Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Note 7 - Stockholders' Equity and Equity-linked Instruments

v3.24.1.u1
Note 7 - Stockholders' Equity and Equity-linked Instruments
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Notes to Financial Statements  
Equity [Text Block]

7.

STOCKHOLDERSEQUITY AND EQUITY-LINKED INSTRUMENTS

 

Reverse Stock Split

 

On September 7, 2023, the Company filed the 2023 Second Amendment to the Company’s Charter, to effect a reverse stock split of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock at a ratio of 1-for-20 (the “Reverse Split”). The Reverse Split was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on July 5, 2023, and approved by the stockholders of the Company on September 7, 2023. The 2023 Second Amendment became effective on September 11, 2023. The Company’s shares began trading on a Reverse Split-adjusted basis on the Nasdaq Capital Market on September 11, 2023.

 

As a result of the Reverse Split, every 20 shares of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock was automatically combined and converted into one issued and outstanding share of common stock. No fractional shares of common stock were issued as a result of the Reverse Split. Instead, in lieu of any fractional shares to which a stockholder of record would otherwise be entitled as a result of the Reverse Split, the Company paid cash (without interest) equal to the value of such fractional share. The Reverse Split did not modify the rights or preferences of the common stock.

 

All references to common stock, warrants to purchase common stock, options to purchase common stock, restricted stock, share data, per share data and related information contained in the financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the effect of the Reverse Split for all periods presented.

 

Preferred Stock

 

The Company’s initial certificate of incorporation authorized 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. In October 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors and a majority of the holders of the Company’s common stock approved an amendment and restatement of the certificate of incorporation which, in part, eliminated the authorized preferred stock. In August 2018, the Board of Directors approved a second amendment and restatement of the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Charter”) to, in part, increase the Company’s authorized capital to a total of 110.0 million shares, including 10.0 million shares of newly created preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Preferred Stock”), authorize the Board of Directors to fix the designation and number of each series of Preferred Stock, and to determine or change the designation, relative rights, preferences, and limitations of any series of Preferred Stock. The Amended and Restated Charter was approved by a majority of the Company’s stockholders in September 2018, and was filed with the State of Delaware in November 2018. All references in the accompanying consolidated financial statements to Preferred Stock have been restated to reflect the Amended and Restated Charter.

 

Common Stock

 

The Amended and Restated Charter also increased the Company’s authorized capital to include 100.0 million shares of common stock, par value $0.001, and removed the deemed liquidation provision, as such term is defined in the Amended and Restated Charter. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held at all meetings of stockholders.

 

On May 30, 2023, the Company filed the 2023 First Amendment to its Charter, increasing the number of authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 400,000,000. The Company’s Board of Directors approved the 2023 First Amendment on March 17, 2023, and the Company obtained the approval of the 2023 First Amendment by written consent of its stockholders holding greater than 50% of the voting securities of the Company on April 5, 2023.

 

Equity Financings

 

Convertible Preferred Stock Issuances

 

Series AAA Convertible Preferred Financing

 

On the dates set forth in the table below, we entered into subscription agreements with accredited investors in connection with the sale of an aggregate of 8,355 shares of newly designated Series AAA and AAA-2 Convertible Preferred Stock, each series having a $0.001 par value and a $1,000 purchase price, hereinafter collectively referred to as “Series AAA Preferred,” and the individual offerings of Series AAA Preferred stock, hereinafter collectively referred to as the Series AAA Offerings, as follows:

 

Date

Series

Design-

ation

 

Conversion

Price – At

Issuance

   

Shares

   

Gross

Proceeds

   

Fees

   

Net

Proceeds

   

Conversion

Shares –

At

Issuance

   

Placement

Agent

Warrants

(1)

 
                                                           

November 30, 2023

Series AAA

  $ 1.674       5,377     $ 5,377,000     $ 645,000     $ 4,732,000       3,212,000       466,000  

December 22, 2023

Series AAA-2

  $ 1.71       2,978       2,978,000       357,000       2,621,000       1,742,000       253,000  

Total

            8,355     $ 8,355,000     $ 1,002,000     $ 7,353,000       4,954,000       719,000  

 


(1)

Issued upon final closing of the Series AAA Preferred Stock offering, effective as of the respective closing dates.

 

In connection with the Series AAA Offerings, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series AAA Preferred Stock (the “Series AAA Certificates of Designation”) with the State of Delaware. Use of net proceeds from the Series AAA Offerings for the periods presented included working capital and general corporate purposes, including sales and marketing activities and product development.

 

Each share of Series AAA Preferred is convertible at the option of the holder, subject to certain beneficial ownership limitations and primary market limitations as set forth in the Series AAA Certificates of Designation, into such number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the number of Series AAA Preferred to be converted, multiplied by the stated value of $1,000 (the “AAA Stated Value”), divided by the conversion price in effect at the time of the conversion, subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, certain fundamental transactions and future issuances of equity securities as described below. In addition, subject to beneficial ownership and primary market limitations, on the one year anniversary of the respective filing date, the Company may, in its discretion, convert (y) 50% of the outstanding shares of Series AAA Preferred into the Company’s common stock if the volume-weighted average price of such common stock over the previous 10 days as reported on the NASDAQ Capital Market (the “VWAP”), equals at least 250% of the conversion price, or (z) 100% of the outstanding shares of Series AAA Preferred into the Company’s common stock if the VWAP equals at least 300% of the conversion price.

