a) | 1,661 | 544,376 | ||||||
| FleetCor Technologies, Inc.(a) | 1,885 | 346,237 | ||||||
| Fortinet, Inc.(a) | 7,975 | 389,898 | ||||||
| GitLab, Inc.(a) | 3,984 | 181,033 | ||||||
| HubSpot, Inc.(a) | 329 | 95,124 | ||||||
| MongoDB, Inc.(a) | 1,479 | 291,126 | ||||||
| Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. | 951 | 336,283 | ||||||
| NVIDIA Corp. | 7,571 | 1,106,426 | ||||||
| Okta, Inc.(a) | 4,010 | 274,003 | ||||||
| Oracle Corp. | 6,847 | 559,674 | ||||||
| Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(a) | 2,859 | 398,945 | ||||||
| Paycom Software, Inc.(a) | 954 | 296,036 | ||||||
| Pure Storage, Inc., Class A(a) | 13,915 | 372,365 | ||||||
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.
4
| ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF |
| Schedule of Investments (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| Common Stocks — 97.25% (continued) | Shares | Fair Value | ||||||
| Technology — 50.98% (continued) | ||||||||
| Qualcomm, Inc. | 7,541 | $ | 829,058 | |||||
| RingCentral, Inc., Class A(a) | 4,837 | 171,230 | ||||||
| Salesforce.com, Inc.(a) | 3,162 | 419,250 | ||||||
| Snowflake, Inc. (a) | 2,445 | 350,955 | ||||||
| Synopsys, Inc.(a) | 2,221 | 709,144 | ||||||
| Toast, Inc., Class A(a) | 14,003 | 252,474 | ||||||
| Twilio, Inc., Class A(a) | 11,736 | 574,595 | ||||||
| Ubiquiti, Inc. | 2,357 | 644,710 | ||||||
| UiPath, Inc., Class A(a) | 12,297 | 156,295 | ||||||
| Unity Software, Inc.(a) | 6,452 | 184,463 | ||||||
| Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A(a) | 2,530 | 408,291 | ||||||
| VMware, Inc., Class A(a) | 2,657 | 326,173 | ||||||
| Wolfspeed, Inc.(a) | 5,202 | 359,146 | ||||||
| Workday, Inc., Class A(a) | 1,271 | 212,676 | ||||||
| Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A(a) | 2,637 | 178,630 | ||||||
| Zscaler, Inc.(a) | 2,321 | 259,720 | ||||||
| 14,205,285 | ||||||||
| Total Common Stocks | ||||||||
| (Cost $29,273,603) | 27,094,362 | |||||||
| Total Investments — 97.25% | ||||||||
| (Cost $29,273,603) | 27,094,362 | |||||||
| Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 2.75% | 766,258 | |||||||
| Net Assets — 100.00% | $ | 27,860,620 | ||||||
| (a) | Non-income producing security. |
ADR - American Depositary Receipt.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.
5
| ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF |
| Schedule of Investments |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks — 94.19% | ||||||||
| Australia — 9.55% | ||||||||
| Communications — 3.17% | ||||||||
| carsales.com, Ltd. | 27,265 | $ | 383,649 | |||||
| SEEK Ltd. | 18,607 | 264,504 | ||||||
| 648,153 | ||||||||
| Consumer Discretionary — 1.56% | ||||||||
| Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd.(a) | 16,222 | 158,746 | ||||||
| Harvey Norman Holdings, Ltd. | 56,672 | 158,779 | ||||||
| 317,525 | ||||||||
| Health Care — 2.18% | ||||||||
| Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd.(a) | 90,361 | 446,202 | ||||||
| Materials — 0.63% | ||||||||
| Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. | 9,173 | 128,200 | ||||||
| Technology — 2.01% | ||||||||
| HUB24 Ltd. | 14,576 | 260,483 | ||||||
| WiseTech Global Ltd. | 4,381 | 150,658 | ||||||
| 411,141 | ||||||||
| Total Australia | 1,951,221 | |||||||
| Belgium — 0.30% | ||||||||
| Technology — 0.30% | ||||||||
| Materialise NV - ADR(a) | 6,985 | 61,468 | ||||||
| Total Belgium | 61,468 | |||||||
| Bermuda — 3.10% | ||||||||
| Consumer Discretionary — 0.44% | ||||||||
| Luk Fook Holdings International Ltd. | 30,012 | 89,028 | ||||||
| Financials — 1.21% | ||||||||
| Enstar Group, Ltd.(a) | 1,073 | 247,906 | ||||||
| Materials — 0.75% | ||||||||
| Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Ltd. | 169,086 | 153,720 | ||||||
| Technology — 0.70% | ||||||||
| Skyworth Group Ltd. | 336,000 | 143,411 | ||||||
| Total Bermuda | 634,065 | |||||||
| Canada — 12.15% | ||||||||
| Consumer Discretionary — 3.01% | ||||||||
| Aritzia, Inc.(a) | 5,962 | 208,502 | ||||||
| Gildan Activewear, Inc. | 6,841 | 187,351 | ||||||
| Linamar Corp. | 2,925 | 132,429 | ||||||
| Spin Master Corp.(a) | 3,520 | 86,625 | ||||||
| 614,907 | ||||||||
| Energy — 0.43% | ||||||||
| Vermilion Energy, Inc. | 4,959 | 87,774 | ||||||
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.
6
| ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF |
| Schedule of Investments (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks — 94.19% (continued) | ||||||||
| Canada — 12.15% (continued) | ||||||||
| Financials — 2.51% | ||||||||
| Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. | 431 | $ | 255,321 | |||||
| First National Financial Corp. | 5,610 | 150,904 | ||||||
| Onex Corp. | 2,186 | 105,413 | ||||||
| 511,638 | ||||||||
| Industrials — 0.75% | ||||||||
| GFL Environmental, Inc. | 5,257 | 153,662 | ||||||
| Materials — 2.18% | ||||||||
| Cascades, Inc. | 13,517 | 84,459 | ||||||
| First Majestic Silver Corp. | 5,841 | 48,662 | ||||||
| First Quantum Minerals Ltd. | 3,121 | 65,211 | ||||||
| Franco-Nevada Corp. | 589 | 80,388 | ||||||
| Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.(a) | 5,953 | 47,045 | ||||||
| Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp. | 2,046 | 28,334 | ||||||
| West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. | 1,262 | 91,230 | ||||||
| 445,329 | ||||||||
| Real Estate — 3.27% | ||||||||
| Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust | 12,018 | 227,232 | ||||||
| Colliers International Group, Inc. | 672 | 61,851 | ||||||
| FirstService Corp. | 2,080 | 254,726 | ||||||
| Tricon Residential, Inc. | 15,805 | 121,869 | ||||||
| 665,678 | ||||||||
| Total Canada | 2,478,988 | |||||||
| Cayman Islands — 5.19% | ||||||||
| Communications — 0.61% | ||||||||
| Vnet Group, Inc. - ADR(a) | 21,901 | 124,179 | ||||||
| Consumer Discretionary — 1.54% | ||||||||
| NagaCorp Ltd.(a) | 213,771 | 187,837 | ||||||
| Yadea Group Holdings Ltd. | 75,829 | 126,252 | ||||||
| 314,089 | ||||||||
| Financials — 1.67% | ||||||||
| FinVolution Group - ADR | 35,987 | 178,495 | ||||||
| Noah Holdings Ltd. - ADR(a) | 4,704 | 72,912 | ||||||
| Value Partners Group Ltd. | 243,510 | 89,431 | ||||||
| 340,838 | ||||||||
| Materials — 0.57% | ||||||||
| Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd. | 264,957 | 116,185 | ||||||
| Utilities — 0.80% | ||||||||
| Tian Lun Gas Holdings Ltd. | 329,390 | 164,105 | ||||||
| Total Cayman Islands | 1,059,396 | |||||||
| China — 5.29% | ||||||||
| Communications — 1.16% | ||||||||
| Bilibili, Inc. - ADR(a) | 4,903 | 116,152 | ||||||
| Weimob, Inc.(a) | 143,390 | 121,026 | ||||||
| 237,178 | ||||||||
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.
