AMERICAN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY Co S-3/A, filed Jun 12, 2024
AMERICAN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY Co (ABAT)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 12, 2024
Registration No. 333-276329
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
to
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
| AMERICAN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY |
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
| Nevada | 33-1227980 | |
(State or jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
100 Washington Street, Suite 100, Reno, NV 89503 |
||
| Tel: (775) 473-4744 | ||
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices) |
||
| Ryan Melsert | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
| 100 Washington Street, Suite 100, | ||
| Reno, NV 89503 | ||
| Tel: (775) 473-4744 | ||
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) |
The Commission is requested to send copies of all communications to:
Amy Bowler
Holland & Hart LLP
555 17th Street, Suite 3200
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 295-8000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following: ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I. D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| ☐ | Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer |
| ☒ | Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company |
| ☐ | Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of American Battery Technology Company (the “Company”) (File No. 333-276329) is being filed solely to (i) amend and restated the “Incorporation by Reference” section hereto to (a) include an amended description of incorporation by reference generally, and (b) to specifically incorporate by reference filings made by the Company subsequent to December 29, 2023, and (ii) to revise Item 16. “Exhibits” to provide an updated consent of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
Except as described above, no changes have been made to the Registration Statement.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 12, 2024
PROSPECTUS
$150,000,000
AMERICAN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Units
This registration statement on Form S-3 is being filed to replace the registration statement on Form S-3 that became effective on March 15, 2021 (the “Prior Registration Statement”), which registered an aggregate amount of $250,000,000 of common stock, preferred stock, warrants and units to be offered by the registrant from time to time. Due to the pending expiration of the Prior Registration Statement, the Company is filing this registration statement and Prospectus to continue its ready access to the market to engage in offerings of securities as it determines from time to time.
We may from time to time offer up to $150,000,000 of the securities listed above in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of such offering or offerings. When we use the term “securities” in this prospectus, we mean any of the securities we may offer with this prospectus, unless we say otherwise.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities and the general manner in which such securities may be offered. The specific terms of any securities to be offered, and the specific manner in which they may be offered, will be described in a supplement to this prospectus or incorporated into this prospectus by reference. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest. Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed or quoted on a securities exchange or quotation system.
We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections of this prospectus entitled “About this Prospectus” and “Plan of Distribution” for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.
INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ CAREFULLY THE RISKS WE DESCRIBE IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND IN ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, AS WELL AS THE RISK FACTORS THAT ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS FROM OUR FILINGS MADE WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. SEE “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 6 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
Our common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), is listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “ABAT”. The trading price of our Common Stock has historically been highly volatile and could continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors. On December 26, 2023 the last reported sale price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq was $4.99 per share. During the first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023, the market price of our Common Stock fluctuated from a high of $13.78 per share to a low of $7.53 per share, and our stock price continues to fluctuate. During the 12 months prior to the date of this prospectus, our Common Stock has traded at a low of $3.33 and a high of $21.75. From October 1, 2023 through the date hereof, our Common Stock has traded at a low of $3.33 and a high of $8.84 per share. Such high trading price volatility of our Common Stock could adversely affect your ability to sell your shares of our Common Stock or, if you are able to sell your shares, to sell your shares at a price that you determine to be fair or favorable. We believe that our recent stock price volatility and stock trading volume fluctuations have been unrelated or disproportionate to any existing changes to our financial conditions or results of operations during the most recent completed fiscal quarter and the comparative period in 2022.
You should carefully read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference” before you invest in any of these securities. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities in a primary offering by us unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that describes the securities being offered.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved the securities we may be offering or determined that this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is June 12, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | |
| PART I - INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS | |
| About this Prospectus | 2 |
| Incorporation by Reference | 3 |
| Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements | 4 |
| The Company | 5 |
| Risk Factors | 6 |
| Use of Proceeds | 11 |
| Dividend Policy | 12 |
| Description of Capital Stock | 13 |
| Description of the Warrants | 18 |
| Description of the Units | 19 |
| Plan of Distribution | 20 |
| Legal Matters | 22 |
| Experts | 22 |
| Where You Can Find More Information | 24 |
| PART II - INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS | |
| Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution | II-1 |
| Indemnification of Directors and Officers | II-1 |
| Exhibit Index | II-3 |
| Undertakings | II-4 |
| Signatures | II-6 |
| i |
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell securities from time to time and in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $150,000,000 as described in this prospectus. Each time that we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and sold and the specific terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, as applicable. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement (and any applicable free writing prospectuses), together with the additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
We have not authorized any other person to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its respective cover, that the information appearing in any applicable free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date of that free writing prospectus, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. This prospectus incorporates by reference, and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may contain and incorporate by reference, market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and we have not independently verified this information. In addition, the market and industry data and forecasts that may be included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus may involve estimates, assumptions and other risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.
When we refer to “American Battery Technology Company,” “ABAT,” “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company” in this prospectus, we mean American Battery Technology Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified. When we refer to “you,” we mean the potential holders of the applicable series of securities.
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The SEC’s rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in this prospectus or a previously filed document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference modifies or replaces that statement.
We incorporate by reference the following documents in this prospectus, which you should review in connection with this prospectus, as well as each of the documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, and between the date of this prospectus and the termination of the offering of the securities described in this prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed below or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or related exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:
| ● | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the annual period ended June 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on September 28, 2023; |
| ● | Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended: (i) September 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on November 14, 2023, as amended on Form 10-Q/A filed with the SEC on November 15, 2023; (ii) December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 14, 2024; and (iii) March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 15, 2024; |
| ● | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on the following dates: September 28, 2023; November 22, 2023; December 4, 2023; December 13, 2023; December 21, 2023 (as amended by Form 8-K/A filed on December 22, 2023); December 22, 2023; January 8, 2024; January 22, 2024; March 18, 2024; March 29, 2024; April 3, 2024; April 4, 2024; and April 25, 2024; and |
| ● | The description of our capital stock in our Form 8-A filed with the SEC on October 17, 2013, and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating the description. |
You may request a copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, at no cost to you, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
American Battery Technology Company
100 Washington Street, Suite 100
Reno, Nevada 89503
Tel: (775) 473-4744
Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains, in addition to historical information, certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “should,” “would,” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Accordingly, these statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, information related to: anticipated operating results; relationships with our customers; consumer demand; financial resources and condition; changes in revenues; changes in profitability; changes in accounting treatment; cost of sales; selling, general and administrative expenses; interest expense; the ability to produce the liquidity or enter into agreements to acquire the capital necessary to continue our operations and take advantage of opportunities; and legal proceedings and claims.