 

The Series AAA Preferred shall vote together with the common stock on an as-converted basis, and not as a separate class, subject to the primary market limitations, except that holders of Series AAA Preferred shall vote as a separate class with respect to (a) amending, altering, or repealing any provision of the Series AAA Certificates of Designation in a manner that adversely affects the powers, preferences or rights of the Series AAA Preferred, (b) increasing the number of authorized shares of Series AAA Preferred, (c) authorizing or issuing an additional class or series of capital stock that ranks senior to or pari passu with the Series AAA Preferred with respect to the distribution of assets on liquidation, (d) authorizing, creating, incurring, assuming, guaranteeing or suffering to exist any indebtedness for borrowed money of any kind outside of certain loans not to exceed $5,000,000 and accounts payable in the ordinary course of business, or (e) entering into any agreement with respect to the foregoing. In addition, no holder of Series AAA Preferred shall be entitled to vote on any matter presented to the Company’s stockholders relating to approving the conversion of such holder’s Series AAA Preferred into an amount in excess of the primary market limitations. Upon any dissolution, liquidation or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Series AAA Preferred (together with any Parity Securities (as defined in the Series AAA Certificate of Designations) will be entitled to first receive distributions out of the Company’s assets in an amount per share equal to the Stated Value plus all accrued and unpaid dividends, whether capital or surplus before any distributions shall be made on any shares of common stock (after the payment to any senior security, if any).

 

Holders of the Series AAA Preferred will be entitled to receive dividends, subject to the beneficial ownership and primary market limitations, payable in the form of that number of shares of common stock equal to 20% of the shares of common stock underlying the Series AAA Preferred then held by such holder on each of the 12- and 24-month anniversaries of the Filing Date. In addition, subject to the beneficial ownership and primary market limitations, holders of Series AAA Preferred will be entitled to receive dividends equal, on an as-if-converted to shares of Common Stock basis, and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of the common stock when, as, and if such dividends are paid on shares of the common stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that a holder’s right to participate in any dividend in shares of common stock to which such holder is entitled would result in such holder exceeding the beneficial ownership and/or primary market limitations, then such holder shall not be entitled to participate in any such dividend to such extent and the portion of such shares that would cause such holder to exceed the beneficial ownership and/or primary market limitations shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of such holder until such time, if ever, as such holder’s beneficial ownership thereof would not result in such holder exceeding the beneficial ownership and primary market limitations.

 

Subject to the approval by a majority of the voting securities of the Company (the “Stockholder Approval”), pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, Series AAA Preferred holders shall have the right to purchase shares of a newly designated series of Preferred Stock of the Company containing comparable terms (except for adjustments to the Conversion Price based on future equity issuances) as the Series AAA Preferred (the “Series AAA Additional Investment Right”) from the date the SEC declares the related registration statement to be filed with the SEC pursuant to the applicable Registration Rights Agreement (as defined below) effective, to the date that is 18 months thereafter, for an additional dollar amount equal to the applicable initial investment amount at $1,000 per share (the “Original Issue Price”), with a conversion price equal to the original conversion price of the Series AAA Preferred. No further additional investment rights shall be granted to investors that exercise the Series AAA Additional Investment Rights.

 

Further, subject to the effectiveness of the Stockholder Approval, for twenty-four (24) months after the Filing Date, and subject to certain carveouts as described in the Series AAA Certificates of Designations, if the Company conducts an offering at a price per share less than the then effective conversion price (the “Future Offering Price”) consisting of common stock, convertible or derivative instruments, then in such event the conversion price of the Series AAA Preferred shall be adjusted to the Future Offering Price, but not less than the Conversion Price Floor (as defined in the Series AAA Certificate of Designations).

 

Exchange Agreements

 

In connection with the closing of the Series AAA Preferred rounds described above, the Company entered into certain Series A Exchange Agreements (the “Series A Agreements”) and Series AA Exchange Agreements (the “Series AA Agreements”, and collectively with the Series A Agreements, the “Exchange Agreements”), with certain holders (the “Holders”) of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock, and Series AA Preferred Stock, pursuant to which the Holders exchanged an aggregate of 6,367 shares of Series A Preferred and/or Series AA Preferred, for an aggregate of 6,367 shares of Series AAA Preferred (the “Exchange”). The Exchange closed concurrently with the closing of the Series AAA Preferred Offerings.

 

The Company and the investors in the Series AAA Preferred Offering and the Exchange also executed a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to use its best efforts to file a registration statement covering the resale of the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series AAA Preferred within 45 days, but in no event later than 60 days, following the final closing of the Series AAA Preferred Offering and to use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective within 90 days of the filing date.