7
| ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF |
| Schedule of Investments (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks — 94.19% (continued) | ||||||||
| China — 5.29% (continued) | ||||||||
| Consumer Discretionary — 1.01% | ||||||||
| JD.com, Inc. - ADR | 1,290 | $ | 72,408 | |||||
| NIU Technologies - ADR(a) | 18,612 | 97,340 | ||||||
| XPeng, Inc. - ADR(a) | 3,791 | 37,683 | ||||||
| 207,431 | ||||||||
| Energy — 0.68% | ||||||||
| Daqo New Energy Corp. - ADR(a) | 1,646 | 63,552 | ||||||
| JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. - ADR(a) | 1,829 | 74,770 | ||||||
| 138,322 | ||||||||
| Financials — 0.41% | ||||||||
| Futu Holdings Ltd. - ADR(a) | 2,040 | 82,926 | ||||||
| Health Care — 1.05% | ||||||||
| BeiGene Ltd. - ADR(a) | 974 | 214,221 | ||||||
| Technology — 0.98% | ||||||||
| Kingdee International Software Group Co., Ltd.(a) | 94,380 | 200,281 | ||||||
| Total China | 1,080,359 | |||||||
| Denmark — 0.53% | ||||||||
| Technology — 0.53% | ||||||||
| Netcompany Group A/S(a) | 2,560 | 108,950 | ||||||
| Total Denmark | 108,950 | |||||||
| France — 0.17% | ||||||||
| Communications — 0.17% | ||||||||
| Ubisoft Entertainment S.A.(a) | 1,259 | 35,579 | ||||||
| Total France | 35,579 | |||||||
| Germany — 0.39% | ||||||||
| Energy — 0.39% | ||||||||
| VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG | 1,217 | 78,925 | ||||||
| Total Germany | 78,925 | |||||||
| Ireland — 1.10% | ||||||||
| Health Care — 1.10% | ||||||||
| Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC(a) | 1,412 | 224,946 | ||||||
| Total Ireland | 224,946 | |||||||
| Isle Of Man — 1.45% | ||||||||
| Consumer Discretionary — 1.45% | ||||||||
| Entain PLC | 18,551 | 295,406 | ||||||
| Total Isle Of Man | 295,406 | |||||||
| Israel — 4.12% | ||||||||
| Communications — 0.94% | ||||||||
| Fiverr International Ltd.(a) | 1,589 | 46,303 | ||||||
| Wix.com Ltd.(a) | 1,884 | 144,748 | ||||||
| 191,051 | ||||||||
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.
8
| ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF |
| Schedule of Investments (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks — 94.19% (continued) | ||||||||
| Israel — 4.12% (continued) | ||||||||
| Energy — 0.69% | ||||||||
| SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.(a) | 496 | $ | 140,502 | |||||
| Technology — 2.49% | ||||||||
| Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.(a) | 1,137 | 143,445 | ||||||
| JFrog Ltd(a) | 5,898 | 125,804 | ||||||
| Radware Ltd.(a) | 12,183 | 240,614 | ||||||
| 509,863 | ||||||||
| Total Israel | 841,416 | |||||||
| Japan — 3.23% | ||||||||
| Industrials — 1.26% | ||||||||
| S-Pool, Inc. | 29,088 | 190,079 | ||||||
| VisasQ, Inc.(a) | 6,809 | 67,838 | ||||||
| 257,917 | ||||||||
| Technology — 1.97% | ||||||||
| GMO Payment Gateway, Inc. | 1,283 | 106,086 | ||||||
| Rorze Corp. | 1,642 | 87,688 | ||||||
| SHIFT, Inc.(a) | 1,186 | 208,737 | ||||||
| 402,511 | ||||||||
| Total Japan | 660,428 | |||||||
| Jersey — 0.93% | ||||||||
| Communications — 0.93% | ||||||||
| Gambling.com Group Ltd.(a) | 20,864 | 190,906 | ||||||
| Total Jersey | 190,906 | |||||||
| Singapore — 3.75% | ||||||||
| Consumer Discretionary — 0.84% | ||||||||
| Best World International, Ltd.(a) | 128,500 | 170,770 | ||||||
| Consumer Staples — 2.32% | ||||||||
| Olam Group Ltd. | 143,707 | 156,819 | ||||||
| Wilmar International Ltd. | 102,048 | 317,918 | ||||||
| 474,737 | ||||||||
| Technology — 0.59% | ||||||||
| UMS Holdings Ltd. | 137,742 | 121,337 | ||||||
| Total Singapore | 766,844 | |||||||
| South Africa — 1.18% | ||||||||
| Consumer Staples — 1.18% | ||||||||
| Shoprite Holdings Ltd. | 18,185 | 241,043 | ||||||
| Total South Africa | 241,043 | |||||||
| Spain — 0.42% | ||||||||
| Industrials — 0.42% | ||||||||
| Sacyr S.A. | 30,636 | 85,153 | ||||||
| Total Spain | 85,153 | |||||||
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.
9
| ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF |
| Schedule of Investments (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks — 94.19% (continued) | ||||||||
| Sweden — 5.48% | ||||||||
| Communications — 0.46% | ||||||||
| Embracer Group A.B.(a) | 20,629 | $ | 93,666 | |||||
| Consumer Discretionary — 0.76% | ||||||||
| Evolution Gaming Group A.B. | 1,594 | 155,282 | ||||||
| Financials — 1.13% | ||||||||
| Avanza Bank Holding A.B. | 2,861 | 61,404 | ||||||
| Nordnet A.B., Class A | 11,747 | 170,128 | ||||||
| 231,532 | ||||||||
| Health Care — 1.24% | ||||||||
| Cellavision A.B. | 6,850 | 150,479 | ||||||
| Sectra A.B. | 7,073 | 101,150 | ||||||
| 251,629 | ||||||||
| Industrials — 0.56% | ||||||||
| HMS Networks A.B. | 1,701 | 55,407 | ||||||
| Instalco A.B. | 15,586 | 59,302 | ||||||
| 114,709 | ||||||||
| Real Estate — 1.08% | ||||||||
| Fabege A.B. | 17,024 | 144,806 | ||||||
| Neobo Fastigheter A.B.(a) | 4,135 | 6,887 | ||||||
| Samhallsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden A.B. | 41,345 | 68,963 | ||||||
| 220,656 | ||||||||
| Technology — 0.25% | ||||||||
| Sinch A.B.(a) | 13,933 | 51,355 | ||||||
| Total Sweden | 1,118,829 | |||||||
| Switzerland — 1.74% | ||||||||
| Health Care — 1.21% | ||||||||
| CRISPR Therapeutics AG(a) | 1,688 | 68,617 | ||||||
| Medacta Group S.A. | 1,604 | 179,074 | ||||||
| 247,691 | ||||||||
| Technology — 0.53% | ||||||||
| Sensirion Holding AG(a) | 1,018 | 108,294 | ||||||
| Total Switzerland | 355,985 | |||||||
| United Kingdom — 2.79% | ||||||||
| Communications — 1.17% | ||||||||
| Frontier Developments PLC(a) | 12,656 | 147,327 | ||||||
| Future PLC | 4,093 | 62,383 | ||||||
| S4 Capital PLC(a) | 12,584 | 28,771 | ||||||
| 238,481 | ||||||||
| Consumer Discretionary — 0.78% | ||||||||
| Frasers Group PLC(a) | 18,745 | 160,695 | ||||||
| Health Care — 0.64% | ||||||||
| Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC | 6,978 | 130,033 | ||||||
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.