You should read this prospectus and the documents we have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from our expectations. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of such documents.
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This summary description about us and our business highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before buying securities in this offering. You should carefully read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including each of the documents incorporated herein or therein by reference, before making an investment decision.
Overview
American Battery Technology Company is a new entrant in the lithium–ion battery industry that is working to increase the domestic U.S. production of battery materials, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese through its exploration of new primary resources of battery metals, development and commercialization of new technologies for the extraction of these battery metals from primary resources, and commercialization of an internally developed integrated process for the recycling of lithium–ion batteries. Through this three–pronged approach the Company is working to both increase the domestic production of these battery materials, and to ensure spent batteries have their elemental battery metals returned to the domestic manufacturing supply chain in an economical, environmentally-conscious, closed–loop fashion.
To implement this business strategy, the Company is currently commissioning and operating its first integrated lithium–ion battery recycling facility, which takes in waste and end–of–life battery materials from the electric vehicle, stationary storage, and consumer electronics industries. The retrofitting, commissioning, and operation of this facility are of the highest priority to the Company, and as such it has significantly increased the resources devoted to its execution including the further internal hiring of technical staff, expansion of laboratory facilities, and purchasing of equipment. The Company has been awarded a competitively bid grant from the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium to support a $2 million project to accelerate the development and demonstration of this pre–commercial scale integrated lithium–ion battery recycling facility, and the Company has been awarded an additional grant to support a $20 million project under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to validate, test, and deploy three disruptive advanced separation and processing technologies.
Additionally, the Company is accelerating the demonstration and commercialization of its internally developed low–cost and low–environmental impact processing train for the manufacturing of battery grade lithium hydroxide from Nevada–based sedimentary claystone resources. The Company has been awarded a grant cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Technologies Office through the Critical Materials Innovation program to support a $4.5 million project for the construction and operation of a multi–ton per day integrated continuous demonstration system to support the scale–up and commercialization of these technologies. The Company has been awarded an additional grant award under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support a $115 million project to design, construct, and commission the first phase of a first-of-kind commercial manufacturing facility to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide from this resource.
The Company’s corporate headquarters are in Reno, Nevada, USA and its exploration office is located in Tonopah, Nevada, USA. It is also constructing a pilot plant for recycling lithium-ion batteries in Fernley, Nevada, USA, and completing a build-out of a commercial lithium-ion battery recycling facility in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center in Nevada, USA.
Background
The Company was incorporated as Oroplata Resources, Inc. under the laws of the State of Nevada on October 6, 2011, for the purpose of acquiring rights to mineral properties with the eventual objective of being a producing mineral company. On August 8, 2016, the Company formed Lithortech Resources Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company to serve as its operating subsidiary for lithium resource exploration and development. On June 29, 2018, the Company changed the name of Lithortech Resources to LithiumOre Corp. (“LithiumOre”); on May 3, 2019, the Company changed its name to American Battery Metals Corporation; and on August 12, 2021, the Company changed its name to American Battery Technology Company, which better aligns with the Company’s current business activities and future objectives. The Company has limited operating history and has not yet generated or realized revenues from its primary business activities.
Smaller Reporting Company
We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. We may take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies and will be able to take advantage of these scaled disclosures for so long as the market value of our Common Stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter, or our annual revenue is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our Common Stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter. For example, as a smaller reporting company we may choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and we have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation.
Recent Events
On September 11, 2023, the Company effected a one-for-fifteen (1:15) reverse stock split of the Company’s authorized, issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, and the authorized shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”). Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus supplement gives effect to the reverse stock split. However, certain of the documents incorporated by reference herein dated prior to September 11, 2023, have not been adjusted to give effect to the reverse stock split.
Corporate Information
Our mailing address and telephone number of our principal executive offices are:
American Battery Technology Company
100 Washington Street, Suite 100
Reno, Nevada 89503
Tel: (775) 473-4744
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In addition to other information contained in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying base prospectus, before investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K and in any other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our future filings. These risks are not the only ones faced by us. Additional risks not known or that are deemed immaterial could also materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, our products, business and prospects. Any of these risks might cause you to lose all or a part of your investment. See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
RISKS RELATING TO OUR COMPANY
Since we have a limited operating history and have not had product sales yet, it is difficult for potential investors to evaluate our business.
The Company is commissioning a recycling plant but has no product sales to date. Our operations have consisted of the prior exploratory activities, development and limited testing of our recycling process and the development of our business plan. Our limited operating history makes it difficult for potential investors to evaluate our technology or prospective operations. As an early-stage company, we are subject to all the risks inherent in the initial organization, financing, expenditures, complications and delays in a new business. Investors should evaluate an investment in us in light of the uncertainties encountered by developing companies in a competitive environment. There can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful or that we will ultimately be able to attain profitability.
We may need additional financing, which additional financing may not be available on reasonable terms or at all.
We believe that we will require significant working capital in the near term in order to fund our current operations. We will likely need to raise capital over the next 12 months to satisfy such requirements, the receipt of which cannot be assured. We will also require additional capital in order to fully develop our recycling facilities. We intend to seek additional funds through various financing sources, including the private sale of our equity and debt securities, joint ventures with capital partners and project financing of our recycling facilities. However, there can be no guarantees that such funds will be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. If such financing is not available on satisfactory terms, we may be unable to further pursue our business plan and we may be unable to continue operations, in which case you may lose your entire investment.
We must effectively manage the growth of our operations, or our company will suffer.
Our ability to successfully implement our business plan requires an effective planning and management process. If funding is available, we may elect to increase the scope of our operations and acquire complementary businesses. Implementing our business plan will require significant additional funding and resources. If we grow our operations, we will need to hire additional employees and make significant capital investments. If we grow our operations, it will place a significant strain on our existing management and resources. Additionally, we will need to improve our financial and managerial controls and reporting systems and procedures, and we will need to expand, train and manage our workforce. Any failure to manage any of the foregoing areas efficiently and effectively would cause our business to suffer.
We may be unable to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, and as a result we may be unable to accurately report our financial results.
