ABAT 8-K
AMERICAN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY Co (ABAT)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
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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. ☐
Item 1.01. Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement
On September 16, 2024, American Battery Technology Company (the “Company”) entered into a Subscription and Investment Representation Agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with Ryan Melsert, its Chief Executive Officer, who is an accredited investor (the “Purchaser”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell five (5) shares of the Company’s Series D Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), to the Purchaser for an aggregate purchase price of $100.00, $20.00 per share of Preferred Stock. The sale closed on September 16, 2024. The Subscription Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and certain indemnification rights and obligations of the parties.
The foregoing summary of the Subscription Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, such document, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
The disclosure required by this Item is included in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. Based in part upon the representations of the Purchaser in the Subscription Agreement, the offering and sale of the Preferred Stock was exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Item 3.03 Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders
The disclosure required by this Item is included in Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year
On September 16, 2024, the Company filed a certificate of designation (the “Certificate of Designation”) with the Secretary of State of Nevada, effective 12:00 p.m. PDT, designating the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the shares of Preferred Stock. The Certificate of Designation provides that each share of Preferred Stock will have 12,000,000 votes and will vote together with the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock as a single class exclusively with respect to a proposal to amend the Company’s articles of incorporation, as amended, to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock of the Company. The Preferred Stock will be voted, without action by the holder, on such proposal in the same proportion, and in the same manner, as shares of common stock are voted by the shareholders and in no other manner.
The Preferred Stock is eligible to vote in the Company’s next annual meeting of shareholders alongside the Company’s shareholders of record as of September 17, 2024 (the “Record Date”), entitled to notice of, and to vote at the Company’s next annual meeting of shareholders on the proposal to amend the Company’s articles of incorporation, as amended, to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock of the Company. The Preferred Stock otherwise has no voting rights except as otherwise required by the Nevada Revised Statutes.
The Preferred Stock is not convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or series of stock or other securities of the Company. The Preferred Stock has no rights with respect to any distribution of assets of the Company, including upon a liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, merger, acquisition, sale, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. The holder of the Preferred Stock will not be entitled to receive dividends of any kind.
The outstanding shares of Preferred Stock shall be redeemed in whole, but not in part, at any time (i) if such redemption is ordered by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion or (ii) automatically upon the effectiveness of the amendment to the articles of incorporation, as amended, implementing an increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock of the Company. Upon such redemption, the holder of the Preferred Stock will receive consideration of $100.00.
The foregoing summary of the Certificate of Designation does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, such document, which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statement and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
| 3.1 | Certificate of Designation of Series D Preferred Stock, dated September 16, 2024 | |
| 10.1 | Subscription and Investment Representation Agreement, dated September 16, 2024, by and between American Battery Technology Company and Ryan Melsert | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| AMERICAN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY | ||
| Date: September 20, 2024 | By: | /s/ Ryan Melsert |
| Ryan Melsert | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
Exhibit 3.1
AMERICAN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF
SERIES D PREFERRED STOCK
Pursuant to Section 78.1955 of the
Nevada Revised Statutes
THE UNDERSIGNED DOES HEREBY CERTIFY, on behalf of American Battery Technology Company, a Nevada corporation (the “Corporation”), that the following resolution was duly adopted by the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”), in accordance with the provisions of Section 78.1955 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”) on September 13, 2024, which resolution provides for the creation of a series of the Corporation’s Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, which is designated as “Series D Preferred Stock,” with the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions set forth therein.
WHEREAS, the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation (as amended, the “Articles of Incorporation”), provides for a class of capital stock of the Corporation known as Preferred Stock, consisting of 1,666,667 shares, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), issuable from time to time in one or more series, and further provides that the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to fix the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock, to determine the designation of any such shares, and to determine the rights (including but not limited to voting rights), preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed upon any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors by the Articles of Incorporation, (i) a series of Preferred Stock be, and hereby is, authorized by the Board of Directors, (ii) the Board of Directors hereby authorizes the issuance of five shares of Series D Preferred Stock (as defined below) and (iii) the Board of Directors hereby fixes the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such share of Preferred Stock, in addition to any provisions set forth in the Articles of Incorporation that are applicable to all series of the Preferred Stock, as follows:
TERMS OF PREFERRED STOCK
| 1. | Designation, Amount and Par Value. The series of Preferred Stock created hereby shall be designated as the Series D Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”), and the number of shares so designated shall be five. The shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.001 per share and will be uncertificated and represented in book-entry form. |
| 2. | Dividends. The holders of Series D Preferred Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to receive dividends of any kind. |
| 3. | Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation or required by law, the holders of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights: |
3.1 Except as otherwise provided herein, each outstanding share of Series D Preferred Stock shall have 12,000,000 votes. The outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall vote together with the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Corporation as a single class exclusively with respect to an Increase in Authorized Common Stock (as defined below) and shall not be entitled to vote on any other matter except to the extent required under the NRS. As used herein, the term “Increase in Authorized Common Stock” means an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common S tock.