10
| ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF |
| Schedule of Investments (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks — 94.19% (continued) | ||||||||
| United Kingdom — 2.79% (continued) | ||||||||
| Technology — 0.20% | ||||||||
| Computacenter PLC | 1,782 | $ | 41,380 | |||||
| Total United Kingdom | 570,589 | |||||||
| United States — 30.68% | ||||||||
| Communications — 0.92% | ||||||||
| Cardlytics, Inc.(a) | 10,391 | 60,060 | ||||||
| Playtika Holding, Corp.(a) | 15,065 | 128,203 | ||||||
| 188,263 | ||||||||
| Consumer Discretionary — 0.48% | ||||||||
| Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A(a) | 2,335 | 97,953 | ||||||
| Consumer Staples — 2.32% | ||||||||
| e.l.f. Beauty, Inc.(a) | 2,980 | 164,794 | ||||||
| Inter Parfums, Inc. | 3,209 | 309,733 | ||||||
| 474,527 | ||||||||
| Energy — 1.17% | ||||||||
| Ameresco, Inc., Class A(a) | 1,668 | 95,310 | ||||||
| Antero Resources Corp.(a) | 4,630 | 143,484 | ||||||
| 238,794 | ||||||||
| Financials — 0.82% | ||||||||
| Palomar Holdings, Inc.(a) | 2,009 | 90,726 | ||||||
| Signature Bank | 667 | 76,852 | ||||||
| 167,578 | ||||||||
| Health Care — 8.54% | ||||||||
| Allogene Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | 8,121 | 51,081 | ||||||
| Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | 4,766 | 133,543 | ||||||
| Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | 6,119 | 248,187 | ||||||
| Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | 10,549 | 196,211 | ||||||
| Exelixis, Inc.(a) | 4,165 | 66,807 | ||||||
| Masimo Corp.(a) | 1,523 | 225,328 | ||||||
| Merit Medical Systems, Inc.(a) | 3,795 | 268,002 | ||||||
| Select Medical Holdings Corp. | 7,414 | 184,090 | ||||||
| ShockWave Medical, Inc.(a) | 1,171 | 240,769 | ||||||
| Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | 3,641 | 129,874 | ||||||
| 1,743,892 | ||||||||
| Industrials — 1.43% | ||||||||
| Cognex Corp. | 3,322 | 156,499 | ||||||
| Titan Machinery, Inc.(a) | 3,378 | 134,208 | ||||||
| 290,707 | ||||||||
| Information Technology — 0.75% | ||||||||
| ExlService Holdings, Inc.(a) | 899 | 152,318 | ||||||
| Technology — 14.25% | ||||||||
| Altair Engineering, Inc., Class A(a) | 3,560 | 161,873 | ||||||
| Appfolio, Inc., Class A(a) | 1,681 | 177,144 | ||||||
| Box, Inc., Class A(a) | 3,330 | 103,663 | ||||||
| Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A(a) | 392 | 41,274 | ||||||
| CS Disco, Inc.(a) | 20,972 | 132,543 | ||||||
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.
11
| ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF |
| Schedule of Investments (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks — 94.19% (continued) | ||||||||
| United States — 30.68% (continued) | ||||||||
| Technology — 14.25% (continued) | ||||||||
| Dropbox, Inc., Class A(a) | 8,185 | $ | 183,180 | |||||
| Fastly, Inc.(a) | 16,206 | 132,727 | ||||||
| Fortinet, Inc.(a) | 1,843 | 90,104 | ||||||
| MaxLinear, Inc.(a) | 6,084 | 206,552 | ||||||
| PagerDuty, Inc.(a) | 7,946 | 211,047 | ||||||
| Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(a) | 434 | 60,560 | ||||||
| PubMatic, Inc.(a) | 6,287 | 80,536 | ||||||
| Pure Storage, Inc., Class A(a) | 4,199 | 112,365 | ||||||
| R1 RCM, Inc.(a) | 13,632 | 149,270 | ||||||
| Rapid7, Inc.(a) | 2,591 | 88,042 | ||||||
| Repay Holdings Corp.(a) | 22,205 | 178,750 | ||||||
| Simulations Plus, Inc. | 2,116 | 77,382 | ||||||
| Super Micro Computer, Inc.(a) | 2,504 | 205,578 | ||||||
| TaskUs, Inc.(a) | 4,588 | 77,537 | ||||||
| Tenable Holdings, Inc.(a) | 2,269 | 86,562 | ||||||
| TTEC Holdings, Inc. | 2,497 | 110,193 | ||||||
| Unity Software, Inc.(a) | 6,656 | 190,296 | ||||||
| Zscaler, Inc.(a) | 462 | 51,698 | ||||||
| 2,908,876 | ||||||||
| Total United States | 6,262,908 | |||||||
| Virgin Islands British — 0.65% | ||||||||
| Consumer Staples — 0.65% | ||||||||
| Nomad Foods Ltd.(a) | 7,757 | 133,731 | ||||||
| Total Virgin Islands British | 133,731 | |||||||
| Total Common Stocks | ||||||||
| (Cost $21,589,045) | 19,237,135 | |||||||
| Total Investments — 94.19% | ||||||||
| (Cost $21,589,045) | 19,237,135 | |||||||
| Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 5.81% | 1,186,118 | |||||||
| Net Assets — 100.00% | $ | 20,423,253 | ||||||
| (a) | Non-income producing security. |
ADR - American Depositary Receipt.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.
12
| EntrepreneurShares Series Trust |
| Statements of Assets and Liabilities |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| ERShares | ||||||||
| ERShares | NextGen | |||||||
| Entrepreneurs | Entrepreneurs | |||||||
| ETF | ETF | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Investments, at cost | $ | 29,273,603 | $ | 21,589,045 | ||||
| Investments, at fair value | 27,094,362 | 19,237,135 | ||||||
| Cash | 767,963 | 586,403 | ||||||
| Foreign currencies, at value (cost $3,708 and $612,491) | 3,708 | 595,863 | ||||||
| Dividends and interest receivable | 6,627 | 8,334 | ||||||
| Tax reclaims receivable | — | 8,723 | ||||||
| Total Assets | 27,872,660 | 20,436,458 | ||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||
| Unified fee | 12,040 | 13,205 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities | 12,040 | 13,205 | ||||||
| Net Assets | $ | 27,860,620 | $ | 20,423,253 | ||||
| Net Assets consist of: | ||||||||
| Paid-in capital | $ | 57,712,905 | $ | 30,927,522 | ||||
| Accumulated deficit | (29,852,285 | ) | (10,504,269 | ) | ||||
| Net Assets | $ | 27,860,620 | $ | 20,423,253 | ||||
| Net Assets | $ | 27,860,620 | $ | 20,423,253 | ||||
| Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) | 3,125,000 | 1,680,000 | ||||||
| Net asset value (offering and redemption price per share) | $ | 8.92 | $ | 12.16 | ||||
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.