Our reporting obligations as a public company place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems. We do not currently have effective internal controls. If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we could experience delays or inaccuracies in our reporting of financial information, or non-compliance with the Commission, reporting and other regulatory requirements. This could subject us to regulatory scrutiny and result in a loss of public confidence in our management, which could, among other things, cause our stock price to drop.
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We have been and expect to be significantly dependent on consulting agreements for the development of our battery recycling facilities, which exposes us to the risk of reliance on the performance of third parties.
In developing our battery recycling technology, we rely to some extent on consulting agreements with third parties as the Company does not have the resources to employ all the necessary staff required for such activities. The failure to obtain and maintain such consulting agreements would substantially disrupt or delay our battery recycling activities. Any such loss would likely increase our expenses and materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operation.
If we are not successful in attracting and retaining highly qualified personnel, we may not be able to successfully implement our business strategy. In addition, the loss of the services of certain key employees would adversely impact our business prospects.
If we are not successful in attracting and retaining highly qualified personnel, we may not be able to successfully implement our business strategy. In addition, the loss of the services of certain key employees, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Technology Officer, would adversely impact our business prospects. Our ability to compete in the highly competitive battery recycling technology business depends in large part upon our ability to attract highly qualified managerial, scientific, and engineering personnel. In order to induce valuable employees to remain with us, we intend to provide employees with stock grants that vest over time. The value to employees of stock grants that vest over time will be significantly affected by movements in our stock price that we will not be able to control and may at any time be insufficient to counteract more lucrative offers from other companies. Other technology companies with which we compete for qualified personnel have greater financial and other resources, different risk profiles, and a longer history in the industry than we do. They also may provide more diverse opportunities and better chances for career advancement. Some of these characteristics may be more appealing to high-quality candidates than what we have to offer. If we are unable to continue to attract and retain high-quality personnel, the rate and success at which we can develop and commercialize products would be limited.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Battery recycling is a highly competitive and speculative business and we may not be successful in seeking available opportunities.
The process of battery recycling is a highly competitive and speculative business. In seeking available opportunities, we will compete with a number of other companies, including established, multi-national companies that have more experience and resources than we do. There also may be other small companies that are developing similar processes and are farther along than the Company. Because we may not have the financial and managerial resources to compete with other companies, we may not be successful in our efforts to develop technology which is commercially viable.
Our new business model has not been proven by us or anyone else.
We intend to engage in the business of lithium recycling through a proprietary recycling technology. While the production of lithium-ion recycling is an established business, to date most lithium-ion recycling has been produced by way of performing bulk high temperature calcinations or bulk acid dissolutions. We have developed a highly strategic recycling processing train that does not employ any high temperature operations or any bulk chemical treatments of the full battery. We have tested our recycling process on a small scale and to a limited degree; however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to produce battery metals in commercial quantities at a cost of production that will provide us with an adequate profit margin. The uniqueness of our process presents potential risks associated with the development of a business model that is untried and unproven.
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While the testing of our recycling process has been successful to date, there can be no assurance that we will be able to replicate the process, along with all of the expected economic advantages, on a large commercial scale.
As of the date of this prospectus, we have built and operated our recycling process on a very small scale. While we believe that our development and testing to date has proven the concept of our recycling process, we have not undertaken the build-out or operation of a large-scale facility capable of recycling large commercial quantities. There can be no assurance that as we commence large scale manufacturing or operations that we will not incur unexpected costs or hurdles that might restrict the desired scale of our intended operations or negatively impact our projected gross profit margin.
Our intellectual property rights may not be adequate to protect our business.
We currently do not hold any patents for our products. Although we expect to file applications related to our technology, no assurances can be given that any patent will be issued on such patent applications or that, if such patents are issued, they will be sufficiently broad to adequately protect our technology. In addition, we cannot assure you that any patents that may be issued to us will not be challenged, invalidated, or circumvented. Even if we are issued patents, they may not stop a competitor from illegally using our patented processes and materials. In such event, we would incur substantial costs and expenses, including lost time of management in addressing and litigating, if necessary, such matters. Additionally, we rely upon a combination of trade secret laws and nondisclosure agreements with third parties and employees having access to confidential information or receiving unpatented proprietary know-how, trade secrets and technology to protect our proprietary rights and technology. These laws and agreements provide only limited protection. We can give no assurance that these measures will adequately protect us from misappropriation of proprietary information.
Our processes may infringe on the intellectual property rights of others, which could lead to costly disputes or disruptions.
The applied science industry is characterized by frequent allegations of intellectual property infringement. Though we do not expect to be subject to any of these allegations, any allegation of infringement could be time consuming and expensive to defend or resolve, result in substantial diversion of management resources, cause suspension of operations or force us to enter into royalty, license, or other agreements rather than dispute the merits of such allegation. If patent holders or other holders of intellectual property initiate legal proceedings, we may be forced into protracted and costly litigation. We may not be successful in defending such litigation and may not be able to procure any required royalty or license agreements on acceptable terms or at all.
Our business strategy includes entering into joint ventures and strategic alliances. Failure to successfully integrate such joint ventures or strategic alliances into our operations could adversely affect our business.
We propose to commercially exploit our recycling process, in part, by entering into joint ventures and strategic relationships with parties involved in the manufacture and recycling of lithium-ion products. Joint ventures and strategic alliances may involve significant other risks and uncertainties, including distraction of management’s attention away from normal business operations, insufficient revenue generation to offset liabilities assumed and expenses associated with the transaction, and unidentified issues not discovered in our due diligence process, such as product quality, technology issues and legal contingencies. In addition, we may be unable to effectively integrate any such programs and ventures into our operations. Our operating results could be adversely affected by any problems arising during or from any joint ventures or strategic alliances.
If we are unable to manage future expansion effectively, our business, operations and financial condition may suffer significantly, resulting in decreased productivity.
If our recycling process proves to be commercially valuable, it is likely that we will experience a rapid growth phase that could place a significant strain on our managerial, administrative, technical, operational and financial resources. Our organization, procedures and management may not be adequate to fully support the expansion of our operations or the efficient execution of our business strategy. If we are unable to manage future expansion effectively, our business, operations and financial condition may suffer significantly, resulting in decreased productivity.
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The global economic conditions could negatively affect our prospects for growth and operating results.