 

The Company sold and/or exchanged the shares of Series AAA Preferred pursuant to a Placement Agency Agreement (the “Series AAA Placement Agency Agreement”) with Aegis Capital Corporation, a registered broker dealer, which acted as the Company’s exclusive placement agent (the “Series AAA Placement Agent”) for the Offering and the Exchange. Pursuant to the terms of the Placement Agency Agreement, in connection with the Series AAA Preferred Offerings and the Exchange, the Company paid the Placement Agent an aggregate cash fee and non-accountable expense allowance as described in the table above, and will issue to the Placement Agent or its designees warrants (the “Placement Agent Warrants”) to purchase common stock at the conversion prices disclosed in the table above. The Company also granted the Placement Agent the right of first refusal, for a period of six (6) months after the final closing of the Offering, to serve as the Company’s lead or co-placement agent for any private placement of the Company’s securities (equity or debt) that is proposed to be consummated with the assistance of a registered broker dealer. In addition, with respect to shares of Series AAA Preferred Stock issued in the Exchange, the Placement Agent exchanged previously issued placement agent warrants to purchase 88,403 shares of common stock of the Company that were issued in connection with the Series A and Series AA Preferred Stock financings of the Company, at exercise prices ranging from $7.60 to $13.41 per share, for new placement agent warrants to purchase a total of 347,428 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.674 per share and 199,778 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.71 per share.

 

At December 31, 2023, Series AAA Preferred stock outstanding was comprised of the following, including Series AAA Preferred stock issued in connection with the Exchange Agreements and conversions of Series AAA Preferred stock into shares of the Company’s common stock for the applicable periods presented:

 

Series

 

Conversion

   

Preferred Shares

   

Conversion Shares

 

Designation

 

Price

   

Series Preferred AAA

   

Series Preferred AAA

 
                                                   

Additional

Conversion

Shares -

   

Adjusted

 
           

Issued

   

Converted

   

Outstanding

   

Original

Conversion

Shares

   

Conversions

During the

Period

   

Adjusted

Conversion

Price(1)

   

Conversion

Shares At

End

of Period

 

Sales:

                                                               

Series AAA

  $ 1.674       5,377       -       5,377       3,212,000       -       -       3,212,000  

Series AAA-2

  $ 1.71       2,978       -       2,978       1,742,000       -       -       1,742,000  

Subtotal

            8,355       -       8,355       4,954,000       -       -       4,954,000  
                                                                 

Exchanges:

                                                               

Series AAA

  $ 1.674       4,011       (125 )     3,886       2,396,000       (75,000 )     -       2,321,000  

Series AAA-2

  $ 1.71       2,356       (100 )     2,256       1,378,000       (58,000 )     -       1,320,000  

Subtotal

            6,367       (225 )     6,142       3,774,000       (133,000 )     -       3,641,000  

Total

            14,722       (225 )     14,497       8,728,000       (133,000 )     -       8,595,000  

 

Series AA Convertible Preferred Financing

 

On the dates set forth in the table below, we entered into subscription agreements with accredited investors in connection with the sale of an aggregate of 11,781 shares of newly designated Series AA, AA-2, AA-3, AA-4 and AA-5 Convertible Preferred Stock, each series having a $0.001 par value and a $1,000 purchase price, hereinafter collectively referred to as “Series AA Preferred,” and the individual offerings of Series AA Preferred stock hereinafter collectively referred to as the Series AA Offerings, as follows:

 

Date

Series

Design-

ation

 

Original

Conversion

Price – At

Issuance(2)

   

Shares

   

Gross

Proceeds

   

Fees

   

Net

Proceeds

   

Conversion

Shares –

At

Issuance

   

Placement

Agent

Warrants

(1)

 
                                                           

April 19, 2023

Series AA

  $ 9.43       7,680     $ 7,680,000     $ 966,000     $ 6,714,000       814,000       114,000  

April 20, 2023

Series AA-2

  $ 10.43       1,500       1,500,000       130,000       1,370,000       144,000       13,000  

April 28, 2023

Series AA-3

  $ 9.50       1,025       1,025,000       133,000       892,000       108,000       15,000  

May 5, 2023

Series AA-4

  $ 9.28       1,026       1,026,000       133,000       893,000       111,000       16,000  

May 26, 2023

Series AA-5

  $ 10.60       550       550,000       72,000       478,000       52,000       7,000  

Total

            11,781     $ 11,781,000     $ 1,434,000     $ 10,347,000       1,229,000       165,000  

 


(1)

Issued on May 26, 2023, effective as of the applicable closing date, upon final closing of the Series AA Preferred Stock offering.

(2)

The Conversion price for Series AA Preferred stock outstanding as of August 23, 2023, totaling 10,706 shares of Series AA Preferred stock, was adjusted to $2.60 as a result of the Series AA Down Round Feature described below. The Conversion price for Series AA Preferred stock outstanding as of November 30, 2023, totaling 7,322 shares of Series AA Preferred stock, was adjusted as described in the table below as a result of the Series AA Down Round Feature described below.