13
| EntrepreneurShares Series Trust |
| Statements of Operations |
| For the period ended December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| ERShares | ||||||||
| ERShares | NextGen | |||||||
| Entrepreneurs | Entrepreneurs | |||||||
| ETF | ETF | |||||||
| Investment Income | ||||||||
| Dividend income (net of foreign taxes withheld of $325 and $17,639) | $ | 82,274 | $ | 87,943 | ||||
| Interest income | 21,251 | 13,369 | ||||||
| Total investment income | 103,525 | 101,312 | ||||||
| Expenses | ||||||||
| Unified fee | 76,610 | 78,266 | ||||||
| Total expenses | 76,610 | 78,266 | ||||||
| Net investment income | 26,915 | 23,046 | ||||||
| Net Realized and Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on | ||||||||
| Investments | ||||||||
| Net realized gain (loss) on: | ||||||||
| Investments | (1,396,588 | ) | (846,733 | ) | ||||
| Foreign currency transactions | — | (6,876 | ) | |||||
| Net realized loss | (1,396,588 | ) | (853,609 | ) | ||||
| Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | ||||||||
| Investments | (309,674 | ) | 196,799 | |||||
| Foreign currency translations | — | 8,151 | ||||||
| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (309,674 | ) | 204,950 | |||||
| Net realized and change in unrealized loss on investments | (1,706,262 | ) | (648,659 | ) | ||||
| Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations | $ | (1,679,347 | ) | $ | (625,613 | ) | ||
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.
14
| EntrepreneurShares Series Trust |
| Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
| ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs | ||||||||||||||||
| ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF | ETF | |||||||||||||||
| For the Six | For the Six | |||||||||||||||
| Months Ended | For the Year | Months Ended | For the Year | |||||||||||||
| December 31, | Ended June 30, | December 31, | Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from: | ||||||||||||||||
| Operations: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income (loss) | $ | 26,915 | $ | (214,891 | ) | $ | 23,046 | $ | 76,718 | |||||||
| Net realized loss on investments, in-kind redemptions and foreign currency transactions | (1,396,588 | ) | (16,250,624 | ) | (853,609 | ) | (5,467,491 | ) | ||||||||
| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency translations | (309,674 | ) | (20,307,560 | ) | 204,950 | (8,151,242 | ) | |||||||||
| Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations | (1,679,347 | ) | (36,773,075 | ) | (625,613 | ) | (13,542,015 | ) | ||||||||
| Distributions to Shareholders: | ||||||||||||||||
| From earnings | — | (42,316,735 | ) | — | (7,092,944 | ) | ||||||||||
| Change in net assets from distributions | — | (42,316,735 | ) | — | (7,092,944 | ) | ||||||||||
| Capital Transactions: | ||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from shares issued | 500 | 6,049,089 | 256 | 693,417 | ||||||||||||
| Cost of shares redeemed | (759,678 | ) | (39,621,311 | ) | (642,129 | ) | (734,438 | ) | ||||||||
| Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital transactions | (759,178 | ) | (33,572,222 | ) | (641,873 | ) | (41,021 | ) | ||||||||
| Total Decrease in Net Assets | (2,438,525 | ) | (112,662,032 | ) | (1,267,486 | ) | (20,675,980 | ) | ||||||||
| Net Assets | ||||||||||||||||
| Beginning of period | 30,299,146 | 142,961,178 | 21,690,739 | 42,366,719 | ||||||||||||
| End of period | $ | 27,860,620 | $ | 30,299,146 | $ | 20,423,253 | $ | 21,690,739 | ||||||||
| Share Transactions | ||||||||||||||||
| Issued | — | 250,000 | — | 30,000 | ||||||||||||
| Redeemed | (75,000 | ) | (2,475,000 | ) | (50,000 | ) | (50,000 | ) | ||||||||
| Net decrease in shares outstanding | (75,000 | ) | (2,225,000 | ) | (50,000 | ) | (20,000 | ) | ||||||||
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.
15
| ERShares Entrepreneur ETF |
| Financial Highlights |
| (For a share outstanding during each period) |
| For the Six | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ended | For the | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| December | For the Year | For the Year | For the Year | For the Year | Period | |||||||||||||||||||
| 31, 2022 | Ended June | Ended June | Ended June | Ended June | Ended June | |||||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | 30, 2022 | 30, 2021 | 30, 2020 | 30, 2019 | 30, 2018(a) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Selected Per Share Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $ | 9.47 | $ | 26.35 | $ | 21.15 | $ | 17.49 | $ | 17.57 | $ | 15.00 | ||||||||||||
| Investment operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income (loss) | 0.01 | (0.13 | ) | (0.11 | ) | (0.01 | ) | 0.02 | 0.03 | |||||||||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (0.56 | ) | (8.03 | ) | 6.96 | 3.68 | 0.42 | 2.55 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total from investment operations | (0.55 | ) | (8.16 | ) | 6.85 | 3.67 | 0.44 | 2.58 | ||||||||||||||||
| Less distributions to shareholders from: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | — | (0.09 | ) | — | (0.01 | ) | (0.03 | ) | (0.01 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net realized gains | — | (8.63 | ) | (1.65 | ) | — | (0.49 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||
| Total distributions | — | (8.72 | ) | (1.65 | ) | (0.01 | ) | (0.52 | ) | (0.01 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Net asset value, end of period | $ | 8.92 | $ | 9.47 | $ | 26.35 | $ | 21.15 | $ | 17.49 | $ | 17.57 | ||||||||||||
| Market price, end of period | $ | 8.92 | $ | 9.43 | $ | 26.36 | $ | 21.15 | $ | 17.48 | $ | 17.63 | ||||||||||||
| Total Return(b) | (5.81 | )% (c) | (43.04 | )% | 32.01 | % | 21.03 | % | 3.14 | % | 17.43 | % (c) | ||||||||||||
| Ratios and Supplemental Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ | 27,861 | $ | 30,299 | $ | 142,961 | $ | 116,341 | $ | 76,956 | $ | 73,814 | ||||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Expenses to Net Assets(d) | 0.49 | % (e) | 0.49 | % | 0.49 | % | 0.49 | % | 0.49 | % | 0.49 | % (e) | ||||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets | 0.17 | % (e) | (0.24 | )% | (0.41 | )% | (0.05 | )% | 0.12 | % | 0.25 | % (e) | ||||||||||||
| Portfolio turnover rate | 40 | % (c) | 312 | % | 714 | % (f) | 130 | % (f) | 39 | % | 32 | % (c) | ||||||||||||
| (a) | For the period November 6, 2017 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2018. |
| (b) | Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
| (c) | Not annualized. |
| (d) | The Fund operates under a “Unified Fee” structure under which the Advisor pays substantially all of the expenses for the Fund. The Fund pays the Advisor the Unified Fee, an amount based on its average net assets, computed daily and paid monthly. The Fund pays the Advisor 0.49% of its net assets. |
| (e) | Annualized. |
| (f) | The Fund has experienced an unusual interest rate environment combined with volatile markets resulting from inflationary concerns. These two factors posed potential adverse effects to the Fund. Thus, the portfolio manager engaged in temporary defensive positions as well as positioned the Fund to take the best advantage of the environment it was facing. These two actions, combined with a reversion of the defensive positions, resulted in an increased turnover for the Fund. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.