Our prospects for growth and operating results will be directly affected by the general global economic conditions of the industries in which our suppliers, partners and customer groups operate. We believe that the market price of our principal product, recycled lithium- ion, is relatively volatile and reacts to general global economic conditions. A decline in the price of lithium-ion resulting from over supply or a global economic slowdown and the other global economic conditions could negatively affect our business. There can be no assurance that global economic conditions will not, at times, negatively impact our liquidity, growth prospects and results of operations.
Government regulation and environmental, health and safety concerns may adversely affect our business.
Our operations in the United States will be subject to the Federal, State and local environmental, health and safety laws applicable to the reclamation of lithium-ion batteries. Depending on how any particular operation is structured, our facilities will probably have to obtain environmental permits or approvals to operate, including those associated with air emissions, water discharges, and waste management and storage. We may face opposition from local residents or public interest groups to the installation and operation of our facilities. Failure to secure (or significant delays in securing) the necessary approvals could prevent us from pursuing some of our planned operations and adversely affect our business, financial results and growth prospects. In addition to permitting requirements, our operations are subject to environmental health, safety and transportation laws and regulations that govern the management of and exposure to hazardous materials such as the heavy metals and acids involved in battery reclamation. These include hazard communication and other occupational safety requirements for employees, which may mandate industrial hygiene monitoring of employees for potential exposure to hazardous materials. Failure to comply with these requirements could subject our business to significant penalties (civil or criminal) and other sanctions that could adversely affect our business.
The nature of our operations involves risks, including the potential for exposure to hazardous materials such as heavy metals, that could result in personal injury and property damage claims from third parties, including employees and neighbors, which claims could result in significant costs or other environmental liability. Our operations also pose a risk of releases of hazardous substances, such as heavy metals or acids, into the environment, which can result in liabilities for the removal or remediation of such hazardous substances from the properties at which they have been released, liabilities which can be imposed regardless of fault, and our business could be held liable for the entire cost of cleanup even if we were only partially responsible. Like any manufacturer, we are also subject to the possibility that we may receive notices of potential liability in connection with materials that were sent to third-party recycling, treatment, or disposal facilities under the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”), and comparable state statutes, which impose liability for investigation and remediation of contamination without regard to fault or the legality of the conduct that contributed to the contamination, and for damages to natural resources. Liability under CERCLA is retroactive, and, under certain circumstances, liability for the entire cost of a cleanup can be imposed on any responsible party.
In the event we are unable to present and operate our recycling process and operations as safe and environmentally responsible, we may face opposition from local governments, residents or public interest groups to the installation and operation of our facilities.
RISKS RELATED TO AN INVESTMENT IN OUR SECURITIES
We expect to experience volatility in the price of our Common Stock, which could negatively affect stockholders’ investments.
The trading price of our Common Stock has been highly volatile and could continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. On December 26, 2023 the last reported sale price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq was $4.99 per share. During the first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023, the market price of our Common Stock fluctuated from a high of $13.78 per share to a low of $7.53 per share, and our stock price continues to fluctuate. During the 12 months prior to the date of this prospectus, our Common Stock has traded at a low of $3.33 and a high of $21.75. From October 1, 2023 through the date hereof, our Common Stock has traded at a low of $3.33 and a high of $8.84 per share. We believe that our recent stock price volatility and stock trading volume fluctuations have been unrelated or disproportionate to any existing changes to our financial conditions or results of operations during the most recent completed fiscal quarter and the comparative period in 2022. Investors of our Common Stock may experience rapid and substantial decreases in our stock price, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or business prospects.
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The stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies with securities traded in those markets. Broad market and industry factors may seriously affect the market price of companies’ stock, including ours, regardless of actual operating performance. All of these factors could adversely affect your ability to sell your shares of Common Stock or, if you are able to sell your shares, to sell your shares at a price that you determine to be fair or favorable.
The relative lack of public company experience of our management team could adversely impact our ability to comply with the reporting requirements of U.S. securities laws.
Our management team lacks significant public company experience, which could impair our ability to comply with legal and regulatory requirements such as those imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Our senior management has little experience in managing a publicly traded company. Such responsibilities include complying with federal securities laws and making required disclosures on a timely basis. Our senior management may not be able to implement programs and policies in an effective and timely manner that adequately respond to such increased legal, regulatory compliance and reporting requirements, including the establishing and maintaining of internal controls over financial reporting. Any such deficiencies, weaknesses or lack of compliance could have a materially adverse effect on our ability to comply with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, which is necessary to maintain our public company status. If we were to fail to fulfill those obligations, our ability to continue as a U.S. public company would be in jeopardy, we could be subject to the imposition of fines and penalties and our management would have to divert resources from attending to our business plan.
The elimination of monetary liability against our directors, officers and employees under Nevada law and the existence of indemnification rights for or obligations to our directors, officers and employees may result in substantial expenditures by us and may discourage lawsuits against our directors, officers and employees.
Our articles of incorporation (as amended, “Articles of Incorporation”) contain a provision permitting us to eliminate the personal liability of our directors to us and our stockholders for damages for the breach of a fiduciary duty as a director or officer to the extent provided by Nevada law. We may also have contractual indemnification obligations under any future employment agreements with our officers. The foregoing indemnification obligations could result in us incurring substantial expenditures to cover the cost of settlement or damage awards against directors and officers, which we may be unable to recoup. These provisions and the resulting costs may also discourage us from bringing a lawsuit against directors and officers for breaches of their fiduciary duties, and may similarly discourage the filing of derivative litigation by our stockholders against our directors and officers even though such actions, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders.
We may issue additional shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock in the future, which could cause significant dilution to all stockholders.
Our Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of up to 81,666,667 shares, including 80,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 1,666,667 shares of Preferred Stock, each with a $0.001 par value per share. As of December 26, 2023, we had 49,152,300 shares of Common Stock outstanding and no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding; however, we may issue additional shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock in the future in connection with a financing or an acquisition. Such issuances may not require the approval of our stockholders. In addition, certain of our outstanding rights to purchase additional shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into our Common Stock are subject to some form of anti-dilution protection, which could result in the right to purchase significantly more shares of Common Stock being issued or a reduction in the purchase price for any such shares or both. Any issuance of additional shares of our Common Stock, or equity securities convertible into our Common Stock, including but not limited to, preferred stock, warrants and options, will dilute the percentage ownership interest of all stockholders, may dilute the book value per share of our Common Stock, may negatively impact the market price of our Common Stock, and may also negatively affect stockholders’ investments. If we are able to sell all of the shares of Common Stock registered in this Registration Statement in the aggregate gross amount of $150,000,000 at an assumed price of $4.99 per share, the closing price quoted on Nasdaq on December 26, 2023, we will have to issue a total of 30,060,120 shares to the investors, representing approximately 61% of our total issued and outstanding Common Stock. The supply of a large number of shares of our Common Stock to the public market may suppress the trading prices of our Common Stock, cause our stock prices to fluctuate in an undesirable way, and therefore could negatively affect our investors’ ability to sell our Common Stock at their desired or profitable prices or at all.