 

At December 31, 2023, Series AA Preferred stock outstanding was comprised of the following, including conversions of Series AA Preferred stock into shares of the Company’s common stock for the applicable periods presented:

 

Series

Designation

 

Conversion

Price As

Adjusted(1)

   

Preferred Shares

Series Preferred AA

   

Conversion Shares

Series Preferred AA

 
                                                   

Additional Conversion

Shares -

         
           

Issued

   

Exchanged/

Converted

   

Outstanding as of December 31, 2023

   

Original Conversion Shares

   

Exchanges/

Conversions During the

Period

   

Adjusted Conversion

Price(1)

   

Adjusted

Conversion

Shares as of December 31, 2023

 
                                                                 

Series AA

  $ 1.89       7,680       (2,926 )     4,754       814,000       (1,336,000 )     3,043,000       2,521,000  

Series AA-2

  $ 2.09       1,500       (1,500 )     -       144,000       (274,000 )     130,000       -  

Series AA-3

  $ 1.90       1,025       (634 )     391       108,000       (334,000 )     432,000       206,000  

Series AA-4

  $ 1.86       1,026       (511 )     515       109,000       (275,000 )     443,000       277,000  

Series AA-5

  $ 2.12       550       -       550       58,000       -       201,000       259,000  

Total

            11,781       (5,571 )     6,210       1,233,000       (2,219,000 )     4,249,000       3,263,000  

 


(1)

The Conversion prices for the Series AA Preferred stock outstanding as of November 30, 2023, totaling 7,322 shares of Series AA Preferred stock, were adjusted to the conversion prices shown in the table above, as a result of the Series AA Down Round Feature described below. The original conversion prices for the Series AA Preferred, as of the respective issuance dates, were as follows: Series AA - $9.43; Series AA-2 - $10.43; Series AA-3 - $9.50; Series AA-4 - $9.28; Series AA-5 - $10.60.

 

In connection with the Series AA Offerings, the Company filed Certificates of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series AA Preferred Stock (the “Series AA Certificates of Designation”) with the State of Delaware. Use of net proceeds from the Series AA Offerings for the periods presented included working capital and general corporate purposes, including sales and marketing activities and product development.

 

Each share of Series AA Preferred is convertible at the option of the holder, subject to certain beneficial ownership limitations and primary market limitations as set forth in each Series AA Certificates of Designation, into such number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the number of Series AA Preferred to be converted, multiplied by the stated value of $1,000 (the “AA Stated Value”), divided by the applicable conversion price (refer to table above), subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, and similar transactions. The conversion price is equal to the “Minimum Price,” as defined in NASDAQ Rule 5635(d)(1)). In addition, subject to beneficial ownership and primary market limitations, on the one year anniversary of the respective filing date, the Company may, in its discretion, convert (y) 50% of the outstanding shares of Series AA Preferred if the VWAP of the Company’s common stock over the previous ten days as reported on the NASDAQ Capital Market (the “Series AA VWAP”), equals at least 250% of the Conversion Price, or (z) 100% of the outstanding shares of Series AA Preferred if the Series AA VWAP equals at least 300% of the respective conversion price.

 

The Series AA Preferred shall vote together with the common stock on an as-converted basis, and not as a separate class, subject to the primary market limitations, except that holders of Series AA Preferred shall vote as a separate class with respect to (a) amending, altering, or repealing any provision of the Series AA Certificates of Designation in a manner that adversely affects the powers, preferences or rights of the Series AA Preferred, (b) increasing the number of authorized shares of Series AA Preferred, (c) authorizing or issuing an additional class or series of capital stock that ranks senior to or pari passu with the Series AA Preferred with respect to the distribution of assets on liquidation, (d) authorizing, creating, incurring, assuming, guaranteeing or suffering to exist any indebtedness for borrowed money of any kind outside of accounts payable in the ordinary course of business, (e) entering into any agreement with respect to the foregoing; or (f) approving the issuance of common stock below the Conversion Price Floor (as defined in the AA Certificate of Designations). In addition, no holder of Series AA Preferred shall be entitled to vote on any matter presented to the Company’s stockholders relating to approving the conversion of such holder’s Series AA Preferred into an amount in excess of the primary market limitations. Upon any dissolution, liquidation or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Series AA Preferred (together with any Parity Securities (as defined in the Series AA Certificate of Designations)) will be entitled to first receive distributions out of the Company’s assets in an amount per share equal to the AA Stated Value plus all accrued and unpaid dividends, whether capital or surplus before any distributions shall be made on any shares of common stock (after the payment to any senior security, if any).

 

Holders of the Series AA Preferred will be entitled to receive dividends, subject to the beneficial ownership and primary market limitations, payable in the form of that number of shares of common stock equal to 20% of the shares of common stock underlying the Series AA Preferred then held by such holder on the 12 and 24 month anniversaries of the respective filing date. In addition, subject to the beneficial ownership and primary market limitations, holders of Series AA Preferred will be entitled to receive dividends equal, on an as-if-converted to shares of common stock basis, and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of the common stock when, as, and if such dividends are paid on shares of the common stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that a holder’s right to participate in any dividend in shares of common stock to which such holder is entitled would result in such holder exceeding the beneficial ownership and primary market limitations, then such holder shall not be entitled to participate in any such dividend to such extent and the portion of such shares that would cause such holder to exceed the beneficial ownership and primary market limitations shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of such holder until such time, if ever, as such holder’s beneficial ownership thereof would not result in such holder exceeding the beneficial ownership and primary market limitations.

 

Pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, purchasers that (a) previously held shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, or (b) purchased at least $3.5 million in shares of Series AA Preferred (subject to the acceptance of such lesser amounts in the Company’s sole discretion), shall have the right to purchase shares of a newly designated series of Preferred Stock of the Company containing comparable terms as the Series AA Preferred (the “Series AA Additional Investment Right”) from the date of each respective closing through the date that is 18 months thereafter as follows: (i) such investor may purchase an additional dollar amount equal to its initial investment amount at $1,000 per share (the “AA Original Issue Price”), with a conversion price equal to the conversion price in effect on the date of original purchase; and (ii) such investor may purchase an additional dollar amount equal to its initial investment amount at the AA Original Issue Price, with a conversion price equal to 125% of the respective conversion price in effect on the date of original purchase.