16
| ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF |
| Financial Highlights |
| (For a share outstanding during each period) |
| For the Six | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Months | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Ended | For the | |||||||||||||||||||
| December | For the Year | For the Year | For the Year | Period | ||||||||||||||||
| 31, 2022 | Ended June | Ended June | Ended June | Ended June | ||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | 30, 2022 | 30, 2021 | 30, 2020 | 30, 2019(a) | ||||||||||||||||
| Selected Per Share Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $ | 12.54 | $ | 24.21 | $ | 16.83 | $ | 16.83 | $ | 15.00 | ||||||||||
| Investment operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income (loss) | 0.01 | 0.02 | (0.01 | ) | 0.08 | 0.14 | ||||||||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (0.39 | ) | (7.71 | ) | 7.50 | 0.19 | 1.69 | (b) | ||||||||||||
| Total from investment operations | (0.38 | ) | (7.69 | ) | 7.49 | 0.27 | 1.83 | |||||||||||||
| Less distributions to shareholders from: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | — | (0.83 | ) | (0.11 | ) | (0.27 | ) | — | ||||||||||||
| Net realized gains | — | (3.15 | ) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total distributions | — | (3.98 | ) | (0.11 | ) | (0.27 | ) | — | ||||||||||||
| Net asset value, end of period | $ | 12.16 | $ | 12.54 | $ | 24.21 | $ | 16.83 | $ | 16.83 | ||||||||||
| Market price, end of period | $ | 12.16 | $ | 12.49 | $ | 24.27 | $ | 16.79 | $ | 16.89 | ||||||||||
| Total Return(c) | (3.03 | )% (d) | (36.35 | )% | 44.58 | % | 1.55 | % | 12.22 | % (d) | ||||||||||
| Ratios and Supplemental Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $ | 20,423 | $ | 21,691 | $ | 42,367 | $ | 26,926 | $ | 22,723 | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Expenses to Net Assets(e) | 0.75 | % (f) | 0.75 | % | 0.75 | % | 0.75 | % | 0.75 | % (f) | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets | 0.22 | % (f) | 0.23 | % | (0.04 | )% | 0.64 | % | 3.99 | % (f) | ||||||||||
| Portfolio turnover rate | 32 | % (d) | 222 | % | 316 | % (g) | 139 | % | 138 | % (d) | ||||||||||
| (a) | For the period December 26, 2018 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2019. |
| (b) | The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period does not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in the portfolio of securities during the period due to the timing of sales and purchases of fund shares in relation to fluctuating market values during the period. |
| (c) | Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
| (d) | Not annualized. |
| (e) | The Fund operates under a “Unified Fee” structure under which the Advisor pays substantially all of the expenses for the Fund. The Fund pays the Advisor the Unified Fee, an amount based on its average net assets, computed daily and paid monthly. The Fund pays the Advisor 0.75% of its net assets. |
| (f) | Annualized. |
| (g) | The Fund has experienced an unusual interest rate environment combined with volatile markets resulting from inflationary concerns. These two factors posed potential adverse effects to the Fund. Thus, the portfolio manager engaged in temporary defensive positions as well as positioned the Fund to take the best advantage of the environment it was facing. These two actions, combined with a reversion of the defensive positions, resulted in an increased turnover for the Fund. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.
17
| EntrepreneurShares Series Trust |
| Notes to the Financial Statements |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
1. ORGANIZATION
EntrepreneurShares Series Trust™ (the “Trust”) was organized on July 1, 2010 as a Delaware statutory trust. The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) as an open-end management investment company and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust is comprised of five funds and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest for each fund (“Shares”). The accompanying financial statements are those of the ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF (previously known as ERShares Entrepreneur 30 ETF) and the ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF (previously known as ERShares Non-US Small Cap ETF) (individually referred to as a “Fund” or collectively as the “Funds”). The Funds are exchange-traded funds. The investment objective of the Funds is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The Funds’ prospectus provides a description of each Fund’s investment objectives, policies, and strategies. The Funds are non-diversified and therefore may invest a greater percentage of their assets in fewer issuers than a diversified Fund. The assets of the Funds are segregated and a shareholder’s interest is limited to the Fund in which shares are held.
Shares of the Funds are listed and traded on the NYSE Arca, Inc. Market prices for the Shares may be different from their NAV. Each Fund issues and redeems Shares on a continuous basis at NAV only in large blocks of Shares, of at least 25,000 Shares for the Entrepreneurs ETF and 10,000 Shares for the NextGen ETF, (“Creation Units”). Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in a specified universe. Once created, Shares generally trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day in amounts less than a Creation Unit.
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Board of Trustees (the “Board”) are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Funds. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Trust may enter into contracts with vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust. However, based on experience, the Trust expects that risk of loss to be remote.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by each Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Each Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 Financial Services – Investment
18
| EntrepreneurShares Series Trust |
| Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
Companies including Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-08. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
A. Investment Valuations
The Funds hold their investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be expected to be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described below.
Security values are ordinarily obtained through the use of independent pricing services in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. Pursuant to these procedures, the Funds may use a pricing service, bank, or broker-dealer experienced in such matters to value the Funds’ securities. When reliable market quotations are not readily available for any security, the fair value of that security will be determined by a committee established by the Board in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. The fair valuation process is designed to value the subject security at the price the Funds would reasonably expect to receive upon its current sale. Additional consideration is given to securities that have experienced a decrease in the volume or level of activity or to circumstances that indicate that a transaction is not orderly.
Equity securities traded on a securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price on the principal exchange. Equity securities quoted by NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. If there is no reported sale on the principal exchange, and in the case of over-the-counter securities, equity securities are valued at a bid price estimated by the security pricing service. In each of these situations, securities are typically categorized as Level 1 and Level 2, respectively in the fair value hierarchy.
In accordance with procedures adopted by the Board, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time the Funds’ net asset values are calculated. The Funds use fair value adjustment factors provided daily by an independent pricing vendor to value certain foreign equity securities in order to adjust for events that may occur between the close of foreign exchanges or markets and the close of the NYSE Arca. These securities are considered as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Most securities listed on a foreign exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange on which the security is primarily traded. In certain countries, market maker
19
| EntrepreneurShares Series Trust |
| Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
prices are used since they are the most representative of the daily trading activity. In the case of certain foreign exchanges, the closing price reported by the exchange (which may sometimes be referred to by the exchange or one or more pricing agents as the “official close” or the “official closing price” or other similar term) will be considered the most recent sale price. Securities not traded on a particular day are valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked quotes or the last sale price where appropriate; otherwise, fair value will be determined in accordance with fair value procedures approved by the Board.
The accounting records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the value of investments, assets and liabilities at the close of each business day. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Funds do not isolate the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.
The Funds may invest in American Depositary Receipts as well as other “hybrid” forms of depositary receipts, including Global Depositary Receipts. These depositary receipts are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer, and serve as an alternative to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. These certificates are issued by depository banks and generally trade on an established market in the United States or elsewhere. The underlying shares are held in trust by a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuer’s home country. Redeemable securities issued by open-end investment companies are valued at the last calculated net asset value, with the exception of securities issued by exchange-traded open-end investment companies, which are priced as equity securities as described above.