Anti-takeover effects of certain provisions of Nevada state law hinder a potential takeover of us.
Certain provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes have anti-takeover effects and may inhibit a non-negotiated merger or other business combination. These provisions are intended to encourage any person interested in acquiring us to negotiate with, and to obtain the approval of, our board of directors (the “Board of Directors” or “Board”) in connection with such a transaction. However, certain of these provisions may discourage a future acquisition of us, including an acquisition in which the stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. As a result, stockholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have the opportunity to do so.
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Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement relating to a specific offering, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities by us under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, operational purposes and potential acquisitions.
The intended application of proceeds from the sale of any particular offering of securities using this prospectus will be described in the accompanying prospectus supplement relating to such offering. The precise amount and timing of the application of these proceeds will depend on our funding requirements and the availability and costs of other funds.
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We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support our operations and finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our Common Stock for the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors. The holders of the Series B and Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive an 8% per annum dividend on their stated value which can be paid in cash or Common Stock at the discretion of the Company (see description of Series B and Series C Preferred Stock below). As of December 26, 2023, there were 0 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, 0 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, and 0 shares of Series C Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.
The current and future holders of our Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends pro rata based on the number of shares held, when and if declared by our Board of Directors, from funds legally available for that purpose. Nevada Revised Statutes prohibits us from declaring dividends where, after giving effect to the distribution of the dividend, we would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the ordinary course of business, or our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities.
Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws do not contain provisions restricting our ability to pay dividends of our Common Stock.
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The following description of our capital stock is not complete and may not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our capital stock. This description is summarized from, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws which have been publicly filed with the SEC. These documents are also incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
Authorized and Outstanding Securities
The Company is authorized to issue two classes of shares, designated “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue is 81,666,667. The Company is authorized to issue 1,666,667 shares of Preferred Stock, of which the Company has designated 33,334 shares as Series A Preferred Stock with a $0.001 par value per share, 133,334 shares as Series B Preferred Stock with a $10.00 par value per share, and 66,667 shares as Series C Preferred Stock with a $10.00 par value per share. The number of shares of Common Stock which the Company is authorized to issue is 80,000,000 with a $0.001 par value per share. As of December 26, 2023, there were 0 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, 0 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, 0 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, and 49,152,300 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.
Common Stock
The holders of our Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters requiring a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Holders of Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board in its discretion from funds legally available therefor, subject to preferences that may be applicable to preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. At present, we have no plans to issue dividends. See “Dividend Policy” for additional information. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share pro rata all assets remaining after payment in full of all liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. The Common Stock has no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock.
Preferred Stock
Our Articles of Incorporation authorize shares of preferred stock and provide that shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our Board of Directors will be authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. Our Board of Directors will be able to, without stockholder approval, issue shares of preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the Common Stock and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of our Board of Directors to issue shares of preferred stock without stockholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of existing management.
Series A Preferred Stock
Designation
The Company has designated 33,334 shares of its preferred stock as Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share.
Ranking
The Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock of the Company and to all other Preferred Stock of the Company.
Voting Rights
On all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Company, each share of Series A Preferred Stock will have 67 votes and holders of Series A Preferred Stock will vote with the holders of the Common Stock as one class.
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Conversion Rights
The Series A Preferred Stock does not have any conversion rights into the Common Stock of the Company.
Dividends
The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are not eligible to participate with respect to any dividends that may be declared by the Board of Directors.
Redemption
Subject to applicable law, the Company may, at any time and from time to time, purchase any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock from the holders.
Liquidation Preference
The Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to liquidation rights according to its rank (as set forth above) and at its par value.
Transfer Restrictions
The outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock may not be transferred, assigned, hypothecated or otherwise conveyed to any party without the affirmative vote of the Board of Directors.
Series B Preferred Stock
Designation
The Company has designated 133,334 shares of its preferred stock as Series B preferred stock. The stated value of the Series B Preferred Stock is $10.00 per share.
Ranking
The Series B Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock of the Company and to all other Preferred Stock of the Company, except Series A Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights
The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock do not have voting rights.
Conversion Rights
Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into three (3) shares of the Company’s common stock.
Dividends
The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, and the Company shall pay, non-cumulative dividends at the rate per share (as a percentage of the stated value of the Series B Preferred Stock) of 8% per annum. The dividends shall be payable at the Company’s option either in cash or in shares of Common Stock of the Company.
Liquidation Preference
The Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to liquidation rights according to its rank (as set forth above) and at its stated value.
Transfer Restrictions
The Series B Preferred Stock may only be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise disposed of in accordance with state and federal securities laws.
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Series C Preferred Stock
Designation
The Company has designated 66,667 shares of its preferred stock of Series C preferred stock. The stated value of the Series C Preferred Stock is $10.00 per share.
Ranking
The Series C Preferred Stock ranks senior to the common stock of the Company and to all other Preferred Stock of the Company, except Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights
The holders of the Series C Preferred stock do not have voting rights.
Conversion Rights
Each share of Series C Preferred Stock is convertible into six (6) shares of the Company’s common stock.
Dividends
The holders of the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, and the Company shall pay, non-cumulative dividends at the rate per share (as a percentage of the stated value of the Series C Preferred Stock) of 8% per annum. The dividends shall be payable at the Company’s option either in cash or in shares of Common Stock the Company.
Liquidation Preference
The Series C Preferred Stock is entitled to liquidation rights according to its rank (as set forth above) and at its stated value.
Transfer Restrictions
The Series C Preferred Stock may only be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise disposed of in accordance with state and federal securities laws.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Nevada Law and Our Charter Documents
Certain provisions of Nevada law and our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws could make more difficult the acquisition of us by means of a tender offer or otherwise, and the removal of incumbent officers and directors. These provisions are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us.