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3.2 The shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall be voted, without action by the holder, on the Increase in Authorized Common Stock in the same proportion as shares of Common Stock are voted (excluding any shares of Common Stock that are not voted) on the Increase in Authorized Common Stock (and, for purposes of clarity, such voting rights shall not apply on any other resolution presented to the stockholders of the Corporation).
| 4. | Rank; Liquidation and Other. The Series D Preferred Stock shall have no rights as to any distribution of assets of the Corporation for any reason, including upon a liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, merger, acquisition, sale, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. |
| 5. | Transfer. The Series D Preferred Stock may not be Transferred at any time prior to stockholder approval of the Increase in Authorized Common Stock without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors. “Transferred” means, directly or indirectly, whether by merger, consolidation, share exchange, division, or otherwise, the sale, transfer, gift, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or other disposition of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock (or any right, title or interest thereto or therein) or any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) to take any of the foregoing actions. |
| 6. | Redemption. |
6.1 The outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall be redeemed in whole, but not in part, at any time (i) if such redemption is ordered by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, automatically and effective on such time and date specified by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, or (ii) automatically upon the later of the effectiveness of the amendment to the Articles of Incorporation implementing the Increase in Authorized Common Stock (any such redemption pursuant to this Section 6.1, the “Redemption”). As used herein, the “Redemption Time” shall mean the effective time of the Redemption.
6.2 The shares of Series D Preferred Stock redeemed in the Redemption pursuant to this Section 6 shall be redeemed in consideration for the right to receive an amount equal to $100.00 in cash (the “Redemption Price”) for the shares of Series D Preferred Stock owned of record as of immediately prior to the applicable Redemption Time and redeemed pursuant to the Redemption, payable upon the applicable Redemption Time.
6.3 From and after the time at which the shares of Series D Preferred Stock are called for Redemption (whether automatically or otherwise) in accordance with Section 6.1, each share of Series D Preferred Stock shall cease to be outstanding, and the only right of the former holder of such share of Series D Preferred Stock, as such, will be to receive the applicable Redemption Price. The Redemption of each share of Series D Preferred Stock by the Corporation pursuant to this Certificate of Designation shall be automatically retired and restored to the status of an authorized but unissued share of Preferred Stock, upon such Redemption. Notice of a meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders for the submission to such stockholders of any proposal to approve the Increase in Authorized Common Stock shall constitute notice of the Redemption of shares of Series D Preferred Stock and result in the automatic Redemption of the share of Series D Preferred Stock at the Redemption Time pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof. In connection with the filing of this Certificate of Designation, the Corporation has set apart funds for payment for the Redemption of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock and shall continue to keep such funds apart for such payment.
| 7. | Severability. Whenever possible, each provision hereof shall be interpreted in a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision hereof is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, then such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating or otherwise adversely affecting the remaining provisions hereof. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, American Battery Technology Company has caused this Certificate of Designation of Series D Preferred Stock to be duly executed by the undersigned duly authorized officer as of this day September 16, 2024.
| AMERICAN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY | ||
| By: | /s/ Ryan Melsert | |
| Name: | Ryan Melsert | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
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Exhibit 10.1
American Battery Technology Company
Series D Preferred Stock
SUBSCRIPTION AND INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of September 16, 2024, is by and between American Battery Technology Company, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned subscriber (the “Subscriber”). In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, and other good, valuable and adequate consideration, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Agreement of Sale; Closing. The Company agrees to sell to Subscriber, and Subscriber agrees to purchase from the Company, five (5) shares of the Company’s Series D Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Securities”), which Securities shall have the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions set forth in the Certificate of Designation attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Certificate of Designation”). Subscriber hereby acknowledges and agrees to the entire terms of the Certificate of Designation, including, without limitation, the voting rights in Section 3, the restrictions on transfer of the Securities in Section 5 and the redemption of the Securities pursuant to Section 6 of the Certificate of Designation. The purchase price will be paid by the Subscriber to the Company in cash at the price of $20.00 per share.