 

Pursuant to the Series AA Certificate of Designations: (i) for as long as Series AA Preferred remains outstanding and subject to certain carveouts as described in the Series AA Certificates of Designations, if the Company conducts an offering at a price per share less than the then current conversion price (the “Future Offering Price”) consisting of common stock, convertible or derivative instruments, and undertaken in an arms-length third party transaction, then in such event the conversion price of the Series AA Preferred shall be adjusted to the greater of: (a) the Future Offering Price and (b) the Conversion Price Floor (“ Series AA Down Round Feature”); and (ii) if as of the 24-month anniversary date of April 19, 2023, the VWAP (as defined in the Series AA Certificates of Designation) for the five trading days immediately prior to such 24-month anniversary date is below the then current conversion price, the holder will receive a corresponding adjustment to the then conversion price, such adjustment not to exceed the Conversion Price Floor.

 

The Company and the investors in the Offering also executed a registration rights agreement (the “AA Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-273282), covering the resale of the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series AA Preferred, which was declared effective on August 1, 2023.

 

The Company sold the shares of Series AA Preferred pursuant to a placement agency agreement (the “Series AA Placement Agency Agreement”) with a registered broker dealer, which acted as the Company’s exclusive placement agent (the “Series AA Placement Agent”) for the Offering. Pursuant to the terms of the Series AA Placement Agency Agreement, in connection with the closings of the Series AA Offerings, the Company paid the Series AA Placement Agent aggregate cash fees, and non-accountable expense allowances as disclosed in the table above, and will issue to the Series AA Placement Agent or its designees warrants (the “Series AA Placement Agent Warrants”) to purchase shares of common stock as disclosed in the table above at the conversion prices disclosed above. The Series AA Placement Agent shall also earn fees and be issued additional Series AA Placement Agent Warrants with respect to any securities issued pursuant to the Additional Investment Rights. The Company also granted the Series AA Placement Agent the right of first refusal, for a twelve (12) month period after the final closing of the Offering, to serve as the Company’s lead or co-placement agent for any private placement of the Company’s securities (equity or debt) that is proposed to be consummated with the assistance of a registered broker dealer.

 

The triggering of the Down Round Feature for the Series AA Preferred stock resulted in a deemed dividend totaling $7,567,000, which was charged to retained earnings in the consolidated balance sheet. The amount was calculated based upon the difference between the fair value of the financial instrument without the down round feature, with a conversion price corresponding to the stated conversion price of the issued instrument immediately prior to the triggering event, and the fair value of the financial instrument without the down round feature with a conversion price corresponding to the reduced conversion price upon the down round feature being triggered.

 

Series A Convertible Preferred Financing

 

On the dates set forth in the table below, we entered into subscription agreements with accredited investors in connection with the sale of an aggregate of 12,622 shares of newly designated Series A, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5 Convertible Preferred Stock, each series having a $0.001 par value and a $1,000 purchase price, hereinafter collectively referred to as “Series A Preferred,” and the individual offerings of Series A Preferred stock, hereinafter, collectively referred to as the Series A Offerings, as follows:

 

Date

Series

Design-

ation

 

Conversion

Price

   

Shares

   

Gross

Proceeds

   

Fees

   

Net

Proceeds

   

Conversion

Shares

   

Placement

Agent

Warrants

(1)

 
                                                           

November 22, 2022

Series A

  $ 12.40       5,359     $ 5,359,000     $ 752,000     $ 4,607,000       432,000       62,000  

November 28, 2022

Series A-2

  $ 13.29       1,297       1,297,000       169,000       1,128,000       98,000       14,000  

November 30, 2022

Series A-3

  $ 13.41       1,733       1,733,000       225,000       1,508,000       129,000       18,000  

December 22, 2022

Series A-4

  $ 7.60       1,934       1,934,000       251,000       1,683,000       254,000       36,000  

January 31, 2023

Series A-5

  $ 11.09       2,299       2,299,000       299,000       2,000,000       207,000       30,000  

Total

            12,622     $ 12,622,000     $ 1,696,000     $ 10,926,000       1,120,000       160,000  

 


(1)

Issued on May 26, 2023, effective as of the applicable closing date, upon final closing of the Series A Preferred Stock offering

 

Use of net proceeds from the Series A Offerings for the periods presented include the repayment of certain indebtedness and working capital and general corporate purposes, including sales and marketing activities and product development. As disclosed at Note 6, in the event the Company consummated a subsequent equity financing during the term of the Notes, the Company was required, at the option of the Note Holders, to use 50% of the gross proceeds raised from such sale to redeem all or any portion of the Notes outstanding upon closing of such equity financing. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, $719,000 and $3,621,000 of the net proceeds from the Series A Offerings were utilized in connection with the redemption of the Notes and related accrued interest, respectively.

 

On the respective effective dates, the Company filed certificates of designation of preferences, rights and limitations of the Series A Preferred with the State of Delaware, respectively.