Nevada Revised Statutes (as amended, the “NRS”)
Business Combinations
The “business combination” provisions of Sections 78.411 to 78.444, inclusive, of the Nevada Revised Statutes, or NRS, generally prohibit a Nevada corporation with at least 200 stockholders from engaging in various “combination” transactions with any interested stockholder for a period of two years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the transaction is approved by the board of directors prior to the date the interested stockholder obtained such status or the combination is approved by the board of directors and thereafter is approved at a meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of stockholders representing at least 60% of the outstanding voting power held by disinterested stockholders, and extends beyond the expiration of the two-year period, unless:
| ● | the combination was approved by the board of directors prior to the person becoming an interested stockholder or the transaction by which the person first became an interested stockholder was approved by the board of directors before the person became an interested stockholder or the combination is later approved by a majority of the voting power held by disinterested stockholders; or |
| ● | if the consideration to be paid by the interested stockholder is at least equal to the highest of: (a) the highest price per share paid by the interested stockholder within the two years immediately preceding the date of the announcement of the combination or in the transaction in which it became an interested stockholder, whichever is higher, (b) the market value per share of common stock on the date of announcement of the combination and the date the interested stockholder acquired the shares, whichever is higher, or (c) for holders of preferred stock, the highest liquidation value of the preferred stock, if it is higher. |
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A “combination” is generally defined to include mergers or consolidations or any sale, lease exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer, or other disposition, in one transaction or a series of transactions, with an “interested stockholder” having: (a) an aggregate market value equal to 5% or more of the aggregate market value of the assets of the corporation, (b) an aggregate market value equal to 5% or more of the aggregate market value of all outstanding shares of the corporation, (c) 10% or more of the earning power or net income of the corporation, and (d) certain other transactions with an interested stockholder or an affiliate or associate of an interested stockholder.
In general, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within two years, did own) 10% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. The statute could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire our Company even though such a transaction may offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the prevailing market price. The Articles of Incorporation expressly elect not to be governed by these provisions of the NRS. Accordingly, the business combination statutes will not be applicable to us unless our Articles of Incorporation are amended in accordance with applicable law and the Articles of Incorporation to remove our election to opt out of the application of the statutes.
Control Share Acquisitions
The “control share” provisions of Sections 78.378 to 78.3793, inclusive, of the NRS apply to “issuing corporations” that are Nevada corporations with at least 200 stockholders, including at least 100 stockholders of record who are Nevada residents, and that conduct business directly or indirectly in Nevada. The control share statute prohibits an acquirer, under certain circumstances, from voting its shares of a target corporation’s stock after crossing certain ownership threshold percentages, unless the acquirer obtains approval of the target corporation’s disinterested stockholders. The statute specifies three thresholds: one-fifth or more but less than one-third, one-third but less than a majority, and a majority or more, of the outstanding voting power. Generally, once an acquirer crosses one of the above thresholds, those shares in an offer or acquisition and acquired within 90 days thereof become “control shares” and such control shares are deprived of the right to vote until disinterested stockholders restore the right. These provisions also provide that if control shares are accorded full voting rights and the acquiring person has acquired a majority or more of all voting power, all other stockholders who do not vote in favor of authorizing voting rights to the control shares are entitled to demand payment for the fair value of their shares in accordance with statutory procedures established for dissenters’ rights.
The effect of the Nevada control share statutes is that the acquiring person, and those acting in association with the acquiring person, will obtain only such voting rights in the control shares as are conferred by a resolution of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting. The Nevada control share law, if applicable, could have the effect of discouraging takeovers of our Company. A corporation may elect to not be governed by, or “opt out” of, the control share provisions by making an election in its articles of incorporation or bylaws, provided that the opt-out election must be in place on the 10th day following the date an acquiring person has acquired a controlling interest, that is, crossing any of the three thresholds described above. The Articles of Incorporation expressly elect not to be governed by these provisions of the NRS. Accordingly, the control share statutes will not be applicable to us unless our Articles of Incorporation are amended in accordance with applicable law and the Articles of Incorporation to remove our election to opt out of the application of the statutes.
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Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
The Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws include anti-takeover provisions that:
| ● | authorize the Board of Directors, without further action by the stockholders, to issue shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, and with respect to each series, to fix the number of shares constituting that series, and establish the rights and terms of that series; |
| ● | establish advance notice procedures for stockholders to submit nominations of candidates for election to the Board of Directors to be brought before a stockholders meeting; |
| ● | allow the Company’s directors to establish the size of the Board of Directors and fill vacancies on the Board created by an increase in the number of directors (subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances); |
| ● | require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors in order to remove a director or the entire Board of Directors for cause; |
| ● | do not provide stockholders cumulative voting rights with respect to director elections; and |
| ● | provide that the Company’s Bylaws may be amended by the Board of Directors without stockholder approval. |
Provisions of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws may delay or discourage transactions involving an actual or potential change in the Company’s control or change in the Company’s Board of Directors or management, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares or transactions that the Company’s stockholders might otherwise deem to be in their best interests. Therefore, these provisions could adversely affect the price of our common stock.
Authorized and Unissued Shares
The Company’s authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval except as may otherwise be required by applicable stock exchange rules or Nevada law. The Company may issue additional shares for a variety of purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, to fund acquisitions and as employee and consultant compensation. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock could render more difficult, or discourage an attempt, to obtain control of the Company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
The issuance of shares of Preferred Stock by the Company could have certain anti-takeover effects under certain circumstances, and could enable the Board of Directors to render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a merger, tender offer, or other business combination transaction directed at the Company by, among other things, placing shares of Preferred Stock with investors who might align themselves with the Board of Directors.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent for our Common Stock is Securities Transfer Corporation at 2901 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 380, Plano, TX 75093. The transfer agent’s telephone number is (469) 633-0101.
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We may issue warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, or units. Each issue of warrants will be the subject of a warrant agreement which will contain the terms of the warrants. In the event that we issue warrants, we will distribute a prospectus supplement with regard to each issue of warrants. Each prospectus supplement will describe, as to the warrants to which it relates:
| ● | the securities which may be purchased by exercising the warrants (which may be Common Stock, Preferred Stock, or units consisting of two or more of those types of securities); | |
| ● | the exercise price of the warrants (which may be wholly or partly payable in cash or wholly or partly payable with other types of consideration); | |
| ● | the period during which the warrants may be exercised; | |
| ● | any provision adjusting the securities which may be purchased on exercise of the warrants and the exercise price of the warrants in order to prevent dilution or otherwise; | |
| ● | the place or places where warrants can be presented for exercise or for registration of transfer or exchange; and | |
| ● | any other material terms of the warrants. |
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder of the warrant to purchase for cash the amount of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, or units at the exercise price stated or determinable in the applicable prospectus supplement for the warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date shown in the applicable prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified in such prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Until a holder exercises the warrants to purchase any securities underlying the warrants, the holder will not have any rights as a holder of the underlying securities by virtue of ownership of warrants.