2. Representations and Warranties of Subscriber. In consideration of the Company’s offer to sell the Securities, and in addition to the purchase price to be paid, Subscriber hereby covenants, represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
a. Information About the Company.
i. Subscriber is aware that the Company’s financial projections and future are purely speculative.
ii. Subscriber has had an opportunity to ask questions of, and receive answers from, the Company concerning the business, management, and financial and compliance affairs of the Company and the terms and conditions of the purchase of the Securities contemplated hereby. Subscriber has had an opportunity to obtain, and has received, any additional information deemed necessary by the Subscriber to verify such information in order to form a decision concerning an investment in the Company.
iii. Subscriber has been advised to seek legal counsel and financial and tax advice concerning Subscriber’s investment in the Company hereunder.
b. Restrictions on Transfer. Subscriber covenants, represents and warrants that the Securities are being purchased for Subscriber’s own personal account and for Subscriber’s individual investment and without the intention of reselling or redistributing the same, that Subscriber has made no agreement with others regarding any of such Securities, and that Subscriber’s financial condition is such that it is not likely that it will be necessary to dispose of any of the Securities in the foreseeable future. Moreover, Subscriber acknowledges that any of the aforementioned actions may require the prior written consent of the Company’s board of directors pursuant to the Certificate of Designation. Subscriber is aware that, in the view of the Securities and Exchange Commission, a purchase of the Securities with an intent to resell by reason of any foreseeable specific contingency or anticipated change in market values, or any change in the condition of the Company, or in connection with a contemplated liquidation or settlement of any loan obtained by Subscriber for the acquisition of the Securities and for which the Securities were pledged as security, would represent an intent inconsistent with the covenants, warranties and representations set forth above. Subscriber understands that the Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any state or foreign securities laws in reliance on exemptions from registration under these laws, and that, accordingly, the Securities may not be resold by the undersigned (i) unless they are registered under both the Securities Act and applicable state or foreign securities laws or are sold in transactions which are exempt from such registration, and (ii) except in compliance with Section 5 of the Certificate of Designation, which may require the prior written consent of the Company’s board of directors. Subscriber therefore agrees not to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of the Securities (i) unless a registration statement relating thereto has been duly filed and become effective under the Securities Act and applicable state or foreign securities laws, or unless in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company no such registration is required under the circumstances, and (ii) except in compliance with Section 5 of the Certificate of Designation. There is not currently, and it is unlikely that in the future there will exist, a public market for the Securities; and accordingly, for the above and other reasons, Subscriber may not be able to liquidate an investment in the Securities for an indefinite period.
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c. High Degree of Economic Risk. Subscriber realizes that an investment in the Securities involves a high degree of economic risk to the Subscriber, including the risks of receiving no return on the investment and/or of losing Subscriber’s entire investment in the Company. Subscriber is able to bear the economic risk of investment in the Securities, including the total loss of such investment. The Company can make no assurance regarding its future financial performance or as to the future profitability of the Company.
d. Suitability. Subscriber has such knowledge and experience in financial, legal and business matters that Subscriber is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Securities. Subscriber has obtained, to the extent deemed necessary, Subscriber’s own personal professional advice with respect to the risks inherent in, and the suitability of, an investment in the Securities in light of Subscriber’s financial condition and investment needs. Subscriber believes that the investment in the Securities is suitable for Subscriber based upon Subscriber’s investment objectives and financial needs, and Subscriber has adequate means for providing for Subscriber’s current financial needs and personal contingencies and has no need for liquidity of investment with respect to the Securities. Subscriber understands that no federal or state agency has made any finding or determination as to the fairness for investment, nor any recommendation or endorsement, of the Securities.
e. Tax Liability. Subscriber has reviewed with Subscriber’s own tax advisors the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this investment and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and has and will rely solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents, representatives, employees or affiliates or subsidiaries. Subscriber understands that Subscriber (and not the Company) shall be responsible for Subscriber’s own tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Under penalties of perjury, Subscriber certifies that Subscriber is not subject to back-up withholding either because Subscriber has not been notified that Subscriber is subject to back-up withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest and dividends, or because the Internal Revenue Service has notified Subscriber that Subscriber is no longer subject to back-up withholding.
f. Residence. Subscriber’s present principal residence or business address, and the location where the securities are being purchased, is located in the State of Nevada.
g. Limitation Regarding Representations. Except as set forth in this Agreement, no covenants, representations or warranties have been made to Subscriber by the Company or any agent, representative, employee, director or affiliate or subsidiary of the Company and in entering into this transaction, Subscriber is not relying on any information, other than that contained herein and the results of independent investigation by Subscriber without any influence by Company or those acting on Company’s behalf. Subscriber agrees it is not relying on any oral or written information not expressly included in this Agreement, including but not limited to the information which has been provided by the Company, its directors, its officers or any affiliate or subsidiary of any of the foregoing.