 

Each share of Series A Preferred is convertible at the option of the holder, subject to certain beneficial ownership limitations and primary market limitations as set forth in each Series A Certificate of Designation, into such number of shares of the Company’s common stock, equal to the number of Series A Preferred to be converted, multiplied by the stated value of $1,000 (the “Stated Value”), divided by the applicable conversion price (refer to the table above), subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, and similar transactions. The conversion price is equal to the “Minimum Price,” as defined in NASDAQ Rule 5635(d)(1)) on the date of closing. In addition, subject to beneficial ownership and primary market limitations: (1) the Series A Preferred will automatically convert into shares of common stock at the Conversion Price upon the earlier of (a) the 24-month anniversary of the Effective Date or (b) the consent to conversion by holders of at least 51% of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred; and (2) on the one year anniversary of the Effective Date, the Company may, in its discretion, convert (y) 50% of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred if the VWAP of the Company’s common stock over the previous 10 days as reported on the NASDAQ Capital Market (the “Series A VWAP”), equals at least 250% of the Conversion Price, or (z) 100% of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred if and only if the Series A VWAP equals at least 300% of the Conversion Price.

 

During the applicable periods presented, conversions of Series A Preferred stock into shares of the Company’s common stock were comprised of the following:

 

           

Preferred Shares

   

Conversion Shares

 
           

Series Preferred A

   

Series Preferred A

 

Series Designation

 

Conversion

Price

   

Issued

   

Exchanged/

Converted

   

Outstanding

as of

December

31, 2023

   

Original

Conversion

Shares

   

Exchanges/

Conversions

During the

Period

   

Conversion

Shares as

of

December

31, 2023

 
                                                         

Series A

  $ 12.40       5,359       (4,551 )     808       432,000       (367,000 )     65,000  

Series A-2

  $ 13.29       1,297       (834 )     463       98,000       (63,000 )     35,000  

Series A-3

  $ 13.41       1,733       (1,418 )     315       129,000       (106,000 )     23,000  

Series A-4

  $ 7.60       1,934       (1,383 )     551       254,000       (182,000 )     72,000  

Series A-5

  $ 11.09       2,299       (1,487 )     812       207,000       (134,000 )     73,000  

Total

            12,622       (9,673 )     2,949       1,120,000       (852,000 )     268,000  

 

The Series A Preferred shall vote together with the common stock on an as-converted basis, and not as a separate class, subject to the primary market limitations, except that holders of Series A Preferred shall vote as a separate class with respect to (a) amending, altering, or repealing any provision of the Series A Certificate of Designation in a manner that adversely affects the powers, preferences or rights of the Series A Preferred, (b) increasing the number of authorized shares of Series A Preferred, (c) authorizing or issuing an additional class or series of capital stock that ranks senior to or pari passu with the Series A Preferred with respect to the distribution of assets on liquidation, (d) authorizing, creating, incurring, assuming, guaranteeing or suffering to exist any indebtedness for borrowed money of any kind in excess of $5 million, or I entering into any agreement with respect to the foregoing. In addition, no holder of Series A Preferred shall be entitled to vote on any matter presented to the Company’s stockholders relating to approving the conversion of such holder’s Series A Preferred into an amount in excess of the primary market limitations. Upon any dissolution, liquidation or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Series A Preferred will be entitled to first receive distributions out of the Company’s assets in an amount per share equal to the Stated Value plus all accrued and unpaid dividends, whether capital or surplus before any distributions shall be made on any shares of common stock (after the payment to any senior security, if any).

 

Holders of the Series A Preferred will be entitled to receive dividends, subject to the beneficial ownership and primary market limitations, payable in the form of that number of shares of common stock equal to 20% of the shares of common stock underlying the Series A Preferred then held by such holder on the 12 and 24-month anniversaries of the respective filing date. In addition, subject to the beneficial ownership and primary market limitations, holders of Series A Preferred will be entitled to receive dividends equal, on an as-if-converted to shares of common stock basis, and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of the common stock when, as, and if such dividends are paid on shares of the common stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that a holder’s right to participate in any dividend in shares of common stock to which such holder is entitled would result in such holder exceeding the beneficial ownership and primary market limitations, then such holder shall not be entitled to participate in any such dividend to such extent and the portion of such shares that would cause such holder to exceed the beneficial ownership and primary market limitations shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of such holder until such time, if ever, as such holder’s beneficial ownership thereof would not result in such holder exceeding the beneficial ownership and primary market limitations.

 

The Company and the investors in the Series A Offerings also executed a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company filed registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-271424), covering the resale of the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred, which was declared on June 5, 2023.

 

The Company sold the shares of Series A Preferred pursuant to a Placement Agency Agreement (the “Placement Agency Agreement”) with a registered broker dealer, which acted as the Company’s exclusive placement agent (the “Placement Agent”) for the Series A Offerings. Pursuant to the terms of the Placement Agency Agreement, the Company agreed to pay to the Placement Agent at each Closing a cash fee equal to 10% of the gross proceeds raised in the Series A Offerings and (ii) a non-accountable expense allowance equal to 3% of the gross proceeds of the Series A Offerings. In addition, we agreed to issue to the Placement Agent or its designees for nominal consideration and following the final closing under the Series A Offerings, five-year warrants to purchase 14.5% of the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred shares sold in the Series A Offerings, at an exercise price equal to the applicable conversion price. The Placement Agent Warrants provide for a cashless exercise feature and are exercisable for a period of five years from the Effective Date. In addition, the Company agreed to grant the Placement Agent the right to appoint, subject to the Company’s approval, one representative to serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors upon the closing of at least $10 million in aggregate in connection with the Series A Offerings.