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The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any units that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we indicate in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any units offered under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Specific unit agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.
We may issue units composed of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. If we issue units, the prospectus supplement relating to the units will contain the information described above with regard to each of the securities that is a component of the units. In addition, each prospectus supplement relating to units will:
| ● | state how long, if at all, the securities that are components of the units must be traded in units, and when they can be traded separately; | |
| ● | state whether we will apply to have the units traded on a securities exchange or securities quotation system; and | |
| ● | describe how, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the purchase price paid for the units is to be allocated among the component securities. |
The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Our Capital Stock” and “Description of Warrants” will apply to each unit, as applicable, and to any Common Stock, Preferred Stock and warrant included in each unit, as applicable.
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We may sell the securities offered through this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements in one or more of the following ways from time to time: (i) to or through underwriters or dealers, (ii) directly to one or more purchasers, including our affiliates, (iii) through agents, (iv) through a combination of any these methods, or (v) through any other method permitted by applicable law.
In addition, the manner in which we may sell some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus, includes, without limitation, through:
| ● | an “at the market” offering, within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act,” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market on an exchange or otherwise; | |
| ● | a block trade in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell as agent, but may position or resell a portion of the block, as principal, in order to facilitate the transaction; | |
| ● | purchases by a broker-dealer, as principal, and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; | |
| ● | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers; or | |
| ● | privately negotiated transactions. |
The securities may be distributed at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, based on market prices prevailing at the time of sale, prices related to the prevailing market prices, or negotiated prices. The prospectus supplement relating to an offering of securities will set forth the terms of such offering, including:
| ● | the name or names of any underwriters or agents; | |
| ● | the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters; | |
| ● | the name or names of any broker/dealers or placement agents; | |
| ● | the purchase price of the securities; | |
| ● | any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities; | |
| ● | the net proceeds from the sale of the securities; | |
| ● | any delayed delivery arrangements; | |
| ● | any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation; | |
| ● | any initial public offering price; | |
| ● | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; | |
| ● | any commissions paid to agents; and | |
| ● | any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed. |
Sale Through Underwriters or Dealers
Only underwriters named in a prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered by such prospectus supplement.
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If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account, including through underwriting, purchase, security lending or repurchase agreements with us. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. Underwriters may sell the securities in order to facilitate transactions in any of our other securities (described in this prospectus or otherwise), including other public or private transactions and short sales. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters without a syndicate. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
If dealers are used in the sale of securities offered through this prospectus, we will sell the securities to them as principals. The dealers may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The prospectus supplement will include the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.
The maximum compensation or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not be greater than 8% for the sale of any securities being registered hereunder pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act.
Direct Sales and Sales Through Agents
We may sell the securities offered through this prospectus directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. Such securities may also be sold through agents designated from time to time. Any applicable prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities and will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.
We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. The terms of any such sales will be described in a prospectus supplement.
Delayed Delivery Contracts
If an applicable prospectus supplement indicates, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.
Market Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions
We may elect to list offered securities on an exchange or in the over-the-counter market. Any underwriters that we use in the sale of offered securities may make a market in such securities, but may discontinue such market making at any time without notice. Therefore, we cannot assure you that the securities will have a liquid trading market.
Certain persons participating in an offering may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with rules and regulations under the Exchange Act. Overallotment involves the sale in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying security in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions.
Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of the transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.
General Information
Agents, underwriters, and dealers may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Our agents, underwriters, and dealers, or their affiliates, may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
| 21 |
Holland & Hart LLP, Denver, Colorado, or other counsel selected by the Company with regard to a particular offering, who will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering, will pass upon the validity of any securities we offer by this prospectus. If the validity of any securities is also passed upon by counsel for the underwriters of an offering of those securities, that counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering.
| 22 |
The consolidated financial statements of American Battery Technology Company for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, appearing in American Battery Technology Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023, have been audited by Marcum LLP, as set forth in its report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
| 23 |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance with those requirements, we file Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Unless specifically listed or described under “Incorporation by Reference,” the information contained on the SEC website is not intended to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and you should not consider that information a part of this prospectus.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus is a part, covering the securities described in this prospectus. You should be aware that this prospectus does not contain all of the information contained or incorporated by reference in the registration statement and its exhibits. You may inspect and obtain the registration statement, including exhibits, reports and other information that we have filed with the SEC, as described in the preceding paragraph.
We will also provide to you, at no cost, a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any exhibits specifically incorporated by reference in those documents. You may request a copy of any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus (including exhibits to those documents specifically incorporated by reference in this document), by contacting us at the following address or telephone number:
American Battery Technology Company
100 Washington Street, Suite 100
Reno, Nevada 89503
Tel: (775) 473-4744
Our SEC filings also are available on our website at americanbatterytechnology.com. Except for the documents specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus, our website and information contained or accessed through our website do not constitute a part of this prospectus. We have included our website address only as inactive text and do not intend it to be an active link to our website.
| 24 |
$150,000,000
AMERICAN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Units
PROSPECTUS
June 12, 2024
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the various costs and expenses to be paid by us in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and commissions. All amounts shown are estimates except for the registration fee required by the Securities & Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
| SEC registration fee | $ | 3,414.58 | ||
| Accounting fees and expenses | (1 | ) | ||
| FINRA filing fees | (1 | ) | ||
| Legal fees and expenses | (1 | ) | ||
| Fees and expenses of the trustee | (1 | ) | ||
| Transfer agent fees and expenses | (1 | ) | ||
| Depositary fees and expenses | (1 | ) | ||
| Warrant agent fees and expenses | (1 | ) | ||
| Printing expenses | (1 | ) | ||
| Miscellaneous | (1 | ) | ||
| Total | (1 | ) |
| (1) | These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Nevada Law
Section 78.7502 of the Nevada Revised Statutes permits a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, except an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if he:
(a) is not liable pursuant to Nevada Revised Statute 78.138, or (b) acted in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
In addition, Section 78.7502 permits a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if he:
(b) is not liable pursuant to Nevada Revised Statute 78.138; or (b) acted in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.