Income received by the Funds from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries, a portion of which may be reclaimable. The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes on capital gains on the sale of securities or foreign currency transactions. The Funds accrue foreign capital gains taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest. Such tax accrual is based in part on actual and estimated realized gains. Estimated realized gains are subject to change and such change could be material. However, management’s conclusions may be subject to future review and change based on changes in, or the interpretation of, the accounting standards or tax laws and regulations.
20
| EntrepreneurShares Series Trust |
| Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
The Trust has a three-tier fair value hierarchy that is dependent upon the various “inputs” used to determine the value of the Funds’ investments. The valuation techniques described below maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
Level 2 – Other observable pricing inputs at the measurement date (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
Level 3 – Significant unobservable pricing inputs at the measurement date (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.
The following table provides the fair value measurement as of December 31, 2022, while the breakdown, by category, of common stocks is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments for each Fund.
| Valuation Inputs | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
| ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF* | ||||||||||||||||
| Common Stocks | $ | 27,094,362 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 27,094,362 | ||||||||
| Total | $ | 27,094,362 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 27,094,362 | ||||||||
| ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF* | ||||||||||||||||
| Common Stocks | $ | 11,816,294 | $ | 7,420,841 | $ | — | $ | 19,237,135 | ||||||||
| Total | $ | 11,816,294 | $ | 7,420,841 | $ | — | $ | 19,237,135 | ||||||||
| * | For further information regarding security characteristic, please see the Schedules of Investments. |
The Funds did not hold any investments at the end of the reporting period for which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value; therefore, no reconciliation of Level 3 securities is included for this reporting period.
B. Security Transactions and Related Income
Investment transactions are accounted for no later than the first calculation of the NAV on the business day following the trade date. For financial reporting purposes, however, security transactions are accounted for on the trade date on the last business day of the reporting period. Securities gains and losses are calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income and expenses are accrued daily. Dividends, less foreign tax withholding, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Investment income from non-U.S. sources received
21
| EntrepreneurShares Series Trust |
| Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
by a Fund is generally subject to non-U.S. withholding taxes at rates ranging up to 30%. Such withholding taxes may be reduced or eliminated under the terms of applicable U.S. income tax treaties. The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes on gains in investments or currency repatriation. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.
C. Cash
Idle cash may be swept into various overnight demand deposits and is classified as cash or foreign currency on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The Funds maintain cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed United States federally insured limits. Amounts swept overnight are available on the next business day.
D. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders
The Funds intend to distribute to their shareholders net investment income and net realized long or short-term capital gains, if any, at least annually. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount of dividends from net investment income and net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are considered either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., distributions and income received from pass-through investments), such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their nature for federal income tax purposes; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary differences are primarily due to return of capital from investments.
3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICES
A. Investment Advisory Fees
Capital Impact Advisors, LLC (the “Advisor”) a related party, serves as the Funds’ investment advisor pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement. Subject at all times to the supervision and approval of the Board, the Advisor is responsible for the overall management of the Trust. The Advisor has arranged for distribution, custody, fund administration, transfer agency and all other services necessary for the Funds to operate. The Advisor receives a fee for its services, a “Unified Fee”. The ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF pays 0.49% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed daily and paid monthly. The ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF pays 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed daily and paid monthly. Out of the Unified Fee, the Advisor is obligated to pay or arrange for the payment of substantially all expenses of the Funds, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, independent trustees and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses such as
22
| EntrepreneurShares Series Trust |
| Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
litigation and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Funds’ business. The Advisor’s Unified Fee is designed to cause substantially all of the Funds’ expenses to be paid and to compensate the Advisor for providing services for the Funds.
At December 31, 2022, certain officers of the Trust are officers, directors and/or trustees of the Advisor. Certain officers of the Trust were also employees of the Advisor. These officers were not compensated directly by the Funds.
Each non-interested Trustee of the Trust receives compensation of $3,500 for attending each Board meeting, including special meetings, as well as an additional $1,000 for each audit commit meeting. The Funds also reimburse the non-interested Trustees for their reasonable travel expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board. Trustee fees are allocated to the five funds in the Trust based on each fund’s relative net assets. Trustee fees for the Funds are paid by the Advisor out of the Unified Fee with respect to ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF and ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF.
4. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
For the period ended December 31, 2022, purchases and sales of investment securities, other than in-kind transactions and short-term investments, were as follows:
| Purchases | Sales | |||||||
| ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF | $ | 12,766,650 | $ | 11,253,136 | ||||
| ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF | 6,150,932 | 6,360,310 | ||||||
For the period ended December 31, 2022, purchases and sales for in-kind transactions were as follows:
| Purchases | Sales | |||||||
| ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF | $ | — | $ | 727,390 | ||||
| ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF | — | 598,775 | ||||||
For the period ended December 31, 2022, the ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF and ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF had in-kind net realized gains of $133,169 and $6,422, respectively.
There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. government obligations during the period ended December 31, 2022.
5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof at net asset value. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable. Transactions in shares for each Fund are disclosed in detail on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.
23
| EntrepreneurShares Series Trust |
| Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a Fund generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated basket of securities, which constitutes an optimized representation of the securities of that Fund’s specified universe, and an amount of cash. Investors purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may be charged a transaction fee to cover the transfer and other transactional costs the Funds incur to issue or redeem Creation Units. The standard transaction fee charge is $250. For the six months ended December 31, 2022, the ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF and ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF received $500 and $250 in transaction fees, respectively. Transaction fees received by each Fund are included in the capital transactions presented on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.
From time to time, settlement of securities related to subscriptions-in-kind or redemptions-in-kind may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind contributions are reflected as “Due from custodian” and securities related to in-kind redemptions are reflected as “Securities payable related to in-kind transactions” on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
During the six months ended December 31, 2022, the Funds did not receive securities in exchange for subscriptions of capital shares (subscriptions-in-kind).
6. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
It is the policy of each Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes.
The Trust has evaluated tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing each Fund’s tax returns to determine whether it is more-likely-than not (i.e., greater than 50-percent chance) that each tax position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority based on the technical merits of the position. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. Differences between tax positions taken in a tax return and amounts recognized in the financial statements will generally result in an increase in a liability for taxes payable (or a reduction of a tax refund receivable), including the recognition of any related interest and penalties as an operating expense. Tax positions taken in tax years remain subject to examination by tax authorities (generally three years plus the interim tax period since then for federal income tax purposes). The determination has been made that there are not any uncertain tax positions that would require the Funds to record a tax liability and, therefore, there is no impact to the Funds’ financial statements.