 

Common Stock Issuances

 

On August 21, 2023, we entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Aegis Capital Corp. (the “Underwriter”), relating to the Company’s public offering (the “Common Stock Offering”) of 778,653 shares of its common stock, and pre-funded warrants to purchase 67,500 shares of the Company’s common stock, in lieu of the Company’s common stock (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”, and collectively with the Shares, the “Firm Securities”) to certain investors. Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Company also granted the Underwriters a 45-day option (“Option”) to purchase an additional 126,923 shares of the Company’s common stock and/or Pre-Funded Warrants (the “Option Securities”, and together with the Firm Securities, the “Securities”). On September 12, 2023, the Underwriter partially exercised its Option and purchased an additional 32,616 shares of common stock at a price of $2.60 per share. The issuance by the Company of the Option Securities resulted in total gross proceeds of approximately $84,800, before deducting underwriting discounts, commissions, and other offering expenses payable by the Company.

 

On August 23, 2023, the Company issued the Firm Securities and closed the Offering at a public price of $2.60 per share, and $2.58 per share underlying each Pre-Funded Warrant, for net proceeds to the Company of approximately $1.8 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. Use of net proceeds from the Series AA Offerings for the periods presented included working capital and general corporate purposes, including sales and marketing activities and product development.

 

Each Pre-Funded Warrant had an exercise price per share of common stock equal to $0.001 per share. The exercise price and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of each Pre-Funded Warrant was subject to appropriate adjustments in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting the common stock. Under the Pre-Funded Warrants, a holder would not be entitled to exercise any portion of any Pre-Funded Warrant that, upon giving effect to such exercise, would cause: (i) the aggregate number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by such holder (together with its affiliates) to exceed 4.99% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise; or (ii) the combined voting power of the Company’s securities beneficially owned by such holder (together with its affiliates) to exceed 4.99% of the combined voting power of all of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the Pre-Funded Warrant, which percentage may be changed at the holder’s election to a higher or lower percentage not in excess of 9.99% upon 61 days’ notice to the Company. In addition, in certain circumstances, upon a fundamental transaction, a holder of Pre-Funded Warrants would be entitled to receive, upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants, the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that such holder would have received had they exercised the Pre-Funded Warrants immediately prior to the fundamental transaction. The Pre-Funded Warrants were fully exercised as of August 29, 2023.

 

The Firm Securities were offered, issued, and sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement filed with the SEC on Form S-3 (File No. 333-259347) (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as supplemented by a prospectus supplement, dated August 23, 2023, relating to the Securities (together with the accompanying base prospectus, dated September 7, 2021, the “Prospectus Supplement”), filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act on August 23, 2023.

 

The Underwriting Agreement includes customary representations, warranties, and agreements by the Company, customary conditions to closing, indemnification obligations of the Company and the Underwriter, including for liabilities under the Securities Act, other obligations of the parties and termination provisions. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Underwriting Agreement were made only for purposes of the Underwriting Agreement and as of the specific applicable dates contained in the Underwriting Agreement, were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Underwriting Agreement and were subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties.

 

Placement Agent Warrants

 

The Placement Agent Warrants issued in connection with the Series A Preferred, Series AA Preferred and Series AAA Preferred (including the Exchange), described above, include provisions that are triggered in the event of the occurrence of a Fundamental Transaction, as defined in the underlying warrant agreement, which contemplates the potential for certain transactions that result in a third-party acquiring more than 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company for cash or other assets. Given the existence of multiple classes of voting stock for the Company, as described above, the Fundamental Transaction provisions in the warrant agreements could result in a 50% or more change in ownership of outstanding common stock, without a 50% change in voting interests. As such, the Placement Agent Warrants are not eligible for the scope exception under ASC 815, and therefore, the fair value of the Placement Agent Warrants are recorded as a liability at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet and re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

The fair value and change in the fair value of the warrant liability, measured using Level 3 inputs, and the related income statement impact was comprised of the following as of December 31, 2023:

 

   

2023

 

Beginning balance

  $ -  

Initial fair value of Series A and AA Preferred warrant liability – grant date

    2,804,000  

Initial fair value of Series AAA Preferred (including warrants issued in connection with the Exchange) warrant liability – grant date

    1,665,000  

Change in fair value

    (2,898,000 )

Fair value of warrant liability

  $ 1,571,000  

 

The fair value of the Placement Agent Warrants was estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model and the following weighted-average assumptions for the applicable dates:

 

   

May 26,

   

December 22,

 

December 31,

 
   

2023

   

2023

 

2023

 

Expected Volatility

    95%       98%     98%  

Risk–free interest rate

    3.88%       3.87%     3.84%  

Dividend yield

     -%        -%      -%   

Expected life of options (in years)

    5 - 5.19       5     4.5 - 5  

 

In December 2023, as described above, with respect to shares of Series AAA Preferred Stock issued in the Exchange, the Placement Agent exchanged previously issued placement agent warrants to purchase 88,403 shares of common stock of the Company that were issued in connection with the Series A and Series AA Preferred Stock financings of the Company, at exercise prices ranging from $7.60 to $13.41 per share, for new placement agent warrants to purchase a total of 347,428 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.674 per share and 199,778 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.71 per share. The terms of the new placement agent warrants and the original placement agent warrants were determined to be substantially different based on an analysis of the fair value of each instrument immediately before and after the modification, resulting in a loss on extinguishment recognized in current earnings totaling $681,000.