Section 78.751 of the Nevada Revised Statutes provides that to the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to above (or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein), the corporation is required to indemnify him against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense.
| II-1 |
Section 78.751 of the Nevada Revised Statutes also provides that (unless otherwise restricted by the articles of incorporation, the bylaws or an agreement made by the corporation) such indemnification may also include payment by the corporation of expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action or proceeding as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by(or on behalf of) a director or officer to repay such payment if he shall be ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification by the corporation. Indemnification may be provided even though the person to be indemnified is no longer a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or such other entities.
Section 78.752 of the Nevada Revised Statutes allows a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance or make other financial arrangements on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise for any liability asserted against him and liability and expenses incurred by him in his capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation has the authority to indemnify him against such liability and expenses.
Other financial arrangements made by the corporation pursuant to Section 78.752 may include the following:
(a) the creation of a trust fund;
(b) the establishment of a program of self-insurance;
(c) the securing of its obligations of indemnification by granting a security interest or other lien on any assets of the corporation; and
(d) the establishment of a letter of credit, guaranty or surety.
No financial arrangement made pursuant to Section 78.752 may provide protection for a person adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals, to be liable for intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law, except with respect to the advancement of expenses of indemnification ordered by a court.
Any discretionary indemnification pursuant to Section 78.7502 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, unless ordered by a court or advanced pursuant to an undertaking to repay the amount if it is determined by a court that the indemnified party is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation, may be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper under the circumstances. The determination must be made by:
(a) the stockholders;
(b) the board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding;
(c) independent legal counsel in a written opinion if a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding so orders; or
(d) independent legal counsel in a written opinion if a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding cannot be obtained.
Subsection 7 of Section 78.138 of the Nevada Revised Statutes provides that, subject to certain very limited statutory exceptions or unless the articles of incorporation or an amendment thereto provide for greater individual liability, a director or officer is not individually liable to the corporation or its stockholders or creditors for any damages as a result of any act or failure to act in his or her capacity as a director or officer, unless it is proven that the act or failure to act constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties as a director or officer and such breach of those duties involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law.
| II-2 |
Charter Provisions and Other Arrangements
Pursuant to the provisions of Nevada Revised Statutes, we have adopted the following indemnification provisions in our Articles of Incorporation for our directors and officers:
Officers and directors shall have no personal liability to the corporation of its stockholders for damages for breach of fiduciary duty as an officer or director. This provision does not eliminate or limit the liability of an officer or director for acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law or the payment of distributions in violation of the NRS 78.300.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
The following exhibits are included as part of this Registration Statement by reference:
| Exhibit | Description | Filed Herein | Incorporated Date |
By Form |
Reference Exhibit | |||||
| 1.1* | Form of Underwriting Agreement. | |||||||||
| 3.1 | Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended | September 12, 2022 | 10-K | 3.1 | ||||||
| 3.2 | Bylaws | May 22, 2013 | S-1 | 3.2 | ||||||
| 3.3 | Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Preferred Stock | October 8, 2019 | 8-K | 3.1 | ||||||
| 3.4 | Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series B Preferred Stock | February 19, 2020 | 8-K | 3.1 | ||||||
| 3.5 | Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series C Preferred Stock | November 5, 2020 | 8-K | 3.1 | ||||||
| 4.1* | Form of Certificate of Designation. | |||||||||
| 4.2* | Form of Preferred Stock Certificate. | |||||||||
| 4.3* | Form of Warrant Agreement. | |||||||||
| 4.4* | Form of Warrant Certificate. | |||||||||
| 4.5* | Form of Stock Purchase Agreement. | |||||||||
| 4.6* | Form of Unit Agreement. | |||||||||
| 5.1 | Opinion of Holland & Hart LLP | December 29, 2023 | S-3 |
5.1 | ||||||
| 23.1 | Consent of Marcum LLP | X | ||||||||
| 23.2 | Consent of Holland & Hart LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) | December 29, 2023 | S-3 |
23.2 | ||||||
| 24.1 | Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to this Registration Statement) | December 29, 2023 | S-3 | 24.1 | ||||||
| 107 | Filing Fee Table | December 29, 2023 |
S-3 | 107 |
| * | To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document incorporated by reference into this registration statement at a later date in connection with a specific offering. |
| II-3 |
| a. | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
| 1. | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
| i. | To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; | |
| ii. | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement. | |
| iii. | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; |
provided however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
| 2. | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. | |
| 3. | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. | |
| 4. | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser: |
| i. | Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and | |
| ii. | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| II-4 |
provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
| 5. | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
| i. | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
| ii. | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
| iii. | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
| iv. | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
| b. | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. | |
| c. | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X are not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information. | |
| d. | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. | |
| e. | If and when applicable, the Registrant hereby further undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act. |
| II-5 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Reno, State of Nevada, on June 12, 2024.
| AMERICAN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY | ||
| a Nevada corporation | ||
| By: | /s/ Ryan Melsert | |
| Ryan Melsert | ||
| Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer | ||
We, the undersigned officers and directors of American Battery Technology Company, hereby severally constitute and appoint Ryan Melsert, our true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities, to sign for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (or any other registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as full to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities held on the dates indicated.
| /s/ Ryan Melsert | ||||
| Ryan Melsert | Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer (Principal Executive Officer), and Director | June 12, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Elizabeth Lowery | ||||
| Elizabeth Lowery | Director | June 12, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Susan Yun Lee | ||||
Susan Yun Lee |
Director | June 12, 2024 | ||
| /s/ D. Richard Fezell | ||||
| D. Richard Fezell | Chairman of the Board, Director | June 12, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Sherif Marakby | ||||
| Sherif Marakby | Director | June 12, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Jesse Deutsch | ||||
| Jesse Deutsch | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer) | June 12, 2024 |
| II-6 |
Exhibit 23.1
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of American Battery Technology Company on Form S-3 Amendment No. 1, File No. 333-276329, of our report dated September 27, 2023, with respect to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of American Battery Technology Company as of June 30, 2023 and 2022 and for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of American Battery Technology Company for the year ended June 30, 2023. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.
/s/ Marcum llp
Marcum llp
Costa Mesa CA
June 12, 2024