24
| EntrepreneurShares Series Trust |
| Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
At December 31, 2022, the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and tax cost of investments for tax purposes were as follows:
| ERShares | ||||||||
| ERShares | NextGen | |||||||
| Entrepreneurs | Entrepreneurs | |||||||
| ETF | ETF | |||||||
| Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 1,479,109 | $ | 1,194,999 | ||||
| Gross unrealized depreciation | (10,413,355 | ) | (5,079,493 | ) | ||||
| Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | (8,934,246 | ) | (3,884,494 | ) | ||||
| Tax cost of investments | $ | 35,441,805 | $ | 21,589,045 | ||||
The tax character of distributions paid for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the Funds’ most recent fiscal year end, was as follows:
| ERShares | ||||||||
| ERShares | NextGen | |||||||
| Entrepreneurs | Entrepreneurs | |||||||
| ETF | ETF | |||||||
| Distributions paid from: | ||||||||
| Ordinary income(a) | $ | 19,781,233 | $ | 3,813,825 | ||||
| Long-term capital gains | 22,534,281 | 3,278,831 | ||||||
| Tax return of capital | 1,221 | 288 | ||||||
| Total distributions paid | $ | 42,316,735 | $ | 7,092,944 | ||||
| (a) | Short-term capital gain distributions are treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. |
At June 30, 2022, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| ERShares | ||||||||
| ERShares | NextGen | |||||||
| Entrepreneurs | Entrepreneurs | |||||||
| ETF | ETF | |||||||
| Undistributed ordinary income | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
| Undistributed long-term capital gains | — | — | ||||||
| Accumulated capital and other losses | (19,639,278 | ) | (5,747,431 | ) | ||||
| Unrealized depreciation on investments | (8,533,662 | ) | (4,129,841 | ) | ||||
| Total accumulated deficit | $ | (28,172,940 | ) | $ | (9,877,272 | ) | ||
As of June 30, 2022, the ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF had short-term and long-term capital loss carryforwards available to offset future gains, not subject to expiration, in the amount of $1,371,461 and $174,697, respectively, and ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF had short-term carryforwards available to offset future gains, not subject to expiration, in the amount of $5,747,431.
25
| EntrepreneurShares Series Trust |
| Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
Certain capital and qualified late year losses incurred after October 31 and within the current taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Funds’ following taxable year. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF deferred post October capital and late year ordinary losses in the amount of $18,093,119.
7. INVESTMENT RISKS
ETF Risk
The NAV of a Fund can fluctuate up or down, and you could lose money investing in a Fund if the prices of the securities owned by the Fund decline. In addition, a Fund may be subject to the following risks: (1) the market price of a Fund’s shares may trade above or below its NAV; (2) an active trading market for a Fund’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (3) trading of a Fund’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.
Sector Risk
If a Fund has significant investments in the securities of issuers within a particular sector, any development affecting that sector will have a greater impact on the value of the net assets of the Fund than would be the case if the Fund did not have significant investments in that sector. In addition, this may increase the risk of loss in the Fund and increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV per share. For instance, economic or market factors, regulatory changes or other developments may negatively impact all companies in a particular sector, and therefore the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be adversely affected. As of December 31, 2022, the ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF had 50.98% of the value of its net assets invested in stocks within the Technology sector.
Market and Geopolitical Risk
The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Securities in the Funds’ portfolio may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years, such as terrorist attacks around the world, natural disasters, social and political discord or debt crises and downgrades, among others, may result in market volatility and may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. It is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may
26
| EntrepreneurShares Series Trust |
| Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) |
| December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) |
have and the duration of those effects. Any such event(s) could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Funds’ portfolio. The current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and the aggressive responses taken by many governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the forced or voluntary closure of, or operational changes to, many retail and other businesses, has had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged period of global economic slowdown, which may impact your Fund investment. Therefore, the Funds could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during more prolonged market downturns. During a general market downturn, multiple asset classes may be negatively affected. Changes in market conditions and interest rates can have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments. In times of severe market disruptions, you could lose your entire investment.
Foreign Securities Risk
Foreign securities, foreign currencies, and securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign operations can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions in foreign countries. These risks include fluctuations in foreign currencies; imposition of additional taxes; trading, settlement, custodial and other operational risks; and risk arising from the less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards of some foreign markets. All of these factors can make foreign investments more volatile and potentially less liquid than U.S. investments. In addition, foreign markets can perform differently from the U.S. market.
NOTE 8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Management of the Funds has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date at which these financial statements were issued. Based upon this evaluation, management has determined there were no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.
27
| Liquidity Risk Management Program (Unaudited) |
The Funds have adopted and implemented a written liquidity risk management program as required by Rule 22e-4 (the “Liquidity Rule”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The program is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk, taking into consideration, among other factors, each Fund’s investment strategies and the liquidity of its portfolio investments during normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions; its short and long-term cash flow projections; and its cash holdings and access to other funding sources.
During the 12 months ended December 31, 2022, the Board and the Trust’s Liquidity Risk Management Program Administrator (the “LPA”) reviewed each Fund’s investments and determined that each Fund held adequate levels of cash and highly liquid investments to meet shareholder redemption activities in accordance with applicable requirements. Accordingly, the Board and LPA concluded that (i) the Funds’ liquidity risk management program is reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Liquidity Rule and (ii) the Funds’ liquidity risk management program has been effectively implemented.
28
| Summary of Fund Expenses (Unaudited) |
As a Fund shareholder, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including commissions on trading, as applicable; and (2) ongoing costs, including advisory fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. The expense examples below are based on an investment of $1,000 invested on July 1, 2022 and held through the period ended December 31, 2022. Investors may pay brokerage commissions on their purchases and sales of exchange traded fund shares, which are not reflected in the example.
Actual Expenses
The first line of the table for each class provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in these lines, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.60), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the table for each class provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each Fund’s actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balances or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the second line of the table for each class is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| Ending | ||||||||||||||
| Beginning | Account | Expenses | ||||||||||||
| Account | Value | Paid | Annualized | |||||||||||
| Value July | December | During | Expense | |||||||||||
| 1, 2022 | 31, 2022 | Period(a) | Ratio | |||||||||||
| ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF | ||||||||||||||
| Actual | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 941.90 | $ | 2.40 | 0.49% | |||||||
| Hypothetical(b) | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,025.21 | $ | 2.50 | 0.49% | |||||||
| ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF | ||||||||||||||
| Actual | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 969.70 | $ | 3.72 | 0.75% | |||||||
| Hypothetical(b) | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,025.21 | $ | 3.82 | 0.75% | |||||||
| (a) | Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
| (b) | Hypothetical assumes 5% annual return before expenses. |
29
| Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (Unaudited) |
On August 24, 2022 all of the Trustees of EntrepreneurShares Series Trust (the “Trust”) met to discuss, among other things, the continuation of the investment advisory agreement for the ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF (formerly known as the ERShares Non-US Small Cap ETF) and ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF (formerly known as the ERShares Entrepreneur 30 ETF) (collectively referred to as the “Funds”). In preparation for the meeting they reviewed materials addressing the review and consideration of the investment advisory agreements (the “Advisory Agreements”), which included a Gartenberg Memo to the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) from legal counsel, 15(c) analyses for the Funds, and the returns of each Fund and the Funds’ benchmark indices provided in the quarterly Board materials.
Capital Impact Advisors, LLC (“Adviser”) is the investment adviser to the Funds. The Adviser is responsible for management of the investment portfolio of the Funds, and for overall management of the Funds’ business and affairs pursuant to the Advisory Agreements.
At the meeting, the Trustees had ample opportunity to consider matters they deemed relevant in considering the approval of the Advisory Agreements, and to request any additional information they considered reasonably necessary to their deliberations, without undue time constraints. In addition to the materials requested by the Trustees in connection with their consideration of the continuation of the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees received materials in advance of each regular quarterly meeting of the Board of Trustees that provided information relating to the services provided by the Adviser.
The Board then reviewed and discussed the written materials that were provided in advance of the Meeting and deliberated on the renewal of the Advisory Agreements. The Board relied upon the advice of independent legal counsel and their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating the Advisory Agreements and the weight to be given to each such factor. The conclusions reached by the Board were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all of the information provided and were not the result of any one factor. Moreover, each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors in reaching his conclusions with respect to the Advisory Agreements. In considering the renewal of the Advisory Agreements, the Board reviewed and analyzed various factors that they determined were relevant, including the factors enumerated below.