 

Preferred Stock Dividends

 

During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company paid dividends on Series A Preferred stock, in the form of shares of common stock, as follows:

 

Series Designation

 

Dividend Shares

   

Fair Value of

Shares Issued

 
                 

Series A

    87,643     $ 142,000  

Series A-2

    29,690       48,000  

Series A-3

    16,200       27,000  

Series A-4

    84,641       135,000  

Series A-5

    14,807       22,000  

Total

    232,981     $ 374,000  

 

In December 2023, certain Series A Preferred stockholder year two dividends, as described above, were accelerated and paid in shares of the Company’s common stock, pursuant to consent related dividend acceleration agreements executed during the period. A total of 114,452 shares of common stock (included in the table above) were paid on an accelerated basis with a fair value of $174,000 (included in the table above), which is reflected in accumulated deficit.

 

Common Stock Purchase Agreement

 

On March 25, 2022, we entered into a common stock purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Tumim Stone Capital, LLC (“Tumim”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company had the right, but not the obligation, to sell to Tumim, and Tumim was obligated to purchase, up to $10,000,000 of newly issued shares (the “Total Commitment”) of the Company’s common stock from time to time during the term of the Purchase Agreement (the “Tumim Offering”), subject to certain limitations and conditions. As consideration for Tumim’s commitment to purchase shares of common stock under the Purchase Agreement, the Company issued to Tumim 2,500 shares of common stock, valued at $100,000, following the execution of the Purchase Agreement (the “Commitment Shares”). During the year ended December 31, 2022, we issued 371 shares of common stock at an average price of $22.20, raising net proceeds of approximately $8,000, under the Purchase Agreement.

 

The Purchase Agreement initially precluded the Company from issuing and selling more than 368,091 shares of its common stock, including the Commitment Shares, which number equals 19.99% of the common stock issued and outstanding as of March 25, 2022, unless the Company obtains stockholder approval to issue additional shares, or unless certain exceptions apply. In addition, a beneficial ownership limitation in the agreement initially limited the Company from directing Tumim to purchase shares of common stock if such purchases would result in Tumim beneficially owning more than 4.99% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock (subject to an increase to 9.99% at Tumim’s option upon at least 61 calendar days’ notice).

 

From and after the initial satisfaction of the conditions to the Company’s right to commence sales of common stock to Tumim (such event, the “Commencement,” and the date of initial satisfaction of all such conditions, the “Commencement Date”), the Company was able to direct Tumim to purchase shares of common stock at a purchase price per share equal to 95% of the average daily dollar volume-weighted average price for the common stock during the three consecutive trading day period immediately following the date on which the Company delivers to Tumim a notice for such purchase. The Company controlled the timing and amount of any such sales of common stock to Tumim. Actual sales of shares of common stock to Tumim depended on a variety of factors to be determined by the Company from time to time, including, among other things, market conditions, the trading price of the common stock, and determinations by the Company as to the appropriate sources of funding for the Company and its operations.

 

The Commencement Date of the Tumim Offering was March 25, 2022. Unless earlier terminated, the Purchase Agreement automatically terminated upon the earliest of (i) the expiration of the 18-month period following the Commencement Date, (ii) Tumim’s purchase or receipt of the Total Commitment worth of common stock, or (iii) the occurrence of certain other events set forth in the Purchase Agreement. The Tumim Offering expired in September 2023.

 

Equity Distribution Agreement

 

On September 3, 2021, the Company entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with two investment banks (the “Agents”), pursuant to which the Company could offer and sell, from time to time, through the Agents (the “ATM Offering”), up to $75 million of its shares of common stock (the “Shares”). Any Shares offered and sold in the Offering were issued pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC on September 3, 2021 (the “Form S-3”) and the prospectus relating to the Offering that forms a part of the Form S-3, following such time as the Form S-3 is declared effective by the SEC. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company issued 16,182 shares of common stock, at an average price of $19.80, raising net proceeds of $312,000, under the Sales Agreement.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, the Agents used their commercially reasonable efforts to sell the Shares from time to time, based upon the Company’s instructions. Under the Sales Agreement, the Agents sold the Shares by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), including, without limitation, sales made directly on the Nasdaq Capital Market, on any other existing trading market for the Company’s common stock or to or through a market maker.

 

The Company had no obligation to sell any of the Shares and could at any time suspend offers under the Sales Agreement. The Offering terminated upon the earlier of (a) the sale of all of the Shares, (b) the termination by the mutual written agreement of the managing agent and the Company, or (c) one year from the date that the Form S-3 is declared effective by the SEC, or November 16, 2022.

 

Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, the Agents were entitled to an aggregate commission at a fixed rate of 3.0% of the gross sales price of Shares sold under the Sales Agreement.

 

Use of proceeds from “at-the-market” offerings included working capital and general corporate purposes, including sales and marketing activities, product development and capital and acquisition related expenditures.