3. Legend. Subscriber consents to the notation of the Securities with the following legend reciting restrictions on the transferability of the Securities:
The Securities represented hereby have not been registered under the Securities Act, and have not been registered under any state securities laws. These Securities may not be sold, offered for sale or transferred, without first obtaining (i) an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company that such sale or transfer lawfully is exempt from registration under the Securities Act and under the applicable state securities laws or (ii) such registration. Moreover, these Securities may be transferred only in accordance with the terms of the Company’s Certificate of Designation of Series D Preferred Stock, a copy of which is on file with the Secretary of the Company.
4. Accredited Status. Subscriber covenants, represents and warrants that he does qualify as an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act.
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5. Holding Status. Subscriber desires that the Securities be held as set forth on the signature page hereto.
6. Notice. Correspondence regarding the Securities should be directed to Subscriber at the address provided by Subscriber to the Company in writing. Subscriber is a bona fide resident of the state of Nevada.
7. No Assignment or Revocation; Binding Effect. Neither this Agreement, nor any interest herein, shall be assignable or otherwise transferable, restricted or limited by Subscriber without prior written consent of the Company. Subscriber hereby acknowledges and agrees that Subscriber is not entitled to cancel, terminate, modify or revoke this Agreement in any way and that the Agreement shall survive the death, incapacity or bankruptcy of Subscriber. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
8. Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Subscriber and each current and future officer, director, employee, agent, representative and shareholder, if any, of the Subscriber from and against any and all costs, loss, damage or liability associated with this Agreement and the issuance and voting of the Securities.
9. Modifications. This Agreement may not be changed, modified, released, discharged, abandoned or otherwise amended, in whole or in part, except by an instrument in writing, signed by the Subscriber and the Company. No delay or failure of the Company in exercising any right under this Agreement will be deemed to constitute a waiver of such right or of any other rights.
10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the exhibits hereto are the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereto and thereto. This Agreement, including the exhibits, supersede any previous oral or written communications, representations, understandings or agreements with the Company or with any officers, directors, agents or representatives of the Company.
11. Severability. In the event that any paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such paragraph or provision shall, as to that jurisdiction, be adjusted and reformed, if possible, in order to achieve the intent of the parties hereunder, and if such paragraph or provision cannot be adjusted and reformed, such paragraph or provision shall, for the purposes of that jurisdiction, be voided and severed from this Agreement, and the entire Agreement shall not fail on account thereof but shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.
12. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, subject to, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada without regard to conflict of law principles.
13. Survival of Covenants, Representations and Warranties. Subscriber understands the meaning and legal consequences of the agreements, covenants, representations and warranties contained herein, and agrees that such agreements, covenants, representations and warranties shall survive and remain in full force and effect after the execution hereof and payment by Subscriber for the Securities.
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For good, valuable and adequate consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Subscriber hereby agrees that by signing this Subscription and Investment Representation Agreement, and upon acceptance hereof by the Company, that the terms, provisions, obligations and agreements of this Agreement shall be binding upon Subscriber, and such terms, provisions, obligations and agreements shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Subscriber and its successors and assigns.
| INDIVIDUAL(S): | ||
| /s/ Ryan Melsert | ||
| Name: | Ryan Melsert | |
| ENTITY: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Number of Shares Purchased: | 5 |
| Purchase Price Per Share: | $20.00 |
| Aggregate Purchase Price: | $100.00 |
The Subscriber desires that the Securities be held as follows (check one):
| ☒ | Individual Ownership | ☐ | Corporation | ||
| ☐ | Community Property | ☐ | Trust* | ||
| ☐ | Jt. Tenant with Right of Survivorship | ☐ | Limited Liability Company* | ||
| (both parties must sign) | ☐ | Partnership* | |||
| ☐ | Tenants in Common | ☐ | Other (please describe): |
The Company hereby accepts the subscription evidenced by this Subscription and Investment Representation Agreement:
| AMERICAN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY | ||
| By: | /s/ Jesse Deutsch | |
| Name: | Jesse Deutsch | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
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Exhibit A
Certificate of Designation
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