30
| Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (Unaudited) (continued) |
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. The Board reviewed materials provided by Capital Impact Advisors related to the proposed renewal of the Advisory Agreements with respect to the Funds, including its Form ADV and related schedules, a description of the manner in which investment decisions were made and executed, a review of the personnel performing services for each of the Funds, including the individuals that primarily monitor and execute the investment process. The Board discussed the extent of the research capabilities, the quality of the compliance infrastructure and the experience of its investment advisory personnel. The Board noted that the Adviser was an experienced investment adviser with seasoned senior management and that the performance of each Fund was supported by the quality and experience of the staff. Additionally, the Board received satisfactory responses from the representatives of the Adviser with respect to a series of important questions, including: whether the Adviser was involved in any lawsuits or pending regulatory actions; whether the advisory services provided to its other accounts would conflict with the advisory services provided to each of the Funds; whether there were procedures in place to adequately allocate trades among its respective clients; and whether the Adviser’s CCO had processes in place to review the portfolio managers’ performance of their duties to ensure compliance under its compliance program. The Board reviewed the information provided on the practices for monitoring compliance with each of the Funds’ investment limitations and discussed the compliance programs with the CCO of the Trust. The Board noted that the CCO of the Trust continued to represent that the policies and procedures were reasonably designed to prevent violations of applicable federal securities laws. The Board also noted the Adviser’s representation that the prospectus and statement of additional information for the Funds accurately describe the investment strategies of each of the Funds. The Board then reviewed a description of the capitalization of the Adviser based on financial information provided by and representations made by the Adviser and its representatives and concluded that the Adviser was sufficiently well-capitalized, or its principals have the ability to make additional contributions in order to meet its obligations to each of the Funds. The Board concluded that the Adviser had sufficient quality and depth of personnel, resources, investment methods and compliance policies and procedures essential to performing its duties under the Advisory Agreement and that the nature, overall quality and extent of the advisory services to be provided by the Adviser to each of the Funds were satisfactory.
The Board reviewed the performance, fee and expense information provided by
31
| Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (Unaudited) (continued) |
Ultimus using data provided by Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”). The Board considered the limitations with such a process, including that the categorization determined by Morningstar may or may not subjectively correlate with a Fund’s investment strategy or portfolio holdings. The Board noted that the historical data used in the analyses was as of the reporting period ended June 30, 2022, and that as of that date the NextGen ETF, and Entrepreneurs ETF had approximately $21,691 and $30,299 million in net assets, respectively.
Performance.
Entrepreneur ETF
The Board discussed Morningstar’s classification of the Entrepreneurs ETF. The Board also referred to the category analysis as of June 30, 2022, noting the average net assets for funds in the category. The Board observed that the Entrepreneurs ETF’s one-year and, three year and since inception annualized returns and compared that to the peer group’s, and Morningstar category’s, and index average annualized returns for these same periods. The Board noted that performance lagged the comparative references, but that the strategy was long term and that it seemed imprudent to suggest that the Adviser change course.
NextGen ETF
The Board discussed Morningstar’s classification of the NextGen ETF. The Board also referred to the category analysis as of June 30, 2022, noting the average net assets for funds in the category. The Board observed that the NextGen 30 ETF’s one-year and since inception annualized returns and compared that to the peer group’s average one-year and three-year since inception annualized returns. The Board noted that performance lagged the comparative references, but that the strategy was long term. Here too, the Board noted it seemed imprudent to suggest that the Adviser change course.
Fees and Expenses. The Board reviewed the fee and expense information provided by the Adviser. The Board considered the limitations with such a process, including that the categorization determined by Morningstar may or may not subjectively correlate with a Fund’s investment strategy or portfolio holdings. The Board noted that the historical data used in the 15(c) analyses was as of the reporting period ended June 30, 2022.
Entrepreneur ETF
The Board noted that the Entrepreneurs ETF’s management fee of 0.49%, which is structured as a unified fee and compared that to the peer group’s average management fee of 0.64%, noted that the total annual fund
32
| Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (Unaudited) (continued) |
operating expense of 0.49% and compared that to the peer group’s average total annual fund operating expense of 0.64%.The Board concluded that the fee charged by the Adviser to the Fund was not unreasonable.
NextGen ETF
The Board noted that the NextGen ETF’s management fee of 0.75%, which is structured as a unified fee and compared that to the peer group’s average management fee of 0.54% noted that the total annual fund operating expense of 0.75% and compared that to the peer group’s average total annual fund operating expense of 0.54%.The Board consider the Adviser’s unique entrepreneurial investment approach and the resources required to implement and maintain such an approach with respect to management of the Fund. The Board concluded that the fee charged by the Adviser to the Fund was not unreasonable.
Profitability. The Board reviewed a profitability analysis provided by the Adviser. They noted that the Adviser provided the Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports, which contained audited financial statements including gross revenues earned by each Adviser with respect to its management of a respective Fund. They noted that while each Adviser earned a profit with respect to its management of the Funds, the profit return did not appear to be excessive.
Economies of Scale. The Board examined the Advisor’s effort to achieve economies of scale for each Fund to the benefit of each Fund’s respective shareholders. The Board determined that as the Funds’ assets increase, economies of scale could be realized.
Conclusion
The Board weighed all of the factors presented to them in the Gartenburg Memo, the Morningstar analysis of returns and expense ratios, the returns of the benchmark indices, profitability analysis and discussions with the Adviser during the Board meeting to consider the renewal of the Agreements. Without paying particular weight to any one factor, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, determined the advisory fees were fair and reasonable for the services provided and it was in the best interest of shareholders to continue the Advisory Agreements for a one-year period.
33
| Additional Information (Unaudited) |
AVAILABILITY OF QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SCHEDULES
The Funds file complete schedules of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT (or any predecessor form). These filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the Funds’ Form N-PORT is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-877-271-8811.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND PROXY VOTING RECORD
A description of the Funds’ proxy voting policies and procedures and information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12 month period ended June 30, is available without charge, upon request, by (1) calling 1-877-271-8811, or (2) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
HOUSEHOLDING
To reduce expenses, each Fund generally mails only one copy of its prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts and to shareholders that such Fund reasonably believes are from the same family and household. This is referred to as “householding.” If you wish to discontinue householding and would like to receive individual copies of these documents, please call us at 1-877-271-8811. Once a Fund receives notice to stop householding, the Fund will begin sending individual copies 30 days after receiving requests. This policy does not apply to account statements.
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| Advisor |
| Capital Impact Advisors, LLC |
| 175 Federal Street, Suite 875 |
| Boston, MA 02110 |
| Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
| BBD, LLP |
| 1835 Market Street, 3rd Floor |
| Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
| Custodian and Transfer Agent |
| Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. |
| 50 Post Office Square |
| Boston, MA 02110 |
| Distributor |
| Vigilant Distributors, LLC |
| 223 Wilmington West Chester Pike, Suite 216 |
| Chadds Ford, PA 19317 |
| Administrator, Accountant and Dividend Disbursing Agent |
| Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC |
| 225 Pictoria Drive, |
| Cincinnati, OH 45246 |
| Counsel |
| Thompson Hine LLP |
| 41 South High Street, Suite 1700 |
| Columbus, OH 43215 |
| This report should be accompanied or preceded by a prospectus. |
| ERShares ETF-SAR-22 |